cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898978
title: Oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio, or total distance: a comparison of methods to equalize exercise volume in Wistar rats

description: This study compared strategies to equalize the volume of aerobic exercise performed with different intensities by Wistar rats, based on the distance covered during exercise bouts and energy expenditure (EE, isocaloric sessions) obtained from oxygen uptake (V̇O2) or respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Thirty-three male rats (270.5±12.8 g) underwent maximal exercise tests to determine V̇O2 reserve (V̇O2R), being randomly assigned to three groups: moderate-intensity continuous exercise at speed corresponding to 50% V̇O2R (MIC; n=11); high-intensity continuous exercise at 80% V̇O2R (HIC; n=11); and high-intensity intermittent exercise (HII; n=11) at 60% V̇O2R (3 min) and 80% V̇O2R (4 min). Exercise duration was calculated individually to elicit EE of 5 kcal in each session. No difference between groups was found for total running distance (MIC: 801±46, HIC: 734±42, HII: 885±64 m; P=0.13). Total EE measured by RER was systematically underestimated compared to values obtained from V̇O2 (HII: 4.5% and MIC: 6.2%, P&lt;0.05). Total EE (calculated from V̇O2), and duration of HIC bouts (2.8 kcal and 30.8±2.2 min) were lower (P&lt;0.0001) than in MIC (4.9 kcal and 64.7±1.8 min) and HII (4.7 kcal and 46.9±2.2 min). Predicted and actual values of total V̇O2, total EE, and duration of isocaloric sessions were similar in MIC and HII (P&gt;0.05), which were both higher than in HIC (P&lt;0.0001). In conclusion, the time to achieve a given EE in exercise bouts with different intensities did not correspond to the total distance. Therefore, the volume of aerobic exercise in protocols involving Wistar rats should be equalized using EE rather than total covered distance.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898981.v1
title: Enhancement of anti-OVA IgG2c production in vivo by enalapril

description: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have non-hemodynamic, pleiotropic effects on the immune response. The effects of ACE inhibitors on the production of cytokines and T-cell functions are well established. However, little is known on the effects of these medicines on humoral response to foreign antigens. In this study, we investigated the effect of enalapril treatment on ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgG1 and IgG2c production in mice determined by ELISA. Two groups of 8-week-old C57BL/6 females mice (3–4/group) were subcutaneously immunized with OVA (10 μg/animal) in presence of Alhydrogel (1 mg/mouse) and boosted at day 21. The mice were treated with enalapril (5 mg/kg daily, po) or were left without treatment for one month. The animals were bled from the orbital plexus on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after the first immunization and the sera were stored at –20°C until usage. OVA-specific serum IgG1 and IgG2c were determined by ELISA using serum from each individual animal. The results showed that enalapril significantly increased anti-OVA serum IgG2c in the secondary response without affecting IgG1 synthesis. These data expand our understanding on the properties of enalapril on the immune response, including antibody production.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898984.v1
title: Reading of Students with Developmental Dyslexia: Impacts of an Intervention with Phonic Method Associated with the Executive Functions Stimuli

description: ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to verify the impact of an intervention program involving the phonic method associated with executive functions (EF) in the performance of seven students with dyslexia with the mean age of 10.7 years (experimental group - EG), in tasks of executive functions (EF), phonemic awareness and reading. The performance of the EG was compared to three control groups: dyslexics (DCG) of the same age range of the EG; by age group (ACG) composed of seven boys of the same age group as the EG, and another group of skilled but younger readers (RCG) with four participants. The EG received the intervention in 28 sessions. The four groups were evaluated in phonemic awareness, reading, comprehension and the EF before and after the intervention received by the EG. As a result, the EG presented significantly higher performance than DCG in reading of isolated words (frequent, non-frequent and pseudowords). In reading comprehension, the two groups of dyslexics progressed in their performance, but not significantly. The intervention did not affect the performance of the EF of cognitive flexibility and working memory. The EG improved in orthographic verbal fluency and inhibitory control as measured by Go/No Go. The performance of the ACG and RCG did not change significantly in phonemic awareness, word reading, sentence and text comprehension, and most of the EF. These results allow to conclude that the participation of dyslexics in an intervention focusing on the development of phonemic awareness, reading and executive functions was efficient to promote their performance in reading, especially the reading of isolated words.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898969
title: Renin-angiotensin system blockers regulate the metabolism of isolated fat cells in vitro

description: Due to the presence of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in tissues and its specific influence on white adipose tissue, fat cells are possible targets of pharmacological RAS blockers commonly used as anti-hypertensive drugs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of different RAS blockers on fat cell metabolism, more specifically on lipolysis, lipogenesis and oxidation of energy substrates. Isolated primary adipocytes were incubated with different RAS blockers (aliskiren, captopril and losartan) in vitro for 24 h and lipolysis, lipogenesis and glucose oxidation capacities were determined in dose-response assays to a β-adrenergic agonist and to insulin. Although no change was found in lipolytic capacity, the RAS blockers modulated lipogenesis and glucose oxidation in a different way. While captopril decreased insulin-stimulated lipogenesis (−19% of maximal response and −60% of insulin responsiveness) due to reduced glucose derived glycerol synthesis (−19% of maximal response and 64% of insulin responsiveness), aliskiren increased insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation (+49% of maximal response and +292% of insulin responsiveness) in fat cells. Our experiments demonstrate that RAS blockers can differentially induce metabolic alterations in adipocyte metabolism, characterized by a reduction in lipogenic responsiveness or an increase in glucose oxidation. The impact of RAS blockers on adipocyte metabolism may have beneficial implications on metabolic disorders during their therapeutic use in hypertensive patients.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898975.v1
title: Effects of fluoride on proliferation and mineralization in periodontal ligament cells in vitro

description: Fluoride, which is often added to toothpaste or mouthwash in order to protect teeth from decay, may be a novel therapeutic approach for acceleration of periodontal regeneration. Therefore, we investigated the effects of fluoride on proliferation and mineralization in human periodontal ligament cells in vitro. The periodontal ligament cells were stimulated with various concentrations of NaF added into osteogenic inductive medium. Immunohistochemistry of cell identification, cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, Alizarin red S staining and quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed. Moderate concentrations of NaF (50-500 μmol/L) had pro-proliferation effects, while 500 μmol/L had the best effects. ALP activity and calcium content were significantly enhanced by 10 μmol/L NaF with osteogenic inductive medium. Quantitative RT-PCR data varied in genes as a result of different NaF concentrations and treatment periods. We conclude that moderate concentrations of NaF can stimulate proliferation and mineralization in periodontal ligament cells. These in vitro findings may provide a novel therapeutic approach for acceleration of periodontal regeneration by addition of suitable concentrations of NaF into the medication for periodontitis treatment, i.e., into periodontal packs and tissue patches.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898987.v1
title: Infant mortality in Santiago: representations and discourses, Chile, 1860-1914

description: Abstract The article explores the characteristics of infant mortality in Santiago during a historical period in which the demographic indicators reached very high figures turning the phenomenon into a medical and political issue. After commenting on historiographic data, it demonstrates the behavior of the infant population quantitatively, taking into account primary sources – from medicine, the press and civil records – and bibliography. It also exposes the motives employed by the elite to justify the children’s deaths: materially, morally and culturally. The conclusion addresses the promulgation of the defenseless child law, the beginnings of knowledge on child health and the inauguration of the Child Hospital.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898963
title: Long-term effects of human amniotic membrane in a rat model of biliary fibrosis

description: Liver fibrosis is the most common outcome of chronic liver diseases, and its progression to cirrhosis can only be effectively treated with liver transplantation. The amniotic membrane (AM) has been studied as an alternative therapy for fibrosis diseases mainly for its favorable properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-scaring and immunomodulatory properties. It was recently demonstrated that the AM reduces the progression of biliary fibrosis to its advanced stage, cirrhosis, when applied on the liver for 6 weeks after fibrosis induction. Here, we investigated the effects of AM on rat fibrotic liver, during a prolonged period of time. Fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), and at the same time, a fragment of AM was applied around the liver. After 1, 3, 6, and 9 weeks, the degree of fibrosis was assessed by qualitative Knodell scoring, and by quantitative image analysis to quantify the area of collagen deposition in hepatic tissue. While fibrosis progressed rapidly in untreated BDL animals, leading to cirrhosis within 6 weeks, AM-treated livers showed confined fibrosis at the periportal area with few and thin fibrotic septa, but without cirrhosis. In addition, collagen deposition was reduced to about 36 and 55% of levels observed in BDL at 6 and 9 weeks after BDL, respectively, which shows that the longer the period of AM application, the lower the collagen deposition. These results suggested that AM applied as a patch onto the liver surface for longer periods attenuated the severity of biliary fibrosis and protected against liver degeneration caused by excessive collagen deposition.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898966
title: Combination therapy of orally administered glycyrrhizin and UVB improved active-stage generalized vitiligo

description: Glycyrrhizin has been used clinically for several years due to its beneficial effect on immunoglobulin E (IgE)-induced allergic diseases, alopecia areata and psoriasis. In this study, glycyrrhizin, ultraviolet B light (UVB) or a combination of both were used to treat active-stage generalized vitiligo. One hundred and forty-four patients between the ages of 3 and 48 years were divided into three groups: group A received oral compound glycyrrhizin (OCG); group B received UVB applications twice weekly, and group C received OCG+UVB. Follow-ups were performed at 2, 4, and 6 months after the treatment was initiated. The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) and the Vitiligo Disease Activity (VIDA) instrument were used to assess the affected body surface, at each follow-up. Results showed that 77.1, 75.0 and 87.5% in groups A, B and C, respectively, presented repigmentation of lesions. Responsiveness to therapy seemed to be associated with lesion location and patient compliance. Adverse events were limited and transient. This study showed that, although the three treatment protocols had positive results, OCG and UVB combination therapy was the most effective and led to improvement in disease stage from active to stable.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898969.v1
title: Renin-angiotensin system blockers regulate the metabolism of isolated fat cells in vitro

description: Due to the presence of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in tissues and its specific influence on white adipose tissue, fat cells are possible targets of pharmacological RAS blockers commonly used as anti-hypertensive drugs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of different RAS blockers on fat cell metabolism, more specifically on lipolysis, lipogenesis and oxidation of energy substrates. Isolated primary adipocytes were incubated with different RAS blockers (aliskiren, captopril and losartan) in vitro for 24 h and lipolysis, lipogenesis and glucose oxidation capacities were determined in dose-response assays to a β-adrenergic agonist and to insulin. Although no change was found in lipolytic capacity, the RAS blockers modulated lipogenesis and glucose oxidation in a different way. While captopril decreased insulin-stimulated lipogenesis (−19% of maximal response and −60% of insulin responsiveness) due to reduced glucose derived glycerol synthesis (−19% of maximal response and 64% of insulin responsiveness), aliskiren increased insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation (+49% of maximal response and +292% of insulin responsiveness) in fat cells. Our experiments demonstrate that RAS blockers can differentially induce metabolic alterations in adipocyte metabolism, characterized by a reduction in lipogenic responsiveness or an increase in glucose oxidation. The impact of RAS blockers on adipocyte metabolism may have beneficial implications on metabolic disorders during their therapeutic use in hypertensive patients.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898972
title: Pharmacological study of the mechanisms involved in the vasodilator effect produced by the acute application of triiodothyronine to rat aortic rings

description: A relationship between thyroid hormones and the cardiovascular system has been well established in the literature. The present in vitro study aimed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the vasodilator effect produced by the acute application of 10-8–10-4 M triiodothyronine (T3) to isolated rat aortic rings. Thoracic aortic rings from 80 adult male Wistar rats were isolated and mounted in tissue chambers filled with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer in order to analyze the influence of endothelial tissue, inhibitors and blockers on the vascular effect produced by T3. T3 induced a vasorelaxant response in phenylephrine-precontracted rat aortic rings at higher concentrations (10-4.5–10-4.0 M). This outcome was unaffected by 3.1×10-7 M glibenclamide, 10-3 M 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), 10-5 M indomethacin, or 10-5 M cycloheximide. Contrarily, vasorelaxant responses to T3 were significantly (P&lt;0.05) attenuated by endothelium removal or the application of 10-6 M atropine, 10-5 M L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 10-7 M 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), 10-6 M (9S,10R,12R)-2,3,9,10,11,12-Hexahydro-10-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-1-oxo-9,12-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3-fg:3′,2′,1′-kl]pyrrolo[3,4-i](1,6)benzodiazocine-10-carboxylic acid, methyl ester KT 5823, 10-2 M tetraethylammonium (TEA), or 10-7 M apamin plus 10-7 M charybdotoxin. The results suggest the involvement of endothelial mechanisms in the vasodilator effect produced by the acute in vitro application of T3 to rat aortic rings. Possible mechanisms include the stimulation of muscarinic receptors, activation of the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway, and opening of Ca2+-activated K+ channels.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898972.v1
title: Pharmacological study of the mechanisms involved in the vasodilator effect produced by the acute application of triiodothyronine to rat aortic rings

description: A relationship between thyroid hormones and the cardiovascular system has been well established in the literature. The present in vitro study aimed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the vasodilator effect produced by the acute application of 10-8–10-4 M triiodothyronine (T3) to isolated rat aortic rings. Thoracic aortic rings from 80 adult male Wistar rats were isolated and mounted in tissue chambers filled with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer in order to analyze the influence of endothelial tissue, inhibitors and blockers on the vascular effect produced by T3. T3 induced a vasorelaxant response in phenylephrine-precontracted rat aortic rings at higher concentrations (10-4.5–10-4.0 M). This outcome was unaffected by 3.1×10-7 M glibenclamide, 10-3 M 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), 10-5 M indomethacin, or 10-5 M cycloheximide. Contrarily, vasorelaxant responses to T3 were significantly (P&lt;0.05) attenuated by endothelium removal or the application of 10-6 M atropine, 10-5 M L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 10-7 M 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), 10-6 M (9S,10R,12R)-2,3,9,10,11,12-Hexahydro-10-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-1-oxo-9,12-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3-fg:3′,2′,1′-kl]pyrrolo[3,4-i](1,6)benzodiazocine-10-carboxylic acid, methyl ester KT 5823, 10-2 M tetraethylammonium (TEA), or 10-7 M apamin plus 10-7 M charybdotoxin. The results suggest the involvement of endothelial mechanisms in the vasodilator effect produced by the acute in vitro application of T3 to rat aortic rings. Possible mechanisms include the stimulation of muscarinic receptors, activation of the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway, and opening of Ca2+-activated K+ channels.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898978.v1
title: Oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio, or total distance: a comparison of methods to equalize exercise volume in Wistar rats

description: This study compared strategies to equalize the volume of aerobic exercise performed with different intensities by Wistar rats, based on the distance covered during exercise bouts and energy expenditure (EE, isocaloric sessions) obtained from oxygen uptake (V̇O2) or respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Thirty-three male rats (270.5±12.8 g) underwent maximal exercise tests to determine V̇O2 reserve (V̇O2R), being randomly assigned to three groups: moderate-intensity continuous exercise at speed corresponding to 50% V̇O2R (MIC; n=11); high-intensity continuous exercise at 80% V̇O2R (HIC; n=11); and high-intensity intermittent exercise (HII; n=11) at 60% V̇O2R (3 min) and 80% V̇O2R (4 min). Exercise duration was calculated individually to elicit EE of 5 kcal in each session. No difference between groups was found for total running distance (MIC: 801±46, HIC: 734±42, HII: 885±64 m; P=0.13). Total EE measured by RER was systematically underestimated compared to values obtained from V̇O2 (HII: 4.5% and MIC: 6.2%, P&lt;0.05). Total EE (calculated from V̇O2), and duration of HIC bouts (2.8 kcal and 30.8±2.2 min) were lower (P&lt;0.0001) than in MIC (4.9 kcal and 64.7±1.8 min) and HII (4.7 kcal and 46.9±2.2 min). Predicted and actual values of total V̇O2, total EE, and duration of isocaloric sessions were similar in MIC and HII (P&gt;0.05), which were both higher than in HIC (P&lt;0.0001). In conclusion, the time to achieve a given EE in exercise bouts with different intensities did not correspond to the total distance. Therefore, the volume of aerobic exercise in protocols involving Wistar rats should be equalized using EE rather than total covered distance.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898963.v1
title: Long-term effects of human amniotic membrane in a rat model of biliary fibrosis

description: Liver fibrosis is the most common outcome of chronic liver diseases, and its progression to cirrhosis can only be effectively treated with liver transplantation. The amniotic membrane (AM) has been studied as an alternative therapy for fibrosis diseases mainly for its favorable properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-scaring and immunomodulatory properties. It was recently demonstrated that the AM reduces the progression of biliary fibrosis to its advanced stage, cirrhosis, when applied on the liver for 6 weeks after fibrosis induction. Here, we investigated the effects of AM on rat fibrotic liver, during a prolonged period of time. Fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), and at the same time, a fragment of AM was applied around the liver. After 1, 3, 6, and 9 weeks, the degree of fibrosis was assessed by qualitative Knodell scoring, and by quantitative image analysis to quantify the area of collagen deposition in hepatic tissue. While fibrosis progressed rapidly in untreated BDL animals, leading to cirrhosis within 6 weeks, AM-treated livers showed confined fibrosis at the periportal area with few and thin fibrotic septa, but without cirrhosis. In addition, collagen deposition was reduced to about 36 and 55% of levels observed in BDL at 6 and 9 weeks after BDL, respectively, which shows that the longer the period of AM application, the lower the collagen deposition. These results suggested that AM applied as a patch onto the liver surface for longer periods attenuated the severity of biliary fibrosis and protected against liver degeneration caused by excessive collagen deposition.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7898954
title: Physical exercise prevents motor disorders and striatal oxidative imbalance after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

description: Stroke is the third most common cause of death worldwide, and most stroke survivors present some functional impairment. We assessed the striatal oxidative balance and motor alterations resulting from stroke in a rat model to investigate the neuroprotective role of physical exercise. Forty male Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups: a) control, b) ischemia, c) physical exercise, and d) physical exercise and ischemia. Physical exercise was conducted using a treadmill for 8 weeks. Ischemia-reperfusion surgery involved transient bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 30 min. Neuromotor performance (open-field and rotarod performance tests) and pain sensitivity were evaluated beginning at 24 h after the surgery. Rats were euthanized and the corpora striata was removed for assay of reactive oxygen species, lipoperoxidation activity, and antioxidant markers. Ischemia-reperfusion caused changes in motor activity. The ischemia-induced alterations observed in the open-field test were fully reversed, and those observed in the rotarod test were partially reversed, by physical exercise. Pain sensitivity was similar among all groups. Levels of reactive oxygen species and lipoperoxidation increased after ischemia; physical exercise decreased reactive oxygen species levels. None of the treatments altered the levels of antioxidant markers. In summary, ischemia-reperfusion resulted in motor impairment and altered striatal oxidative balance in this animal model, but those changes were moderated by physical exercise.