Effect of stocking density on the behavior of newly transformed juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii

This study characterized the behavioral activity of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in the early stages of development, under different stocking densities (25 and 40 animals/m²), and during the light and dark phases of a 24-h cycle. Observations of individuals were made in 8 aquariums. Behavioral recording lasted 15 min/aquarium, 4 times/day and 4 days/week, 4 weeks in total. Food was offered twice daily. Observational methods included a combination of behavioral sampling and scan sampling. During the light phase, inactivity, cleaning and remaining in a shelter were the most frequent behaviors. During the dark phase the subjects displayed a higher frequency of feeding, exploration, swimming, and digging. At low density, the animals gained more weight and exhibited greater growth overall. These results indicate a behavioral pattern that is more favorable to animals in the lower density cultivation environment that can also create better living conditions for these shrimp, favor survival rates and therefore improve management success.     

N-Acetylsuccinimidylglutamate, a Cyclic Imide Form of the Peptide N-Acetylaspartylglutamate, Is Present in Low Micromolar Concentrations in Murine and Bovine CNS

Abstract: N -Acetylsuccinimidylglutamate [(asu)NAAG], a cyclic form of the peptide N -acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) in which the aspartyl residue is linked to glutamate via the α- and β-carboxylates, was identified and quantified by HPLC in the murine and bovine CNS. In the rat, the highest concentrations of (asu)NAAG were detected in the spinal cord (1.83 ± 0.15 pmol/mg of wet tissue weight) and brainstem (1.16 ± 0.08 pmol/mg wet weight), whereas the levels were below the limit of detection in cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. (Asu)NAAG was also detected in significant amounts in the superior colliculus and lateral genicutale nucleus (1.17 ± 0.05 and 0.82 ± 0.13 pmol/mg wet weight, respectively). Although the tissue content of (asu)NAAG was about three orders of magnitude lower than that of NAAG, levels of both peptides were positively correlated among different CNS regions ( r = 0.74, p < 0.003). In the rat spinal cord, (asu)NAAG levels progressively increased from week 2 to month 12 after birth. In bovine spinal cord, the contents of (asu)NAAG and NAAG were comparable in gray and white matter as well as in the dorsal and ventral horns. These results suggest that NAAG and (asu)-NAAG are closely related metabolically and raise the question of the physiological significance of such a cyclic peptide.     

Reducing HIV Risk among Transgender Women in Thailand: A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of the Sisters Program

Transgender women are particularly at risk of HIV infection, but little evidence exists on effective HIV prevention strategies with this population. We evaluated whether Sisters, a peer-led program for transgender women, could reduce HIV risks in Pattaya, Thailand. The study used time-location sampling to recruit 308 transgender women in Pattaya into a behavioral survey in 2011. Coarsened exact matching was used to create statistically equivalent groups of program participants and non-participants, based on factors influencing likelihood of program participation. Using multivariable logistic regression, we estimated effects of any program participation and participation by delivery channel on: condom use at last sex; consistent condom and condom/water-based lubricant use in the past 3 months with commercial, casual, and regular partners; and receipt of HIV testing in the past 6 months. Program coverage reached 75% of the population. In a matched sub-sample (n = 238), participation in outreach was associated with consistent condom/water-based lubricant use with commercial partners (AOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.64–6.31). Attendance at the Sisters drop-in center was associated with receiving an HIV test (AOR 2.58, 95% CI 1.47–4.52). Dedicated transgender-friendly programs are effective at reducing HIV risks and require expansion to better serve this key population and improve HIV prevention strategies.     

Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Reduce Acute and Chronic Kidney Damage in Mice

Acute and chronic kidney injuries (AKI and CKI) constitute syndromes responsible for a large part of renal failures, and are today still associated with high mortality rates. Given the lack of more effective therapies, there has been intense focus on the use stem cells for organ protective and regenerative effects. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great potential in the treatment of various diseases of immune character, although there is still debate on its mechanism of action. Thus, for a greater understanding of the role of MSCs, we evaluated the effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (AdSCs) in an experimental model of nephrotoxicity induced by folic acid (FA) in FVB mice. AdSC-treated animals displayed kidney functional improvement 24h after therapy, represented by reduced serum urea after FA. These data correlated with cell cycle regulation and immune response modulation via reduced chemokine expression and reduced neutrophil infiltrate. Long-term analyses, 4 weeks after FA, indicated that AdSC treatment reduced kidney fibrosis and chronic inflammation. These were demonstrated by reduced interstitial collagen deposition and tissue chemokine and cytokine expression. Thus, we concluded that AdSC treatment played a protective role in the framework of nephrotoxic injury via modulation of inflammation and cell cycle regulation, resulting in reduced kidney damage and functional improvement, inhibiting organ fibrosis and providing long-term immune regulation.