Prenatal Androgenization of Ewes as a Model of Hirsutism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The main clinical feature associated with hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in humans is hirsutism, where hair increases its length, pigmentation, and particularly its diameter. Currently, it is not known whether PCOS animal models also exhibit changes in the hair. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the wool characteristics in sheep prenatally androgenized (PA) with testosterone propionate. After 4 and 13 months of life, wool was collected from the top of the shoulder of both females and males (both androgenized and controls). The offspring sheep were followed for up to 19 months of life to evaluate testosterone and androstenedione serum levels by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, determine insulin and glucose response to intravenous glucose tolerance test, and address estrus cyclicity during the second breeding season. PA male animals showed a reduction in wool fiber diameter at 4 months of age compared with controls (P = 0.02) but not at 13 months, whereas PA females showed increased hair diameter at 13 months (P = 0.002), with no difference at 4 months. No substantial changes in other hair parameters (length, color, and medullation) were identified. In addition, increased levels of serum testosterone were observed in PA female sheep compared with controls at 12 months (P = 0.03). Our results indicate for the first time, to our knowledge, that changes in wool fiber diameter observed in PA ewes replicate, at the translational level, the increase in hair diameter in hirsute women with PCOS.

Relationship between heart rate deflection point determined by Dmax method and 10-km running performance in endurance recreationally-trained female runners

AIM

The aim of this paper was to verify the relationship between the speed at heart rate deflection point based on Dmax method (sHRDPDmax) with 10-km running performance and the speed at lactate threshold calculated with Dmax method (sLTDmax) in endurance recreationally-trained female runners. We also aim to examine the influence of exponential-plus-constant and third-order polynomial regression models and the influence of the heart rate points (model with initial HR points above 140 b·min(-1) versus model with all HR points) on the determination of the sHRDPDmax.

METHODS

Thirteen endurance recreationally-trained female runners were recruited. Participants performed a discontinuous incremental exercise tests initiating at 7 km·h(-1) with 1 km·h(-1) increments each 3 min to determine sHRDPDmax and sLTDmax according to two adjustments: 1) exponential-plus-constant regression model (sHRDPexp and sLTexp); 2) third-order polynomial regression model (sHRDPpol and sLTpol). The sHRDPDmax was also calculated based on HR points above 140 b·min(-1) (sHRDPexp>140 and sHRDPpol>140). Each participant performed a 10-km running performance (s10km).

RESULTS

Only the sHRDPexp and sHRDPexp>140 correlated with s10km (sHRDPexp, r=0.87; sHRDPexp>140, r=0.76) and showed higher correlations than the sHRDPpol and sHRDPpol>140 with sLTDmax. The sHRDPexp presented higher correlation with sLTexp than sHRDPexp>140, however sHRDPexp>140 better correlated with sLTpol than sHRDPexp. Furthermore, sHRDPpol>140 demonstrated higher correlations with sLTexp and sLTpol than sHRDPpol.

CONCLUSION

The determination of sHRDPDmax according to different initial HR point and its correlation with sLTDmax is influenced by the regression model. Further, only sHRDPexp and sHRDPexp>140 were predictors of endurance performance. However, despite the high correlations, the deflection point very often occurred around the midpoint between initial and final speeds during the incremental test suggesting that the exponential-plus-constant may not be an appropriate regression curve.

Evaluation of the Best-designed Graded Exercise Test to Assess Peak Treadmill Speed

This study examined the influence of different speed increments during treadmill exercise tests on peak treadmill speed (Vpeak) and its relationship with a 1-h treadmill running performance. 18 male recreational and amateur runners (10-km running pace: 10-15 km·h(-1)) performed, in an alternate order, 3 continuous incremental exercise tests with different speed increments (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 km·h(-1)) on a motorized treadmill to determine Vpeak. Thereafter they undertook a 1-h time trial on a treadmill. Vpeak was determined as either (a) the highest speed that could be maintained for a complete minute (Vpeak-60 s), (b) the speed of the last complete stage (Vpeak-C), or (c) the speed of the last complete stage added to the product of the speed increment and the completed fraction of the incomplete stage (Vpeak-P). The Vpeak values were highly influenced by the different speed-incremented rates and the Vpeak-P determined during the protocol comprising speed increments of 1 km·h(-1) presented the highest correlation with 1-h time trial performance (r=0.89). The results suggest that a protocol with speed increments comprising 1 km·h(-1) and with a 3-min stage duration should be used as standard for the determination of Vpeak to assess aerobic fitness and predict endurance performance in recreational runners. Furthermore, the Vpeak-P should be used for the determination of Vpeak.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: multiresistant tick

The aim of the present study was to assess the acaricide resistance of tick populations in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), which has not previously been reported. Fifty-four cattle farms were visited and specimens of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus were collected and subjected to the adult immersion test, using nine commercial acaricides in the amidine, pyrethroid and organophosphate groups. Climatic data, including monthly precipitation, were recorded. The results from the present study demonstrated that seven of the acaricides analyzed presented mean efficacy values of less than 95%, with large differences among the products tested. Nine of them exhibited satisfactory and unsatisfactory acaricide results on at least one farm. In conclusion, the farms located in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, exhibited populations of R. (Boophilus) microplus with variable degrees of susceptibility to different acaricides, thus suggesting that resistance to the active compounds exists. It is suggested that treatment protocols should be implemented at the beginning of winter and summer, using the acaricides that showed efficacy in the adult immersion test.

An evaluation of immune system cell infiltrate in the cervical stroma of patients with grade III cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after treatment with intralesional alpha-2B interferon

The aim of this study was to characterize infiltrating immune cells in cervical stroma biopsy samples from patients diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CINs) who were treated with IFN-alpha 2b. The authors studied 13 volunteers who were diagnosed with Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia CIN II or III and who received intra-lesional treatment with IFN-alpha 2b. They collected pre- and post-treatment biopsies from each patient. They also examined the slides under a common optical microscope with a X400 lens for biopsy sample sections that were labeled with immunohistochemistry for T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, natural killer cell, macrophage, iNOS, and perforin markers. The presence of immune response cells in the lesion was observed after treatment with intralesional IFN-alpha 2b in patients with CIN II/III changes, a reduction in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration in the women who responded well to treatment. However, there was a significant increase in these markers in samples from women who did not respond to treatment. Nonetheless, immunotherapy with IFN-alpha 2b administered intralesionally in patients with CIN II/III yields favorable results in patients who do not smoke.

Immune response and immunotherapy in intraepithelial and invasive lesions of the uterine cervix

Infection with the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) induces innate and acquired immune responses in the cervical stroma, which are a delicate, balanced and generally unpredictable immunological defense. Because of the immunological breaks that the HPV virus causes, eradication of infected cells does not occur, potentially leading to development of intraepithelial and invasive lesions. Advances in our understanding of the immune system and in the definition of antigens in tumor cells has led to many new treatment strategies. As a result, immunotherapy has the potential to be the most specific treatment for tumors, and one that requires elaboration. Recently, immunotherapy with interferon and dendritc cells has been used on intrapepithelial and invasive cervical lesions with promising results.

The Dmax is highly related to performance in middle-aged females

The present study examined whether the running speed at the lactate threshold estimated by the maximal deviation method (LT (Dmax)) is highly correlated and in agreement with 10-km road race performance (S (10 km)) in middle-aged female runners. Additionally, the LT (Dmax) was compared with the visual detection of the inflection point (LT (Visual)), the fixed lactate level of 4 mmol.L (-1) (LT (4)) and the peak speed (S (peak)) in relation to performance. Sixteen middle-aged, recreational female runners performed a discontinuous, incremental treadmill test. The initial speed was set at 7 km.h (-1), and this speed was increased every 3 min by 1 km.h (-1) with a 30-s rest between the stages used for earlobe capillary blood sample collection. All of the participants took part in the same local 10-km road race, and S (10 km) mean speed was calculated. The speeds (mean ± SD) were 10.5 ± 1.0 (S (10 km)), 10.5 ± 1.0 (LT (Visual)), 10.9 ± 0.9 (LT (Dmax)), 11.4 ± 1.3 (LT (4)) and 13.5 ± 1.1 km.h (-1) (S (peak)). The LT (Dmax) had the narrowest limits of agreement (0.3 ± 0.4 km.h (-1)) and was the most highly correlated with the S (10 km) ( R=0.98), followed by the S (peak) ( R=0.95), LT (4) ( R=0.85) and LT (Visual) ( R=0.81). In conclusion, the LT (Dmax) should be more widely used to estimate long-distance performance and to verify improvements in training.

A rare variation in the high division of the sciatic nerve surrounding the superior gemellus muscle

The sciatic nerve normally leaves the pelvis by passing through the greater sciatic foramen below piriformis. However, it may divide into its common fibular and tibial nerve components within the pelvis and its relationship with piriformis is variable. In this paper, we describe a new anatomical variation in which the common fibular nerve passed superior, and the tibial nerve inferior, to the superior gemellus muscle. Anatomical variations such as these may contribute to piriformis syndrome, coccygodynia and muscle atrophy.