Temporal relationships between hormonal and hemodynamic changes in early human pregnancy

BACKGROUND

The systemic hemodynamic profile of human pregnancy is characterized by a decrease in mean arterial pressure, a rise in cardiac output and plasma volume in association with an increase in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. The factors and the time course responsible for the initial hemodynamic changes seen in human pregnancy have not been completely documented. We hypothesize that systemic and renal hemodynamic changes occur early, prior to the presence of the fetal-placental unit.

METHODS

Thirteen women were studied prior to and immediately following conception in identical fashion at gestational weeks 6, 8, 10, 12, 24 and 36. Individuals underwent mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, inulin and PAH clearance determinations.

RESULTS

Mean arterial pressure decreased by six weeks gestation (mid follicular 81.5 +/- 2.6 vs. six weeks 68.7 +/- 2.0 mm tig, P < 0.001) in association with a significant increase in cardiac output, a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and an increase in plasma volume. Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate increased by six weeks gestation. Plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration increased significantly by six weeks, whereas norepinephrine levels did not change throughout pregnancy. Atrial natriuretic peptide levels increased later, at 12 weeks gestation. Plasma cGMP levels decreased and cGMP clearance increased by six and eight weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Peripheral vasodilation occurs early in pregnancy prior to full placentation in association with renal vasodilation and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Plasma volume expansion occurs early, followed later by increases in ANP concentration, suggesting that ANP increases in response to changes in intravasular volume.

Adsorption and desorption of copper and zinc in the surface layer of acid soils

The environmental and health effects of the contamination of soils by heavy metals depend on the ability of the soils to immobilize these contaminants. In this work, the adsorption and desorption of Cu and Zn in the surface layers of 27 acid soils were studied. Adsorption of Cu(II) from 157-3148 mumol L(-1) solutions was much greater than adsorption of Zn(II) from solutions at the same concentration. For both Cu and Zn, the adsorption data were fitted better by the Freundlich equation than by the Langmuir equation. Multiple regression analyses suggest that Cu and Zn adsorption depends to a significant extent on pH and CEC: for both metals these variables accounted for more than 80% of the variance in the Freundlich pre-exponential parameter K(F), and pH also accounted for 57% of the variance in 1/n for Zn and, together with carbon content, for 41% of the variance in 1/n for Cu. The percentage of adsorbed metal susceptible to desorption into 0.01 M NaNO3 was greater for Zn than for Cu, but in both cases depended significantly on pH, decreasing as pH increased. In turn, both pH(H2O) and pH(KCl) are significantly correlated with cation exchange capacity. Desorption of metal adsorbed from solutions at relatively low concentration (787 mumol L(-1)) exhibited power-law dependence on Kd, the quotient expressing distribution between soil and soil solution in the corresponding adsorption experiment, decreasing as increasing Kd reflected increasing affinity of the soil for the metal. The absence of a similarly clear relationship when metal had been adsorbed from solutions at relatively high concentration (2361 mumol L(-1)) is attributed to the scant between-soil variability of Kd at these higher concentrations. In general, adsorption was greater and subsequent desorption less in cultivated soils than in woodland soils.

Systemic and renal hemodynamic changes in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle mimic early pregnancy

Blood pressure decreases during early pregnancy in association with a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and increases in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. These early changes suggest a potential association with corpora lutea function. To determine whether peripheral vasodilation occurs following ovulation, we studied 16 healthy women in the midfollicular and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle. A significant decrease in mean arterial pressure in the midluteal phase of the cycle (midfollicular of 81.7 +/- 2.0 vs. midluteal of 75.4 +/- 2.3 mmHg, P < 0.005) was found in association with a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and an increase in cardiac output. Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate increased. Plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration increased significantly in the luteal phase accompanied by a decrease in atrial natriuretic peptide concentration. Serum sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate concentrations and osmolarity also declined significantly in the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Urinary adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) excretion increased in the luteal compared with the follicular phase, whereas no changes in urinary cGMP or NO2/NO3 excretion were found. Thus peripheral vasodilation occurs in the luteal phase of the normal menstrual cycle in association with an increase in renal plasma flow and filtration. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis is found in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. These changes are accompanied by an increase in urinary cAMP excretion indicating potential vasodilating mediators responsible for the observed hemodynamic changes.

Generation of Dendritic Cells With Regulatory Properties

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells with the ability to induce and regulate an immune response. DCs that capture and present antigen under noninflammatory conditions maintain an immature phenotype and acquire tolerogenic properties. These DCs generate regulatory T lymphocytes that potentiate tolerogenic responses. Here we developed a method for the generation of immature murine DCs able to process and present a specific antigen in a tolerogenic context. Immature DCs were prepared from bone marrow precursors after differentiation with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the presence of vitamin D(3) and characterized by their low expression of major histocompatibility complex class (MHC) II and CD86 molecules. Purified phagosomes containing either MHC II molecules or ovalbumin were used to deliver antigens to immature DCs. More than 80% of the DCs captured the phagosomes, while maintaining a low expression of maturation markers and showing basal levels of secretion of activating cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-12. Treatment of the immature DCs with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) increased IL-10 secretion, in agreement with their anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory properties. Cocultures of transgenic OT-II T lymphocytes with the immature DCs carrying OVA-phagosomes succeeded in generating a subpopulation of regulatory T lymphocytes characterized by the expression of CD4, CD25, CD62L, and Foxp3. Taken together, our results suggest that vitamin D(3) generates immune tolerance through the modulation of DC phenotype and could be useful to induce tolerance to allotransplants.

Antibody and cellular immune responses of swine following immunisation with plasmid DNA encoding the PRRS virus ORF's 4, 5, 6 and 7

The objectives of this study was to investigate the role of DNA vaccines in the generation of an immune response and that elicited against individually encoded proteins of PRRSV. The genomic regions encoding ORF s 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the PRRS virus vaccine strain were cloned into the mammalian expression vector pc DNA 3.1 (+). Inoculations with the recombinant plasmids resulted in detection of PRRS virus-specific antibodies in 71 per cent of the immunized animals by ELISA, virus neutralization and/or Western blotting assays. In addition, cellular immune responses were detected in 86 per cent of the immunized pigs by interferon gamma assay and/or proliferation assay. Pigs in the control group had no detectable immune response to PRRS virus. The results obtained demonstrated that DNA immunization against PRRS virus results in the production of both humoral and cell mediated immune responses in pigs. The results also indicate that neutralization epitopes for PRRS virus are present on the viral envelope glycoproteins encoded by ORF 4 and ORF 5.

Bacterial community structure of a lab-scale anammox membrane bioreactor

Autotrophic nitrogen removal technologies have proliferated through the last decade. Among these, a promising one is the membrane bioreactor (MBR) Anammox, which can achieve very high solids retention time and therefore sets a proper environment for the cultivation of anammox bacteria. In this sense, the MBR Anammox is an efficient technology for the treatment of effluents with low organic carbon and high ammonium concentrations once it has been treated under partial nitrification systems. A lab-scale MBR Anammox bioreactor has been built at the Technological University of Delft, The Netherlands and has been proven for efficient nitrogen removal and efficient cultivation of anammox bacteria. In this study, next-generation sequencing techniques have been used for the investigation of the bacterial communities of this MBR Anammox for the first time ever. A strong domination of Candidatus Brocadia bacterium and also the presence of a myriad of other microorganisms that have adapted to this environment were detected, suggesting that the MBR Anammox bioreactor might have a more complex microbial ecosystem that it has been thought. Among these, nitrate-reducing heterotrophs and primary producers, among others, were identified. Definition of the ecological roles of the OTUs identified through metagenomic analysis was discussed.

Biological and technical study of a partial-SHARON reactor at laboratory scale: effect of hydraulic retention time

This study was on the technical and biological characteristics of a partial-SHARON submerged-filter bioreactor of 3 L. The main focus was the influence of the hydraulic retention time (HRT) on biofilms. For this purpose, we used molecular tools based on the partial 16S rRNA genes. The results showed that the HRT may affect the nitrification processes of a bioreactor using synthetic wastewater containing 600 mg/L of ammonia. It was found that an HRT of 0.5 day transformed 100 % of the ammonium into nitrite. However, when the HRT was decreased to 0.4 day, there was a significant reduction (35 %) in the quantity of ammonia transformed, which confirmed the complexity of the system operation. Moreover, a PCR-TGGE approach highlighted the differences observed. The results obtained showed that an HRT of 0.5 day reduced bacterial biodiversity in the biofilms, which were mainly formed by Nitrosomonas and Diaphorobacter. In contrast, an HRT of 0.4 day facilitated the formation of heterogeneous biofilms formed by nitrifying bacteria, such as Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrosospira sp., and Nitrosovibrio sp.).

Removal of anti-inflammatory/analgesic pharmaceuticals from urban wastewater in a pilot-scale A2O system: Linking performance and microbial population dynamics to operating variables

In this study, the removal rates of eight anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic pharmaceuticals, AIAPs (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, codeine, indomethacin and propyphenazone) were assessed in a pilot-scale A²O system (including anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic zones), long term operated during two experimental phases using different sets of environmental conditions and operating parameters. qPCR was used to quantify the absolute abundances of total Bacteria, total Archaea, mycolic-acid containing filamentous Actinobacteria (Mycolata) and Fungi within the activated sludge microbial community developed in the system. Multivariate analyses and Spearman correlation coefficients were used in search of significant links among the removal rates of the AIAPs, the abundances of the targeted microbial groups in the activated sludge, and the changes of environmental/operating variables in the A²O system. Improved removal efficiencies of several of the AIAPs analyzed (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen) were correlated to higher organic load in the influent water, higher concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), lower temperature and lower food-to-microorganisms ratio (F/M). Removal efficiencies of several pharmaceuticals correlated with increased abundances of Mycolata in the A²O system, pointing at this group of bacteria as candidate key players for AIAPs removal in activated sludge.

Osmotic Dehydration and Freezing as Combined Processes on Apple Preservation

Combined processes effects of osmotic dehydration in sucrose solutions and freezing on apple cubes preservation were analysed. Two multifactorial experimental designs, in two levels, were conducted consecutively to quantify the effects of the following factors: temperature, osmotic dehydration time, concentration of the osmotic medium and freezing rate. The response variables considered were: sensory evaluation, colour, texture, water activity ( aw) and reducing and total sugars. The first experimental design selected fast freezing as the best process to preserve texture and colour of the fruit. From the second experimental design, under fast freezing, were obtained the following optimal levels: 55 ºBx for the concentration of the osmotic medium, 35 ºC for the syrup temperature and 60 min for the osmotic dehydration time. A test of acceptability was performed under these conditions with 80 potential consumers on a 7-point hedonic scale, which gave 93% acceptance. Glass transition temperature (Tg') of the maximally cryoconcentrated liquid was –41.89 ºC for the product processed under optimum conditions. Significant correlations ( P= 0.05) were found between sensory and instrumental responses.

Diagnosis of Aujeszky's disease virus infection in dogs by use of immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization

Aujeszky's disease (AD) was diagnosed in seven dogs by histological examination, immunohistochemistry and DNA in-situ hybridization. All dogs which lived on two swine farms died spontaneously showing an acute neurological syndrome (hypersalivation, vomiting, pruritus, depression and coma). The most significant histopathological lesion was a non-suppurative encephalitis located in the brain stem, mainly near the floor of the IVth ventricle. Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) antigen and ADV nucleic acid distribution coincided with the histopathological lesions. However, little ADV antigen and ADV nucleic acid was found in severely damaged areas. A few neurons stained intensely by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization in non-inflammatory areas. Both immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization techniques are valid techniques to confirm ADV infection in paraffin-embedded tissues and will be useful for characterizing the pathogenesis of ADV in the central nervous system (CNS) in carnivores.

Treatment of effluents polluted by nitrogen with new biological technologies based on autotrophic nitrification-denitrification processes

In recent years, various technologies have been developed for the removal of nitrogen from wastewater that is rich in nitrogen but poor in organic carbon, such as the effluents from anaerobic digesters and from certain industries. These technologies have resulted in several patents. The core of these technologies is some of the processes and patents described in this paper: Aerobic denitrification, Sharon, Anammox, OLAND, CANON, NOx process, DEMON. More specifically, one of the first innovative options described for removing nitrogen include partial nitrification under aerobic conditions (partial Sharon process) followed by autotrophic anaerobic oxidation (Anammox process). The partial Sharon-Anammox process can be performed under alternating oxic and anoxic conditions in the same bioreactor or in two steps in two separate bioreactors. This overview focuses on the technical and biological aspects of these new types of treatment system, and compares them to other technologies. Given the fact that nitrification is a sensitive process, special attention is paid to conditions such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, hydraulic retention time, free ammonia, nitrous acid concentration, and pH. A discussion of the pros and cons of such treatment systems is also included since autotrophic nitrogen removal has advantages as well as drawbacks. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research that could improve these systems by enhancing performance and reducing costs.

Insights into the removal of pharmaceutically active compounds from sewage sludge by two-stage mesophilic anaerobic digestion

The removal efficiencies (REs) of twenty-seven pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) (eight analgesic/anti-inflammatories, six antibiotics, four β-blockers, two antihypertensives/diuretics, three lipid regulators and four psychiatric drugs) were evaluated in a pilot-scale two-stage mesophilic anaerobic digestion (MAD) system treating thickened sewage sludge from a pilot-scale A²O™ wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) which was fed with wastewater from the pre-treatment of the full-scale WWTP Murcia Este (Murcia, Spain). The MAD system was long-term operated using two different sets of sludge retention times (SRTs) for the acidogenic (AcD) and methanogenic (MD) digesters (phase I, 2 and 12 days; and phase II, 5 and 24 days, in AcD and MD, respectively). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Illumina MiSeq sequencing were used to estimate the absolute abundance of Bacteria, Archaea, and Fungi and investigate the structure, diversity and population dynamics of their communities in the AcD and MD effluents. The extension of the SRT from 12 (phase I) to 24 days (phase II) in the MD was significantly linked with an improved removal of carbamazepine, clarithromycin, codeine, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, lorazepam, and propranolol. The absolute abundances of total Bacteria and Archaea were higher in the MD regardless of the phase, while the diversity of bacterial and archaeal communities was lower in phase II, in both digesters. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) plots showed strong negative correlations among phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and between genera Methanosaeta and Methanosarcina throughout the full experimental period. Strong positive correlations were revealed between the relative abundances of Methanospirillum and Methanoculleus and the methanogenesis performance parameters (volatile solids removal, CH₄ recovery rate and %CH₄ in the biogas), which were also related to longer SRT. The REs of several PhACs (naproxen, ketoprofen, ofloxacin, fenofibrate, trimethoprim, and atenolol) correlated positively (r > 0.75) with the relative abundances of specific bacterial and archaeal groups, suggesting their participation in biodegradation/biotransformation pathways.

Influence of isoprinosine on bovine herpesvirus type-1 infection in cattle

A study was conducted to determine the in vivo efficacy of isoprinosine (ISO) in calves infected with bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1). Calves were infected with BHV-1 on day 0 and received ISO daily for 14 days. Clinical signs of disease, shedding of BHV-1, lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogens, interleukin-2 production, and alveolar macrophage bactericidal activity were monitored during the study. Rectal temperatures were increased (P less than 0.05) in BHV-1 and ISO-BHV-1 calves at days 3 to 7 postinfection (PI). Isoprinosine did not influence BHV-1 shedding in calves. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were lower (P less than 0.01) in BHV-1 calves when compared to control or ISO calves at day 4 PI, but ISO did not ameliorate this effect. Interleukin-2 activity was greater (P less than 0.05) in ISO-BHV-1 calves on days 4 and 8 PI in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes and on day 8 PI in concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes when compared to control, ISO or BHV-1 calves. Isoprinosine treatment of BHV-1-infected calves tended to decrease alveolar macrophage bactericidal activity. These data suggest that ISO does not reverse BHV-1 suppression of lymphocyte proliferation, but may enhance IL-2 production in BHV-1 infected calves.

Evaluation of the pathogenicity and transmissibility of a chilean isolate of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

The objective of this study was to determine clinical features, shedding and transmission of a Chilean Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) strain upon experimental inoculation of 4-week-old pigs. Six groups of five animals each were used. The G1 (donor) group was inoculated with PRRSV, maintained in an isolation unit for 35 days, and sampled daily to determine shedding in mucosal secretions and faeces, viraemia and seroconversion. An uninfected control group (G6) was equally maintained and sampled under strict isolation. Four other groups (G2 to G5) were exposed to PRRSV via direct contact with G1 for 5-day periods in a staggered manner, throughout the 35-day period, and were later placed in an independent isolation unit to monitor infection status for 7 days. All the animals in G1 and G6 were killed at 35 days post-inoculation (dpi) and the contact groups at 12 days post-contact (dpc). Samples were obtained from diverse organs for histopathological, immunohistochemical (IHC) and virological analysis. No clinical symptoms were evident in any group, except for a transient fever observed in G1. Histopathologically, all the animals of G1 had interstitial pneumonia, although scarce PRRSV-positive cells were detected in the lung using IHC. PRRSV-positive cells (IHC) were detected in the lymphoid tissue of all animals in infected groups, but especially in G3 and G4. Viraemia was detected in G1 (3-35 dpi) and in the all contact groups (5-12 dpc). Likewise, ranging from 3 to 19 dpi, PRRSV was detected in at least one animal from the tonsils and lungs in all infected groups, in nasal and ocular secretions, saliva or faeces. These results indicate that the donor group excreted infectious PRRSV and was able to transmit the infection to susceptible pigs. The critical shedding period was 7-19 dpi, during which, most likely, transmission took place.

First-time detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection in Uruguay

Within the last two decades, several high-impact viruses have emerged in the global swine population, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). In Uruguay, the more recent serological survey for PRRSV and other notifiable diseases such as Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) dated from year 2000. The main purpose of this study was to update our information on the infection status of PRRSV, ADV and CSFV in Uruguayan pig herds, in order to keep informed about the epidemiological situation of these notifiable infections in the country. For serological testing, a total of 524 swine serum samples collected during the period 2014-2016 were assayed by commercial ELISAs. Our results revealed the (unexpected) presence of PRRSV antibodies in Uruguayan domestic swine herds and confirmed the absence of ADV and CSFV antibodies in all of the assessed samples. Following such initial finding, PRRSV antibodies were further investigated in 23 retrospective samples collected during 2010-2014. Thirteen of these 23 samples resulted seropositive. Subsequently, a molecular detection approach in frozen serum samples was implemented to confirm PRRSV infection, and viral RNA was identified by reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR). Fourteen of 86 evaluated 2014-2016 samples resulted positive for viral RNA, while molecular analysis of four retrospective samples also revealed the presence of PRRSV type 2. Viral isolation of selected samples was carried out in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM) and MARC 145 simian kidney cells, and the virus identity was confirmed by cytopathic effect (CPE) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using specific monoclonal antibodies for PRRSV nucleocapsid. Data reported here evidence for the first time the circulation of PRRSV type 2 in Uruguay, and retrospective serology results suggest that the virus has been infecting pigs in this country at least since 2011.

Linking microbial diversity and population dynamics to the removal efficiency of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in an anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2O) system

The removal efficiencies (REs) of nineteen pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) (six antibiotics-clarithromycin, ofloxacin, sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim -, four β-blockers -atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol and sotalol-, two antihypertensives/diuretics -furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide-, three lipid regulators -bezafibrate, fenofibrate and gemfibrozil-, and four psychiatric medications -carbamazepine, diazepam, lorazepam and paroxetine) were ascertained in a pilot-scale anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A²O) system treating urban wastewater, long term operated during two experimental phases using different sets of environmental conditions and operating parameters. Illumina MiSeq sequencing was used to investigate the structure, diversity and population dynamics of bacteria, archaea and fungi communities in the activated sludge. The results showed that mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and food-to-microorganisms ratio (F/M) were operational parameters significantly influencing the REs of five of the analyzed PhACs in the A²O system. Biota-environment (BIO-ENV) analysis revealed strong correlations between population shifts of the activated sludge community and the REs of PhACs of the different pharmaceutical families. Increased REs of clarithromycin, furosemide, bezafibrate and gemfibrozil were concomitant to higher relative abundances of bacterial phylotypes classified within the Rhodobacteraceae and Sphingomonadaceae (Alphaproteobacteria), while those of Betaproteobacteria, Chloroflexi and Methanomethylovorans (Euryarchaea) correlated positively with the REs of up to seven PhACs belonging to different therapeutic groups.

Detection of bovine herpesvirus-1-specific IgM using a capture enzyme immune assay with isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies

The detection of virus-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in acute-phase serum samples offers the possibility of making an accurate and rapid serologic diagnosis. We have developed a solid-phase capture assay that uses murine monoclonal antibodies specific for bovine IgM to separate the whole IgM fraction of a bovine serum sample. The IgM specific for bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) is then detected by the addition of viral antigen, which in turn is detected by BHV-1-specific monoclonal antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. A BHV-1 IgM antibody response was detected during the early postinfection period (7-40 days PI). Bovine herpesvirus-1 IgM antibody was not detected in sera taken from 3 animals following dexamethasone-induced viral reactivation. This method compares favorably with viral isolation, antigen detection in the clinical samples, and paired serology in the diagnosis of BHV-1 infection at a herd level.

Advanced methods for the elimination of microorganisms in industrial treatments: potential applicability to wastewater reuse

Because of the growing need to eliminate undesirable microorganisms in different industrial treatments, mainly in the food and agricultural sector and the pharmaceutical industry, a number of increasingly effective systems for disinfection to eliminate microorganisms have been devised. This article analyzes different methods to eliminate and/or significantly reduce the number of microorganisms in industrial contexts and in environmental engineering. Although, in the past, thermal treatments had been used most frequently for microbial elimination, the method is costly and has the disadvantage of modifying the organoleptic and/or physicochemical properties of the food products. For this reason, new technologies rapidly are being developed, such as high-intensity pulsed electric fields, high-pressure systems, ultrasounds, and irradiation, which effectively eliminate microorganisms without deteriorating the properties of the product. These emerging technologies are potentially applicable in the field of environmental engineering.