Transdermal Drug Delivery in the Pig Skin

Transdermal delivery can be accomplished through various mechanisms including formulation optimization, epidermal stratum corneum barrier disruption, or directly by removing the stratum corneum layer. Microneedling, electroporation, a combination of both and also the intradermal injection known as mesotherapy have proved efficacy in epidermal-barrier disruption. Here we analyzed the effects of these methods of epidermal-barrier disruption in the structure of the skin and the absorption of four compounds with different characteristics and properties (ketoprofen, biotin, caffein, and procaine). Swine skin (Pietrain x Durox) was used as a human analogue, both having similar structure and pharmacological release. They were biopsied at different intervals, up to 2 weeks after application. High-pressure liquid chromatography and brightfield microscopy were performed, conducting a biometric analysis and measuring histological structure and vascular status. The performed experiments led to different results in the function of the studied molecules: ketoprofen and biotin had the best concentrations with intradermal injections, while delivery methods for obtaining procaine and caffein maximum concentrations changed on the basis of the lapsed time. The studied techniques did not produce significant histological alterations after their application, except for an observed increase in Langerhans cells and melanocytes after applying electroporation, and an epidermal thinning after using microneedles, with variable results regarding dermal thickness. Although all the studied barrier disruptors can accomplish transdermal delivery, the best disruptor is dependent on the particular molecule.

European spruce (Picea abies L.) survival ability and morphological traits of seedlings treated with low-frequency electromagnetic field and planted with hydrogel application

The results of the study indicate a clear positive effect of the low-frequency electromagnetic field and hydrogel on the increase in the survival rate of experimental samples of European spruce seedlings (Picea abies L.) treated with BOT technology in relation to the control samples. The results of comparative biometric analysis are presented, which prove the effectiveness of methods of processing spruce seedlings with a low-frequency electromagnetic field and applying hydrogel to the soil. The histometric analysis of experimental and control samples of European Spruce seedlings confirmed the positive effect of the low-frequency electromagnetic field on the anatomical structure of the xylem of seedlings treated using the BOT technology.

World scientific production on reading comprehension: biometric analysis of the period 2011-2020

The objective of the study is to characterize the world scientific production on reading comprehension in databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Google Academic, PubMed, Microsoft Academic and Crosreff between the years 2011 to 2020. We worked with a universe made up of 6025 articles obtained. Bibliometric indicators were calculated through Publish or Perish v. 7.31, VOSwiever, pubreminer and the same analytical software from the chosen databases. The results indicate a total of 209952 citations, with an average of 20995; 39 and 12273 citations per year, citations per article and citations per author respectively. The study by Perfetti and Stafura, entitled Word Knowledge in a Theory of Reading Comprehension, stands out. The United States is the main producer of scientific evidence on reading comprehension and the type of scientific production that stands out the most are original articles. These results show that the production of scientific articles on reading comprehension is abundant and is experiencing growth that demonstrates the importance that world researchers give to this topic.

The influence of black spot disease on the relative condition factor of Astyanax paranae Eigenmann, 1914 (Characiformes: Characidae) in Brazilian subtropical streams

Environmental disturbances and their consequences require constant studies to understand how communities and their ecological relationships respond to these processes. Through analysis of the host-parasite relationships, it is observed that the effect of these disturbances is variable and can change the physiology or behavior of organisms. Black spot disease, caused by endoparasitic helminths, is a pathology observed in natural environments, however, there is not much information about the consequences of this infestation. We separated the specimens from each stream into parasitized and non-parasitized groups, which were subjected to biometric analysis. The biometrics involved cysts count and weight-length measures, which were used to analyze the average relative condition factor. Additionally, we correlate these measures with the parasitic burden of infected individuals. Finally, the parasitized individuals were submitted to histological sections to recognize the parasite. The results demonstrate a low physiological condition in the parasitized group, when compared with non-parasitized groups from the same stream and from different streams. This suggests that pollution, in addition to effects of infestation worsen the fish condition. Besides, the parasite burden was negatively correlated with the condition factor, weight and length measures. We conclude that the parasite burden negatively affects Astyanax paranae individuals´ physiological condition and that trematodes also occur in polluted environments.

Trochlear Development in Children From 1 Month to 10 Years of Age: A Descriptive Study Utilizing Analysis by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background: Understanding the morphology of cartilage/bony maturation in preadolescents may help explain adult trochlear variation. Purpose: To study trochlear morphology during maturation in children and infants using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Twenty-four pediatric cadaveric knees (10 male and 14 female knees; age, 1 month to 10 years) were included. High-resolution imaging of the distal femoral secondary ossification center was performed using 7-T or 9.4-T MRI scanners. Three-dimensional MRI scans were produced, and images were reformatted; 3 slices in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes images were analyzed, with coronal and sagittal imaging used for image orientation. Biometric analysis included lateral and medial trochlear height (TH); cartilaginous sulcus angle (CSA); osseous sulcus angle (OSA); trochlear depth; and trochlear facet (TF) length symmetry. Sex comparisons were considered when ≥1 specimen from both sexes of the same age was available; these included 11 knees spanning 4 age groups (ages 1, 3, 4, and 7 years). Results: The analysis of trochlear morphology showed a lateral TH greater than the medial TH at all ages. The thickest cartilage was found on the lateral TF in the younger specimens. Regarding the development of osseous and cartilaginous trochlear contour, a cartilaginous sulcus was present in the 3-month-old specimen and continued to deepen up to the age of 4 years. The shape of the osseous center evolved from round (1 month) to oval (9 months) to rectangular (2 years); no distinct bony trochlear sulcus was present, although a well-formed cartilaginous sulcus was present. The first evidence of formation of a bony sulcus was at 4 years. By the age of 7 to 8 years, the bony contour of the adult distal femur resembled its cartilaginous contour. Female samples had a shallower CSA and OSA than did the male ones in all samples that had a defined OSA. Conclusion: Female trochlear grooves tended to be shallower (flatter). The lateral trochlea was higher (TH) and wider (TF length) during growth than was the medial trochlea in both sexes; furthermore, the development of the osseous sulcus shape lagged behind the development of the cartilaginous sulcus shape in the authors’ study population. Clinical Relevance: Bony anatomy of the trochlear groove did not match the cartilaginous anatomy in preadolescent children, suggesting that caution should be used when interpreting bony anatomy in this age group.

The different morphotypes in males of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871) (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae) in Mexico

We analyzed the occurrence of morphotypes in the males of Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871), a species of potential use in farming, using biometric data and multivariate statistical analysis. Specimens were collected in the Ameca River, Mexico and grown for four months in two rectangular concrete ponds 50 m2 at an initial density of 10 individuals m–2. A biometric analysis was done on all male specimens, identified by the presence of the appendix masculina on the second pair of pleopods. We measured eight dimensions in each of the measured male specimens. Color and spination of the right second cheliped were also determined. We performed a statistical analysis of the data using multivariate analysis, which resulted in the identification of five morphotypes: dark-brown claw (DBrC), brown claw (BrC), cinnamon claw (CC), translucent claw (TC), and small male (SM). The mean of groups of almost all variables showed statistically significant differences except for the ratio Lcl:Lpo. There was no significant difference between groups BrC and DBrC, and spine angles were not significant between groups CC versus TC and BrC. A detailed description of the main macroscopic characteristics that differed between morphotypes is provided, which will allow their identification in future work. Our results will also help in studying social interactions between the male morphotypes.

Understanding the Emotional Impact of GIFs on Instagram through Consumer Neuroscience

The ability of GIFs to generate emotionality in social media marketing strategies is analyzed. The aim of this work is to show how neuroscience research techniques can be integrated into the analysis of emotions, improving the results and helping to guide actions in social networks. This research is structured in two phases: an experimental study using automated biometric analysis (facial coding, GSR and eye tracking) and an analysis of declared feelings in the comments of Instagram users. Explicit valence, type of emotion, length of comment and proportion of emojis are extracted. The results indicate that the explicit measure of emotional valence shows a higher and more positive emotional level than the implicit one. This difference is influenced differently by the engagement and the proportion of emojis in the comment. A further step has been taken in the measurement of user emotionality in social media campaigns, including not only content analysis, but also providing new insights thanks to neuromarketing.

The Quiet Eye durations of air pistol shooting athletes

Background: The Focusing the attention during the preparation period undergone immediately before carrying out a motor performance is vitally important for success. Visual ability, Quiet Eye and focusing the attention on the appropriate area play a critical role in achieving successful performance in branches of sport. Quiet eye (QE) is defined as the final fixation of the pupil on a location or object for a specific motor task. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the durations of effective and final focusing (quiet eye) carried out during the process of taking aim at the target by air pistol shooting athletes with their eyes immediately before taking a shot. Methods: A total of 8 right-handed male licensed pistol shooting athletes (4 novice and 4 elite) participated in the research. A total of 320 shots -160 dry (unscored) and 160 live (scored) shots were taken by the novice and elite athletes. For the purpose of recording pupil movements and quiet eye durations during the shots taken by the athletes, an eye-tracking device attached to the head was used. The recorded data were examined with iMotions computer software, which can perform biometric analysis. The athletes’ quiet eye durations occurring when taking aim at the target were examined according to athletes’ characteristics (novice and elite) and the type of shot carried out (scored and unscored) by means of the independent samples t-test. Results: The findings of the study revealed that the athletes had 25.3% longer quiet eye durations when firing scored shots than when firing unscored shots (p = .000). Especially, novice athletes exhibited 37.8% longer periods of focusing behaviour when firing scored shots than when firing unscored shots (p = .000). Elite athletes displayed 21.26% longer periods of focusing behaviour when firing unscored shots compared with novice athletes (p = .005). Conclusion: According to the results of the research, it can be said that in the sport of air pistol shooting, giving priority to dry shooting training and conducting special exercises for developing quiet eye (QE) duration can contribute positively to the development of novice athletes’ shooting skills. Keywords: Quiet eye, eye tracking, air pistol, shooting, motor skill, cognitive processes

PEMBENTUKAN POPULASI SINTETIS UNTUK PENINGKATAN KUALITAS GENETIK IKAN MAS

Benih ikan mas telah mengalami penurunan kualitas genetik yang menyebabkan penurunan performa fenotipik di lingkungan budidaya. Salah satu upaya perbaikan genetik adalah melalui pembentukan populasi sintetis yang merupakan penggabungan potensi genetik beberapa populasi plasma nutfah ikan mas. Penelitian ini bertujuan membentuk dan mengevaluasi performa genotipik dan fenotipik populasi sintetis ikan mas, yang merupakan penggabungan dari strain Rajadanu, Majalaya, Sutisna, Wildan, dan Sinyonya. Performa genotipik dievaluasi menggunakan metode mikrosatelit DNA, sedangkan performa fenotipik dievaluasi menggunakan analisis biometrik terkait kegiatan budidaya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai keragaman genetik populasi sintetis lebih tinggi 55,0%-287,5% dengan tingkat inbreeding 40,0%-77,14% lebih rendah dibanding populasi-populasi pembentuknya. Hal ini berdampak terhadap performa fenotipik populasi sintetis yang lebih baik, diindikasikan dengan peningkatan panjang, bobot akhir, dan tingkat produktivitas, masing-masing sebesar 2,5%-20,6%; 9,4%-61,8%; dan 18,2%-66,0% lebih baik dibanding populasi-populasi pembentuknya. Peningkatan kualitas genetik dan performa fenotipik populasi sintetis ini memberikan peluang untuk memperbaiki kualitas benih ikan mas pada kegiatan budidaya.Common carp in Indonesia has experienced a decline in genetic quality. The progressive decline leads to a significant decrease in carp performance in the farming environment. One of the efforts to genetically improve carp growth performance is through developing synthetic carp populations, which is a blend of the genetic potentials from several germplasm populations. This study aimed to form and evaluate the performance of genotypic and phenotypic of synthetic populations of common carp, blended from five strains of common carp, i.e., Rajadanu, Majalaya, Sutisna, Wildan, and Sinyonya. The genotypic performance was evaluated using the DNA microsatellite method. The phenotypic performance was assessed using biometric analysis, especially in terms of culture performance. The results showed that the genotypic performance of the synthetic populations of common carp was better than that of the founder strains. This performance was indicated by higher genetic diversity values, about 55.0%-287.5% and lower levels of inbreeding, about 40.0%-77.1%, compared with their founder populations. Phenotypic performance of the synthetic populations is also better than their founder populations, indicated by higher body length, weight, and productivity, about 2.5%-20.6%, 9.4%-61.8%, and 18.2%-66.0%, respectively. The improvement on genetic quality and phenotypic performance of the synthetic population provide opportunities to improve the quality of common carp fry in aquaculture activity.

Prolactin promotes a partial recovery from the atrophy of both male and female gerbil prostates caused by castration

Background The male and female prostates are controlled by steroid hormones, suffering important morphological and physiological changes after castration. Prolactin is involved in the regulation of the male prostate, having already been identified in the tissue, acting through its receptor PRLR. In the Mongolian gerbil, in addition to the male prostate, the female prostate is also well developed and active in its secretion processes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of exposure to exogenous prolactin in the prostate of both intact and castrated male and female gerbils in order to establish if prolactin administration can sustain prostate cell activity in conditions of sexual hormone deprivation. Methods The morphological analyses were performed by biometric analysis, lesion histological analysis and morphometric-stereological aspects. In addition, immune-cytochemical tests were performed for prolactin and its receptor, as well as for the receptors of androgen and oestrogen and serum prolactin dosage. All data were submitted to ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests for comparison between groups. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The results showed a strong influence of prolactin on the morphology of the prostate, with the development of important epithelial alterations, after only 3 days of administration, and an expressive epithelial cell discard process after 30 days of administration. Prolactin acts in synergy with testosterone in males and mainly with oestrogens in females, establishing different steroid hormonal receptor immunoreactivity according to sex. It was also demonstrated that prolactin can assist in the recovery from some atrophic effects caused in the gland after castration, without causing additional tissue damage. Conclusions The prolactin and its receptor are involved in the maintenance of the homeostasis of male and female gerbils, and also cause distinct histological alterations after exogenous exposure for 3 and 30 days. The effects of prolactin are related to its joint action on androgens and oestrogens and it can also assist in the recovery from the atrophic effects of castration.