Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between speed during maximum exercise test (ET) and oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) in control and STZ-diabetic rats, in order to provide a useful method to determine exercise capacity and prescription in researches involving STZ-diabetic rats.

The objective of the present study was to identify metabolic, cardiovascular and autonomic changes induced by fructose overload administered in the drinking water of rats for 8 weeks. Female Wistar rats (200-220 g) were divided into 2 groups: control (N = 8) and fructose-fed rats (N = 5; 100 mg/L fructose in drinking water for 8 weeks). The autonomic control of heart rate was evaluated by pharmacological blockade using atropine (3 mg/kg) and propranolol (4 mg/kg). The animals were submitted to an intravenous insulin tolerance test (ITT) and to blood glucose measurement. The fructose overload induced a significant increase in body weight (~10%) and in fasting glycemia (~28%). The rate constant of glucose disappearance (KITT) during ITT was lower in fructose-fed rats (3.25 ± 0.7%/min) compared with controls (4.95 ± 0.3%/min, P < 0.05) indicating insulin resistance. The fructose-fed group presented increased arterial pressure compared to controls (122 ± 3 vs 108 ± 1 mmHg, P < 0.05) and a reduction in vagal tonus (31 ± 9 vs 55 ± 5 bpm in controls, P < 0.05). No changes in sympathetic tonus were observed. A positive correlation, tested by the Pearson correlation, was demonstrable between cardiac vagal tonus and KITT (r = 0.8, P = 0.02). These data provided new information regarding the role of parasympathetic dysfunction associated with insulin resistance in the development of early metabolic and cardiovascular alterations induced by a high fructose diet.

We evaluate the effects of detraining (DT, for 1 month) on the left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function, hemodynamic and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), as well as on mortality rate of infarcted (MI) rats after 3 months of exercise training (ET, 50-70 % of VO₂max). Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control (C, n = 10), untrained-infarcted (UI, n = 15), trained-infarcted (TI, n = 12), untrained-infarcted plus 1 month (UI-1, n = 15) and detrained-infarcted 1 month (DI-1, n = 15). LV function was evaluated by echocardiography at the initial and final of the protocols. After following, ET and/or DT protocols, hemodynamic and BRS [by tachycardic (TR) and bradycardic (BR) responses] were assessed. TI group displayed increased VO2max in comparison with UI and DI-1 groups; however, DI-1 values remained increased compared to UI-1 group. MI area was reduced by ET and maintained after DT. Ejection fraction (TI = 60 ± 2 and DI-1 = 61 ± 2 % vs. UI = 41 ± 1 and UI-1 = 37 ± 3 %), E/A ratio (TI = 1.6 ± 0.1 and DI-1 = 1.9 ± 0.1 vs. UI = 2.9 ± 0.2 and UI-1 = 2.9 ± 0.3), TR (TI = 3.3 ± 0.3 and DI-1 = 3.3 ± 0.4 vs. UI = 1.7 ± 0.1 and UI-1 = 1.6 ± 0.1 bpm/mmHg) and BR (TI = -2.2 ± 0.1 and DI-1 = -2.0 ± 0.1 vs. UI = -1.3 ± 0.09 and UI-1 = -1.2 ± 0.09 bpm/mmHg) were improved by ET and maintained after DT in comparison with untrained rats. These changes resulted in mortality reduction in the TI (8 %) and DI-1 groups (13 %) compared with the UI (46 %) and UI-1 (53 %) groups. These findings indicate that ET is not only an effective tool in the management of cardiovascular and autonomic MI derangements, but also that these positive changes were maintained even after 1 month of DT in rats.

BACKGROUNDVector transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi appears to be interrupted in Chile; however, data show increasing incidence of Chagas' disease, raising concerns that there may be a reemerging problem.OBJECTIVETo estimate the actual risk in a changing world it is necessary to consider the historical vector distribution and correlate this distribution with the presence of cases and climate change.METHODSPotential distribution models of Triatoma infestans and Chagas disease were performed using Maxent, a machine-learning method.FINDINGSClimate change appears to play a major role in the reemergence of Chagas' disease and T. infestans in Chile. The distribution of both T. infestans and Chagas' disease correlated with maximum temperature, and the precipitation during the driest month. The overlap of Chagas' disease and T. infestans distribution areas was high. The distribution of T. infestans, under two global change scenarios, showed a minimal reduction tendency in suitable areas.MAIN CONCLUSIONThe impact of temperature and precipitation on the distribution of T. infestans, as shown by the models, indicates the need for aggressive control efforts; the current control measures, including T. infestans control campaigns, should be maintained with the same intensity as they have at present, avoiding sylvatic foci, intrusions, and recolonisation of human dwellings.

Our results suggest that HMGCR loss-of-function primarily affects postmigratory cranial neural crest cells through abnormal Sonic Hedgehog signaling, probably induced by reduction in metabolites of the cholesterol pathway. Malformation severity correlates with the grade of HMGCR inhibition, developmental stage of its disruption, and probably with availability of maternal lipids. Together, our results might help to understand the spectrum of orofacial phenotypes found in cholesterol synthesis disorders. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:814-830, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.