Learning With Style: Continual Semantic Segmentation Across Tasks and Domains.

Deep learning models dealing with image understanding in real-world settings must be able to adapt to a wide variety of tasks across different domains. Domain adaptation and class incremental learning deal with domain and task variability separately, whereas their unified solution is still an open problem. We tackle both facets of the problem together, taking into account the semantic shift within both input and label spaces.

The General Movement Optimality Score-Revised (GMOS-R) with Socioeconomically Stratified Percentile Ranks.

The general movement optimality score (GMOS) quantifies the details of general movements (GMs). We recently conducted psychometric analyses of the GMOS and developed a revised scoresheet. Consequently, the GMOS-Revised (GMOS-R) instrument necessitated validation using new percentile ranks.

Enhancing early detection of neurological and developmental disorders and provision of intervention in low-resource settings in Uttar Pradesh, India: study protocol of the G.A.N.E.S.H. programme.

Introduction: Around 9% of India's children under six are diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. Low-resource, rural communities often lack programmes for early identification and intervention. The Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) is regarded as the best clinical tool to predict cerebral palsy in infants <5 months.

Cerebral Palsy: Early Markers of Clinical Phenotype and Functional Outcome.

The Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) has become a cornerstone assessment in early identification of cerebral palsy (CP), particularly during the fidgety movement period at 3-5 months of age. Additionally, assessment of motor repertoire, such as antigravity movements and postural patterns, which form the Motor Optimality Score (MOS), may provide insight into an infant's later motor function. This study aimed to identify early specific markers for ambulation, gross motor function (using the Gross Motor Function Classification System, GMFCS), topography (unilateral, bilateral), and type (spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and hypotonic) of CP in a large worldwide cohort of 468 infants.

Photochemical consequences of prolonged hydrological drought: A model assessment of the Lower Lakes of the Murray-Darling Basin (Southern Australia).

The prolonged "Millennium" drought affecting Australia in the 2000s had important consequences on surface-water bodies, including the Lower Lakes (Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert) located at the terminal end of the River Murray system. Shallower water depths, limited solute dilution and altered geochemical processes ensured that the concentration values of several water constituents increased considerably during drought, including the water parameters of photochemical significance (nitrate, bicarbonate, carbonate and the dissolved organic carbon, DOC). The aim of this study was to model the photochemical processes in the Lower Lakes during the drought and post-drought periods, to provide insight into the changes that photoinduced reactions can undergo in periods of water scarcity.

Is the adaptive immune response in murine Trypanosoma cruzi infection influenced by zinc supplementation?

Chagas disease afflicts 7 to 8 million people worldwide and congenital Chagas' disease usually leads to changes in the maternal environment, culminating in fetal adaptations. Several articles have described the importance of micronutrients on pregnancy, which is sensitive to infections. In Trypanosoma cruzi endemic regions, the Chagas disease is aggravated by the lack of micronutrients in an average diet, to which pregnant women are more susceptible.

Melatonin: Antioxidant and modulatory properties in age-related changes during Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin on selected biomarkers of innate and humoral immune response as well as the antioxidant/oxidant status (superoxide dismutase-SOD and reduced glutathione levels (GSH) to understand whether age-related changes would influence the development of acute Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection. Young- (5 weeks) and middle-aged (18 months) Wistar rats were orally treated with melatonin (gavage) (05 mg/kg/day), 9 days after infection.

Ageing is not associated with an altered immune response during Trypanosoma cruzi infection: Ageing and Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

The aims of this work were to evaluate the influence of ageing on the magnitude of the immune response in male Wistar rats infected with the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Infected young animals displayed enhanced CD4 T cells as compared to uninfected counterparts.

Interleukin-17, oxidative stress, and inflammation: role of melatonin during Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Although the exact etiology of Chagas' disease remains unknown, the inflammatory process and oxidative stress are believed to be the main contributors to the dysfunction and pathogenesis during chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Our hypothesis is that melatonin administered for 2 months daily could modulate the oxidative stress and the inflammatory response during the chronic infection. Flow cytometric analysis of macrophages and antigen-presenting cells (APC), expression of RT1B as well as LFA-1 and MCP-1 in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and levels of interleukin-17A were assessed.

Immunoregulatory actions of melatonin and zinc during chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

After one century of the discovery of Chagas' disease and the development of an efficient drug with amplitude of actions both in the acute and chronic phase is still a challenge. Alternative immune modulators have been exhaustively used. For that purpose, melatonin and zinc were administered during chronic Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Wistar rats and several endpoints were assessed.

Immunomodulatory properties and anti-apoptotic effects of zinc and melatonin in an experimental model of chronic Chagas disease.

The immunomodulatory effects of melatonin and zinc during chronic experimental Chagas' disease were studied. Early and late apoptosis by Annexin V-propidium iodide staining were evaluated. The expression of CD28, CD80, CD86, CD45RA and CD4(+)T and CD8(+)T cells were also evaluated by flow cytometry analysis.

In vivo activity of ursolic and oleanolic acids during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Reduction in the parasitemic levels of the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi in mice treated with oral or intraperitoneal ursolic (UA) and oleanolic (OA) acids was evaluated during the acute phase of Chagas' disease. Oral administration of UA and OA (50mg/kg/day) provided the most significant reduction in the parasitemic peak, while intraperitoneal administration of UA and OA did not significantly affect the biological activity of the Y strain of T. cruzi.

Does orchiectomy enhance the immune-stimulatory effects of melatonin during experimental Chagas' disease?

Melatonin has been reported to play a fundamental role in T-cell immunoregulation. Control of Trypanosoma cruzi parasitism during the acute phase of infection is considered to be critically dependent on direct macrophage activation by cytokines. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of exogenous melatonin treatment and the influences exerted by sexual hormones during the acute phase of the experimental Chagas' disease in rats.

Melatonin and zinc treatment: distinctive modulation of cytokine production in chronic experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Melatonin by exhibiting antioxidant, anti-aging, and immunomodulatory properties favorably modulate the immune function, protecting the hosts from several infectious diseases. Zinc is an essential trace element important for the efficiency of the immune system in reason of its widespread role in the activity of enzymes, transcription factors and cytokines. The etiology of Chagas' disease, caused by a protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, has been the focus of considerable discussion, although chronic phase still remains not fully understood.

Prolactin: does it exert an up-modulation of the immune response in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected rats?

During the course of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, the host immune system is involved in distinct, complex interactions with the endocrine system, and prolactin (PRL) is one of several hormones involved in immunoregulation. Although intensive studies attempting to understand the mechanisms that underlie Chagas' disease have been undertaken, there are still some pieces missing from this complex puzzle. Because data are scarce concerning the role of PRL involvement in Chagas' disease and taking into account the existence of crosstalk between neuroendocrine hormones and the immune system, the current study evaluates a possible up-regulation of the cellular immune response triggered by PRL in T.

Prior and concomitant dehydroepiandrosterone treatment affects immunologic response of cultured macrophages infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro?

DHEA, a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol by cells of the adrenal cortex, plays an essential role in enhancing the host's resistance to different experimental infections. Receptors for this hormone can be found in distinct immune cells (especially macrophages) that are known to be the first line defense against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. These cells operate through an indirect pathway releasing nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such TNF-α and IL-12 which in turn trigger an enhancement of natural killer cells and lymphocytes which finally secrete pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Corticosterone evaluation in Wistar rats infected with the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi during the chronic phase.

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for mediating the effects of stress on Trypanosoma cruzi infection is crucial for determining the full impact of stress on Chagas' disease and for devising effective interventions. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone synthesized from pregnenolone, is secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to stress. Although its physiologic role has not been fully defined, DHEA has been shown to modulate immune function.

Enhanced protection by melatonin and meloxicam combination in experimental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible synergism between melatonin and meloxicam in up-regulating the immune response in male Wistar rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi during immunosuppression phenomenon, which characterizes the acute phase of the Chagas' disease. Male Wistar rats were infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi.

DHEA and testosterone therapies in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected rats are associated with thymic changes.

The ability of the gonadal hormones to influence diverse immunological functions during the course of several infections has been extensively studied in the latest decades. Testosterone has a suppressive effect on immune response of vertebrates and increases susceptibility toward numerous parasitic diseases. Dehydroepiandrosterone is an abundant steroid hormone secreted by the human adrenal cortex and it is considered potent immune-activator.

New method for quantification of Trypanosoma cruzi in animal's tissue in the chronic phase of experimental Chagas' disease.

We developed a new method for the quantification of parasites in tissue. Trypanosoma cruzi strain CL parasites were genetically engineered to express the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene, lacZ and this enzyme is able to catalyze a colorimetric reaction with chlorophenol red beta-D: galactopyranoside (CPRG) as the substrate. The animals were infected with clone CL Brener strain B5 of T.

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and benznidazole treatments during acute infection of two different Trypanosoma cruzi strains.

A significant role for hormones in regulating the balance of Th1- and Th2-associated cytokines with a role in modulating diseases has been accumulating. Previously, we reported that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the most abundant steroid hormone synthesized by the adrenal cortex, markedly reduced the blood and tissue parasites in experimentally Trypanosoma cruzi-infected rats. Based on these findings, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate ester (DHEA-S) therapy alone or in combination with benznidazole (BNZ) (recommended in Brazil for the treatment of T.

Trypanocidal activity and acute toxicity assessment of triterpene acids.

The present study evaluates the in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid against the Bolivia strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. Their acute toxicity is also assessed on the basis of median lethal dose (DL50) determination and quantification of biochemical parameters. Ursolic acid is the most active compound in vitro, furnishing IC50 of 25.

Growth hormones therapy in immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Growth hormone (GH) is an important hypophyseal hormone that is primarily involved in body growth and metabolism. In mammals, control of Trypanosoma cruzi parasitism during the acute phase of infection is considered to be critically dependent on direct macrophage activation by cytokines. To explore the possibility that GH might be effective in the treatment of Chagas' disease, we investigated its effects on the course of T.

Trypanosoma cruzi: do different sylvatic strains trigger distinct immune responses?

Strains of Trypanosoma cruzi are multiclonal populations that can be classified in groups or genotypes, differing in pathogenicity, virulence, and histotropism. In this experiment the distinct behavior of two strains of T. cruzi, MORC-1 and MORC-2, was documented.