RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) produces magnetic pulses by passing a strong electrical current through coils of wire. Repeated stimulation accumulates heat, which places practical constraints on experimental design. New method: We designed a condensation-free pre-chilled heat sink to extend the operational duration of transcranial magnetic stimulation coils. RESULTS: The application of a pre-chilled heat sink reduced the rate of heating across all tests and extended the duration of stimulation before coil overheating, particularly in conditions where heat management was problematic. Comparison with existing method: Applying an external heat sink had the practical effect of extending the operational time of TMS coils by 5.8-19.3 minutes compared to standard operating procedures. CONCLUSION: Applying an external heat sink increases the quantity of data that can be collected within a single experimental session.
Asunto(s)
Calor , Estimulación Magnética Transcraneal/instrumentación , Frío , Fibra de Algodón , Diseño de Equipo , Lino , Estimulación Magnética Transcraneal/efectos adversos , Estimulación Magnética Transcraneal/métodosRESUMEN
Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi are zoonotic protozoan parasites that cause disseminated infections in many vertebrate species. The present study determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Tr. cruzi in a population of dogs from Virginia. Serum samples were tested from 90 domestic dogs collected from animal shelters in Virginia. Using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test, sera were examined at a 1 : 50 dilution and antibodies to T. gondii were found in 19 dogs (21%). Antibodies to Tr. cruzi were determined by qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick assay. One (1%) of the 90 dogs had Tr. cruzi antibodies and it was also seropositive for T. gondii. Our findings indicate that dogs are frequently exposed to T. gondii in Virginia, but that antibodies to Tr. cruzi are rare in the same geographical region.