Transient remission of hyperparathyroidism after fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the unregulated overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH), resulting in abnormal calcium homeostasis. PHPT is most commonly caused by a single adenoma of the parathyroid gland, which can have an intrathyroid location in rare cases. The measurement of intact PTH in the washout fluid obtained by ultrasound (US)-guided fineneedle aspiration (FNA) can be useful in clarifying the aetiology of these lesions. This study presented a 48-year-old man with a background history of symptomatic renal stone disease who was diagnosed with PHPT and referred to our Endocrinology department. A neck US revealed a thyroid nodule with a size of 21 mm in the right lobe. The patient underwent US-guided FNA of the lesion. The measurement of PTH in the washout fluid was significantly elevated. Following the procedure, he reported neck pain and noticed distal paraesthesias in the upper limbs. Blood test results showed significant hypocalcaemia and supplementation with calcium and calcitriol was started. The patient was closely monitored. Recurrence of hypercalcaemia was later observed, and the patient was submitted to surgery. We present a case of FNAinduced transitory remission of PHPT in a patient with an intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma. We conjecture that intra-nodular haemorrhage might have occurred, which temporarily affected the viability of the autonomous parathyroid tissue. A few similar cases of spontaneous or induced remission of PHPT after FNA have been previously described in the literature. This remission can be transitory or permanent, depending on the degree of cellular damage thus follow-up of these patients is recommended.

Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts from the Humiria balsamifera (Aubl).

Humiria balsamifera (Aubl), commonly known as "mirim", is a plant of the Humiriaceae family, which consists of 39 species divided between eight genera: Duckesia, Endopleura, Humiria, Humiriastrum, Hylocara, Sacoglottis, Schistostemon, and Vantenea. This study aimed to characterize H. balsamifera extracts by LC-MS/MS and evaluate their antimicrobial potential through in vitro and in vivo assays. The leaves and stem bark of H. balsamifera were collected and dried at room temperature and then ground in a knife mill. The extracts were prepared with organic solvents in order to increase the polarity index (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol). The antimicrobial effects of these extracts were evaluated against the following bacterial strains: Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15313, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. The best activity was observed in the ethyl acetate (EALE = 780 µg/mL), methanol (MLE = 780 µg/mL), and hexane (HLE = 1560 µg/mL) leaf extracts against S. aureus. Considering the results for both antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, the EALE extract was chosen to proceed to the infection assays, which used Tenebrio molitor larvae. The EALE treatment was able to extend the average lifespan of the larvae (6.5 days) in comparison to S. aureus-infected larvae (1 day). Next, the samples were characterized by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer, allowing the identification of 11 substances, including seven flavonoids, substances whose antimicrobial activity is already well-reported in the literature. The number of bioactive compounds found in the chemical composition of H. balsamifera emphasizes its significance in both traditional medicine and scientific research that studies new treatments based on substances from the Brazilian flora.

Microbiological evaluation of constructed wetlands and solar disinfection in wastewater treatment and reuse.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the removal of fecal indicator bacteria and select bacterial pathogens (total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in vertical flow constructed wetlands (VF-CWs) with earthworms and solar disinfection (SODIS) as post-treatment of effluent from a septic tank. There was no significant difference between them in removing bacteria using a VF-CW with earthworms (VF-CW W/E) and without earthworms (VF-CW N/E). Both VF-CWs did not completely remove pathogens; however, with the SODIS technology receiving the effluent from VF-CW W/E, for E. coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and P. aeruginosa, the values were reduced below the limit of detection and 4.3 log unit average reduction for total coliforms, with 6 h in SODIS.

Effects of graywater on the growth and survival of ornamental plants in nature-based systems.

The current paper investigates the development of two ornamental plants, canna lily (Canna x generalis) and giant horsetail (Equisetum giganteum), at both bench and pilot scale. Combinations of gravel-filled mesocosm, planted and unplanted (control), irrigated with light greywater (GWL) or tap water (WT), were used. Both species were able to grow under the tested conditions with no indication of toxicity that could affect the development. Irrigation with GWL, resulted in higher evapotranspiration (2.2 mm-2.8 mm) in canna lily than giant horsetail (1.7 mm-2.3 mm) in mesocosm system. When the plants were mature and the season was more humid and warmer, canna lily and giant horsetail irrigated with GWL evapotranspirated 69.23% and 30.77%, respectively as compared to the unplanted GWL-irrigated-mesocosm. Principal components and cluster analysis identified similarity between evapotranspiration (ET) and the characteristics of the plants. Both species can thus be used in constructed wetlands taking into consideration elements such as the space available, level of water and solar incidence so as to allow the full development of the plants. The roots of giant horsetail require high water availability. Low solar incidence is indicated for giant horsetail, and the opposite for canna lily, if flowering is desired.

Sustainable Sanitation Management Tool for Decision Making in Isolated Areas in Brazil.

There is a worldwide range of technical sanitation guidelines focusing on small or traditional and isolated communities for ecological alternatives at the household level. However, a computational tool (software) that has a database and connects these guidelines in a single reference for resource-oriented sanitation concept decision making is still lacking. In this regard, an easy-to-use tool was developed using a participatory approach for the decision-making process from a choice of technical solutions to a type of system management. The results obtained from a pilot study indicate that the proposed tool in this paper will help with the decision-making process to aid in not only choosing sustainable sanitation solutions, but also sustainable operation and maintenance options for the systems. When presenting and discussing the tool with research groups and technicians, the potential for participatory application was noticed. The proposed tool can be used in the elaboration of municipal sanitation plans, assisting local technicians and environmental licensing agencies, designers and engineering students, among others. The software can be applied with other management tools, such as 5W2H and Canvas business model.

Environmental evaluation of flocculation efficiency in the separation of the microalgal biomass of Scenedesmus sp. cultivated in full-scale photobioreactors.

In this paper the environmental evaluation of the separation process of the microalgal biomass Scenedesmus sp. from full-scale photobioreactors was carried out at the Research and Development Nucleus for Sustainable Energy (NPDEAS), with different flocculants (iron sulfate - FeCl3, sodium hydroxide - NaOH, calcium hydroxide - Ca(OH)2 and aluminum sulphate Al2(SO4)3, by means of the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, using the SimaPro 7.3 software. Furthermore, the flocculation efficiency by means of optical density (OD) was also evaluated. The results indicated that FeCl3 and Al2(SO4)3 were highly effective for the recovery of microalgal biomass, greater than 95%. Though, when FeCl3 was used, there was an immediate change in color to the biomass after the orange colored salt was added, typical with the presence of iron, which may compromise the biomass use according to its purpose and Al2(SO4)3 is associated with the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease, restricting the application of biomass recovered through this process for nutritional purposes, for example. Therefore, it was observed that sodium hydroxide is an efficient flocculant, promoting recovery around 93.5% for the ideal concentration of 144 mg per liter. It had the best environmental profile among the compared flocculant agents, since it did not cause visible changes in the biomass or compromise its use and had less impact in relation to acidification, eutrophication, global warming and human toxicity, among others. Thus, the results indicate that it is important to consider both flocculation efficiency aspects and environmental impacts to identify the best flocculants on an industrial scale, to optimize the process, with lower amount of flocculant and obtain the maximum biomass recovery and decrease the impact on the extraction, production, treatment and reuse of these chemical compounds to the environment. However, more studies are needed in order to evaluate energy efficiency of the process coupled with other microalgal biomass recovery technologies. In addition, studies with natural flocculants, other polymers and changes in pH are also needed, as these are produced in a more sustainable way than synthetic organic polymers and have the potential to generate a biomass free of undesirable contaminants.

Can Elevated Air [CO2] Conditions Mitigate the Predicted Warming Impact on the Quality of Coffee Bean?

Climate changes, mostly related to high temperature, are predicted to have major negative impacts on coffee crop yield and bean quality. Recent studies revealed that elevated air [CO2] mitigates the impact of heat on leaf physiology. However, the extent of the interaction between elevated air [CO2] and heat on coffee bean quality was never addressed. In this study, the single and combined impacts of enhanced [CO2] and temperature in beans of Coffea arabica cv. Icatu were evaluated. Plants were grown at 380 or 700 µL CO2 L-1 air, and then submitted to a gradual temperature rise from 25°C up to 40°C during ca. 4 months. Fruits were harvested at 25°C, and in the ranges of 30-35 or 36-40°C, and bean physical and chemical attributes with potential implications on quality were then examined. These included: color, phenolic content, soluble solids, chlorogenic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids, caffeine, trigonelline, lipids, and minerals. Most of these parameters were mainly affected by temperature (although without a strong negative impact on bean quality), and only marginally, if at all, by elevated [CO2]. However, the [CO2] vs. temperature interaction strongly attenuated some of the negative impacts promoted by heat (e.g., total chlorogenic acids), thus maintaining the bean characteristics closer to those obtained under adequate temperature conditions (e.g., soluble solids, caffeic and p-coumaric acids, trigonelline, chroma, Hue angle, and color index), and increasing desirable features (acidity). Fatty acid and mineral pools remained quite stable, with only few modifications due to elevated air [CO2] (e.g., phosphorous) and/or heat. In conclusion, exposure to high temperature in the last stages of fruit maturation did not strongly depreciate bean quality, under the conditions of unrestricted water supply and moderate irradiance. Furthermore, the superimposition of elevated air [CO2] contributed to preserve bean quality by modifying and mitigating the heat impact on physical and chemical traits of coffee beans, which is clearly relevant in a context of predicted climate change and global warming scenarios.

Protective Response Mechanisms to Heat Stress in Interaction with High [CO2] Conditions in Coffea spp.

Modeling studies have predicted that coffee crop will be endangered by future global warming, but recent reports highlighted that high [CO2] can mitigate heat impacts on coffee. This work aimed at identifying heat protective mechanisms promoted by CO2 in Coffea arabica (cv. Icatu and IPR108) and Coffea canephora cv. Conilon CL153. Plants were grown at 25/20°C (day/night), under 380 or 700 µL CO2 L(-1), and then gradually submitted to 31/25, 37/30, and 42/34°C. Relevant heat tolerance up to 37/30°C for both [CO2] and all coffee genotypes was observed, likely supported by the maintenance or increase of the pools of several protective molecules (neoxanthin, lutein, carotenes, α-tocopherol, HSP70, raffinose), activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), and the upregulated expression of some genes (ELIP, Chaperonin 20). However, at 42/34°C a tolerance threshold was reached, mostly in the 380-plants and Icatu. Adjustments in raffinose, lutein, ß-carotene, α-tocopherol and HSP70 pools, and the upregulated expression of genes related to protective (ELIPS, HSP70, Chape 20, and 60) and antioxidant (CAT, CuSOD2, APX Cyt, APX Chl) proteins were largely driven by temperature. However, enhanced [CO2] maintained higher activities of GR (Icatu) and CAT (Icatu and IPR108), kept (or even increased) the Cu,Zn-SOD, APX, and CAT activities, and promoted a greater upregulation of those enzyme genes, as well as those related to HSP70, ELIPs, Chaperonins in CL153, and Icatu. These changes likely favored the maintenance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at controlled levels and contributed to mitigate of photosystem II photoinhibition at the highest temperature. Overall, our results highlighted the important role of enhanced [CO2] on the coffee crop acclimation and sustainability under predicted future global warming scenarios.

Prevalence and factors associated with inappropriate use of treadmill exercise stress test for coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In some countries, the public health system has less availability when compared to the population covered by health insurance. In addition, inappropriate referrals for treadmill exercise stress test increase spending and lead to unnecessary interventions. We aim to determine the prevalence and characteristics of inappropriate referrals for treadmill exercise stress tests in the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD), considering public and private health systems scenarios. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to describe the frequency of inappropriate use of exercise testing in the diagnosis of CAD and to determine its predictors. We consecutively enrolled 191 patients from two outpatient facilities in Northeast Brazil. For inclusion, the exercise testing should be referred for the assessment of CAD. We performed logistic regression models to identify independent predictors of inappropriate use. RESULTS: Treadmill exercise stress tests were rated as inappropriate in 150 (78 %) patients. The majority of patients had low or very low pre-test probability of CAD. Presence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were more frequent in the appropriate than inappropriate indications (71 %, 19 % and 29 % versus 43 %, 8 % and 16 %, respectively). Tests performed both at the public and private system showed high prevalence of inappropriate examinations, higher in the latter (57 % versus 87 %, P < 0.001). The private health system was the major independent predictor of inappropriate referral, consistent in all regression models (when adjusting for clinical variables, OR = 4.3; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The vast majority of treadmill exercise stress test referrals in the assessment of CAD were inappropriate. The availability of the method and not the estimate probability of CAD appear to be the underlying condition for a treadmill test referral.

Pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema after endoscopic submucosal dissection of a rectal lateral spreading tumor / Pneumorretroperitônio, pneumomediastino e enfisema subcutâneo após dissecção endoscópica da submucosa de lesão retal de crescimento lateral

Introduction: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an already established procedure in the treatment of gastric and esophageal cancer in its early stages. Colorectal lesions, initially approached by endoscopic mucosal resection en bloc or in fragments, are the current focus for submucosal approach, especially for superficial lateral spreading tumor of 20 mm-diameter. The experience of Japanese centers, which are reference in therapeutic endoscopy, demonstrates reduction in the rate of disease recurrence with this approach and, according to specific histopathological criteria, may avoid colectomy in some cases of malignant neoplasia. Case report: The patient was 50-year-old female. She underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection of a rectal lateral spreading tumor measuring 50 mm, located 8 cm from the anal margin. The procedure was performed without major complications, with just two points for muscle layer detachment, without gross perforation and closed with metal clips. However, the patient developed air leakage to the peritoneum, retroperitoneum, mediastinum and subcutaneous tissue, being only treated with clinical procedures and without additional intervention. Conclusion: It is vital to know and be able to apply the technique of ESD, in addition to addressing its complications, since despite the numerous benefits compared to surgery, ESD can result in serious outcomes. (AU)

Introdução: A dissecção endoscópica da submucosa (ESD) já é procedimento consagrado no tratamento do câncer gástrico e esofagiano em suas fases precoces. As lesões colorre-tais, inicialmente abordadas por mucossectomia, em bloco ou em fragmentos, são o foco atual para a abordagem submucosa, principalmente para os tumores de crescimento lateral superficial a partir de 20 mm de diâmetro. A experiência de centros japoneses, referências em endoscopia terapêutica, demonstram redução no índice de recidiva da doença com esta abordagem e, segundo critérios histopatológicos específicos, podem evitar uma colectomia em alguns casos de neoplasia maligna. Relato de caso: Trata-se de paciente de 50 anos, submetida à dissecção endoscópica da submucosa de lesão de crescimento lateral, com 50 mm, localizada no reto, a 8 cm da margem anal. O procedimento foi realizado sem maiores intercorrências, com apenas dois pontos de afastamento da muscular, sem perfuração grosseira, fechados com clipe. Entretanto, a paciente evoluiu com escape aéreo para peritônio, retroperitônio, mediastino e subcútis, sendo tratada sem intervenção adicional, apenas com manejo clínico. Conclusão: É de fundamental importância conhecer e saber aplicar a técnica da ESD, além de abordar suas complicações, uma vez que, mesmo repleta de benefícios em relação à cirurgia, ela pode apresentar desfechos graves. (AU)

Surveillance for yellow Fever virus in non-human primates in southern Brazil, 2001-2011: a tool for prioritizing human populations for vaccination.

In Brazil, epizootics among New World monkey species may indicate circulation of yellow fever (YF) virus and provide early warning of risk to humans. Between 1999 and 2001, the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul initiated surveillance for epizootics of YF in non-human primates to inform vaccination of human populations. Following a YF outbreak, we analyzed epizootic surveillance data and assessed YF vaccine coverage, timeliness of implementation of vaccination in unvaccinated human populations. From October 2008 through June 2009, circulation of YF virus was confirmed in 67 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul State; vaccination was recommended in 23 (34%) prior to the outbreak and in 16 (24%) within two weeks of first epizootic report. In 28 (42%) municipalities, vaccination began more than two weeks after first epizootic report. Eleven (52%) of 21 laboratory-confirmed human YF cases occurred in two municipalities with delayed vaccination. By 2010, municipalities with confirmed YF epizootics reported higher vaccine coverage than other municipalities that began vaccination. In unvaccinated human populations timely response to epizootic events is critical to prevent human yellow fever cases.

Resposta glicêmica de indivíduos normais a alimentos isolados e em refeiçöes mistas / Glycemic response in normal person to isolated food and in mixed meals

Este estudo objetivou avaliar a resposta glicêmica em indivíduos aparentemente saudáveis, do sexo feminino, após a ingestao de equivalentes de carboidratos (50g) procedentes da batata doce (Ipomea batatas), banana comprida (Musa paradisiaca), mamao (Carica papaya) e abacaxi (ananas comosus), tomando-se como referência o pao branco (Francês). Os valores médios de idade, peso e índice de massa corporal foram de 38,62 + 6,28, 66,86 + 6,89 e 26,45 + 3,30, respectivamente. Os alimentos testes foram tomados individualmente ou em refeiçoes mistas. A glicose foi medida (método glicose-oxidase) nos períodos pré-prandial (glicemia basal) e pós-prandial (15,30,45,60,90,120 e 180 minutos). O índice glicêmico foi determinado a partir dos valores médios obtidos de cálculos geométricos das áreas sob as curvas glicêmicas, sendo expresso como percentual da área média do alimento referência. A batata doce, banana comprida, abacaxi e mamao apresentaram índices glicêmicos de 182,37, 87,91, 127,09 e 136,67 respectivamente. As comparaçoes estatísticas foram feitas por meio de procedimentos padronizados. As diferenças entre os valores dos índices glicêmicos da batata doce e da banana comprida foram siginificativas (p<0,05). O aumento dos valores glicêmicos pós-prandiais aos 60 minutos era maior quando a batata doce era fornecida (p<0,05). Nenhuma diferença significativa foi observada entre os índices glicêmicos de todos os alimentos e refeiçoes testes. A área média (sob a curva) da resposta glicêmica aos alimentos isolados nao era significativamente diferente da observada na resposta às refeiçoes. Nossos dados levam a concluir que a resposta glicêmica aos alimentos, especificamente aos carboidratos, mais do que o índice glicêmico, tem que ser considerada quando do planejamento de refeiçoes destinadas a portadores de distúrbios do metabolismo glicídico.

GABAA receptor beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3 subunits: comparisons in DBA/2J and C57BL/6J mice.

GABAA receptors link binding of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) to inhibitory chloride flux in the brain. They are the site of action of several important classes of drugs, and have been implicated in animal models of epilepsy and in the actions of alcohol. We compare the sequence and expression of the beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3 subunits of GABAA receptors in two inbred strains of mice, DBA/2J and C57BL/6J, which differ markedly in seizure susceptibility and in a variety of behaviors related to alcohol. Only the beta 3 subunit had strain differences in cDNA nucleotide sequence, which did not affect amino acid sequence but which did create restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) potentially useful in gene mapping. We have also tested mouse beta 1 and beta 2 subunits for internal alternative splicing, detecting none.

Differential regulation of muscarinic receptor subtypes in rat brain regions by repeated injections of parathion.

Repeated injections with increasing moderate doses of parathion into adult male rats for 21 days resulted in 84-90% inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in the brain without overt signs of toxicity. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) affinities for ligands were unaffected, but there was significant down-regulation of the m4 receptor subtype gene product, m1 mRNA and m3 mRNA in the frontal cortex as well as the m4 subtype and m4 mRNA in the striatum. However, in the hippocampus, there were no significant reductions in either the m1 receptor subtype nor its mRNA. The data suggest that the receptor subtype down-regulations in the cortex and striatum are due to reductions in mRNA expression. Since the degrees of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase were similar in the 3 brain regions, it is suggested that the in situ concentrations of paraoxon were also similar. Accordingly, the absence of down-regulation of the m1 receptor in the hippocampus is not due to a lower concentration of paraoxon than in the cortex or striatum. It is possible that injections of higher parathion doses would produce down-regulation of mAChRs in the hippocampus, and that the hippocampus may have differences in the feed-back mechanisms for receptor regulation from those in the frontal cortex and the striatum.

Down-regulation of muscarinic receptors and the m3 subtype in white-footed mice by dietary exposure to parathion.

The effect of ad libitum dietary exposure (as occurs in the field) to parathion for 14 d was investigated on the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) in brains and submaxillary glands of adults of a field species, the white-footed mouse Peromyscus leucopus. Immunoprecipitation using subtype selective antibodies revealed that the relative ratios of the m1-m5 mAChR subtypes in Peromyscus brain were similar to those in rat brain. There was little variability in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in control mice brains but large variability in 39 exposed mice, resulting from differences in food ingestion and parathion metabolism. Accordingly, data on radioligand binding to mAChRs in each mouse brain were correlated with brain AChE activity in the same mouse, and AChE inhibition served as a biomarker of exposure reflecting in situ paraoxon concentrations. Exposure to parathion for 14 d reduced maximal binding (Bmax) of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB), [3H]-N-methylscopolamine ([3H]NMS), and [3H]-4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide ([3H]-4-DAMP) by up to approximately 58% without affecting receptor affinities for these ligands. Maximal reduction in Bmax of [3H]QNB and [3H]-4-DAMP binding occurred in mice with highest AChE inhibition, while equivalent maximal reduction in Bmax of [3H]NMS occurred in mice with only approximately 10% AChE inhibition, without further change at higher parathion doses. This is believed to be due to the hydrophilicity of [3H]NMS, which limits its accessibility to internalized desensitized receptors. In submaxillary glands (mAChRs are predominantly m3 subtype), there were significant dose-dependent reductions in [3H]QNB binding and m3 mRNA levels in exposed mice, revealed by Northern blot analyses. The reduction in m3 receptors is suggested to result mostly from reduced synthesis at the transcription level, rather than from translational or posttranslational events. The data suggest that down-regulation of mAChRs occurs after dietary exposure for 14 d to sublethal concentrations of parathion in a field rodent species, and that significant though incomplete recovery in AChE and mAChRs occurs in 7 d following termination of exposure.

Detection of nicotinic receptor ligands with a light addressable potentiometric sensor.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, purified from Torpedo electric organ, was coupled to a light addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) to form a LAPS-receptor biosensor. Receptor-ligand complexes containing biotin and urease were captured on a biotinylated nitrocellulose membrane via a streptavidin bridge and detected with a silicon-based sensor. Competition between biotinylated alpha-bungarotoxin and nonbiotinylated ligands formed the basis of this assay. This biosensor detected both agonists (acetylcholine, carbamylcholine, succinylcholine, suberyldicholine, and nicotine) and competitive antagonists (d-tubocurarine, alpha-bungarotoxin, and alpha-Naja toxin) of the receptor with affinities comparable to those obtained using radioactive ligand binding assays. Consistent with agonist-induced desensitization of the receptor, the LAPS-receptor biosensor reported a time-dependent increase in affinity for the agonist carbamylcholine as expected, but not for the antagonists.

The alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3 subunits of GABAA receptors: comparison in seizure-prone and -resistant mice and during development.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain, opens chloride channels through actions on GABAA receptors. We now report base and amino acid sequences of the alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3 subunits from GABAA receptors of audiogenic seizure-prone (DBA/2J) and -resistant (C57BL/6J) inbred strains of mice. Inbreeding had fixed different alleles of the alpha 1 subunit in the two strains, giving five base differences in the cDNAs. None of these affected amino acid sequence, but one did create a NsiI restriction site potentially useful in mapping genomic DNA. No base or amino acid sequence differences between the strains were detected for the other two subunits. Northern blots revealed no apparent strain differences in message levels for these three subunits in whole brains of the mice at 3 weeks of age, the peak of seizure susceptibility in DBA/2J, but did reveal distinct regional and developmental patterns of expression among the subunits in mouse brain.

The presence of an M4 subtype muscarinic receptor in the bovine adrenal medulla revealed by mRNA and receptor binding analyses.

The muscarinic receptor subtype present in the bovine adrenal medulla was characterized. Hybridization of RNA to highly specific m1-m5 muscarinic receptor cDNA probes detected the presence of only m4 subtype mRNA in this tissue. Muscarinic receptor binding studies using the non-selective ligand [3H]N-methyl-scopolamine showed a single class of binding sites with a maximum density of 19.8 fmol/mg protein and a dissociation constant (KD) of 220 pM in the adrenal medulla, while the M1 selective ligand [3H]telenzepine did not bind detectably. Competition of specific antagonists with [3H]N-methyl-scopolamine for binding to the membranes produced a rank order of potencies with a profile that fitted either the cloned m3 or m4 receptor. In further comparative studies, the adrenal gland of the rat showed the presence of m4 subtype mRNA in addition to the m3 subtype.

Utilizaciòn del concentrado de alga calcàrea (Lithothamnium S P) en la raciòn de helix aspersa, muller,1774 (gastropoda, helicidae) / Use of concentrate of calcareous alga (Lithothamnium S P) in the ration of helix aspersa, muller, 1774 (gastropoda, helicidae)

Se estudiò el uso del alga calcàrea (Lithothamnium sp) en su estado vivo i fòsil, en la raciòn de 60 caracoles con 64 dias de edad, provenientes de una ùnica postura. Los caracoles fueron distribuidos en 5 grupos de 12 ejemplares y sometidos a 4 tratamientos y 1 control: se analizò el peso y el diàmetro mayor de la concha al inicio y final del experimento (70 dias). Se calculò el consumo de la dieta, el incremento de peso/consumo y la tasa de crecimiento ponderal/dia. Con la aplicaciòn del concentrado de alga fòsil al 30,77 por cento como fuente completa de calcio de la raciòn y el concentrado de alga viva al 0,20 por cento, se obtuvieron valores òptimos de incremento de peso y crecimiento de la concha. La ingestiòn, el peso y el crecimiento de los caracoles alimentados con el concentrado de alga viva y el de alga viva calentada a 65 C en la composiciòn de 30,77 por cento, fueron màs bajos que el control. Estos resultados sugieren que el concentrado de alga fòsil puede ser utilizado como fuente de calcio con efectos significativos en el crecimiento de helix aspersa, cuando se comparan con los obtenidos con otras fuentes de calcio usualmente utilizadas. Por otro lado, la ausencia de carbonato en el alga viva puede ser responsable por el reducido efecto en el aprovechamiento de calcio en esta especie

Infusäo de prostaglandina E1 em cardiopatias congênitas canal-dependentes: análise de 47 casos / Infusion of prostaglandin E1 in duct dependent congenital heart diseases: analysis of 47 cases

Foram estudados 47 lactantes submetidos a infusäo de prostaglandina E1 (PGE1), no período de dezembro de 1985 a abril de 1988. Idades variaram de 12 horas a 70 dias (média de 10,3 dias), o peso corporal de 1990 g a 4430 g (média de 3005 g). A dose média da infusäo venosa foi de 0,021 mcg/kg/min, variando de 0,013 a 0,089 mcg/kg/min, abaixo da dose preconizada habitualmente. Considerou-se efetiva a terapêutica em 36 (76,55) pacientes que demonstraram melhora clínica, aumento da saturaçäo do O2 arterial acima de 15 vol. O2% e maior diâmetro do canal arterial avaliado através da ecocardiografia. Na correlaçäo entre a resposta terapêutica e a idade do paciente, a maior elevaçäo da saturaçäo de pO2 arterial nos recém-natos ocorreu até 21 dias, em especial até sete dias, em cujo período o aumento médio foi de 24,5 vol. 02. Das cardiopatias que mais se beneficiaram, salientam-se a atresia pulmonar com ou sem CIV, anomalia de Ebstein, atresia tricúspide, estenose pulmonar valvar, dupla via de saída de VD e as ue menos se beneficiaram corresponderam a hipoplasia do coraçäo esquerdo, tetralogia de Fallot, TGA. Os efeitos colaterais, todos reversíveis, näo guardam relaçäo com a dose empregada, sendo os mais freqüentes a apnéia em 40.4%, hipertermia em 29.7%, taquicardia em 19,1%, bradicardia e erupçäo cutânea em 17%. A PGE1 pôde ser usada em período mais prolongado (média de 975 horas) em três pacientes, por prematuridade, infecçäo e complexidade de defeito, abrindo campo de observaçäo similar...