Point-of-care lung ultrasound predicts in-hospital mortality in acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: B-lines have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) when found at hospital discharge or during outpatient visits. Whether lung ultrasound (LUS) assessed B-lines may predict in-hospital mortality in patients with acute HF is still undetermined. AIM: To evaluate the association between B-lines on admission and in-hospital mortality among patients admitted with acute HF. METHODS: Hand-held LUS was used to examine patients with acute HF. LUS was performed in eight chest zones with a pocket ultrasound device and analyzed offline. The association between B-lines and in-hospital mortality was assessed using Cox regression models. RESULTS: We included 62 patients with median age 56 years, 69.4% men, and median left ventricle ejection fraction 25%. The sum of B-lines ranged from 0 to 53 (median 6.5). An optimal receiver operating characteristic-determined cut-off of ≥19 B-lines demonstrated a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 86% (area under the curve 0.788) for in-hospital mortality. The incremental prognostic value of LUS when compared with lung crackles or peripheral edema by integrated discrimination improvement was 12.96% (95% CI: 7.0-18.8, P = 0.02). Patients with ≥19 B-lines had a 4-fold higher risk of in-hospital mortality (HR 4.38; 95% CI: 1.37-13.95, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In patients admitted with acute HF, point-of-care LUS measurements of pulmonary congestion (B-lines) are associated with in-hospital mortality.

Analysis of melanopsin gene expression in the rabbit retina at different ages.

Melanopsin is the photopigment of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells that mediate non-visual responses to light. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze melanopsin gene expression in the rabbit retina at different ages and compare its expression with the prototypic gene of retinal ganglion cells (Thy-1 gene). Expression levels of OPN4, Thy-1, and GADPH genes were measured by real-time PCR at 3, 4, 8, 11, 12, 17, 19, 20, 23, 27, 32, and 47 postnatal days. We also regrouped the days before and after day 12 of life (pre-photic and post-photic stage, respectively). Average expression of the OPN4 gene between days was similar (P = 0.713), but was statistically different in the Thy-1 gene (P = 0.004). Also, no significant differences were found in OPN4 gene expression pre-photic and post-photic stage (P = 0.629); however, Thy-1 expression was higher in the pre-photic stage, almost double, than in the post-photic stage, with significant differences (P = 0.001). This is the first report describing OPN4 gene expression in the rabbit retina at different ages. We demonstrated that the OPN4 gene is constantly expressed at all early stages, even before the onset of photoentrainment by the pups and that Thy-1 and OPN4 gene expressions are out of phase.

Resource allocation among worker castes of the leaf-cutting ants Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus through trophallaxis.

The division of labor between the different worker castes of leaf-cutting ants may reflect in their capacity to exchange liquids by trophallaxis. The crop capacity of and trophallactic exchanges between different size classes of worker leaf-cutting ants of the sub-species Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus were investigated. Size classes were defined from head capsule widths and crop capacity of each class was determined following ad libitum feeding on dye solution. Experiments were carried out to investigate trophallactic exchanges between donor ants and recipient ants of each class size combination on a one to one basis. An experiment was also performed to investigate dye distribution within mini-colonies following introduction of three classes of donor ants. Worker ants were categorized into four size classes from their head capsule widths (C1=0.8-1.0 mm; C2=1.2-1.5 mm; C3=1.6-2.0 mm; C4=2.1-2.4 mm). C1 ants crop capacity was 0.13 microL; C2: 0.21 microL; C3: 0.52 microL; C4: 1.03 microL. Ants of each class previously fed on the dye solution (donors) were placed individually with an unfed ant of each class (recipients) and the presence of dye solution, passed from the donor to the recipient by oral trophallaxis was observed after 1h. Results showed that all classes of donor ants performed trophallactic exchanges with all recipient classes. However, statistically fewer exchanges were seen for C2 donor ants when placed with C3 recipient ants. Ten donor ants of each of three classes (C2, C3 and C4) were introduced into mini-colonies without queen ants. It was observed that C1 and C2 ants were poor recipients, whilst C3 and C4 received the highest percentages of dye. Within 10h of introducing the donor ants, 14 to 20% of their nest-mates had received dye solution, with 58 to 77% of dye passed to recipients. These studies show the altruistic nature of "food-laden" leaf-cutters and indicate that ants involved in garden maintenance activity are less likely to receive liquids from foraging workers.

Influence of 670 nm low-level laser therapy on mast cells and vascular response of cutaneous injuries.

Laser biomodulation has been getting considerable attention when it comes to its effects on the inflammatory process. Its action upon mast cells have been already studied, but none of the previous papers related the resulting effect to the inflammatory and vascular status of the wounds. Therefore, the acute inflammatory process as well as the mast cells behavior and the vascular response were analyzed under the influence of laser treatment on cutaneous wounds. Surgical procedures were performed on 60 rats divided into sham and laser groups. Low-level laser therapy was performed following surgical procedures (670 nm, 9 mW, 4 J/cm(2), 124 s). Histological specimens were analyzed for cell morphology and immunohistochemistry using anti-von Willebrand Factor and anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor antibody. Laser treatment resulted in an increased acute inflammatory response in irradiated tissues; surgical wounds treated with laser therapy had increased polymorphonuclear cells, mast cells and vasodilation and lower numbers of vessels than those in control rats. Laser treatment resulted in higher expression of VEGF in irradiated tissues 6-24h post-treatment (p=0.002). It is possible to observe an amplification of acute inflammatory process during the first hours after surgical procedure in rats submitted to laser therapy.

Síndrome del niño sacudido en Chile: una forma más de maltrato infantil / Shaken baby syndrome in Chile: another form of child abuse

Introduction: The shaken baby syndrome is the most common cause of death and severe neurological damage in abused children. Characterized by acute encephalopathy with sub dural and retinal hemorrhages, which occur in inappropriate situations or an inconsistent story The lesions are due to the increased size of the child's head, weak neck musculature and the abundance of non-myelinated brain tissue that allows excessive stretching of blood vessels associated with the mechanism of injury that involves application of rotational forces of acceleration slowdown. Our goal is to present the clinical features of children admitted to four hospitals in Chile in order to alert the clinician to the suspicion and search box. Methods: Clinical and imaging analysis of six patients with clinical criteria for shaken baby syndrome, as defined by the presence of intracranial or intraocular injury as a result of shocks, in the context of physical abuse in children under two years. Results: Six cases, four children, two girls. Ages 3 months to 16 months. The first symptom in one child was ophthalmoparesis, four with seizures, one of which was admitted in severe coma until he died. All had retinal hemorrhages. Brain Magnetic Resonance showed subdural collections in all of them with different data. The coagulation study was negative in all. Conclusion: The shaken baby syndrome is a reality in Chile and its high morbidity and mortality should place emphasis on prevention at all levels of health care.

Introducción: El síndrome del niño sacudido es la causa más común de muerte y daño neurológico severo en niños maltratados. Caracterizado por encefalopatía aguda con hemorragias subduralesy retinianas, que ocurren en un contexto inadecuado o en una historia inconsistente. Las lesiones se explican por el mayor tamaño de la cabeza del niño, la debilidad de la musculatura cervicaly la abundancia de tejido encefálico no mielinizado que permite un excesivo estiramiento de los vasos sanguíneos asociado al mecanismo de injuria que implica aplicación de fuerzas rotacionales de aceleración-desaceleración. Nuestro objetivo es presentar las características clínicas de niños ingresados a cuatro hospitales de Chile para así alertar al clínico hacia la sospecha y búsqueda del cuadro. Método: Análisis clínico e imagenológico de seis pacientes con criterios clínicos para síndrome del niño sacudido, definido por la presencia de lesiones intracraneales o intraoculares como resultado de sacudidas, en el contexto de maltrato físico, en niños menores de dos a±os. Resultados: Seis casos, cuatro niños, dos niñas. Edades entre 3 meses y 16 meses. Uno debutó con oftalmoparesia, cuatro con crisis convulsivas de los cuales uno ingresó en coma evolucionando grave hasta fallecer. Todos presentaban hemorragias retinianas. La Resonancia Magnética cerebral mostró en todos ellos colecciones subdurales de distinta data. El estudio de coagulopatías fue negativo en todos. Conclusión: El síndrome del niño sacudido es una realidad en Chile y por su alta morbimortalidad se debiera insistir en la prevención de éste a todo nivel de la atención en salud.

Incidence and factors associated with delayed graft function in renal transplantation at Carlos Van Buren Hospital, January 2000 to June 2008.

Delayed graft function (DGF) is defined as the need for dialysis within the first week after renal transplantation, and slow graft function as persistence of serum creatinine concentration of at least 3 mg/dL on day 5 after the procedure. In the present study, we analyzed the incidence and risk factors for DGF at our center. This retrospective study included 106 patients who underwent renal transplantation between January 2000 and June 2008. Of these, 11 patients were excluded. Two of the remaining 95 patients received organs from living donors, and 93 received cadaver organs. Variables analyzed included donor age, cause of death, cause of chronic renal failure, recipient age, method and time of long-term renal replacement therapy, residual diuresis, panel of reactive antibodies (PRA), HLA mismatch, sex compatibility, cold and warm ischemia times, biopsy-confirmed episodes of acute rejection, urine output in the operating room and in the first 24 hours after the procedure, and intraoperative induction therapy. Data were analyzed using the chi(2) and Fisher exact tests and analysis of variance, and are given as mean (SD) and frequency. Variables associated with DGF at univariate analysis (P < .05) were divided between risk factors and predictors of DGF for inclusion in logistic regression models. The incidence of DGF was 32.6%; slow graft function, 16.8%; and immediate graft function, 50.5%. Cold ischemia time longer than 20 hours (P = .02) and donor age (P = .008) were directly associated with DGF. Twenty-four-hour urine output was a strong predictor of DGF. Patients with DGF demonstrated a 25% incidence of an episode of acute rejection before discharge from the hospital. No difference in DGF was observed for use of intraoperative induction therapy.

Successful multiple pregnancy (triplets) in a kidney transplant recipient: a case report.

Renal failure generally accompanies an alteration in reproduction function. Even though a renal transplantation does in fact improve this function, there are few cases described in medical literature of multiple pregnancies in transplant patients that ended in a successful manner. In addition, there is a greater incidence of complications such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and premature delivery. This article describes a 31-year-old patient who became pregnant with triplets at 3 years and 6 months after receiving a renal transplant from a cadaver. The patient received treatment with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone. During the pregnancy, there was a increase in hypertension, proteinuria, cholestasia gravidic symptoms, and premature delivery. Pregnancy control included evaluation of the fetoplacental unit together with hypertensive management and adjustment of immunosuppressant treatment, especially the cyclosporine dose, seeking to facilitate greater fetal maturity. Three newborns of 840, 860, and 1020 were delivered by cesarean section. The newborns spent 6 to 8 weeks in the neonatal unit and were released without complications. The newborns have presented adequate psychomotor and physical development to date. The triplets are now 4 years old. The transplant recipient has a creatinine clearance of 81 mL/min at 7 years after transplantation.

Osteoma periférico en la mandíbula: Presentación de caso

El osteoma es una lesión benigna caracterizada por la proliferación de tejido óseo, que puede ser central, periférica o extra-ósea, se localiza casi que exclusivamente en la región del cráneo y la cara, siendo bastante rara en huesos largos. Hasta ahora dos variaciones histológicas fueron descritas para la lesión: compacta y medular. El osteoma presenta crecimiento lento y asintomático en la mayoría de los casos, siendo usualmente descubierto cuando son realizados exámenes radiográficos de rutina o cuando la lesión se presenta en un estado de crecimiento avanzado, conllevando a una asimetría facial. Cuando están presentes, los síntomas dependen de la región donde la lesión está localizada. La etiología todavía no está bien clara, los osteomas no presentan cualquier tendencia para transformación maligna y no recidivan después de la remoción quirúrgica. La realización del tratamiento depende de la presencia de síntomas, disfunción y/o malestar. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre el tema así como relatar un caso clínico de osteoma periférico en la mandíbula, enfocando su clasificación, aspectos clínicos y tratamiento.

Osteoma is a benign lesion characterized by proliferation of bony tissue that can be central, peripheral, or extra skeletal, and it’s located almost exclusively in the skull and facial region, rarely found in long bones. Two different histological variations have been defined so far, that consists of either compact or cancellous bone. This lesion, which has a slow and asymptomatic growth in the majority of cases, is usually discovered when routine radiological exams are taken or when it presents an advanced growth, producing facial assimetry. Symptoms depend on the region where the lesion is located. With unknown etiology, osteomas are not associated with malignant transformation and don’t recur after surgical treatment. Treatment should be indicated depending on the symptoms, malfunction or discomfort. The goal of this work is to do a literature review and report a case of peripheral osteoma in the mandible, regarding its classification, clinical features and treatment.

Esclerodermia sistêmica: relato de caso clínico / Systemic sclerosis: a case report

A esclerodermia sistêmica é uma doença dermatológica que pode afetar os tecidos orais e periorais. Suaetiologia é desconhecida sendo associada a um mecanismo autoimune. A doença acomete preferencialmentemulheres negras, entre 30 e 50 anos de idade, e se caracteriza por modificações da microcirculaçãocausando fibrose e obliteração das veias da pele, pulmão, trato gastrointestinal, rins e coração. O fenômenode Raynaud e edema das mãos e dedos são sinais característicos da doença. As manifestações orofaciais incluemaumento do espaço do ligamento periodontal, limitação da função mastigatória, dificuldade no processode reparo, fibrose da pele, redução da abertura bucal, entre outros. O objetivo deste trabalho é relataro caso clínico de uma paciente portadora de Esclerodermia Sistêmica, visando auxiliar o cirurgião-dentistaa identificar os sinais e sintomas característicos dessa alteração sistêmica que pode acometer os pacientes

The Systemic Scleroderma is a dermatologic illness that can affect oral and dermal tissue. Its etiology isunknown and it?s commonly associated to an autoimmune mechanism. The illness affects preferentiallyafrican-american women, between 30 and 50 years old and it is characterized by modifications of the microcirculationthat causes fibrosis and obliteration of the veins of the skin, lung, gastrointestinal system,kidneys and heart. Raynaud?s phenomenon and edema of the hands and fingers are characteristics signalsof the illness. The orofacial manifestations include increase of the space of the periodontal ligament, limitationof the chewing function, difficulty in the wound healing process, fibrosis of the face skin and reductionof the buccal opening, among others. The objective of this work is to describe a case of a pacient withSystemic Scleroderma looking foward to help the dentist identify the signs and symptoms of this illness.The dental treatment will then be modified to suit these patients

Oportunidad diagnóstica de tumores del sistema nervioso central en niños, Hospital de Puerto Montt, 1998-2004 / Diagnostic opportunity of central nervous sistem tumors in Puerto Montt hospital, 1998-2004

Los tumores del sistema nervioso central constituyen la segunda causa de muerte en niños, con una incidencia total de 1,8 a 4 por 100.000. Su pronóstico depende del tipo de tumor, localización y tiempo de evolución, por lo que es muy importante un diagnóstico precoz. Por esto se decidió cuantificar el tiempo de demora diagnóstica en nuestra Décima Región Sur y los factores responsables, considerando la alta ruralidad de nuestra zona, Se trabajó bajo hipótesis que la ruralidad afectaba negativamente al tiempo de diagnóstico, revisándose un total de 31 casos atendidos en nuestro Hospital de Puerto Montt. En relación a los resultados se comprobó que la ruralidad sí era un factor que retrasó el diagnóstico. El tiempo promedio de demora fue de 2,44 meses, lo que corresponde al rango bajo en relación a otras publicaciones revisadas. Cabe destacar que un 33 por ciento de los pacientes se derivó erróneamente a otro especialista, desde su sector, lo que retrasó el diagnóstico. Se destaca igualmente la diferencia entre tasa de incidencia entre la Provincia de Llanquihue y Provincia de Chiloé (2,7 y 4 por 100.000, respectivamente) lo que mueve a investigar posibles factores ambientales involucrados.

Histopatologia comparativa de las fístulas antiglaucomatosas / Comparative histopatology of antiglaucomatous blebs

Hemos examinado al microscopio 16 muestras de conjuntiva, excindidas por sindrome de hipotonia secundario a cirugía filtrante antiglaucomatosa. Los tres tipos de intervención practicadas: trabeculectomia simple, trabeculectomia con 5-FU y trabeculectomia con mitomicina parecen tener un substrato morfológico propio de cada una de ellas. El comportamiento del tejido conjuntivo (Tenon) en cada grupo es característico y determina finalmente el éxito o fracaso de la operación...

Drug conditioning induced by intrastriatal apomorphine administration.

The present study examined (1) whether the neostriatum is involved in a drug-induced conditioned locomotor response and; (2) whether this structure participates in the development of behavioral sensitization. Moreover, the present study addressed the question whether the development of behavioral sensitization is necessary for the induction of conditioning. Rats received injections of either apomorphine (2 microg) or vehicle (solution of 0.1% ascorbate/saline) into the dorsal neostriatum daily for 7 days. These treatments were performed immediately prior to (apomorphine-paired group and vehicle group) or 30 min following (apomorphine-unpaired group) 10-min placement in an open field which served as the test environment. After a 3-day drug withdrawal period, the animals were given a 10-min non-drug vehicle test trial in the test environment. Three days later, a drug test with apomorphine was administered to the animals of the paired and unpaired treatment groups; the vehicle group again received an injection of vehicle. The analysis of locomotor activity in the open field (measured as the distance traversed) revealed that locomotor activity in the apomorphine-paired group was higher than in the other groups. There were no indications for behavioral sensitization to intrastriatal apomorphine, since the locomotor response in the apomorphine-paired group did not increase, but rather decreased with daily repeated injections of apomorphine. Furthermore, only the apomorphine-paired animals showed a higher locomotor response when tested after an intrastriatal injection of vehicle in the previously apomorphine-paired environment, which is indicative of a conditioned drug effect. These results suggest that the neostriatum is directly involved in the development of drug-induced conditioning of locomotor behavior but not in the establishment of behavioral sensitization.

Tratamento crônico com L-Dopa e MK-801: efeitos comportamentais e neuroquímicos em um modelo experimental de parkinsonismo / Chronic treatment with L-Dopa and MK-801: behavioral and neurochemical effects in animal model of parkinsonism

O presente estudo investigou o efeito dos tratamentos crônicos com L-DOPA e MK-801 no desenvolvimento do processo de supersensibilidade dopaminérgica, utilizando um modelo de hemiparkinsonismo. Rotaçoes contralaterais à lesao foram utilizadas como medida comportamental do processo de supersensibilidade. Ratos lesados unilateralmente com 6-OHDA na substância negra foram tratados sistemicamente com L-DOPA/carbidopa e MK-801 durante 13 dias consecutivos, seguidos por um período de retirada de droga de 10 dias. Após esse período, os animais foram testados com salina e no dia seguinte testados com L-DOPA. Resultados mostraram que o tratamento com L-DOPA e o pré-tratamento com MK-801 nao impediram o aparecimento do processo de supersensibilidade, mas retardaram o início do mesmo. Entretanto, uma vez iniciado, o processo se tornou mais acentuado, visto que, após um período de retirada, a administraçao de L-DOPA produziu rotaçoes contralaterais equivalentes àquelas do 13§ dia. O grupo pré-tratado com MK-801, entretanto, apresentou um número de rotaçoes contralaterais semelhante ao apresentado pelo grupo salina. Ensaios bioquímicos utilizando a técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC-EC) indicaram que o tratamento com L-DOPA nao produziu mudanças nos níveis dopaminérgicos estriatais. Entretanto, as razoes dopaminérgicas DOPAC/DA e HVA/DA dos grupos tratados com L-DOPA se encontravam aumentadas. Houve aumento nos níveis dopaminérgicos corticais. Em conclusao, o presente trabalho sugere que a administraçao crônica de L-DOPA nao é suficiente para impedir o desenvolvimento do processo de supersensibilidade, porém retarda o aparecimento deste. O pré-tratamento com MK-801, além de retardo, produz também a atenuaçao do processo.

NMDA antagonist effects on the development of L-dopa behavioral sensitization in rats.

This study, which used an animal model of Parkinsonism, evaluated whether the NMDA antagonist MK-801 can prevent the development of L-3-4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) sensitization. In separate groups, rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions were treated with saline, 25 mg/kg L-DOPA methyl ester, 0.1 mg/kg MK-801, or MK-801 plus L-DOPA once per day for 13 days beginning 18 to 20 hr postoperatively, well before the onset of denervation supersensitivity. Following 14 days of withdrawal, all treatment groups were given a saline test and on the next day, an L-DOPA challenge test. Contralateral rotation, the behavioral index of denervation supersensitivity, emerged on Day 7 in both L-DOPA groups. However, on the L-DOPA challenge test, only the L-DOPA group showed enhanced contralateral rotations compared with a drug-naive group. In contrast, the MK-801 and MK-801/L-DOPA groups were indistinguishable from the drug-naive L-DOPA-treated rats. These findings indicate that although MK-801 treatment did not prevent the development of behavioral sensitization to the L-DOPA treatment, it did prevent its persistence following drug withdrawal.

'Priming' enhances the relationship of striatal L-dopa concentration to behavior.

Rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions were exposed to L-DOPA treatments, 25 mg kg-1 L-DOPA methyl ester/2 mg kg-1 carbidopa, or to saline. Fourteen days later, both sets of animals were tested with the L-DOPA/carbidopa treatment. The L-DOPA pre-exposed animals exhibited behavioral sensitization as indexed by a higher frequency of contralateral rotations. Although striatal L-DOPA and HVA concentrations were equivalent in the two groups, the L-DOPA treatment induced a 10 fold variation in the range of L-DOPA concentrations in the 6-OHDA striatum in both sets of animals. Importantly, significant correlations between striatal L-DOPA concentration and behavior were obtained only for the L-DOPA pre-exposed animals.

L-dopa induced increases in brain uric acid in an animal model of Parkinson's disease: a relationship to behavioral activation.

Rats with severe unilateral dopamine denervation (> or = 95% dopamine deficit), produced by intracerebral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the ventral tegmentum nigrostriatal dopamine neurons, were administered 25 mg/kg L-dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) methyl ester/2 mg/kg carbidopa. The neurochemical effects of the L-dopa treatment on uric acid in the cortex and striatum of the intact and 6-OHDA hemisphere were measured. In comparison to saline animals, uric acid concentrations in brain were increased in the L-dopa treated animals. There were no interhemispheric differences in the uric acid concentrations either in the L-dopa or in the saline treated animals. Interhemispheric differences were, however, observed in terms of the correlations obtained between L-dopa and uric acid concentrations in the intact vs. the 6-OHDA hemisphere. Statistically significant correlation coefficients were found in the striatal and cortex samples obtained from the 6-OHDA hemisphere. Furthermore, high correlation coefficients were observed between contralateral rotation frequencies and uric acid concentrations in the cortex and striatum of the 6-OHDA hemisphere. In contrast, only low and statistically non significant correlations were observed in the tissue samples obtained from the intact hemisphere. These observations suggest that L-dopa activation of the dopamine supersensitive receptors of the DA denervated hemisphere and the associated metabolism of purines with high energy phosphate bonds (e.g. ATP and GTP) increases uric acid as an end-product of purine metabolism. These findings are consistent with other findings indicating that uric acid in the brain can provide an index of metabolic activation in brain tissue.

Preoperative operant circling training facilitates recovery following unilateral substantia nigra lesion in rats.

This study was undertaken to examine (1) whether pre- and/or postoperative training, using water reinforcement, to turn in circles (rotation) affects the behavioral symptoms induced by unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced DA denervation of the rat substantia nigra (SN); (2) whether there was any influence of this training on the temporal pattern of recovery; and (3) whether the rotational training influences turning induced by systemic injection of dopaminergic drugs. In the first experiment, rats were trained either ipsi- or contraversive (TI or TO) to the side to be damaged 11 days before and 23 days after lesion, and tested in an open field for rotational behavior following systemic administration of apomorphine and amphetamine. In the second experiment rats were trained only before the lesion was made and tested in the open field for spontaneous circling and thigmotactic behavior. The results of the first experiment indicated maintenance of the training performance after the lesion. At the 14th day after the lesion, the ipsiversive trained group showed a higher contraversive circling frequency after apomorphine injection in relation to the contralateral trained group. In the second experiment, rats trained only before the surgery, showed asymmetrical spontaneous circling in the trained direction before and 14 days after surgery, indicating, in a drug free condition, that training direction can be restored after unilateral SN lesions, even to the contralateral body side. Moreover, thigmotactic behavior indicated a lack of habituation in an open field in unilateral lesion rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relationship between erythropoietic rate and iron donating capacity of the Fe/transferrin complex in mouse.

The transfer of iron from the Fe/transferrin complex to the erythroid cells was studied in in vitro system in mice in which a drastic and opposite change in their erythropoietic activity was produced by bleeding or actinomycin D administration. A reduction of iron donation in the serum of bled animals was found, whereas the aplastic condition induce in the donors of the serum by actinomycin D did not produce any change in the transfer process. It was also found that in spite of the normalization of the saturation in the serum of bled animals, the diminished donation remained unchanged. The possibility that conditions other than quantitative could produce this behavior is discussed.