Anterior thalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for refractory epilepsy: Preliminary results in our first 5 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior thalamic nucleus (ATN) has been recognized to be an efficient treatment of refractory epilepsy (RE). However, ATN targeting is difficult and up to 8% of lead misplacement is reported. Our objective is to report our surgical procedure based on MRI targeting and our clinical results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our first five consecutive patients (4M, 1F, mean age: 42.8 years) treated by DBS of ATN between March and October 2016 were included. The mean duration of their epilepsy was 29 years. Four patients had already vagal nerve stimulation and 2 mammillary body stimulation. Stereotactic coordinates were calculated using distal segment of mammillothalamic tract as landmark. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia with intraoperative control of lead position using a robotic 3D fluoroscopy and image fusion with the preoperative MRI. RESULTS: No complications or lead misplacement was observed. The mean 3D distance between the planned target and location of the lead was 1.8 mm. Each patient was followed up at least one year (15+3months). The stimulation parameters were: 140Hz, 90m/s and 5 Volts with one minute ON/five minutes OFF cycle. The mean reduction of seizure frequency reached -52.5% (+32.2) at 6-months but decreased to -24.5% (+65.7) at the last follow-up due to some adverse events not related to stimulation. CONCLUSION: No complication, no lead misplacement and the improvement in our first patients, previously not help by multiple medications or surgeries, are encouraging.

Alternative substrates for conidiogenesis of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals) Vuillemin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) / Substratos alternativos para conidiogênese do fungo entomopatogênico Beauveria bassiana (Bals) Vuillemin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes)

Abstract Beauveria bassiana is a promising fungus for the biological control of insect pests. The growing costs of conidia production have raised the need to ascertain the efficiency of some low cost substrates. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential use of different raw substrates without nutritional supplement for B. bassiana conidiogenesis. Growth and sporulation were evaluated using 30 g of substrate and 0.3 μL of a conidia suspension (1 x 106 conidia/mL). After 10 days of incubation (70 ± 10% humidity and temperature (T) = 29 ± 1 °C), rice (2.00 x 106 conidia/g substrate), algaroba (2.36 x 106 conidia/g), malt A (1.22 x 106 conidia/g) and malt B (1.75 x 106 conidia/g) showed the highest levels of conidia production. The resulting conidia showed insecticidal activity higher than 80% on coconut termites. These new raw substrates may represent viable alternatives for the production of entomopathogenic fungi for use in the biological control of various insect pests.

Resumo Beauveria bassiana é um fungo promissor no controle biológico de insetos-praga. As crescentes despesas na produção de conídios levantam a necessidade de averiguar a eficiência de alguns substratos de baixo custo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o potencial de utilização de diferentes substratos brutos para a conidiogênese de B. bassiana. O crescimento e esporulação foram realizados utilizando 30 g do substrato e 0,3 µL da suspensão de conídios (1 x 106 conídios/mL). Após 10 dias de incubação (umidade 70 ± 10% e temperatura T = 29 ± 1° C), o arroz (2,00 x 106 conídios/g de substrato), algaroba (2,36 x 106 conídios/g), malte A (1,22 x 106 conídios/g) e B (1,75 x 106 conídios/g), apresentaram maior produção de conídios. Os conídios produzidos mostraram atividade inseticida sobre o cupim do coqueiro acima de 80% de mortalidade. Estes novos substratos brutos podem representar uma alternativa viável para produção de fungos entomopatogênicos para uso no controle biológico de vários insetos praga.

Alternative substrates for conidiogenesis of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals) Vuillemin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes).

Beauveria bassiana is a promising fungus for the biological control of insect pests. The growing costs of conidia production have raised the need to ascertain the efficiency of some low cost substrates. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential use of different raw substrates without nutritional supplement for B. bassiana conidiogenesis. Growth and sporulation were evaluated using 30 g of substrate and 0.3 µL of a conidia suspension (1 x 106 conidia/mL). After 10 days of incubation (70 ± 10% humidity and temperature (T) = 29 ± 1 °C), rice (2.00 x 106 conidia/g substrate), algaroba (2.36 x 106 conidia/g), malt A (1.22 x 106 conidia/g) and malt B (1.75 x 106 conidia/g) showed the highest levels of conidia production. The resulting conidia showed insecticidal activity higher than 80% on coconut termites. These new raw substrates may represent viable alternatives for the production of entomopathogenic fungi for use in the biological control of various insect pests.

Alternative substrates for conidiogenesis of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals) Vuillemin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes)

Abstract Beauveria bassiana is a promising fungus for the biological control of insect pests. The growing costs of conidia production have raised the need to ascertain the efficiency of some low cost substrates. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential use of different raw substrates without nutritional supplement for B. bassiana conidiogenesis. Growth and sporulation were evaluated using 30 g of substrate and 0.3 L of a conidia suspension (1 x 106 conidia/mL). After 10 days of incubation (70 ± 10% humidity and temperature (T) = 29 ± 1 °C), rice (2.00 x 106 conidia/g substrate), algaroba (2.36 x 106 conidia/g), malt A (1.22 x 106 conidia/g) and malt B (1.75 x 106 conidia/g) showed the highest levels of conidia production. The resulting conidia showed insecticidal activity higher than 80% on coconut termites. These new raw substrates may represent viable alternatives for the production of entomopathogenic fungi for use in the biological control of various insect pests.

Resumo Beauveria bassiana é um fungo promissor no controle biológico de insetos-praga. As crescentes despesas na produção de conídios levantam a necessidade de averiguar a eficiência de alguns substratos de baixo custo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o potencial de utilização de diferentes substratos brutos para a conidiogênese de B. bassiana. O crescimento e esporulação foram realizados utilizando 30 g do substrato e 0,3 µL da suspensão de conídios (1 x 106 conídios/mL). Após 10 dias de incubação (umidade 70 ± 10% e temperatura T = 29 ± 1° C), o arroz (2,00 x 106 conídios/g de substrato), algaroba (2,36 x 106 conídios/g), malte A (1,22 x 106 conídios/g) e B (1,75 x 106 conídios/g), apresentaram maior produção de conídios. Os conídios produzidos mostraram atividade inseticida sobre o cupim do coqueiro acima de 80% de mortalidade. Estes novos substratos brutos podem representar uma alternativa viável para produção de fungos entomopatogênicos para uso no controle biológico de vários insetos praga.

Confirmation of cross-fertilization using molecular markers in ornamental passion flower hybrids.

Several interspecific Passiflora hybrids are produced in the northern hemisphere for the ornamental plant market. In Brazil, production of passion flower hybrids is limited to the introgression of genes into the main cultivated species, yellow passion fruit, to be used as rootstocks. Confirmation of hybridization in the initial developmental stage is important for breeding perennial and sub-perennial plants, such as passion flowers, reducing time and costs in plant stock maintenance. In order to obtain F1 hybrids with ornamental potential, four species of Passiflora (P. alata, P. gardneri, P. gibertii, and P. watsoniana) from the Active Germplasm Bank at UESC were hybridized. Flower buds, in pre-anthesis, of the genitors were previously protected, and the female buds were emasculated. To confirm hybridization, the genomic DNA of the genitor species and the supposed hybrids was extracted and RAPD primers were used to obtain molecular markers and select passion flower interspecific hybrids. Eight primers were used to confirm hybrids derived from P. gardneri with P. alata, P. watsoniana with P. alata, P. watsoniana with P. gardneri, and P. gardneri with P. gibertii; 75, 50, 45, and 46% of the informative bands, respectively, confirmed the hybrid nature of these plants. The RAPD technique was effective in the early identification of hybrids; this will be useful for development of hybrid Passiflora progeny.

L-Arginine administration during rat brain development facilitates spreading depression propagation: evidence for a dose- and nutrition-dependent effect.

L-Arginine (ARG) is the precursor of the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. NO-mediated signaling seems to be involved in the phenomenon of cortical spreading depression (CSD). Here, well-nourished and malnourished rats were treated, by gavage, with 150, 300 or 450 mg/kg/day of L-arginine from postnatal days 7-28, and CSD propagation was analyzed at 30-40 days. Compared to non-treated ('naïve') and water-treated controls, ARG-treated rats dose-dependently displayed higher CSD-velocities (P<0.05). In the malnourished rats, only the highest ARG-dose (450 mg/kg/day) increased CSD velocities. The mean +/- SD CSD-velocities (in mm/min) were: for well-nourished rats, 3.77 +/- 0.15, 3.78 +/- 0.23, 4.03 +/- 0.16, 4.36 +/- 0.19 and 4.41 +/- 0.26, in the naïve-, water-controls, 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg/day ARG-groups, respectively; for the same conditions in the malnourished rats, the velocities were 4.18 +/- 0.13, 4.22 +/- 0.09, 4.24 +/- 0.10, 4.27 +/- 0.21 and 4.64 +/- 0.22, respectively. Results demonstrate a dose- and nutrition-dependent CSD-facilitation by L-arginine administered during brain development. It is suggested that this effect is due to the modulation of nitric oxide synthesis.

Valor nutritivo do resíduo da indústria processadora de abacaxi (Ananas comosus L.) em dietas para ovinos. 1. Consumo, digestibilidade aparente e balanços energético e nitrogenado / Nutritive value of pineapple by-product (Ananas comosus L.) in diets for sheep. 1. Intake, apparent digestibility, energetic and nitrogenous balance

O presente estudo foi conduzido para avaliar a influência da inclusão do resíduo do processamento de abacaxi (Ananas comosus L.) nas dietas sobre os consumos (por unidade de tamanho metabólico - UTM) e coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra detergente neutro (FDN), fibra detergente ácido (FDA), hemiceluloses (HCEL), celulose (CEL) e energia de dietas experimentais isofibrosas e isoprotéicas. Avaliaram-se também os balanços nitrogenados e de energia dos animais. Vinte ovinos machos, inteiros receberam rações com quatro níveis de inclusão do resíduo (0; 11 por cento; 16 por cento; 27 por cento) em base de matéria seca, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco repetições por tratamento. Maiores consumos de matéria seca foram evidenciados quando as rações continham 11 por cento do resíduo. Maiores consumos de proteína bruta, fibra detergente neutro, fibra detergente ácido e celulose (g/UTM) e energia metabolizável (kcal/UTM) foram apresentados por animais alimentados com dietas contendo 11 por cento de resíduo em relação ao das dietas com 27 por cento de inclusão (P<0,05). Maior coeficiente de digestibilidade da FDA ocorreu para dietas que não continham o resíduo de abacaxi. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da CEL foram semelhantes. Os balanços energéticos e protéicos foram positivos. Melhores resultados para os parâmetros analisados foram observados para dietas que incluíam até 16 por cento do resíduo de abacaxi na base da matéria seca.

The influence of increasing levels of pineapple by-product (Ananas comosus L.) on intake (unit metabolic size - UMS) and apparent digestibility ( percent) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicelluloses (HCEL) and cellulose (CEL) and energy of isofibrous and isoproteic experimental diets of sheep were evaluated. Energetic and nitrogenous balance were also measured. Twenty rams were randomly allotted to four treatments in a completely randomized design with five replications. The treatments were formulated to contain zero; 11, 16 and 27 percent of pineapple by-product on DM basis. Higher dry matter intake was observed on 11 percent pineapple by-product diet. CP, NDF, ADF, CEL intake (g/UMS) and metabolizable energy intake (kcal/UMS) of 11 percent pineapple by-product diet were higher than 27 percent pineapple by-product diet (P<0.05). ADF digestibility was higher for 0 percent pineapple by-product diet. Energy and nitrogenous balances were positives. Diets formulated to contain up to 16 percent of pineapple by-product presented the best results.

Reproducibility of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hemodialysis patients.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has been increasingly used in hemodialysis (HD) practice and research; however, no study has evaluated the reproducibility of ABPM in this population. To address this question, we performed 48-hour interdialytic ABPM on 21 HD patients (mean age, 53 +/- 16 years; 7 women) on two different occasions 68 +/- 34 days (range, 30 to 154 days) apart. To qualify for the protocol, patients had to be at the same dry weight and on the same vasoactive drug regimen at both monitoring periods. BP was analyzed according to three different methods: isolated pre-HD and post-HD values, average pre-HD and post-HD values for the five HD sessions surrounding each monitoring period, and 48-hour interdialytic ABPM. Reproducibility was determined by analysis of the SD of the differences (SDD) between the two monitoring periods and the coefficient of variation of each method of BP determination. Our results show better reproducibility of ABPM (SDD, 10.6/6.6 mm Hg; coefficient of variation, 7.5%/8.1%) compared with isolated pre-HD BP (SDD, 24.4/11.3 mm Hg; coefficient of variation, 16.7%/14.1%) or post-HD BP (SDD, 16.8/14.5 mm Hg; coefficient of variation, 11.7%/17.8%), and averaged pre-HD BP (SDD, 14.7/7.2 mm Hg; coefficient of variation, 10.1%/9.1%) or post-HD BP (SDD, 12.4/8.7 mm Hg; coefficient of variation, 8.9%/11.1%). The reproducibility of the decrease in BP during sleep was poor, with up to 43% of the subjects changing dipping category within or between interdialytic periods. We conclude that ABPM is the most accurate method to study BP in HD patients over time. However, variability is significant, and there is poor reproducibility of the nocturnal decline in BP.

Thrombosis of the internal carotid artery secondary to soft palate injury in children and childhood. Report of two cases.

Trauma to the soft palate is a uncommon event during childhood. Stroke following intraoral trauma is also rare, but has been well documented by the current literature as a potentially serious complication. In this article, we report 2 cases of posttraumatic internal carotid artery thrombosis depicted by imaging studies. We discuss pathogenesis, and the literature is reviewed.

[Thrombosis of the internal artery secondary to soft palate injury: case report]. / Trombose da artéria carótida interna devida a trauma penetrante no pálato mole. Relato de caso.

Stroke following intraoral trauma is a rare complication of a common childhood injury. In the literature these complications have been well documented, however this condition is still infrequent. In order to alert the physicians about this possible injury we report our experience with one case. Computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging evidenced complete occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Pathogenesis of this oral trauma is discussed.

Effect of high-salt intake on blood pressure and vascular reactivity of diabetic rats.

The etiopathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM)-associated hypertension is not known. Sodium and an increased vascular reactivity to vasopressor agents have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease in humans. The aim of the present study was to experimentally evaluate the possible role of salt intake and changes in vascular reactivity in the pathogenesis of DM-associated hypertension. Male Wistar rats, weighing 180 to 200 g, rendered diabetic by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and maintained moderately hyperglycemic with insulin were submitted to high-salt intake (tap water replaced with 1.0% NaCl) for 8 weeks (D+salt rats, N = 8). Mean arterial pressure and reactivity of the isolated aorta to norepinephrine and angiotensin II were then determined. Diabetic rats on normal-salt intake (group D+nl, N = 6) or normal-salt intake (group non-D+nl, N = 8) were used as controls. Mean blood pressure was significantly higher in D+salt rats (123 +/- 3 mmHg) compared with the D+nl (113 +/- 3 mmHg), non-D+salt (111 +/- 2 mmHg) and non-D+nl (105 +/- 2 mmHg) groups. Mean blood pressure was also significantly higher in diabetic rats on normal-salt intake compared with control rats on normal-salt intake. Vascular reactivity of the aorta to norepinephrine was increased only in diabetic rats on high-salt intake. No modification in reactivity was detected with regard to the reactivity to angiotensin II. We conclude that high-salt intake increases blood pressure in diabetic rats and that increased aorta vascular reactivity to norepinephrine might be involved in the blood pressure alteration.

Effect of high-salt intake on blood pressure and vascular reactivity of diabetic rats

The etiopathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM)-associated hypertension is not known. Sodium and an increased vascular reactivity to vasopressor agents have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease in humans. The aim of the present study was to experimentally evaluate the possible role of salt intake and changes in vascular reactivity in the pathogenesis of DM-associated hypertension. Male Wistar rats, weighing 180 to 200 g, rendered diabetic by streptozotocin (65mg/kg) and maintained moderately hyperglycemic with insulim were submited to high-salt intake (tap water replaced with 1.0 per cent NaCl) for 8 weeks (D+salt rats, N=8). Mean arterial pressure and reactivity of the isolated aorta to norepinephrine and angiotensin II were then determined, Diabetic rats on normal-salt intake (group D+nl,N=6) and non-diabetic rats on high- (group non-D+salt,N=6) or norma-salt intake (group non-D+nl,N=8) were used as controls. Mean blood pressure was significantly higher in D+salt rats (123 ñ 3mmHg) compared with the D+nl(113 ñ 3mmHg), non -D+salt (111 ñ 2mmHg) and non-D+nl (105 ñ 2mmHg) groups. Mean blood pressure was also significantly higher in diabetic rats on normal-salt intake compared with control rats on normal-salt intake. Vascular reactivity of the aorta to norepinephrine was increased only in diabetic rats on high-salt intake. No modification in reactivity was detected with regard to the reactivity to angiotensin II. We conclude that right-salt intake increases blood pressure in diabetic rats and that increased aorta vascular reactivity to norepinephrine might be involved in the blood pressure alternation.

Analysis of cell populations in crescentic glomerulonephritis.

The cell types present in the crescents were studied in 5 human patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis: two cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome and two cases of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Frozen sections of renal biopsies were studied by immunofluorescence, using murine monoclonal antibodies (orthoclones) against specific antigens on the membrane of human peripheral blood cells, and by histochemical methods. Monocytes (OKM1+, OKIa+ cells) but no lymphocytes (OKT+ cells), were detected in the crescentic glomeruli. Subsets of T lymphocytes (inducer-helper and cytotoxic-suppressor) were detected in the interstitium. Non-specific esterase-positive cells were observed in the glomeruli and in small numbers in the crescents. Fibrinogen deposits were present in the crescents of four of the five cases studied. No immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) or complement (C1q, C3) deposits were detected in the crescents. Fibrinogen, immunoglobulins and complement were present in the glomerular tufts.