Nuclear organization and morphology of cholinergic neurons in the brain of the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris) (Wied, 1820).

The aim of this study was to conduct cytoarchitectonic studies and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemical analysis to delimit the cholinergic groups in the encephalon of the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris), a crepuscular Caviidae rodent native to the Brazilian Northeast. Three young adult animals were anesthetized and transcardially perfused. The encephala were cut in the coronal plane using a cryostat. We obtained 6 series of 30-µm-thick sections. The sections from one series were subjected to Nissl staining. Those from another series were subjected to immunohistochemistry for the enzyme ChAT, which is used in acetylcholine synthesis, to visualize the different cholinergic neural centers of the rock cavy. The slides were analyzed using a light microscope and the results were documented by description and digital photomicrographs. ChAT-immunoreactive neurons were identified in the telencephalon (nucleus accumbens, caudate-putamen, globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus and ventral globus pallidus, olfactory tubercle and islands of Calleja, diagonal band of Broca nucleus, nucleus basalis, and medial septal nucleus), diencephalon (ventrolateral preoptic, hypothalamic ventrolateral, and medial habenular nuclei), and brainstem (parabigeminal, laterodorsal tegmental, and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei). These findings are discussed through both a functional and phylogenetic perspective.

Astaxanthin diferulate as a bifunctional antioxidant.

Astaxanthin when esterified with ferulic acid is better singlet oxygen quencher with k2 = (1.58 ± 0.1) 10(10) L mol(-1)s(-1) in ethanol at 25°C compared with astaxanthin with k2 = (1.12 ± 0.01) 10(9) L mol(-1)s(-1). The ferulate moiety in the astaxanthin diester is a better radical scavenger than free ferulic acid as seen from the rate constant of scavenging of 1-hydroxyethyl radicals in ethanol at 25°C with a second-order rate constant of (1.68 ± 0.1) 10(8) L mol(-1)s(-1) compared with (1.60 ± 0.03) 10(7) L mol(-1)s(-1) for the astaxanthin:ferulic acid mixture, 1:2 equivalents. The mutual enhancement of antioxidant activity for the newly synthetized astaxanthin diferulate becoming a bifunctional antioxidant is rationalized according to a two-dimensional classification plot for electron donation and electron acceptance capability.

Análises físicas, químicas e microbiológicas das águas do balneário Veneza na bacia hidrgráfica do médio Itapecuru, MA

The availability of inorganic nutrients and certain microbiological agents indicates the quality of the water where this availability is found, and is thus a key indicator for monitoring aquatic life. In this context, the present study was aimed to to evaluate the bathing waters of the Veneza Resort located in the Itapecuru river basin in Caxias, state of Maranhão, Brazil, according to physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. The study was conducted from July to December 2010. The parameters studied were determined by titrimetric chemical analysis and the physical method of spectrophotometric analysis. The microbiological parameters for identification of fecal coliforms were determined using the multiple tubes method. During this period there were levels of phosphorus (phosphate and total phosphorus) above the maximum allowed, thus causing low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, beginning the process of eutrophication, disequilibrium with the metabolism of the ecosystem.

A disponibilidade de alguns nutrientes inorgânicos e certos agentes microbiológicos em água indica o nível de qualidade em que ela se encontra, sendo um indicador fundamental para o monitoramento da vida em meios aquáticos. Com o presente estudo objetivou-se avaliar a balneabilidade das águas do Balneário Veneza pertencente à Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Itapecuru na Cidade de Caxias, MA, por meio dos parâmetros físicos, químicos e microbiológicos. O estudo foi desenvolvido no período de julho a dezembro de 2010. Os parâmetros estudados foram determinados pelo método químico de análise titrimétrica e pelo método físico de análise espectrofotométrica. Os parâmetros microbiológicos de identificação de coliformes fecais e totais foram realizados pela técnica dos tubos múltiplos. Nesse período observaram-se níveis de fósforo (fosfato e fósforo total) acima dos valores máximos permitidos, ocasionando assim baixos níveis de oxigênio dissolvido na água desencadeando o processo de eutrofização, com desequilíbrio para o metabolismo do ecossistema.

[Trajectory and campaign of the Brazilian Nurses Association in Minas Gerais]. / Trajetória e luta da Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem em Minas Gerais.

The present article describes the trajectory, the work and the achievements of the Brazilian Association of Nursing (ABEn) in Minas Gerais. It describes some contributions of the association for the growth and development of the nursing profession in Minas Gerais and in the whole country. The facts and events reported in this investigation were taken from meeting minutes, newspaper articles, journals of the association, records and summaries of events, and oral interviews. The study initially outlines the origin of the association in Brazil, establishing connections with the foundation and development of ABEn Minas Gerais. It also describes the most important events, struggles and achievements promoted by the twenty-two administrations of the association, which consolidated ABEn-Minas Gerais. The conclusion of the study is that the solidification of this branch was achieved due to the effort and involvement of people who really valued and wanted to develop the nursing profession.

[The nursing school of the Federal University of Minas Gerais: from its creation until today]. / A escola de enfermagem da UFMG: da criação aos dias atuais.

The purpose of this work was to bring back some historical aspects of the Federal University of Minas Gerais Nursing School--EEUFMG, since its creation in 1933 until 1998.