Morphokinetic-related response to stress in individually cultured bovine embryos.

The kinetics of in vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos is related to embryo viability, metabolism, and epigenetic patterns. Therefore, we believe that embryos with different speeds of development also respond differently to stress. In the present study, we performed global metabolic analysis (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry [MALDI-TOF]) of culture media, characterized apoptotic events (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling [TUNEL] and caspase quantitation), and quantified transcript abundance of stress-related gene (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qRT-PCR]) in IVP bovine embryos with different developmental kinetics to investigate possible markers of stress response. For this purpose, embryos were considered "fast" if they presented four or more cells at 40 hours post insemination (hpi). Embryos presenting two cells at this time were classified as "slow". Evaluations were performed at 40 hpi, 112 hpi, and 186 hpi. Metabolome analysis revealed several metabolites differentially represented between groups at all time points related with energy, lipid and amino acids metabolism, and stress response. There was no difference in TUNEL positive cells between groups in any of the time points analyzed. Nevertheless, at 112 hpi, classified as a critical phase because of the genome activation, the amount of caspase 3 and 7 and total caspase were higher in slow when compared to fast group. Transcript abundance analysis of candidate genes (GRP78, HSP60, SOD1, and MORF4L2) was also different among groups. In conclusion, IVP bovine embryos of different development speeds respond differentially to the environmental stress leading to different metabolome patterns and apoptosis activation throughout the culture.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension with and without papilloedema in a consecutive series of patients with chronic migraine.

Chronic migraine (CM) has been associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilloedema (IIHWOP), a significant percentage of these cases occurring in obese patients with intractable headache. A prospective study from February 2005 to June 2006 was made of 62 CM patients who fulfilled International Headache Society diagnostic criteria and had cerebral magnetic resonance venography (MRV) and lumbar puncture (LP) done. Two patients were excluded, six (10%) with elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) open pressure (OP), five with body mass index (BMI) > 25. None of the patients had papilloedema or abnormal MRV. BMI and CSF OP were significantly correlated (r = 0.476, P < 0.001, Pearson's correlation test). Obesity (defined as BMI > 30) was a predictor of increase in intracranial pressure (defined as OP > 200 mmH(2)O) (f = 17.26, 95% confidence interval 6.0, 8.6; P < 0.001). From our study we strongly recommend that not only intractable CM patients with high BMI, but also first diagnosed patients with BMI > 30 should be systematically evaluated by a LP to rule out IIHWOP.

Cerebrospinal fluid GABA levels in chronic migraine with and without depression.

Psychiatric comorbidity is one of the key elements in chronic migraine (CM) management. Depression is particularly common in these patients, occurring in up to 85%. Preclinical studies have suggested that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels may be decreased in animal models of depression. Also, clinical studies have reported low level in mood disorder patients for both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GABA. We hypothesized that low GABA levels in the brain might be related to the depression associated with CM. We studied 14 chronic migraine patients, with or without depression, compared to age-and sex-matched controls. CSF GABA levels were measured by HPLC. CSF GABA levels showed significant lower levels in depressed patients than those without depression. No difference was found when comparing patients versus controls. A GABA deficiency may be the underlying mechanism of depression in CM. Hence, preventive therapies modulating GABA neurotransmission could be used in CM associated with depression.

Kinetics of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in larvae of refractory and competent tick vectors.

The acquisition of Borrelia burgdorferi by the larvae of competent and refractory ixodid ticks was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Larvae were fed on infected mice, and the spirochete loads were determined during feeding and up to 93 d postfeeding. Amblyomma americanum (L.) was refractory to B. burgdorferi infection, with almost no detection of spirochete DNA during or postfeeding. In contrast, Ixodes scapularis Say supported high loads of spirochetes (10(3)-10(4) per larva). In Dermacentor variabilis (Say), B. burgdorferi uptake was reduced, with an average of 16 spirochetes per larvae acquired after 4 d of feeding, representing 1/195 of the counts in I. scapularis. However, during the first day postfeeding, the spirochete growth rate in D. variabilis reached 0.076 generations per hour, 7.7 times greater than the highest growth rate detected in I. scapularis. D. variabilis supported intense spirochete growth up to the fourth day postinfection, when the counts increased to an average of 282 spirochetes per larvae or 1/8.5 of the I. scapularis counts 4 d postfeeding. The kinetics of spirochete growth was unstable in D. variabilis compared with I. scapularis, and transmission of B. burgdorferi by D. variabilis could not be demonstrated. A cofeeding experiment indicated that I. scapularis feeding increased A. americanum spirochete uptake. These collective results indicate suboptimal conditions for B. burgdorferi uptake and colonization within A. americanum or the presence of anti-Borrelia factor(s) in this nonpermissive tick species.

Capillary feeding of specific dsRNA induces silencing of the isac gene in nymphal Ixodes scapularis ticks.

Ixodes scapularis transmits several pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi. Bioactive compounds in tick saliva support tick feeding and influence pathogen transmission to the mammalian host. These studies utilized oral delivery of dsRNA to silence an anticomplement gene (isac) in I. scapularis nymphs. Silencing of isac significantly reduced fed-tick weight compared to delivery of control lacZ dsRNA, and immunoblots specific for FlaB protein indicated a reduction in spirochete load in isac-silenced infected nymphs. SDS-PAGE demonstrated that isac gene silencing affected expression of a number of salivary and non-salivary gland proteins in ticks. Finally, multiple isac cDNA homologues were cloned, and these may represent a new gene family coexpressed during tick feeding. This work presents a novel oral delivery approach for specific gene silencing in I. scapularis nymphs and characterizes the effect of isac on blood-feeding in an attempt to block transmission of B. burgdorferi.

Differential infectivity of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi derived from Ixodes scapularis salivary glands and midgut.

Blood fed nymphal Ixodes scapularis Say infected with Borrelia burgdorferi were dissected to obtain salivary gland and midgut extracts. Extracts were inoculated into C3H/HeJ mice, and ear, heart, and bladder were cultured to determine comparative infectivity. Aliquots of extracts were then analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the number of spirochetes inoculated into mice. A comparative median infectious dose (ID50) was determined for both salivary gland and midgut extract inoculations. Our data demonstrated a statistically significant difference (P < 0.002) in the ID50 derived from salivary gland (average = 18) versus midgut (average = 251) extracts needed to infect susceptible mice. A rationale for the differential infectivity of salivary and midgut derived spirochetes is discussed.

Cerebrospinal fluid glutamate levels in chronic migraine.

Both preclinical and clinical data link glutamate to the migraine pathophisiology. Altered plasma, platelets and cerebrospinal (CSF) glutamate levels have been reported in migraine patients. Chronic migraine is comorbid with several conditions. It has been recently shown chronic migraine comorbidity with fibromyalgia. The objective of this study was to study cerebrospinal fluid glutamate levels in chronic migraine patients with and without fibromyalgia. We studied 20 chronic migraine patients, with and without fibromyalgia, compared to age-sex matched controls. CSF glutamate levels were measured by HPLC. CSF glutamate demonstrated significantly higher levels in patients with fibromyalgia compared to those without fibromyalgia. Patients overall had higher CSF glutamate levels than controls. Mean pain score correlated with glutamate levels in chronic migraine patients. Tender points, the hallmark of fibromyalgia, can be considered as pressure allodynia, and is probably mediated by central sensitization, with increase in CSF glutamate levels. We postulate chronic migraine patients with fibromyalgia, in addition to have more disabling headaches, suffer from a more severe central sensitization process. This subtype of patients may respond to medications modulating glutamate receptors. Headache intensity correlate with glutamate levels in chronic migraine patients.

Social behavior between mothers x young of sloths Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825 (Xenarthra: Bradypodidae).

This study is a contribution to the ex situ and in situ conservation and preservation of Sloths. The behavioral records of the social interaction between mothers and offspring allow the detection of important learning interactions and psychomotor development. The results provide valuable information that may assist in improving management conditions of captive orphan progeny. They also favor a more effective monitoring of released or transferred specimens. Age is of fundamental importance in deciding what is important during the release, transfer, or reintroduction of the species.

Social behavior between mothers x young of sloths Bradypus variegatus SCHINZ, 1825 (Xenarthra: Bradypodidae)

This study is a contribution to the ex situ and in situ conservation and preservation of Sloths. The behavioral records of the social interaction between mothers and offspring allow the detection of important learning interactions and psychomotor development. The results provide valuable information that may assist in improving management conditions of captive orphan progeny. They also favor a more effective monitoring of released or transferred specimens. Age is of fundamental importance in deciding what is important during the release, transfer, or reintroduction of the species

Infecçäo natural por Entamoeba histolytica Schaudinn, 1903 em Euphractus sexcinctus (tatu) mantidos em cativeiro / Natural infection by Entamoeba histolytica Schaudinn, 1903 in Euphractus sexcinctus (armadillo) kept in captivity

Fecal samples of two species of armadillos Euphractus sexcinctus (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae), kept in captivity were analysed by direct and sedimentation methods. Entamoeba histolytica Schaudinn, 1903 and E. coli Grassi, 1879 (Amoebida, Endamoebidae) cysts were observed, the former for the first time in armadillos. This parasitism is worthy of registration in the literature because of the possibility of transmission to the human being when these animals are kept in captivity

Parasitismo por Sarcoptes scabiei De Geer, 1778 e Lobalges trouessarti Fonseca, 1954 em Bradypus variegattus (preguiça) / Parasitism by Sarcoptes scabiei De Geer, 1778 and Lobalges trouessarti Fonseca, 1954 in Bradypus variegatus (sloth)

Skin scrapings of three sloths Bradypus variegatus from the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, were analysed after lactophenol clarification. The mites Sarcoptes scabiei De Geer, 1778 and Lobalges trouessarti Fonseca, 1954 were identified. For the first time, S. scabiei and L. trouessarti are recorded as mange agents in B. variegatus

Ascomycetous yeast communities of marine invertebrates in a southeast Brazilian mangrove ecosystem.

The ascomycetous yeast communities associated with 3 bivalve mollusk, and 4 crab species were studied in the mangrove at Coroa Grande on Sepetiba Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These were made up mostly of diverse but sparse and apparently allochtonous yeast populations. The striking exception was a prevalent population of the species Kluyveromyces aestuarii, which predominated the yeast communities of 2 detritus feeding crabs, Sesarma rectum and Uca spp., and the shipworm Neoteredo reynei. However, K. aestuarii was absent from the omnivorous crabs Aratus pisonii and Goniopsis cruentata, and the clam Anomalocardia brasiliana, and was rare in the clam Tagelus plebeius from mostly submerged more sandy sediments. Pichia membranaefaciens, Candida valida-like, Candida krusei, Candida sorbosa, Candida colliculosa-like, Candida famata-like, Kloeckera spp., Candida guilliermondii, Candida albicans, Candida silvae, Geotrichum spp., Rhodotorula spp., Cryptococcus spp., and the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii were frequently isolated. The 322 ascomycetous yeast cultures representing 252 isolates from crabs and mollusks were classified as 40 species that fit standard descriptions, and 44 putative new species. The ascomycetous yeast communities of the mangrove ecosystem include many new biotypes that require better taxonomic definition.

Yeasts and coliform bacteria of water accumulated in bromeliads of mangrove and sand dune ecosystems of southeast Brazil.

Yeasts and coliform bacteria were isolated from water that accumulated in the central cups and adjacent leaf axilae of two bromeliads, Neoregelia cruenta of a coastal sand dune and Quesnelia quesneliana of a mangrove ecosystem near the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The mean total coliform counts were above 10,000 per 100 mL for waters of both plants, but the mean fecal coliform counts were only 74 per 100 mL for Q. quesneliana and mostly undetected in water from N. cruenta. Of 90 fecal coliform isolates, 51 were typical of Escherichia coli in colony morphology and indol, methyl red, Volges-Proskauer, and citrate (IMViC) tests. Seven representatives of the typical E. coli cultures were identified as this species, but the identifications of nine other coliform bacteria were mostly dubious. The yeast community of N. cruenta was typical of plant surfaces with basidiomycetous yeasts anamorphs, and the black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans was prevalent. Quesnelia quesneliana had a substantial proportion of ascomycetous yeasts and their anamorphs, including a probable new biotype of Saccharomyces unisporus. Our results suggested that the microbial communities in bromeliad waters are typically autochtonous and not contaminants.

Um estudo duplo-cego comparando a eficacia de alprazolam com bromazepam no tratamento de pacientes ansiosos ambulatoriais

Em um estudo controlado tipo duplo-cego de quatro semanas de duracao, 60 pacientes ambulatoriais (Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas), que apresentavam um estado de ansiedade variando em intensidade de moderado a severo, foram aleatoriamente tratados com alprazolam (N=30) ou bromazepam (N=30). Apesar de as analises estatisticas nao terem revelado diferencas significativas entre os dois grupos de tratamento, contudo pacientes que tomaram alprazolam apresentaram, como um todo, menores escores nas escalas usadas para aferir o grau de ansiedade. E concluido que alprazolam e pelo menos tao eficaz quanto bromazepam, e que sua eficacia associada a uma baixa toxidade recomendam o uso dessa droga no tratamento de paciente ansiosos ambulatoriais.

Um estudo duplo-cego comparando a eficacia de alprazolam com bromazepam no tratamento de pacientes ansiosos ambulatoriais. / A double-blind study comparing the efficacy of alprazolam with bromazepam in anxious ambulatory patients

Em um estudo controlado tipo duplo-cego de quatro semanas de duracao 60 pacientes ambulatoriais (Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas), que apresentavam um estado de ansiedade variando em intensidade de moderado a severo foram aleatoriamente tratados com alprazolam (N = 30) ou bromazepam (N = 30).Apesar de as analises estatisticas nao terem revelado diferencas significativas entre os dois grupos de tratamento, contudo pacientes que tomaram alprazolam apresentaram, como um todo, menores escores nas escalas usadas para aferir o grau de ansiedade. E concluido que alprazolam e pelo menos tao eficaz quanto bromazepam, e que sua eficacia associada a uma baixa toxicidade recomendam o uso dessa droga no tratamento de pacientes ansiosos ambulatoriais

[Klüver-Bucy syndrome caused by viral encephalitis. Report of a case]. / Síndrome de Klüver-Bucy determinada por encefalite a virus. Relato de um caso.

A case of peculiar form of Klüver-Bucy syndrome is reported. The diagnosis of viral meningoencephalitis was made by the clinical features and by cerebrospinal fluid and histological examination (brain biopsy). The computed tomography and electroencephalographic aspects are analysed. The viral meningoencephalitis was possibly herpetic in nature (herpes simplex virus). The patient here concerned, a woman aged twenty-one years old, during the clinical course of the disease showed insatiable appetite, psychic blindness, oral tendencies, aberrant sexual behavior and hypermetamorphopsia (Klüver-Bucy syndrome). The significance of these features is discussed.

Sindrome de Kluver-Bucy determinada por encefalite a virus: relato de um caso. / Kluver-Bucy syndrome caused by viral encephalitis: report of a case

E relatado um caso de encefalite a virus, tendo o paciente desenvolvido no decurso da evolucao a sindrome de Kluver-Bucy. Inicialmente sao feitas consideracoes a respeito da etiologia do processo virotico, ressaltando os autores a provavel participacao do virus "herpes simplex" na origem do quadro. Os exames complementares realizados (liquido cefalo cefalorraqueano, eletrencefalograma, tomografia computadorizada e biopsia cerebral) sao altamente sugestivos de etiologia virotica. A seguir a sindrome de Kluver-Bucy e analisada nas suas varias vertentes: baixa incidencia no ser humano, aspectos clinicos e fisiopatologicos

A proposito da implantacao da terapia ocupacional em hospital psiquiatrico. / A propos of the implementation of the occupational therapy in a psychiatric hospital

Atraves do presente trabalho, pretendemos mostrar os passos dados para implantacao do setor de Terapia Ocupacional no Hospital Areolino de Abreu, desde as sugestoes apresentadas ao funcionamento das oficinas operativas, a sua implantacao, bem como a situacao atual das atividades desenvolvidas, do numero de pacientes encaminhados e as dificuldades encontradas para, um dia, quem sabe, podermos trabalhar dentro de altos padroes terapeuticos. Reconhecendo o grande numero de falhas existentes no setor e, de nossa parte, mesmo sem sermos especialistas em terapia ocupacional, e mesmo porque nao poderiamos apenas ficar de bracos cruzados a espera da contratacao de um tecnico especialista neste tipo de Terapia complementar, resolvemos entao,com o apoio e o estimulo de alguns colegas, iniciar este trabalho