In vitro activity of sanitizers against mono- and polymicrobial biofilms of C. parapsilosis and S. aureus.

The emergence of disinfectant-resistant microorganisms poses a significant threat to public health. These resilient pathogens can survive and thrive in hospital settings despite routine disinfection practices, leading to persistent infections and the potential for outbreaks. In this study, we investigated the impact of 11 different commercial sanitizers at various concentrations and exposure times on biofilms consisting of clinical and nosocomial environmental isolates of Candida parapsilosis and Staphylococcus aureus. Among the sanitizers tested, 0.5% and 2.0% chlorhexidine (CLX), 10% polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP-I), a disinfectant based on quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), 2% glutaraldehyde, and 0.55% orthophthalaldehyde (OPA) demonstrated efficacy against both C. parapsilosis and S. aureus in monospecies and mixed biofilms. Analysis showed that 0.5% CLX and 10% PVP-I had fungicidal and bactericidal activity against all biofilms. However, the sanitizer based on QAC and 0.55% OPA proved to be bacteriostatic and fungicidal against both monospecies and mixed biofilms. In mixed biofilms, despite the last four sanitizers exerting fungicidal action, the reduction of fungal cells was approximately 4 log10 CFU/mL compared to monospecies biofilms, showing that the interaction provided more resistance of the yeast to the sanitizer. Formation of mixed biofilms in hospital settings can create an ecological niche that enhances the survival of pathogens against routine sanitization procedures. Therefore, effective sanitization practices, including regular cleaning with effective sanitizers, should be implemented to prevent C. parapsilosis/S. aureus biofilm formation in healthcare settings.

A triple blind, placebo controlled, randomised controlled trial of betahistine dihydrochloride in the treatment of primary tinnitus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of betahistine in the treatment of primary tinnitus. DESIGN: To evaluate the effectiveness of betahistine in the treatment of primary tinnitus. SETTING: Universidade estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu Medical School, São paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients with primary tinnitus who had not undergone treatment for tinnitus in the last 6 months were included. Patients with profound sensorineural deafness, hearing aid users and patients with metabolic, neurological, psychiatric or decompensated cardiovascular diseases were excluded. STUDY GROUPS: in the betahistine group, patients received betahistine 24 mg every 12 h for 90 days; in the control group, patients received placebo tablets every 12 h for 90 days. MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measure: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical Global Impression Improvement (CGI-I) and a question of 'Yes' or 'No' to participants about their perception of improvement in symptoms. RESULTS: Of 284 participants initially identified, 62 were randomised (betahistine group n = 31; control group n = 31). Median age (IQR) 54 (48-60) years, with a balanced number of men and women. There was no difference in THI outcome between the study groups (median difference, -2 points; 95% CI, -8 to 6 points); the THI after the intervention was a median (IQR) 4 (-4 to 14) lower points in the betahistine group, and a median (IQR) 2 (-6 to 10) in the control group. There was no statistical difference in secondary outcome measures. Adverse events were mild and there was no statistical difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Betahistine dihydrochloride was ineffective in the treatment of primary tinnitus in adults.

Ozonated oil is effective at killing Candida species and Streptococcus mutans biofilm-derived cells under aerobic and microaerobic conditions.

This study explores the growth of bacterial, fungal, and interkingdom biofilms under aerobiosis or microaerobic conditions and the effect of ozonated sunflower oil on these biofilms. Candida species and Streptococcus mutans were used to study this interaction due to their importance in oral health and disease as these microorganisms display a synergistic relationship that manifests in the onset of caries and tooth decay. Biofilms were developed in a 96-well microtiter plate at 37ºC for 24 h, under aerobiosis or microaerobic conditions, and treated with ozonated oil for 5 to 120 min. All the microorganisms formed biofilms in both oxygenation conditions. Scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize biofilm morphology. Rodent experiments were performed to verify the oil-related toxicity and its efficacy in oral candidiasis. The growth of all Candida species was increased when co-cultured with S. mutans, whilst the growth of bacterium was greater only when co-cultured with C. krusei and C. orthopsilosis under aerobiosis and microaerobic conditions, respectively. Regardless of the oxygenation condition, ozonated oil significantly reduced the viability of all the tested biofilms and infected mice, showing remarkable microbicidal activity as corroborated with confocal microscopy and minimal toxicity. Thus, ozonated oil therapy can be explored as a strategy to control diseases associated with these biofilms especially in the oral cavity. LAY SUMMARY: We demonstrated that ozonated sunflower oil is effective at killing the biofilms formed by Candida species, by the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, or by both micoorganisms that can interact in the oral cavity, making it a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of these infections.

Myrtenol complexed with ß-cyclodextrin ameliorates behavioural deficits and reduces oxidative stress in the reserpine-induced animal model of Parkinsonism.

Current pharmacological approaches to treat Parkinson's disease have low long-term efficacy and important adverse side effects. The development of new pharmacological therapies has focused on novel plant-derived phytochemicals. The alcoholic monoterpene myrtenol has been isolated from several plant species, and has anxiolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Our study evaluated the neuroprotective potential of myrtenol complexed with ß-cyclodextrin (MYR) on a progressive parkinsonism model induced by reserpine (RES) in mice. The complexation with cyclodextrins enhances the pharmacological action of monoterpenes. Male Swiss mice were treated daily with MYR (5 mg/kg, p.o.) and with RES (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) every other day during 28 days. Behavioural evaluations were conducted across treatment. At the end of the treatment, immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. Chronic MYR-treatment protected against olfactory sensibility loss, restored short-term memory and decreased RES-induced motor impairments. Moreover, this treatment prevented dopaminergic depletion and reduced the oxidative status index in the dorsal striatum. Therefore, MYR ameliorated motor and non-motor impairments in the progressive animal model of parkinsonism, possibly by an antioxidant action. Additional research is needed to investigate the mechanisms involved in this neuroprotective effect.

Unravelling the interactions of the environmental host Acanthamoeba castellanii with fungi through the recognition by mannose-binding proteins.

Free-living amoebae (FLAs) are major reservoirs for a variety of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The most studied mycophagic FLA, Acanthamoeba castellanii (Ac), is a potential environmental host for endemic fungal pathogens such as Cryptococcus spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitides, and Sporothrix schenckii. However, the mechanisms involved in this interaction are poorly understood. The aim of this work was to characterize the molecular instances that enable Ac to interact with and ingest fungal pathogens, a process that could lead to selection and maintenance of possible virulence factors. The interaction of Ac with a variety of fungal pathogens was analysed in a multifactorial evaluation that included the role of multiplicity of infection over time. Fungal binding to Ac surface by living image consisted of a quick process, and fungal initial extrusion (vomocytosis) was detected from 15 to 80 min depending on the organism. When these fungi were cocultured with the amoeba, only Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans were able to grow, whereas Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Sporothrix brasiliensis displayed unchanged viability. Yeasts of H. capsulatum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were rapidly killed by Ac; however, some cells remained viable after 48 hr. To evaluate changes in fungal virulence upon cocultivation with Ac, recovered yeasts were used to infect Galleria mellonella, and in all instances, they killed the larvae faster than control yeasts. Surface biotinylated extracts of Ac exhibited intense fungal binding by FACS and fluorescence microscopy. Binding was also intense to mannose, and mass spectrometry identified Ac proteins with affinity to fungal surfaces including two putative transmembrane mannose-binding proteins (MBP, L8WXW7 and MBP1, Q6J288). Consistent with interactions with such mannose-binding proteins, Ac-fungi interactions were inhibited by mannose. These MBPs may be involved in fungal recognition by amoeba and promotes interactions that allow the emergence and maintenance of fungal virulence for animals.

Adiponectin is Increased in Pediatric Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis Independent of Body Weight.

OBJECTIVE: A high prevalence of obesity is reported in children and adolescents with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Adipokines participate in inflammatory processes. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between excess weight and systemic inflammation, adipokines, and ghrelin in adolescents with AIH. METHOD: This case-controlled study included 27 adolescents with AIH (13 with excess weight and 14 with normal weight) and a control group. Excess weight was defined by a body mass index/age Z score >+1 standard deviation. Adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 [IL-6], and IL-10) and ghrelin were measured with Luminex technology. RESULTS: Adiponectin (µg/mL) was higher (P < 0.001) in AIH adolescents with and without excess weight (median: 35.0 and 42.1, respectively) than in normal-weight (17.5) and excess-weight (17.0) controls. Leptin was higher (P < 0.001) in excess-weight AIH patients (18.0 ng/mL) and controls (19.8 ng/mL) than in normal-weight AIH (7.7 ng/mL) and control (7.0 ng/mL) adolescents. IL-6 levels were higher in excess-weight (3.8 pg/mL) and normal-weight (3.8 pg/mL) AIH patients than in excess-weight (1.1 pg/mL) and normal-weight (0.5 pg/mL) controls. IL-10 levels were higher (5.2 pg/mL) in normal-weight AIH patients than in excess-weight (1.8 pg/mL) and normal-weight (2.1 pg/mL) controls. Ferritin levels were lower in patients with AIH than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Independent of body weight, AIH patients had higher levels of adipokines, especially adiponectin and IL-6. Leptin levels were associated with body weight and were not influenced by AIH. IL-10 levels were associated with lean tissue in AIH.

Laryngeal Microsurgery for the Treatment of Vocal Nodules and Cysts in Dysphonic Children.

INTRODUCTION: Vocal nodules and cysts are frequent causes of infantile dysphonia. Vocal therapy is the first treatment. Microsurgery has restricted indications, especially for nodules. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with microsurgery for nodules and cysts in children. METHODS: Dysphonic children (aged 4-18 years) with the diagnosis of nodules and vocal cysts were initially selected. Of these children, only those were included who had undergone microsurgery. For nodules and cysts, the microsurgery was indicated in cases of failure of vocal therapy and in cases of voice worsening or doubts about the diagnosis. All children were submitted to auditory perceptual vocal analysis and videolaryngostroboscopy (before and after surgery, after 6 months). Surgical outcomes were: total improvement (disappearance of vocal symptoms and of the laryngeal lesions); partial improvement (partial improvement of symptoms and/or maintenance of lesions); no improvement (maintenance or worsening of the symptoms and/or persistence of the lesions). -Results: There were 78 children with vocal nodules and 27 children with vocal cysts. Surgery was indicated for 12 children with vocal nodules (15.4%) and 12 children with cysts (44.4%). Total improvement registered for nodules and cysts was 75 and 83.4%, respectively. Partial improvement for both lesions was 25 and 16.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The best outcome for laryngeal microsurgery in dysphonic children was for vocal cysts. So, we encourage laryngologists for this conduct in vocal cysts. The success of microsurgery for vocal nodules was lower, and in these cases voice therapy seems to be the best treatment.

Memory impairment induced by different types of prolonged stress is dependent on the phase of the estrous cycle in female rats.

A growing body of evidence demonstrates that estrogen and corticosterone (CORT) impact on cognition and emotion. On the one hand, ovarian hormones may have beneficial effects on several neurophysiological processes, including memory. On the other hand, chronic exposure to stressful conditions has negative effects on brain structures related to learning and memory. In the present study, we used the plus-maze discriminative avoidance task (PMDAT) to evaluate the influence of endogenous variations of sex hormones and exposure to different types of prolonged stressors on learning, memory, anxiety-like behavior and locomotion. Female Wistar rats were submitted to seven consecutive days of restraint stress (4 h/day), overcrowding (18 h/day) or social isolation (18 h/day) and tested in different phases of the estrous cycle. The main results showed that: (1) neither stress conditions nor estrous cycle modified PMDAT acquisition; (2) restraint stress and social isolation induced memory impairments; (3) this impairment was observed particularly in females in metestrus/diestrus; (4) stressed females in estrus displayed less risk assessment behavior, suggesting reduced anxiety-like behavior; (5) restraint stress and social isolation, but not overcrowding, elevated corticosterone levels. Taken together, our findings suggest that the phase of the estrous cycle is an important modulatory factor of the cognitive processing disrupted by stress in female rats. Negative effects were observed in metestrus/diestrus, indicating that the peak of sex hormones may protect females against stress-induced memory impairment.

Daily life and maternal mourning: A pilot study.

This study aimed to understand, through the bias of everyday life, the phenomenon of maternal mourning. It is a qualitative pilot study on three bereaved mothers. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection and content analysis was performed using typical categories of daily life. It was possible to observe significant changes in the mothers' daily lives after their children's deaths; however, they created strategies that minimized such impacts. Losing a child leads to reconstructing one's own history and identity. It is believed that daily life is an important bias, and thus its study could help us understand this phenomenon.

Susceptibility to Oral Antiseptics and Virulence Factors Ex Vivo Associated with Candida spp. Isolated from Dental Prostheses.

PURPOSE: To isolate Candida spp. from dental prosthesis users' saliva and to evaluate the isolates for the presence of several virulence factors. This research also aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of 3 commercial mouthwashes/oral antiseptic formulations containing 0.12% chlorhexidine, 0.07% cetylpyridinium, or 0.075% cetylpyridinium against planktonic and sessile (biofilm mode) yeast cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three Candida yeasts were isolated from 32 of 70 selected patients, and the virulence factors of C. albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis species were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and proteinase in plates. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and in vitro biofilm assay evaluated the antifungal activity of antiseptics. RESULTS: C. albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis were detected in mono and mixed cultures. Only C. albicans displayed genes related to adhesion and proteinases (ALS2, ALS3, SAP1, and SAP3). The aspartate proteinase activity was found in 60.46% of isolates. The tested antiseptic formulations exhibited a MIC less than 1.25% toward yeasts in the planktonic mode. According to XTT ((2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) assay results, most Candida isolates and all mixed cultures formed biofilms within 24 hours. The evaluated antiseptic formulations were also active against biofilms. CONCLUSION: Most virulence factors investigated here (ALS2, ALS3, SAP1, and SAP3) occurred in the majority of the Candida spp. isolates, especially in C. albicans. The tested mouthwash formulations were effective against all the yeast isolates in both the planktonic and sessile growth modes. Developing alternative therapies that can avoid or control biofilm formation is necessary to prevent oral candidiasis and other Candida spp. infections.

Fungal biofilms in the hemodialysis environment.

Hemodialysis, which is a kidney failure treatment that uses hemodialysis machine, dialyzer, dialysis solution, catheters, and needles, favors biofilm formation. This study evaluates whether Aspergillus, Candida, and Fusarium can form biofilm in dialysis fluids. Biofilms were grown in 96-well microplates containing solutions (acid and basic) consisting of dialysate, dialysate per se, or dialysate plus glucose as culture medium. The biofilms were incubated at 30 °C for 72 h, quantified by the violet crystal methodology, and visualized by transmission electron microscopy. All the fungi formed biomass in all the tested solutions. However, Bonferroni analysis revealed that the dialysate facilitated Aspergillus biomass development, whereas the dialysate and dialysate with glucose provided similar Fusarium oxysporum biomass development. Candida parapsilosis development was favored in biofilms grown in basic electrolytic solution. Electron micrographs of biofilms that grew on catheters after 72 h showed that Aspergillus formed abundant hyphae; the extracellular matrix was visible on the surface of some hyphae when Aspergillus was grown in the dialysate. A multilayered hyphal structure emerged when F. oxysporum biofilms were incubated in the dialysate with glucose. C. parapsilosis biofilm growth in basic solution elicited a dense network of yeasts and pseudohyphae as well as the extracellular matrix; the biofilm was attached across the catheter length. This study may contribute to the formulation of new strategies to monitor biofilm formation and to increase knowledge associated with fungal biofilms in the dialysis environment.

Yeast isolation and identification in water used in a Brazilian hemodialysis unit by classic microbiological techniques and Raman spectroscopy.

The use of poorly treated water in hemodialysis centers may lead to fungal contamination, which poses a serious threat to immunologically debilitated hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to isolate and identify yeast species in the water of a Brazilian hemodialysis center by using classic microbiological techniques and Raman spectroscopy. For 12 months, a total of 288 water samples were collected from different points of the hemodialysis treatment distribution center. One hundred and forty-six yeast species were isolated and identified in the samples that tested positive for the presence of yeasts such as Candida parapsilosis (100 isolates, or 68.50%), C. guilliermondii (17 isolates, or 11.65%), Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (23 isolates, or 15.75%), R. glutinis (three isolates, or 2.05%), and Trichosporon inkin (three isolates, or 2.05%). Yeast susceptibility to the antifungal fluconazole was also assayed. Only two C. guilliermondii isolates were resistant to fluconazole: the minimal inhibitory concentrations were higher than 64 µg/mL. The different yeast species present in the water of a Brazilian hemodialysis center call for more effective water disinfection procedures in this unit. Raman spectroscopy is an excellent tool to identify yeast species and is potentially applicable in routine water monitoring in hemodialysis units.

Low expression of CD39 on regulatory T cells as a biomarker for resistance to methotrexate therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by joint destruction and severe morbidity. Methotrexate (MTX) is the standard first-line therapy of RA. However, about 40% of RA patients are unresponsive to MTX treatment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+)) are thought to play an important role in attenuating RA. To investigate the role of Tregs in MTX resistance, we recruited 122 RA patients (53 responsive, R-MTX; 69 unresponsive, UR-MTX) and 33 healthy controls. Three months after MTX treatment, R-MTX but not UR-MTX showed higher frequency of peripheral blood CD39(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Tregs than the healthy controls. Tregs produce adenosine (ADO) through ATP degradation by sequential actions of two cell surface ectonucleotidases: CD39 and CD73. Tregs from UR-MTX expressed a lower density of CD39, produced less ADO, and had reduced suppressive activity than Tregs from R-MTX. In a prospective study, before MTX treatment, UR-MTX expressed a lower density of CD39 on Tregs than those of R-MTX or control (P < 0.01). In a murine model of arthritis, CD39 blockade reversed the antiarthritic effects of MTX treatment. Our results demonstrate that MTX unresponsiveness in RA is associated with low expression of CD39 on Tregs and the decreased suppressive activity of these cells through reduced ADO production. Our findings thus provide hitherto unrecognized mechanism of immune regulation in RA and on mode of action of MTX. Furthermore, our data suggest that low expression of CD39 on Tregs could be a noninvasive biomarker for identifying MTX-resistant RA patients.

A gel-free proteomic analysis of Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps cysticerci vesicular extracts.

The taeniasis/cysticercosis complex is a zoonosis caused by the presence of the parasite Taenia solium in humans. It is considered a neglected disease that causes serious public health and economic problems in developing countries. In humans, the most common locations for the larval form are the skeletal muscles, ocular system, and the central nervous system, which is the most clinically important. Several glycoproteins of T. solium and Taenia crassiceps cysticerci have been characterized and studied for their use in the immunodiagnosis of neurocysticercosis and/or the development of synthetic or recombinant vaccines against cysticercosis. The aim of this study was to perform a gel-free shotgun proteomic analysis to identify saline vesicular extract (SVE) proteins of T. solium and T. crassiceps cysticerci. After solubilization of the SVE with and without surfactant reagent and in-solution digestion, the proteins were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Use of a surfactant resulted in a significantly higher number of proteins that were able to be identified by LC-MS/MS. Novel proteins were identified in T. solium and T. crassiceps SVE. The qualitative analysis revealed a total of 79 proteins in the Taenia species: 29 in T. solium alone, 11 in T. crassiceps alone, and 39 in both. These results are an important contribution to support future investigations and for establishing a Taenia proteomic profile to study candidate biomarkers involved in the diagnosis or pathogenesis of neurocysticercosis.

CA1 inactivation impairs episodic-like memory in rats.

Episodic memory was initially believed to be unique to humans. However, studies demonstrate that nonhuman species discriminate items based on the triad what, where and when. Here we addressed the role of the dorsal hippocampal subfield CA1 in an integrative what-where-when task in Wistar rats. We performed bilateral inactivation of dorsal CA1 with the GABAA agonist muscimol previously to the task. As expected, sham-operated animals recollected an integrative memory for objects (what), their places (where) and temporal order (when). However, the inactivation of CA1 impaired the performance of the three components of episodic-like memory. In addition, total time of objects exploration and distance traveled were not different between groups, indicating that rats had similar levels of motivation, thus, alterations in exploration does not account for impaired locomotor performance. Altogether, our data provides evidence that CA1 plays an important role in episodic-like memory.

Association of BDNF Val66MET Polymorphism With Parkinson's Disease and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms.

An association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was suggested by several studies, with contradictory results. BDNF is necessary for the survival of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. Val66Met is a common polymorphism of the BDNF gene that affects cognitive and motor processes. The authors studied 104 Brazilian patients with PD and 96 control participants. The G/G genotype was significantly associated with depression and anxiety symptoms and development of PD. This is the first study that associates this genotype with PD.

Risk of Fungal Infection to Dental Patients.

Fungi can cause various diseases, and some pathogenic fungi have been detected in the water of dental equipment. This environment offers suitable conditions for fungal biofilms to emerge, which can facilitate mycological contamination. This study verified whether the water employed in the dental units of two dental clinics at the University of Franca was contaminated with fungi. This study also evaluated the ability of the detected fungi to form biofilms. The high-revving engine contained the largest average amount of fungi, 14.93 ± 18.18 CFU/mL. The main fungal species verified in this equipment belonged to the genera Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Candida spp., and Rhodotorula spp. Among the isolated filamentous fungi, only one fungus of the genus Fusarium spp. did not form biofilms. As for yeasts, all the Candida spp. isolates grew as biofilm, but none of the Rhodotorula spp. isolates demonstrated this ability. Given that professionals and patients are often exposed to water and aerosols generated by the dental procedure, the several fungal species detected herein represent a potential risk especially to immunocompromised patients undergoing dental treatment. Therefore, frequent microbiological monitoring of the water employed in dental equipment is crucial to reduce the presence of contaminants.

Recovery of Forest and Phylogenetic Structure in Abandoned Cocoa Agroforestry in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.

Cocoa agroforests like the cabrucas of Brazil's Atlantic forest are among the agro-ecosystems with greatest potential for biodiversity conservation. Despite a global trend for their intensification, cocoa agroforests are also being abandoned for socioeconomic reasons especially on marginal sites, because they are incorporated in public or private protected areas, or are part of mandatory set-asides under Brazilian environmental legislation. However, little is known about phylogenetic structure, the processes of forest regeneration after abandonment and the conservation value of former cabruca sites. Here we compare the vegetation structure and composition of a former cabruca 30-40 years after abandonment with a managed cabruca and mature forest in the Atlantic forest region of Espirito Santo, Brazil. The forest in the abandoned cabruca had recovered a substantial part of its original structure. Abandoned cabruca have a higher density (mean ± CI95 %: 525.0 ± 40.3 stems per ha), basal area (34.0 ± 6.5 m2 per ha) and species richness (148 ± 11.5 species) than managed cabruca (96.0 ± 17.7; 24.15 ± 3.9 and 114.5 ± 16.0, respectively) but no significant differences to mature forest in density (581.0 ± 42.2), basal area (29.9.0 ± 3.3) and species richness (162.6 ± 15.5 species). Thinning (understory removal) changes phylogenetic structure from evenness in mature forest to clustering in managed cabruca, but after 30-40 years abandoned cabruca had a random phylogenetic structure, probably due to a balance between biotic and abiotic filters at this age. We conclude that abandoned cocoa agroforests present highly favorable conditions for the regeneration of Atlantic forest and could contribute to the formation of an interconnected network of forest habitat in this biodiversity hotspot.

A three phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction for quantification of lamotrigine in plasma of epileptic patients by capillary electrophoresis.

A three phase hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction technique combined with capillary electrophoresis was developed to quantify lamotrigine (LTG) in plasma samples. The analyte was extracted from 4.0 mL of a basic donor phase (composed of 0.5 mL of plasma and 3.5 mL of sodium phosphate solution pH 9.0) through a supported liquid membrane composed of 1-octanol immobilized in the pores of the hollow fiber, and to an acidic acceptor phase (hydrochloric acid solution pH 4.0) placed in the lumen of the fiber. The extraction was carried out for 30 min at 500 rpm. The eletrophoretic analysis was carried out in 130 mmol/L MES buffer, pH 5.0 with a constant voltage of +15 kV and 20°C. Sample injections were performed for 10 s, at a pressure of 0.5 psi. The detection was performed at 214 nm for both LTG and the internal standard lidocaine. Under the optimized conditions, the method showed a limit of quantification of 1.0 µg/mL and was linear over the plasmatic concentration range of 1.0-20.0 µg/mL. Finally, the validated method was applied for the quantification of LTG in plasma samples of epileptic patients.

Genetic evidence for chromosome 4 loci influencing learning and memory.

The Lewis (LEW) and SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats) inbred rat strains differ in several anxiety/emotionality and learning/memory-related behaviors. We aimed to search quantitative trait locus (QTL) that influence these behaviors and confirm their effects in a congenic rat strain SLA16 (SHR.LEW.Anxrr16). LEW females and SHR males were intercrossed to produce F2 rats (96/sex), which were all tested in the plus-maze discriminative avoidance task (PMDAT), open-field (OF), object recognition (OR), spontaneous alternation (SA) and fear conditioning (FC). All animals were genotyped for microsatellite markers located on chromosome (Chr) 4. Behavioral and genotypic data were used to perform factor and QTL analyses. Also, to confirm the QTL effects, we tested male and female SLA16 rats and their isogenic control SHR in the same behavioral tests. A factor analysis of the F2 population revealed a correlation between anxiety/emotionality related behaviors and learning/memory in both sexes. QTL analysis revealed two significant QTL in males and three in females, on behavioral parameters in the PMDAT, OF and FC. Four QTL found herein were confirmed in SLA16 rats. The SLA16 strain displayed lower levels of anxiety/emotionality, higher locomotor activity and deficits in learning/memory in comparison with SHR strain. The Chr 4 contains genes influencing anxiety/emotionality and learning/memory behaviors and the SLA16 strain represents a valuable tool in the search for them. The use of the SLA16 strain as a genetic model for studying behavioral phenomena and their implications for psychiatric disorders are discussed.