Enhancing the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS): Proposed updates and anatomical descriptors for pain assessment.

The use of grimace scales enables the clinical identification of changes in the facial expressions of animals caused by pain. The Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) is one such tool, comprising a pain coding system based on facial expressions and assessing six Facial Action Units (FAUs). Each FAU is accompanied by descriptions and anatomical details to assist the evaluator. However, the morphological descriptions for certain FAUs in the HGS are not sufficiently detailed, potentially hindering accurate interpretation. This study is an analytical investigation aimed at enhancing the morphoanatomical details in the HGS and providing raters with more comprehensive materials for pain evaluation in horses using this scale. To achieve this, detailed anatomical analyses were conducted using established references in veterinary anatomy. Initially, we propose substituting the term 'ear' with 'auricle' or 'pinna' and replacing 'area above the eye' with 'supraorbital region' for anatomical accuracy. Additionally, we introduce detailed morphoanatomical descriptions that identify specific landmarks, with the goal of ensuring more consistent application of the HGS and reducing interpretation variability. Furthermore, this study provides an explanation of the muscles involved in the investigated FAUs. These adjustments on the descriptions and evaluations remain unverified, however it is anticipated that the descriptive enhancements lead us to understand that higher interobserver reliability can be achieved for each of the FAUs.

Randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of electroconvulsive therapy in patients with clozapine-resistant schizophrenia.

There is no established treatment for patients with clozapine-resistant schizophrenia (CRS). Clozapine augmentation strategies with antipsychotics or others substances are effective in comparison with placebo while and Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) showed to be effective in comparison with treatment as usual (TAU) but not with placebo (sham-ECT). In the present double- blind randomized controlled trial, we compared 40 outpatients who received 20 sessions of ECT (n = 21) or sham-ECT (n = 19) (age = 37.40 ± 9.62, males = 77.5 %, illness duration = 14.95 ± 8.32 years, mean total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) = 101.10 ± 24.91) who fulfilled well-defined CRS criteria including baseline clozapine plasma levels ≥350 ng/mL. The primary outcome was the ≥50 % PANSS Total Score reduction; secondary outcomes were the scores of the PANSS subscales, PANSS five-factor dimensions, PANSS-6 and the Calgary Depression Rating Scale (CDRS). Treatment response was analyzed by percentage reduction, Linear Mixed Models and effect sizes. At baseline both groups showed no differences except for years of school education (included as a covariate). At endpoint, only 1/19 of the completers (5.26 %) in the ECT group and 0/17 in the sham-ECT group showed a ≥50 % total PANSS score reduction. Both groups showed no significant differences of the total PANSS score (F = 0.12; p = 0.73), Positive (F = 0.27, p = 0.61), Negative (F = 0.25, p = 0.62), and General Psychopathology scores (F = 0.01, p = 0.94) as well for all PANSS five factors, the PANSS-6 and CDRS. Thus, the present study found no evidence that ECT is better than Sham-ECT in patients with CRS. Future sham-ECT controlled studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to test the efficacy of ECT for patients with CRS.

Cerebrovascular and hypertensive diseases as multiple causes of death in Brazil from 2004 to 2013.

OBJECTIVES: The proportion of deaths attributed to hypertensive diseases (HYPDs) was only 50% of that registered for cerebrovascular diseases (CBVDs) in 2013 in Brazil. This article aims to evaluate mortality related to HYPDs and CBVDs as multiple causes of death, in Brazil from 2004 to 2013. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of historical series of secondary data obtained from Brazilian official registries. METHODS: Data about the deaths were obtained from the Mortality Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, available on the DATASUS website. CBVDs and HYPDs were evaluated according to their mentions as the underlying cause of death or entry in any line of the death certificates (DCs), according to their International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision codes. RESULTS: When CBVDs were the underlying causes of death, HYPDs were mentioned in 40.9% of the DCs. When HYPDs were the underlying causes of death, CBVDs were mentioned in only 5.0%. When CBVDs were mentioned without HYPDs, they were selected as the underlying cause of death 74.4% of the time. When HYPDs were mentioned in DCs without CBVDs, HYPDs were selected 30.0% of the time. In 2004, the frequency of any mention of HYPDs relative to the frequency of HYPDs cited as underlying causes increased fourfold and was followed by a plateau until 2013. In contrast, the frequency of any mention of CBVDs relative to the frequency of CBVDs as underlying causes decreased in the same period. Because this study was based on DC records, it was limited by the way these documents were completed, which may have included lack of record of the causes related to the sequence that culminated in death. CONCLUSION: When deaths related to HYPDs were evaluated as multiple causes of death, they were mentioned up to four times more often than when they were selected as underlying causes of death. This reinforces the need for better control of hypertension to prevent deaths.

Drug repurposing strategy against Trypanosoma cruzi infection: In vitro and in vivo assessment of the activity of metronidazole in mono- and combined therapy.

Metronidazole (Mtz) is a commercial broad-spectrum nitroimidazolic derivative with relevant antimicrobial activity and relative safety profile. Therefore, it is fair to consider Mtz a candidate for drug repurposing for other neglected conditions such as Chagas disease (CD), a parasitic pathology caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. CD is treated only with benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox, both introduced in clinics decades ago despite important limitations, including low efficacy on the later disease stage (chronic form) and severe side effects. New cheap and fast alternative treatments for CD are needed, thus the repurposing of Mtz was assessed in vitro and in vivo in mono- and combined therapy. In vitro assays demonstrated EC50>200µM for Mtz, while for Bz the values ranged from 2.51µM (intracellular forms) to 11.5µM (bloodstream trypomastigotes). When both drugs were combined in fixed-ratio proportions, Mtz promoted Bz potency (lower EC50 values). In vivo toxicity assays for Mtz in mice showed no adverse effects neither histopathological alterations up to 2000mg/kg. Regarding experimental T. cruzi infection, Bz 100mg/kg suppressed parasitemia while Mtz (up to 1000mg/kg) in monotherapy did not, but prolonged animal survival at 250 and 500 regimen doses. The combination of both drugs (Bz 10+Mtz 250) prevented mortality (70%) besides protected against electric cardiac alterations triggered by the parasite infection. Although not able to reduce parasite load, the combination therapy prevented animal mortality; this was possibly due to a protection of the electric cardiac physiology that is normally altered in experimental infection of T. cruzi. It also suggested that the interaction with Mtz could have improved the pharmacokinetics of Bz. Our study emphasizes the importance of drug repurposing and combined therapy for CD to contribute to alternative therapies for this neglected and silent pathology.

Ocorrência de carrapatos em Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) na Caatinga, Nordeste do Brasil / Occurrence of ticks in Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) in Caatinga biome, northeastern Brazil

A Caatinga é um bioma exclusivamente brasileiro e um dos mais diversificados do mundo, abrigando grande variedade faunística. Este estudo objetivou relatar a presença de carrapatos em tamanduás Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) atendidos no Centro de Conservação e Manejo de Fauna da Caatinga, Petrolina-PE, Brasil. De fevereiro de 2010 a fevereiro de 2016, 23 T. tetradactyla foram recebidos e inspecionados para avaliação da presença de carrapatos. A identificação foi realizada pela observação das características morfológicas e pela utilização de chaves taxonômicas. Aproximadamente 8,69% (2/23) dos animais apresentavam parasitismo por carrapatos. Os ixodídeos foram encontrados fixados nas regiões ventral e cervical, e identificados como Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (cinco fêmeas), Amblyomma auricularium (uma larva, 18 ninfas e uma fêmea) e Amblyomma sp. (seis larvas). Este estudo relata o parasitismo inédito de larva de A. auricularium em T. tetradactyla no semiárido pernambucano, bem como reafirma a maior afinidade por membros da superordem Xenarthra. O parasitismo de R. sanguineus s.l. em tamanduá-mirim pode estar relacionado ao compartilhamento do mesmo habitat com cães domésticos infestados. O parasitismo sobre animais silvestres em novas localidades onde não foi registrado previamente deve ser estudado para ampliação do conhecimento sobre a distribuição geográfica dos ixodídeos no Brasil.(AU)

The Caatinga is an exclusively Brazilian biome and one of the most diverse in the world, housing a great variety faunal. Southern Tamandua (Linnaeus, 1758), known as collared anteater, can be found throughout the country. The present study aimed to report the presence of ticks on anteaters treated at the Conservation Center and Wildlife Management of Caatinga, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. From February 2010 to February 2016, 23 T. tetradactyla from the municipalities of Juazeiro (BA) Casa Nova (BA), Sento Sé (BA), Nonato (PI), Petrolina (PE), Great Pond (PE ) and Willow (PE), have been received and inspected to evaluate the presence of ticks, which were later collected with the help of anatomical tweezer and stored in tubes containing 70% alcohol. The identification was carried out by observation of morphological characteristics in stereomicroscope and use of taxonomic keys. Approximately 8.69% (2/23) of the animals had parasitism by ticks. The Ixodids were found fixed on ventral and cervical regions and were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (five female), parasitizing the anteater 1 coming from Petrolina-PE; Amblyomma auricularium (one larva, 18 nymphs and a female) and Amblyomma sp. parasitizing the anteater 2 coming from Salgueiro-PE. This study reports the novel parasitism by larva of A. auricularium in T. tetradactyla in semiarid of Pernambuco ; and reaffirms the higher affinity of this ixodid by members of the superorder Xenarthra. It was possible to determine the parasitism of R. sanguineus s.l. in collared anteater, the which may be related to the sharing of the same habitat with domestic dogs infested. The parasitism of wild animals in new locations where they were not previously registered must be stimulated to expand the knowledge of the geographical distribution of ixodids in Brazil.(AU)

In Vitro and In Vivo Trypanosomicidal Action of Novel Arylimidamides against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Arylimidamides (AIAs) have been shown to have considerable biological activity against intracellular pathogens, includingTrypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. In the present study, the activities of 12 novel bis-AIAs and 2 mono-AIAs against different strains ofT. cruziin vitroandin vivowere analyzed. The most active wasm-terphenyl bis-AIA (35DAP073), which had a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 0.5 µM for trypomastigotes (Y strain), which made it 26-fold more effective than benznidazole (Bz; 13 µM). It was also active against the Colombiana strain (EC50= 3.8 µM). Analysis of the activity against intracellular forms of the Tulahuen strain showed that this bis-AIA (EC50= 0.04 µM) was about 100-fold more active than Bz (2 µM). The trypanocidal effect was dissociated from the ability to trigger intracellular lipid bodies within host cells, detected by oil red labeling. Both an active compound (35DAP073) and an inactive compound (26SMB060) displayed similar activation profiles. Due to their high selectivity indexes, two AIAs (35DAP073 and 35DAP081) were moved toin vivostudies, but because of the results of acute toxicity assays, 35DAP081 was excluded from the subsequent tests. The findings obtained with 35DAP073 treatment of infections caused by the Y strain revealed that 2 days of therapy induced a dose-dependent action, leading to 96 to 46% reductions in the level of parasitemia. However, the administration of 10 daily doses in animals infected with the Colombiana strain resulted in toxicity, preventing longer periods of treatment. The activity of the combination of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight/day 35DAP073 with 100 mg/kg/day Bz for 10 consecutive days was then assayed. Treatment with the combination resulted in the suppression of parasitemia, the elimination of neurological toxic effects, and survival of 100% of the animals. Quantitative PCR showed a considerable reduction in the parasite load (60%) compared to that achieved with Bz or the amidine alone. Our results support further investigations of this class with the aim of developing novel alternatives for the treatment of Chagas disease.

A randomized-controlled, double-blind study of the impact of selenium supplementation on thyroid autoimmunity and inflammation with focus on the GPx1 genotypes.

PURPOSE: To analyze the impact of selenium supplementation on serum antiTPO levels and thyroid echogenicity in patients with CAT, evaluating the response in subgroups with different GPx1 genotypes. METHODS: CAT patients (n = 55) with positive antiTPO were randomized to selenomethionine (SeMet) 200 µg daily (n = 28) or placebo (n = 27) for 3 months. Assessments included GPx1 genotyping at baseline and serum levels of plasma selenium, erythrocyte GPx1 activity, antiTPO and thyroid echogenicity at baseline, and 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: In the SeMet group, the increase in plasma levels of selenium and erythrocyte GPx1 activity was similar among patients with different GPx1 genotypes. In the overall cohort, patients randomized to SeMet showed a 5 % decrease in antiTPO levels at 3 months (p = non-significant) and 20 % at 6 months (p < 0.001 versus 3 months). In contrast, patients in the placebo group did not show significant changes in antiTPO levels at any time point. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with different GPx1 genotypes presented comparable responses in antiTPO levels and echogenicity index to SeMet. CONCLUSIONS: Selenium supplementation decreased serum antiTPO levels in CAT patients, with similar response among patients with different GPx1 genotypes.

Hypermobility and joint hypermobility syndrome in Brazilian students and teachers of ballet dance.

The current literature has been discussing the risks and benefits of joint hypermobility (JHM) for careers in ballet This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of JHM and joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) in a group of ballet teachers and students, looking both at aspects related to the flexibility required to dance, as at the risk of injuries when hypermobility is associated with other symptoms, in the case of JHS. We evaluated ballet teachers and ballet students, with age ranging from 18 to 40 years. All participants completed identification and sociodemographic questionnaires and underwent a physical examination. JHM was assessed using the Beighton score with goniometry. Symptoms of JHS were evaluated according to the Brighton criteria. Final sample consisted of 77 participants, being 44 ballet students and 33 ballet teachers. The prevalence of JHM in the sample as a whole was 58 %. Teachers and students had no significant differences regarding the prevalence of JHM (p = 0.74) (OR 1.21; 95 % CI 0.48-3.07). However, the prevalence of JHS was significantly different (p = 0.04) between students (16 %) and teachers (36 %). Teachers were three times more likely than student to have JHS (OR 3.02; 95 % CI 1.03-8.85). Teachers and students also presented differences in the frequency of specific items of Beighton score and Brighton criteria. These data provide elements to discuss the relationship between hypermobility, ballet technique and selection for dance, suggesting that dancers with JHS could find in ballet teaching an alternative to maintain professional activity with dance, while remaining protected from the higher risk of injury that professional dancers may be exposed to.

Manejo químico da ferrugem asiática da soja, baseado em diferentes métodos de monitoramento / Chemical management of the soybean asian rust based on different monitoring methods

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar o momento ideal da aplicação dos fungicidas de ação preventiva, (Opera + Assist)* e (PrioriXtra + Nimbus)*, baseado na detecção inicial de primeiros esporos associado às condições ambientais, monitoramento climático e monitoramento convencional (após a detecção dos primeiros sintomas), verificando sua eficiência no controle da ferrugem asiática da soja. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na fazenda Escola da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, onde foram instalados coletores de esporos na área para detecção dos primeiros esporos e também se fez anotação das condições climáticas obtidas em estação metereológica. As aplicações foram feitas a 1, 7, 14 e 21 dias após detecção dos primeiros esporos, seguindo o monitoramento climático e monitoramento convencional. Foram avaliadas a porcentagem da área foliar infectada, desfolha e produtividade de grãos. Observou-se uma menor porcentagem de infecção foliar, quando os produtos foram aplicados logo no início da detecção dos primeiros esporos (1, 7 e 14 dias após detecção) e seguindo o monitoramento climático e, apesar do produto (PrioriXtra +Nimbus)* ter apresentado menores porcentagens de infecção foliar e desfolha quando aplicado nos diferentes momentos, observou-se que na produtividade de grãos não houve diferença entre os produtos testados.

The objective of this study was to determine the ideal time for the application of the fungicides of preventive action (Opera + Assist)* and (PrioriXtra + Nimbus)*, based on the initial detection of early spores associated with environmental conditions, climate monitoring and conventional monitoring (after the detection of the first symptoms), verifying their effectiveness in the control of Asian soybean rust. The study was conducted at the Londrina State University Experimental Station, where spore collectors were installed in the area for early detection of spores and the climate conditions were monitored in a climate station. The applications were made at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days after first detection of spores, according to the climate monitoring and conventional monitoring. Evaluations were made of the infected leaf area, defoliation and soybean yield. There was a lower percentage of leaf infection when the products were applied early in the detection of spores (1, 7 and 14 days after detection), and according to the climate monitoring. Moreover, despite that the product (Nimbus + PrioriXtra)* presented lower percentages of infected leaf and defoliation when applied at the different times, it was observed that in the final yield of the crop there was no difference between the products tested.

Danos causados pela infecção de oídio em diferentes estádios fenológicos da soja / Damages caused by infection of powdery mildews in different phenological stages of soybeans

Ainda não há estudos precisos que quantifiquem os prejuízos decorrentes de infecção por oídio e/ou outras doenças foliares, para a maioria das culturas de importância econômica no Brasil. O objetivo foi quantificar as perdas causadas por oídio (Microsphaera diffusa) infectando a cultura da soja em diferentes estádios fenológicos e relacioná-las ao desenvolvimento e produtividade da cultura. O experimento foi desenvolvido em ambiente protegido, e os tratamentos foram testemunha controlada, testemunha sem controle, infecção iniciada em R1 ­ R2, infecção iniciada em R ­ R, infecção iniciada em R ­ R e infecção iniciada em R ­ R. A avaliação foi feita 345.15.25.35.4 semanalmente, considerando a porcentagem da área foliar infectada. Os resultados mostraram que, no tratamento em que houve infecções iniciadas em R1-R2 e R3-R4, a porcentagem de área foliar afetada foi maior (41% e 38%, respectivamente), com consequente menor produtividade (1.186,6 e 1.309,5 kg.ha-1 respectivamente). No tratamento em que a infecção ocorreu em R ­ R, houve 5.35.4 a menor média de área foliar afetada pela doença (24%) e a produtividade teve queda de 26%. Os resultados mostraram que as perdas de produtividade pelo oídio na cultivar Embrapa 48 variaram ao redor de 26 a 50%, e que a recomendação oficial para o início de controle do oídio da soja, quando esta se apresentar entre 40 e 50% de severidade, deve ser questionada e outros trabalhos neste âmbito devem ser desenvolvidos para determinação das perdas ocasionadas por esta doença na cultura.

At present there are no precise studies quantifying the damages caused by powdery mildews and other foliar diseases for the majority of economically important crops in Brazil. The objective of the present study was to quantify the losses caused by powdery mildews (Microsphaera diffusa) in soybeans in different phenological stages, and to correlate them with the development and yield of the crop. The trials was carried out in the greenhouse and the treatments were: controlled check, noncontrolled check, infection initiated at stage R1-R2, infection initiated at stage R3-R4, infection initiated at stage R5.1-R5.2, infection initiated at stage R5.3-R5.4. The evaluation was done weekly considering the percentage of infected leaf area. The results showed that for the infection beginning at stages R1-R2 and R3-R4 the percentage of affected leaf area was higher (41% and 38%), with consequently lower yields (1,200 and 1,240 kg ha-1). When the infection occurred later at stage R5.3-R5.4, a lower affected leaf area (24%) was observed, and the yield decreased 26%. The results showed that the loss of yield by powdery mildew in cultivar Embrapa 48 ranged from around 26 to 50%, and that the official recommendation for the beginning of control of powdery mildew of soybean, where it presents between 40 and 50% of severity, should be questioned, and other work in this area should be undertaken to determine the loss caused by this disease in the crop.

A 2-year evaluation of moisture on microtensile bond strength and nanoleakage.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of moisture on the resin-dentin mu-bond strength (BS) and silver nitrate uptake (SNU) of three adhesive systems (Single Bond, One-Step and Syntac Single Component) soon after bonding (IM) and after 2 years of water storage (2Y). METHODS: Dentin surfaces were bonded on a dry (D), moist (W) or over-wet surfaces (OW). After restorations were constructed, specimens were stored in water (37 degrees C/24h). Resin-dentin sticks were prepared (0.8mm(2)) and they were divided for immediate (IM) and 2-year storage (2Y) testing. Half of the specimens from each period of time were tested in tension at 0.5mm/min and the other half was immersed in silver nitrate and examined by SEM-EDX. The data was analyzed by three-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: The overall BS (MPa) in the IM group under W condition was higher than in D and OW groups. After 2Y, the BS in W was lower than in the IM group, however higher than in the D and OW for OS and SB. The overall silver nitrate deposition (%) in the IM group under D, W and OW were similar. In the 2Y groups, the nanoleakage was higher than IM groups, however the increase was less pronounced in the W condition. SIGNIFICANCE: Higher BS and a significantly lower nitrate uptake were observed for IM groups, for OS and SB. Under W conditions, the BS reduction over time was less pronounced and less nitrate uptake occurred.

Comparison of sustained-release morphine with sustained-release oxycodone in advanced cancer patients.

The antinociceptive effect of morphine and oxycodone is mediated preferentially at micro and kappa receptors, respectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic profile of the combination of morphine and oxycodone in cancer pain, compared to the standard administration of morphine alone. Controlled-release formulations of oxycodone (CRO) and morphine (CRM) were compared in 26 patients. The study started with an open-label, randomised titration phase to achieve stable pain control for 7 days, followed by a double-blind, randomised crossover phase in two periods, 14 days each. At any point, patients were allowed to use oral immediate-release morphine (IRM) as needed, in order to keep visual analogue scale < or =4. Pain, satisfaction, adverse effects and number of daily rescue morphine tablets were assessed. A total of 22 patients were evaluated. The weekly upload consumption ratio in morphine/oxycodone was 1 : 1.8 (1.80, 1.83, 1.76, 1.84). The weekly IRM consumption was higher in patients having CRM compared to patients having CRO (ratio morphine/oxycodone: 1.6, 1.6, 1.6, 1.7) (P<0.05). Patients receiving oxycodone complained of less nausea and vomiting. The rescue morphine analgesic consumption was 38% higher in patients receiving only morphine, compared to patients receiving both morphine and oxycodone. The results suggest that the combination of morphine/oxycodone (opioids with differential preferential sites of action) can be a useful alternative to morphine alone, resulting in a better analgesia profile and less emesis.

Host and parasite apoptosis following Trypanosoma cruzi infection in in vitro and in vivo models.

The mechanism of cell death which occurs during Chagas' cardiopathy is disputed. To address this issue we analyzed the molecular pathways implicated in the death of cardiomyocytes during T. cruzi invasion and found that they undergo apoptosis during both in vitro and in vivo infections. However, the death rates and onset were related to the parasite stocks belonging to different biodemes, which can be correlated to the different histological inflammation findings that have already been reported. Our in vitro data provide additional support for this hypothesis since higher levels and earlier apoptosis induction were noted during the interaction with the Dm28c (type I) as compared to the Y and CL stocks (type II). Modifications of the surface carbohydrates of the infected cardiomyocytes were observed and these molecular events may be acting as "eat me" tags for their final engulfment by macrophages and/or other non-professional phagocytes. The analysis of other host cell types showed that the in vitro infection of fibroblasts did not result in host apoptosis even when a highly infective stock was used. Conversely, infected macrophages undergo apoptosis but at a higher degree than cardiomyocytes. Apoptotic intracellular parasites were observed to varied extents depending on the T. cruzi stock, which was related to the parasite invasion and proliferation. In summary, our results show that during T. cruzi infection, the extent of apoptosis varies according to the host cell type and the parasite stocks. The apoptosis of both host and T. cruzi can contribute to the silent spreading and persistence of the parasite without triggering an exacerbated inflammatory response.

Definition and application of a five-parameter characterization of one-dimensional cellular automata rule space.

Cellular automata (CA) are important as prototypical, spatially extended, discrete dynamical systems. Because the problem of forecasting dynamic behavior of CA is undecidable, various parameter-based approximations have been developed to address the problem. Out of the analysis of the most important parameters available to this end we proposed some guidelines that should be followed when defining a parameter of that kind. Based upon the guidelines, new parameters were proposed and a set of five parameters was selected; two of them were drawn from the literature and three are new ones, defined here. This article presents all of them and makes their qualities evident. Then, two results are described, related to the use of the parameter set in the Elementary Rule Space: a phase transition diagram, and some general heuristics for forecasting the dynamics of one-dimensional CA. Finally, as an example of the application of the selected parameters in high cardinality spaces, results are presented from experiments involving the evolution of radius-3 CA in the Density Classification Task, and radius-2 CA in the Synchronization Task.

Cholinergic modulation of inhibitory avoidance impairment induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation.

1. Male Wistar rats were submitted to paradoxical sleep deprivation for 96 hr by a modified multiple platform technique. 2. Training of step-through inhibitory avoidance was performed immediately after the last day of paradoxical sleep deprivation. Twenty-four hr after training the animals were submitted to the retention test. 3. In Experiment 1, pilocarpine (4 mg/kg, i.p.) or atropine (4 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered daily during the paradoxical sleep deprivation period. Pilocarpine, but not atropine, reversed the impairment induced by PS deprivation. 4. In Experiment 2, pilocarpine (4, 8 and 12 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 1 hr before training in order to verify if the reversal of memory impairment was an effect secondary to residual enhanced blood levels of pilocarpine during training. Acute treatment with pilocarpine, in any dose, did not reverse the impairment produced by paradoxical sleep deprivation 5. Activation of the cholinergic system during the period of deprivation is able to prevent memory deficits induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation.

Effect of age and magnesium administration on the performance of SHR in the elevated plus-maze.

It is currently accepted that young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have lower pressure levels than adult SHR in which the hypertension is well established, reaching the highest plateau at about 24 weeks, and that treatment with magnesium initiated during intrauterine life postpones the onset of cardiovascular alterations in SHR to about 90 days. These animals also show many behavioral alterations. The anxiety of SHR was measured in the elevated plus-maze, considering the age of the animals and previous ingestion of food supplemented with 1% magnesium oxide. Both young (1.5-2 months) and adult (5-6 months) SHR showed higher mean ( +/- SEM) percent of entries (48 +/- 3 and 51 +/- 3, respectively) and a longer mean ( +/- SEM) percent of time spent (43 +/- 5 and 55 +/- 5, respectively) in the open arms when compared to the mean ( +/- SEM) percent of entries and time spent in the open arms of young (35 +/- 3 and 20 +/- 4, respectively) and adult (36 +/- 7 and 17 +/- 5, respectively) normotensive Wistar rats. Treatment with magnesium oxide did not alter the performance of SHR in the elevated plus-maze. SHR showed an anxiolytic-like behavior which was neither influenced by age nor by antihypertensive treatment.

Effect of age and magnesium administration on the performance of SHR in the elevated plus-maze

It is currently accepted that young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have lower pressure levels than adult SHR in which the hypertension is well established, reaching the highest plateau at about 24 weeks, and that treatment with magnesium initiated during intrauterine life postpones the onset of cardiovascular alterations in SHR to about 90 days. These animals also show many behavioral alterations. The anxiety of SHR was measured in the elevated plus-maze, considering the age of the animals and previous ingestion of food supplemented with 1 percent magnesium oxide. Both young (1.5-2 months) and adult (5-6 months) SHR showed higher mean) (+ or - SEM) percent of entries (48 + or - 3 and 51 + or - 3, respectvely) and a longer mean (+ or - SEM) percent of time spent (43 + or - 5 and 55 + or - 5, respectively) in the open arms when compared to the mean (+ or - SEM) percent of entries and time spent in the open arms of young (35 + or - 3 and 20 + or - 4, respectively) and adult (36 + or - 7 and 17 + or - 5, respectively) normotensive Wistar rats. Treatment with magnesium oxide did not alter the performance of SHR in the elevated plus-maze. SHR showed an anxiolytic-like behavior which was neither influenced by age nor by antihypertensive treatment

Effects of the antihypertensive drugs alpha-methyldopa and hydralazine on the performance of spontaneously hypertensive rats in the elevated plus-maze.

The effects of antihypertensive drugs on the performance of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in the elevated plus-maze were determined. Male SHR (3 months old) were submitted to long-term treatment (15 days) with alpha-methyldopa (alpha MD, 5 g/l, N = 10) and hydralazine (HYD, 100 mg/l, N = 10) given orally, diluted in water. After the drug treatment, the performance of the rats in the plus-maze was observed for 5 min in a single test and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were then measured. The antihypertensive drugs reduced MAP significantly (mean +/- SEM: CON = 176.2 +/- 5.2, alpha MD = 157.8 +/- 4.6 and HYD = 150 +/- 4.4 mmHg) and only alpha MD increased HR significantly (mean +/- SEM: CON = 391.7 +/- 13.8, alpha MD = 453.3 +/- 14 and HYD = 368.8 +/- 18.9 bpm). The alpha MD group presented a lower total number of entries (mean +/- SEM: CON = 12.7 +/- 0.7, alpha MD = 8.7 +/- 0.9 and HYD = 12 +/- 0.9) and spent less time in the open arms than the CON (N = 10) and HYD groups (mean +/- SEM: CON = 0.69 +/- 0.04, alpha MD = 0.48 +/- 0.07 and HYD = 0.65 +/- 0.06 s). alpha-Methyldopa acts centrally and hydralazine acts peripherally. The behavioral change of SHR treated with alpha-methyldopa suggests that hypertension seems to be related to central nervous dysfunctions that are affected by an antihypertensive drug with central noradrenergic action.