Pesticides compromise health: a comparison between lizards collected within and outside an agricultural area.

Reptiles are the least studied vertebrates regarding the impact of pesticides on their health, despite being good models for ecotoxicological studies given their abundance and easy handling. Salvator merianae is widely distributed in South America and often found in agricultural cultivation areas. Here, we compared the morphological, biochemical, and physiological parameters of S. merianae from an exposed area (EA) to pesticides and a reference area (RA) or control. These parameters were measured in plasma (albumin, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glucose, total proteins, uric acid, triglycerides, VLDL, and corticosterone) and in erythrocytes (TBARS, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity). Blood samples were collected from 28 lizards (EA: three juveniles, three adult females, and three adult males; RA: nine juveniles, four females, and five males) in southern Brazil during the reproductive period. We observed a decrease in body mass, the ratio between body mass and total length and snout-vent length in juvenile lizards collected at EA. The levels of TBARS, glutathione S-transferase, triglycerides, VLDL, and uric acid were altered for juveniles in EA. When comparing the two areas, females differed in superoxide dismutase activity and total proteins, while males differed in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase activity. This set of results shows that S. merianae, especially juveniles, suffers a negative impact when inserted in an agricultural area. The analyzed biomarkers proved suitable for monitoring these lizards and the quality of this environment.

Magnetic, structural and cation distribution studies on [Formula: see text] (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.1) nanoparticles.

We synthesized and characterized the colloidal suspensions of [Formula: see text] nanoparticles with x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.1. The effect of the Fe3+ ion replacement by Nd3+ on the crystal structure is in-depth studied. The samples were characterized by the following techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectrophotometry, transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), magnetization as a function of applied magnetic field (M-H loops) and magnetization as a function of temperature in zero-field-cooled and field-cooled regimes (ZFC-FC). From XRD cation distribution, structural parameters were extracted. The increasing in the bandgap is interpreted as a result of the higher interatomic separation with the doping. TEM micrographs reveal a polydisperse size and shape distribution of particles. The results for the volume-weighted average diameter measured by SAXS are consistent with those determined by XRD. From the M-H loops we found that the superparamagnetic (SPM) regime contributes with 95-97% for all samples, while only 3-5% contribution comes from the paramagnetic (PM) regime. The saturation magnetization increases in a steady manner upon increasing the Nd3+ ion molar ratio from 0.00 up to 0.06, reaching the maximum value of 105.8±0.4 Am2/kg at x = 0.06. It is worth to mention that the result for the saturation magnetization value are higher than that of the bulk material.

Supplementation with dry Mimosa caesalpiniifolia leaves can reduce the Haemonchus contortus worm burden of goats.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) cause considerable economic losses in grazing goat herds. At present, GIN control cannot rely on conventional anthelmintic (AH) drugs because parasites have developed resistance against such drugs. Thus, alternative control methods are being sought to reduce the dependence on AH. Many tannin-rich plants exhibit AH activity and may be used as alternatives for GIN control. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia is a tannin-rich shrub consumed by small ruminants in Brazil. This study evaluated the in vivo AH effect of M. caesalpiniifolia leaf powder supplementation on GIN egg fecal excretion and worm burden in goats. Plant leaves were harvested, dried and ground to obtain a powder. Twenty-four castrated male goats, aged six to eight months, with a mean body weight of 15.0 ±â€¯2.5 kg were used in the experiment. Animals were infected orally with 16,000 larvae comprising 50% Haemonchus spp., 41% Trichostrongylus spp. and 9% Oesophagostomum spp. Once the infection was patent, the goats were distributed into four groups of six animals. The control group received concentrate without condensed tannins (CTs) and did not receive any drench against GINs. The monepantel group received concentrate without CTs and were drenched once with monepantel. The other two groups received the M. caesalpiniifolia leaf powder in two periods of seven consecutive days (days 1-7 and 14-21), with one of the groups also receiving 10 g of polyethyleneglycol (PEG)/day. The animals were weighed weekly, and individual fecal eggs counts (FECs) were performed daily. After 28 days, the animals were humanly slaughtered, and the worm burden was estimated. Although live weight gain and FECs did not differ among the groups (P > 0.05), post-mortem worm counts showed a reduction in Haemonchus contortus adult worm burden (57.7%) in goats of the CT group compared to control goats (P < 0.05). The addition of PEG did not diminish AH activity in the CT + PEG group (66.9% reduction compared to the control). No AH effect against other GIN species was found. The result for the addition of PEG suggested that the observed AH activity was associated with plant secondary compounds, as opposed to CTs. As expected, no AH effect against Oesophagostomum columbianum was found for the monepantel group showed. Thus, feeding dry leaves of M. caesalpiniifolia represent a promising alternative for the control of GIN infections in goats.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an inactivator of caprine lentivirus (CLV) in colostrum and milk / Avaliação in vitro e in vivo do dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) como inativador do lentivírus caprino (LVC) em colostro e leite

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the caprine lentivirus (CLV) in colostrum and milk. This was performed to develop a practical and efficient method of blocking the lactogenic transmission of the virus. In the in vitro experiment, colostrum and milk were treated with 0.25%; 0.50% and 1% SDS. Then, somatic cells of colostrum and milk were submitted to co-culture with caprine synovial membrane cells (CSM). In the in vivo test, goats were fed with colostrum and milk provided from CLV-positive goats treated with SDS in the same concentrations used in the in vitro experiment. Animals were tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and Western blot (WB) assays. In the in vitro experiment, inhibitory activity against CLV without inactivation occurred in colostrum with all SDS concentrations. However, concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5% SDS presented only inhibitory activity against CLV in milk cells, and 1% concentration provided inactivation of the virus. In the in vivo tests, none of the three concentrations of SDS was effective in inactivating LVC in colostrum or goat milk, which was confirmed by seroconversion and presence of proviral DNA in animals afterwards.(AU)

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar in vitro e in vivo o efeito do dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) sobre o lentivírus caprino (LVC) no colostro e no leite, a fim de desenvolver um método prático e eficiente no bloqueio da via de transmissão lactogênica do vírus. No experimento in vitro, o colostro e o leite de cabras positivas foram tratados com SDS a 0,25%, 0,50% e 1,0%. Em seguida, as células somáticas do colostro e do leite foram obtidas e direcionadas ao cocultivo com células de membrana sinovial caprina (MSC). No teste in vivo, os cabritos foram alimentados com colostro e leite providos de cabras positivas para LVC, tratados com SDS nas mesmas concentrações usadas no teste in vitro. Os animais foram acompanhados pelos testes de reação em cadeia da polimerase nested (nPCR) e western blot (WB). Nos resultados in vitro, no colostro, observou-se que, em todas as concentrações de SDS, ocorreu uma atividade inibitória contra o LVC, sem a inativação. Em relação às células do leite, o SDS apresentou, nas concentrações de 0,25 e 0,5%, atividade inibitória contra o LVC, e na concentração de 1%, houve inativação viral. Nos testes in vivo, as três concentrações de SDS testadas não foram efetivas na inativação do LVC no colostro e no leite caprino, o que se comprovou pela soroconversão e pela presença de DNA proviral nos animais.(AU)

Cavernous sinus syndrome as the first manifestation of metastatic breast disease.

BACKGROUND: The cavernous sinus is a venous plexus crossed by vital neurovascular structures. Metastases to the region are uncommon and often associated with a headache, facial pain, or progressive neurological deficit in III, IV, and VI cranial nerves. The treatment options are surgery, including endoscopic approach, radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and chemotherapy. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 26-year-old female with cavernous sinus syndrome due to breast cancer metastasis, who was subjected to chemotherapy with complete neurological recovery. A literature review was performed using the databases Bireme, Pubmed, Cochrane, Lilacs and Medline with the keywords: cavernous sinus/metastasis/surgery/radiosurgery for multiple management options review. CONCLUSION: Cavernous sinus metastases are rare, and the cavernous sinus syndrome is rarely the first sign of cancer, especially in young patients. Because the syndrome has multiple causes, the history of rapid progression and atypical image findings can arise suggesting metastatic diseases. As in our case, the image was suggestive of meningioma, however, the clinical presentation and further investigations led us to suspect as a metastatic disease. The therapeutic decision considers clinical and functional status, the extent of primary and metastatic disease, radiological study, tumor histopathology, and biological behavior. Often associated with significant symptoms and disseminated systemic disease, nowadays radiosurgery is the first and less invasive strategy, offering low risk of new deficits, clinical improvement, and good local control. The prognosis depends on early treatment and disease staging because mortality is associated with progression of cancer.

Caprine lentivirus in sheep milk and semen / Lentivírus caprino em leite e sêmen de ovinos

With the objective of detecting the presence of caprine lentivirus (CLV) in ewe milk and in ram semen, ten matrixes and four reproducers experimentally infected with CLV were used. Samples of ewe milk were collected during the four months of lactation, five collections per animal, totaling 50 samples. Regarding the rams, eight semen collections were made per animal, during one year of experimentation, totaling 32 samples. The milk and semen samples were submitted to DNA extraction and the nested polymerase chain reaction test (nPCR) to detect CLV proviral DNA. Eight (16%) of the milk samples were positive in nPCR originating from two ewes. Only one (3.12%) semen sample was positive. The amplification products were sequenced, and were confirmed to be a CLV genomic sequence. Thus, the presence of CLV proviral DNA in sheep milk and semen was demonstrated, confirming the feasibility of infection between species, and alerting to the risk of spreading infections.(AU)

Com o objetivo de detectar a presença do lentivírus caprino (LVC) no leite de ovelhas e no sêmen de carneiros, utilizaram-se 10 matrizes e quatro reprodutores infectados experimentalmente com o LVC. Foram coletadas amostras de leite das ovelhas durante os quatro meses de lactação, ocorrendo cinco coletas por animal, totalizando 50 amostras. Quanto aos carneiros, realizaram-se oito coletas de sêmen por animal, durante um ano de experimentação, totalizando 32 amostras. As amostras de leite e de sêmen foram submetidas à extração de DNA e à prova de reação em cadeia da polimerase do tipo nested (nPCR) visando à detecção de DNA proviral do LVC. Oito (16%) amostras de leite foram positivas na nPCR oriundas de duas ovelhas. Apenas uma (3,12%) amostra de sêmen apresentou positividade. Produtos da amplificação foram sequenciados, confirmando-se tratar de sequência genômica do LVC. Dessa forma, demonstrou-se a presença do DNA proviral do LVC em leite e sêmen de ovinos, confirmando a viabilidade da infecção entre espécies e, assim, alertando sobre o risco de que a infecção seja disseminada.(AU)

A Novel Configuration of Pipeline Embolization Device for Internal Carotid Bifurcation Region Aneurysms: Horizontal Deployment.

PURPOSE: To describe a novel configuration of pipeline embolization device for internal carotid bifurcation region aneurysm, named horizontal stenting. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old woman, with visual deficit, harboring a large wide-necked aneurysm located at the junction between left internal carotid artery and left A1 segment of anterior cerebral artery, was submitted to endovascular treatment. As she had pre-existing occlusion of left internal carotid, approach from the contralateral internal carotid was used to advance the pipeline embolization device through the anterior communicating artery and place the flow diverter horizontally across the neck (from M1 to A1). Coil embolization was also performed through a microcatheter navigated via posterior communicating artery. The intervention was uneventful, with total aneurysm occlusion. Patient presented with visual improvement on follow-up. CONCLUSION: Horizontal deployment of pipeline embolization device appears to be an acceptable and feasible alternative to treat internal carotid bifurcation aneurysms. Long-term follow-up and a greater number of cases are mandatory to establish the safety of this strategy.

Wharton's jelly cells from sheep umbilical cord maintained with different culture media are permissive to in vitro infection by Small Ruminant Lentiviruses / Células da geleia de Wharton do cordão umbilical ovino mantidas em diferentes meios de cultivo são permissivas à infecção in vitro por lentivírus de pequenos ruminantes

This study aimed to isolate cells from the Wharton's jelly of umbilical cord (WJUC) of sheep collected during natural parturition using different culture media, in addition to reporting for the first time the permissiveness of these cells to in vitro infection by small ruminant lentiviruses. Ten umbilical cords were collected from healthy sheep. Each cord explants were grown in different media consisting of MEM, low glucose DMEM, M199, and RPMI-1640. The permissiveness of infection of sheep cells from WJUC was tested with CAEV-Cork and MVV-K1514 strains, inoculating 0.1 MOI of each viral strain. Four supernatants from each strain were obtained from WJUC sheep cell cultures infected in different media. The results demonstrated the presence of cytopathic effect after the in vitro infection by CAEV-Cork and MVV-K1514 with all of the tested culture media. Nested-PCR detected proviral DNA in all supernatants. Supernatants containing CAEV-Cork viruses had TCID 50/ml titres of 10 5.5 in MEM, 10 4.0 in low glucose DMEM, 105.0 in M199, and 10 5.7 in RPMI-1640. Supernatants containing the MVV-K1514 virus had TCID 50/ml titres of 10 4.3 in MEM, 10 3.5 in low-glucose DMEM, 10 4.7 in M199, and 10 3.5 in RPMI-1640. Sheep cells from WJUC are permissive to in vitro infection by small ruminant lentivirus.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi isolar células da geleia de Wharton do cordão umbilical (GWCU) ovino coletado por ocasião do parto natural, utilizando-se diferentes meios de cultivo, além de relatar, pela primeira vez, sua permissividade à infecção in vitro por lentivírus de pequenos ruminantes (LVPRs). Dez cordões umbilicais foram coletados de ovelhas hígidas e soronegativas para LVPRs pelo teste de imunodifusão em gel de agarose (IDGA). De cada cordão, explantes foram cultivados em quatro meios distintos que consistiram em MEM, DMEM baixa glicose, meio 199 e RPMI-1640, todos acrescidos de 10% de soro fetal bovino em estufa com atmosfera úmida e 5% de CO2 a 37ºC. A permissividade de infecção das células GWCU ovino foi testada frente às cepas CAEV-Cork e MVV-K1514, inoculando-se 0,1 MOI de cada cepa viral e corando as monocamadas com May Grunwald Giemsa para visualização do efeito citopático. Foram obtidos quatro sobrenadantes CAEV-Cork e quatro MVV-K1514, provenientes do cultivo de células GWCU ovino infectadas por 21 dias em meios distintos, dos quais foram realizadas titulação em membrana sinovial caprina e extração do DNA pró-viral para realização de nested-PCR e eletroforese em gel de agarose a 2%. Os resultados demonstraram a presença de efeito citopático na infecção in vitro tanto por CAEV-Cork como por MVV-K1514 em todos os meios de cultivo, sendo visualizados sincícios e lise celular em microscópio invertido. A nested-PCR detectou o DNA pró-viral tanto do CAEV-Cork como do MVV-K1514 em todos os sobrenadantes. Os sobrenadantes contendo o vírus CAEV-Cork apresentaram títulos em TCID50/mL de 10 5,5 em MEM, 10 4,0 em DMEM baixa glicose, 10 5,0 em meio 199 e 10 5,7 em RPMI-1640. Os sobrenadantes contendo o vírus MVV-K1514 apresentaram título em TCID 50/mL de 10 4,3 em MEM, 10 3,5 em DMEM baixa glicose, 10 4,7 em meio 199 e 10 3,5 em RPMI-1640. Células GWCU ovino são permissivas à infecção in vitro pelos lentivírus de pequenos ruminantes CAEV-Cork e MVV-K1514.(AU)

Electromyographic analysis of the gait cycle phases of boxer dogs / Análise eletromiográfica do ciclo de marcha em cães da raça boxer

Systematic studies involving technologies such as surface electromyography (sEMG) may provide important data that enable veterinarians to recognize musculoskeletal, ligamentous, and neurological alterations. The aim of this study was to describe the gait cycle phases and the timing of muscle activation in healthy Boxer dogs during gait by means of sEMG. The gait cycle of seven Boxer dogs was evaluated and sEMG was recorded from the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, brachiocephalic, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and superficial gluteal muscles of the right hemibody. Circular monopolar Ag/AgCl electrodes were attached to the mean point between the motor point and the muscle insertion. The electromyographic signals were collected by an active interface with 20-fold gain in a bipolar differential configuration using a 16-channel signal conditioner (EMG Systems Brasil), while the dogs walked on a treadmill at a speed of 2m/s. Pearson's correlation was used for the statistical analysis. A positive correlation was found between the rectus femoris and biceps brachii (r= 0.81); superficial gluteal and triceps brachii (r= 0.69); semitendinosus-semimembranosus and biceps brachii (r= 0.76); and rectus femoris and semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscle groups (r=0.99). The biceps brachii and brachiocephalic muscles work in tandem to position the thoracic limb during the gait cycle, while the semitendinosus-semimembranosus group flexes the knee and, simultaneously with the quadriceps that flexes the hip, prevents the contact of the pelvic limb with the ground during the swing phase. The body is propelled forward by the triceps brachii muscle, which extends the elbow and flexes the shoulder at the final contact, while the superficial gluteal muscle extends the hip.(AU)

Estudos sistemáticos que envolvem uso de tecnologias, como a eletromiografia de superfície (EMGs), podem fornecer dados importantes que capacitam os clínicos a diferenciar as alterações musculoesqueléticas, ligamentares ou neurológicas. Objetiva-se com este trabalho descrever as fases da marcha canina e o momento de ativação dos músculos de cães saudáveis da raça Boxer durante a marcha, por meio da eletromiografia de superfície. Avaliou-se a marcha de sete cães da raça Boxer, e o sinal elétrico da eletromiografia de superfície foi coletado do bíceps braquial, do tríceps braquial, do braquiocefálico, do reto femoral, do semitendinoso/semimembranoso e do glúteo superficial do hemicorpo direito. Os eletrodos monopolares circulares de prata com cloreto de prata (Ag/AgCl) foram posicionados no ponto médio entre a placa motora e a inserção desses músculos. Os sinais eletromiográficos foram capturados e adquiridos por uma interface ativa com ganho de 20x em configuração diferencial bipolar e por um condicionador de sinais (EMG Systems Brasil) de 16 canais, enquanto os cães caminharam em esteira com velocidade de 2m/s. Para análise estatística, foi aplicado teste de correlação de Pearson. Verificou-se correlação positiva entre os músculos retofemoral e bíceps braquial (r= 0,81); glúteo superficial e tríceps braquial (r= 0,69); semitendinoso/semimembranoso e bíceps braquial (r= 0,76); e entre o músculo reto femoral e o grupo muscular semitendinoso e semimembranoso (r=0,99). Os músculos bíceps braquial e braquiocefálico do mesmo membro trabalham em sinergia para posicionar o membro torácico durante o ciclo de marcha, enquanto o grupo muscular semitendinoso/semimembranoso flexiona o joelho e, simultaneamente com o quadríceps, que flexiona o quadril, impede que o membro pélvico entre em contato com o solo no balanço. Para impulsionar o corpo à frente, o músculo tríceps braquial estende o cotovelo e flexiona o ombro no contato final e o glúteo superficial estende o quadril.(AU)

Versatile magnetometer assembly for characterizing magnetic properties of nanoparticles.

We constructed a versatile magnetometer assembly for characterizing iron oxide nanoparticles. The magnetometer can be operated at room temperature or inside a cryocooler at temperatures as low as 6 K. The magnetometer's sensor can be easily exchanged and different detection electronics can be used. We tested the assembly with a non-cryogenic commercial Hall sensor and a benchtop multimeter in a four-wire resistance measurement scheme. A magnetic moment sensitivity of 8.5 × 10(-8) Am(2) was obtained with this configuration. To illustrate the capability of the assembly, we synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles coated with different amounts of a triblock copolymer, Pluronic F-127, and characterized their magnetic properties. We determined that the polymer coating does not affect the magnetization of the particles at room temperature and demonstrates that it is possible to estimate the average size of coating layers from measurements of the magnetic field of the sample.

Endovascular treatment of isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissecting aneurysms: parent artery occlusion or selective coiling?

PURPOSE: Isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissecting aneurysms are rare lesions. Their underlying pathology, presentation, and natural history are poorly understood. Their treatment is controversial, and few data are available regarding the best treatment. We conducted the first study comparing selective coiling and parent artery occlusion for the treatment of isolated PICA dissecting aneurysms. METHODS: All patients harboring isolated PICA dissecting aneurysms treated between January 2006 and October 2012, in a single center, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were consecutively submitted either to selective coiling or parent artery occlusion. The safety and durability (recanalization and rebleeding rates) of each treatment were established. In order to compare the results of both treatment modalities, we also performed a literature search of all cases of isolated PICA dissecting aneurysms endovascularly treated. RESULTS: Fourteen patients harboring isolated PICA dissecting aneurysms were assigned to endovascular treatment in our center (eight to selective coiling vs six to parent artery occlusion). There was no statistical difference between both groups regarding complications. No patient experienced rebleeding. One recanalization was observed in the selective coiling group. Based on literature review (83 cases), selective coiling and parent artery occlusion showed similar success rate in preventing rebleeding. Parent artery occlusion was significantly associated with a higher risk of ischemic complication (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Both selective coiling and parent artery occlusion are highly effective in preventing rebleeding in isolated PICA dissecting aneurysms. Although total complication rate is similar between both modalities, parent artery occlusion is significantly associated to a higher risk of ischemic events.

Memory for time of training modulates performance on a place conditioning task in marmosets.

In rodents, the expression of a reward-conditioned place preference (CPP) is regulated in a circadian pattern such that the preference is exhibited strongly at the circadian time of prior training but not at other circadian times. Because each animal is trained only at a single circadian phase, the concept of time as a context cue is derived from a rhythmic internal state rather than learned explicitly from the external cues. We now report that the same "time memory" is expressed following context conditioning in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Animals were trained at a specific time to discriminate between an unpaired context and a context paired with food reward. Marmosets were then tested for preference at circadian times that were either the same or different from the training time. Preference was expressed only when training and testing times matched. The results show that time of day learning can be generalized to this new world primate implying that a similar circadian mechanism might regulate craving for reward in diverse mammals including human beings.

Sleep-wake pattern of medical students: early versus late class starting time.

The sleep-wake cycle of students is characterized by delayed onset, partial sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality. Like other circadian rhythms, the sleep-wake cycle is influenced by endogenous and environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of different class starting times on the sleep-wake pattern of 27 medical students. The data were collected during two medical school semesters having different class starting times. All subjects answered the Portuguese version of the Horne and Ostberg Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and kept a sleep diary for two weeks during each semester. Better sleep quality (PSQI = 5.3 vs 3.4), delayed sleep onset (23:59 vs 0:54 h) and longer sleep duration (6 h and 55 min vs 7 h and 25 min) were observed with the late schedule. We also found reduced sleep durations during weekdays and extended sleep durations during weekends. This pattern was more pronounced during the semester with the early class schedule, indicating that the students were more sleep deprived when their classes began earlier in the morning. These results require further investigation regarding the temporal organization of our institutions.

Sleep-wake pattern of medical students: early versus late class starting time

The sleep-wake cycle of students is characterized by delayed onset, partial sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality. Like other circadian rhythms, the sleep-wake cycle is influenced by endogenous and environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of different class starting times on the sleep-wake pattern of 27 medical students. The data were collected during two medical school semesters having different class starting times. All subjects answered the Portuguese version of the Horne and Östberg Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and kept a sleep diary for two weeks during each semester. Better sleep quality (PSQI = 5.3 vs 3.4), delayed sleep onset (23:59 vs 0:54 h) and longer sleep duration (6 h and 55 min vs 7 h and 25 min) were observed with the late schedule. We also found reduced sleep durations during weekdays and extended sleep durations during weekends. This pattern was more pronounced during the semester with the early class schedule, indicating that the students were more sleep deprived when their classes began earlier in the morning. These results require further investigation regarding the temporal organization of our institutions

[Malignant course of a ganglioglioma: case report]. / Evolução maligna de um ganglioglioma. Relato de caso.

We present the case of a 8-years-old boy, admitted with a history of headache, nausea and vomiting. Cerebral angiography showed a non-vascular mass on frontal lobe. The patient underwent craniotomy and the lesion was removed. Neuropathological study revealed that the tumor was a ganglioglioma. The patient received pos-operative radiotherapy. On follow-up, 16 years after, a computed tomographic scan showed a recurrence of the tumor, and a second surgery revealed a glioblastoma multiform. Gangliogliomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system containing neoplastic ganglion cells and low grade neoplastic glial cells. The malignant degeneration occurs only in the glial component, so the prognosis of these tumors is related to the grade of that component.

[Brain metastasis of malignant melanoma. Analysis of 13 cases]. / Melanomas metastáticos intracranianos. Análise de 13 casos.

The authors present a retrospective review of 13 patients with the diagnostic of intracranial metastatic malignant melanoma. Their ages ranged from 28 to 84 years. The time interval from diagnosis of primary tumor to development of cerebral metastases ranged from 6 to 60 months. There was preoperative evidence of extracranial disease in 9 patients. All patients underwent craniotomy, and the 30-day mortality was zero. The patients survived 2 to 55 months after surgery. Medium survival time for all patients was 14 months. The excision of metastatic melanoma from the brain, although not curative, may increase survival in patients with this metastatic cancer. The criteria for consideration of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are discussed.

Seasonal rhythm of semen characteristics of a Brazilian breed ("Mangalarga") stallion.

An attempt has been made to define semen seasonality in a horse in the Southern Hemisphere. Repeated measurements of three variables in the semen were made for 36 months (Jan/90-Dec/92) in a 21-year old "Mangalarga" stallion living under natural photoperiod and temperature conditions in a farm situated in São José do Rio Pardo, São Paulo, Brazil (latitude 21 degrees) 36'S; longitude 46 degrees 53' W). The horse fed on natural pasture and a nutritionally balanced feed twice a day (11:00 and 17:00 h). Water and mineral supplement were available ad libitum. Semen was collected almost daily by an artificial vagina and showed annual changes in volume of ejaculate, sperm motility, and sperm concentration. Spectral and rhythmometric analyses of the semen data were performed according to the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and cosinor techniques (tau = 365 days). Statistically significant annual rhythms for semen volume, motility, and concentration of sperm were present. Acrophases occurred in the spring (October) for ejaculate volume and in autumn (May) for sperm concentration and motility.

[Giant intracranial aneurysm in a 9 year-old child. Case report]. / Aneurisma intracraniano gigante em criança de nove anos. Relato de caso.

The case of a 9-year-old girl with intracranial hemorrhage due to a giant aneurysm of distal middle cerebral artery is reported. Cerebral aneurysms are rare in children, particularly in the first decade of life. Aneurysms in childhood occur more frequently in peripheral branches and they are more often giant in size. Clinical features and pathogenesis of this lesion are discussed.

Circadian and ultradian rhythms of drinking behavior of albino rats maintained in constant darkness.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the circadian and the ultradian rhythms of drinking behavior in Wistar rats maintained under conditions of constant darkness. Six mature male rats (weighing 270-350 g) were exposed to light-dark 12:12-h cycles (LD 12:12, light on at 12:00 h) for 35 days and then switched to constant darkness (DD) conditions for at least 2 weeks. Drinking behavior was monitored continuously with a standard drinkometer circuit and the data was stored in 5-min bins. A modification of Enright's periodogram technique was used to evaluate the free-running drinking behavior circadian rhythm. Ultradian rhythms in drinking behavior were estimated by the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) technique. Two of the animals (rats 4 and 6) showed no statistically significant circadian or ultradian rhythms and the other four showed free-running drinking circadian rhythm behavior shorter than 24 h (ranging from 23.333 to 23.967 h). Ultradian rhythms of drinking behavior of 12- and 8-h periods were detected in 4 (rats 1, 2, 3 and 5) and 2 (rats 1 and 5) animals, respectively. The relation of the compound structure of the circadian and ultradian rhythms is discussed demonstrating that drinking behavior is a good marker for studies of physiology of temporal organization.