Treprostinil in Neonates with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia-Related Pulmonary Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with treprostinil, evaluate correlations with cardiac function, and assess for adverse effects in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia-related pulmonary hypertension (CDH-PH). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of a single-center prospective registry at a quaternary care children's hospital. Patients included in the study had CDH-PH treated with treprostinil between April 2013 and September 2021. Assessed outcomes were brain-type natriuretic peptide levels and quantitative echocardiographic parameters collected at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after treprostinil initiation. Right ventricular (RV) function was assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion Z-score and speckle tracking echocardiography (global longitudinal and free wall strain). Septal position and left ventricular (LV) compression were assessed by eccentricity index and M-mode Z-scores. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were included, with an average expected/observed lung-to-head ratio of 28.4 ± 9.0%. Most patients required extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 45, 88%). Survival to hospital discharge was 31/49 (63%). Treprostinil was initiated at a median age of 19 days with a median effective dose of 34 ng/kg/minute. Median baseline brain-type natriuretic peptide level decreased from 416.9 pg/mL to 120.5 pg/mL after 1 month. Treprostinil was associated with improved tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion Z-score, RV global longitudinal strain, RV free wall strain, LV eccentricity index, and LV diastolic and systolic dimensions, reflecting less compression by the RV, regardless of ultimate patient survival. No serious adverse effects were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: In neonates with CDH-PH, treprostinil administration is well tolerated and is associated with improved RV size and function.

Isokinetic evaluation of the shoulder and elbow after Latarjet procedure.

BACKGROUND/HYPOTHESIS: The Latarjet procedure changes the anatomy of the shoulder, moving the coracoid process distally through an incision in the subscapularis muscle. Some authors have studied the effect of this surgery on shoulder rotator strength. Our hypothesis is that the Latarjet procedure decreases elbow supination and flexion strength. METHODS: A retrospective case series, evaluating patients submitted to the Latarjet procedure between May 2013 and June 2017. Movements of the elbow (supination, pronation, flexion and extension) and shoulder (internal and external rotation) were evaluated bilaterally using a Biodex System 3 isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, New York) in concentric/concentric mode. RESULTS: We evaluated 20 patients with an average follow-up of 36 months. In the elbow, we observed a 9.1% decrease in supination strength at a speed of 60°/s (p=0.044), without statistical difference at 120°/s (p=0.570). In the shoulder, there was a 13.5% decrease in external rotation strength at 60°/s and 4.5% at 180°/s (p=0.009 and p=0.040, respectively). The other movements did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: After the Latarjet procedure, the supination strength at 60°/s was decreased, as was the external rotation strength of the shoulder at 60°/s and 180°/s. We did not observe any reduction in strength for shoulder flexion or internal shoulder rotation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, case series.

Association of CYP2C19*2 polymorphism with clopidogrel resistance among patients with high cardiovascular risk in Northeastern Mexico.

Objective: Oral antiplatelet drugs are a key to modern pharmacotherapy in cardiovascular atherothrombotic diseases. Clopidogrel (CLO) constitutes the main preventive treatment of atherothrombosis. However, a considerable inter-individual variation in CLO response has been documented, resulting in suboptimal therapy and an increased risk of recurrent adverse effects in some patients. The enzyme CYP2C19 has been reported to be the CYP isoform that activates CLO to its active metabolite. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP2C19 gene have been identified as strong predictors of CLO-impaired pharmacological response. At least 16 variants have been associated with changes in CYP2C19 activity. Materials and Methods: The following research was composed of a total of 102 subjects with high cardiovascular risk in the northeast of Mexico, with a maintenance dose of 75 mg of CLO per day. The platelet reactivity was measured with VerifyNow P2Y12 assay, while the presence of CYP2C19*2 was identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Patients were categorized by CYP2C19 metabolizer status based on *2 genotypes using the common consensus star allele nomenclature as normal metabolizer (G/G), intermediate metabolizer (G/A), and poor metabolizer (A/A), respectively. The phenotype frequency for CYP2C19*2 was 74.5% (G/G), 21.6% (G/A), and 3.9% (A/A). The subjects with the A allele presented ≥235 P2Y12 reaction unit levels, classifying them how poor metabolizer. The prevalence of reduced CLO effectiveness was associated with the presence of CYP2C19*2 polymorphism among Mexican patients. Conclusion: The presence of the CYP2C19*2 allele is related to resistance to the antiplatelet effect of CLO (p = 0.003).

Objetivo: Los antiplaquetarios orales son clave en la farmacoterapia moderna de las enfermedades aterotrombóticas cardiovasculares. Clopidogrel (CLO) constituye el principal tratamiento preventivo de aterotrombosis (AT). Sin embargo, se ha documentado una considerable variación interindividual en la respuesta a CLO, lo que da como resultado una terapia subóptima y mayor riesgo de efectos adversos en algunos pacientes. La enzima CYP2C19 es la isoforma CYP que activa CLO a su metabolito activo. Se han identificado varios polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido en el gen CYP2C19 como fuertes predictores de respuesta farmacológica alterada a CLO. Al menos 16 variantes se han asociado con cambios en la actividad de CYP2C19. Método: Se reclutaron un total de 102 sujetos con alto riesgo cardiovascular del noreste de México, con dosis de mantenimiento de 75 mg de CLO/día. La reactividad plaquetaria se midió con el ensayo Verify Now P2Y12, la presencia de CYP2C19*2 se identificó mediante polymerase chain reaction en tiempo real. Resultado: Los pacientes fueron clasificados por el estado metabolizador CYP2C19*2 utilizando nomenclatura consenso, como metabolizador normal (G/G), metabolizador intermedio (G/A) y metabolizador pobre (A/A), respectivamente. La frecuencia del fenotipo para CYP2C19*2 fue 74.5% (G/G), 21.6% (G/A) y 3.9% (A/A). Los sujetos con alelo A presentaron ≥235 niveles P2Y12 reaction unit, clasificándolos como metabolizadores deficientes. La prevalencia de eficacia reducida a CLO se asoció con la presencia del polimorfismo CYP2C19*2 en pacientes mexicanos. Conclusiones: La presencia del alelo CYP2C19*2 se relaciona con resistencia al efecto antiagregante plaquetario del CLO (p = 0.003).

Association of CYP2C19*2 polymorphism with clopidogrel resistance among patients with high cardiovascular risk in Northeastern Mexico / Asociación del polimorfismo CYP2C19*2 con resistencia a clopidogrel en pacientes con alto riesgo cardiovascular en el noreste de México

abstract Objective: Oral antiplatelet drugs are a key to modern pharmacotherapy in cardiovascular atherothrombotic diseases. Clopidogrel (CLO) constitutes the main preventive treatment of atherothrombosis. However, a considerable inter-individual variation in CLO response has been documented, resulting in suboptimal therapy and an increased risk of recurrent adverse effects in some patients. The enzyme CYP2C19 has been reported to be the CYP isoform that activates CLO to its active metabolite. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP2C19 gene have been identified as strong predictors of CLO-impaired pharmacological response. At least 16 variants have been associated with changes in CYP2C19 activity. Materials and Methods: The following research was composed of a total of 102 subjects with high cardiovascular risk in the northeast of Mexico, with a maintenance dose of 75 mg of CLO per day. The platelet reactivity was measured with VerifyNow P2Y12 assay, while the presence of CYP2C19*2 was identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Patients were categorized by CYP2C19 metabolizer status based on *2 genotypes using the common consensus star allele nomenclature as normal metabolizer (G/G), intermediate metabolizer (G/A), and poor metabolizer (A/A), respectively. The phenotype frequency for CYP2C19*2 was 74.5% (G/G), 21.6% (G/A), and 3.9% (A/A). The subjects with the A allele presented ≥235 P2Y12 reaction unit levels, classifying them how poor metabolizer. The prevalence of reduced CLO effectiveness was associated with the presence of CYP2C19*2 polymorphism among Mexican patients. Conclusion: The presence of the CYP2C19*2 allele is related to resistance to the antiplatelet effect of CLO (p = 0.003).

Resumen Objetivo: Los antiplaquetarios orales son clave en la farmacoterapia moderna de las enfermedades aterotrombóticas cardiovasculares. Clopidogrel (CLO) constituye el principal tratamiento preventivo de aterotrombosis (AT). Sin embargo, se ha documentado una considerable variación interindividual en la respuesta a CLO, lo que da como resultado una terapia subóptima y mayor riesgo de efectos adversos en algunos pacientes. La enzima CYP2C19 es la isoforma CYP que activa CLO a su metabolito activo. Se han identificado varios polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido en el gen CYP2C19 como fuertes predictores de respuesta farmacológica alterada a CLO. Al menos 16 variantes se han asociado con cambios en la actividad de CYP2C19. Método: Se reclutaron un total de 102 sujetos con alto riesgo cardiovascular del noreste de México, con dosis de mantenimiento de 75 mg de CLO/día. La reactividad plaquetaria se midió con el ensayo Verify Now P2Y12, la presencia de CYP2C19*2 se identificó mediante polymerase chain reaction en tiempo real. Resultado: Los pacientes fueron clasificados por el estado metabolizador CYP2C19*2 utilizando nomenclatura consenso, como metabolizador normal (G/G), metabolizador intermedio (G/A) y metabolizador pobre (A/A), respectivamente. La frecuencia del fenotipo para CYP2C19*2 fue 74.5% (G/G), 21.6% (G/A) y 3.9% (A/A). Los sujetos con alelo A presentaron ≥235 niveles P2Y12 reaction unit, clasificándolos como metabolizadores deficientes. La prevalencia de eficacia reducida a CLO se asoció con la presencia del polimorfismo CYP2C19*2 en pacientes mexicanos. Conclusiones: La presencia del alelo CYP2C19*2 se relaciona con resistencia al efecto antiagregante plaquetario del CLO (p = 0.003).

Association between emergency department length of stay and adverse perioperative outcomes in emergency surgery: a cohort study in two Colombian University hospitals.

BACKGROUND: In low- and middle-income countries emergency surgery represents a higher proportion of the total number of surgeries and is associated with greater morbidity/mortality. Study aims were to determine if emergency department length of stay (ED-LOS) was associated with adverse perioperative outcomes and if such association varied across patient's risk categories. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of adult patients who underwent orthopedic or abdominal emergency surgery at two Colombian University hospitals. The population comprised a mix of a representative sample of eligible cases, with unselected patients (2/3), enriched with a high-risk subset (1/3). ED-LOS was defined as the interval between emergency department arrival and surgery start time. Our primary outcome was an adverse perioperative outcome during hospitalization, which was a composite of in-hospital mortality or severe complications such as major cardiovascular adverse events, infection, renal failure and bleeding. RESULTS: Among 1487 patients analyzed, there were 519 adverse perioperative outcomes including 150 deaths. In the unselected sample (n = 998) 17.9% of patients presented an adverse perioperative outcome with a mortality of 4.9%. The median ED-LOS was 24.6 (IQR 12.5-53.2) hours. ED-LOS was associated with age, comorbidities and known risk factors for 30-day mortality. Patients developing an adverse perioperative outcome started surgery 27.1 h later than their counterparts. Prolonged ED-LOS increased the risk of an adverse perioperative outcome in patients without risk factors (covariate-adjusted OR = 2.52), while having 1-2 or 3+ risk factors was negatively associated (OR = 0.87 and 0.72, respectively, p < 0.001 for the interaction). CONCLUSION: Prolonged ED-LOS is associated with increased adverse perioperative outcome for patients without risk factors for mortality, but seems protective and medically justified for more complex cases.

PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO ORTHOPOXVIRUS IN WILD CARNIVORES OF NORTHWESTERN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO.

The distribution of orthopoxviruses (OPXVs) across the North American continent is suggested to be widespread in a wide range of mammalian hosts on the basis of serosurveillance studies. To address the question of whether carnivores in northwestern Mexico are exposed to naturally circulating OPXVs, wild carnivores were collected by live trapping within four different habitat types during fall of 2013 and spring of 2014 within the Janos Biosphere Reserve in northwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. A total of 51 blood samples was collected for testing. Anti-OPXV immunoglobulin G enzymelinked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) assays were conducted. About 47% (24/51) of the carnivores tested were seropositive for anti-OPXV binding antibodies and had presence of immunodominant bands indicative of OPXV infection. All samples tested were negative for rabies virus neutralizing antibodies by RFFIT, suggesting that the OPXV antibodies were due to circulating OPXV, and not from exposure to oral rabies vaccine (vacciniavectored rabies glycoprotein vaccine) bait distributed along the US-Mexico border. Our results indicated that there may be one or more endemic OPXV circulating within six species of carnivores in northwestern Mexico.

Corrigendum to "Caffeine's Vascular Mechanisms of Action".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2010/834060.].

Efecto del ejercicio aeróbico en la rigidez vascular en una población sana / Effect of aerobic exercise in vascular stiffness in healthy population

Resumen Introducción: Un estilo de vida saludable es determinante para la salud cardiovascular. Existe controversia en los efectos vasculares benéficos del ejercicio físico. Objetivo: Evaluar el comportamiento de los parámetros de rigidez vascular en una población sana que practica ejercicio aeróbico rutinario en comparación con una población sana sedentaria. Métodos: Estudio de 32 sujetos sanos, pareados por edad y sexo: 12 hombres y 20 mujeres (46,3 ± 9,7 años), en el cual se evaluaron y compararon los parámetros de rigidez arterial (presión sistólica y diastólica braquial, índices de aumentación braquial y central, velocidad de onda de pulso, presión sistólica y diastólica central, y presión de pulso braquial y central). Las mediciones se hicieron con el método no invasivo-oscilométrico, Arteriograph® (TensioMed Budapest Hungría, Ltd.). Resultados: Se compararon los parámetros de rigidez arterial entre los dos grupos (16 sujetos activos vs. 16 sedentarios), y se encontraron diferencias significativas en los siguientes: frecuencia cardiaca de 53,25 ± 8,0 lpm vs. 59,75± 8,6 lpm (p = 0,034), presión arterial diastólica braquial de 70,0 (4,5) mm Hg vs. 77,5 (8,3) mm Hg (p = 0,043), presión arterial diastólica central de 70,0 (4,5) mm Hg vs. 77,5 (8,1) mm Hg (p = 0,043) y velocidad de onda de pulso de 6,70 (1,1) m/s vs. 7,75 (1,1) m/s (p = 0,001). Conclusiones: La actividad física aeróbica rutinaria tiene un efecto benéfico sobre la rigidez vascular en una población sana, a expensas de una disminución significativa de la velocidad de onda de pulso, la frecuencia cardiaca y la presión arterial diastólica (braquial y central). Estos hallazgos ayudan a explicar los beneficios del ejercicio aeróbico sobre el sistema cardiovascular.

Abstract Introduction: A healthy lifestyle is key for cardiovascular health. There is controversy about beneficial vascular effects of physical exercise. Motivation: To assess the behaviour of vascular stiffness parametres in a healthy population group that practices routine aerobic exercise in comparison with another group of healthy population with a sedentary lifestyle. Methods: Study of 32 healthy individuals, paired according to age and gender: 12 men and 20 women (46.3±9.7 years old); the study assessed and compared arterial stiffness parametres (brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressure, brachial and central augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, central systolic and diastolic blood pressure and brachial and central pulse pressure).Measurements were conducted using the noninvasive oscillometric method Arteriograph® (TensioMed Budapest Hungary, Ltd.). Results: Arterial stiffness parametres were compared between both groups (16 active individuals vs. 16 sedentary ones), and the following significant differences were found: heart rate 53.25 ± 8.0 bpm vs. 59.75 ± 8.6 bpm (p = 0.034), brachial diastolic blood pressure of 70.0 (4.5) mmHg vs. 77.5 (8.3) mmHg (p = 0.043), central diastolic blood pressure of 70.0 (4.5) mmHg vs. 77.5 (8.1) mmHg (p = 0.043) and pulse wave velocity of 6.70 (1.1) m/s vs. 7.75 (1.1) m/s (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Routine aerobic exercise has a beneficial effect on vascular stiffness in a healthy population group, at the expense of a significant decrease in pulse wave velocity, heart rate and diastolic blood pressure (both brachial and central). These findings help explain the benefits of aerobic exercise on the cardiovascular system.

Single and multi-component adsorptive removal of bisphenol A and 2,4-dichlorophenol from aqueous solutions with transition metal modified inorganic-organic pillared clay composites: Effect of pH and presence of humic acid.

Pillared clay based composites containing transition metals and a surfactant, namely MAlOr-NaBt (Bt=bentonite; Or=surfactant; M=Ni(2+), Cu(2+)or Co(2+)), were prepared to study selectivity and capacity toward single and multiple-component adsorption of bisphenol A (BPA) and 2,4-diclorophenol (DCP) from water. Tests were also performed to account for the presence of natural organic matter in the form of humic acid (HA). Equilibrium adsorption capacities for single components increased as follows: NaBt

Primary reciprocity-based method for calibration of hydrophone magnitude and phase sensitivity: complete tests at frequencies from 1 to 7 MHz.

A primary reciprocity-based method for calibration of hydrophone magnitude and phase sensitivity is proposed. The method starts determining the transmit transfer function of an auxiliary transducer, based on the self-reciprocity method and using a stainless steel cylinder as reflecting target. Afterwards, the hydrophone, to be calibrated, is positioned facing the auxiliary transducer. The pressure field waveform, calculated at the hydrophone spot and based on the transmit transfer function of an auxiliary transducer, is used together with the output end of cable voltage waveform signal from the hydrophone to yield the calibrated hydrophone sensitivity. The method was tested with two similar membrane hydrophones, at frequencies within the 1.0-7.0 MHz range, in steps of 1.0 MHz. Results for magnitude sensitivity agree, within a confidence level of 95%, with those from previous calibration of same hydrophones at the National Physical Laboratory, in the UK (Enor⩽1.0). Phase sensitivity results agree with literature reported ones concerning the achieved uncertainty. Additionally, the phase sensitivities measured at 5.0 MHz for two similar hydrophones and employing two distinct auxiliary transducers presented no statistical significant difference. The method yielded a relative expanded uncertainty (p=0.95) for the sensitivity magnitude ranging between 6.6 and 7.0%, and an expanded uncertainty (p=0.95) ranging between 12° and 17° for the phase sensitivity. The results obtained so far lead to conclude that the proposed hydrophone calibration method is a validated alternative to the different existing methods.

Synthesis and characterization of palladium and palladium-cobalt nanoparticles on Vulcan XC-72R for the oxygen reduction reaction.

A single-source approach was used to synthesize bimetallic nanoparticles on a high-surface-area carbon-support surface. The synthesis of palladium and palladium-cobalt nanoparticles on carbon black (Vulcan XC-72R) by chemical and thermal reduction using organometallic complexes as precursors is described. The electrocatalysts studied were Pd/C, Pd2Co/C, and PdCo2/C. The nanoparticles composition and morphology were characterized using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer (ICP-MS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and methanol tolerance in oxygen-saturated acid solution were determined. The bimetallic catalyst on carbon support synthetized by thermal reduction of the Pd2Co precursor has ORR electrocatalytic activity and a higher methanol tolerance than a Pt/C catalyst.

Transition metal modified and partially calcined inorganic-organic pillared clays for the adsorption of salicylic acid, clofibric acid, carbamazepine, and caffeine from water.

Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are considered emerging contaminants, and their efficient removal from water is going to be a challenging endeavor. Microporous adsorbent materials, including pillared clays, could offer a potential solution if tailored properly. Although pillared clays have been employed previously for the removal of organics, the effective removal of PPCPs will only be possible if their surface and textural properties are manipulated from the bottom-up. This work presents the use of modified inorganic-organic pillared clays (IOCs) for the adsorption of salicylic acid, clofibric acid, carbamazepine, and caffeine. The IOCs have been modified with Co(2+), Cu(2+), or Ni(2+) to induce complexation-like adsorbate-adsorbent interactions at ambient conditions, in an attempt to provide an efficient and yet reversible driving force in the sub-ppm concentration range. Furthermore, the IOCs were partially calcined to increase effective surface area by an order of magnitude while preserving some hydrophobicity. In general, the Ni(2+) IOCs exhibited the greatest interaction with salicylic and clofibric acids, respectively, while the Co(2+) adsorbents excelled at adsorbing caffeine at low concentrations. All of the metal-modified IOCs showed comparable adsorption capacities for the case of carbamazepine, probably due to the lack of availability of particular functional groups in this adsorbate.

Kinetics of the inflammatory response in subcutaneous cysticercosis induced in mice by Taenia crassiceps.

The larval stage of Taenia crassiceps has been used to study human cysticercosis as these larvae have antigenic similarity to the cysticerci of Taenia solium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological and immunological changes that followed the inoculation of T. crassiceps cysticerci into the subcutaneous tissue of C57BL/6 mice. Microscopically, granulomas formed of neutrophils and macrophages developed at the sites of inoculation. The serum concentration of the cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ increased throughout the course of infection, while the serum concentration of interleukin-4 increased during the period of transition from the initial phase (7-30 days postinoculation [dpi]) to the late phase (60-90 dpi) of infection. Destruction of the parasite therefore appears to be associated with an increase in IFN-γ, suggesting that a type 1 immune response is important in the control of the parasite.

Clinical characteristics of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a tropical country: a Brazilian experience.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical variants, outcomes, and prognosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in a Brazilian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data of 149 cases of GBS diagnosed from 1994 to 2007 were analyzed. RESULTS: Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) was the most frequent variant (81.8%) of GBS, followed by acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) (14.7%) and acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) (3.3%). The incidence of GBS was 0.3/100,000 for the state of Rio Grande do Norte and cases occurred at a younger age. GBS was preceded by infections, with the axonal variant associated with episodes of diarrheas (P = 0.025). Proximal weakness was more frequent in AIDP, and distal weakness predominant in the axonal variant. Compared to 42.4% of cases with AIDP (P < 0.0001), 84.6% of cases with the axonal variant had nadir in <10 days. Individuals with the axonal variant took longer to recover deambulation (P < 0.0001). The mortality of GBS was 5.3%. CONCLUSION: A predominance of the AIDP variant was seen, and the incidence of the disease decreased with age. As expected, the distribution of weakness correlated with the clinical variants, and individuals with the axonal variant had a poorer prognosis.

GABAA receptors mediate motoneuron tonic inhibition in the turtle spinal cord.

GABA(A) receptors mediating tonic inhibitory currents are present in neurons from hippocampus, cerebellum, sensory cortex and thalamus. These receptors located at peri- and extra-synaptic sites are constituted mainly by α(4/6) and α(5) subunits which confer them high affinity for GABA and low desensitization. Immunohistochemical and in vitro hybridization studies have shown the expression of these subunits, while functional studies have reported the presence of GABAergic tonic currents in spinal dorsal horn neurons. However, the presence of this inhibitory current has not been documented in motoneurons. In addition, we previously reported that the monosynaptic reflex is facilitated by furosemide, an antagonist of the α(4/6) GABA(A) receptors, without affecting the dorsal root potential, which suggests the presence of a GABAergic tonic inhibitory current in motoneurons. The aim of this work was to investigate the presence of high affinity GABA(A) receptors in motoneurons. By intracellular recordings made with sharp electrodes and the whole-cell patch clamp recording technique we show here that the membrane input resistance and the monosynaptic excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSPs) are significantly increased by bicuculline. Likewise, the depression of the EPSPs and the input membrane resistance normally induced by muscimol was partially reverted by 20 µM bicuculline and abolished when the concentration of the antagonist was raised to 100 µM. Last, bicuculline at low concentration did not affect the holding current as occur with the high concentration that block the tonic inhibitory GABAergic current. Together these results suggest that the excitability in motoneurons may be tonically inhibited by high affinity GABA(A) receptors.

Sorption study of toluene and xylene in aqueous solutions by recycled tires crumb rubber.

Sorption of toluene and xylene by tire crumb rubber (TCR) and its main components: carbon black (CB) and styrene-butadiene polymer (SBP) were evaluated. The 12 starting concentrations of adsorbates in aqueous solutions ranged from 0.05 mg/L to 100.0mg/L. The amounts of CB and SBP used in the sorption tests were determined considering their typical contents in tire crumb rubber (30% and 60% w/w, respectively). Freundlich's isotherms and Scatchard plot parameters suggested a two-step sorption process when TCR was used as the sorbent; whereas a single-step route was apparent when the sorption experiments were carried out with CB or SBP. Freundlich's n parameter was estimated at 0.65 for CB and 1.0 for both TCR and SBP. A removal of 60% of toluene and 81% of xylene from starting 50 ppm solutions was attained in the first 30 minutes of contact using 5 g/L of TCR.

Caffeine's Vascular Mechanisms of Action.

Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulating substance in the world. It is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and many medications. Caffeine is a xanthine with various effects and mechanisms of action in vascular tissue. In endothelial cells, it increases intracellular calcium stimulating the production of nitric oxide through the expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme. Nitric oxide is diffused to the vascular smooth muscle cell to produce vasodilation. In vascular smooth muscle cells its effect is predominantly a competitive inhibition of phosphodiesterase, producing an accumulation of cAMP and vasodilation. In addition, it blocks the adenosine receptors present in the vascular tissue to produce vasoconstriction. In this paper the main mechanisms of action of caffeine on the vascular tissue are described, in which it is shown that caffeine has some cardiovascular properties and effects which could be considered beneficial.

Response to vaccination with a commercial inactivated rabies vaccine in a captive colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis).

A captive colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) was vaccinated with a commercial monovalent inactivated rabies virus (RABV) vaccine (RABVAC 1). Baseline rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (VNA) and the response to vaccination were measured in 50 bats. Rabies VNA was detected in the plasma of 64% (27/42) of bats that had been vaccinated 1 yr prior, but only 19% (8/42) had levels considered adequate. Rabies VNA was detected in the plasma of 63% (5/8) of bats with no record of previous vaccination, suggesting natural RABV exposure before captivity. All bats demonstrated a VNA response by 10 days postvaccination, and baseline titer significantly predicted humoral response to vaccination. No adverse reactions to vaccination or clinical signs of RABV infection were observed in the bats during a 6-mo observation period. Annual vaccination may maintain immunity against RABV infection in captive colonies of bats. Bat, rabies virus, Tadarida brasiliensis, vaccination, virus neutralizing antibodies.