First record of the fruit fly parasitoid Doryctobracon crawfordi (Viereck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Brazil.

Doryctobracon crawfordi (Viereck) was recorded in the states of Amapá and Roraima, Brazil. This is also the first time that this parasitoid is associated with Anastrepha atrigona Hendel from Geissospermum argenteum.

Complex I function in familial and sporadic dystonia.

A significant proportion of patients with inborn errors of the mitochondrial respiratory chain exhibit movement disorders, particularly dystonia. Point mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are usually expressed systemically, and defects of platelet respiratory chain function have been described in patients with mtDNA mutations and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Recent reports have documented families with dystonia in association with LHON and mtDNA complex I gene mutations. We have examined mitochondrial function in platelet mitochondria from patients with familial generalized dystonia (linked or not linked to 9q34) and sporadic focal dystonia. We confirm a previous report of a specific complex I defect in patients with sporadic focal dystonia but could not find any abnormality in patients with familial generalized dystonia, linked or not to 9q34. These results support the existence of a mitochondrial deficiency in sporadic focal dystonia and provide a biochemical dimension to the clinical and genetic distinction between focal and generalized familial dystonia.

Correlation between human platelet cytoplasmic membrane outer leaflet fluidity, Na+/H+ exchanger activity and aging.

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to study the aging effect on platelet cytoplasmic membrane outer leaflet fluidity and Na+/H+ antiporter activity, and to investigate the relative influence of membrane order and age on the Na+/H+ exchanger. The study population consisted of 19 healthy subjects (age range 22-83 years, mean age 48.5 +/- 16.5 years; 12 females and 7 males). Washed platelets were used as neuronal models and as eventually contributing to brain pathology by aberrant secretion of their granule content. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) was found between age and the membrane structural order, according to a second-degree equation. Sewall-Wright path coefficient analysis revealed that the age influence on Na+/H+ exchanger activity was unimportant (0.18), but those of cytoplasmic membrane outer leaflet fluidity and mean platelet volume were strong and positive (0.51 and 0.54, respectively). Women presented a marked standard deviation in the countertransporter results. In conclusion, decreased membrane outer leaflet fluidity and unchanged Na+/H+ antiporter activity may contribute to the process of normal brain aging.