Parameters from the community of leaf-litter frogs from Estação Ecológica Estadual Paraíso, Guapimirim, Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil

We studied the leaf-litter frog community of Esta??o Ecológica Estadual Paraíso, in Guapimirim, Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Herein we combined three sampling methods (large plots, visual encounter surveys and pit-fall traps) to present data on species composition, richness, relative abundance and densities. The local assemblage of frogs associated to the leaf-litter was composed by 14 species, belonging to nine families. Haddadus binotatus, a direct-developing frog, was the most abundant species in the community. The estimated density of the local leaf-litter frog assemblage based on plot sampling was 4.3 frogs/100 m(2). Haddadus binotatus had the highest density (1.1 ind/100 m(2)). Frogs were predominantly found at night. Thoropa miliaris had the largest values of SVL (39.0 ± 10.3 mm), whereas the smallest species were Euparkerella brasiliensis (16.7 ± 2.2 mm) and E. cochranae (16.0 ± 2.7 mm). Rhinella ornata had the highest mean body mass (12.1 ± 7.5 g), and E. cochranae the lowest (0.4 ± 0.2 g). The overall frog mass was 938.6 g/ha. Our data support that higher densities of leaf-litter frogs tend to occur in the Neotropical region compared to the OldWorld tropics, tending to be higher in Central America than in South America.     

In vitro susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. to dithiocarbamate organoruthenium compounds

The in vitro antifungal activity of ruthenium dithiocarbamate compounds ( 1 – 5 ) was investigated and assessed for its activity against seven different species of Aspergillus (Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nomius, Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus terreus). Analysis of in vitro susceptibility was performed using broth microdilution assay following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines for filamentous fungi. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Aspergillus clavatus and A. fumigatus were more susceptible species for complexes 1 and 2 . Other complexes showed excellent minimum inhibitory concentration (4–64 μg ml^?1) against most microorganisms. Complexes 1 and 2 are respectively 180‐ and 95‐fold more active than the corresponding free ligands against A. clavatus and the complex 5 is 46‐fold more active than free ligand against A. niger. Aspergillus niger was more susceptible to the action of the complexes 1 and 5 (16 μg ml^?1). A low cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ > 10^?6 mol l^?1) on normal mammalian cells (BHK‐21) to the evaluated complexes was measured. Ruthenium complexes are promising antifungal agents against the development of novel effective drug against different species of Aspergillus; however, for A. nomius and A. terreus, they were not active in the highest concentration tested.     

Secondary PSF/TFE3-associated renal cell carcinoma in a child treated for genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma

Xp11.2 translocation-associated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a rare tumor that accounts for at least one-third of childhood RCC. Different reports have emphasized that previous radio/chemotherapy might be involved in its pathogenesis. We describe a child who developed a t(X;1)(p11.2;p34) associated RCC after previous treatment for genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma in infancy. The presence of the PSF-TFE3 fusion has only been described in a very limited number of cases. Our report expands the spectrum of tumors in which RCC can arise in the pediatric age group after chemotherapy.     

Central mechanisms involved in pilocarpine-induced pressor response

The combination of functional brain imaging with measurement of peripheral autonomic responses in humans can provide insight into the embodiment of mental processes and the integration of cognition and emotion with changes in somatic physiology. Initial studies in healthy people and patents validate inferences from more detailed animal experiments regarding the organization of central autonomic control. In particular these have illustrated the coupling of behaviour with sympathetic arousal. Over the last two decades, the growth of emotional neuroscience alongside advances in functional brain imaging has fuelled investigations of relationships between perception, feeling states, somatic and autonomic bodily reactions. These studies have driven a more mechanistic understanding of brain systems through which bodily state is regulated and modified to support adaptive behaviour. In parallel, they have enabled the application of human neuroimaging to autonomic neuroscience. Specific methodological challenges are posed by combining physiological recordings with neuroimaging techniques, particularly functional magnetic resonance brain imaging, which are nevertheless addressable. Using such methods, the neural correlates of dynamic autonomic control has been systematically examined in studies of healthy individuals and patients with specific autonomic dysfunction (including autonomic failure, autonomic (neurally) mediated syncope and the postural tachycardia syndrome). These studies reveal antagonistic interaction of systems underpinning autonomic cardiovascular control (involving mid and subgenual cingulate cortices) and partial organ-specificity of other axes of autonomic response. Current and anticipated technical advances, including the integration of autonomically-focused microneurography and neural stimulation with advanced neuroimaging, will continue to provide detailed insight into dynamics of autonomic control. Translating these insights into clinical benefits remains a priority.     

Sleep restriction during pregnancy: hypertension and renal abnormalities in young offspring rats

Study Objectives:

Because the maternal environment can affect several physiological functions of the newborn, the aim of the present study was to examine the impact of sleep restriction during pregnancy on renal morphology and function in young offspring.

Design:

Female 3-month-old Wistar rats were divided in 2 experimental groups: C (control) and SR (sleep restriction between the 14th and 20th day of pregnancy). Pregnancy was confirmed by vaginal smear. SR females were subjected to sleep restriction by the multiple platform technique for 20 h daily. After birth, only male litters (6 for each mother) were selected and designated OC (offspring from C) and OSR (offspring from SR). At 2 months of age, blood pressure (BP) was measured by tail plethysmography; at 3 months the renal plasma flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), glomerular area, and number of glomeruli per mm³ were evaluated.

Measurements and Results:

Offspring from SR had higher systolic blood pressure than OC. In this group (OSR), we also observed significant increase in RPF and GFR, enlarged glomeruli diameter, and reduced number of glomeruli per mm³ of renal tissue.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that sleep restriction during pregnancy is able to modify renal development, resulting in morphologic and functional alterations in young offspring.

Citation:

Thomal JT; Palma BD; Ponzio BF; Franco MCP; Zaladek-Gil F; Fortes ZB; Tufik S; Gomes GN. Sleep restriction during pregnancy: hypertension and renal abnormalities in young offspring rats. SLEEP 2010;33(10):1357-1362.