Effects of sleep loss on sleep architecture in Wistar rats: gender-specific rebound sleep

This study was designed to examine the influence of gender on sleep rebound architecture after a 4-day paradoxical sleep deprivation period. After a 5-day baseline sleep recording, both male and female rats in different phases of the estrus cycle were submitted to paradoxical sleep deprivation for 96 h. After this period, the sleep rebound recording was evaluated for 5 days (one estrus cycle). The findings revealed that after paradoxical sleep deprivation, sleep efficiency and paradoxical sleep returned to baseline values on the second day of the light period, for all except the proestrus group. During the dark rebound period, only the female groups presented increased sleep efficiency on the first day. Paradoxical sleep returned to baseline values on the third day, except for males and the cycling females submitted to paradoxical sleep deprivation in the diestrus phase, whose baseline values returned to normal on the second day of rebound period. Thus, the females and males displayed distinct patterns as a result of sleep disruption.     

Toxicity evaluation of three pesticides on non-target aquatic and soil organisms: commercial formulation versus active ingredient

The Ecological Risk Assessment of pesticides requires data regarding their toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial non-target species. Such requirements concern active ingredient(s), generally not considering the noxious potential of commercial formulations. This work intends to contribute with novel information on the effects of short-term exposures to two herbicides, with different modes of action (Spasor^®, Stam Novel Flo 480^®), and an insecticide (Lannate^®), as well as to corresponding active ingredients (Glyphosate, Propanil and Methomyl, respectively). The microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (growth inhibition), the cladoceran Daphnia magna (immobilisation), and the earthworm Eisenia andrei (avoidance behaviour) were used as test species. Both herbicides were innocuous to all test organisms at environmentally realistic concentrations, except for Stam and Propanil (highly toxic for Pseudokirchneriella; moderately toxic to Daphnia). Lannate and Methomyl were highly toxic to Daphnia and caused Eisenia to significantly avoid the spiked soil at realistic application rates. The toxicity of formulations either overestimated (e.g. Stam/Propanil for P. subcapitata) or underestimated (e.g. Stam/Propanil for D. magna) that of the active ingredient.     

Rolandic encephalopathy and epilepsia partialis continua following bone marrow transplant

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a condition defined by prolonged focal myoclonus. Often resistant to therapy, EPC in children is frequently present in Rasmussen encephalitis, a form of chronic encephalitis of uncertain etiology. We discuss a child who developed bilateral EPC 5 months after a bone marrow transplant. Neuroimaging studies showed signal abnormalities on both sensory-motor areas. An extensive search failed to reveal the etiology of the disorder, but treatment with a broad-spectrum anti-viral agent was associated with resolution of the process. An unidentified infectious agent may be responsible for an encephalitis of the motor strip in immunosuppressed patients.     

Quality management: its use in nursing

The Quality Management has been used and it is a reality in the hospitals. Thus the authors comment about its importance for Nursing and analyse its utilization in a Nursing Service of a private hospital, with purpose to evaluate the implementation form, nurses' involvement and the Deming' Principles application. Data show that the implementation has brought good results, nurses are engaged in the process and the Deming's Principles have been utilized, adequate or inadequately.     

Spontaneous abortion following mid-trimester amniocentesis. Clinical significance of placental perforation and blood-stained amniotic fluid

Summary. The clinical significance of placental perforation and bloodstained amniotic fluid was studied in a group of 7238 Danish women undergoing mid-trimester amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis under ultrasound guidance. The risk of spontaneous abortion was significantly increased both in pregnancies where the placenta was perforated and in those with blood-stained amniotic fluid. The risk estimate nearly doubled after placental perforation and more than doubled with a bloody tap. It is concluded that for women at relatively low risk of a fetal genetic abnormality, the indication of the amniocentesis should be reconsidered if a placental perforation is unavoidable.     

Expression of nitric oxide synthases and in vitro migration of eosinophils from allergic rhinitis subjects

The expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthases and the role of the NO cyclic GMP pathway on the migration of eosinophils from untreated patients with allergic rhinitis were investigated. Inducible NO synthase was strongly expressed in eosinophils from healthy individuals, but not in eosinophils from allergic rhinitis patients. The neuronal isoform was observed in eosinophils from each group studied, whereas no staining for the endothelial isoform was detected in either group. The chemotaxis to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP, 5 x 10(-7) M) and eotaxin (100 ng/ml) was significantly potentiated in allergic rhinitis eosinophils. In both groups, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 1.0 mM) or 1H(1,2,4)-oxadiazolo(4,3,-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 0.2 mM) markedly reduced the chemotaxis. The selective iNOS inhibitor N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine (1400 W, 0.1-1.0 mM) significantly reduced the chemotaxis of eosinophils from healthy but not from allergic rhinitis subjects. The inhibition by L-NAME was restored by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine, whereas the inhibition by ODQ was restored by dibutyryl cyclic GMP. In conclusion, both endothelial and inducible NO synthase isoforms are absent in allergic rhinitis eosinophils, suggesting that the NO cyclic GMP pathway in this cell type is maintained through the activity of a neuronal isoform.     

Models for neuro-oncological preclinical studies: solid orthotopic and heterotopic grafts of human gliomas into nude mice

To study the optimum therapeutic modalities for treating human malignant brain tumors in vivo without ethical limitations, a model of heterotopic and another of orthotopic xenografting into nude mice were developed. For the first implantation, 11 human high-grade gliomas and 4 low-grade tumors were microsurgically grafted on epigastric vessels. The 11 high-grade gliomas, but no low-grade tumors, were established into nude mice. Afterwards, all these mouse-adapted gliomas which grafted into other nude mice developed. Introduction of a microcatheter into the femoral artery or vein permitted infusion for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and treatment. A bladder catheter setting and electrode implantation allowed urine sampling and ECG or EEG recording. Thus, the most important parameters of chemo- and radiotherapy to destroy a maximum number of malignant cells or to inhibit their divisions and the hosts reactions to treatment can be studied. The human gliomas transplanted onto the mouse brain infiltrated the host brain at great distances from the tumor, as in human patients. So, this second implantation constitutes a representative model of the evolution of human gliomas, and allows the study of malignant cell migration in the brain before, during and after treatment determined with the heterotopic model and to appreciate the tolerance of the colonized brain to these treatments. Echography and MRI allowed us to follow the macroscopic evolution with or without treatment of the malignant brain tumors transplanted onto mouse brains. It should now be possible to undertake the same clinical studies on patients after appropriate consideration of ethical and scientific constraints.     

Cerebral trypanosomiasis and AIDS

A 36 year-old black female, complaining of headache of one month's duration presented with nausea, vomiting, somnolence, short memory problems, loss of weight, and no fever history. Smoker, intravenous drugs abuser, promiscuous lifestyle. Physical examination: left homonimous hemianopsia, left hemiparesis, no papilledema, diffuse hyperreflexia, slowness of movements. Brain CT scan: tumor-like lesion in the splenium of the corpus calosum, measuring 3.5 x 1.4 cm, with heterogeneous enhancing pattern, suggesting a primary CNS tumor. Due to the possibility of CNS infection, a lumbar puncture disclosed an opening pressure of 380 mmH(2)0; 11 white cells (lymphocytes); glucose 18 mg/dl (serum glucose 73 mg/dl); proteins 139 mg/dl; presence of Trypanosoma parasites. Serum Elisa-HIV tests turned out to be positive. Treatment with benznidazole dramatically improved clinical and radiographic picture, but the patient died 6 weeks later because of respiratory failure. T. cruzi infection of the CNS is a rare disease, but we have an increasing number of cases in HIV immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis by direct observation of CSF is uncommon, and most of the cases are diagnosed by pathological examination. It is a highly lethal disease, even when properly diagnosed and treated. This article intends to include cerebral trypanosomiasis in the differential diagnosis of intracranial space-occupying lesions, especially in immunocompromised patients from endemic regions.     

Diagnostic use of 3 techniques for identification of microsporidian spores among AIDS patients in Portugal

The calcofluor stain (CF), the monoclonal antibody (MAb) 3B6 indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and the modified trichrome blue stain (MT) were compared in terms of their reproducibility in a routine laboratory and in order to evaluate the percentage of cases of microsporidiosis in Portuguese HIV patients. A total of 166 faeces samples, 71 pulmonary specimens and 43 urine samples were studied using the 3 techniques. CF had a high sensitivity and a moderate specificity when applied to faeces samples. The sensitivity was lower with pulmonary specimens. The method is easy and quick to perform but readings take a long time to obtain. The MAb 3B6 IFA had a good to excellent sensitivity when applied to faeces and urine samples, but moderate sensitivity in pulmonary specimens. Readings were quick and easy to obtain, but the assay took longer to perform than the other 2 techniques. There was a greater correlation between the results obtained with the MT and MAb 3B6 IFA techniques than between those obtained with the MT and CF techniques. In conclusion, the MT performed better than the MAb 3B6 IFA and CF and continues to have an important place in a routine laboratory for the diagnosis of microsporidiosis. This work also confirms the existence of a relatively high proportion (30%) of cases of infection with Microsporidia, especially intestinal microsporidiosis, in HIV patients in Portugal.