Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the South American opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) from the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 396 opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) from the city of S?o Paulo, Brazil. Antibodies to N. caninum were assayed using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies (IFAT, approximately 1:25) to N. caninum were found in 84 opossums (D. marsupialis) in titers of 1:25 in 46, 1:50 in 20, 1:100 in 17, and 1:400 in 1. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the IFAT. Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT, approximately 1:25) were found in 82 (20.4%) of the 396 opossums, in titers of 1:25 in 24, 1:50 in 26, 1:100 in 18, 1:200 in 13, and 1:800 in 1. The IFAT antibodies to T. gondii were found in 148 of 396 opossums, in titers of 1:16 in 41, 1:32 in 23, 1:64 in 13, 1:128 in 6, 1:256 in 20, 1:512 in 17, 1:1,024 in 10, 1:2,048 in 10, 1:4,096 in 7, and 1:8,192 in 1. This is the first report of N. caninum and T. gondii infections in D. marsupialis.     

Seasonal patterns in feeding ecology of three small fishes in the Biandantang Lake, China

Feeding ecology of three small fish species, Hypseleotris swinhonis, Ctenogobius giurinus and Pseudorasbora parva was studied seasonally in the Biandantang Lake, a small, shallow lake in central China. Gut length, adjusted for total body length, was significantly higher in spring than in other seasons for all the three species. Seasonal changes in gut length were not associated with changes in food quality. Weight of fore-gut contents, adjusted for body weight, was significantly higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn in H. swinhonis and C. giurinus , and significantly higher in autumn than in spring and summer for P. parva. Percentage of empty fore-guts was highest in summer and lowest in spring for H. swinhonis and C. giurinus , and highest in winter and lowest in autumn for P. parva. Diet of the three small fishes showed apparent seasonal changes, and these changes reflected partly the seasonal fluctuations of food resources in environment. Diet breadth was high in winter and low in autumn for H. swinhonis , high in winter and low in spring and summer for C. giurinus , and high in autumn and low in spring for P. parva. Diet overlaps between pairs of species were biologically significant in most cases, except between H. swinhonis and P. parva in summer and autumn and between C. giurinus and P. parva in autumn.     

Circadian rhythms in catecholamine metabolites and cyclic nucleotide production

Circadian rhythms in noradrenergic (NE) and dopaminergic (DA) metabolites and in cyclic nucleotide production were measured in discrete regions of rat brain. A circadian rhythm was found in the concentration of the NE metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), in the hippocampus. No MHPG rhythm was found in frontal, cingulate, parietal, piriform, insular or temporal cortex, or in hypothalamus. Circadian rhythms in the concentration of the NE metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), occurred in occipital and parietal cortex and hypothalamus, with no rhythm observable in temporal or insular cortex, hippocampus, pons-medulla or cerebellum. The 24-hr mean concentration of MHPG varied 3.5-fold, highest in cingulate and lowest in parietal, temporal and occipital cortex. The 24-hr mean concentration of DHPG varied 6-fold, highest in hypothalamus and lowest in parietal cortex. Circadian rhythms in the concentration of the DA metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), were found in olfactory tubercle, amygdala and caudate-putamen, but not in nucleus accumbens. A circadian rhythm in the concentration of the DA metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), occurred in nucleus accumbens, but not in olfactory tubercle or caudate-putamen. The mean 24-hr concentration of HVA was highest in caudate-putamen, intermediate in nucleus accumbens, and lowest in olfactory tubercle and amygdala. The mean 24-hr concentration of DOPAC was highest in nucleus accumbens and lower in olfactory tubercle and caudate-putamen. Circadian rhythms were found in the concentration of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in all regions measured except parietal cortex. The mean 24-hr concentration varied 128-fold, highest in nucleus accumbens, frontal poles, and hypothalamus and lowest in cingulate cortex. Circadian rhythms in cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration were found in piriform, temporal, occipital, cingulate, and parietal cortex, amygdala and nucleus accumbens. No rhythms were found in frontal or insular cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, caudate-putamen or olfactory tubercle. The 24-hr mean cAMP concentration varied 4-fold, highest in parietal cortex and lowest in caudate-putamen and amygdala. Norepinephrine metabolites and dopamine metabolites were rhythmic in few regions. It is, therefore, unlikely that the rhythmicity measured in adrenergic receptors is, in general, a response to rhythmic changes in adrenergic transmitter release. The putative second messenger response systems, especially cGMP, were more often rhythmic. The rhythms in cGMP are parallel in form and region to those in the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor and may act as 2nd messenger for that receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Morphological features of lipid droplet transition during porcine oocyte fertilisation and early embryonic development to blastocyst in vivo and in vitro

Lipid content in mammalian oocytes or embryos differs among species, with bovine and porcine oocytes and embryos showing large cytoplasmic droplets. These droplets are considered to play important roles in energy metabolism during oocyte maturation, fertilisation and early embryonic development, and also in the freezing ability of oocytes or embryos; however, their detailed distribution or function is not well understood. In the present study, changes in the distribution and morphology of porcine lipid droplets during in vivo and in vitro fertilisation, in contrast to parthenogenetic oocyte activation, as well as during their development to blastocyst stage, were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analysis of semi-thin and ultra-thin sections by TEM showed conspicuous, large, electron-dense lipid droplets, sometimes associated with mitochondrial aggregates in the oocytes, irrespective of whether the oocytes had been matured in vivo or in vitro. Immediately after sperm penetration, the electron density of the lipid droplets was lost in both the in vivo and in vitro oocytes, the reduction being most evident in the oocytes developed in vitro. Density was restored in the pronculear oocytes, fully in the in vivo specimens but only partially in the in vitro ones. The number and size of the droplets seemed, however, to have decreased. At 2- to 4-cell and blastocyst stages, the features of the lipid droplets were almost the same as those of pronuclear oocytes, showing a homogeneous or saturated density in the in vivo embryos but a marbled or partially saturated appearance in the in vitro embryos. In vitro matured oocytes undergoing parthenogenesis had lipid droplets that resembled those of fertilised oocytes until the pronuclear stage. Overall, results indicate variations in both the morphology and amount of cytoplasmic lipid droplets during porcine oocyte maturation, fertilisation and early embryo development as well as differences between in vivo and in vitro development, suggesting both different energy status during preimplantation development in pigs and substantial differences between in vitro and in vivo development.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic sheep in Durango State, Mexico

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep (Ovis aries) in northern Mexico is largely unknown. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in serum samples from 511 sheep from 8 farms in Durango State, Mexico, using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Sheep were raised in 3 geographical regions, i.e., mountainous (n = 68), semi-desert (n = 132), and valley (n = 311). Overall, T. gondii antibodies were found in 77 (15.1%) of 511 sheep, with MAT titers of 1∶25 in 27, 1∶50 in 10, 1∶100 in 11, 1∶200 in 11, 1∶400 in 8, 1∶800 in 3, 1∶1,600 in 4, and 1∶3,200 in 3. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection increased significantly with age, indicating post-natal transmission. In contrast, gender, breed, flock size, and geographic region did not significantly influence the seroprevalence. Seropositive sheep were found in 7 of 8 farms sampled. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in sheep in Durango State, Mexico. Results indicate that infected sheep are probably an important source of T. gondii infection for humans in Durango State.     

啮齿动物作用下退耕地山杏种子扩散与贮藏的季节变化

啮齿动物对植物种子的取食和扩散影响种子的时空分布,继而影响种子的萌发和幼苗建成,因而在森林更新中起着重要作用.在国有济源市愚公林场,选择退耕地生境,于春季、夏季、秋季分别释放人工标记的山杏种子,观察啮齿动物扩散与埋藏山杏种子的季节性差异.结果表明：1）退耕地中的啮齿动物主要包括大林姬鼠、社鼠、黑线姬鼠;2）山杏种子扩散速率在春季显著慢于夏季,夏季显著慢于秋季;3）种子搬运量受季节和种子状态交互作用影响,春季显著少于夏季,夏季显著少于秋季;4）不同季节种子平均搬运距离不同,秋季不同状态种子的搬运距离均大于春季和夏季;5）啮齿动物对山杏种子的贮藏点大小多为1粒种子,少量为2、3粒种子,且贮藏点大小与季节间存在显著的交互作用,春季单粒种子的贮藏点数量显著少于夏季和秋季,而夏季与秋季的贮藏点则倾向于多粒种子;6）在夏季和秋季各有5枚（共释放1800枚）被啮齿动物分散贮藏的山杏种子建成幼苗.     

The influence of hepatoprotector 2-ethylthiobenzimidazole hydrobromide (bemithyl) on the content of glycogen in cirrhotic rat liver hepatocytes located in various microenvironments

Using absorption and fluorescent cytophotometry methods, glycogen contents were studied in hepatocytes located in liver lobules and in hepatocytes, which make the general population of these cells in normal and cirrhotic rat liver. In cirrhosis, the content of glycogen in hepatocytes located in lobules obviously rises in comparison with the norm, but to a lesser degree, than in hepatocytes making the general population of these cells in cirrhotic liver. The content of glycogen in hepatocytes, located in lobules of pathologically changed liver in bemithyl treated rats, did not differ from the norm. At the same time, the glycogen content in hepatocytes, representing the general population of these cells in cirrhotically altered bemithyl injected rat liver, remained higher than in the norm. The data obtained indicate that distinctions in particular cell microinvironment, obviously present in cirrhotic liver, render essential influence on hepatocyte functional activity.     

中国东北典型森林生态系统植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物研究

植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)不仅可以反应植物的碳供应状况,也能反应植物对外界环境的适应策略。利用传统的蒽酮比色法测定了东北3个典型森林生态系统(呼中、凉水和长白山)242种常见植物叶片的非结构碳水化合物,探讨了温带主要森林植物叶片NSC沿纬度梯度的变化趋势及其在物种-生活型-群落间的分布规律。实验结果表明:3个典型森林生态系统植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均呈偏正态分布,多数物种的含量偏中低水平;242种植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC的平均含量分别为63.31、65.66和128.96 mg/g。在所调查的森林生态系统中,叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量在不同生活型中表现各异。此外,乔木植物叶片的可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量从北到南呈递增趋势,呼中最低,凉水次之,长白山最高。乔木淀粉含量均表现为落叶树种大于常绿树种,可溶性糖和NSC含量变化趋势复杂。研究结果不仅为阐明东北主要森林生态系统植被碳代谢和生长适应对策提供数据基础,而且对理解植物对未来气候变化的响应机理提供数据支撑。     

REGIONAL ISOLATION PERFUSION IN THE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED MALIGNANT DISEASE

Regional isolation perfusion with an alkylating agent was carried out in a small community hospital, using readily available equipment, ten times in nine cases of advanced malignant disease. Visible regression of tumor, either grossly or histologically, occurred in seven patients and decided subjective improvement occurred in five patients.The long range effect of the procedure could not be determined in the present series, not enough time having elapsed.Side effects included jaundice in four patients, massive necrosis of the tumor in one patient, nausea and vomiting in three patients, postoperative edema in five patients, wound infection in two patients, Horner''s syndrome in one patient, temporary alopecia in three patients, and depression of hemoglobin level in seven patients, of the leukocyte count in four patients and of the platelet count in four patients.A feature of the procedure used in the present series was a system of monitoring the escape of alkylating agent into the systemic circulation.     

Galanin and its binding sites in the brain of eels subjected to different osmolar conditions

A galanin (GAL)-like peptidergic system was investigated in the brain of Anguilla anguilla subjected to hyperosmolar and hypoosmolar conditions, by using antisera raised against porcine 1-29 GAL. A group of immunoreactive perikaria was identified in the periventricular hypothalamus, in the ventral thalamus, in the pretectal areas and in the optic tectum. Immunoreactive perikaria were present in the nucleus lateralis of the torus semicircularis in seawater (SW) adapted eels, and were absent in the freshwater (FW) adapted eels. Galaninergic fibres were observed in many areas of the brain. The immunoreactive perikaria and fibres, when localised in the same areas, were more strongly labelled and numerous in the SW adapted eels in comparison to the FW adapted animals. GAL-specific binding sites, investigated by autoradiography using iodinated porcine GAL, occurred in several regions of the brain, in particular in the dorsal telencephalon, in the dorsal thalamus and in the torus semicircularis, where a high density of binding sites was observed in the SW adapted eels. Conversely, a higher density of binding sites was observed in the caudal substantia reticularis and in the corpus cerebelli in the FW adapted eels. We conclude that different distributions and intensity in immunoreactive elements occur in response to the two environmental conditions.     

广东大中型水库底泥重金属含量特征及潜在生态风险评价

广东省45宗大中型水库底泥重金属含量分析评价结果表明:除Cr外,广东省大中型水库底泥中Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd含量均高于广东省土壤重金属含量背景值.广东省四大地理区域中,粤北地区大中型水库底泥Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd平均含量均为最高,分别为89.71、321.21、154.95mg/kg和1.46mg/kg;其次是粤东和粤中地区;粤西大中型水库底泥Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd平均含量均为最低,但Cr平均含量居四大区域之首,为130.81mg/kg.粤东和粤北大中型水库底泥重金属富集系数以Cd最高;粤中和粤西大中型水库底泥重金属富集系数则以Cu最大.总体而言,粤北大中型水库底泥重金属具有很强的潜在生态风险,粤东和粤中大中型水库底泥重金属潜在生态风险程度为中等;粤西大中型水库底泥重金属属于轻微生态风险程度.结果说明,广东省大部分地区大中型水库底泥的重金属潜在生态风险主要是由于底泥中Cd的潜在生态风险系数过高所造成.人为生产活动,特别是矿产开采造成的污染是广东省大中型水库底泥重金属潜在生态风险等级提高的主要原因.     

Complementation Analysis of Methyl Methane-Sulfonate-Induced Recessive Lethal Mutations in the Zeste-White Region of the X Chromosome of DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Recessive lethan mutations in the 3A1 to 3C2 region of the X-chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster were detected in 113 of 33,544 sperm treated by feeding 5 mM methyl methanesulfonate in 1% sucrose for 22 hours. Seven of the 113 lethans were sterile, leaving 106 for analysis by complementation tests. With only one exception, these mutants were found to have lesions restricted to single loci. One of these single-site mutations was in qt, 2 in tko, 18 in zw-1, 12 in zw-8, 6 in zw-4, 3 in zw-10, 3 in zw-13, 21 in zw-2, 7 in zw-3, 5 in zw-6, 6 in zw-12, 1 in zw-7, 12 in zw-5, 5 in zw-11, and 3 in zw-9. One of the lethals, m69, was non-complementary to two adjacent loci, zw-2 and zw-3, possible indicating a deletion encompassing two loci. The results confirm that there are at least 15 recessive lethal loci in the region and are consistent with the hypothesis of LIM and SYNDER (1968 and 1974) that inability of monofunctional alkylating chemicals to induce deletion associated mutations is a characteristic of the compounds.     

火烧及微地貌对高原湿草甸优势种华扁穗草地上部灰分含量及热值的影响

为探讨火烧干扰以及微地貌差异对高原湿草甸植被的影响,以高原湿草甸优势种华扁穗草( Blysmus sinocompressus Tang et F. T. Wang)为研究对象,分别在经历火烧干扰和未烧的湿地中选择平地和地垄作为样地,研究了不同生长期以及不同年份华扁穗草地上部的灰分含量和热值(包括干质量热值和去灰分热值)变化。结果表明：在火烧平地、火烧地垄、未烧平地和未烧地垄4类样地中,不同生长期以及不同年份间华扁穗草地上部的灰分含量和热值均有一定差异。在火烧平地、火烧地垄和未烧平地3类样地中,与生长初期相比,生长旺盛期华扁穗草地上部的灰分含量均降低,其干质量热值和去灰分热值均升高;而在未烧地垄样地中,与生长初期相比,生长旺盛期华扁穗草地上部的灰分含量显著升高,其干质量热值和去灰分热值则均略降低。从样地类型看,在生长旺盛期,平地样地中华扁穗草地上部的灰分含量均低于地垄样地,其干质量热值和去灰分热值均高于地垄样地,其中,其灰分含量在火烧平地样地中最低、在未烧地垄样地中最高;其干质量热值和去灰分热值在火烧地垄样地中均最低、在未烧平地样地中均最高,但总体无显著差异。随时间推移,火烧样地特别是火烧平地样地中华扁穗草地上部的灰分含量增加,而其干质量热值和去灰分热值则有所降低但总体上与未烧样地间无显著差异。总体上看,在火烧样地中,华扁穗草地上部的干质量热值和去灰分热值低于未烧样地;而在平地样地中,其干质量热值和去灰分热值高于地垄样地。研究结果显示：火烧干扰和微地貌差异对华扁穗草地上部的灰分含量和热值均有一定的影响,据此,建议将植物地上部的灰分含量和热值作为高原湿草甸植被优势种响应环境扰动的参考指标。     

Identification of cells in rat brain and peripheral tissues expressing mRNA for members of the nerve growth factor family

Cells expressing mRNA for hippocampus-derived neurotrophic factor (HDNF/NT-3) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were identified by in situ hybridization. In the rat brain, HDNF mRNA was predominantly found in pyramidal neurons in CA1 and CA2 of the hippocampus. Lower levels of HDNF mRNA were found in granular neurons of the dentate gyrus and in neurons of the taenia tecta and induseum griseum. BDNF mRNA-expressing cells were more widely distributed in the rat brain, with high levels in neurons of CA2, CA3, and the hilar region of the dentate gyrus, in the external and internal pyramidal layers of the cerebral cortex, in the claustrum, and in one brainstem structure. Lower levels were seen in CA1 and in the granular layer of the hippocampus, in the taenia tecta, and in the mammillary complex. In peripheral tissues, HDNF mRNA was found in glomerular cells in the kidney, secretory cells in the male rat submandibular gland, and epithelial cells in secondary and tertiary follicles in the ovary. Cells expressing BDNF mRNA were found in the dorsal root ganglia, where neurons of various sizes were labeled.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and concurrent Bartonella spp., feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, and Dirofilaria immitis infections in Egyptian cats

Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens of cats. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLv) are related to human immunodeficiency virus and human leukemia virus, respectively, and these viruses are immunosuppressive. In the present study, the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii , Bartonella spp., FIV, as well as FeLv and Dirofilaria immitis antigens was determined in sera from feral cats (Felis catus) from Cairo, Egypt. Using a modified agglutination test, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 172 (95.5%) of the 180 cats with titers of 1∶5 in 9, 1∶10 in 9, 1∶20 in 3, 1∶40 in 5, 1∶80 in 5, 1∶160 in 15, 1∶320 in 22, and 1∶640 or higher in 104. Thus, 57.4% had high T. gondii titers. Antibodies to Bartonella spp. were found in 105 (59.6%) of 178, with titers of 1∶64 in 45, 1∶128 in 39, 1∶256 in 13, 1∶512 in 3, 1∶1,024 in 4, and 1∶2,048 in 1 cat. Antibodies to FIV were detected in 59 (33.9%) of 174 cats. Of 174 cats tested, antigens to FeLv, and D. immitis were detected in 8 (4.6%) and 6 (3.4%) cats, respectively. The results indicate a high prevalence of T. gondii, Bartonella spp., and FIV infections in cats from Cairo, Egypt. This is the first report of Bartonella spp., and D. immitis infection in cats in Egypt.     

Distribution of immunoreactive mesotocin and vasotocin in the brain and pituitary of chickens

The distribution of vasotocin and mesotocin in the pituitary and central nervous system in male chickens was determined using radioimmunoassays. Neither peptide was detected in the pineal. Mesotocin, but not vasotocin, was detected in the cerebellum. Both peptides were found in the septal area, archistriatum, paleostriatum, optic lobe, anterior, medial and posterior hypothalamus, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, and the anterior and posterior pituitary. Equal amounts of the 2 peptides were present in the septal area, archistriatum and anterior hypothalamus whereas vasotocin was more abundant (2- to 10-fold) in the paleostriatum, optic lobe, midbrain, and pituitary. The amount of mesotocin was about twice that of vasotocin in the medulla oblongata and the medial and posterior hypothalamus. The wide distribution of vasotocin and mesotocin in extrahypothalamic sites in the central nervous system suggests that the peptides may, as in mammals, have a role in a variety of autonomic and endocrine regulatory processes in chickens.     

Notes on Convolvulus, Astripomoea, Ipomoea and Merremia (Convolvulaceae) from the Horn of Africa

The six new species Convolvulus scopulatus, a shrub from gypseous semidesert coastal plains in northern Somalia, Astripomoea procera, a woody climber in Acacia-Commiphora bushland on sand in south-central Somalia, Ipomoea hiranensis, a prostrate or climbing shrublet in Acacia-Commiphora bushland in rocky places on sandstone in south-central Somalia, Ipomoea galhareriana, a woody climber in bushland on sand in central Somalia, Ipomoea pogonantha, a woody climber in bushland usually on red soil over limestone in eastern and southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia and northern Kenya, and Ipomoea corrugata, a herb with trailing stems in bushland on sandy soil in south-central Somalia, are described, and illustrations are provided for most of them. The new combinations Ipomoea ovatolanceolata (= I. adenoides var. ovatolanceolata) and Merremia obtusa (= M. ampelophylla subsp. obtusa) are made, and a new synonymy is provided for M. ampelophylla. Merremia ellenbeckii is neotypified and M. lobata is placed in synonymy.     

洪湖野菰及其化学成分分析

野菰(Zizania latifolia)是湖北省洪湖中优势水生维管束植物,其群落占全湖355平方公里面积的127平方公里。茎和叶的年生物量为4379克鲜重/平方米,全湖总年产量121700吨干重,目前未被利用。野菰各器官的蛋白质和氨基酸含量分别以百分干重表示:根,7.0和4.76;根状茎,11.3和8.85;茎,9.5和7.15;嫩茎梢,22.4和16.53;叶,16.8和14.61。500克干叶的必需氨基酸含量接近100克干重草鱼幼鱼背肌的必需氨基酸含量。脂肪:叶中3.4～4.2,茎中2.2;粗纤维:叶中26.8～28,茎中24.2;灰分:叶中10.0,茎中5.8。菰茎含可溶性糖类30％以上,其中葡萄糖,果糖、蔗糖和麦芽糖是主要成分。结果表明野菰是一种优质饲料。     

Laminar Alterations in γ-Aminobutyric AcidA, Muscarinic, and β Adrenoceptors and Neuron Degeneration in Cingulate Cortex in Alzheimer''s Disease

The laminar distribution of binding to a number of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors was assessed autoradiographically in postmortem samples of area 23a in posterior cingulate cortex from 13 Alzheimer and nine age-matched control cases. Specific binding in all Alzheimer cases was compared to that in control cases, and the following alterations were observed: reduced muscimol binding in most layers; no changes in pirenzepine binding; and elevated cyanopindolol binding in layers Ic, IIIc, and IV. The Alzheimer cases were classified further on the basis of neuronal degeneration: class 1, no neuron loss; class 2, greatest losses in layer II or III; class 3, greatest losses in layer IV; and class 4, greatest losses in layer V or VI. This classification uncovered further alterations in ligand binding patterns. First, muscimol binding was reduced in layers II and III only in class 2 cases and in layers V and VI only in class 4 cases. Second, pirenzepine binding was reduced in layers Ic, IIIa-b, and VI of class 1 cases and layers Va and VI of class 4 cases. In spite of neuron degeneration in classes 2 and 3, there was no change in pirenzepine binding in these classes. Third, elevated cyanopindolol binding occurred in classes 3 and 4, whereas classes 1 and 2 had normal levels of binding. These results suggest that cases of Alzheimer's disease express heterogeneities in neocortical pathology which are reflected in the laminar patterns of binding to postsynaptic receptors. Reductions in muscimol binding to the gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor had the closest relationship with neuron degeneration, whereas pirenzepine binding appeared to reflect a compensation in muscarinic receptors for changes in neuron densities.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in cats and pigs from rural Western Amazon, Brazil

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 63 cats and 80 pigs from 71 farms located at Rond?nia State, Western Amazon, Brazil, by the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies (MAT > or = 1: 25) were found in 55 of 63 cats (87.3%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 2, 1:100 in 7, 1:200 in 1, 1:400 in 2, 1:800 in 9, 1:1,600 in 6, and 1:3,200 or higher in 26 cats. By IFAT, antibodies were found in 55 cats (87.3%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 1, 1:100 in 4, 1:200 in 4, 1: 400 in 1, 1:800 in 13, 1:1,600 in 12, and 1:3,200 or higher in 18 cats. In pig sera, by MAT, antibodies were found in 30 of 80 pigs (37.5%) with titers of 1:25 in 2, 1:50 in 3, 1:100 in 2, 1:200 in 8, 1:400 in 3, 1:800 in 5, 1:1,600 in 3, and 1:3,200 or higher in 4 pigs. By using the IFAT (titers > or = 1:64), antibodies were found in 35 (43.7%) pigs. The ingestion of undercooked tissues of infected pigs can be a source of T. gondii infection for humans and cats. However, the high seroprevalence of T. gondii in cats from the Amazon seems most likely to be indicative of high contamination of the environment by oocysts.