Volume density of syncytial sprouts and its regional variation in the human mature placenta

The authors studied by means of sterological methods the volume density of syncytial sprouts in different cotyledonary regions of the human term placenta. The syncytial sprouts account for 4.92% of the placenta volume. Meanwhile, there were significant differences according to the site from which the sample was obtained. The lowest value (2.72%) corresponds to the central-parabasal zone of the cotyledon, close to the entry of the maternal blood into the intervillous space, whereas the highest values correspond to the "venous" regions. The results of the present study, as well as those reported by others, suggest that the lateral-subchorial zone would be the growing region of the cotyledon.     

Evaluation of flurbiprofen in detrusor instability.

Thirty women with detrusor instability (27 cases idiopathic, and three secondary to multiple sclerosis) completed a double-blind, cross-over trial of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor flurbiprofen and a placebo, results being evaluated by questionnaire and cystometry. Frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence were all significantly reduced with flurbiprofen (P less than 0.001, P less than 0.025, and P less than 0.025 respectively), as was the detrusor-pressure rise during bladder filling (P less than 0.01). Side effects, however, occurred in 13 patients while taking flurbiprofen compared with five while taking placebo (P less than 0.025). After the trial 19 patients wished to continue with flurbiprofen. Flurbiprofen is a useful treatment for idiopathic detrusor instability and is well tolerated by most patients.     

Distribution of proteasomes and of the five proteolytic activities in rat tissues

Five peptidase activities (ChT-L, T-L, PGPH, BrAAP, and SNAAP) of the proteasome, and its caseinolytic activity, were measured in crude extracts of 10 rat tissues under experimental conditions simulating those found in vivo, thereby eliminating the alterations observed with the purified enzyme. The total and individual peptidase activities varied considerably from one tissue to another, whereas the proteolytic activity measured with [(14)C]methylcasein varied no more than twofold. The tissue-specific variations in individual peptidase activities may reflect tissue-specific differences in proteasome subunit composition, or the presence of regulators. Immunological assay using an antibody directed against the iota (alpha1) subunit showed that there was no correlation between protein abundance and peptidase activity. The results also show that the different peptidase activities are not representative of proteasome distribution in the different tissues.     

Growth and derived life-history characteristics of the Brazilian electric ray Narcine brasiliensis

The majority of batoids are listed as Threatened (20.4%) or Data Deficient (41%) by the IUCN Red List. A key challenge to assessing Data-Deficient species is obtaining estimates of key life-history characteristics. Here, a Bayesian approach was used to estimate derived life-history characteristics from a growth model applied to the Data-Deficient Brazilian electric ray Narcine brasiliensis. The age of 170 specimens (107 females, 63 males) was estimated from vertebral centra, and total length, disc width, total weight and birth size were used in a joint estimation of sex-specific length-weight models and two-dimensional von Bertalanffy growth models. Estimates of age at length zero, age at maturity, longevity and mortality at age were derived simultaneously. The Bayesian joint modelling approach was robust to small sample sizes by adding a likelihood to constrain L₀ and sharing parameters, such as Brody growth coefficient between length measurements. The median growth parameter estimates were a shared L₀ = 38.8 mm, female L_∞ = 515 mm, 𝑘 = 0.125 and male L_∞ = 387 mm, 𝑘 = 0.194. Age at maturity was estimated to be 7.40–7.49 years for females and 4.45–4.47 years for males, whereas longevity was 22.5–22.6 years for females and 14.2 years for males depending on length measurement. Age-1 natural mortality was estimated to be 0.199–0.207 for females and 0.211–0.213 for males. The derived life-history characteristics indicate N. brasiliensis is earlier maturing, but slower growing relative to other Torpediniformes. These characteristics along with the species’ endemism to southern Brazil and high by-catch rates indicate that one of the IUCN Red List threatened categories may be more appropriate for the currently Data-Deficient status. The Bayesian approach used for N. brasiliensis can prove useful for utilizing limited age-growth data in other Data-Deficient batoid species to inform necessary life characteristics for conservation and management.     

Vascular redox imbalance in rats submitted to chronic exercise

Exercise training has been used for treatment/prevention of many cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanisms need to be clarified. Thus, our aim was to compare oxidative stress parameters between rats submitted to a swimming training and sedentary rats (control). Twelve male rats were divided into two groups: control and exercise training. The exercise training had daily 1 h swimming sessions for 8 weeks and a load (5% of its body mass) was placed in rat's tail. Thereafter the animals were killed, aorta and heart were surgically removed and blood was collected. Body mass gain, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), carbonyl content, total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), total antioxidant reactivity (TAR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and catalase (CAT) activity were evaluted. The trained rats showed a lower body mass gain and no modifications on heart. An increased SOD activity was observed on aorta after the training, but no changes were seen for CAT activity, which led to an increased SOD/CAT ratio. The arterial TBARS was also increased for trained rats. The decrease in TRAP in exercise training was the single modification on plasma. Our findings suggest that the increased SOD activity could play a role in vascular adaptations to exercise training. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Long Withdrawal of Methylphenidate Induces a Differential Response of the Dopaminergic System and Increases Sensitivity to Cocaine in the Prefrontal Cortex of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Methylphenidate (MPD) is one of the most prescribed drugs for alleviating the symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, changes in the molecular mechanisms related to MPD withdrawal and susceptibility to consumption of other psychostimulants in normal individuals or individuals with ADHD phenotype are not completely understood. The aims of the present study were: (i) to characterize the molecular differences in the prefrontal dopaminergic system of SHR and Wistar strains, (ii) to establish the neurochemical consequences of short- (24 hours) and long-term (10 days) MPD withdrawal after a subchronic treatment (30 days) with Ritalin® (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride; 2.5 mg/kg orally), (iii) to investigate the dopaminergic synaptic functionality after a cocaine challenge in adult MPD-withdrawn SHR and Wistar rats. Our results indicate that SHR rats present reduced [³H]-Dopamine uptake and cAMP accumulation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and are not responsive to dopaminergic stimuli in when compared to Wistar rats. After a 24-hour withdrawal of MPD, SHR did not present any alterations in [³H]-Dopamine Uptake, [³H]-SCH 23390 binding and cAMP production; nonetheless, after a 10-day MPD withdrawal, the results showed a significant increase of [³H]-Dopamine uptake, of the quantity of [³H]-SCH 23390 binding sites and of cAMP levels in these animals. Finally, SHR that underwent a 10-day MPD withdrawal and were challenged with cocaine (10 mg/kg i.p.) presented reduced [³H]-Dopamine uptake and increased cAMP production. Wistar rats were affected by the 10-day withdrawal of MPD in [³H]-dopamine uptake but not in cAMP accumulation; in addition, cocaine was unable to induce significant modifications in [³H]-dopamine uptake and in cAMP levels after the 10-day withdrawal of MPD. These results indicate a mechanism that could explain the high comorbidity between ADHD adolescent patients under methylphenidate treatment and substance abuse in adult life.     

Reproductive biology and management of two commercially important groupers in the SW Atlantic

The reproductive biology of Epinephelus morio (red grouper) and Mycteroperca bonaci (black grouper) were evaluated based on 533 specimens collected from artisanal fisheries landings in the Abrolhos Bank, Brazil, between May 2005 and September 2012. Sex ratio for the black grouper was 1:14 (n = 155 females and 11 males; 26.1–147 cm TL) and 1:10 for the red grouper (n = 334 females and 33 males; 15.0–96.0 cm TL). For both species, highest values of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) for females were recorded between July and October, indicating spawning during the austral winter. The length at first maturity (L₅₀) for females was estimated at 62.0 and 47.0 cm TL for the black and red grouper, respectively. Batch fecundity based on TL and TW ranged from 2 to 15.4^?10⁶ and 1.5 to 13.7^?10⁶ for the black and red grouper, respectively. Interviews with experienced fishers revealed that spawning seasons of both groupers are largely unrecognized. Results demonstrate a positive relationship between GSI peaks, lower temperatures and stronger winds. The information provided herein may help decision-making regarding fisheries management and conservation for E. morio and M. bonaci at various levels of governance in the Abrolhos Bank, the region with the largest and richest coralline reefs in the South Atlantic.     

Effect of uroguanylin on potassium and bicarbonate transport in rat renal tubules

The effect of uroguanylin (UGN) on K+ and H+ secretion in the renal tubules of the rat kidney was studied using in vivo stationary microperfusion. For the study of K+ secretion, a tubule was punctured to inject a column of FDC-green-colored Ringer's solution with 0.5 mmol KCl/L+/-10(-6) mol UGN/L, and oil was used to block fluid flow. K+ activity and transepithelial potential differences (PD) were measured with double microelectrodes (K+ ion-selective resin vs. reference) in the distal tubules of the same nephron. During perfusion, K+ activity rose exponentially, from 0.5 mmol/L to stationary concentration, allowing for the calculation of K+ secretion (JK). JK increased from 0.63+/-0.06 nmol.cm-2.s-1 in the control group to 0.85+/-0.06 in the UGN group (p<0.01). PD was -51.0+/-5.3 mV in the control group and -50.3+/-4.98 mV in the UGN group. In the presence of 10(-7) mol iberiotoxin/L, the UGN effect was abolished: JK was 0.37+/-0.038 nmol.cm-2.s-1 in the absence of, and 0.38+/-0.025 in the presence of, UGN, indicating its action on maxi-K channels. In another series of experiments, renal tubule acidification was studied, using a similar method: proximal and distal tubules were perfused with solutions containing 25 mmol NaHCO3/L. Acidification half-time was increased both in proximal and distal segments and, as a consequence, bicarbonate reabsorption decreased in the presence of UGN (in proximal tubules, from 2.40+/-0.26 to 1.56+/-0.21 nmol.cm-2.s-1). When the Na+/H+ exchanger was inhibited by 10(-4) mol hexamethylene amiloride (HMA)/L, the control and UGN groups were not significantly different. In the late distal tubule, after HMA, UGN significantly reduced JHCO3-, indicating an effect of UGN on H+-ATPase. These data show that UGN stimulated JK+ by acting on maxi-K channels, and decreased JHCO3- by acting on NHE3 in proximal and H+-ATPase in distal tubules.