Do litter manipulations affect leaf functional traits of savanna woody plants?

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Non-destructive equations to estimate the leaf area of Styrax pohlii and Styrax ferrugineus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Protein content of leaf-cutting ant queens before the nuptial flight and during the post-claustral phase

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of UV-B radiation on Lecanicillium spp., biological control agents of the coffee leaf rust pathogen

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Involvement of the AT1 receptor in the venoconstriction induced by angiotensin II in both the inferior vena cava and femoral vein

Although angiotensin II-induced venoconstriction has been demonstrated in the rat vena cava and femoral vein, the angiotensin II receptor subtypes (AT1 or AT2) that mediate this phenomenon have not been precisely characterized. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the pharmacological receptors involved in the angiotensin II-induced constriction of rat venae cavae and femoral veins, as well as the opposing effects exerted by locally produced prostanoids and NO upon induction of these vasomotorresponses. The obtained results suggest that both AT1 and AT2 angiotensin II receptors are expressed in both veins. Angiotensin II concentration–response curves were shifted toward the right by losartan but not by PD 123319 in both the vena cava and femoral vein. Moreover, it was observed that both 10−5 Mindomethacin and 10−4 M L-NAME improve the angiotensin II responses in the vena cava and femoral vein. In conclusion, in the rat vena cava and femoral vein, angiotensin II stimulates AT1 but not AT2 to induce venoconstriction, which is blunted by vasodilator prostanoids and NO.

Exercise increases the angiotensin II effects in isolated portal vein of trained rats

Training in rats adapts the portal vein to respond vigorously to sympathetic stimuli even when the animal is re-exposed to exercise. Moreover, changes in the exercise-induced effects of angiotensin II, a potent venoconstrictor agonist, in venous beds remain to be investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effects of angiotensin II in the portal vein and vena cava from sedentary and trained rats at rest or submitted to an exercise session immediately before organ bath experiments. We found that training or exposure of sedentary animals to a single bout of running exercise does not significantly change the responses of the rat portal vein to angiotensin II. However, the exposure of trained animals to a single bout of running exercise enhanced the response of the rat portal vein to angiotensin II. This enhancement appeared to be territory-specific because it was not observed in the vena cava. Moreover, it was not observed inendothelium-disrupted preparations and in preparations treated with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl esterhydrochloride, indomethacin, BQ-123 or BQ-788. These data indicate that training causes adaptations in the rat portal vein that respond vigorously to angiotensin II even upon re-exposure to exercise. This increased response to angiotensin II requires an enhancement of the vasocontractile influence of endothelin beyond the influence of nitric oxide and vasodilator prostanoids.

Double-lumen catheter in the right jugular vein induces two sub-endothelial abscesses in an unusual place, the transition between the superior vena cava and the right atrium: a case report

Endocarditis is a type of infection that is common in internal medicine wards and in haemodialysis clinics. The location that is most affected are the heart valves. Herein, we report a case of an uncommon abscess, a sub-endothelial abscess between the transition of the superior vena cava and the right atrium. There were several emboli to the lung and foot, and the agent was related to Staphylococcus aureus and a double-lumen catheter. Usually, this type of abscess is located in valves, either the tricuspid valve if related to catheters or injection drug use or the mitral valve if related to other causes. An exhaustive review was made, but we found no information about the location of this abscess and the rarity of the event motivating the report of infection.

Leaf and inflorescence peduncle anatomy: a contribution to the taxonomy of Rapateaceae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Leaf-cutting ants: an unexpected microenvironment holding human opportunistic black fungi

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Yeasts found on an ephemeral reproductive caste of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Recanalization Rates after Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Single-center Experience Using a Newly Proposed Vein Diameter Variation Index

Background: Duplex ultrasound scanning (DUS) is the method of choice for diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, only a few studies have performed prospective serial DUS after an acute episode of DVT to assess its evolution. This study aimed to report our experience using DUS combined with a thrombosis score (TS) and a newly proposed vein diameter variation index (VDVI) to evaluate the rate of resolution of DVT by assessing and quantifying the early stages of vein recanalization in proximal vein segments within 6 months after an episode of acute lower extremity DVT.Methods: Twelve patients with first episode of acute lower extremity DVT confirmed by DUS as occurring in <= 10 days after the onset of venous thrombosis symptoms were followed up prospectively for 6 months. TS and VDVI were calculated at 1, 3, and 6 months to assess vein recanalization. Intra-thrombus arteriovenous fistula formation was also investigated and related to the recanalization process.Results: Seven (58%) women were included, with a total cohort median age of 53.5 +/- 19 years. The left lower extremity was affected in 7 (58%) patients. DVT was diagnosed in 55 proximal vein segments. All patients had proximal DVT, with involvement of the external iliac, femoral, and popliteal veins. After 6 months, there was a significant decrease in TS and increase in VDVI (P < 0.001) in all proximal vein segments assessed, indicating thrombus regression. The more distal the DVT was, the faster was the VDVI increase, with most popliteal veins being recanalized at 3 months (P < 0.001). Intra-thrombus arteriovenous fistula was identified in 50% of patients at 1 month while on anticoagulation.Conclusions: The combined use of two different DUS-based assessment tools, TS and the proposed VDVI, provided an effective method to prospectively assess vein recanalization rates after an episode of acute lower extremity DVT in this series of patients and may allow a correct evaluation of DVT and its resolution or progression.

High-throughput sugarcane leaf analysis using a low cost closed-vessel conductively heated digestion system and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diversity of leaf-litter anurans in a fragmented landscape of the Atlantic Plateau of Sao Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Reproductive site selection in the leaf-frog Phyllomedusa azurea Cope, 1862 (Anura: Hylidae) in altered areas of the Brazilian Cerrado

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)