Density, proportion, and dendritic coverage of retinal ganglion cells of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus jacchus)

We performed a quantitative analysis of M and P cell mosaics of the common-marmoset retina. Ganglion cells were labeled retrogradely from optic nerve deposits of Biocytin. The labeling was visualized using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) histochemistry and 3-3'diaminobenzidine as chromogen. M and P cells were morphologically similar to those found in Old- and New-World primates. Measurements were performed on well-stained cells from 4 retinas of different animals. We analyzed separate mosaics for inner and outer M and P cells at increasing distances from the fovea (2.5-9 mm of eccentricity) to estimate cell density, proportion, and dendritic coverage. M cell density decreased towards the retinal periphery in all quadrants. M cell density was higher in the nasal quadrant than in other retinal regions at similar eccentricities, reaching about 740 cells/mm2 at 2.5 mm of temporal eccentricity, and representing 8-14% of all ganglion cells. P cell density increased from peripheral to more central regions, reaching about 5540 cells/mm2 at 2.5 mm of temporal eccentricity. P cells represented a smaller proportion of all ganglion cells in the nasal quadrant than in other quadrants, and their numbers increased towards central retinal regions. The M cell coverage factor ranged from 5 to 12 and the P cell coverage factor ranged from 1 to 3 in the nasal quadrant and from 5 to 12 in the other quadrants. These results show that central and peripheral retinal regions differ in terms of cell class proportions and dendritic coverage, and their properties do not result from simply scaling down cell density. Therefore, differences in functional properties between central and peripheral vision should take these distinct regional retinal characteristics into account.

Caracterização genética, correlação antigênica e ecoepidemiológica dos vírus do grupo C (Bunyaviridae, orthobunyavirus) isolados nas américas

Até o presente momento, estudos moleculares para os vírus do grupo C (Bunyaviridae, Orthobunyavirus) não foram publicados. O presente trabalho determinou as seqüências nucleotídicas completas para os segmento ARN pequenos (P-ARN) e a seqüencias parciais para os segmentos de ARN médio (M-ARN) dos vírus do grupo C. A seqüencia completa do segmento P-ARNvariou de 915 a 926 nucleotídeos, e revelou organização genômica semelhante em comparação aos demais ortobunyavírus. Baseado nos 705 nt do gene N, os membros do grupo C foram distribuídos em três grupos filogenéticos principais, com exceção do vírus Madrid que foi posicionado fora destes três grupos. A análise da cepa BeH 5546 do vírus Caraparu revelou que o mesmo apresenta seu segmento P-ARN semelhante ao do vírus Oriboca , sendo um vírus rearranjado em natureza. Em adição, a análise dos 345 nt do gene Gn para sete vírus do grupo C e para a cepa BeH 5546, revelou uma diferente topologia filogenética, sugerindo um padrão de rearranjo genético entre estes vírus. Estes achados representam as primeiras evidências de rearranjo genético em natureza entre os vírus do grupo C, dos quais vários são patógenos humanos. Finalmente, nossos dados genéticos corroboraram dados de relacionamento antigênico entre esses vírus determinados utilizando métodos sorológicos (testes de fixação de complemento, inibição da hemaglutinação e neutralização), sugerindo que a associação de dados informativos aos níveis molecular, sorológico e eco-epidemiológico podem contribuir para o melhor entendimento da epidemiologia molecular dos ortobunyavírus.

Influence of the dopaminergic system, CREB, and transcription factor-B on cocaine neurotoxicity

Cocaine is a widely used drug and its abuse is associated with physical, psychiatric and social problems. Abnormalities in newborns have been demonstrated to be due to the toxic effects of cocaine during fetal development. The mechanism by which cocaine causes neurological damage is complex and involves interactions of the drug with several neurotransmitter systems, such as the increase of extracellular levels of dopamine and free radicals, and modulation of transcription factors. The aim of this review was to evaluate the importance of the dopaminergic system and the participation of inflammatory signaling in cocaine neurotoxicity. Our study showed that cocaine activates the transcription factors NF-κB and CREB, which regulate genes involved in cellular death. GBR 12909 (an inhibitor of dopamine reuptake), lidocaine (a local anesthetic), and dopamine did not activate NF-κB in the same way as cocaine. However, the attenuation of NF-κB activity after the pretreatment of the cells with SCH 23390, a D1 receptor antagonist, suggests that the activation of NF-κB by cocaine is, at least partially, due to activation of D1 receptors. NF-κB seems to have a protective role in these cells because its inhibition increased cellular death caused by cocaine. The increase in BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) mRNA can also be related to the protective role of both CREB and NF-κB transcription factors. An understanding of the mechanisms by which cocaine induces cell death in the brain will contribute to the development of new therapies for drug abusers, which can help to slow down the progress of degenerative processes.

Estudo de propagação de ondas em planície de inundação para elaboração de plano de ação emergencial de barragens: UHE Três irmãos estudo de caso

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Civil - FEIS

Multivariate curve resolution analysis applied to time-resolved synchrotron X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy monitoring of the activation of copper alumina catalyst

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Exercise improves immune function, antidepressive response, and sleep quality in patients with chronic primary insomnia

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

Vertical distribution by demographic groups of ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Crustacea: Brachyura)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Resistance of collard greens to Ascia monuste orseis (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Ascia monuste orseis (Godart) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is a production limiting pest in collard greens, Brassica oleracea (L.) var. acephala, cultivation. Because of the overuse and harmful effects of synthetic insecticides on nontarget species, the use of insect-resistant cultivars can be a valuable strategy in pest control. In this study, newly hatched A. monuste orseis larvae were confined to the leaves of 29 collard greens cultivars under a controlled environment to investigate plant resistance. We evaluated the incubation period, duration of instars, total duration of the immature and pupal phases, the egg to adult life cycle duration, mortality per instar, total weight of fifth instar larvae and pupae (age = 24 h) and larval and pupal survival and eclosion. Antibiosis and/or antixenosis were observed in selected cultivars. The results show that Gigante I-915 (E) exhibited high larval mortality and that the Pires 1 de Campinas cultivar (P) prevented all pupae from proceeding to the adult stage. The Introdu double dagger es do municipio de Arthur Nogueira Z (Y), Cabocla (AA), Japonesa (R) and Manteiga de Mococa (M) cultivars prolonged the larval stage. Japonesa (R) and Introdu double dagger es do municipio de Arthur Nogueira Z (Y) increased the egg to adult developmental period, and the Japonesa (R) cultivar also prolonged the pupal stage. The Verde-escura (O), Crespa de Capo Bonito (I), Couve de folhas Manteiga 900 Legitima P, Alto (AB), Gigante I-915 (E) and Manteiga Ribeiro Pires I-2446 (H) cultivars reduced the larval weight of A. monuste orseis.

Distribution of melanin-concentrating hormone neurons projecting to the medial mammillary nucleus

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

Switching-off in a minimal time a fitzhugh-nagumo system

This paper deals with a system that describes an electrical circuitcomposed by a linear system coupled to a nonlinear one involving a tunneldiode in a flush-and-fill circuit. One of the most comprehensive models for thiskind of circuits was introduced by R. Fitzhugh in 1961, when taking on carebiological tasks. The equation has in its phase plane only two periodic solutions,namely, the unstable singular point S0 and the stable cycle Γ. If the system isat rest on S0, the natural flow of orbits seeks to switch-on the process by going- as time goes by - toward its steady-state, Γ. By using suitable controls it ispossible to reverse such natural tendency going in a minimal time from Γ toS0, switching-off in this way the system. To achieve this goal it is mandatorya minimal enough strength on controls. These facts will be shown by means ofconsiderations on the null control sets in the process.

A formação continuada de professores: entre o real e o 'ideal'

The objective this study was to highlight the prospects of a group of teachers of Physical Education, highlighting the factors identified as critical to a continuing education "ideal" for a teacher professional development and for the practice pedagogical. Qualitative research, inspired by the method of approaching the history of the present time, in order to register as memory the time when these teachers live. The data source used was oral sources collected by the technique of semistructured interviews and official documents. The data generated were discussed with the production of literature and the highlights are three axes in the reports of teachers: the relationship between theory and practice, the importance of listening to students and the continuity of training activities.

Microinversor integrado ao módulo fotovoltaico para sistemas conectados à rede elétrica utilizando controlador ressonante

This paper shows the modeling and control of a single-phase full-bridge inverter with high-frequency transformer that may be used as part of a two-stage converter with transformerless DC-DC side or as a single-stage converter (simple DC-AC converter) for grid-connected PV applications. The inverter is modeled in order to obtain a small-signal transfer function used to design the P+Resonant current controller. A highfrequency step-up transformer results in reduced voltage switches and better efficiency compared with converters in which the transformer is used on the DC-DC side. Simulations and experimental results with a 200 W prototype are shown. 1

Relação ideal dos aminoácidos essenciais para mantença, crescimento e produção de aves

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

APC Hearing

Fellow members of the Academic Planning Committee and others here today, I am appearing before you to speak about three proposed cuts to the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources budget. These cuts are: $213,959 in state funding for the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum; $837,333 in state funding for the Nebraska Forest Service; and $1,799,915 in state funding for the Veterinary Student Contract program.

Jornalistas que escrevem sobre saúde conhecem a Humanização do Atendimento?

No Brasil, iniciativas de Humanização no atendimento em saúde são identificadas desde os anos 1990, mas ganharam vulto por meio do Programa Nacional de Humanização da Assistência Hospitalar (PNHAH), ampliado pela Política Nacional de Humanização (PNH). O objetivo deste artigo é identificar a percepção sobre Humanização por parte de alguns jornalistas que escrevem sobre Saúde em importantes publicações paulistas, e no que se constitui, na opinião deles, um atendimento humanizado. A análise do material coletado foi feita segundo referenciais teóricos da Bioética, sob o enfoque de autores como Pellegrino e Thomasma (Ética das Virtudes e Beneficência) e Beauchamp e Childress (Principialismo). Resultados: Os pesquisados ainda associam a Humanização às primeiras iniciativas de Humanização, vinculadas a assistência ao parto e pré-natal, além do voluntariado, mas desconhecem a existência de uma política estruturada sobre o tema: nenhum sequer mencionou a PNH; consideram o médico como figura essencial à Humanização da assistência e que, portanto, deveria ser virtuoso; e desejam que o atendimento tenha caráter integral (holístico).