Inter-annual variations in the floristic and population structure of an herbaceous community of "caatinga" vegetation in Pernambuco, Brazil

The influence of climatic variations on the herbaceous component of the "caatinga" vegetation was examined in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. A total of 105 1 × 1 m-plots were established, of which 35 were in a level micro-habitat, 35 in a riparian micro-habitat, and 35 in a stony microhabitat. During two consecutive years all herbaceous plants in these plots were counted, measured (height and diameter), and collected for identification. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and the equitability were calculated for each year, as well as the density, frequency, dominance, total basal area and importance index for each species. The total annual pluviometric was 819.5 and 448.8 mm in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The herbaceous flora in the study area was composed of 71 species, of which 58 were sampled in the plots. The families with the greatest species richness were Malvaceae (8 species), Euphorbiaceae (7), Poaceae (6), Convolvulaceae (4), Fabaceae (4), and Portulacaceae (4). The diversity indices were 2.66 and 3.01 nats ind-1 in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The density, frequency, dominance and importance value of herbaceous populations, as well as, the height and diameter of plants were low in the dryer year. The riparian group was the most isolated of the microhabitats examined, both in terms of its floristic and its population structure. Annual seasonal climatic variations greatly modified these populations structure during the course of this study, emphasizing the fact that long-term studies are needed in order to better understand the dynamics of the herbaceous component of the "caatinga" vegetation.

Floristic composition, diversity and structure of the "cerrado" sensu stricto on rocky soils in northern Goiás and southern Tocantins, Brazil

The "cerrado" sensu stricto is a savanna woodland physiognomy which occupies most of central Brazil, with the degree of canopy cover varying from 10% to 60% at a site with trees reaching up to seven meters high. It occurs mostly on deep and well-drained soils but can also be found on shallower ones. The diversity and structure of the "cerrado" sensu stricto on shallow and rocky Cambisols and Litosols were studied here. Sixteen 20 x 50 m² plots were sampled in a random design over patches of this vegetation in northern Goiás State and southern Tocantins. All stems from 5 cm diameter at 30 cm from the ground level were measured. Vouchers were collected and deposited at the IBGE herbarium. A total of 87 species in 65 genera and 33 families were found. Diversity index was 2.87 nats ind-1, density was 836 stems ha-1 with a basal area of 8.4374 m² ha-1. Sørensen's index indicated higher similarities between plots at the same site indicating a geographical gradient influencing the floristic composition of the "cerrado" sensu stricto on rocky soils. Czekanowski's index confirmed this trend. TWINSPAN classification final groups were defined by preferential species of more fertile soils, in opposition to those typical of dystrophic soils and to common species to gallery forests occurring on sloping terrains with gullies.

Fisionomia e estrutura de uma floresta estacional montana do maciço da Borborema, Pernambuco - Brasil

Foi caracterizada a fisionomia e a estrutura do componente arbóreo de um fragmento de floresta estacional montana situado a 900 m de altitude. A área de estudo (8º11'144" -8º12'27" S e 36º23'730" -36º24'638" W) apresenta solos profundos e precipitação média anual de 948 mm ano-1. Foram amostrados todos os indivíduos vivos ou mortos, ainda em pé, com diâmetro a altura do peito > 5 cm, em 50 parcelas contíguas de 10 x 20 m, e tomadas as seguintes medidas: altura total, diâmetro do caule e área de cobertura da copa. As espécies foram classificadas quanto ao tamanho foliar, deciduidade e composição do limbo. Um total de 62 espécies (um taxon não identificado) foi amostrado. Densidade total, área basal total, altura e diâmetro médios e máximos dos indivíduos vivos foram 1.553 ind ha-1, 39 m² ha-1, 10,3 e 30 m e 14,2 e 105,0 cm, respectivamente. Cerca de 50% dos indivíduos vivos ocorreram abaixo de 10 m de altura. A distribuição das áreas basais e cobertura de copa por classe de altura indicou dois intervalos de concentração: 7-13 e 19-22 m. A área representa uma floresta estacional montana de transição entre as florestas ombrófilas e estacionais. A maioria das espécies é perenifólia e apresenta folhas simples e micrófilas (Casearia sylvestris Sw., Guapira nitida (Schmidt) Lundell, Marlierea clausseniana (O. Berg) Kiaersk., Ocotea aff. elegans Mez, Plinia sp., entre outras), ocupando o dossel da floresta juntamente com espécies notófilas (Amaioua cf. guianensis Aubl. e Roupala paulensis Sleumer) e mesófilas (Fabaceae sp. e Inga marginata Willd., entre outras). Entre as emergentes predominam espécies com folhas caducifólias e compostas, como Copaifera trapezifolia Hayne e Eriotheca crenulaticalyx A. Robyns.

Variações na composição florística e na estrutura fitossociológica de uma floresta ombrófila densa alto-montana na Serra da Mantiqueira, Monte Verde, MG

As florestas alto-montanas são reconhecidas por apresentarem composição florística e estrutura fitossociológica distintas das florestas em cotas altitudinais inferiores. Realizou-se um levantamento fitossociológico em uma floresta alto-montana localizada na Serra da Mantiqueira, distrito de Monte Verde, Camanducaia, Minas Gerais. O principal objetivo foi analisar o efeito do gradiente altitudinal na composição florística e na estrutura fitossociológica da vegetação. Foram instalados sete blocos paralelos com cinco parcelas contíguas de 10 × 10 m, distantes 50 m, entre 1.840 e 1.920 m de altitude. Todos os indivíduos arbóreos com CAP > 15 cm foram amostrados, assim como as "moitas de bambu" que continham no mínimo 10 perfilhos. Foram amostrados 1.191 indivíduos, pertencentes a 64 espécies arbóreas e duas espécies de bambu, distribuídas entre 42 gêneros e 26 famílias, além da classe de indivíduos mortos. A densidade total equivalente foi de 3.403 ind ha-1 e o índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener (H') foi de 3,284 nat ind-1. A biomassa morta destacou-se pelo elevado valor de importância (42,06), seguida de Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum (24,59), Roupala rhombifolia Mart. ex Meisn. (19,98) e Drimys brasiliensis Miers (18,57). Entre os parâmetros estruturais analisados a altura máxima do dossel e o número de indivíduos bifurcados estiveram correlacionados com a altitude. Uma considerável substituição de espécies foi observada, evidenciando um forte gradiente florístico, mesmo sendo o gradiente altitudinal amostrado relativamente curto.

Floristic and vegetation structure of a granitic grassland in Southern Brazil

A floristic and structural survey of a natural grassland community was conducted on Morro do Osso, a granitic hill in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Structural data were surveyed in 39 one square meter plots placed over two major grassland areas. An accidental fire has occurred in one of the areas approximately one year prior to our survey, leading to further analysis of parameters differences between sites. The floristic list contains 282 species, whereas the structural survey has found 161 species. Families with highest accumulated importance values were Poaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae. The diversity and evenness indexes were 4.51 nats ind-1 and 0.86, respectively. Cluster analysis denoted two groups coinciding with the areas distinguished by the fire disturbance. A similarity analysis between our data and two other data sets from nearby granitic hills resulted in 28% to 35% similarity, with equivalent species-family distribution and many common dominant species, corroborating the concept of a continuous flora along the South Brazilian granitic hills.

Diversidade e estrutura comunitária de cerrado sensu stricto em afloramentos rochosos no parque estadual dos Pireneus, Goiás

(Diversidade e estrutura comunitária de cerrado sensu stricto em afloramentos rochosos no Parque Estadual dos Pireneus, Goiás). Este estudo foi realizado no Parque Estadual dos Pireneus e tem como objetivo analisar a composição florística e a estrutura comunitária do componente lenhoso do cerrado sensu stricto sobre afloramentos de rochas e comparar os resultados com outros locais. A área localiza-se entre as coordenadas 15°48'42"-47" S e 48°52'40"-63" W, a 1.310 m de altitude média. Dez parcelas de 20 m × 50 m (1.000 m²) foram alocadas aleatoriamente onde mediu-se todos os indivíduos lenhosos com diâmetro do tronco igual ou superior a 5 cm, tomado a 30 cm do solo. O estudo registrou 65 espécies, pertencentes a 51 gêneros e 35 famílias. As famílias mais representativas quanto ao número de espécies foram: Myrtaceae (oito spp.), Fabaceae (sete spp.) e Melastomataceae (seis spp.). As doze primeiras espécies em VI foram responsáveis por mais de 50% da dominância e densidade totais. A densidade foi de 1.105 indivíduos ha-1 e a área basal 11,03 m² ha-1. O índice de diversidade de Shannon (H') foi de 3,65 nats ind-1e encontra-se dentro da faixa de variação de estudos em cerrado sensu stricto. Os agrupamentos das parcelas do parque gerados pela análise de classificação mostraram que este cerrado é composto por espécies características do local como Schwartzia adamantium (Cambess.) Bedell ex Giraldo-Cañas, Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Müll. Arg. e Clusia burchellii Engl., espécies generalistas das fisionomias de cerrado e também espécies mais comuns em mata de galeria, e apresenta estrutura similar a esta vegetação em outras condições edáficas.

O mercado pentecostal de pregações e testemunhos: formas de gestão do sofrimento

O presente artigo tem como objetivo investigar a emergência de um mercado pentecostal de pregações e testemunhos, no qual sujeitos engajam-se nas carreiras de "pregadores-itinerantes", vivendo do expediente de "dar seu testemunho" em igrejas e eventos. Narrando episódios dramáticos de seu passado mundano, esses sujeitos lutam para se inserir nas margens de um mercado religioso instituinte, transformando suas biografias despedaçadas em mercadorias simbólicas. Nessa indústria pentecostal do sofrimento, sujeitos considerados "subprodutos" da modernização são absorvidos por suas qualidades de "resto", por aquilo que suas identidades estranhas portam de ambivalência. Observa-se assim a constituição de um mercado de sofrimentos, uma das mais surpreendentes invenções desta forma de capitalismo religioso à brasileira, em que o "anômalo" é transmutado em alavanca de acumulação.

O som da Marcha: evangélicos e espaço público na Marcha para Jesus

Neste artigo, trato da relação entre evangélicos e espaço público do ponto de vista das práticas sonoras que operam na chamada "Marcha para Jesus". A "Marcha para Jesus" ocorre anualmente em centenas de cidades e consiste em uma caminhada por locais vistos como importantes para a cidade, acompanhada por músicas evangélicas entoadas em alto som. Nesses eventos, em que se conectam esferas comumente imaginadas como distintas, como religião, indústria cultural (mercado) e política, o som estabelece e dilui fronteiras. Uma coletividade evangélica é performada e se engaja em batalhas sonoras e espirituais pela cidade.

Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to microinjection of L-glutamate into the caudal pressor area in conscious and anesthetized rats

The role of the caudal pressor area (CPA) in the maintenance of vasomotor tonus in anesthetized and decerebrate animals has been clearly established. In conscious animals, however, the participation of CPA in the cardiovascular control remains to be fully elucidated. In the present study, unilateral L-glutamate (L-Glu) (10 and/or 20 nmol/70 nl) microinjection into CPA, in conscious male Wistar rats (250-280 g) caused a significant increase in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP; control: 112 ± 1.9 mmHg; after 20 nmol L-Glu: 139 ± 4.5 mmHg, N = 12, P<0.05) and respiratory rate (control: 81 ± 3.5 breaths/min; after 10 nmol L-Glu: 92 ± 3 breaths/min, P<0.05; after 20 nmol L-Glu: 104 ± 5 breaths/min, N = 6, P<0.05). The subsequent anesthesia with urethane caused a significant increase in basal respiratory frequency (conscious: 81 ± 3.5 breaths/min; under urethane: 107 ± 1.3 breaths/min, N = 6, P<0.05). Anesthesia also significantly attenuated L-Glu-evoked pressor (conscious: deltaMAP = +27 mmHg; anesthetized: deltaMAP = +18 mmHg, P<0.05) and respiratory responses. These results suggest that glutamatergic receptors in the CPA are involved in cardiovascular and respiratory modulation in conscious rats.

Visual analytics for behavioral and niche market segmentation

Companies require information in order to gain an improved understanding of their customers. Data concerning customers, their interests and behavior are collected through different loyalty programs. The amount of data stored in company data bases has increased exponentially over the years and become difficult to handle. This research area is the subject of much current interest, not only in academia but also in practice, as is shown by several magazines and blogs that are covering topics on how to get to know your customers, Big Data, information visualization, and data warehousing. In this Ph.D. thesis, the Self-Organizing Map and two extensions of it – the Weighted Self-Organizing Map (WSOM) and the Self-Organizing Time Map (SOTM) – are used as data mining methods for extracting information from large amounts of customer data. The thesis focuses on how data mining methods can be used to model and analyze customer data in order to gain an overview of the customer base, as well as, for analyzing niche-markets. The thesis uses real world customer data to create models for customer profiling. Evaluation of the built models is performed by CRM experts from the retailing industry. The experts considered the information gained with help of the models to be valuable and useful for decision making and for making strategic planning for the future.

Kuusamon keskustan liikennejärjestelyjen ja ympäristön kehittämissuunnitelma

Laaditussa kehittämissuunnitelmassa keskeisimpänä suunnittelukohteena on ollut Kitkantien ydinjakso välillä Ouluntaival - Vienantie sekä Kelantien ja Kitkantien risteysalueen läheisyyteen sijoittuva aukio. Ydinjaksolle on tutkittu kolmea eri vaihtoehtoa väylän poikkileikkauksen, autoliikenteen, kevyen liikenteen, pysäköinnin ja ympäristön osalta. Liikennevalo-ohjatun pääliittymän kohdalle Kitkantien ja Ouluntaipaleen liittymässä on tutkittu vaihtoehtona kiertoliittymää. Viereisen aukion kohdalle on tutkittu kahta ympäristön kehittämisvaihtoehtoa. Kelantielle on tutkittu linja-autojen päätepysäkkijärjestelyistä kaksi vaihtoehtoa. Kitkantien jatkeelle, välille Vienantie - Kaarlo Hännisentie, on tutkittu kahta liikennejärjestelyvaihtoehtoa väylän poikkileikkauksen, autopysäköinnin ja ympäristön osalta. Kitkantien pohjoisosalle, välille Kaarlo Hännisentien - valtatie 5, on tutkittu kahta liikennejärjestelyvaihtoehtoa. Ouluntaipaleelle, välille Oulangantie - Kitkantie, on suunniteltu pääasiassa liikenneturvallisuutta parantavia toimenpiteitä. Suunnittelun lähtötietoina ovat olleet tie- ja liikennetiedot sekä asemakaava, maankäyttösuunnitelmat sekä tämän työn yhteydessä perusselvitykseksi laadittu ympäristön nykytila-analyysi. Ympäristön nykytila-analyysin mukaan Kuusamon keskustan sisääntulojakson sekä ydinjakson maisemakuvallisena ongelmana on Kitkantien laaja ja jäsentymätön katutila. Ydinalueella ei ole istutuksia. Koko suunnittelujakson taajamakuvallisena ongelmana on katukalusteiden värimaailman ja tyylin epäyhtenäisyys. Nykyistä vinopysäköintiä ei pidetä myöskään kaikilta osin hyvänä ratkaisuna. Vinopysäköinnin ja kevyen liikenteen väylien päällysteissä, reunatuissa ja pintakuivatuksessa on puutteita. Väylävalaistuksen teho on huono ja valaistus kaipaa uudistusta. Kuusamon keskustan ydinjaksolla (Ouluntaival ja Kitkantie) on sattunut paljon liikenneonnettomuuksia, joista suurin osa on johtanut henkilövahinkoihin. Kaikki vuosina 2009 - 2013 tapahtuneet jalankulkuonnettomuudet ovat tapahtuneet ydinkeskustassa. Kitkantiellä, Kaarlo Hännisentien liittymässä, on sattunut peräänajo-onnettomuuksia, mutta ei henkilövahinkoja. Liikenneturvallisuuden parantamistarvetta on tie-, liittymä- ja pysäköintijärjestelyissä sekä jalankulun ja pyöräilyn olosuhteissa. Kitkantien ydinjaksolle, välille Kaiterantie - Vienantie, on esitetty rakennettavaksi osin kivetty ja osin istutettu keskialue. Nykyinen vinopysäköinti muutetaan pitkittäispysäköinniksi, jolloin kevyelle liikenteelle saadaan myös lisätilaa. Lisäksi katutilaa jäsennellään katupuuistutuksin. Kitkantien varresta vähenevät autopaikat korvataan osittain Kaiterantien varteen rakennettavalla yleisellä pysäköintialueella (LPA). Lisäksi pysäköintiä ohjataan muille ydinkeskustan yleisille pysäköintialueille (Kelantien ja Vanttajantie). Kitkantien ja Vienantien sekä Ouluntaipaleen ja Kaiterantien liittymiin rakennetaan korotukset. Pääliittymän ja aukion kohdalle on esitetty yhtenäinen kävelypainotteinen kivetty alue. Liittymäratkaisuna on kiertoliittymä, jossa ajolinjoja ohjataan pollareilla. Molemmin puolin Kelantietä rakennetaan pysäkkilevennykset, johon tulee nousu- ja jättöpysäkit (kääntöpaikka osittain Vanttajantien pysäköintialueella). Jalankulkuyhteyksiä rakennetaan ydinkeskustan, aukion ja yleisten pysäköintialueiden välille. Kitkantien varteen ja aukiolle suunnitellaan runkolukittavia pyörätelineitä sekä penkkejä. Aukio kivetään kauttaaltaan ja sinne osoitetaan istutusalueita. Aukiotilaa rajaa viereisiin kortteleihin porrastettu osuus, joka toimii aukion rajaavana elementtinä tai, viereisen korttelin kehittyessä, luo sisääntulon palvelukeskittymälle. Välillä Vienantie - Kaarlo Hännisentie, Kitkantien vinopysäköinti muutetaan myös pitkittäispysäköinniksi. Ajorata kavennetaan 7 metriin. Vienantien liittymän pohjoispuolelle rakennetaan Kitkantien molemmille puolille ajoratapysäkit. Kaarlo Hännisentien liittymän eteläpuoleisia liittymäjärjestelyjä parannetaan ja mm. R-kioskin liittymään rakennetaan suuntaisliittymä. Katutilaa jäsennellään katupuuistutuksin ja ajoratapysäkkien yhteyteen sekä palveluiden lähelle osoitetaan runkolukittavia pyörätelineitä sekä penkkejä. Kitkantien pohjoisosalla, välillä Kaarlo Hännisentie - valtatie 5, Kitkantien ajorataa kavennetaan ja nykyinen länsipuolinen jalkakäytävä levennetään pyörätieksi. Välillä Muikkutie - valtatie 5, Kitkantien ajoradan keskelle rakennetaan keskisaareke. Hautausmaan puoleinen jalkakäytävä puretaan ja Muikkutien liittymän nykyiset linja-autopysäkit parannetaan. Liikuntahallin kohdan liittymä-, kevytliikenne ja pysäkkijärjestelyjä parannetaan. Katuympäristöä parannetaan nurmettamalla tieluiskat ja leveät välisaarekkeet. Kapeat saarekkeet kivetään. Ouluntaipaleella, välillä Oulangantie - Kaiterantie, kavennetaan ajorataa ja pohjoispuolinen kevyen liikenteen väylä levennetään, liittymiä parannetaan, rakennetaan suojatiesaarekkeita sekä kunnostetaan tieympäristöä mm. sisääntulokohdan puuston ja pensaiden harvennuksilla. Katuympäristöä parannetaan pääosin nurmettamalla tieluiskia ja leveitä välikaistoja. Kitronintielle, välille Kitkantie - Kirkkotie, on esitetty kevyen liikenteen väylän reunatuen ja valaistuksen uusimista Kirkolle asti sekä alkuosalla ajoradan päällysteen uusiminen. Ympäristöä parannetaan nurmettamalla uudelleen rakentamisen myötä rikkoutuvia nurmipintoja. Kaikkein suunnitteluosuuksien ajoratavalaistukset uusitaan. Kitkantien ydinjaksolle ja aukiolle tulee perusvalaistuksen lisäksi erikoisvalaistusta (mm. kausivalaistus ja kohdevalaistus). Keskusta- alueella käytetään puupylväitä. Keskustan ulkopuolisilla osuuksilla jatketaan aikaisemmin toteutettuja valaistusratkaisuja. Valaisimina käytetään siniseksi maalattuja CitySoul-valaisimia kartiopylväissä ja Kitkantien pohjoisosan sisääntulojaksolla keskisaarekkeessa valopilarivalaisinpylväitä (vrt. parannettu Ouluntie tai Rukan sisääntulo). Esitetyillä kehittämistoimenpiteillä Kuusamon ydinkeskustan ilme ja tieympäristö saadaan uudistettua sekä liikennejärjestelyjen toimivuutta ja turvallisuutta saadaan parannettua kaikkien liikennemuotojen osalta. Jalankulun ja pyöräilyolosuhteiden parantaminen tukee kestävän liikkumisen edistämisen periaatteita. Kehittämisratkaisuilla parannetaan ydinkeskustan viihtyisyyttä ja houkuttelevuutta. Valaistuksen uusimisella parannetaan viihtyisyyden lisäksi liikenneturvallisuutta sekä yleistä turvallisuuden tunnetta. Suunniteltujen kehittämisratkaisujen kokonaiskustannuksiksi on arvioitu noin 6,9 M€ vuoden 2014 hintatasossa (maku ind. 112; 2010 =100). Kustannukset sisältävät 25 %:n yleiskustannusosuuden. Kustannukset eivät sisällä laitteiden uusimista tai siirtoja eikä aukion alueen rakennusten purkukustannuksia. Ydinkeskustan rakentamiskustannusten osuus katulämmityksineen on noin 4,4 M€. Ydinkeskustan kustannukset sisältävät Kaiterantien varren pysäköintialueen rakentamisen ja Kelantien pysäkkijärjestelyt. Kivetyn aukion ja pääliittymän katulämmityksen rakentamiskustannusosuus on arviolta noin 800 000 € ja vuosittaiset ylläpitokustannukset arviolta noin 170 000 €. Muiden tiejaksojen parantamiskustannukset ovat yhteensä noin 2,5 M€. Hanke voidaan toteuttaa vaiheittain. Kiireisin vaihe on ydinkeskustan parantaminen. Rakentamiskustannusten jaosta ELY-keskuksen ja Kuusamon kaupungin kesken sovitaan erikseen pidettävissä neuvotteluissa. Ratkaisut eivät edellytä asemakaavan muutoksia. Rakentamisen jälkeen maantieosuudet siirtyvät kaupungin omistukseen (hallinnollinen muutos). Kehittämissuunnitelmaratkaisut ovat toteutussuunnitelmien laatimisen lähtökohtana.

Chlorpheniramine facilitates inhibitory avoidance in teleosts submitted to telencephalic ablation

The present study investigated the involvement of H(1) histaminegic receptor on the acquisition of inhibitory avoidance in Carassius auratus submitted to telencephalic ablation. The fish were submitted to telencephalic ablation 5 days before the experiment. The inhibitory avoidance procedure included 1 day for habituation, 3 days for training composed of 3 trials each (1st day: T1, T2, T3; 2nd day: 2T1, 2T2, 2T3; 3rd day: 3T1, 3T2, 3T3) and 1 day for test. On training days, the fish were placed in a white compartment, after 30 s the door was opened. When the fish crossed to a black compartment, a weight was dropped (aversive stimuli). Immediately after the third trial, on training days, the fish received, intraperitoneally, one of the pharmacological treatments (saline (N = 20), 8 (N = 12) or 16 (N = 13) µg/g chlorpheniramine, CPA). On the test day, the time to cross to the black compartment was determined. The latency of the saline group increased significantly only on the 3rd trial of the 2nd training day (mean ± SEM, T1 (50.40 ± 11.69), 2T3 (226.05 ± 25.01); ANOVA: P = 0.0249, Dunn test: P < 0.05). The group that received 8 µg/g CPA showed increased latencies from the 2nd training day until the test day (T1 (53.08 ± 17.17), 2T2 (197.75 ± 35.02), test (220.08 ± 30.98); ANOVA: P = 0.0022, Dunn test: P < 0.05)). These results indicate that CPA had a facilitating effect on memory. We suggest that the fish submitted to telencephalic ablation were able to learn due to the local circuits of the mesencephalon and/or diencephalon and that CPA interferes in these circuits, probably due an anxiolytic-like effect.

Role of the caudal pressor area in the regulation of sympathetic vasomotor tone

It is well known that the ventrolateral medulla contains neurons involved in the tonic and reflex control of the cardiovascular system. Two regions within the ventrolateral medulla were initially identified: the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM). Activation of the RVLM raises arterial blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity, and activation of the CVLM causes opposite effects. The RVLM premotor neurons project directly to sympathetic preganglionic neurons and are involved in the maintenance of resting sympathetic vasomotor tone. A significant proportion of tonic activity in the RVLM sympathetic premotor neurons is driven by neurons located in a third region of the ventrolateral medulla denominated caudal pressor area (CPA). The CPA is a pressor region located at the extreme caudal part of the ventrolateral medulla that appears to have an important role controlling the activity of RVLM neurons. In this brief review, we will address the importance of the ventrolateral medulla neurons for the generation of resting sympathetic tone related to arterial blood pressure control focusing on two regions, the RVLM and the CPA.

Chlorpheniramine impairs functional recovery in Carassius auratus after telencephalic ablation

We determined the effect of an H1 receptor antagonist on the functional recovery of Carassius auratus submitted to telencephalic ablation. Five days after surgery the fish underwent a spatial-choice learning paradigm test. The fish, weighing 6-12 g, were divided into four groups: telencephalic ablation (A) or sham lesion (S) and saline (SAL) or chlorpheniramine (CPA, ip, 16 mg/kg). For eight consecutive days each animal was trained individually in sessions separated by 24 h (alternate days). Training trials (T1-T8) consisted of finding the food in one of the feeders, which were randomly blocked for each subject. Animals received an intraperitoneal injection of SAL or CPA 10 min after the training trials. The time spent by the animals in each group to find the food (latency) was analyzed separately at T1 and T8 by the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Student Newman-Keuls test. At T1 the latencies (mean ± SEM) of the A-SAL (586.3 ± 13.6) and A-CPA (600 ± 0) groups were significantly longer than those of the S-SAL (226.14 ± 61.15) and S-CPA (356.33 ± 68.8) groups. At T8, the latencies of the A-CPA group (510.11 ± 62.2) remained higher than those of the other groups, all of which showed significantly shorter latencies (A-SAL = 301.91 ± 78.32; S-CPA = 191.58 ± 73.03; S-SAL = 90.28 ± 41) compared with T1. These results support evidence that training can lead to functional recovery of spatial-choice learning in telencephalonless fish and also that the antagonist of the H1 receptor impairs it.

H1 but not H2 histamine antagonist receptors mediate anxiety-related behaviors and emotional memory deficit in mice subjected to elevated plus-maze testing

This study investigated the role of H1 and H2 receptors in anxiety and the retrieval of emotional memory using a Trial 1/Trial 2 (T1/T2) protocol in an elevated plus-maze (EPM). Tests were performed on 2 consecutive days, designated T1 and T2. Before T1, the mice received intraperitoneal injections of saline (SAL), 20 mg/kg zolantidine (ZOL, an H2receptor antagonist), or 8.0 or 16 mg/kg chlorpheniramine (CPA, an H1 receptor antagonist). After 40 min, they were subjected to the EPM test. In T2 (24 h later), each group was subdivided into two additional groups, and the animals from each group were re-injected with SAL or one of the drugs. In T1, the Student t-test showed no difference between the SAL and ZOL or 8 mg/kg CPA groups with respect to the percentages of open arm entries (%OAE) and open arm time (%OAT). However, administration of CPA at the highest dose of 16 mg/kg decreased %OAE and %OAT, but not locomotor activity, indicating anxiogenic-like behavior. Emotional memory, as revealed by a reduction in open arm exploration between the two trials, was observed in all experimental groups, indicating that ZOL and 8 mg/kg CPA did not affect emotional memory, whereas CPA at the highest dose affected acquisition and consolidation, but not retrieval of memory. Taken together, these results suggest that H1 receptor, but not H2, is implicated in anxiety-like behavior and in emotional memory acquisition and consolidation deficits in mice subjected to EPM testing.