Selective protection of the cerebellum against intracerebroventricular LPS is mediated by local melatonin synthesis

Although melatonin is mainly produced by the pineal gland, an increasing number of extra-pineal sites of melatonin synthesis have been described. We previously demonstrated the existence of bidirectional communication between the pineal gland and the immune system that drives a switch in melatonin production from the pineal gland to peripheral organs during the mounting of an innate immune response. In the present study, we show that acute neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injected directly into the lateral ventricles of adult rats reduces the nocturnal peak of melatonin in the plasma and induces its synthesis in the cerebellum, though not in the cortex or hippocampus. This increase in cerebellar melatonin content requires the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which positively regulates the expression of the key enzyme for melatonin synthesis, arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT). Interestingly, LPS treatment led to neuronal death in the hippocampus and cortex, but not in the cerebellum. This privileged protection of cerebellar cells was abrogated when G-protein-coupled melatonin receptors were blocked by the melatonin antagonist luzindole, suggesting that the local production of melatonin protects cerebellar neurons from LPS toxicity. This is the first demonstration of a switch between pineal and extra-pineal melatonin production in the central nervous system following a neuroinflammatory response. These results have direct implications concerning the differential susceptibility of specific brain areas to neuronal death.

Possible interspecific origin of the B chromosome of Hypsiboas albopunctatus (Spix, 1824) (Anura, Hylidae), revealed by microdissection, chromosome painting, and reverse hybridisation

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

Reprodução e morfologia de Haddadus binotatus (Spix, 1824) (Anura, Craugastoridae) no litoral do Estado de São Paulo

Haddadus binotatus é uma espécie endêmica de Mata Atlântica e ocorre desde o sul de Pernambuco até o Rio Grande do Sul. Apesar da sua ampla distribuição pouco se conhece da história natural dessa espécie. Haddadus binotatus apresenta desenvolvimento direto e ovos são depositados sob a serapilheira ou sob troncos caídos. Há dimorfismo sexual, sendo as fêmeas maiores do que os machos. O objetivo desse estudo é conhecer os padrões reprodutivos de populações de H. binotatus no continente e em ilhas do litoral do estado de São Paulo. Os objetivos específicos são: 1) avaliar as diferenças morfológicas entre populações de H. binotatus entre ilhas e entre ilhas-continente, 2) avaliar se há dimorfismo sexual em cada população, e 3) comparar os padrões reprodutivos entre populações insulares e continentais. Neste estudo, foram utilizados exemplares de H. binotatus, depositados na coleção de Anfíbios (CFBH), do departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Campus de Rio Claro. Os exemplares são provenientes de uma localidade no continente (São Sebastião) e três ilhas (Couves, Queimada Grande e Ilhabela). Os exemplares provenientes das ilhas, com exceção daqueles da Ilha das Couves, foram maiores do que os da Juréia. Houve dimorfismo sexual em todas as populações, sendo as fêmeas maiores. As populações insulares apresentam número de ovócitos menor do que a população do continente (Juréia). O número de ovócitos semelhante aos da população da Juréia foi registrado para uma população em Minas Gerais, reforçando o padrão de que populações insulares têm desovas menores. No entanto, não houve diferença no tamanho dos ovos. As diferenças encontradas para as populações insulares podem ser resultado de recursos mais limitados como espaço e alimento, pelo tamanho das presas e/ou ausência de predadores. Este estudo preliminar representa... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

A grande missão do século XIX e a escrita da história de Ernest Renan (1848-1863)

Pós-graduação em História - FCLAS

Análises moleculares de populações de Wasmannia auropunctata Roger, 1863 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) e da presença de endossimbiontes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Revista Popular (1859-1863) e Jornal das Famílias (1863-1878): um perfil dos periódicos de Garnier

The purpose of this paper is to show some characteristics and essential information related to the Brazilian periodicals in the 19th century Revista Popular (1859-1862) and Jornal das Famílias (1863-1878), whose owner was the Frenchman Baptiste Louis Garnier. By that time the proliferation of periodicals attracts attention mainly because several of them had ephemeral existence, in opposition to Garnier’s periodicals which as a whole amount to 19 years in circulation. The research on these periodicals becomes relevant since they are well succeeded publications whose study makes possible the widening of the knowledge on social and cultural aspects of a very important period in Brazilian society.

On the Ecology and Distribution of Echinococcus spp. (Cestoda: Taeniidae), and Characteristics of Their Development in the Intermediate Host. II. Comparative Studies on the Development of Larval E. multilocularis Leuckart, 1863, in the Intermediate Host

This paper reports the results of a comparative study of the development of the larval Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863), and associated tissue reaction in naturally and experimentally infected mammals representing 31 species. The histogenesis of the larval cestode was traced in detail in arvicoline rodents of several species, and interspecific differences were defined. In arvicoline rodents, the developing larva exhibited host-specific characteristics within about a month after infection was established. The tissue reaction in Microtus oeconomus was characterized by the production of a large quantity of detritus around the larva, and by the formation of a thick epithelioid zone. In one subspecies, M. oeconomus innuitus, development of the larva was retarded, and the detrital mass was often calcified; in another, M. oeconomus operarius, the detritus rarely became calcified and the larva proliferated more rapidly. In M. pennsylvanicus, the tissue reaction was minimal, and little detritus was present. The characteristics of the tissue reaction in M. montebelli placed it in an intermediate position between the aforementioned species. In Clethrionomys rutilus, a thin epithelioid zone and an outer zone of loose collagenous fibers composed the adventitial layer; exogenous budding was retarded in this vole. A minimal tissue reaction occurred in Lagurus curtatus. In Lemmus spp., larger cysts were characteristic, but areas of small-cystic proliferation were always present. Similar differences in species or subspecies of Citellus and Dicrostonyx were described. Lesions of alveolar bydatid disease in man also were studied. The invasive growth of the larval cestode in the human liver involves a process comparable to small-cystic proliferation in the natural intermediate hosts. Although the later stages of development of the larval cestode are inhibited in man, exogenous proliferation of vesicles continues for the life of the host. The lesion in man was compared with a morphologically similar formation produced by anomalous development of the larval E. granulosus in the bovine liver. The latter is distinguished by the absence of areas of small-cystic proliferation. Non-echinococcal lesions found in the tissues studied, some of which resembled foci caused by the larval E. multilocularis, were briefly discussed.

Variabilidad genética y estructura de la población del chicharro, Trachurus picturatus (Bowdich, 1824), en las Islas Canarias.

Memoria presentada para optar al Diploma de Estudios Avanzados en Ciencias del Mar

Imported diphyllobothriasis in Switzerland: molecular evidence of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum (Nitsch, 1824)

We report for the first time in Switzerland a clinical case because of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, identified by molecular methods. We discuss the potential for this imported species to infect local intermediate hosts and thus to achieve autochthonous cyclic transmission.

Jackson County Heifer Development Project Summary

The heifer development project was a five year project conducted on the site of the former Jackson County Farm north of Andrew, Iowa, for four years and on an area producer’s farm for the fifth year. Heifers arrived around December 1 each year and the average number of heifers each year was 43 with a low of 37 and high of 47. After a 30+ day warm-up period the heifers were put on a 112-day test from early January to late April. They were fed a shelled corn and legume-grass hay ration consisting of between 13% and 14% crude protein and a range of .44 to .58 megacal/pound of NEg over the five years. During the 112-day test heifers gained 1.86, 1.78, 1.5, 1.63 and 2.2 pounds per day, respectively, for years 1992 through 1996. The actual average breeding weight was less than the target weight in three years by 5, 12 and 22 pounds and exceeded the target weight in two year by 17 and 28 pounds. Estrus synchronization used a combination of MGA feeding and Lutalyse injection. Heifers were heat detected and bred 12 hours later for a three-day period. On the fourth day, all heifers not bred were mass inseminated. Heifers then ran with the cleanup bull for 58 days. The average synchronization response rate during the project was 79%. The overall pregnancy rates based on September pregnancy averaged 92%. The five year average total cost per head for heifer development was $286.18 or about $.85 per day. Feed and pasture costs averaged 61% of the total costs.