Intraspecific trait variation is correlated with establishment success of alien mammals

Many studies have aimed to identify common predictors of successful introductions of alien species, but the search has had limited success, particularly for animals. Past research focused primarily on mean trait values, even though genetic and phenotypic variation has been shown to play a role in establishment success in plants and some animals (mostly invertebrates). Using a global database describing 511 introduction events representing 97 mammalian species, we show that intraspecific variation in morphological traits is associated with establishment success, even when controlling for the positive effect of propagule pressure. In particular, greater establishment success is associated with more variation in adult body size but, surprisingly, less variation in neonate body size, potentially reflecting distinct trade-offs and constraints that influence population dynamics differently. We find no mean trait descriptors associated with establishment success, although species occupying wider native distribution ranges (which likely have larger niches) are more successful. Our results emphasize the importance of explicitly considering intraspecific variation to predict establishment success in animal species and generally to understand population dynamics. This understanding might improve management of alien species and increase the success of intentional releases, for example, for biocontrol or reintroductions.

Adenosine receptor type 2a is differently modulated by nicotine in dorsal brainstem cells of Wistar Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension can result from neuronal network imbalance in areas of central nervous system that control blood pressure, such as the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). There are several neurotransmitters and neuromodulatory substances within the NTS, such as adenosine, which acts on purinoreceptors A(2a) (A(2a)R). The A(2a)R modulates neurotransmission in the NTS where its activation may induce decrease in blood pressure by different mechanisms. Nicotine is a molecule that crosses the hematoencephalic barrier and acts in several areas of central nervous system including the NTS, where it may interact with some neurotransmitter systems and contributes to the development of hypertension in subjects with genetic predisposition to this disease. In this study we first determined A(2a)R binding, protein, and mRNA expression in dorsomedial medulla oblongata of neonate normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Subsequently, we analyzed the modulatory effects of nicotine on A(2a)R in cell culture in order to evaluate its possible involvement in the development of hypertension. Data showed a decreased A(2a)R binding and increased protein and mRNA expression in tissue sample and culture of dorsal brainstem from SHR compared with those from WKY rats at basal conditions. Moreover, nicotine modulated A(2a)R binding, protein, and mRNA expression in cells from both strains. Interestingly, nicotine decreased A(2a)R binding and increased protein levels, as well as, induced a differential modulation in A(2a)R mRNA expression. Results give us a clue about the mechanisms involved in the modulatory effects of nicotine on A(2a)R as well as hypothesize its possible contribution to the development of hypertension. In conclusion, we demonstrated that A(2a)R of SHR cells which differ from WKY and nicotine differentially modulates A(2a)R in dorsal brainstem cells of SHR and WKY.

Fibroelastic Components of the Vesicourethral Junction of Rats in the Aging Process

The vesicourethral junction comprising the vesical trigone, is relevant in setting and positioning of the urinary bladder, along with the vesical neck, fixed by lateral ligaments of the bladder and tendinous arch of the pelvis fascia. Namely, the puboprostatic ligament (men) and the pubovesical (women). The circular set elastic fibers in this junction are important and valuable in the elasticity and plasticity of the area, allowing quick expansion and withdrawal with the flow of urine, and associated to smooth muscle tissue and nerve control form an important collective to maintain urinary continence. The objective of the present study is to describe the elastic system in the vesicouretral junction in relation to aging and its involvement in the states of urinary continence and incontinence, as well as the study of the vesicouretral junction in various age groups while evaluating with electron transmission microscopy. To carry out the study, 12 Wistar rats were used, divided into groups: neonate (4 animals), adult group (4 animals) and aged group (4 animals). Electron transmission microscopy with use of tanic acid technique associated to glutaraldehyde fixation, satisfactorily showed the extreme structural differences between mature elaunin and oxytalan fibers present between intercelular spaces and bundles of collagen fibers. The phases of elastogenesis in neonate animals and degradation of the elastic system of older animals were also evaluated.

A modified rat model of neonatal anoxia: Development and evaluation by pulseoximetry, arterial gasometry and Fos immunoreactivity

Neonatal anoxia is a worldwide clinical problem that has serious and lasting consequences. The diversity of models does not allow complete reproducibility, so a standardized model is needed. In this study, we developed a rat model of neonatal anoxia that utilizes a semi-hermetic system suitable for oxygen deprivation. The validity of this model was confirmed using pulse oximetry, arterial gasometry, observation of skin color and behavior and analysis of Fos immunoreactivity in brain regions that function in respiratory control. For these experiments, 87 male albino neonate rats (Rattus norvegicus, lineage Wistar) aged approximate 30 postnatal hours were divided into anoxia and control groups. The pups were kept in an euthanasia polycarbonate chamber at 36 +/- 1 degrees C, with continuous 100% nitrogen gas flow at 3 L/min and 101.7 kPa for 25 min. The peripheral arterial oxygen saturation of the anoxia group decreased 75% from its initial value. Decreased pH and partial pressure of oxygen and increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide were observed in this group, indicating metabolic acidosis, hypoxia and hypercapnia. respectively. Analysis of neuronal activation showed Fos immunoreactivity in the solitary tract nucleus, the lateral reticular nucleus and the area postrema, confirming that those conditions activated areas related to respiratory control in the nervous system. Therefore, the proposed model of neonatal anoxia allows standardization and precise control of the anoxic condition, which should be of great value in indentifying both the mechanisms underlying neonatal anoxia and novel therapeutic strategies to combat or prevent this widespread public health problem. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Activation of insulin and IGF-1 signaling pathways by melatonin through MT1 receptor in isolated rat pancreatic islets

Melatonin diminishes insulin release through the activation of MT1 receptors and a reduction in cAMP production in isolated pancreatic islets of neonate and adult rats and in INS-1 cells ( an insulin-secreting cell line). The pancreas of pinealectomized rats exhibits degenerative pathological changes with low islet density, indicating that melatonin plays a role to ensure the functioning of pancreatic beta cells. By using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting analysis we demonstrated, in isolated rat pancreatic islets, that melatonin induces insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-R) and insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine phosphorylation and mediates the activities of the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERKs pathways, which are involved in cell survival and growth, respectively. Thus, the effects of melatonin on pancreatic islets do not involve a reduction in cAMP levels only. This indoleamine may regulate growth and differentiation of pancreatic islets by activating IGF-I and insulin receptor signaling pathways.

The Influence of Gender and Facial Appearance on Voting Practices

Women’s faces tend to naturally retain more neonate features than men. These features, such as a greater eye height, a smaller nose area, and a wider smile, would cause women to have more immature faces than males. Interestingly, women who have these facial features are often perceived as more attractive than women with mature facial features. These findings imply that women would be judged less competent than men, and that immature-faced women would be perceived as less competent and more attractive than mature-faced females. Given the direction of political leadership in our country, this has interesting implications for females that are vying for leadership positions. Thus, our study examined the effects of both candidate gender and facial features on voting likelihood, and perceptions of attractiveness and competence, by pairing pictures with neutral party platforms.

Efeito do estado nutricional bioquímico de retinol e alfatocoferol sobre seus níveis em lactantes

Vitamins A and E are essential nutrients in many biological processes, so that their adequate supply to the neonate is crucial. However, the bioavailability of vitamins may be limited by factors such as maternal nutritional status and the interaction between nutrients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of biochemical nutritional status of retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels in serum and colostrum. The study included 103 healthy puerperal women treated at the reference state maternity hospital (Natal-RN). Colostrum and serum samples were collected fasting in the immediate postpartum period and the analysis of retinol and alpha-tocopherol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Specific cutoff points were adopted to characterize the biochemical status of vitamins A and E. For the total group of lactanting women the average concentration of retinol in serum (1.49 ± 0.4 μmol/L-1) and colostrum (2.18 ± 0.8 μmol/L-1), as well as alpha-tocopherol in serum (26.4 ± 8.0 μmol/L-1) and colostrum (26.1 ± 12.8 μmol/L-1), indicated adequate biochemical state. However, when evaluating the individual, was found a high prevalence of deficient serum (15%) and colostrum retinol (50%), and also alphatocopherol in serum (16%) and colostrum (61%). In women with serum retinol ≥ 1.05 μmol/L-1, found an inverse correlation between serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol in colostrum (p = 0.008, r = -0.28). This association was not observed in women with serum retinol <1.05 μmol/L-1. This situation demonstrates for the first time in humans that high physiological levels of serum retinol, without supplementation, can negatively influence the transfer of alpha-tocopherol in breast milk. Although the diagnosis of satisfactory nutritional status lactanting women showed high risk of subclinical deficiency of vitamins A and E from measurements made in the colostrum

Quantificação de subpopulações linfocitárias no sangue do cordão umbilical de eqüinos

Este estudo visou a determinar os valores eritroleucométricos e quantificar as subpopulações linfocitárias no sangue do cordão umbilical (SCU) e no sangue jugular de eqüinos neonatos. Foi realizada a colheita de SCU e do sangue jugular de 20 potros ao nascimento. As amostras foram submetidas às determinações dos valores eritroleucométricos e à quantificação de subpopulações de linfócitos-T, pela técnica citofluorométrica. Não foram verificadas diferenças significativas (P<0,05) entre os valores médios de tais parâmetros, entre o sangue jugular de neonatos e o SCU eqüino. O valor total para neutrófilos segmentados, no SCU e na jugular dos neonatos, foi inferior ao reportado para eqüinos ao nascimento. As contagens de linfócitos CD5+ e CD4+ no SCU e jugular de neonatos eqüinos foram inferiores àquelas admitidas para o sangue periférico de eqüinos adultos, indicando um componente imunológico imaturo. No entanto, a contagem de linfócitos CD8+ foi semelhante à descrita em sangue periférico de eqüinos adultos. A proporção CD4:CD8 obtida nesse ensaio, tanto para o SCU (2,64±0,91), como no sangue jugular de eqüinos neonatos (2,41±0,81), demonstrou uma dominância das células T CD4+ sobre os linfócitos T CD8+.

Estudo eritroleucométrico e proteinograma sérico do sangue do cordão umbilical e jugular de eqüinos ao nascimento e de suas respectivas mães

Colheram-se amostras de sangue do cordão umbilical (SCU) e do sangue circulante de cinco eqüinos neonatos, imediatamente após o nascimento, e o sangue da própria mãe, utilizando-se um sistema a vácuo. O material foi submetido à contagem global de hemácias e leucócitos e à determinação do volume globular e da concentração de hemoglobina; à contagem diferencial de leucócitos em esfregaços sangüíneos; e ao cálculo dos índices eritrocitométricos. Foram realizadas a dosagem de proteínas séricas totais e a eletroforese das proteínas séricas em gel de agarose. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os parâmetros do SCU e do sangue da jugular dos potros. No SCU dos potros observaram-se valores mais elevados para contagem global de hemácias (9,75x10(6)/µl), dosagem de hemoglobina (14,65g/dl) e concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (37,23g/dl); e valores menores para volume corpuscular médio (40,50fl), proteína total (4,37g/dl), alfa-globulinas (0,65g/dl), beta-globulinas (1,10g/dl), gama-globulinas (0g/dl) e contagens global (5,40 x 10³/µl) e diferencial de leucócitos, exceto contagem de neutrófilos bastonetes e monócitos, quando comparados com os valores obtidos no sangue de suas mães.

T lymphocyte subsets of the umbilical cord blood of dogs

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

Quantificação de células CD34+ do sangue do cordão umbilical de cães

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

Evaluation of tear production with modified Schirmer tear test-1 during the neonatal period in cats

Objetivou-se avaliar a produção lacrimal, por meio do teste da lágrima de Schirmer-1 modificado (TLS-1m) em gatos neonatos. Outrossim, estabelecer in vitro a existência de correlação entre o TLS e o TLS-1m. Tiras pa-dronizadas para realização do TLS foram partidas ao meio e após a abertura das pálpebras, a produção lacrimal dos neonatos (n=15) foi aferida em ambos os olhos (TLS-1m), diariamente, até o sétimo e aos 14, 21 e 28 dias. Os animais foram pesados diariamente até os 28 dias de idade. Os resultados foram comparados estatisticamente (p<0,05). Durante os primeiros sete dias de avaliação, a média geral obtida pelo TLS-1m foi de 0,76±0,08 mm/minuto. Não se constatou diferença significativa entre os olhos direito e esquerdo, em nenhum dos períodos avaliados (p=1,00). A produção lacrimal elevou-se significativamente, do 14º até o 28º dia, comparativamente aos primeiros sete dias (p<0,05). Observou-se correlação positiva entre parâmetros de maturidade e a produção lacrimal (p<0,0001). A distância entre as linhas de cada tira foi significativa (p<0,0001). Conclui-se que a produção lacrimal no período neonatal em gatos é bem inferior aos valores de referência descritos para adultos e jovens da mesma espécie. Não é possível extrapolar valores obtidos com o TLS-1 modificado para o TLS-1 padrão.

Effect of the insecticides abamectin and lufenuron on eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla externa under laboratory conditions

The side effects of two insecticides/acaricides, abamectin and lufenuron, on the eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) were studied in the laboratory (25 +/- 2degreesC, 62 +/- 10% RH and 12-h photophase). The analytical methods used were those proposed by the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC)-Working Group for 'Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms'. Chrysoperla externa egg viability was not affected by abamectin. Neonate larvae from abamectin sprayed eggs as well as first, second and third instar larvae that were directly treated, developed normally and yielded normal adults. Lufenuron presented no adverse effects on egg survival. However, lufenuron induced high mortality in neonate larvae from treated eggs. These neonates, as well as lufenuron treated first and second instar larvae could not molt. In the third instar, high pupal mortality occurred. The results showed that abamectin is innocuous and that lufenurom is toxic to Chrysoperla externa eggs and larvae.

Influência de genótipos de couve (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.) na biologia de Plutella xylostella (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a influência de alguns genótipos de couve (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.) no desenvolvimento de Plutella xylostella (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Os genótipos avaliados foram: Manteiga de Ribeirão Pires I-2620, Roxa I-919, Manteiga de São José, Manteiga de Monte Alegre, Pires 2 de Campinas, Couve Comum, Couve de Arthur Nogueira 2, Couve de Arthur Nogueira 1. Lagartas recém-eclodidas foram mantida em discos foliares de 8 cm de diâmetro para cada genótipo. Foram analisados os seguintes parâmetros: duração e viabilidade das fases larval e pupal, longevidade e fecundidade de adultos, utilizando análises paramétricas e de agrupamentos para interpretação dos dados. Observou-se um prolongamento em dias no ciclo de P. xylostella, aumento no peso de pupa e maiores valores de viabilidade e fecundidade, durante a segunda geração. O genótipo Couve de Arthur Nogueira 2 foi menos favorável ao desenvolvimento de P. xylostella nas duas gerações, e Couve Comum demonstrou maior influência negativa ao inseto na segunda geração. Manteiga de Ribeirão Pires I-2620 foi o mais suscetível nas duas gerações, agrupando com este na segunda geração Pires 2 de Campinas e Manteiga de São José.