bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haptophytes of the Nervión River estuary, northern Spain
Authors: Seoane Sergio , Eikrem Wenche , Arluzea Jon , Orive Emma
Published: February 2009

The meso-macrotidal Nervión River estuary in northern Spain was sampled monthly from March to September 2002 and 2003 to study species composition and abundance of haptophytes in the phytoplankton. From natural samples and uni-algal cultures, 17 haptophyte species were identified using light and electron microscopy. The species were found across a wide range of temperatures and salinities. The most frequently occurring haptophytes in the estuary were species of the genus Chrysochromulina; however, Isochrysis galbana reached highest abundances. Chrysochromulina lanceolata and Phaeocystis globosa were occasionally present at high abundances. Another bloom-forming species, Prymnesium parvum, was recorded only once. Of the genera identified, eight species belonged to Chrysochromulina, two to Prymnesium and the rest of the genera were represented by one species only. The majority of the species were recorded for the first time in the Cantabrian Sea and one of them for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean.
Sinophysis verruculosasp. nov. (Dinophysiales, Dinophyceae), a new sand-dwelling dinoflagellate from South Brittany, northwestern France
Authors: Chomérat Nicolas , Loir Maurice , Nézan Elisabeth
Published: February 2009

A new species of a marine sand-dwelling dinoflagellate in the genusSinophysisis described from South Brittany, France using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Cells ofSinophysis verruculosasp. nov. are oval to subcircular, slightly bulging dorsally and flattened laterally, with no chloroplasts, ranging from 52.2 to 57.8 μm in length, and 43.2 to 51.0 μm in width. The epitheca is small and tilted back to the dorsal part of the cell. At least three major plates and smaller platelets form the epitheca, but the exact number cannot be ascertained due to their reduced size and the presence of a projection hiding the sutures. Four cingular and four hypothecal plates, two large lateral and two small ventral plates are present. The sulcus is bordered by lists supported by hypothecal plates and extends less than two-thirds of the total length of the hypotheca. The most distinctive feature ofS. verruculosais the minute verrucose ornamentation covering the thecal surface, which contrasts with the smooth and areolate ornamentation of temperate and tropical species, respectively.
High concentrations of haptocorrin interfere with routine measurement of cobalamins in human serum and milk. A problem and its solution
Authors: Lildballe Dorte L. , Hardlei Tore F. , Allen Lindsay H. , Nexo Ebba
Published: February 2009

: Human milk and occasional serum samples contain high concentrations of unsaturated haptocorrin, which influence accurate measurement of cobalamins.

: Cobalamins in serum samples spiked with increasing amounts of unsaturated haptocorrin were measured employing the Centaur, Cobas and Architect analysers. Cobinamide-coated EAH sepharose was employed for pretreatment of the samples. Human milk samples were collected from 24 healthy mothers. Haptocorrin was measured by ELISA.

: The measured concentration of cobalamins either increased (Centaur analyser) or decreased (Architect, Cobas analysers) significantly for haptocorrin >10 nM, and was 220%, 52% or 45% of the expected values in a serum sample containing 50 nM haptocorrin. Following pretreatment with cobinamide-sepharose, the expected cobalamin concentration was obtained (Centaur). The milk samples contained 4.5–180 nM haptocorrin. In samples containing >10 nM haptocorrin (n=19), the median concentration of cobalamins decreased from 1.3 nM to 0.67 nM after pretreatment with cobinamide-sepharose.

: Haptocorrin in concentrations above 10 nM influences measurement of cobalamins giving rise to falsely elevated or decreased results. Removal of unsaturated haptocorrin by pretreatment with cobinamide-sepharose solves the problem.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:182–7.
Clinical usefulness of measuring red blood cell distribution width on admission in patients with acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Filippozzi Luca , Montagnana Martina , Salvagno Gian Luca , Franchini Massimo , Guidi Gian Cesare , Targher Giovanni
Published: February 2009

: Conventional cardiac markers used for the biochemical diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have a high specificity but low sensitivity within 2–4 h of symptoms onset. The red blood cell distribution width (RDW), reflecting the size variability of circulating red blood cells, has been shown to be independently associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events. We assessed whether there is an association between RDW at admission and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevation in patients with chest pain.

: We analyzed RDW values in 2304 adult patients, who were consecutively admitted over a 1-year period to the local emergency department for chest pain suggestive of ACS. In all patients, a baseline blood sample was collected for routine haematological testing, whereas cTnT was measured at baseline and after 4, 6, and 12 h.

: A total of 456 patients (19.8% of total) had ACS. These patients, all having cTnT≥0.03 μg/L up to 12 h from admission other than ischaemic electrocardiographic changes, had higher RDW than non-ACS patients [median 15.1%, (5th–95th percentiles) 13.2%–19.0% vs. 13.5%, 12.9%–17.1%, p<0.001]. On admission, the sensitivity and specificity of cTnT were 94% (25 false negative results) and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of RDW, as calculated by the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, was 0.705 (p<0.001). At the cut-off value of 14%, the clinical sensitivity and specificity of RDW on admission were 79% and 50%, respectively. In 21 out of 25 patients classified as false negative for cTnT on admission, the RDW was >14%. Accordingly, the diagnostic sensitivity of the two combined measurements on admission was 99%.

: As RDW is widely available to clinicians as a part of the complete blood count, and therefore incurs no additional costs, it might be considered with other conventional cardiac markers for the risk stratification of ACS patients admitted to emergency departments.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:353–7.
A selected pre-amplification strategy for genetic analysis using limited DNA targets
Authors: Xia Peng , Radpour Ramin , Kohler Corina , Dang Cheng Xue , Cheng Fan Alex Xiu , Holzgreve Wolfgang , Zhong Xiao Yan
Published: February 2009

: Limited DNA resources or limited DNA targets in predominant backgrounds for genetic tests can lead to misdiagnosis. We developed a strategy to selectively increase the amount of minor targets through a specific pre-amplification procedure.

: We used the model of circulating cell free (ccf) male fetal DNA as a minor target in the predominant maternal plasma DNA to evaluate the strategy. The sex determining region (SRY) locus on the Y chromosome was used to identify ccf fetal DNA, and the human glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene was used to identify ccf total DNA in maternal plasma. We selectively pre-amplified the minor target SRY locus using the Expand Long Template PCR system and assessed the efficiency of the pre-amplification by real-time PCR, for both SRY and GAPDH, to compare the quantities of pre-amplified fetal DNA with those of maternal total DNA without pre-amplification.

: The selected pre-amplification increased the amount of ccf fetal DNA dramatically (Wilcoxon test: p=0.000, the fold change=11,596). After selected pre-amplification, a proportion of 2.19% of the ccf fetal minor part in the predominant maternal component was changed up to 25,334%. The increased amounts of ccf fetal DNA found with the pre-amplification are not correlated to the amounts found without the procedure (r=−0.017, p=0.949).

: This strategy may be useful in genetic analysis with limited DNA resources and limited DNA targets in predominant background molecules. However, this approach is not suitable for quantitative assessments, due to the fact that quantitative imbalanced amplification was observed as a result of the pre-amplification procedure.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:288–93.
Negative Regulation of Dopamine Transporter Endocytosis by Membrane-Proximal N-Terminal Residues
Authors: Sorkina Tatiana , Richards Toni L. , Rao Anjali , Zahniser Nancy R. , Sorkin Alexander
Published: February 2009

The plasma membrane dopamine transporter (DAT) takes extracellular dopamine back up into dopaminergic neurons. Although the number of DATs at the cell surface is regulated by endocytosis and recycling, the molecular mechanisms that control this endocytic trafficking of DAT are not defined. To map the sequence motifs that are involved in constitutive DAT endocytosis, mutagenesis of human DAT tagged with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and an extracellular HA epitope was performed. Removal of the entire N terminus of DAT resulted in accumulation of the resulting DAT mutant (YFP-HA-ΔN-DAT) in early and recycling endosomes in HeLa and PAE cells, and in primary rat mesencephalic-striatal neuronal cocultures. This endosomal accumulation was due to rapid constitutive internalization of YFP-HA-ΔN-DAT by the clathrin-dependent pathway. Small deletions and multialanine substitutions in the N terminus revealed two molecular determinants within the membrane proximal residues 60–65 that are important for preventing rapid internalization of DAT. First, mutations of Arg60 or Trp63, leading to disruption of the “outward facing” DAT conformation, correlated with an increased pool of mobile DATs in the plasma membrane and accelerated constitutive internalization of the DAT mutants. Second, mutation of Lys65 also correlated with elevated endocytosis. While none of these mutations alone recapitulated the marked endocytic phenotype of YFP-HA-ΔN-DAT, simultaneous elimination of both the outward conformation of DAT and Lys65 resulted in DAT mutants that were rapidly internalized. Thus, our studies reveal a new link between DAT endocytosis and conformation-dependent uptake activity that represents a novel mode for regulating DAT function.
Conditional Bursting Enhances Resonant Firing in Neocortical Layer 2–3 Pyramidal Neurons
Authors: Higgs Matthew H. , Spain William J.
Published: February 2009

The frequency response properties of neurons are critical for signal transmission and control of network oscillations. At subthreshold membrane potential, some neurons show resonance caused by voltage-gated channels. During action potential firing, resonance of the spike output may arise from subthreshold mechanisms and/or spike-dependent currents that cause afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs) and afterdepolarizations (ADPs). Layer 2–3 pyramidal neurons (L2–3 PNs) have a fast ADP that can trigger bursts. The present study investigated what stimuli elicit bursting in these cells and whether bursts transmit specific frequency components of the synaptic input, leading to resonance at particular frequencies. We found that two-spike bursts are triggered by step onsets, sine waves in two frequency bands, and noise. Using noise adjusted to elicit firing at ∼10 Hz, we measured the gain for modulation of the time-varying firing rate as a function of stimulus frequency, finding a primary peak (7–16 Hz) and a high-frequency resonance (250–450 Hz). Gain was also measured separately for single and burst spikes. For a given spike rate, bursts provided higher gain at the primary peak and lower gain at intermediate frequencies, sharpening the high-frequency resonance. Suppression of bursting using automated current feedback weakened the primary and high-frequency resonances. The primary resonance was also influenced by the SK channel-mediated medium AHP (mAHP), because the SK blocker apamin reduced the sharpness of the primary peak. Our results suggest that resonance in L2–3 PNs depends on burst firing and the mAHP. Bursting enhances resonance in two distinct frequency bands.
Enhanced NMDA Receptor-Mediated Synaptic Transmission, Enhanced Long-Term Potentiation, and Impaired Learning and Memory in Mice Lacking IRSp53
Authors: Kim Myoung-Hwan , Choi Jeonghoon , Yang Jinhee , Chung Woosuk , Kim Ji-Hyun , Paik Sang Kyoo , Kim Karam , Han Seungnam , Won Hyejung , Bae Young-Soo , Cho Suk-Hee , Seo Jinsoo , Bae Yong Chul , Choi Se-Young , Kim Eunjoon
Published: February 2009

IRSp53 is an adaptor protein that acts downstream of Rac and Cdc42 small GTPases and is implicated in the regulation of membrane deformation and actin filament assembly. In neurons, IRSp53 is an abundant postsynaptic protein and regulates actin-rich dendritic spines; however, itsin vivofunctions have not been explored. We characterized transgenic mice deficient of IRSp53 expression. Unexpectedly, IRSp53−/−neurons do not show significant changes in the density and ultrastructural morphologies of dendritic spines. Instead, IRSp53−/−neurons exhibit reduced AMPA/NMDA ratio of excitatory synaptic transmission and a selective increase in NMDA but not AMPA receptor-mediated transmission. IRSp53−/−hippocampal slices show a markedly enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) with no changes in long-term depression. LTP-inducing theta burst stimulation enhances NMDA receptor-mediated transmission. Spatial learning and novel object recognition are impaired in IRSp53−/−mice. These results suggest that IRSp53 is involved in the regulation of NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission, LTP, and learning and memory behaviors.
Neuroprotective Effects of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor C-Terminal Fragment in a Huntington's Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Tang Tie-Shan , Guo Caixia , Wang Hongyu , Chen Xi , Bezprozvanny Ilya
Published: February 2009

Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited, progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by an expanded polyglutamine tract in huntingtin protein (Htt). Medium spiny striatal neurons (MSNs) are primarily affected in HD. Mutant huntingtin protein (Httexp) specifically binds to and activates type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R1), an intracellular Ca2+release channel. Httexp–InsP3R1 association is mediated by a cytosolic C-terminal tail of InsP3R1 (a 122-aa-long IC10 fragment). To evaluate an importance of Httexpassociation with InsP3R1 for HD pathology, we generated lentiviral and adeno-associated viruses expressing GFP-IC10 fusion protein and performed a series of experiments with YAC128 HD transgenic mouse. Infection with Lenti-GFP-IC10 virus stabilized Ca2+signaling in cultured YAC128 MSNs and protected YAC128 MSNs from glutamate-induced apoptosis. Intrastriatal injections of AAV1-GFP-IC10 significantly alleviated motor deficits and reduced MSN loss and shrinkage in YAC128 mice. Our results demonstrate an importance of InsP3R1–Httexpassociation for HD pathogenesis and suggested that InsP3R1 is a potential therapeutic target for HD. Our data also support potential use of IC10 peptide as a novel HD therapeutic agent.
Top-Down Activation of Shape-Specific Population Codes in Visual Cortex during Mental Imagery
Authors: Stokes Mark , Thompson Russell , Cusack Rhodri , Duncan John
Published: February 2009

Visual imagery is mediated via top-down activation of visual cortex. Similar to stimulus-driven perception, the neural configurations associated with visual imagery are differentiated according to content. For example, imagining faces or places differentially activates visual areas associated with perception of actual face or place stimuli. However, while top-down activation of topographically specific visual areas during visual imagery is well established, the extent to which internally generated visual activity resembles the fine-scale population coding responsible for stimulus-driven perception remains unknown. Here, we sought to determine whether top-down mechanisms can selectively activate perceptual representations coded across spatially overlapping neural populations. We explored the precision of top-down activation of perceptual representations using neural pattern classification to identify activation patterns associated with imagery of distinct letter stimuli. Pattern analysis of the neural population observed within high-level visual cortex, including lateral occipital complex, revealed that imagery activates the same neural representations that are activated by corresponding visual stimulation. We conclude that visual imagery is mediated via top-down activation of functionally distinct, yet spatially overlapping population codes for high-level visual representations.
Estradiol Facilitates the Release of Neuropeptide Y to Suppress Hippocampus-Dependent Seizures
Authors: Ledoux Veronica A. , Smejkalova Tereza , May Renee M. , Cooke Bradley M. , Woolley Catherine S.
Published: February 2009

About one-third of women with epilepsy have a catamenial seizure pattern, in which seizures fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. Catamenial seizures occur more frequently when the ratio of circulating estradiol to progesterone is high, suggesting that estradiol is proconvulsant. We used adult female rats to test how estradiol-induced suppression of GABAergic inhibition in the hippocampus affects behavioral seizures induced by kainic acid. As expected, estradiol decreased the latency to initiate seizures, indicating increased seizure susceptibility. At the same time, however, estradiol also shortened the duration of late-stage seizures, indicating decreased seizure severity. Additional analyses showed that the decrease in seizure severity was attributable to greater release of the anticonvulsant neuropeptide, neuropeptide Y (NPY). First, blocking hippocampal NPY during seizures eliminated the estradiol-induced decrease in seizure duration. Second, light and electron microscopic studies indicated that estradiol increases the potentially releasable pool of NPY in inhibitory presynaptic boutons and facilitates the release of NPY from inhibitory boutons during seizures. Finally, the presence of estrogen receptor-α on large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) in the hippocampus suggests that estradiol could facilitate neuropeptide release by acting directly on LDCVs themselves. Understanding how estradiol regulates NPY-containing LDCVs could point to molecular targets for novel anticonvulsant therapies.
Odor-Evoked Oxygen Consumption by Action Potential and Synaptic Transmission in the Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Lecoq Jérôme , Tiret Pascale , Najac Marion , Shepherd Gordon M. , Greer Charles A. , Charpak Serge
Published: February 2009

The relationship between metabolism of neuronal activity, microvascular organization, and blood flow dynamics is critical for interpreting functional brain imaging. Here we used the rat dorsal olfactory bulb as a model to determinein vivothe correlation between action potential propagation, synaptic transmission, oxygen consumption, and capillary density during odor stimulation. We find that capillary lumen occupies ∼3% of the glomerular volume, where synaptic transmission occurs, and only 0.1% of the overlying nerve layer. In glomeruli, odor triggers a local early decrease in tissue oxygen partial pressure that results principally from dendritic activation rather than from firing of axon terminals, transmitter release or astrocyte activation. In the nerve layer, action potential propagation does not generate local changes in tissue oxygen partial pressure. We conclude that capillary density is tightly correlated with the oxidative metabolism of synaptic transmission, and suggest that action potential propagation operates mainly anaerobically.
Measurement of thermal neutron cross section and resonance integral for the 165Ho(n, γ)166gHo reaction
Authors: Rajput M. U. , Maidana N. L. , Vanin V. R. , Dias M. S. , Koskinas M. F.
Published: February 2009

The ground state thermal neutron cross section and the resonance integral for the 165Ho(n, γ) 166Ho reaction in thermal and 1/E regions, respectively, of a thermal reactor neutron spectrum have been measured experimentally by activation technique. The reaction product, 166Ho in the ground state, is gaining considerable importance as a therapeutic radionuclide and precisely measured data of the reaction are of significance from the fundamental point of view as well as for application. In this work, the spectrographically pure holmium oxide (Ho2O3) powder samples were irradiated with and without cadmium covers at the IEA-R1 reactor (IPEN, São Paulo), Brazil. The deviation of the neutron spectrum shape from 1/E law was measured by co-irradiating Co, Zn, Zr and Au activation detectors with thermal and epithermal neutrons followed by regression and iterative procedures. The magnitudes of the discrepancies that can occur in measurements made with the ideal 1/E law considerations in the epithermal range were studied.

The measured thermal neutron cross section at the Maxwellian averaged thermal energy of 0.0253 eV is 59.0±2.1 b and for the resonance integral 657±36 b. The results are measured with good precision and indicated a consistency trend to resolve the discrepant status of the literature data. The results are compared with the values in main libraries such as ENDF/B-VII, JEF-2.2 and JENDL-3.2, and with other measurements in the literature.
Targetry and radiochemistry for no-carrier-added production of 109Cd
Authors: Sadeghi Mahdi , Mirazaee M. , Gholamzadeh Z. , Karimian A. , Novin F. Bolouri
Published: February 2009

Electrodeposition of silver on copper substrate was carried out using alkaline plating baths for production of Cadmium-109 via the natAg(p,n) 109Cd nuclear reaction. The target could withstand 15 MeV proton beam currents of up to 150 μA; the 109Cd production yield was 1.88 μCi/μA h (0.069 MBq/μA h). Cadmium-109 was separated from silver and non-isotopic impurities by ion-exchange chromatography.
System analytical approach of lung function and hemodynamics
Authors: Naszlady Attila , Kiss Lajos
Published: February 2009

A szerzők kritikai módon elemzik a hagyományos élettani szemléletet és kiegészítik új megállapításokkal. Ezeket légzést és vérkeringést szimuláló, validizált számítógépes modelleken igazolják és a klinikai gyakorlat számára használható, az alábbi következtetésekben összegzik: a légzés és a szív négydimenziós függvényrendszere hasonló; a tüdőperfúziónak van egy, nem az arteriovenosus nyomáskülönbségtől függő vízesészónája; az egyes tüdőrészek időállandó-különbségei vérgázmódosító hatásúak; a pulmonalis kapilláris nyomás azonos az arteria pulmonalis nyomás diasztolés értékével; a szív nem nyomáspumpa, hanem áramlásforrás; a szívkamrákat az artériás rendszer bemenő impedanciaértéke és nem a hagyományos nyomás/áramlás hányados terheli; a nyugalmi, optimális pulzusszám aortahosszfüggő; ez az egész emlősvonalra érvényes törvényű, mert a rezonanciaelv közreműködik benne; a tachycardia a bemenő impedanciát csökkenti; ez mindkét kamrára igaz; a pozitív végnyomású gépi lélegeztetés mellett nem elég az artériás vérgáz vizsgálata, hanem a kevert vénás vérgázértéket is követni kell; a koszorúér valós vérkeringése csak az ütésenkénti vérellátással jellemezhető. Eredményeiket a szerzők a gyér, vonatkozó szakirodalom adataival vetik össze.
Colonoscopy, the primary tool for colonic screening
Authors: Péter Zoltán , Tulassay Zsolt
Published: February 2009

A szerzők a vastagbélszűrés módszereinek áttekintése során a kolonoszkópia szerepét mutatják be. Ez a módszer kiemelten érzékeny és fajlagos a colorectalis rákok és adenomák kimutatásában. Lehetőséget ad arra is, hogy a vizsgálat során a rákelőző állapotnak megfelelő adenomát eltávolíthassák, ezáltal a rák kialakulásának alapját szüntetik meg. A kolonoszkópia a vastagbélszűrés elsődleges egylépcsős költséghatékony módszere.
Obesidade e sua relação com fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em uma população nipo-brasileira
Authors: Figueiredo Roberta Carvalho de , Franco Laércio Joel , Andrade Regina C. Garcia de , Foss-Freitas Maria Cristina , Pace Ana Emilia , Dal Fabbro Amaury Lelis , Foss Milton César
Published: February 2009

OBJETIVO: Descrever associações entre excesso de peso e obesidade abdominal com fatores de risco cardiovascular na população nipo-brasileira de Mombuca, Guatapará, SP. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 131 indivíduos com descendência japonesa (69,2% da primeira e 30,8% da segunda geração), com idade > 20 anos, correspondendo a 66,8% da população residente dessa faixa etária. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários padronizados e foram realizados exames clínicos e laboratoriais. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de sobrepeso foi de 29,6% entre os homens e de 25,6% entre as mulheres e a de obesidade foi de 46,3% entre os homens e de 39,0% entre as mulheres. Entre os homens a prevalência de obesidade abdominal foi de 55,6% e entre as mulheres de 20,8%. O índice de massa corpórea foi associado independentemente com triglicérides, circunferência abdominal e idade; a pressão arterial sistólica com a circunferência abdominal. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo enfatiza a necessidade de medidas de intervenção para a prevenção da obesidade na população nipo-brasileira de Mombuca.
O tratamento com isoflavonas mimetiza a ação do estradiol no acúmulo de gordura em ratas ovariectomizadas
Authors: Torrezan Rosana , Gomes Rodrigo M. , Ferrarese Maria L. , Melo Fernando Ben-Hur de , Ramos Aparecida M. D. , Mathias Paulo C. F. , Scomparin Dionizia X.
Published: February 2009

OBJETIVO: As isoflavonas (ISO) presentes na soja são consideradas fitoestrógenos. A administração de fitoestrógenos tem efeito benéfico nos distúrbios da pós-menopausa que são caracterizados pela suspensão da função ovariana com declínio da secreção de estrogênio e conseqüentes desajustes histomorfológicos e metabólicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o efeito da suplementação com ISO sobre a espessura do endométrio uterino, o acúmulo de gordura tecidual, o colesterol HDL e a glicose plasmática de ratas ovariectomizadas (OVX). MÉTODOS: Ratas Wistar com 60 dias de vida sofreram cirurgia bilateral para retirada dos ovários. Após o período de 8 dias de recuperação foram divididas em três grupos: falso operada (GC), OVX não-tratadas com ISO (GI) e as OVX suplementadas com ISO (GII). Foram retirados e pesados o útero, as gorduras uterinas e retroperitoneais. Também foram coletadas amostras de sangue para dosagem da concentração de HDL e glicose. RESULTADOS: A OVX promoveu atrofia do endométrio, diminuição do peso do útero e diminuição do HDL. O tratamento com ISO promoveu diminuição dos estoques de gorduras uterina e retroperitoneal, aumento de HDL e redução da glicemia, porém não teve efeito uterotrófico. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados do presente estudo mostram que o tratamento com ISO promove redução da adiposidade, o que pode estar relacionado à redução da lipogênese e ao aumento da lipólise.
Mixed germ cell tumor of the pituitary-hypothalamic region presenting as craniopharyngioma: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Chang Claudia Veiga , Nunes Vânia dos Santos , Felicio Andre Carvalho , Zanini Marco Antonio , Cunha-Neto Malebranche B. C. , Castro Ana Valeria Barros de
Published: February 2009

Craniopharyngiomas and germ cell tumors (GCT) may affect the pituitary-hypothalamic region during childhood. Although different in origin, their clinical and radiological features may be similar. In this article we present a 5-year-old girl with clinical and radiological findings (computer tomography calcification) that were initially considered as craniopharyngioma. However clinical outcome, blood and cerebral spinal fluid tumoral markers, and results from anatomopathology and immunohistochemistry disclosed a mixed GCT. This case report highlights that some clinical features and radiological findings of pituitary-hypothalamic tumors may be misdiagnosed as craniopharyngioma mainly when there is a mature teratoma with cartilaginous tissue differentiation.
Enraizamento de estacas de castanha-de-cutia com uso de ácido indolbutírico
Authors: Leandro Raimundo Cajueiro , Yuyama Kaoru
Published: February 2009

A castanha-de-cutia (Couepia edulis Prance) é uma oleaginosa nativa da Amazônia encontrada na terra firme, com maior freqüência no Estado do Amazonas. A propagação da espécie se dá, normalmente, via semente, mas esse processo é demorado, pois a semente pode levar até 18 meses para germinar. A propagação vegetativa pode ser a solução para a produção de mudas. Este trabalho avaliou o uso de AIB para a propagação vegetativa de C. edulis, utilizando diferentes tipos de estacas e concentrações de AIB, em um delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, seguindo o esquema fatorial 4 x 3, sendo os fatores: 4 tipos de estacas e 3 concentrações de AIB (0, 3.000 e 6.000 mg L-1). Ao final das avaliações, a maior porcentagem de emissão de brotos ocorreu nas concentrações de 0 mg L-1 (testemunha) e 3.000 mg L-1 de AIB. A emissão de brotos foi maior em estacas herbáceas sem folhas e semilenhosas. As maiores porcentagens de formação de calos foram obtidas na testemunha e em estacas herbáceas com folhas inteiras e folhas pela metade. A emissão de raízes mostrou uma tendência maior nas estacas sem o uso de AIB e na concentração de 6.000 mg L-1. A maior emissão de raízes ocorreu nas estacas herbáceas com folhas. No entanto, a porcentagem de sucesso ainda é baixa, mas sugere a utilização de concentrações menores de AIB.
Análise da estrutura de comunidades arbóreas de uma floresta amazônica de Terra Firme aplicada ao manejo florestal
Authors: Alves João Carlos Zenaide Oliveira , Miranda Izildinha de Souza
Published: February 2009

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de identificar e descrever a estrutura das comunidades arbóreas de uma floresta de terra firme sob regime de manejo na Amazônia Oriental, localizada no município de Almeirim, Pará, Brasil. O levantamento florístico foi realizado em 1.400,30 ha de uma Unidade de Produção Anual (UPA), do Plano de Manejo Florestal da empresa ORSA Florestal. Todos os indivíduos com DAP > 30 cm foram inventariados, registrando-se 77.834 árvores distribuídas em 57 famílias, 229 gêneros e 556 espécies. Oito comunidades foram identificadas por meio de uma analise de agrupamento, apresentando alta diversidade e equibilidade florística (H" médio = 4,25 e J" médio = 0,75). As comunidades apresentaram 138 espécies comuns, 119 espécies de ocorrência exclusiva e 377 espécies raras, representadas por apenas um indivíduo. As espécies que mais se destacaram foram: Dinizia excelsa, Vouacapoua americana, Goupia glabra, Mouriri brachyanthera, Parinari excelsa, Manilkara bidentada, Tachigalia mymecophyla e Licania micrantha. Algumas espécies de valor comercial apresentaram variações importantes na densidade, sugerindo risco de extinção em comunidades onde as espécies apresentam densidade muito baixa. Sugerimos que os planos de manejo considerem as várias comunidades ecológicas encontradas nas UPAs evitando assim variações significativas, causadas pela exploração e seus impactos, na composição florística e estrutura das comunidades existentes.
Composição, diversidade e similaridade florística de uma floresta tropical semidecídua submontana em Marcelândia - MT
Authors: Ferreira Júnior Elbert Viana , Soares Thelma Shirlen , Costa Marcus Filipe Fernandes da , Moraes e Silva Versides Sebastião
Published: February 2009

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a composição, diversidade e similaridade florística de uma área de floresta estacional semidecidual localizada no município de Marcelândia-MT, em área de tensão ecológica, na região de contato floresta ombrófila/floresta estacional. Foram amostrados 4008 indivíduos, pertencentes a 33 famílias e 92 espécies, em 74 parcelas de 10 m x 250 m. As famílias que apresentaram maior valor percentual de árvores foram: Lauraceae (15,99%), Melastomataceae (12,97%), Sapotaceae (12,50%), Fabaceae - Mimosoideae (9,91%), Burseraceae (9,13%) e Moraceae (7,29%). Os valores obtidos para os índices de diversidade Shannon-Weaver, de concentração de Simpson e de equitabilidade de Pielou indicaram que a área apresenta diversidade relativamente alta e baixa concentração de espécies com alta uniformidade nas proporções indivíduos/espécies dentro da comunidade vegetal. Os padrões de similaridade florística evidenciaram baixa similaridade entre as áreas avaliadas evidenciando existência de padrões fitogeográficos baseados na distribuição das espécies.
Efeito da exploração madeireira sobre o número de indivíduos férteis de três espécies arbóreas comerciais na Amazônia oriental
Authors: Fonseca Marisa Gesteira , Vidal Edson , Santos Flavio Antonio Maës dos
Published: February 2009

Estudos da ecologia reprodutiva de árvores são fundamentais para compreender os possíveis impactos da exploração madeireira e para subsidiar o aperfeiçoamento das práticas de manejo. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram: 1) estimar a proporção e o número de indivíduos reprodutivos por classe de diâmetro de Chrysophyllum lucentifolium subsp. pachycarpum, Lecythis lurida e Pseudopiptadenia psilostachya, três espécies madeireiras, em uma floresta em Paragominas (PA) e; 2) estimar o impacto da exploração de 90% dos indivíduos com DAP > 50 cm sobre o número de indivíduos reprodutivos das mesmas espécies no local. Durante uma estação reprodutiva de cada espécie, foram amostradas 80 árvores de L. lurida, 76 de P. psilostachya e 76 de C. lucentifolium. Foi estimado que 14,9% de todos os indivíduos férteis de C. lucentifolium, 35,9% de L. lurida e 72,4% de P. psilostachya tinham DAP > 50 cm no ano de amostragem. Assim, o corte de 90% dessas árvores causaria uma redução de 13,4%, 32,6 % e 65,2 % do número de indivíduos férteis de C. lucentifolium, L. lurida e P. psilostachya, respectivamente. Se as proporções de indivíduos férteis fossem constantes ao longo do tempo, para preservar metade dos indivíduos férteis de P. psilostachya seria necessário manter 30% e não 10% daqueles com DAP > 50 cm. Os resultados indicam que, adotando-se um único diâmetro mínimo de corte e retendo-se a mesma proporção de árvores acima desse diâmetro, o efeito em termos de porcentagem de indivíduos reprodutivos retirados da população pode variar entre espécies na ordem de aproximadamente cinco vezes.
Magnitude da desnutrição infantil no Estado do Amazonas/AM - Brasil
Authors: Alencar Fernando Helio , Yuyama Lucia Kiyoko Ozaki , Rodrigues Eliana Figueiredo , Esteves Arinete Veras Fontes , Mendonça Margareth Maria de Barros , Silva Wládia de Albuquerque
Published: February 2009

Nesta revisão foi quantificada a ocorrência da desnutrição infantil em pré-escolares dos diferentes ecossistemas do Amazonas na última década. Foram incluídos os trabalhos que adotaram como parâmetro diagnóstico os critérios da OMS (Organização Mundial da Saúde) (1986) e o padrão do NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics) (1977). O universo estudado ficou representado por 4.030 pré-escolares, sendo 1.751 oriundos da área metropolitana de Manaus-AM, e 2.279 da área rural. Evidenciou-se como principal manifestação da desnutrição no universo estudado o déficit de crescimento, acometendo 17% das crianças da área urbana e 23% da área rural. O ecossistema do Rio Negro destacou-se como o de maior precariedade nutricional, com 35% das crianças apresentando inadequação no indicador E/I, seguido das crianças das calhas dos rios Amazonas e Purus (21%) e Madeira (16%); significando isto dizer que estas crianças estão submetidas a processos carenciais de longa duração. Constatou-se em todos os municípios da área rural, uma relativa proteção das crianças a sofrerem desnutrição no primeiro ano de vida. Fica evidente a maior precariedade nutricional das crianças da área rural do Amazonas, notadamente, daquelas residentes no ecossistema do Rio Negro. Estes resultados evidenciam também a heterogeneidade da Amazônia, o que deve ser ponderado quando da execução de programas de segurança alimentar e/ou implantação de políticas de desenvolvimento sustentável na região.
Genetic diversity in rosewood saplings (Aniba rosaeodora ducke, Lauraceae): an ecological approach
Authors: Santos Ronaldo Pereira , Spironello Wilson Roberto , Sampaio Paulo de Tarso Barbosa
Published: February 2009

This article takes an ecological approach to the genetic diversity of Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) in a central Amazonian terra firme forest north of Manaus. Planted Rosewood setting, under partial shaded canopy, were assessed in terms of fruiting production, frugivory, and seed dispersal. Using RAPD molecular analysis procedures, the influence of the spatial distribution of adult trees on the genetic diversity (polymorphism) of saplings was assessed with genetic samples from 34 reproductive trees and 60 saplings. The density and distribution patterns the reproductive trees did not modify the sapling"s diversity (1.86%, AMOVA). Two types of adult tree dispersion were identified; i) clumped and ii) more widely dispersed. Polymorphism (77.5%) and gene flow were high between these. Although more sapling genetic variability in areas with a higher density of mature plants was not as high as expected, density did not affect the genetic diversity of samplings, indicating a high incidence of gene flow amongst trees. In planted Rosewood population (surrounded by low disturbed forest), fruiting trees experienced a high level of removal of seeds by toucans (Rhamphastidae), about of 50%. The high gene flow found among native trees suggested that toucans, promoting seed rain at short and long distances from maternal trees, actively contribute to the maintenance of genetic diversity within wild rosewood populations.
Distribuição espacial da granulometria, cor e carbono orgânico do solo ao longo de um transecto em microbacias na Amazônia meridional
Authors: Chig Léo Adriano , Couto Eduardo Guimarães , Novaes Filho João Paulo , Rodrigues Luiz Carlos Mattos , Johnson Mark S. , Weber Oscarlina Lúcia dos Santos
Published: February 2009

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar, em nível de detalhe, a distribuição e a variabilidade espacial da argila, do índice de avermelhamento e do carbono orgânico do solo, ao longo de transecto que cruza classes pedológicas distintas dentro de quatro microbacias, sob floresta tropical em Juruena (MT). Para isso, foram selecionados 34 pontos e coletadas amostras de solo nas profundidades de 0 a 20 cm e 40 a 60 cm. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e geoestatística. As maiores variabilidades espaciais ocorreram dentro da classe do Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo Distrófico. Estes ocorrem nas elevações superiores a 280 m, enquanto os Plintossolos e Argissolos (com caráter plíntico) têm ocorrência restrita às áreas com altimetrias menores. Ao longo do transecto há maior variabilidade nos atributos índice de avermelhamento e argila; as áreas com piores condições de drenagens apresentaram menor variação espacial e menores índice de avermelhamento, isto é, maior homogeneidade da cor dos horizontes diagnósticos.
Precipitação efetiva e interceptação em Caxiuanã, na Amazônia Oriental
Authors: Oliveira Leidiane Leão de , Costa Rafael Ferreira Da , Sousa Francisco de Assis S. de , Costa Antonio Carlos Lôla da , Braga Alan Pantoja
Published: February 2009

O presente trabalho foi realizado na Estação Cientifica Ferreira Penna, dentro da Floresta Nacional de Caxiuanã, Melgaço, Pará, Brasil (01º 42" 30"S; 51º 31" 45"W; 60 m altitude). A região é uma floresta de terra firme, com vegetação densa e dossel com altura média de 35 m e árvores emergentes acima de 50 m, densidade de 450 a 550 árvores por hectare. O objetivo foi o de quantificar a precipitação total incidente acima do dossel, precipitação efetiva e precipitação interna, o escoamento da água pelos troncos e interceptação da precipitação pela vegetação no período de março a dezembro de 2004, quando foram realizadas 40 coletas semanais. Na medida da precipitação interna foram utilizados 25 pluviômetros, distribuídos aleatoriamente em um hectare, subdividido em cem parcelas de 10 x 10 m, os escoamentos pelos troncos foram medidos em sete árvores com diâmetros à altura do peito (DAP) representativos para as árvores da área. O estudo revelou uma precipitação efetiva de 905,4 mm e precipitação interna de 885,4 mm, um escoamento pelos troncos de 20 mm e uma interceptação de 248 mm, correspondendo, a 78,5%, 76,8%, 1,7% e 21,5% da precipitação acima do dossel, que foi de 1.153,4 mm, no período de estudo, respectivamente.
Caracterização físico-quimica de farinhas oriundas de variedades de mandioca utilizadas no vale do Juruá, Acre
Authors: Souza Joana Maria Leite de , Álvares Virgínia de Souza , Leite Felícia Maria Nogueira , Reis Fabiana Silva , Felisberto Francisco Álvaro Viana
Published: February 2009

Algumas características de farinha de mandioca dependem da variedade da raiz utilizada para o processamento. Objetivou-se avaliar as características físico-químicas da farinha de mandioca oriundas de variedades utilizadas no estado do Acre. Os tratamentos foram compostos pelas variedades: T1= Paxiubão, T2= Im221, T3 = Caboquinha, T4 = Araçá, T5 = Colonial, T6 = Branquinha, T7 = Panati e T8 = Mansa e Brava. Foram coletadas amostras das oito variedades de mandioca em casas-de-farinha no município de Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre. As raízes foram transportadas via aérea para o Laboratório de Tecnologia de Alimentos da Embrapa-AC, na cidade de Rio Branco, Acre. Foram avaliados: teor de umidade, cinzas, lipídios, proteína, fibra bruta, carboidratos, acidez, pH e atividade de água. Todas as amostras se apresentaram de acordo com os padrões estabelecidos pela Legislação Brasileira para farinha de mandioca quanto ao teor de umidade, cinzas e carboidratos. As farinhas analisadas apresentam teores baixos de fibras e baixa acidez. A atividade de água das farinhas analisadas esteve abaixo do limite mínimo capaz de permitir o desenvolvimento de microrganismos. As variedades Araçá, Colonial e Branquinha se mostraram adequadas para a fabricação de farinha de mandioca devido, principalmente, ao elevado teor de proteína e carboidratos presente nas farinhas produzidas.
Comparative study on hematological parameters of farmed matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus Spix and Agassiz, 1829 (Characidae: Bryconinae) with others Bryconinae species
Authors: Tavares-Dias Marcos , Affonso Elizabeth Gusmão , Oliveira Sarah Ragonha , Marcon Jaydione Luiz , Egami Mizue Imoto
Published: February 2009

The aim of this study was not only to determine the red blood cells parameters, thrombocyte and leukocyte counts in farmed Brycon amazonicus (matrinxã), to compare these parameters among Bryconinae species from literature, and also to investigate the presence of special granulocytic cells in these fish. The results of the blood cells parameters here established for farmed B. amazonicus, a species of great economic importance in Brazilian aquaculture, could help a better understanding of the blood features in natural populations of this Amazon species. Blood parameters varied between Bryconinae species investigated, mainly the red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The presence of the blood granulocytes, neutrophils and heterophils in matrinxã suggest that both leukocytes can be a characteristic for Bryconinae family. Furthermore, it indicates that the existence of special granulocytic cells in the blood of Bryconinae species from literature is an artifact, and this was herein discussed.
A new Paxillus MacLeay, 1819 (Coleoptera: Passalidae: Passalinae) from the state of Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Fonseca Claudio Ruy Vasconcelos da , Gouveia Fernando Bernardo Pinto , Fernandez Maria Fernanda Souza
Published: February 2009

Paxillus is a neotropical genus belonging to the subfamily Passalinae widespread from Mexico to Argentina. Brazil is known to harbor five species belonging to this genus with most of them presenting at head a flattened central tubercle lacking a free apex. However, one of these species, Paxillus macrocerus Reyes-Castillo & Fonseca, differs from that pattern by having a long central tubercle with a completely free apex. The present study describes and illustrates another new species, which has been found in the Brazilian Amazon, showing this same characteristic.
O SPAD-502 como alternativa para a determinação dos teores de clorofila em espécies frutíferas
Authors: Jesus Simone Verdes de , Marenco Ricardo Antonio
Published: February 2009

A relação entre o teor absoluto de clorofila e o teor relativo de clorofila obtido pelo SPAD-502 foi determinada em quatro espécies frutíferas (cupuaçu, araçá-boi, limão e urucum). O teor absoluto de clorofila foi determinado usando um espectrofotômetro após a extração dos pigmentos em acetona 80%. O teor de clorofila total (y) foi relacionado com os valores do SPAD (x), como segue: y = 93,95e0,0356x, r² = 0,80 para o urucum; y = 125,41e0,0205x, r² = 0,67 para o cupuaçu; y = 67,58e0,0374x, r² = 0,80 para o limão e y = 66,96e0,0365x, r² = 0,92 para o araçá-boi.
Libellulidae (Insecta: Odonata) from Itapiracó reserve, Maranhão, Brazil: new records and species distribution information
Authors: De Marco Júnior Paulo
Published: February 2009

In this work, I apply a simple protocol to species occurrence inventory of Odonata in a region of Maranhão state which has very few distributional records. Some relations between species occurrence and environmental characteristics are discussed, mainly in relation to the high occurrence of Erythemis. Eighteen new records are presented discussing the role of this approach to generate useful information for conservation purposes.
Atividade microbiana em solo cultivado com cana-de-açúcar após aplicação de herbicidas
Authors: Reis M.R. , Silva A.A. , Costa M.D. , Guimarães A.A. , Ferreira E.A. , Santos J.B. , Cecon P.R.
Published: February 2009

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar os efeitos dos herbicidas na atividade respiratória da microbiota, na biomassa microbiana e no quociente metabólico em solo cultivado com plantas de cana-de-açúcar. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas, avaliou-se o efeito dos herbicidas e, nas subparcelas, o efeito do tempo após a aplicação destes. Os herbicidas utilizados foram: 2,4-D (1,30 kg ha-1), ametryn (1,00 kg ha-1), trifloxysulfuron-sodium (0,0225 kg ha-1) e a mistura ametryn+trifloxysulfuron-sodium (1,463+0,0375 kg ha-1, respectivamente). Realizou-se a aspersão dos herbicidas aos 60 dias após a brotação das gemas do material propagativo. Aos 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias após a aplicação dos herbicidas, amostras de solos rizosférico e não-rizosférico foram coletadas e analisadas quanto às seguintes características: taxa respiratória (TR), carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), quociente metabólico (qCO2) e acúmulo total de C-CO2 evoluído do solo (ATC). O ametryn aplicado isolado ou em mistura com trifloxysulfuron-sodium propiciou maiores TRs, ao passo que o 2,4-D apresentou pouca influência nessa variável. Maiores acúmulos de C-CO2 aos 60 dias após a aplicação dos herbicidas foram verificados nos tratamentos com trifloxysulfuron-sodium, ametryn e na mistura de ambos os produtos. A BM do solo foi reduzida na presença do ametryn isolado ou em mistura. Esses tratamentos resultaram em maiores valores de qCO2 aos 45 e 60 dias da aplicação.