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The architecture of the neocortex classically consists of six layers, based on cytological criteria and on the layout of intra/interlaminar connections. Yet, the comparison of cortical cytoarchitectonic features across different species proves overwhelmingly difficult, due to the lack of a reliable model to analyze the connection patterns of neuronal ensembles forming the different layers. We first defined a set of suitable morphometric cell features, obtained in digitized Nissl-stained sections of the motor cortex of the horse, chimpanzee, and crab-eating macaque. We then modeled them using a quite general non-parametric data representation model, showing that the assessment of neuronal cell complexity (i.e., how a given cell differs from its neighbors) can be performed using a suitable measure of statistical dispersion such as the mean absolute deviation-mean absolute deviation (MAD). Along with the non-parametric combination and permutation methodology, application of MAD allowed not only to estimate, but also to compare and rank the motor cortical complexity across different species. As to the instances presented in this paper, we show that the pyramidal layers of the motor cortex of the horse are far more irregular than those of primates. This feature could be related to the different organizations of the motor system in monodactylous mammals.

Considering the therapeutic potential of fatty acid amides, the present study aimed to evaluate their in vitro activity against Toxocara canis larvae and their cytotoxicity for the first time. Linoleylpyrrolidilamide was the most potent, with a minimal larvicidal concentration (MLC) of 0.05 mg/mL and 27% cytotoxicity against murine peritoneal macrophages C57BL/6 mice, as assessed by the MTT assay.

Steroid hormones intervene in the structural and functional regulation of neuronal processes during development and thus determine brain differentiation. The effects of estrogens are mediated by two transcription factors, namely estrogen receptor α (ER-α) and estrogen receptor β (ER-β), that regulate the expression of target genes through their binding to specific DNA target sequences. We describe the mRNA expression of ER-α and ER-β in the hypothalamus of developing male and female bovines as revealed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the distribution of the two ERs in hypothalamic sections of all fetal stages as shown by immunohistochemistry. The expression profiles of the mRNAs of both ERs are mutually correlated throughout the gestation period, and their levels increase significantly in the last stages of gestation. No sexual differences in the mRNA expression of either ER-α or ER-β have been found in our fetal specimens. The use of specific antisera against ER-α and ER-β has allowed us to characterize and confirm the distribution of these receptors in the hypothalami of all fetal stages considered. Our results offer detailed information concerning the distribution of ER-α and ER-β in the developing bovine hypothalamus and provide additional insights into the processes involved in the hypothalamic development of a mammal with a long gestation and a highly gyrencephalic brain.

This study describes the expression of the voltage operated calcium channels (VOCCs) subunits α1A (typical of the P/Q family) and α1D (of the L family) in the bovine hypothalamus. The expression of both P/Q and L families has been characterized in the brain of adult mammals. However, their distribution and expression during foetal neuronal differentiation have not yet been determined. The expression profile of the α1A and α1D pore-forming subunits was investigated during four embryonic stages in bovine foetuses. Our data suggest that the expressions of α1A and α1D are correlated during development, with an increase only in males that peaks on the last period of gestation. Bovine male hypothalami showed significantly higher α1A and α1D expression values in comparison to female ones during the whole developmental period. In the females, the expression profiles of both genes were constant during all the developmental time. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the presence of the α1A and α1D protein subunits in foetal hypothalamic neurones starting from the third foetal stage. Our data provide new information on the hypothalamic expression of α1A and α1D subunits during development in a mammal with a long gestation period and a large and convoluted brain.

a b s t r a c t Background: Opportunistic infections are an increasingly common problem in hospitals, and the yeast Candida parapsilosis has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen, especially in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) where it has been responsible for outbreak cases. Risk factors for C. parapsilosis infection in neonates include prematurity, very low birth weight, prolonged hospitalization, indwelling central venous catheters, hyperalimentation, intravenous fatty emulsions and broad spectrum antibiotic therapy. Molecular methods are widely used to elucidate these hospital outbreaks, establishing genetic variations among strains of yeast. Aims: The aim of this study was to detect an outbreak of C. parapsilosis in an NICU at the "Hospital das Clinicas", Faculty of Medicine of Botucatu, a tertiary hospital located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, using the molecular genotyping by the microsatellite markers analysis. Methods: A total of 11 cases of fungemia caused by C. parapsilosis were identified during a period of 43 days in the NICU. To confirm the outbreak all strains were molecularly typed using the technique of microsatellites. Results: Out of the 11 yeast samples studied, nine showed the same genotypic profile using the technique of microsatellites. Conclusions: Our study shows that the technique of microsatellites can be useful for these purposes. In conclusion, we detected the presence of an outbreak of C. parapsilosis in the NICU of the hospital analyzed, emphasizing the importance of using molecular tools, for the early detection of hospital outbreaks, and for the introduction of effective preventive measures, especially in NICUs.

Bachground and objective: The wide Amazonian biodiversity has been identified as a source of natural product candidates to various pharmacological activities, particularly in combating infectious diseases. Some species, such as the genus Duroia, belonging to the Rubiaceae family, has been characterized by the production of secondary metabolites with important biological properties, but there are few studies with species of this genus. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the antimycobacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic activity of D. macrophylla and D. saccifera extracts by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum larvicide concentration. Methods: Were collected plant materials of the D. macrophylla and D. saccifera in Forest Reserve A. Ducke in Manaus AM, from which were prepared dichloromethane, methanol and aqueous extracts and determined the minimum inhibitory concentration and larvicidal concentration. Results: With regard to D. saccifera¸ extracts the dichloromethane extract of the branches was the most active against the fungal species and mycobacterial strains evaluated. On the other hand, the methanol and dichloromethane extract of the D. macrophylla leaves, were most active against Candida sp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively, but none of the six evaluated extracts showed antiparasitic activity against Toxocara canis. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the antimicrobial properties of these Amazonian plants for the development of new therapies in the treatment of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and candidiasis. Justificativa e objetivos: A vasta biodiversidade amazônica tem sido apontada como uma fonte de produtos naturais candidatos a diversas atividades farmacológicas, principalmente no combate a doenças infecciosas. Algumas espécies, tais como as pertencentes ao gênero Duroia, da família Rubiaceae, têm sido caracterizadas pela produção de metabólitos secundários com propriedades biológicas importantes, porém são escassos os estudos com espécies deste gênero. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antimicobacteriana, antifúngica e antiparasitária de extratos de D. macrophylla e D. saccifera. Métodos: Foram coletados materiais vegetais de D. macrophylla e D. saccifera na Reserva Florestal A. Ducke em Manaus- AM, a partir dos quais foram preparados extratos diclorometânico, metanólico e aquoso e determinada a concentração inibitória e concentração larvicida mínima. Resultados: No que diz respeito aos extratos de D. saccifera¸ o extrato diclorometânico dos galhos foi o mais ativo frente às espécies fúngicas e as cepas micobacterianas avaliadas. Por outro lado, o extrato metanólico e o diclorometânico das folhas de D. macrophylla, foram os mais ativos frente a Candida sp. e Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectivamente, porém, nenhum dos seis extratos avaliados apresentaram atividade antiparasitária frente a Toxocara canis. Conclusão: Esses resultados demonstram as propriedades antimicrobianas dessas plantas amazônicas para o desenvolvimento de novas alternativas terapêuticas no tratamento de doenças infecciosas, tais como a tuberculose e candidíase.

SUMMARYHuman toxocarosis is a chronic tissue parasitosis most often caused byToxocara canis.The seroprevalence can reach up to 50%, especially among children and adolescents. The anthelmintics used in the treatment have moderate efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate thein vitroandin vivoanthelmintic activity of quinones and their derivatives againstT. canislarvae and the cytotoxicity of the larvicidal compounds. The compounds were evaluated at 1 mg mL−1concentration in microculture plates containing third stage larvae in an Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 environment, incubated at 37 °C in 5% CO2tension for 48 h. Five naphthoxiranes were selected for the cytotoxicity analysis. The cell viability evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays using murine peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57BL/6 mice revealed that the naphthoxiranes (1and3) were less cytotoxic at a concentration of 0·05 mg mL−1. The efficacy of naphthoxiranes (1and3) was examined in murine toxocarosis also. The anthelmintic activity was examined by evaluating the number of larvae in the brain, carcass, liver, lungs, heart, kidneys and eyes. Compound (3) demonstrated anthelmintic activity similar to that of albendazole by decreasing the number of larvae in the organs of mice and thus could form the basis of the development of a new anthelmintic drug.

As plantas medicinais constituíram durante séculos a base da medicina tradicional, fundamentada nos conhecimentos empíricos de diferentes culturas, passadas entre gerações. A partir de plantas ou derivados vegetais são obtidos os medicamentos fitoterápicos, que contêm substâncias bioativas e são utilizados com finalidade profilática, curativa ou paliativa. Aproximadamente 80% da população mundial faz uso da medicina tradicional, e desta, 85% utilizam espécies vegetais, as quais são utilizadas para o tratamento e controle de diferentes enfermidades, incluindo as parasitoses. As plantas medicinais são uma alternativa econômica para o controle e tratamento de parasitos gastrintestinais. Este artigo tem como objetivo descrever, através de uma revisão bibliográfica, as diversas plantas com potencial anti-helmíntico, demonstradas em estudos etnobotânicos. Foram verificados vários estudos com parasitas de animais, possivelmente devido ao desenvolvimento de resistência dos helmintos aos tratamentos convencionais disponíveis. Medicinal plants for centuries constituted the basis of tradicional medicine of human populations, grounded on empirical knowledge, practices, theories, beliefs and experiences of different cultures, passed from generation to generation. From plants or plant derivatives are obtained by the herbal medicines that contain bioactive substances, used with prophylactic, curative or palliative. Approximately, 80% of the population uses traditional medicine, and of those, 85% use plant species, wich are used for treatment and control of different diseases, including intestinal helminthiasis. Plants are an economic alternative for the control and treatment of gastrointestinal parasites. This article aims to describe, through a literature review, some plants with potential anthelmintic, demonstrated in ethnobotanical studies. Data indicated a lot of studies with animal parasites, probably due to the resistance of these helminthes to the conventional treatments available.

The enzyme aromatase (P450(AROM)) converts testosterone (T) into 17-β estradiol (E(2)) and is crucial for the control of development of the central nervous system during ontogenesis. The effects of E(2) in various brain areas are mediated by the estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) and the estrogen receptor beta (ER-β). During fetal development, steroids are responsible for the sexual differentiation of the hypothalamus. Estrogens are also able to exert effects in other brain areas of the fetus including the frontal cortex, where they act through estrogen receptors (ERs) modulating cognitive function and affective behaviors. In this study we have determined the expression profiles of P450(AROM) and ERs in the fetal bovine frontal cortex by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) throughout the prenatal development. The data show that the patterns of expression of both ERs are strongly correlated during pregnancy and increase in the last stage of gestation. On the contrary, the expression of P450(AROM) has no correlation with ERs expression and is not developmentally regulated. Moreover, we performed immunochemical studies showing that fetal neurons express P450(AROM) and the ERs. P450(AROM) is localized in the cytoplasm and only seldom present in the fine extensions of the cells; ER-α is detected predominantly in the soma whereas ER-β is only present in the nucleus of a few cells. This study provides new data on the development of the frontal cortex in a long gestation mammal with a large convoluted brain.

The amphipod Caprella californica is native to California, but is known from the Pacific coast of North America, Mexico, Chile, Japan, Hong Kong and South Africa. C. californica is able to raft on kelp (Morris et al. 1980), and has been recorded on man-made structures such as rafts, settlement ropes and biofouling prone assemblages on ship hulls. Of interest is the recent rapid expansion of Caprella californica in Australian waters from its first recorded sighting in Sydney Harbour in 2002, to several recorded sightings over the last 4 years at Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, Hobsons Bay, Victoria, and the Port of Cairns, Queensland.

Background A lactose-free diet is commonly prescribed to subjects with hypolactasia. We tested the effectiveness of a single ingestion of tilactase (a β-D-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae) in adults with hypolactasia, previously assessed by lactose H2-breath test. Materials and methods After measurement of orocecal transit time (OCTT, by lactulose H2-breath test) and lactose H2-breath testing plus placebo, a total of 134 subjects were positive to hypolactasia and underwent lactose H2-breath testing plus either low (6750 U) or standard (11 250 U) doses of tilactase. The appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms during the tests was monitored. Results OCTT was longer in malabsorbers (subjects without bloating, abdominal pain and/or diarrhoea, n =2 5) than in intolerants (bloating, abdominal pain and/or diarrhoea, n =1 09, P < 0·02). Malabsorbers had longer time to H2 peak (P < 0·03), lower H2 peak levels (P < 0·002) and smaller integrated H2 excretion levels (P

We have developed a new method to build seismic velocity models for complex structures. In our approach, we use a spatially nonuniform parameterization of the velocity model in tomography and a uniform grid representation of the same velocity model in ray tracing to generate the linear system of tomographic equations. Subsequently, a matrix transformation is applied to the system of equations to produce a new linear system of tomographic equations using nonuniform parameterization. In this way, we improved the stability of tomographic inversion without adding computing costs. We tested the effectiveness of our process on a 3D synthetic data example.

The efficient computation of finite-frequency traveltime and amplitude sensitivity kernels for velocity and attenuation perturbations in global seismic tomography poses problems both of numerical precision and of validity of the paraxial approximation used. We investigate these aspects, using a local model parameterization in the form of a tetrahedral grid with linear interpolation in between grid nodes. The matrix coefficients of the linear inverse problem involve a volume integral of the product of the finite-frequency kernel with the basis functions that represent the linear interpolation. We use local and global tests as well as analytical expressions to test the numerical precision of the frequency and spatial quadrature. There is a trade-off between narrowing the bandpass filter and quadrature accuracy and efficiency. Using a minimum step size of 10km for S waves and 30km for SS waves, relative errors in the quadrature are of the order of 1% for direct waves such as S, and a few percent for SS waves, which are below data uncertainties in delay time or amplitude anomaly observations in global seismology. Larger errors may occur wherever the sensitivity extends over a large volume and the paraxial approximation breaks down at large distance from the ray. This is especially noticeable for minimax phases such as SS waves with periods >20s, when kernels become hyperbolic near the reflection point and appreciable sensitivity extends over thousands of km. Errors becomes intolerable at epicentral distance near the antipode when sensitivity extends over all azimuths in the mantle. Effects of such errors may become noticeable at epicentral distances140?. We conclude that the paraxial approximation offers an efficient method for computing the matrix system for finite-frequency inversions in global tomography, though care should be taken near reflection points, and alternative methods are needed to compute sensitivity near the antipode.

The mitochondrion is the power plant of the eukaryotic cell, and tRNAs are the fundamental components of its translational machinery. In the present paper, the evolution of mitochondrial tRNAs was investigated in the Cetacea, a clade of Cetartiodactyla that retuned to water and thus had to adapt its metabolism to a different medium than that of its mainland ancestors. Our analysis focussed on identifying the factors that influenced the evolution of Cetacea tRNA double-helix elements, which play a pivotal role in the formation of the secondary and tertiary structures of each tRNA and consequently manipulate the whole translation machinery of the mitochondrion. Our analyses showed that the substitution pathways in the stems of different tRNAs were influenced by various factors, determining a molecular evolution that was unique to each of the 22 tRNAs. Our data suggested that the composition, AT-skew, and GC-skew of the tRNA stems were the main factors influencing the substitution process. In particular, the range of variation and the fluctuation of these parameters affected the fate of single tRNAs. Strong heterogeneity was observed among the different species of Cetacea. Finally, it appears that the evolution of mitochondrial tRNAs was also shaped by the environments in which the Cetacean taxa differentiated. This latter effect was particularly evident in toothed whales that either live in freshwater or are deep divers.

Knowledge of dolphin functional neuroanatomy mostly derives from post-mortem studies and non-invasive approaches (i.e., magnetic resonance imaging), due to limitations in experimentation on cetaceans. As a consequence the availability of well-preserved tissues for histology is scarce, and detailed histological analyses are referred mainly to adults. Here we studied the neonatal/juvenile brain in two species of dolphins, the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), with special reference to forebrain regions. We analyzed cell density in subcortical nuclei, white/gray matter ratio, and myelination in selected regions at different anterior–posterior levels of the whole dolphin brain at different ages, to better define forebrain neuroanatomy and the developmental stage of the dolphin brain around birth. The analyses were extended to the periventricular germinal layer and the cerebellum, whose delayed genesis of the granule cell layer is a hallmark of postnatal development in the mammalian nervous system. Our results establish an atlas of the young dolphin forebrain and, on the basis of occurrence/absence of delayed neurogenic layers, confirm the stage of advanced brain maturation in these animals with respect to most terrestrial mammals.

In the mammalian brain, the differentiation of neural cells and the developmental organization of the underlying circuitry are influenced by steroid hormones. The estrogen 17-β estradiol (E2) is one of the most potent regulators of neural growth during prenatal life, synthetized locally from steroid precursors including prenatal testicular testosterone. Estradiol promotes brain differentiation counting sexually dimorphic neural circuits by binding to the estrogen receptors, ER-α and ER-β. The cerebellum has been described as a site of estrogen action and a potentially sexually dimorphic area. The goal of this study was to analyze the capacity of E2 to affect the growth of male and female fetal bovine cerebellar granule. We performed primary cultures of fetal cerebellar granules, and verified the mRNA expression of the ER-α and ER-β in both sexes. Moreover, the distribution of ERs in the male and female cerebellar granules of the second fetal stage was characterized by immunohistochemistry. We measured morphological parameters in presence (or absence) of estradiol administration, focusing on the variations of the dendritic branching pattern of granule neurons. By using the nonparametric combination and permutation testing approach, we proposed a sophisticated multivariate statistical analysis to demonstrate that E2 induces multifarious and dimorphic changes in the granule cells. E2 exerts trophic effects in both female and male granules and this effect is stronger in female. Male granules treated with E2 became similar to female control granule. Bos taurus species has a long gestation and a large brain that offers an interesting alternative in comparative neuroscience.

Anthelmintics used for intestinal helminthiasis treatment are generally effective; however, their effectiveness in tissue parasitosis (i.e. visceral toxocariasis) is moderate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of lapachol, β-lapachone and phenazines in relation to the viability of Toxocara canis larvae. A concentration of 2 mg/mL (in duplicate) of the compounds was tested using microculture plates containing Toxocara canis larvae in an RPMI-1640 environment, incubated at 37 °C in 5% CO2 tension for 48 hours. In the 2 mg/mL concentration, four phenazines, lapachol and three of its derivatives presented a larvicide/larvistatic activity of 100%. Then, the minimum larvicide/larvistatic concentration (MLC) test was conducted. The compounds that presented the best results were nor-lapachol (MLC, 1 mg/mL), lapachol (MLC 0.5 mg/mL), β-lapachone, and β-C-allyl-lawsone (MLC, 0.25 mg/mL). The larvae exposed to the compounds, at best MLC with 100% in vitro activity larvicide, were inoculated into healthy BALB/c mice and were not capable of causing infection, confirming the larvicide potential in vitro of these compounds. Os anti-helmínticos empregados no tratamento das helmintoses intestinais, de modo geral, são eficazes, porém nas parasitoses teciduais, como é o caso da toxocaríase visceral, a eficácia é moderada. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar in vitro a atividade do lapachol, β-lapachona e fenazinas derivadas da β-lapachona sobre a viabilidade de larvas de Toxocara canis. Os compostos foram testados na concentração de 2 mg/mL (em duplicata) em placas de microcultivo, contendo larvas de T. canis em meio RPMI-1640, sendo incubados, a 37 °C, em tensão de CO2 de 5%, por 48 horas. Na concentração de 2 mg/mL, quatro fenazinas, o lapachol e três derivados, apresentaram atividade larvicida/larvostática de 100%. A seguir, foi realizado o teste de concentração larvicida/larvostártica mínima (CLM). Os compostos que apresentaram os melhores resultados foram o nor-lapachol (CLM, 1 mg/mL), lapachol (CLM, 0,5 mg/mL), a β-lapachona e a β-C-alil-lausona (CLM, 0,25 mg/mL). As larvas expostas aos compostos, na melhor CLM 100% in vitro foram inoculadas em camundongos BALB/c saudáveis não sendo capazes de causar infecção, confirmando o potencial larvicida in vitro desses compostos.

Previous analysis of Drosophila circadian behavior under natural conditions has revealed a number of novel and unexpected features. Here we focus on the oscillations of per and tim mRNAs and their posttranscriptional regulation and observe significant differences in molecular cycling under laboratory and natural conditions. In particular, robust per mRNA cycling from fly heads is limited to the summers, whereas tim RNA cycling is observed throughout the year. When both transcripts do cycle, their phases are similar, except for the very warmest summer months. We also study the natural splicing profiles of per and tim transcripts and observe a clear relationship between temperature and splicing. In natural conditions, we confirm the relationship between accumulation of the perspliced variant, low temperature, and the onset of the evening component of locomotor activity, first described in laboratory conditions. Intriguingly, in the case of tim splicing, we detect the opposite relationship, with timspliced expression increasing at higher temperatures. A first characterization of the 4 different TIM protein isoforms (resulting from the combination of the natural N-terminus length polymorphism and the C-terminus alternative splicing) using the 2-hybrid assay showed that the TIMunspliced isoforms have a stronger affinity for CRY, but not for PER, suggesting that the tim 3′ splicing could have physiological significance, possibly in temperature entrainment and/or adaptation to seasonal environments.

Anthelmintics used for intestinal helminthiasis treatment are generally effective; however, their effectiveness in tissue parasitosis (i.e. visceral toxocariasis) is moderate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of lapachol, β-lapachone and phenazines in relation to the viability of Toxocara canis larvae. A concentration of 2 mg/mL (in duplicate) of the compounds was tested using microculture plates containing Toxocara canis larvae in an RPMI-1640 environment, incubated at 37 °C in 5% CO2 tension for 48 hours. In the 2 mg/mL concentration, four phenazines, lapachol and three of its derivatives presented a larvicide/larvistatic activity of 100%. Then, the minimum larvicide/larvistatic concentration (MLC) test was conducted. The compounds that presented the best results were nor-lapachol (MLC, 1 mg/mL), lapachol (MLC 0.5 mg/mL), β-lapachone, and β-C-allyl-lawsone (MLC, 0.25 mg/mL). The larvae exposed to the compounds, at best MLC with 100% in vitro activity larvicide, were inoculated into healthy BALB/c mice and were not capable of causing infection, confirming the larvicide potential in vitro of these compounds.

A presente pesquisa acompanha e analisa o desenvolvimento do projeto “________(título)” entre os anos 2012 e 2015. Este projeto consiste em um experimental de arquivamento , edição e apresentação de uma série de livros e instalações em espaços expositivos que contam com a participação de outros artistas. Na pesquisa, são abordadas questões como formação pessoal, performatividade e formas de apresentação e arquivamento em arte. Como resultado da pesquisa, será apresentada uma nova versão impressa do livro “________(título)” e uma experimentação expesitiva na Pinacoteca Barão de Ângelo do Instituto de Artes. The present research monitors and analyzes the development of the project “________(title)” between the years 2012 and 2015. This project is an experimental process of archiving, editing and presentation of a serie of books and installations which include the participation of others artists. In the research are discussed issues like formation, performativity, forms of presentation and archiving in contemporary art. As result of the research are presented a new printed version of the “________(title)” book and the experimental installation at Pinacoteca Barão de Ângelo do Instituto de Artes.

We use mantle plume images from finite frequency tomography and the Stokes equation to obtain a quantitative estimate of the heat and volume flux across several well resolved plume sections in mid-mantle. Although not a perfect barrier, widening of plumes just below 670 km depth indicates that the phase transition from ringwoodite to perovskite plus magnesowustite and possibly iron enrichment of the lower mantle resists plume passage into the upper mantle. Estimated heat- and volume flux for individual plumes at mid-mantle depths is greater than predicted by surface observations of buoyancy flux, even for very high viscosity. Although uncertainties are large, the high flux observed in plumes at mid-mantle depth is compatible with the view that plumes are responsible for all upward advective heat transport in the lower mantle that eventually breaks through into the upper mantle.

SUMMARY The spacing of interpolation supports in the Earth can be optimized to fit local resolution by connecting natural neighbours with springs of length equal to the local resolving length and minimizing the potential energy of the system. A triangulation scheme for the starting configuration of the grid is implemented to avoid that the optimization converges to an unacceptable local minimum in the energy.

Objective. – In this study strains of yeasts isolated from the blood of human patients were analyzed taxonomically, their virulence factors were determined and compared, and phenotypic markers were used to compare the samples with respect to phenotypic differences across the range of patients as well as between samples isolated from the same patient. Methods. – The study involved a total of 75 strains of yeast isolated from the blood of in-patients of the Public Hospital, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a clinical profile of fungemia. The hospital wards with the largest number of fungemias were neonatal intensive care units (ICUs) (32%) followed by gastric surgery (13.4%) and pediatric wards (10.7%). After identification, the samples were analyzed for the production of phospholipase and proteinase enzymes, and biotyped according to their susceptibility to “killer” toxins. Results. – The most frequent species found was Candida albicans (38.7%) followed by C. parapsilosis (30.7%). In terms of enzyme production, 98.7% of the 75 samples of yeast presented a strongly positive activity for proteinase; however, 78.7% did not present any phospholipasic activity. Six different biotypes were identified, the most frequent being 511 and 888. Conclusion. – In association with phenotypic methods, genetic analyses should also be made of the samples under study to help in the rational development of a wider range of preventive measures and better control of hospital-contracted infections.

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o resultado de intervenções psicopedagógicas no desempenho intelectual e em algumas funções cognitivas específicas em crianças provenientes de famílias de baixa renda, expostas a fatores pessoais e sociais adversos, como desnutrição, stress familiar, ambientes doméstico e de estimulação empobrecidos. Foram examinadas 63 crianças, alunas de escola, gratuita e em regime de semi-internato, que recebe crianças consideradas sob risco pessoal e social. Quarenta e três crianças receberam atividades que objetivam ativação cognitiva, durante período mínimo de 1 ano. Vinte crianças eram recém-admitidas. As técnicas da ativação escolhidas foram: método de aprendizagem ativa, com base em Piaget e método de ativação cognitiva para, através de exercícios psicomotores, desenvolver os pré-requisitos para aprendizagem e prevenção de dificuldades escolares, segundo Lambert. A avaliação das funções cognitivas mostrou: nível intelectual insatisfatório em 30% e médio ou superior em 70% e deficiências cognitivas específicas (noção do esquema corporal, percepção viso-motora, percepção de forma e perseveração) em 74%. Maior prevalência de crianças com inteligência superior (p < 0,05) associou-se a dois fatores: 1º: maior tempo de freqüência à escola (de 1 a 3 anos) e 2º: programas de ativação cognitiva. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os 2 grupos em relação à prevalência de alterações das funções cognitivas específicas examinadas. Os resultados demonstram que a recuperação de crianças com as dificuldades descritas é difícil. Exige investigação sistemática sobre os métodos psicopedagógicas selecionados e possivelmente, grande tempo de permanência da criança na escola, além de admissão mais precoce.Sixty-three school-age children of low socioeconomic status and exposed to adverse environmental factors (malnutrition, familiar distress and low familiar incomes) were submitted to neuropsychological tests to investigate possible cognitive impairments. Classical neuropsychological test battery was employed (Raven test, Bender Gestalt copy of complex figures, draw-a-man Goodenough test). Low intellectual level was found on 30% and 74% showed higher cognitive disorders (visuoperceptual skills and/or perseverations and/or global shapes perception and/or draw-a-man disturbances). These children attended to a school with semi-boarding regimen which receives children under personnel and social adverse factors. School program was enriched with learning activity program based on Piaget and psychomotor exercises based on Lambert for at least one year. They also had some other activities, as painting, singing, computer training, English and Spanish classes. Twenty children were newly accepted and 43 attended at school for one, two or three years. We found significant correlations (pchi0.05) between superior intellectual performances, bigger periods of attendance at school and methods for cognitive development. There was no association between other brain cognitive functions examined, the attendance to the teaching programs and the years of permanence at school.

SUMMARY This paper presents a comparison of ray-theoretical and finite-frequency traveltime tomography for compressional waves. Our data set consists of 86 405 long-period P and PP‐P traveltimes measured by cross-correlation. The traveltime of a finite-frequency wave is sensitive to anomalies in a hollow banana-shaped region surrounding the unperturbed ray path, with the sensitivity being zero on the ray. Because of the minimax nature of the surface-reflected PP wave, its sensitivity is more complicated. We compute the 3-D traveltime sensitivity efficiently by using the paraxial approximation in conjunction with ray theory and the Born approximation. We compare tomographic models with the same χ 2 fit for both ray theory and finite-frequency analysis. Depending on the depth and size of the anomaly, the amplitudes of the velocity perturbations in the finite-frequency tomographic images are 30‐50 per cent larger than in the corresponding ray-theoretical images, demonstrating that wave front healing cannot be neglected when interpreting long-period seismic waves. The images obtained provide clear evidence that a limited number of hotspots are fed by plumes originating in the lower mantle.

Some modifying factors may determine the risk of brain tumors. Until now, it could not be attempted to identify people at risk and also to improve significantly disease progression. Current therapy consists of surgical resection, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Despite of these treatments, the prognosis for patients is poor. In this review, we highlight general aspects concerning genetic alterations in brain tumors, namely astrocytomas, glioblastomas, oligodendrogliomas, medulloblastomas and ependymomas. The influence of these genetic alterations in patients' prognosis is discussed. Mutagen sensitivity is associated with cancer risk. The convincing studies that linked DNA damages and DNA repair alterations with brain tumors are also described. Another important modifying factor is immunity. General immune response against cancer, tumor microenvironment and immune response, mechanisms of tumor escape, CNS tumor immunology, immune defects that impair anti-tumor systemic immunity in brain tumor patients and local immuno-suppressive factors within CNS are also reviewed. New hope to treatment perspectives, as dendritic-cell-based vaccines is summarized too. Concluding, it seems well established that there is association between brain tumor risk and mutagen sensitivity, which is highly heritable. Primary brain tumors cause depression in systemic host immunity; local immuno-suppressive factors and immunological characteristics of tumor cells may explain the poor prognosis and DNA damages responses can alert immune system. However, it is necessary to clarify if individuals with both constitutional defects in immune functions and genetic instability have higher risk of developing brain tumors. Cytogenetic prospective studies and gene copy number variations analysis also must be performed in peripheral lymphocytes from brain tumor patients.

Background and objectives Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) is the most frequent cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD)–related peritonitis in many centers. This study aimed to describe clinical and microbiologic characteristics of 115 CNS episodes and to determine factors influencing the outcome. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This study reviewed the records of 115 CNS peritonitis episodes that occurred in 74 patients between 1994 and 2011 at a single university center. Peritonitis incidences were calculated for three consecutive 6-year periods (P1, 1994–1999; P2, 2000–2005; P3, 2006–2011) and annually. The production of biofilms, enzymes, and toxins was evaluated. Oxacillin resistance was evaluated based on its minimum inhibitory concentration and the presence of the mecA gene. Results The overall incidence of CNS peritonitis was 0.15 episodes per patient per year and did not vary over time (0.12, 0.14, and 0.16 for P1, P2, and P3, respectively; P=0.21). The oxacillin resistance rate was 69.6%. Toxin and enzyme production was infrequent and 36.5% of CNS strains presented the gene encoding biofilm production. The presence of icaAD genes associated with biofilm production was predictive of relapses or repeat episodes (odds ratio [OR], 2.82; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.11 to 7.19; P=0.03). Overall, 70 episodes (60.9%) resolved; oxacillin susceptibility (OR, 4.41; 95% CI, 1.48 to 13.17; P=0.01) and vancomycin use as the first treatment (OR, 22.27; 95% CI, 6.16 to 80.53; P Conclusions Oxacillin resistance and vancomycin use as the first treatment strongly influence the resolution rate in CNS peritonitis, which reinforces the validity of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis guidelines on monitoring bacterial resistance to define protocols for initial treatment. These results also suggest that the presence of biofilm is a potential cause of repeat peritonitis episodes.

The mammalian claustrum is involved in processing sensory information from the environment. The claustrum is reciprocally connected to the visual cortex and these projections, at least in carnivores, display a clear retinotopic distribution. The visual cortex of dolphins occupies a position strikingly different from that of land mammals. Whether the reshaping of the functional areas of the cortex of cetaceans involves also modifications of the claustral projections remains hitherto unanswered.The present topographic and immunohistochemical study is based on the brains of 8 bottlenose dolphins and a wide array of antisera against: calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR), and calbindin (CB); somatostatin (SOM); neuropeptide Y (NPY); and the potential claustral marker Gng2.Our observations confirmed the general topography of the mammalian claustrum also in the bottlenose dolphin, although a) the reduction of the piriform lobe modifies the ventral relationships of the claustrum with the cortex, and b) the rotation of the telencephalon along the transverse axis, accompanied by the reduction of the antero-posterior length of the brain, apparently moves the claustrum more rostrally. We observed a strong presence of CR-immunoreactive (-ir) neurons and fibers, a diffuse but weak expression of CB-ir elements and virtually no PV immunostaining. This latter finding agrees with studies that report that PV-ir elements are rare in the visual cortex of the same species. NPY- and somatostatin-containing neurons were evident, while the potential claustral markers Gng2 was not identified in the sections, but no explanation for its absence is currently available.Although no data are available on the projections to and from the claustrum in cetaceans, our results suggest that its neurochemical organization is compatible with the presence of noteworthy cortical inputs and outputs and a persistent role in the general processing of the relative information.