Dietary sodium may contribute to hypertension and to cardiovascular and renal disease if a primary deficiency of the kidney to excrete sodium exists. In order to investigate whether chronic 1% NaCl in the drinking water changes blood pressure and renal haemodynamics in juvenile Wistar rats subjected to prenatal malnutrition, an evaluation of plasma volume, oxidative stress in the kidney, proteinuria and renal haemodynamics was carried out. Malnutrition was induced by a multideficient diet. Mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured using a blood pressure transducer, a flow probe and inulin clearance, respectively. Plasma volume and oxidative stress were measured by means of the Evans Blue method and by monitoring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the kidneys, respectively. Urinary protein was measured by precipitation with 3% sulphosalicylic acid. It was observed that prenatally malnourished rats presented higher values of plasma volume (26%, P < 0.05), kidney TBARS (43%, P < 0.01) and blood pressure (10%, P < 0.01) when compared with the control group. However, they showed no change in renal haemodynamics or proteinuria. Neither prenatally malnourished nor control rats treated with sodium overload presented plasma volume or blood pressure values different from their respective control groups, but both groups presented elevated proteinuria (P < 0.01). The prenatally malnourished group treated with sodium overload presented higher values of kidney TBARS, GFR and filtration fraction (58, 87 and 72% higher, respectively, P < 0.01) than its respective control group. In summary, sodium overload did not exacerbate the hypertension in juvenile prenatally malnourished rats, but induced renal haemodynamic adjustments compatible with the development of renal disease.

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Four types of mucous cells of the branchial epithelium of Poecilia are described. Type I in the apical region of the branchial filament; type II in the apical and interlamellar region; type III cells only in the interlamellar region; and type IV cells in the branchial arch. 1996 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

Fish of the genus Anableps~Anablepidae, Cyprinodontiformes! have eyes that are adapted for simultaneous aerial and aquatic vision. In this study we investigate some of the corresponding retinal specializations of the adult Anableps anableps eye using retinal transverse sections and wholemounts. The linear dimensions of the retina were found to be asymmetric with a greater representation of the dorsal compared to the ventral visual field. The total number of neurons in the ganglion cell layer of the ventral hemiretina was on average 3.6 times greater than the values obtained in the dorsal hemiretina. Isodensity contour maps revealed a prominent horizontal visual streak in the ventral hemiretina with an average peak cell density of 18,286 cells0mm 2 . A second less-well-developed horizontal visual streak was also observed in the dorsal hemiretina. A sub-population of large cells with soma areas between 74 and 188 mm 2 was identified and found to be distributed evenly across both hemiretinas. Together, these results show that the sampling gain of the ventral retina is significantly greater than the dorsal segment, that retinal specializations important for mediating acute vision are present in the parts of the visual field immediately above and below the surface of the water, and that visual functions related with the large ganglion cells require more even sampling across the visual field. The relevance of these retinal specializations to the feeding and other behavioral strategies adopted by Anableps is discussed.

The mucosa of the rumen performs the functions of absorption, transportation, metabolism and protection, due to the presence of microorganisms in this compartment of the digestive tract, which are responsible for the digestion of approximately 60% of the organic material apparently digested. The histological structure and the histochemical profile of glicoconjugate of the mucosa of the stomach of sheep that were being fed with forrage cactus or palm (Giant Palm-Opuntia ficus indica Mil)1. Twelve sheep were used, with approximately 14 months old, which were oddly distributed in four diets: D 1-60.0% forrage palm + 40.0% concentrated ration; D 2-47.5% forrage palm + 12.5% elephant, napier grass + 40.0% concentrated ration, and D 3-34,8% forrage palm + 25.2% elephant, napier grass + 40.0% concentrated ration and D 4-60.0% elephant, napier grass + 40.0% concentrated ration. The experience period lasted 90 days, and, at the end, the animals were euthanized and fragments of different compartments of their stomachs were taken right after. The animals having consumed diets D 1 , D 2 e D 3 presented more developed papillas, while the ones of diet D 4 , presented less developed papillas. The stratum corneum of the epithelium of the rumen coating of the animals in diet D 1 presented a slight erosion, when compared to those in diets D 2 , D 3 and D 4 .

Crataeva tapia is a plant popularly used for diabetes treatment, in Brazil. Progressive decline in renal and hepatic functions has been described in patients with diabetes mellitus, and mortality rate is increased in patients with chronic liver and renal disease. This study aimed to evaluate whether Crataeva tapia bark lectin (CrataBL) improves hyperglycemia and renal and hepatic damage in diabetic mice. CrataBL was purified by ion exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose, and intraperitoneal administration of CrataBL to alloxan-induced diabetic mice at dose of 10 mg/Kg/day and 20 mg/Kg/day for 10 days significantly reduced serum glucose levels by 14.9% and 55.9%, respectively. Serum urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were also significantly reduced after treatment with both doses of CrataBL. Furthermore, histological analysis of liver, kidney, and pancreas revealed an improvement in the tissue morphology upon treatment with CrataBL. The results suggest that CrataBL has a beneficial hypoglycemic activity and improves the renal and hepatic complications of diabetes. Therefore, this lectin may be a promising agent for the treatment of diabetes, and this might be the basis for its use in the folk medicine as an alternative treatment to manage diabetes-related complications such as hyperglycemia and tissue damage.

Objective To assess the use of demucosalized ileum for bladder augmentation, following the same principles previously used with the sigmoid colon. Patients and methods Eleven patients with bladder exstrophy or a neurogenic bladder had their bladders augmented with demucosalized ileum instead of the sigmoid colon, but following the same technique. The use of a Foley catheter with an in¯ated balloon greatly facilitated the dissection of the mucosa from the muscle. A silicone model, inserted in the bladder, was used to avoid shrinkage of the patch. An animal model was also used for total bladder replacement following the same principle.Results The mean (range) follow-up was 15.4 (2±25) months. There was a signi®cant increase in bladder compliance in all patients. A bladder of good shape and compliance was obtained in the animal model, with epithelial growth detected in all cases. Conclusions Demucosalized ileum can be used safely for bladder augmentation in the same way as with the sigmoid colon. The distension of the isolated patch greatly facilitates dissection between the mucosa and muscle. The animal model supported this method of bladder replacement.

Naphthoquinones have been studied extensively due to their activity as topoisomerase inhibitors. These enzymes are critical to DNA replication in cells. beta-Lapachone (beta-lap) is an o-naphthoquinone chemically obtained from lapachol. This work results in a toxicological evaluation of beta-lap in Wistar rats observing the following parameters: teratology, histology, hematology and serum biochemistry. The data demonstrate teratogenic action at the doses used, as well as hematological alterations in the total leukocytes, monocytes and segmented. The biochemical data demonstrated an increase in gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels. Histological study showed significant alterations in the spleen, however, the liver and kidney did not present significant alterations.