A control-volume finite-element method is used for simulations of flows through coupled fluid-saturated porous and open domains. The Brinkman-Forchheimer equations are used to model the flow in the porous domain. Modeling at the interface is emphasized, and full consistency is ensured. No special modifications need to be implemented in the numerical procedures and computer codes developed to deal primarily with flows in open domains, the interface conditions being treated in a consistent and natural way. Three illustrative examples involving flows parallel to the interface, flows normal to the interface, and combined parallel-normal flows are presented.

Comorbidity between mood disorders and cardiovascular disease has been described extensively. However, available antidepressants can have cardiovascular side effects. Treatment with selective inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) induces antidepressant effects, but whether the antidepressant-like effects of these drugs are followed by cardiovascular changes has not been previously investigated. Here, we tested in male rats exposed to chronic variable stress (CVS) the hypothesis that nNOS blockers are advantageous compared with conventional antidepressants in terms of cardiovascular side effects. We compared the effects of chronic treatment with the preferential nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) with those evoked by the conventional antidepressant fluoxetine on alterations that are considered as markers of depression (immobility in the forced swimming test, FST, decreased body weight gain and increased plasma corticosterone concentration) and cardiovascular changes caused by CVS. Rats were exposed to a 14-day CVS protocol, while being concurrently treated daily with either 7-NI (30 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). Fluoxetine and 7-NI prevented the increase in immobility in the FST induced by CVS and reduced plasma corticosterone concentration in stressed rats. Both these treatments also prevented the CVS-evoked reduction of the depressor response to vasodilator agents and baroreflex changes. Fluoxetine and 7-NI-induced cardiovascular changes independent of stress exposure, including cardiac autonomic imbalance, increased intrinsic heart rate and vascular sympathetic modulation, a reduction of the pressor response to vasoconstrictor agents, and impairment of baroreflex activity. Altogether, these findings provide evidence that fluoxetine and 7-NI have similar effects on the depression-like state induced by CVS and on cardiovascular function.

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The results showed a higher frequency of MN and micronucleated cells in the CAPSad group, but the difference compared with the control group was not significant.

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In this study, the micronuclei test (MNT) was applied in exfoliated cells of buccal mucosa, in order to evaluate the genotoxic risk associated with occupational exposure of mechanics, storage battery renovation workers, and car painters. For each individual, 3000 exfoliated buccal cells were analyzed. There was a significantly higher frequency of micronucleated cells (MNC) in the exposed workers than in controls. Smoking and drinking habits, age, and working time did not represent significant factors in terms of increasing the production of micronuclei (MN), when the control and the exposed groups were compared. These results allowed to conclude that the studied individuals belong to a risk group and should periodically undergo biological monitoring and proper care.

Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEEndocannabinoid signalling has been reported as an important neurochemical mechanism involved in responses to stress. Previous studies provided evidence of endocannabinoid release in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) during aversive stimuli. Nevertheless, a possible involvement of this neurochemical mechanism in stress responses has never been evaluated. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the involvement of BNST endocannabinoid neurotransmission, acting via local CB 1 receptors, in the cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe selective CB 1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1, 30 and 100 pmol 100 nL À1 ) and/or the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor URB597 (30 pmol 100 nL À1 ) or the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzyme inhibitor JZL184 (30 pmol 100 nL À1 ) was microinjected into the BNST before the acute restraint stress. KEY RESULTSMicroinjection of AM251 into the BNST enhanced the tachycardia caused by restraint stress, without affecting the increase in arterial pressure and the sympathetic-mediated cutaneous vasoconstrictor response. Conversely, the increased endogenous levels of AEA in the BNST evoked by local treatment with the FAAH enzyme inhibitor URB597 decreased restraint-evoked tachycardia. Inhibition of the hydrolysis of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the BNST by local microinjection of the MAGL enzyme inhibitor JZL184 also decreased the HR response. These effects of URB597 and JZL184 were abolished by BNST pretreatment with AM251. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThese findings indicate an involvement of BNST endocannabinoid neurotransmission, acting via CB 1 receptors, in cardiovascular adjustments during emotional stress, which may be mediated by the local release of either AEA or 2-AG.Abbreviations 2-AG, 2-arachidonoylglycerol; AEA, anandamide or arachidonoylethanolamide; BNST, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; CBD, cannabidiol; CRF, corticotropin-releasing factor; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; FAAH, fatty acid amide hydrolase; HR, heart rate; MAGL, monoacylglycerol lipase; MBP, mean blood pressure; MPFC, medial prefrontal cortex; NTS, nucleus of the solitary tract; PAG, periaqueductal gray; PVN, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus; RVLM, rostral ventrolateral medulla; TRPV1, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1; Δ 9 -THC, Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol

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