Hematology of Liolaemus pacha (Iguania: Liolaemidae) and its relationship with mite infestation, reproductive period and body condition.

Variations in hematological profile in reptiles can be caused by multiple factors, including parasites presence. Our goals were to identify and morphologically describe blood cells of Liolaemus pacha and analyze their relationship with sex, body condition, individual reproductive/post-reproductive period and mite infestation. Blood smear analyses do not indicate the presence of hemoparasites, suggesting that the mites Neopterygosoma do not serve as vectors for these organisms, as has been proposed for other genera of ectoparasitic mites.

Single vs. double phototherapy in the treatment of full-term newborns with nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of single (1 panel) vs. double (2 panels) phototherapy in reducing nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia in term newborns.

Methods: Term newborns with hyperbilirubinemia were prospectively randomized to receive double or single phototherapy.

pH modulates the vestibular afferent discharge and its response to excitatory amino acids.

In the isolated inner ear of the axolotl (Ambystoma tigrinum) acid pH decreased and basic pH increased the resting and mechanically evoked spike discharge of semicircular canal afferent neurons. Variations in pH also modified the afferent neuron response to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) acid and to (+/-)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA). Responses to both excitatory amino acid agonists increased at pH 7.