Defense Mechanisms of (Lam.) Mart. in the Dry Season in the Brazilian Savanna.

Water availability and light during the dry and rainy seasons in the Cerrado may influence plants' stomatal movement and the entry of CO for organic synthesis, which is the main electron drain. A lower stomatal conductance may contribute to the energy accumulated in the chloroplasts being directed towards the synthesis of compounds, which contributes to the activity of antioxidant enzymes to neutralize reactive oxygen species. is a characteristic Cerrado species, and it is often recommended for recovering degraded areas.

Targeted anatomical and functional identification of antinociceptive and pronociceptive serotonergic neurons that project to the spinal dorsal horn.

Spinally projecting serotonergic neurons play a key role in controlling pain sensitivity and can either increase or decrease nociception depending on physiological context. It is currently unknown how serotonergic neurons mediate these opposing effects. Utilizing virus-based strategies and Tph2-Cre transgenic mice, we identified two anatomically separated populations of serotonergic hindbrain neurons located in the lateral paragigantocellularis (LPGi) and the medial hindbrain, which respectively innervate the superficial and deep spinal dorsal horn and have contrasting effects on sensory perception.

Shift of µ-opioid Receptor Signaling in the Dorsal Reticular Nucleus Is Implicated in Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia in Male Rats.

Background: Increased descending pain facilitation accounts for opioid-induced hyperalgesia, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Given the role of µ-opioid receptors in opioid-induced hyperalgesia in animals, the authors hypothesized that the dorsal reticular nucleus, a medullary pain facilitatory area, is involved in opioid-induced hyperalgesia through altered µ-opioid receptor signaling.

Methods: The authors used male Wistar rats (n = 5 to 8 per group), chronically infused with morphine, to evaluate in the dorsal reticular nucleus the expressions of the µ-opioid receptor and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding, a downstream marker of excitatory µ-opioid receptor signaling.

Retrospective clinical and epidemiological analysis of scorpionism at a referral hospital for the treatment of accidents by venomous animals in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, 2007-2017.

Scorpionism has a high incidence rate in Brazil. It is considered a serious public health problem mainly in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The number of scorpion accidents have increased over the years and the highest frequencies have been reported mainly in the Brazilian Northeast region.