Audition in vampire bats, Desmodus rotundus

1. Within the tonotopic organization of the inferior colliculus two frequency ranges are well represented: a frequency range within that of the echolocation signals from 50 to 100 kHz, and a frequency band below that of the echolocation sounds, from 10 to 35 kHz. The frequency range between these two bands, from about 40 to 50 kHz is distinctly underrepresented (Fig. 3B). 2. Units with BFs in the lower frequency range (10–25 kHz) were most sensitive with thresholds of -5 to -11 dB SPL, and units with BFs within the frequency range of the echolocation signals had minimal thresholds around 0 dB SPL (Fig. 1). 3. In the medial part of the rostral inferior colliculus units were encountered which preferentially or exclusively responded to noise stimuli. — Seven neurons were found which were only excited by human breathing noises and not by pure tones, frequency modulated signals or various noise bands. These neurons were considered as a subspeciality of the larger sample of noise-sensitive neurons. — The maximal auditory sensitivity in the frequency range below that of echolocation, and the conspicuous existence of noise and breathing-noise sensitive units in the inferior colliculus are discussed in context with the foraging behavior of vampire bats

Characterization of a Gene Family Encoding SEA (Sea-urchin Sperm Protein, Enterokinase and Agrin)-Domain Proteins with Lectin-Like and Heme-Binding Properties from Schistosoma japonicum

BackgroundWe previously identified a novel gene family dispersed in the genome of Schistosoma japonicum by retrotransposon-mediated gene duplication mechanism. Although many transcripts were identified, no homolog was readily identifiable from sequence information.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere, we utilized structural homology modeling and biochemical methods to identify remote homologs, and characterized the gene products as SEA (sea-urchin sperm protein, enterokinase and agrin)-domain containing proteins. A common extracellular domain in this family was structurally similar to SEA-domain. SEA-domain is primarily a structural domain, known to assist or regulate binding to glycans. Recombinant proteins from three members of this gene family specifically interacted with glycosaminoglycans with high affinity, with potential implication in ligand acquisition and immune evasion. Similar approach was used to identify a heme-binding site on the SEA-domain. The heme-binding mode showed heme molecule inserted into a hydrophobic pocket, with heme iron putatively coordinated to two histidine axial ligands. Heme-binding properties were confirmed using biochemical assays and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, which showed high affinity heme-binding (KD = 1.605×10?6 M) and cognate spectroscopic attributes of hexa-coordinated heme iron. The native proteins were oligomers, antigenic, and are localized on adult worm teguments and gastrodermis; major host-parasite interfaces and site for heme detoxification and acquisition.ConclusionsThe results suggest potential role, at least in the nucleation step of heme crystallization (hemozoin formation), and as receptors for heme uptake. Survival strategies exploited by parasites, including heme homeostasis mechanism in hemoparasites, are paramount for successful parasitism. Thus, assessing prospects for application in disease intervention is warranted

Formação do atendente de enfermagem no Brasil: um desafio

Um levantamento realizado pelo Núcleo de Recursos Humanos da Ensp/Fiocruz, em 1984, mostrou que, em nosso país, no setor saúde, 61,3% da força de trabalho se distribuem entre médicos e atendentes de enfermagem. Tendo em vista os princípios da Reforma Sanitária, intentando configurar o Sistema Único de Saúde com a perspectiva de avaliação constante de sua resolutividade, percebe-se que uma das dificuldades consiste na escolaridade e formação do atendente de enfermagem. No Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Registro e Cadastramento), até fevereiro de 1989 estão computados 98.770 auxiliares de enfermagem dos quais 10% com formação "supletiva" e 90% via formal. Correlacionando-se a atual demanda de atendentes com a oferta de cursos de auxiliar de enfermagem de cada estado, chega-se à conclusão de que o tempo exigido para esta formação é de 10 anos para 60% dos estados, 67 anos para Alagoas e de 3 anos para o Piauí. Conclui a autora ser necessário, para suplementar esta formação, vontade política, co-participando ministérios, instituições e entidades de categorias para abertura de cursos descentralizados, além de outras medidas (liberação de bolsas; licenças de horário parcial e rotativo de trabalho; remanejamento de horário de serviço etc), para torná-la acessível a sua clientela.<br>Considering the intention of the Unified Health System in undertaking a permanent evaluation of its resolvability and the decision of the Federal Council of Nurses (FCN) in qualifying non-skilled assistants within a 10-year period, this study sought to determine the quantitative obstacles for this professional qualification. We investigated the means for assistant nurses formation using data derived from all assistant nurses registered at FCN, up to December 1988. We also collected the total number of non-skilled nursing-assistants with permission to practice and the number of courses available to assistant nurses and technicians in each Brazilian state. We concluded that in order to overcome the professional disqualification of this health labor force, it is necessary both political will and integrated participation of Ministries and Institutions, among other measures. The time required for achieving this objective based on the current courses offers is 10 years in 60% of the Brazilian states, where the maximum and minimum limits correspond to 67 years in the state of Alagoas and 3 years in the state of Piauí