Análise comparativa entre técnicas morfométricas aplicadas a Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes) e Odontesthes humensis De Buen (Osteichthyes, Atherinopsidae) Comparative analysis among two different morphometric techniques used in Odontesthes bonariensis and Odontesthes humensis (Atherinopsidae)

<abstract language="eng">The objective of this study was to compare two different morphometric methodologies - traditional measurements and truss networks - based on two species of silversides, Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) and O. humensis De Buen, 1953, to determine which of the methods results in more reliable distinction between groups. The traditional measures do not represent the true fish form because it does not take into account alometric variations or distinct growth stages. The measures with truss networks extend over the fish form thoroughly resulting in complete representation of the fish's body when homologous morphologic points are connected. The two sets of measures used in the principal components analysis resulted in two groups. The first principal component presented similar positive coefficients, being interpreted as a variation of "size", due to different stages of fish growth. The second component presented positive and negative coefficients, with different values that were interpreted as changes in the "shape" of the organisms. As the groups overlapped partially on the second component axis (the one that represents shape), data were adjusted to exclude the size effect. The first component, then, presented positive and negative coefficients that were related to changes in the shape of organisms. The variables with positive coefficients were related to the anterior area of the body, while the negative coefficients were associated with the caudal peduncle. These variables were the same ones found in both the adjusted and non-adjusted analysis. This study showed that measures with truss networks represented more clearly the difference between groups of O. bonariensis and O. humensis, than with the traditional measures

Methanobactin reverses acute liver failure in a rat model of Wilson disease.

In Wilson disease (WD), functional loss of ATPase copper-transporting &beta; (ATP7B) impairs biliary copper excretion, leading to excessive copper accumulation in the liver and fulminant hepatitis. Current US Food and Drug Administration- and European Medicines Agency-approved pharmacological treatments usually fail to restore copper homeostasis in patients with WD who have progressed to acute liver failure, leaving liver transplantation as the only viable treatment option. Here, we investigated the therapeutic utility of methanobactin (MB), a peptide produced by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, which has an exceptionally high affinity for copper. We demonstrated that ATP7B-deficient rats recapitulate WD-associated phenotypes, including hepatic copper accumulation, liver damage, and mitochondrial impairment. Short-term treatment of these rats with MB efficiently reversed mitochondrial impairment and liver damage in the acute stages of liver copper accumulation compared with that seen in untreated ATP7B-deficient rats. This beneficial effect was associated with depletion of copper from hepatocyte mitochondria. Moreover, MB treatment prevented hepatocyte death, subsequent liver failure, and death in the rodent model. These results suggest that MB has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute WD

Odontesthes mirinensis, sp.n. um novo peixe-rei (Pisces, Atherinidae, Atherinopsinae) para o extremo sul do Brasil Odontesthes mirinensis, sp.n. a new silverside (Pisces, Atherinidae, Atherinopsinae) from southern Brazil

<abstract language="eng">Odontesthes mirinensis, a new species of silverside, is described in coastal lagoons system of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from other Odontesthes species by short snout and having 24-29 gill rakers on the lower branch of the first branchial arch. Osteological features (bones of the skull, axial skeleton and girdles) are included and discussed. Meristic and morphometric variables were analyzed separately, through multivariate procedures. Principal Component Analysis show that Odontesthes mirinensis, sp.n. does not exhibit significant geographic variation on body shape