Altered behavioural response to acute stress in mice lacking cellular prion protein

Although many studies have investigated the function of cellular prion protein (PrPc), its physiologic role remains elusive. PrPc null mice have been reported to develop normally and to show normal performance in most behavioural tests. In the present study we investigated whether this also holds true after episodes of acute stress. PrPc gene ablated (Prnp0/0) and wild-type mice were subjected to restraint stress, electric foot shock, or swimming and compared with non-stressed animals. Immediately after the stressful situation, the anxiety levels and locomotion of the animals were measured using plus-maze and open-field tests. Among non-stressed animals, there was no significant difference in performance between Prnp0/0 and wild type animals in either test. However, after acute stress provoked by a foanot shock or a swimming trial, Prnp0/0 animals showed a significant decrease in anxiety levels when compared with control animals. Moreover, after the swimming test, knockout mice presented decreased locomotion when compared to wild-type mice. Because of this observation, we also assessed both types of mice in a forced swimming test with the objective of better evaluating muscle function and found that Prnp0/0 animals presented reduced forced swimming capacity when compared to controls. As far as we know, this is the first report suggesting that cellular prion protein is involved in modulation of anxiety or muscular activity after acute psychic or physical stress

O "novo" consenso macroeconômico e alguns insights da crítica heterodoxa The new consensus macroeconomics and some insights from a heterodox critique

O objetivo deste trabalho é fazer um survey dos principais papers e argumentos que compõem o chamado "novo" consenso macroeconômico, a fim de elucidar o que alguns autores apresentam como uma nova etapa da História do Pensamento Econômico. Nesse caso, destacam-se os principais esforços na busca pela convergência entre as distintas teorias que suportam essa abordagem, bem como os principais autores que defendem ser essa convergência não só possível, mas desejável. Posteriormente, são sumarizados alguns insights da crítica heterodoxa, em especial, as de cunho pós-keynesiano. Sendo assim, o trabalho amplia a discussão proposta, nesta revista, por Arestis e Sawyer (2008). Observa-se ainda que grande parte das críticas feitas a este novo consenso são as mesmas que permeiam o debate entre Keynes e os (neo) clássicos em meados da primeira metade do século XX. Por fim, as conclusões apontam no sentido de mostrar a necessidade de consolidar um construto teórico mais bem articulado para ambas as abordagens.<br>This paper aims to survey the main contributions to the literature on the "new" consensus in macroeconomics in which the efforts for convergence among the distinct theories that support this approach are discussed. It also seemed appropriate to underscore the main authors who postulate such convergence. The resulting core for economic policies is then presented. Next, some insights on the heterodox critique are summarized. Emphasis was given to the post-Keynesian perspective. Thus, this paper amplifies the debate Arestis and Sawer (2008) proposed in an earlier issue of this journal. At this stage, the reader might find it clear that the critiques are the same as those which governed the debate among Keynes and the classics in the first half of the twentieth century. Conclusions indicate that more research is necessary in this area and that, at both sides of the debate, it is important to summarize the arguments in a coherent fashion in order to consolidate a theoretical framework

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora