Spontaneous miniature synaptic activity is caused by action potential (AP)-independent release of transmitter vesicles and is regulated at the level of single synapses. In cultured cortical neurons we have used this spontaneous vesicle turnover to load the styryl dye FM1-43 into synapses with high rates of miniature synaptic activity. Automated selection procedures restricted analysis to synaps...

Observations of knock-out mice suggest that breathing at birth requires correct development of a specific hindbrain territory corresponding to rhombomeres (r) 3 and 4. Focusing on this territory, we examined the development of a neuronal rhythm generator in the chick embryo. We show that rhythmic activity in r4 is inducible after developmental stage 10 through interaction with r3. Although the ...

We have previously demonstrated that inactivation of the Krox20 gene led to the disappearance of its segmental expression territories in the hindbrain, the rhombomeres (r) 3 and 5. We now performed a detailed analysis of the fate of prospective r3 and r5 cells in Krox20 mutant embryos. Genetic fate mapping indicates that at least some of these cells persist in the absence of a functional Krox20...

This paper presents the development of a sustainable and affordable domestic refrigerator for rural areas where grid setting is weak or non-existent. The uses miniature refrigeration unit based on micro direct current (DC) compressor, which can adjust its speed according to photovoltaic output variation with solar radiation intensity, in order maximize cooling production. experimental investiga...

Kidney size may be altered in renal diseases, and the detection of kidney size alteration has diagnostic and prognostic values. We hypothesized that radiographic kidney size, the kidney length to the second lumbar vertebra (L2) length ratio, in normal Miniature Schnauzer dogs may be overestimated due to their shorter vertebral length. This study was conducted to evaluate radiographic and ultras...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the effects of two different perfusion techniques: conventional cardiopulmonary bypass and miniature cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the University Hospital of Santa Maria--RS. METHODS We perform a retrospective, cross-sectional study, based on data collected from the patients operated between 2010 and 2013. We analyzed th...