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The fne ( found-in-neurons) locus encodes one of the three paralogs of the ELAV gene family of Drosophila melanogaster. Members of this family are found throughout metazoans and encode RNA-binding proteins with primarily neuronal localization, but with remarkably diverse functions given their high level of amino acid sequence conservation. The first identified member of the family, elav of Drosophila is a vital gene. Mutations in the second Drosophila elav paralog, rbp9, are viable but female sterile. No alleles of fne were previously available. FNE protein is normally present in the cytoplasm of all neurons throughout development. Here we describe the generation and characterization of fnenull mutations by homologous recombination. In contrast to elav and similar to rbp9, fnenull mutants are viable, but exhibit a specific and fully penetrant fusion of the β-lobes in their mushroom bodies (MB), a paired neuropil of the central brain involved in a variety of complex behaviors. Mutant males have reduced courtship indices, but normal short- and long-term courtship memory. Our data show that fne has specific functions which are non-overlapping with the other two family members, namely in courtship behavior and in the development of the adult MB. The data further show that courtship memory does not require intact β-lobes in the MB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effects of a 6-week swimming training on blood pressure, nitric oxide (NO) levels and oxidative stress parameters such as protein and lipid oxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity and endogenous non-enzymatic antioxidant content in kidney and circulating fluids, as well as on serum biochemical parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, urea and creatinine) from Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME)-induced hypertension treated rats. Animals were divided into four groups (n = 10): Control, Exercise, L-NAME and Exercise L-NAME. Results showed that exercise prevented a decrease in NO levels in hypertensive rats (P < 0·05). An increase in protein and lipid oxidation observed in the L-NAME-treated group was reverted by physical training in serum from the Exercise L-NAME group (P < 0·05). A decrease in the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the L-NAME group was observed when compared with normotensive groups (P < 0·05). In kidney, exercise significantly augmented the CAT and SOD activities in the Exercise L-NAME group when compared with the L-NAME group (P < 0·05). There was a decrease in the non-protein thiols (NPSH) levels in the L-NAME-treated group when compared with the normotensive groups (P < 0·05). In the Exercise L-NAME group, there was an increase in NPSH levels when compared with the L-NAME group (P < 0·05). The elevation in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, urea and creatinine levels observed in the L-NAME group were reverted to levels close to normal by exercise in the Exercise L-NAME group (P < 0·05). Exercise training had hypotensive effect, reducing blood pressure in the Exercise L-NAME group (P < 0·05). These findings suggest that physical training could have a protector effect against oxidative damage and renal injury caused by hypertension., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

α-Tocopherol (α-Toc) is involved in various physiologic processes, which present antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. High-fat diets have an important role in neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disturbances. This study aimed to investigate the effects of treatment with α-Toc and the consumption of high-fat diets on ectonucleotidase activities in synaptosomes of cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum of rats. Animals were divided into four different groups, which received standard diet (control), high-fat saturated diet (HF), α-Toc and high-fat saturated diet plus α-Toc (α-Toc + HF). High-fat saturated diet was administered ad libitum and α-Toc by gavage using a dose of 50 mg·kg(-1). After 3 months of treatment, animals were submitted to euthanasia, and cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum were collected for biochemical assays. Results showed that adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) hydrolysis in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum were decreased in HF in comparison to the other groups (P < 0·05). When rats that received HF were treated with α-Toc, the activity of the ectonucleotidases was similar to the control. ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum were increased in the α-Toc group when compared with the other groups (P < 0·05). These findings demonstrated that the HF alters the purinergic signaling in the nervous system and that the treatment with α-Toc was capable of modulating the adenine nucleotide hydrolysis in this experimental condition., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract (AE) of Achyrocline satureioides on serum lipid profile, liver oxidative profile and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity of rats submitted to a hyperlipidic diet. The animals were divided into four groups: control (C), AE 10% (A(10)), hyperlipidic (H) and hyperlipidic/AE 10% (HA(10)). In serum, we measured the levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride (TG). In liver homogenates, we measured the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, the carbonyl proteins, the non-protein thiols (NPSHs) and the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT) and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. We observed a significant increase in the TC and LDL levels in the H group. A. satureioides prevented these effects, decreased the TG levels in the HA(10) group and increased the NPSH levels in the A(10) and HA(10) groups. The H group showed an increase in the carbonyl protein level and a decrease in CAT and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activities. With the use of this model, results show that increased levels of lipids are related to a redox imbalance in the liver, which is also related to the inhibition of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, and that chronic administration of the AE of A. satureioides is capable of changing this profile., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)