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Currently, the lack of adequate spaces for raising awareness among the population, coupled with disorderly urban growth, has led to an increase in water pollution from solid waste and the disruption of natural habitats in Villa Marshes. Therefore, this research focuses on implementing green corridors for the study of birdlife and environmental education, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of preserving this ecosystem. Various methodologies were employed, including climate analysis, characterization of flora and fauna, and bioclimatic design strategies supported by specialized software. The feasibility of this proposal was compared with other similar projects, emphasizing community importance. As a result, a network of green corridors was designed, including environmental education and visitor centers, along with the implementation of renewable energies to enhance energy efficiency. The main conclusion is that integrating renewable energies into the conservation of Villa Marshes offers a unique opportunity to promote a balance between human development and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alcohol misuse early in life is associated with an increased risk of alcoholism. It is possible that this increased risk in adolescent drinkers is in part related to the susceptibility of the adolescent brain to ethanol. This study assessed the effects of ethanol exposure on several neuropeptides to begin to elucidate potential substrates that could mediate the differential effects of ethanol on adolescent and adult rats. Method: Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to ethanol vapor or air during adolescence (30 days old, n = 9, controls = 8) or adulthood (80-90 days old, n = 9, controls = 8) for 10 days. Blood alcohol concentrations averaging 250 mg/dl were maintained during this period. After 7 weeks of cessation from ethanol vapor, brain tissue was collected from the frontal cortex, caudate, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus to assess the immunoreactivity levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY-LI), corticotropin-releasing hormone, substance P (SP-LI) and neurokinins (NK-LI). Results: Ethanol exposure decreased overall hippocampal NPY-LI and increased SP-LI and NK-LI in the caudate, but these effects were more prominent in adult rats. Rats in the adult treatment groups (both ethanol exposed and controls) also had significantly lower levels of frontal cortical NK-LI, frontal cortical SP-LI and hypothalamic SP-LI relative to rats in the adolescent treatment groups. Conclusions: These data indicate that brief exposure to alcohol has long-term effects on levels of NPY-LI, SP-LI and NK-LI. As these effects were primarily the result of changes in rats exposed to ethanol during adulthood, however, they are unlikely to contribute to the increased susceptibility of adolescents to the effects of chronic ethanol exposure. (J Stud. Alcohol 66: 46-52, 2005), BEGINNING TO DRINK ALCOHOL early in life is associated with an increased probability of misuse and dependence later in life (Dewit et al., 2000). Given that nearly 50% of adolescents [...]

Objective: Central tachykinin levels (i.e., substance P [SP], neurokinin A [NKA], neurokinin B [NKB] and neurokinin K [NKK]) have been reported to fluctuate in association with stress and anxiety. Ethanol can also modulate stress and anxiety. Further, ethanol intake can change as a result of stress and anxiety. This suggests possible interactions between ethanol and central tachykinins, i.e., changing tachykinin levels could influence ethanol intake and vice versa. However, to date few studies have assessed the potential relationship between tachykinin levels in the brain and ethanol preference. The present study was designed to determine if rodent lines selectively bred for differences in alcohol preference (i.e., alcohol-preferring [PI and nonpreferring [NP] rats) have different tachykinin levels in the brain. Method: Tissue samples from the brains of ethanol-naive P and NP rats were collected from the frontal cortex, caudate, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. Using radioimmuno assays, concentrations of SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) and neurokinin-like immunoreactivity (NK-LI, i.e., neurokinin A, B and K) in P and NP rats were determined. Results: In P rats, SP-LI was significantly lower in the frontal cortex (F = 12.80, 1/26 df, p = .001) while NK-LI was significantly lower in the frontal cortex (F = 7.36, 1/26 df, p = .012) and hypothalamus (F = 5.32, 1/26 df, p = .029) compared with NP rats. Conclusions: These data indicate that endogenous SP and neurokinin levels are reduced in discrete brain regions of P rats compared with NP rats. These decreases may be associated with decreased serotonergic innervation of these brain regions in P rats compared with NP rats. (J Stud. Alcohol 62: 736-740, 2001), SUBSTANCE P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB) and neurokinin K (NKK) are members of the tachykinin peptide family. This family is characterized by a carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence [...]

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