Elucaine

Editorial on physiology from the neotropics

Correction: Use of Thymoglobulin? (antithymocyte immunoglobulin) in renal transplantation: practical guide

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.5935/0101-2800.20150036.]. Author Luciane Deboni’s affiliation was misquoted, and the correct one is: S?o José Municipal Hospital.

Sex differences in breathing

Breathing is a vital behavior that ensures both the adequate supply of oxygen and the elimination of CO₂, and it is influenced by many factors. Despite that most of the studies in respiratory physiology rely heavily on male subjects, there is much evidence to suggest that sex is an important factor in the respiratory control system, including the susceptibility for some diseases. These different respiratory responses in males and females may be related to the actions of sex hormones, especially in adulthood. These hormones affect neuromodulatory systems that influence the central medullary rhythm/pontine pattern generator and integrator, sensory inputs to the integrator and motor output to the respiratory muscles. In this article, we will first review the sex dependence on the prevalence of some respiratory-related diseases. Then, we will discuss the role of sex and gonadal hormones in respiratory control under resting conditions and during respiratory challenges, such as hypoxia and hypercapnia, and whether hormonal fluctuations during the estrous/menstrual cycle affect breathing control. We will then discuss the role of the locus coeruleus, a sexually dimorphic CO₂/pH-chemosensitive nucleus, on breathing regulation in males and females. Next, we will highlight the studies that exist regarding sex differences in respiratory control during development. Finally, the few existing studies regarding the influence of sex on breathing control in non-mammalian vertebrates will be discussed.

Benzodiazepines for restless legs syndrome

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disease affecting about 5% to 15% of the population. Symptoms of RLS can be severe in a minority of and can have a major impact on sleep, mostly sleep initiation, and quality of life. Benzodiazepines are drugs that can induce and maintain sleep and, hence, intuitively are thought to be beneficial to people with RLS. Altough benzodiazepines, particularly clonazepam, are used to treat RLS symptoms, a systematic review done by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine stated that benzodiazepines should not be used as a first-line treatment, although could be used as a coadjuvant therapy.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of benzodiazepine compared to placebo or other treatment for idiopathic RLS, including unconfounded trials comparing benzodiazepines versus open control.
Search methods: In March 2016 we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and LILACS We checked the references of each study and contacted study authors to identify any additional studies. We considered studies published in any language.
Selection criteria: Randomised clinical trials of benzodiazepine treatment in idiopathic RLS.
Data collection and analysis: We did not perform data collection and analysis, since we did not include any studies, MAIN RESULTS: We did not identify any studies that met the inclusion criteria of the review. Two cross-over studies are awaiting classification because the cross-over trials did not give data at the end of the first cross-over period.
Authors' conclusions: The effectiveness of benzodiazepines for RLS treatment is currently unknown.

Revision of the Hybobathus arx and Pelecinobaccha summa species groups (Diptera: Syrphidae)

The morphologically similar Hybobathus arx and Pelecinobaccha summa species groups are revised and distinguished from each other. Four new species are described (H. avittatus sp. nov., H. luciane sp. nov., P. alia sp. nov. and P. impostor sp. nov.), and three new combinations (H. obsoletus comb. nov., H. persimilis comb. nov., and P. cubensis comb. nov.) and several synonimies are proposed: Baccha bivittata Curran = H. arx (Fluke), B. myrtella Hull and B. nectarina Hull = H. obsoletus (Curran), B. druida Hull = H. phaeopterus (Schiner), B. pandora Hull = P. cubensis (Macquart), and B. susio Hull = P. summa (Fluke). The lectotype and paralectotypes of B. phaeoptera Schiner are also designated. The female genitalia are described for all species, and the puparium of H. luciane sp. nov. is described too. New prey records for H. luciane sp. nov. and H. phaeopterus are presented. Picture multi-optional keys were produced and links to these keys, as well as traditional dichotomous keys, are presented in this paper to identify the groups and their species.