Preclinical and Clinical Evidence of Antioxidant Effects of Antidepressant Agents: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder associated with a significant negative impact on quality of life, morbidity/mortality, and cognitive function. Individuals who suffer with MDD display lower serum/plasmatic total antioxidant potentials and reduced brain GSH levels. Also, F2-isoprostanes circulatory levels are increased in MDD subjects and are correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. Urinary excretion of 8-OHdG seems to be higher in patients with MDD compared to healthy controls. Despite the fact that antidepressant drugs have been used for more than 50 years, their mechanism of action is still not fully understood. This paper examines preclinical (in vitro and animal model) and clinical literature on oxidative/antioxidant effects associated with antidepressant agents and discusses their potential antioxidant-related effects in the treatment of MDD. Substantial data support that MDD seems to be accompanied by elevated levels of oxidative stress and that antidepressant treatments may reduce oxidative stress. These studies suggest that augmentation of antioxidant defences may be one of the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of antidepressants in the treatment of MDD

Embrapa Pantanal expande a área de produção de mudas.

bitstream/item/79993/1/ADM136.pdfFormato eletronico. Disponível também em: AgoraMS, Grupo Cultivar, MS noticias, BBC News, Naviraí Noticias, Juridicobrasil.com.br, Portal do Agronegócio, Zoonews, ABCSEM, Pimentas on-line

Unidades demonstrativas de plantas medicinais, aromáticas e condimentares da Embrapa Pantanal, em Corumbá, MS.

A implantação de Unidades Demonstrativas de plantas medicinais, aromáticas e condimentares da Embrapa Pantanal, em parceria com a Associação de Pais e Mestres dos Excepcionais (APAE) e com a Empresa Brasileira de Infra-estrutura Aeroportuária (Infraero), em Corumbá, é uma das ações do projeto “Plantas condimentares: uma opção para agregação de valor e renda à agricultura familiar”, desenvolvido pelo Escritório de Negócios de Campinas, em parceria com centros de pesquisa da empresa, além de universidades, produtores e empresas privadas de várias regiões do país. O objetivo deste trabalho é identificar locais e genótipos de qualidade e adequados à produção de plantas medicinais, condimentares e aromáticas, além de aprimorar a qualificação de técnicos e a implantação de unidades de observação, demonstração, produção e processamento destas plantas, criando novas alternativas de renda para pequenos e médios agricultores.Disponível também em: Cadernos de Agroecologia, V. 5, n.1, 2010

Standardization of electroencephalography for multi-site, multi-platform and multi-investigator studies: Insights from the canadian biomarker integration network in depression

Subsequent to global initiatives in mapping the human brain and investigations of neurobiological markers for brain disorders, the number of multi-site studies involving the collection and sharing of large volumes of brain data, including electroencephalography (EEG), has been increasing. Among the complexities of conducting multi-site studies and increasing the shelf life of biological data beyond the original study are timely standardization and documentation of relevant study parameters. We presentthe insights gained and guidelines established within the EEG working group of the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression (CAN-BIND). CAN-BIND is a multi-site, multi-investigator, and multiproject network supported by the Ontario Brain Institute with access to Brain-CODE, an informatics platform that hosts a multitude of biological data across a growing list of brain pathologies. We describe our approaches and insights on documenting and standardizing parameters across the study design, data collection, monitoring, analysis, integration, knowledge-translation, and data archiving phases of CAN-BIND projects. We introduce a custom-built EEG toolbox to track data preprocessing with open-access for the scientific community. We also evaluate the impact of variation in equipment setup on the accuracy of acquired data. Collectively, this work is intended to inspire establishing comprehensive and standardized guidelines for multi-site studies

Breathing pattern and muscle activity using different inspiratory resistance devices in children with mouth breathing syndrome

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of different inspiratory resistance devices and intensity of loads via nasal airway on the breathing pattern and activity of respiratory muscles in children with mouth breathing syndrome (MBS). Methods Children with MBS were randomised into two groups based on inspiratory load intensity (20% and 40% of the maximal inspiratory pressure). These subjects were assessed during quiet breathing, breathing against inspiratory load via nasal airway and recovery. The measurements were repeated using two different devices (pressure threshold and flow resistance). Chest wall volumes and respiratory muscle activity were evaluated by optoelectronic plethysmography and surface electromyography, respectively. Results During the application of inspiratory load, there was a significant reduction in respiratory rate (p<0.04) and an increase in inspiratory time (p<0.02), total time of respiratory cycle (p<0.02), minute ventilation (p<0.03), tidal volume (p<0.01) and scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles activity (root mean square values, p<0.01) when compared to quiet spontaneous breathing and recovery, regardless of load level or device applied. The application of inspiratory load using the flow resistance device showed an increase in the tidal volume (p<0.02) and end-inspiratory volume (p<0.02). Conclusion For both devices, the addition of inspiratory loads using a nasal interface had a positive effect on the breathing pattern. However, the flow resistance device was more effective in generating volume and, therefore, has advantages compared to pressure threshold

Rhythmicity of mood symptoms in individuals at risk for psychiatric disorders

Despite emerging evidence that disruption in circadian rhythms may contribute to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, there is a significant knowledge gap on the rhythmicity of psychological symptoms. Here, we aimed at investigating the rhythmicity of mood symptoms in individuals at risk for psychiatric disorders. 391 Brazilian and 317 Spanish participants completed the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 for non-psychotic mental disorders; the Mood Rhythm Instrument was used to assess rhythmicity of mood symptoms and the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire to assess sleep patterns. We found that the rhythmicity of specific mood-related symptoms and behaviors, particularly pessimism and motivation to exercise, were associated with being at risk for psychiatric disorders, even after controlling for sleep timing, sleep deficit, and season of data collection. We also found that the peak of some mood symptoms and behaviors were different between individuals at high vs. low risk for psychiatric disorders, with specific differences between countries. These results are consistent with previous research showing that circadian misalignment is associated with higher risk for mental health conditions. These findings also suggest that lifestyle changes preventing circadian misalignment might be useful to reduce the risk of psychiatric disorders, where cultural differences must be taken into account

Validation of the English version of the Mood Rhythm Instrument

Background: Disruption of biological rhythms has been linked to the pathophysiology of mental disorders. However, little is known regarding the rhythmicity of mood symptoms due to the lack of validated clinical questionnaires. A better understanding of the rhythmicity of mood symptoms can help identifying individuals whose severity of mood symptoms follows an altered circadian rhythm. The objective of this study was to validate the English version of the Mood Rhythm Instrument (MRhI), a self-reported measure of self-perceived rhythmicity of mood symptoms and behaviours, in a sample of the general population from Canada. Methods: After the translation process, the final English version of the Mood Rhythm Instrument (MRhI-English) was applied on participants recruited at McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton campuses. Individuals were also asked to answer the Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ). Results: Four hundred one individuals completed the English version of the MRhI and the rMEQ. The MRhI-English presented a Cronbach's alpha of 0.75. The factorial analysis grouped the MRhI-15 items in 3 factors (cognitive, affective and somatic), with affective items having a lower frequency of self-reported 24-h peaks. Comparison between sexes showed that women reported a higher frequency of daily peaks in irritability, anxiety, sadness and talking to friends, while men exhibited peaks more frequently in problem-solving, sexual arousal and motivation to exercise. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the English version of the MRhI displayed good internal consistency. Future directions will include the use of the MRhI instrument in individuals with mood disorders, aiming to provide a better understanding of the relationship between daily patterns of mood variability and mental health outcomes

Prospective Assessment of Daily Patterns of Mood-Related Symptoms

Background: The Mood Rhythm Instrument (MRI) is a new self-report questionnaire that aims to assess, the presence, and timing of daily patterns of mood-related symptoms. Here, we examined the reliability of the MRI against a prospective daily investigation over the course of 15 days. As a secondary aim, we examined whether the number of items with a perceived daily pattern correlated with severity of depressive symptoms and psychological well-being.Methods: Thirty-two participants recruited from the general population were asked to prospectively fill out a daily version of the MRI (MRI-d) for 15 days. On the 16th day, they filled out the MRI, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the World Health Organization 5-item well-being index (WHO-5).Results: The MRI showed high agreement with the MRI-d, which suggests that the MRI is a valid tool to assess daily patterns of mood symptoms. The number of mood symptoms perceived as having daily peaks correlated positively with BDI scores and negatively with WHO-5 scores.Conclusions: The MRI might be a valid tool to investigate the presence of daily patterns and the timing of mood-related factors.The MRI does not seem to be influenced by recall or recency biases. Future studies should test the usefulness of this new clinical instrument in individuals with mood disorders, as well as its ability to detect changes in the daily timing of mood symptoms before and after treatment

Formulación y ajuste de estructuras reguladoras para el manejo de aguas en las sabanas de Arauca y su efecto sobre la producción en el sistema de explotación de bovinos de cría: informe anual

Las actividades de este proyecto se desarrollaron en la vereda Bogotá, a los 6° 51' de latitud norte y 70° 24 de longitud oeste, a una altura de 128 msnm, municipio de Arauca, en la llanura aluvial de desborde, durante el penado comprendido entre enero de 1998 y diciembre de 2001.El estudio agroeconómico realizado en el área de influencia del proyecto, indica que el 70% de los propletanos son onundos del muniCipio de Arauca, predomina la unión libre Las diez familias encuestadas suman un total de 56 personas El 80% de los usuarios tienen educación primaria y 20% secundaria El 100% de los productores encuestados son propietarios y administran personalmente sus fincas.Ganadería bovin