Early-life stress affects drug abuse susceptibility in adolescent rat model independently of depression vulnerability

The development of substance abuse problems occurs due to a diverse combination of risk factors. Among these risks, studies have reported depression and early-life stress as of importance. These two factors often occur simultaneously, however, there is a lack of understanding of how their combined effect may impact vulnerability to drug abuse in adolescence. The present study used rats with different vulnerability to depression (Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto) to investigate the impact of maternal separation (MS) on emotional state and drug addiction vulnerability during the adolescence period. Mothers and their litters were subjected to MS (180 min/day) from postnatal day 2 to 14. The offspring emotional state was assessed by observing their exploratory behavior. Drug abuse vulnerability was assessed through conditioning to cocaine. MS impacted the emotional state in both strains. Wistar responded with increased exploration, while Wistar-Kyoto increased anxiety-like behaviours. Despite the different coping strategies displayed by the two strains when challenged with the behavioural tests, drug conditioning was equally impacted by MS in both strains. Early-life stress appears to affect drug abuse vulnerability in adolescence independently of a depression background, suggesting emotional state as the main driving risk factor.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efecto de adicionar ácido ascórbico al medio de vitrificación de folículos preantrales bovinos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding ascorbic acid (AA) to the vitrification medium of bovine preantral follicles (PFs) subjected previously to cooling at 4 °C for 4 h or 24 h. Ovaries were collected from Nelore heifers at 14 months of age. In the laboratory, ovarian fragments were removed from the cortical region and distributed to fragments as fresh control (C0h), and fragments to cooling at 4 ºC for 4 and 24 hours in TCM-199 plus HEPES and antibiotics. Of the cooled fragments, two were fixed as controls for each cooling time (C4h, C24h), and the remaining fragments were distributed in four vitrification treatments, using the TCM-199 medium associated with ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide (V), sucrose (VSUC) or ascorbic acid (VAA), and the treatment with ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, sucrose and AA (VSUC+AA). After 72 h, fragments were warmed and fixed for histological analysis and mechanical follicular isolation. No difference (p>0.05) between C0h and C4h for morphologically normal PFs was detected (99.3 and 96.0%, respectively). Vitrification reduced the morphological integrity and follicular viability in all treatments compared to C0h; nevertheless, VAA treatment maintained the follicular viability like C24h (p>0.05). It is concluded that bovine PFs were conserved efficiently at 4 °C during 4 h, and the addition of ascorbic acid to the vitrification medium improved survival rates and kept the morphological integrity of the follicles.El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la adición de ácido ascórbico (AA) al medio de vitrificación de folículos preantrales (FPs) bovinos previamente enfriados a 4 °C durante 4 o 24 h. Se recolectaron ovarios de novillas Nelore a los 14 meses de edad. En el laboratorio se extrajeron fragmentos de ovario de la región cortical y se distribuyeron a fragmentos para control fresco (C0h), y fragmentos para refrigeración a 4 ºC por 4 y 24 horas en TCM-199 más HEPES y antibióticos. De los fragmentos enfriados, dos se fijaron como controles para cada tiempo de enfriamiento (C4h, C24h), y los restantes se distribuyeron en cuatro tratamientos de vitrificación, utilizando el medio TCM-199 asociado con etilenglicol y dimetilsulfóxido (V), sacarosa (VSUC) o ácido ascórbico (VAA), y el tratamiento con etilenglicol, dimetilsulfóxido, sacarosa y AA (VSUC+AA). Después de 72 h, los fragmentos se calentaron y fijaron para el análisis histológico y el aislamiento folicular mecánico. No se detectó diferencia (p>0.05) entre C0h y C4h para FPs morfológicamente normales (99.3 y 96.0%, respectivamente). La vitrificación redujo la integridad morfológica y la viabilidad folicular en todos los tratamientos en comparación con C0h; sin embargo, el tratamiento VAA mantuvo la viabilidad folicular similar a C24h (p>0.05). Se concluye que los FAs bovinos se conservaron eficientemente a 4 °C durante 4 h, y la adición de ácido ascórbico al medio de vitrificación mejoró las tasas de supervivencia y mantuvo la integridad morfológica folicular

Actividad física y bienestar mental durante el distanciamiento social durante la pandemia de COVID-19

Objetivo: A pesquisa buscou compreender como o distanciamento social durante a pandemia COVID-19 impactou os níveis de atividade física e o bem-estar mental. Método: Participaram do estudo 511 pessoas dos 19 estados uruguaios, sendo 69,1% do sexo feminino e com faixa etária entre 18 e 24 anos (43,4%). Os participantes responderam questionário online, contendo questões sobre fadiga, nível de AF antes e após o início da pandemia, escala de Bem-estar Mental Warwick-Edimburgo, tempo que passa em frente as telas e número de pessoas que mantém contato. As informações foram mantidas anônimas e em sigilo, não constando perguntas que pudessem identificar os participantes. Resultados: A aplicação da pesquisa foi durante o período de distanciamento social, permanecendo disponível por um mês e 12 dias. Os resultados mostraram aumento da inatividade física e impacto negativo no bem-estar mental daqueles que se tornaram inativos durante o distanciamento. Conclusão: Em suma, as medidas de distanciamento apresentam prejuízos a saúde física e mental da população, sendo necessária a implementação de medidas de incentivo a prática de AF para que as pessoas possam retomar e aprimorar seus cuidados integrais com a saúde.Objective: This research sought to understand how social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted physical activity levels and mental well-being. Methods: The study included 511 people from 19 Uruguayan states who participated in the study, 69.1% of whom were female and aged between 18 and 24 (43.4%). Participants answered an online questionnaire containing questions about fatigue, PA level before and after the pandemic onset, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, time spent in front of screens and number of people they kept in touch with. The information was kept anonymous and confidential, with no questions that could identify the participants. The survey was conducted during the period of social distancing, remaining available for one month and 12 days. Results: The results showed an increase in physical inactivity and a negative impact on the mental well-being of those who became inactive during the distancing period. Conclusion: In sum, distancing measures caused harm to the physical and mental health of the population, requiring the implementation of measures to encourage PA practice so that people can re-equip and enhance their integral health care.Objetivo: Esta investigación buscó comprender cómo el distanciamiento social durante la pandemia de COVID-19 impactó en los niveles de actividad física y bienestar mental. Métodos: Participaron 511 personas de 19 estados uruguayos, de las cuales 69,1% eran mujeres y tenían entre 18 y 24 años (43,4%), quienes respondieron un cuestionario online que contenía preguntas sobre fatiga, nivel de AF antes y después del inicio de la pandemia, Escala de Bienestar Mental de Warwick-Edinburgh, tiempo pasado frente a las pantallas y número de personas con las que mantenían contacto. La información se mantuvo anónima y confidencial, sin preguntas que pudieran identificar a los participantes. La encuesta se realizó durante el período de distanciamiento social, y estuvo disponible durante un mes y 12 días. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron un aumento de la inactividad física y un impacto negativo en el bienestar mental de quienes se volvieron inactivos durante el período de distanciamiento. Conclusión: En resumen, las medidas de distanciamiento causaron daños a la salud física y mental de la población, siendo necesaria la implementación de medidas que incentiven la práctica de AF para que las personas puedan renovar sus herramientas y mejorar el cuidado integral de su salud.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Maternal stress and vulnerability to depression: coping and maternal care strategies and its consequences on adolescent offspring

Depressive mothers often find mother-child interaction to be challenging. Maternal stress may further impair mother-child attachment, which may increase the risk of negative developmental consequences. We used rats with different vulnerability to depressive-like behavior (Wistar and Kyoto) to investigate the impact of stress (maternal separation-MS) on maternal behavior and adolescent offspring cognition. MS in Kyoto dams increased pup-contact, resulting in higher oxytocin levels and lower anxiety-like behavior after weaning, while worsening their adolescent offspring cognitive behavior. Whereas MS in Wistar dams elicited higher quality of pup-directed behavior, increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the offspring, which seems to have prevented a negative impact on cognition. Hypothalamic oxytocin seems to affect the salience of the social environment cues (negatively for Kyoto) leading to different coping strategies. Our findings highlight the importance of contextual and individual factors in the understanding of the oxytocin role in modulating maternal behavior and stress regulatory processes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of a manometric monitoring method for early detection of air microbiological contamination in the bloodstream

Atmospheric air is a microbial habitat of pathogenic bioaerosols that may pose serious risks to humans. A commonly laboratory-based approach for the diagnosis of such infections in the bloodstream is the blood culture analysis. Its clinical relevance is attributed to the fact that these infections are characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality, requiring the need for efficient methods for rapid diagnosis. For this reason, our study aimed to develop a method of manometric monitoring for the rapid detection of viable microorganisms in blood culture vials. A methodology was developed to detect pressure variation in intra-vials through a manometric instrument that was coupled to vials of blood culture containing culture broth that allowed microbial growth. This device allowed the early detection of microbial activity based on the production or use of intra-flask gases as a result of microbial metabolic activity. The analyzed variables were the pressure as a function of time, microbial species, and culture medium. The highest pressure found in the flasks without microorganisms was 40 mmHg between 2 and 6 h, and the lowest pressure was 42 mmHg between 21 and 24 h. The variation of the internal pressure in blood culture flasks according to different groups of microorganisms as a function of time demonstrated that the fermentative gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci exhibited a significant increase in relation to their respective control groups (p < 0.001). The non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli showed expected results in relation to the pressure variation in which the production of negative pressures was noticed during the period of analysis, with a significant difference with respect to their control groups (p < 0.001). The developed methodology for the early detection of microorganisms responsible for bloodstream infection was demonstrated to be effective.e Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe-Program Centelha (FAPITEC/SE) and by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), and Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) through the project UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund) funded by national funds, and co-financed Education (FCT/MEC) from national funds and FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

INTERSECÇÕES ENTRE ENVELHECIMENTO E PANDEMIA DA COVID-19 ENTRE HOMENS NO SISTEMA PRISIONAL: UMA ANÁLISE PSICOSSOCIAL DAS REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS

The objective was to identify the SR of aging intersected with the Covid-19 pandemic experienced by men in the aging process in situations of deprivation of liberty. This is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study with a non-probabilistic sample. 15 men deprived of liberty participated, with an average age of 57 and 72 years (SD = 4.73). A sociodemographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were used, analyzed using the IRAMuTeQ software. As a result, a CHD was obtained, whose main corpus was segmented into six branches, which characterize the SR of men in the aging process within the prison system in the pandemic context. Therefore, the study has the possibility of encouraging future research and provoking debate about public policies aimed specifically at this public.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Interlab study on nanotoxicology of representative graphene oxide.

Abstract: The graphene sample GO:Single-layer graphene oxide, purity 99%, thickness 0.7-1.2 nm (AFM); ~300-800nm X&Y dimensions is the standard size 50 ug/mL) were observed. Genotoxic study using the Comet assay showed slight DNA damage in lymphocytes at all concentrations tested, while more significant effects was observed in CHO cells. Econanotoxicity was carried out by lethality assays in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans,d in the freshwater coelenterate Hydra, Daphania amd in Shrimp with no signs of toxicity at concentrations varying from 0.1-100 ug/mL of GO. However, death and disintegration of Hydra was observed after exposition to 100 ug/mL for 72 h. In in vivo studies, no changes in biochemical parameters of Fischer 344 rats were observed after the i.p. administration of GO. Some black agglomerates were found in the intraperitoneal cavity of rats injected with GO. However, in Fisher 344 rats-bearing prostate tumors, treatment with GO (up to 100 ug/mL) negatively affected the hepatic parameters, whilst in the renal ones, an improvement was observed. Studies are in progress to understand the mechanisms involved in the uptake of GO by RES. GO appears as a potential non-toxic in vitro and in vivo assays at the concentrations used in this interlab experiments

Interlab study on nanotoxicology of representative graphene oxide

The graphene sample GO: Single-layer graphene oxide, purity 99%, thickness 0.7-1.2 nm (AFM); similar to 300-800nm X&Y dimensions is the standard size 50 mu g/mL) were observed. Genotoxic study using the Comet assay showed slight DNA damage in lymphocytes at all concentrations tested, while more significant effects was observed in CHO cells. Econanotoxicity was carried out by lethality assays in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, d in the freshwater coelenterate Hydra, Daphania amd in Shrimp with no signs of toxicity at concentrations varying from 0.1-100 mu g/mL of GO. However, death and disintegration of Hydra was observed after exposition to 100 mu g/mL for 72 h. In in vivo studies, no changes in biochemical parameters of Fischer 344 rats were observed after the i. p. administration of GO. Some black agglomerates were found in the intraperitoneal cavity of rats injected with GO. However, in Fisher 344 rats-bearing prostate tumors, treatment with GO (up to 100 mu g/mL) negatively affected the hepatic parameters, whilst in the renal ones, an improvement was observed. Studies are in progress to understand the mechanisms involved in the uptake of GO by RES. GO appears as a potential non-toxic in vitro and in vivo assays at the concentrations used in this interlab experiments.The graphene sample GO:Single-layer graphene oxide, purity 99%, thickness 0.7-1.2 nm (AFM); ~300-800nm X&Y dimensions is the standard size <450 nm & 1-20 μm lateral dimensions. Cheap Tubes Inc., Bratleboro, USA was selected for our study. Exhaustive chara617CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOsem informaçãosem informação4th International Conference on Safe Production and Use of NanomaterialsSupport from the Brazilian Network of Nanotoxicology (CIGENANOTOX) (MCTI/CNPq), INOMAT (MCTI/CNPq), NanoBioss (MCTI) and FAPESP are acknowledged

Antimicrobial activity of per acetic acid for trans-operative disinfection of endodontic files

Reducing the accumulation of microorganisms on an endodontic file during endodontic treatment is important to limit recontamination of the root canal and increase likelihood of successful treatment outcome. Objective: To compare the antimicrobial activity of peracetic acid (PA), isopropyl alcohol and acetone against a range of bacteria and also for disinfection of contaminated endodontic K-files. Material and Methods: Antimicrobial activities of PA, isopropyl alcohol and acetone were compared against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, vancomycin resistant E. faecalis (VRE) and meticillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), using minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill assays. Test solutions at different exposure times (15 s and 30 s) were assessed for treatment of endodontic files acting as carriers of E. faecalis-contaminated dental debris. Results: All bacteria were susceptible to PA (MBC range 0.25-1%), acetone (MBC range 50-60%) and isopropyl alcohol (30-40%). Using a time-kill assay of the antimicrobials at the determined MBC, all test microorganisms, with the exception of E. faecalis (VRE) 7766 were killed after 15 s exposure. In the case of E. faecalis 7766, viable cells remained detectable after 120 s exposure to acetone. Testing disinfection of endodontic K-files, previously coated with dental debris containing E. faecalis, it was found that PA (2%) completely killed E. faecalis after 15 s exposure. However, even after 30 s exposure, isopropyl alcohol (80%) and acetone (80%) had limited disinfecting activity. Conclusion: Extrapolation of these results to clinical practice would suggest that PA would be the most effective agent for trans-operative disinfection of endodontic K-files during treatment of a single patient