Changes in cortisol but not in brain-derived neurotrophic factor modulate the association between sleep disturbances and major depression

Sleep disturbance is a symptom consistently found in major depression and is associated with a longer course of illness, reduced response to treatment, increased risk of relapse and recurrence. Chronic insomnia has been associated with changes in cortisol and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, which in turn are also changed in major depression. Here, we evaluated the relationship between sleep quality, salivary cortisol awakening response (CAR), and serum BDNF levels in patients with sleep disturbance and treatment-resistant major depression (n = 18), and in a control group of healthy subjects with good (n = 21) and poor (n = 18) sleep quality. We observed that the patients had the lowest CAR and sleep duration of all three groups and a higher latency to sleep than the healthy volunteers with a good sleep profile. Besides, low CAR was correlated with more severe depressive symptoms and worse sleep quality. There was no difference in serum BDNF levels between groups with distinct sleep quality. Taken together, our results showed a relationship between changes in CAR and in sleep quality in patients with treatment-resistant depression, which were correlated with the severity of disease, suggesting that cortisol could be a physiological link between sleep disturbance and major depression

Attenuation of capsaicin-induced acute and visceral nociceptive pain by α- and β-amyrin, a triterpene mixture isolated from Protium heptaphyllum resin

Abstract The triterpene mixture, a-and h-amyrin, isolated from Protium heptaphyllum resin was evaluated on capsaicinevoked nociception in mice. Orally administered a-and h-amyrin (3 to 100 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the nociceptive behaviors-evoked by either subplantar (1.6 Ag) or intracolonic (149 Ag) application of capsaicin. The antinociception produced by a-and h-amyrin against subplantar capsaicin-induced paw-licking behavior was neither potentiated nor attenuated by ruthenium red (1.5 mg/kg, s.c.), a non-specific antagonist of vanilloid receptor (TRPV1), but was greatly abolished in animals pretreated with naloxone (2 mg/kg, s.c.), suggesting an opioid mechanism. However, participation of a 2 -adrenoceptor involvement was unlikely since yohimbine (2 mg/ kg, i.p.) pretreatment failed to block the antinociceptive effect of a-and h-amyrin in the experimental model of visceral nociception evoked by intracolonic capsaicin. The triterpene mixture (3 to 30 mg/kg, p.o.) neither altered significantly the pentobarbital sleeping time, nor impaired the ambulation or motor coordination in open-field and rota-rod tests, respectively, indicating the absence of sedative or motor abnormality that could account for its antinociception. Nevertheless, a-and h-amyrin could significantly block the capsaicin (10 mg/kg, s.c.)-induce

A field and video-annotation guide for baited remote underwater stereo-video surveys of demersal fish assemblages

Researchers TL, BG, JW, NB and JM were supported by the Marine Biodiversity Hub through funding from the Australian Government's National Environmental Science Program. Data validation scripts and GlobalArchive.org were supported by the Australian Research Data Commons, the Gorgon-Barrow Island Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Fund, administered by the Government of Western Australia and the BHP/UWA Biodiversity and Societal Benefits of Restricted Access Areas collaboration.1. Baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs) are a popular tool to sample demersal fish assemblages and gather data on their relative abundance and body-size structure in a robust, cost-effective, and non-invasive manner. Given the rapid uptake of the method, subtle differences have emerged in the way stereo-BRUVs are deployed and how the resulting imagery are annotated. These disparities limit the interoperability of datasets obtained across studies, preventing broad-scale insights into the dynamics of ecological systems. 2. We provide the first globally accepted guide for using stereo-BRUVs to survey demersal fish assemblages and associated benthic habitats. 3. Information on stereo-BRUV design, camera settings, field operations, and image annotation are outlined. Additionally, we provide links to protocols for data validation, archiving, and sharing. 4. Globally, the use of stereo-BRUVs is spreading rapidly. We provide a standardised protocol that will reduce methodological variation among researchers and encourage the use of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible (FAIR) workflows to increase the ability to synthesise global datasets and answer a broad suite of ecological questions.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background Recent open-label trials show that psychedelics, such as ayahuasca, hold promise as fast-onset antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression. Methods To test the antidepressant effects of ayahuasca, we conducted a parallel-arm, double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in 29 patients with treatment-resistant depression. Patients received a single dose of either ayahuasca or placebo. We assessed changes in depression severity with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating scale at baseline, and at 1 (D1), 2 (D2), and 7 (D7) days after dosing. Results We observed significant antidepressant effects of ayahuasca when compared with placebo at all-time points. MADRS scores were significantly lower in the ayahuasca group compared with placebo at D1 and D2 (p = 0.04), and at D7 (p < 0.0001). Between-group effect sizes increased from D1 to D7 (D1: Cohen's d = 0.84; D2: Cohen's d = 0.84; D7: Cohen's d = 1.49). Response rates were high for both groups at D1 and D2, and significantly higher in the ayahuasca group at D7 (64% v. 27%; p = 0.04). Remission rate showed a trend toward significance at D7 (36% v. 7%, p = 0.054). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first controlled trial to test a psychedelic substance in treatment-resistant depression. Overall, this study brings new evidence supporting the safety and therapeutic value of ayahuasca, dosed within an appropriate setting, to help treat depression. This study is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02914769)

Physical, physicochemical and chemical characterization of turf, sulphur mud and fango for cosmetic application

Com intuito de elevar o potencial terapêutico e cosmético das águas termais, foram desenvolvidos diversos processos de adição de argilas e solos orgânicos às referidas águas cujo produto deste processo é o fango. O presente trabalho de pesquisa objetivou a caracterização física, físico-química e química (orgânica e inorgânica) da turfa, lama sulfurosa e fango em maturação e maturado, obtidos em Araxá, MG, Brasil, visando a aplicação do fango como matéria-prima de uso potencial cosmético e terapêutico em preparações tópicas. A caracterização da turfa, lama sulfurosa e fango permitiram determinar os parâmetros relevantes para o emprego do fango em preparações tópicas, garantindo a eficácia (presença de íons) e segurança (ausência de metais reconhecidamente tóxicos) de uso, indicando seu elevado potencial aplicativo na área cosmética.Focusing on the therapeutic and cosmetic potentials of the thermal water, several processes were developed to achieve a raw material known as fango which presents in its constitution water, clay and organic soil. This research work aimed at characterizing turf, sulphur mud and fango from Araxá, MG, Brazil, through physical, physicochemical, inorganic and organic assessments for cosmetic and topical product proposes. The characterization permitted the determination of relevant parameters to suggest the efficacy (presence of ions) and safety (absence of toxic metals) of those raw materials for cosmetic and pharmaceutical utilization.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Rutin association with ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and benzophenone-3: in vitro evaluation of the photoprotection effectiveness by reflectance spectrophotometry

Existe a tendência atual de desenvolvimento de fotoprotetores possuindo reduzida concentração de filtros químicos e de proteção elevada frente às radiações UVA e UVB. O presente trabalho propôs a obtenção e a avaliação da eficácia in vitro de fotoprotetores contendo rutina, um flavonol glicosídico provido de propriedades antioxidantes, associada ou não a filtros solares orgânicos UVA (benzofenona-3) e UVB (p-metoxicinamato de octila). As formulações foram avaliadas in vitro por espectrofotometria de refletância com esfera integrada, quanto aos seguintes parâmetros: fator de proteção solar estimado (FPS), comprimento de onda crítico (nm) e razão UVA/UVB. A eficácia fotoprotetora da rutina a 0,1% p/p apresentou-se dependente da concentração e presença dos filtros químicos UVA e UVB, sendo que houve sinergismo na elevação do FPS, de 7,34 ± 0,24 para 9,97 ± 0,18, quando o flavonóide foi associado com os filtros nas concentrações mínimas. A rutina não associada aos filtros químicos exerceu proteção frente à radiação UVA superior à formulação ausente de compostos ativos e às suas associações.There is a world tendency to the development of sunscreens possessing reduced concentration of UV filters and, yet, with high UVA-UVB protection. This research work proposes the development and in vitro efficacy evaluation of sunscreens containing rutin, an antioxidant flavonol, associated or not to UVA (benzophenone-3) and UVB (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) filters. Formulations were in vitro assayed by reflectance spectrophotometry with integrated sphere, regarding the following parameters: estimated sun protection factor (SPF), critical wavelength (nm) and UVA/UVB ratio. Rutin 0.1% w/w photoprotection efficacy presented dependent of the concentration and presence of the UVA and UVB filters, and it was verified synergism on the SPF elevation, from 7.34 ± 0.24 to 9.97 ± 0.18, when the flavonoid was associated with the filters in minimum concentrations. Isolated rutin exerted UVA protection superior to the formulation not added to UV filters and their associations.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire