Anterograde effects of a single electroconvulsive shock on inhibitory avoidance and on cued fear conditioning

A single electroconvulsive shock (ECS) or a sham ECS was administered to male 3-4-month-old Wistar rats 1, 2, and 4 h before training in an inhibitory avoidance test and in cued classical fear conditioning (measured by means of freezing time in a new environment). ECS impaired inhibitory avoidance at all times and, at 1 or 2 h before training, reduced freezing time before and after re-presentation of the ECS. These results are interpreted as a transient conditioned stimulus (CS)-induced anxiolytic or analgesic effect lasting about 2 h after a single treatment, in addition to the known amnesic effect of the stimulus. This suggests that the effect of anterograde learning impairment is demonstrated unequivocally only when the analgesic/anxiolytic effect is over (about 4 h after ECS administration) and that this impairment of learning is selective, affecting inhibitory avoidance but not classical fear conditioning to a discrete stimulus.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Resistance exercise improves hippocampus-dependent memory

It has been demonstrated that resistance exercise improves cognitive functions in humans. Thus, an animal model that mimics this phenomenon can be an important tool for studying the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Here, we tested if an animal model for resistance exercise was able to improve the performance in a hippocampus-dependent memory task. In addition, we also evaluated the level of insulin-like growth factor 1/insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1/IGF-1R), which plays pleiotropic roles in the nervous system. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (N = 10 for each group): control, SHAM, and resistance exercise (RES). The RES group was submitted to 8 weeks of progressive resistance exercise in a vertical ladder apparatus, while the SHAM group was left in the same apparatus without exercising. Analysis of a cross-sectional area of the flexor digitorum longus muscle indicated that this training period was sufficient to cause muscle fiber hypertrophy. In a step-through passive avoidance task (PA), the RES group presented a longer latency than the other groups on the test day. We also observed an increase of 43 and 94% for systemic and hippocampal IGF-1 concentration, respectively, in the RES group compared to the others. A positive correlation was established between PA performance and systemic IGF-1 (r = 0.46, P < 0.05). Taken together, our data indicate that resistance exercise improves the hippocampus-dependent memory task with a concomitant increase of IGF-1 level in the rat model. This model can be further explored to better understand the effects of resistance exercise on brain functions.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP)Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercicio (CEPE)Centro de Estudo Multidisciplinar em Sonolencia e Acidentes (CEMSA)Centro de Pesquisa, Inovacao e Difusao (CEPID-Sleep)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e ExercícioUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de PsicobiologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de BioquímicaUNIFESP, Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e ExercícioUNIFESP, Depto. de PsicobiologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de BioquímicaFAPESP: 2008/03083-6SciEL

Effects of sleep deprivation on different phases of memory in the rat: dissociation between contextual and tone fear conditioning tasks

Numerous studies show that sleep deprivation (SD) impacts negatively on cognitive processes, including learning and memory. Memory formation encompasses distinct phases of which acquisition, consolidation and retrieval are better known. Previous studies with pre-training SD induced by the platform method have shown impairment in fear conditioning tasks. Nonetheless, pre-training manipulations do not allow the distinction between effects on acquisition and/or consolidation, interfering, ultimately, on recall of/performance in the task. in the present study, animals were first trained in contextual and tone fear conditioning (TFC) tasks and then submitted to SD with the purpose to evaluate the effect of this manipulation on different stages of the learning process, e.g., in the uptake of (new) information during learning, its encoding and stabilization, and the recall of stored memories. Besides, we also investigated the effect of SD in the extinction of fear memory and a possible state dependent learning induced by this manipulation. for each task (contextual or TFC), animals were trained and then distributed into control, not sleep-deprived (CTL) and SD groups, the latter being submitted to the modified multiple platform paradigm for 96 h. Subsets of eight rats in each group/experiment were submitted to the test of the tasks, either immediately or at different time intervals after SD. the results indicated that (a) pre- but not post-training SD impaired recall in the contextual and TFC; (b) this impairment was not state-dependent; and (c) in the contextual fear conditioning (CFC), pre-test SD prevented extinction of the learned task. Overall, these results suggest that SD interferes with acquisition, recall and extinction, but not necessarily with consolidation of emotional memory.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psychobiol, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed ABC UFABC, Ctr Matemat, Santo Andre, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psychobiol, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2012/23488-6Web of Scienc

Memory retrieval improvement by Heteropterys aphrodisiaca in aging rats

Few data exists about the pharmacological properties of Heteropterys aphrodisiaca O. Mach. (Malpighiaceae), which is native to the scrubland regions of Brazil. The present study investigated the effects of oral treatment with H. aphrodisiaca extract (BST0298) on the learning and memory of young (3-6 months) and aged (21-23 months) rats, and compared the in vitro antioxidant activity of three lots collected in different years. An improvement in the number of sessions to learn the task was observed in the left/right discrimination test in aged rats treated for 45 days with 25 mg/kg (7.0 ± 0.5; p=0.005) or 50 mg/kg (7.6 ± 0.6; p=0.012) compared with control old rats (11.0 ± 1.6). On the other hand, pre-treatment did not improve the performance of scopolamine-treated mice in the passive avoidance test. The in vitro malondialdehyde test showed that all three different extracts presented similar antioxidant activity. The flavonoids astilbin, isoastilbin and neoastilbin were isolated from the extract and may contribute to the biological activity. These results suggest that repeated treatment with H. aphrodisiaca improves learning and memory, probably by a non-muscarinic mechanism.Existem poucos dados disponíveis sobre as propriedades farmacológicas da Heteropterys aphrodisiaca O. Mach. (Malpighiaceae), nativa da região do pantanal brasileiro. O presente estudo investigou o efeito do tratamento oral com um extrato de H. aphrodisiaca (BST0298) sobre a memória e aprendizagem de ratos jovens (3-6 meses) e idosos (21-23 meses) e comparou a atividade antioxidante in vitro de três lotes, coletados em diferentes anos. Melhora quanto ao número de sessões necessárias para aprender a tarefa foi observada no teste de discriminação direita/esquerda em ratos idosos tratados por 45 dias com doses de 25 mg/kg (7,0 ± 0,5; p=0,005) e 50 mg/kg (7,6 ± 0,6; p=0,012) comparados com ratos idosos controle (11,0 ± 1,6). Por outro lado, o pré-tratamento com o extrato não melhorou o desempenho de camundongos tratados com escopolamina no teste da esquiva passiva. Em relação à avaliação da atividade antioxidante in vitro pelo teste do malonodialdeído, os três lotes analisados apresentaram atividade antioxidante semelhante. Os flavonóides astilbina, isoastilbina e neoastilbina foram isolados do extrato e podem contribuir para a atividade biológica. Estes resultados sugerem que a administração repetida de H. aphrodisiaca melhora a memória e aprendizagem provavelmente por um mecanismo não muscarínico

Tratamentos utilizados por portadores de DPOC no Brasil: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência dos tratamentos utilizados para o manejo da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) na população adulta brasileira. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional com dados oriundos da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2013, incluindo indivíduos com 40 anos ou mais, com diagnóstico médico autorreferido de DPOC, bronquite crônica e/ou enfisema, os quais foram questionados sobre tratamentos utilizados para o manejo da doença. RESULTADOS: Foram entrevistados 60.202 adultos, dos quais 636 tinham 40 ou mais anos de idade e haviam referido diagnóstico médico de DPOC, enfisema ou bronquite crônica. Menos da metade (49,4%) da população diagnosticada relatou utilizar algum tipo de tratamento, havendo diferenças quanto à macrorregião do país (Sul 53,8% – Nordeste 41,2%, p = 0,007). O tratamento medicamentoso foi o mais referido e portadores de enfisema apresentaram a maior proporção de mais de um tipo de tratamento utilizado. Entre os indivíduos que declararam ter apenas bronquite crônica, 55,1% (IC95% 48,7–61,4) usavam medicamento, 4,7% (IC95% 2,6–8,3) realizavam fisioterapia e 6,0% (IC95% 3,6–9,9) oxigenoterapia. Por outro lado, entre os enfisematosos, 44,1% (IC95% 36,8–51,7) realizavam tratamento medicamentoso, 8,8% (IC95% 5,4–14,2) fisioterapia e 10,0% (IC95% 6,3–15,6) oxigenoterapia. CONCLUSÕES: As prevalências de tratamentos para o manejo da DPOC estavam aquém do ideal em 2013. O medicamentoso foi o principal tipo de tratamento, seguido de oxigenoterapia e fisioterapia.OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of treatments used for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Brazilian adult population. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study with data from the 2013 Brazilian National Survey of Health, including individuals aged 40 years or older, with a self-reported medical diagnosis of COPD, chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, who were asked about treatments used for disease management. RESULTS: A total of 60,202 adults were interviewed, of which 636 were 40 years of age or older and had reported a medical diagnosis of COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Less than half (49.4%) of the diagnosed population reported using some type of treatment, with differences regarding the macro-region of the country (South 53.8% – Northeast 41.2%, p = 0.007). Pharmacological treatment was the most reported, and emphysema patients had the highest proportion of those undergoing more than one type of treatment. Among the individuals who reported having only chronic bronchitis, 55.1% (95%CI: 48.7–61.4) used medication, 4.7% (95%CI: 2.6–8.3) underwent physical therapy, and 6.0% (95%CI: 3.6–9.9) oxygen therapy. On the other hand, among the emphysema patients, 44.1% (95%CI: 36.8–51.7) underwent drug treatment, 8.8% (95%CI: 5.4–14.2) physical therapy, and 10.0% (95%CI: 6.3–15.6) oxygen therapy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of treatments for COPD management was below ideal in 2013. The pharmacological treatment was the main type of treatment, followed by oxygen therapy and physical therapy

Product development process in the packing sector: an incremental innovation proposal focusing on the greater practicality in the use of tin foil use

This paper aimed to present a development proposal for packaging for tin foil with a mobile cutting mechanism and user protection. Based on the simulation of a market research, a gap was shown, represented by consumers of tin foil dissatisfied with the results of this product cutting. Faced with this, several cases are observed in which there are difficulties associated with cutting the paper, where the consumer has to use scissors or other instruments, and thus a waste of paper occurs. Therefore, tools and decision-making techniques were used for product development processes, such as QFD, Cost Analysis, FMEA, Benchmarking, SWOT and Ergonomic Analysis. As a result, , the format of this proposal sought to provide the consumer with greater practicality, safety and precision in paper cutting, and factors such as the low cost of the raw material and the complexity of the packaging, allied to the large utility and lack of market, can further intensify the chances of the product entering the packaging sector, with larger competitive potential

Hemoperitoneum in a Cow with Lumbar Muscle Hemangiosarcoma

Background: Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of endothelial cells with an infiltrative growth pattern. Hemangiosarcomas are frequently reported in canines and rare in felines, sheep, goats, swine, horses and cattle. Few cases of hemangiosarcoma were reported in cattle. In the present report, we describe the clinicopathological findings of a bovine muscle hemangiosarcoma.Case: A 6-year-old, Girolando cow from the Dairy Cattle Sector of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, presented sternal decubitus. Clinical signs were markedly pale mucous membranes, moderate dehydration, respiratory distress, and increased heart rate. The hematological examination revealed intense regenerative anemia. Due to the worsening of the clinical condition, the cow was submitted to euthanasia. The necropsy and collection of various fragments of organs were performed, which were sent to the “Setor de Anatomia Patológica” (SAP-UFRRJ). Tissues were fixed in 10 % buffered formalin, routinely processed for histology and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE). The external mucous membranes were markedly pale. Multifocal areas of 1.5 x 1.0 cm, irregular and dark red were observed dissecting the quadratus lumborum muscle (hemangiosarcoma) fibers. These neoplasms were associated with an extensive cruoric clot adhered to the muscle fibers. The extensive, red, friable mass measured approximately 76 x 55 x 20 cm on the serous surfaces of the organs of the peritoneal cavity (hemoperitoneum). The spleen was moderately reduced. The bone marrow was markedly pale. Histologically, it was observed that there was an extensive proliferation of endothelial cells in the quadratus lumbar muscle mass dissecting the epimysium and perimysium. Endothelial cells had moderate pleomorphism, organized in vascular channels and forming multifocally solid areas with a significant amount of eosinophilic fibrillar material (fibrin). Sections of muscle neoplasm were subjected to immunohistochemistry with anti-von Willebrand factor primary antibody, which showed a multifocal moderate cytoplasmic immunolabeling of neoplastic endothelial cells.Discussion: There are few reports of striated muscle hemangiosarcoma in cattle. Muscular hemangiosarcomas were reported in a 4-month-old calf in the left cervical trapezius muscle and a 6-year-old Holstein cow with left pelvic limb mass lateral and distal to the knee. Some reports presented hemangiosarcoma in the iliopsoas muscle, left cervical trapezius muscle, pelvic limb muscles and right cervical muscle of the bovine. In the presented report, hemoperitoneum occurred as a result of hemorrhages from muscle hemangiosarcoma. Other studies have demonstrated cavity hemorrhages in joint, pelvic, pleural and cranial cavities associated with hemangiosarcoma. Hemangiosarcoma with regenerative anemia must be distinguished from other diseases that cause anemia. The main differential diagnoses of bovine with anemia are vena cava syndrome, coumarin derivatives poisoning, acute poisoning by Pteridium spp., tick fever, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and trypanosomiasis. Hemangiosarcoma should be differentiated from other lesions as hemangioma, vascular tumor of lymphatic endothelium and perivascular wall tumors. Cases with poorly differentiated morphology should be submitted for immunohistochemistry. In the present hemangiosarcoma case, we have used the von Willebrand factor for immunohistochemistry diagnosis. Expression of angiogenic growth factors such as CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) have also been used in the diagnosis of vascular proliferation lesions. Hemangiosarcoma in cattle should be included mainly in the differential diagnosis of diseases that cause acute anemia in cattle.Keywords: cattle, neoplasia, hemangiosarcoma, hemoperitoneum, anemia

Inhibitory Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Chronic Wound-Related Multispecies Biofilms

The presence of microbial biofilms in the wounds affects negatively the healing process and can contribute to therapeutic failures. This study aimed to establish the effective parameters of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) against wound-related multispecies and monospecies biofilms, and to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the protocol. Monospecies and multispecies biofilms were formed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. The monospecies biofilms were grown in 96 wells plates and multispecies biofilm were formed on collagen membranes. The biofilms were exposed to helium CAP for 1, 3, 5 and 7 min. In monospecies biofilms, the inhibitory effect was detected after 1 min of exposure for E. faecalis and after 3 min for MRSA. A reduction in P. aeruginosa biofilm’s viability was detected after 7 min of exposure. For the multispecies biofilms, the reduction in the overall viability was detected after 5 min of exposure to CAP. Additionally, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated by MTT assay and static cytometry, respectively. CAP showed low cytotoxicity and no genotoxicity to mouse fibroblastic cell line (3T3). It could be concluded that He-CAP showed inhibitory effect on wound-related multispecies biofilms, with low cytotoxicity and genotoxicity to mammalian cells. These findings point out the potential application of CAP in wound care

A relação entre a fitoterapia e o envelhecimento saudável: uma mini revisão de literatura

RESUMO: Com os avanços da tecnologia e da medicina, a população idosa no Brasil écada vez mais crescente e traz consigo, normalmente, um processo de perdascognitivas e fisiológicas. Associada a essa inversão da pirâmide etária, aumentatambém a procura por cuidados complementares à saúde, como o uso dosfitoterápicos e das plantas medicinais, muito utilizados ao longo da história e,atualmente, intensamente presente no cotidiano dos idosos. Assim, a presenterevisão literária teve como objetivo analisar os benefícios da utilização defitoterápicos por idosos e suas implicações em um envelhecimento saudável. Foramutilizados 5 artigos selecionados em três bases de dados (PubMed, Scielo e GoogleAcadêmico). Após análise dos artigos, percebeu-se que, apesar da maioria dos idososutilizarem fitoterápicos ou plantas medicinais constantemente motivados pelatradição e crenças, grande parte deles não recebeu orientações adequadas e nãopossuía conhecimentos acerca de toxicidade, interações medicamentosas,contraindicações, efeitos colaterais e modo correto de uso. Por outro lado, observouse, simultaneamente, grandes benefícios do uso dos fitoterápicos e/ou plantasmedicinais para tratamentos de doenças, como osteoporose e hipertensão arterial,além de proporcionar longevidade e melhor qualidade de vida aos idosos. Diantedisso, pode-se concluir que urge a necessidade de capacitação dos profissionais desaúde para que orientem os pacientes quanto ao uso adequado de fitoterápicos eplantas medicinais, visando garantir a segurança e bem-estar dos idosos