Reticular Formation and Pain: The Past and the Future

The involvement of the reticular formation (RF) in the transmission and modulation of nociceptive information has been extensively studied. The brainstem RF contains several areas which are targeted by spinal cord afferents conveying nociceptive input. The arrival of nociceptive input to the RF may trigger alert reactions which generate a protective/defense reaction to pain. RF neurons located at the medulla oblongata and targeted by ascending nociceptive information are also involved in the control of vital functions that can be affected by pain, namely cardiovascular control. The RF contains centers that belong to the pain modulatory system, namely areas involved in bidirectional balance (decrease or enhancement) of pain responses. It is currently accepted that the imbalance of pain modulation towards pain facilitation accounts for chronic pain. The medullary RF has the peculiarity of harboring areas involved in bidirectional pain control namely by the existence of specific neuronal populations involved in antinociceptive or pronociceptive behavioral responses, namely at the rostroventromedial medulla (RVM) and the caudal ventrolateral medulla (VLM). Furthermore the dorsal reticular nucleus (also known as subnucleus reticularis dorsalis; DRt) may enhance nociceptive responses, through a reverberative circuit established with spinal lamina I neurons and inhibit wide-dynamic range (WDR) neurons of the deep dorsal horn. The components of the triad RVM-VLM-DRt are reciprocally connected and represent a key gateway for top-down pain modulation. The RVM-VLM-DRt triad also represents the neurobiological substrate for the emotional and cognitive modulation of pain, through pathways that involve the periaqueductal gray (PAG)-RVM connection. Collectively, we propose that the RVM-VLM-DRt triad represents a key component of the “dynamic pain connectome” with special features to provide integrated and rapid responses in situations which are life-threatening and involve pain. The new available techniques in neurobiological studies both in animal and human studies are producing new and fascinating data which allow to understand the complex role of the RF in pain modulation and its integration with several body functions and also how the RF accounts for chronic pain

Pain modulation from the Locus Coeruleus in a model of hydrocephalus: searching for oxidative stress-induced noradrenergic neuroprotection

Pain transmission at the spinal cord is modulated by noradrenaline (NA)-mediated actions that arise from supraspinal areas. We studied the locus coeruleus (LC) to evaluate the expression of the cathecolamine-synthetizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and search for local oxidative stress and possible consequences in descending pain modulation in a model of hydrocephalus, a disease characterized by enlargement of the cerebral ventricular system usually due to the obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow. Four weeks after kaolin injection into the cisterna magna, immunodetection of the catecholamine-synthetizing enzymes TH and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) was performed in the LC and spinal cord. Colocalization of the oxidative stress marker 8-OHdG (8-hydroxyguanosine; 8-OHdG), with TH in the LC was performed. Formalin was injected in the hindpaw both for behavioral nociceptive evaluation and the immunodetection of Fos expression in the spinal cord. Hydrocephalic rats presented with a higher expression of TH at the LC, of TH and DBH at the spinal dorsal horn along with decreased nociceptive behavioral responses in the second (inflammatory) phase of the formalin test, and formalin-evoked Fos expression at the spinal dorsal horn. The expression of 8-OHdG was increased in the LC neurons, with higher co-localization in TH-immunoreactive neurons. Collectively, the results indicate increased noradrenergic expression at the LC during hydrocephalus. The strong oxidative stress damage at the LC neurons may lead to local neuroprotective-mediated increases in NA levels. The increased expression of catecholamine-synthetizing enzymes along with the decreased nociception-induced neuronal activation of dorsal horn neurons and behavioral pain signs may indicate that hydrocephalus is associated with alterations in descending pain modulation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Por ti! Desenvolvimento de projeto de acessibilidades na área da comunicação do calçado adaptado

Trabalho de Projeto apresentado à Escola Superior de Artes Aplicadas do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco em associação com a Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Design Gráfico.Este projeto surgiu no âmbito do curso de Mestrado em Design Gráfico e visou criar botas para crianças com deformidades ao nível dos membros inferiores (no estudo de caso um, advindas da doença de Niemann-Pick Tipo C; no estudo de caso dois, associadas a paralisia cerebral), que originaram os problemas a que se pretendeu dar resposta com este novo produto customizado. Atendendo ao desenvolvimento físico dos indivíduos afetados, criaram-se botas de pelo, com um design original, orientado para o conforto e a adaptabilidade ergonómica. Concretizou-se, assim, uma cultura projetual, no sentido de criar uma Identidade Visual Metamórfica que fosse a essência de estratégia de comunicação de um produto inclusivo customizado. Trata-se de um projeto de investigação ativa que assenta numa experiência metodologicamente dominada pela participação na criação de uma Identidade Visual customizada de um produto de design inclusivo. Consequentemente, neste processo de criação de uma identidade visual metamórfica, o design constituiu uma mais-valia quer na procura de soluções adequadas à deficiência atrás referida, quer para a renovação de uma empresa de curtumes a laborar na Serra da Estrela que, dada a conjuntura atual, atravessa dificuldades. Desta forma, pudemos proporcionar uma ajuda técnica, numa perspetiva de Design de comunicação Inclusivo, desenvolvendo um projeto alicerçado numa cultura projetual e promovendo a interação entre o usuário e o design, através da mutação da marca gráfica customizada.Abstract: This project came under the Master course in Graphic Design and aimed at creating boots for children with deformities on the lower limbs (these deformities arised from Niemann-Pick type C disease; in the case study one, and from cerebral palsy, in the case study two), which originated the problems this new customized product wishes to address. Accordingly to the physical development of affected individuals, we created sheepskin fur boots, with an innovative design, which envisaged comfort and ergonomic adjustability. This project implied the creation of a Visual Identity to comprise the essence of the communication strategy of a customized inclusive product. This is an active research project, based on a methodological experiment led by the creation of an inclusive design product’s Customized Visual Identity. Therefore, in the process of creating a, Visual Identity, design constituted an asset either in finding appropriate solutions to the deficiency mentioned above, and for the renewal of a tannery company, labouring in Serra da Estrela, which is experiencing difficulties given the current economic situation. As a result, we provided technical assistance in a perspective of Inclusive Communication Design, developing a project grounded in a projectual culture design culture and promoting interaction between designer and user, through the mutation of the customized graphic brand

Implications for migraine

Funding Information: The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Margarida Martins-Oliveira is grateful to the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for its support with an individual PhD grant (SFRH/BD/77127/2011). The conduct of the research was financially supported by the EUROHEADPAIN European Union FP7 (PJG & PRH: 602633), the Wellcome Trust (PJG: 104033) and the Medical Research Council (PRH: MR/P006264/1). Publisher Copyright: © International Headache Society 2022.Background: Imaging migraine premonitory studies show increased midbrain activation consistent with the ventral tegmental area, an area involved in pain modulation and hedonic feeding. We investigated ventral tegmental area pharmacological modulation effects on trigeminovascular processing and consequent glycemic levels, which could be involved in appetite changes in susceptible migraine patients. Methods: Serotonin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptors immunohistochemistry was performed in ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus of male Sprague Dawley rats. In vivo trigeminocervical complex neuronal responses to dura mater nociceptive electrical stimulation, and facial mechanical stimulation of the ophthalmic dermatome were recorded. Changes in trigeminocervical complex responses following ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus microinjection of glutamate, bicuculline, naratriptan, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 and quinpirole were measured, and blood glucose levels assessed pre- and post-microinjection. Results: Glutamatergic stimulation of ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus neurons reduced nociceptive and spontaneous trigeminocervical complex neuronal firing. Naratriptan, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 and quinpirole inhibited trigeminovascular spontaneous activity, and trigeminocervical complex neuronal responses to dural-evoked electrical and mechanical noxious stimulation. Trigeminovascular sensory processing through modulation of the ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus resulted in reduced circulating glucose levels. Conclusion: Pharmacological modulation of ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus neurons elicits changes in trigeminovascular sensory processing. The interplay between ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus activity and the sensory processing by the trigeminovascular system may be relevant to understand associated sensory and homeostatic symptoms in susceptible migraine patients.publishersversioninpres

Papel do Enfermeiro na Segurança do Doente, numa Unidade de Cuidados na Comunidade

Objetivo: Avaliar a cultura de segurança do doente dos Enfermeiros que exercem funções nas Unidades de Cuidados na Comunidade de um Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde do Sul de Portugal. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, transversal, com recurso a uma metodologia quantitativa, através da aplicação do “Questionário de Avaliação da Cultura de Segurança do Doente nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários”, traduzido e adaptado ao contexto português. Amostragem por conveniência, constituída por 69 enfermeiros a exercer funções em Unidades de Cuidados na Comunidade. Realizada análise estatística descritiva, com os dados organizados e tratados através do Statistical Package for Social Sciences® (SPSS) versão 27. Resultados: As dimensões “Trabalho em equipa” e “Perceções gerais acerca da qualidade e segurança do doente” foram as que apresentaram uma avaliação mais positiva. Por outro lado, as dimensões “Apoio pela gestão de topo” e “Pressão e ritmo de trabalho” apresentaram as avaliações mais baixas. A maioria dos inquiridos (52,9%) classificou a qualidade dos cuidados de saúde prestados como “Muito bons” ou “Excelentes”. Conclusões: Foi percecionada uma avaliação de cultura de segurança do doente positiva, no entanto, os resultados demonstraram áreas com fragilidades, sobre as quais dever-se- -á refletir e intervir com carácter prioritário. O papel do Enfermeiro para o desenvolvimento da cultura de segurança é indispensável por contribuir para a cultura de segurança institucional e deve ser encarada como uma estratégia na promoção de cuidados de saúde de qualidade

Promotion of creative skills: a study with primary students of Angola

Desenvolver a criatividade dos alunos e a relação desta com a aprendizagem é uma preocupação atual. Este trabalho pretendeu estudar o impacto do programa SuperCriativo (Oliveira, 2015) em competências criativas, no clima criativo em sala de aula e no sucesso académico (particularmente em dimensões de expressão oral e escrita). Os participantes foram 70 alunos da 4º classe em Angola, correspondendo 35 ao grupo experimental e 35 ao grupo controlo. Num pré e pós teste, a criatividade foi avaliada por um produto criativo (um texto), uma Escala (Morais, Viana, Dias, Fleith & Alencar, 2019), validada em Portugal. Foi ainda avaliado o clima criativo em sala de aula, assim como o sucesso escolar através da média global e das classificações a Português . Os resultados indicaram melhorias estatisticamente significativas no grupo experimental nas diferentes variáveis. Estes ganhos podem ser um estímulo à promoção da criatividade na sala de aula, não só em Angola, mas em outros países. Implicações futuras são discutidasDeveloping the student´s creativity and researching the relationship between creativity and shoolar achievement are actual concerns. Ths study wanted to research the impact of the “Supercreative” Program (Oliveira, 2015) in creative skills, in the classroom creative climate and in the academic achievement (mainly in oral and written expression). Participants were 70 students of 4th year of Angola schooling, corresponding 35 to the experimental group and 35 to the control group. There were pre and post test moments, being evaluated, in both, creativity, through a creative product (a text), the creative climate in classroom, through a scale validated to Portugal (Morais, Viana, Dias, Fleith & Alencar, 2019) and the academic achievement through an average score and the Portuguese language score. Results showed improvements statistically significant in the experimental group in all the variables. These improvements can be a stimulus to the promotion of creativity in the classroom, not only in Angola but also in other countries. Future implications of results are discussed

Desenvolvimento de competências criativas: um estudo com alunos angolanos do ensino primário

Desenvolver a criatividade dos alunos e a relação desta com a aprendizagem é uma preocupação atual. Este trabalho pretendeu estudar o impacto do programa SuperCriativo (Oliveira, 2015) em competências criativas, no clima criativo em sala de aula e no sucesso académico (particularmente em dimensões de expressão oral e escrita). Os participantes foram 70 alunos da 4º classe em Angola, correspondendo 35 ao grupo experimental e 35 ao grupo controlo. Num pré e pós teste, a criatividade foi avaliada por um produto criativo (um texto), uma Escala (Morais, Viana, Dias, Fleith & Alencar, 2019), validada em Portugal. Foi ainda avaliado o clima criativo em sala de aula, assim como o sucesso escolar através da média global e das classificações a Português . Os resultados indicaram melhorias estatisticamente significativas no grupo experimental nas diferentes variáveis. Estes ganhos podem ser um estímulo à promoção da criatividade na sala de aula, não só em Angola, mas em outros países. Implicações futuras são discutidas.Developing the studentŽs creativity and researching the relationship between creativity and shoolar achievement are actual concerns. Ths study wanted to research the impact of the "Supercreative" Program (Oliveira, 2015) in creative skills, in the classroom creative climate and in the academic achievement (mainly in oral and written expression). Participants were 70 students of 4th year of Angola schooling, corresponding 35 to the experimental group and 35 to the control group. There were pre and post test moments, being evaluated, in both, creativity, through a creative product (a text), the creative climate in classroom, through a scale validated to Portugal (Morais, Viana, Dias, Fleith & Alencar, 2019) and the academic achievement through an average score and the Portuguese language score. Results showed improvements statistically significant in the experimental group in all the variables. These improvements can be a stimulus to the promotion of creativity in the classroom, not only in Angola but also in other countries. Future implications of results are discussed

Neuroendocrine signaling modulates specific neural networks relevant to migraine

Migraine is a disabling brain disorder involving abnormal trigeminovascular activation and sensitization. Fasting or skipping meals is considered a migraine trigger and altered fasting glucose and insulin levels have been observed in migraineurs. Therefore peptides involved in appetite and glucose regulation including insulin, glucagon and leptin could potentially influence migraine neurobiology. We aimed to determine the effect of insulin (10 U·kg(− 1)), glucagon (100 μg·200 μl(− 1)) and leptin (0.3, 1 and 3 mg·kg(− 1)) signaling on trigeminovascular nociceptive processing at the level of the trigeminocervical-complex and hypothalamus. Male rats were anesthetized and prepared for craniovascular stimulation. In vivo electrophysiology was used to determine changes in trigeminocervical neuronal responses to dural electrical stimulation, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (pERK1/2) immunohistochemistry to determine trigeminocervical and hypothalamic neural activity; both in response to intravenous administration of insulin, glucagon, leptin or vehicle control in combination with blood glucose analysis. Blood glucose levels were significantly decreased by insulin (p < 0.001) and leptin (p < 0.01) whereas glucagon had the opposite effect (p < 0.001). Dural-evoked neuronal firing in the trigeminocervical-complex was significantly inhibited by insulin (p < 0.001), glucagon (p < 0.05) and leptin (p < 0.01). Trigeminocervical-complex pERK1/2 cell expression was significantly decreased by insulin and leptin (both p < 0.001), and increased by glucagon (p < 0.001), when compared to vehicle control. However, only leptin affected pERK1/2 expression in the hypothalamus, significantly decreasing pERK1/2 immunoreactive cell expression in the arcuate nucleus (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that insulin, glucagon and leptin can alter the transmission of trigeminal nociceptive inputs. A potential neurobiological link between migraine and impaired metabolic homeostasis may occur through disturbed glucose regulation and a transient hypothalamic dysfunction