Marketing religioso: o case da Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus

A religião apesar de ser um assunto polêmico que divide povos no mundo todo, é um meio eficaz de lucrar dinheiro, desenvolver empresas e adquirir popularidade. É por isso, talvez, que tantas religiões nascem e espalham suas Igrejas por diversos países. É como se fosse uma competição onde cada religião promete uma salvação mais divina, uma qualidade de vida maior com a fé no Senhor ou uma benção eterna para seus fiéis, na busca por novos clientes. Neste mercado, ainda que relutante contra as atividades de marketing, pode-se observar estratégias bem fundamentadas e eficientes. Que conseguem resultados claros e desejados. O marketing, que muitas vezes é visto apenas como ferramenta de vendas e voltado para a lucratividade, deve ser, a priori, visto como análise, planejamento, implementação e controle. Onde se efetuam trocas benéficas para as partes envolvidas. E, aceita ou não como tal, a religião se tornou um mercado. Com características iguais a qualquer outro. Concorrência, clientes, promoção, nichos, distribuição e, claro, produto. A fé é o que se oferece e, melhor que qualquer outro produto tangível ou não tangível, é muito bem absorvida pela massa, levando em consideração a natureza humana

Beyond good and evil: a putative continuum-sorting hypothesis for the functional role of proBDNF/BDNF-propeptide/mBDNF in antidepressant treatment

Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder are assumed to be maladaptive responses to stress and antidepressants are thought to counteract such responses by increasing BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels. BDNF acts through TrkB (tropomyosin-related receptor kinase B) and plays a central role in neuroplasticity. In contrast, both precursor proBDNF and BDNF propeptide (another metabolic product from proBDNF cleavage) have a high affinity to p75 receptor (p75R) and usually convey apoptosis and neuronal shrinkage. Although BDNF and proBDNF/propeptide apparently act in opposite ways, neuronal turnover and remodeling might be a final common way that both act to promote more effective neuronal networking, avoiding neuronal redundancy and the misleading effects of environmental contingencies. This review aims to provide a brief overview about the BDNF functional role in antidepressant action and about p75R and TrkB signaling to introduce the "continuum-sorting hypothesis." The resulting hypothesis suggests that both BDNF/proBDNF and BDNF/propeptide act as protagonists to fine-tune antidepressant-dependent neuroplasticity in crucial brain structures to modulate behavioral responses to stress.Peer reviewe

Inhibition of the NMDA receptor/Nitric Oxide pathway in the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray causes anxiolytic-like effects in rats submitted to the Vogel conflict test

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies had demonstrated the involvement of the dorsolateral portion of periaqueductal grey matter (dlPAG) in defensive responses. This region contains a significant number of neurons containing the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and previous studies showed that non-selective NOS inhibition or glutamate NMDA-receptor antagonism in the dlPAG caused anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus maze.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the present study we verified if the NMDA/NO pathway in the dlPAG would also involve in the behavioral suppression observed in rats submitted to the Vogel conflict test. In addition, the involvement of this pathway was investigated by using a selective nNOS inhibitor, Nω-propyl-L-arginine (N-Propyl, 0.08 nmol/200 nL), a NO scavenger, carboxy-PTIO (c-PTIO, 2 nmol/200 nL) and a specific NMDA receptor antagonist, LY235959 (4 nmol/200 nL).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Intra-dlPAG microinjection of these drugs increased the number of punished licks without changing the number of unpunished licks or nociceptive threshold, as measure by the tail flick test.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results indicate that activation of NMDA receptors and increased production of NO in the dlPAG are involved in the anxiety behavior displayed by rats in the VCT.</p

O papel das igrejas cristãs no ensino a respeito a sustentabilidade ambiental

O papel das igrejas cristãs no ensino a respeito da sustentabilidade ambiental tem por finalidade conscientizar os cristãos acerca de sua responsabilidade em relação a temática da questão que envolve o meio ambiente e sua sustentabilidade. Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar a responsabilidade cristã junto ao meio ambiente, a criação de Deus, bem como, verificar se o ensino em relação a esta responsabilidade está sendo praticado nas igrejas cristãs contemporâneas. O método utilizado dos dados adquiridos foram a partir de informação de material bibliográfico como livros, sites institucionais, artigos, para busca de subsídios para auxiliar o estudo proposto, e, também, a aplicação de uma pesquisa a partir de um questionário com questões de caráter qualitativo. Este questionário foi aplicado em líderes de igrejas cristãs, a saber, a Igreja Católica Apostólica Romana, um líder de uma Igreja Protestante Reformada e um líder de uma Igreja Evangélica Pentecostal. A partir da pesquisa, pode-se observar uma carência do ensino a respeito do papel das igrejas protestantes na sustentabilidade ambiental do planeta. A abordagem realizada atualmente parece ser precária e insuficiente. Conclui-se que existe uma responsabilidade atribuída as igrejas cristãs e que estas deveriam tratar da temática da sustentabilidade com maior ênfase e prioridade diante da realidade de uma crise ecológica que vivemos no planeta

Effect of chronic ethanol exposure on rat ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia

OBJECTIVE: The effect of chronic ethanol exposure on chemoreflexes has not been extensively studied in experimental animals. Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that known ethanol-induced autonomic, neuroendocrine and cardiovascular changes coincide with increased chemoreflex sensitivity, as indicated by increased ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to increasing ethanol concentrations in their drinking water (first week: 5% v/v, second week: 10% v/v, third and fourth weeks: 20% v/v). At the end of each week of ethanol exposure, ventilatory parameters were measured under basal conditions and in response to hypoxia (evaluation of peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity) and hypercapnia (evaluation of central chemoreflex sensitivity). RESULTS: Decreased respiratory frequency was observed in rats exposed to ethanol from the first until the fourth week, whereas minute ventilation remained unchanged. Moreover, we observed an increased tidal volume in the second through the fourth week of exposure. The minute ventilation responses to hypoxia were attenuated in the first through the third week but remained unchanged during the last week. The respiratory frequency responses to hypoxia in ethanol-exposed rats were attenuated in the second through the third week but remained unchanged in the first and fourth weeks. There was no significant change in tidal volume responses to hypoxia. With regard to hypercapnic responses, no significant changes in ventilatory parameters were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our data are consistent with the notion that chronic ethanol exposure does not increase peripheral or central chemoreflex sensitivity

Behavioral and Autonomic Responses to Acute Restraint Stress Are Segregated within the Lateral Septal Area of Rats

Background: The Lateral Septal Area (LSA) is involved with autonomic and behavior responses associated to stress. In rats, acute restraint (RS) is an unavoidable stress situation that causes autonomic (body temperature, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) increases) and behavioral (increased anxiety-like behavior) changes in rats. The LSA is one of several brain regions that have been involved in stress responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the neurotransmission blockade in the LSA would interfere in the autonomic and behavioral changes induced by RS. Methodology/Principal Findings: Male Wistar rats with bilateral cannulae aimed at the LSA, an intra-abdominal datalogger (for recording internal body temperature), and an implanted catheter into the femoral artery (for recording and cardiovascular parameters) were used. They received bilateral microinjections of the non-selective synapse blocker cobalt chloride (CoCl2, 1 mM / 100 nL) or vehicle 10 min before RS session. The tail temperature was measured by an infrared thermal imager during the session. Twenty-four h after the RS session the rats were tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM). Conclusions/Significance: Inhibition of LSA neurotransmission reduced the MAP and HR increases observed during RS. However, no changes were observed in the decrease in skin temperature and increase in internal body temperature observed during this period. Also, LSA inhibition did not change the anxiogenic effect induced by RS observed 24 h later in the EPM. The present results suggest that LSA neurotransmission is involved in the cardiovascular but not the temperatur

USE OF AMPHOTERICIN B IN THE SIMULTANEOUS TREATMENT OF CHROMOBLASTOMYCOSIS AND AMERICAN TEGUMENTARY LEISHMANIASIS: A CASE REPORT

ABSTRACT Chromoblastomycosis (CMB) is a polymorphic fungal disease that usually affects the lower limbs and manifests as verrucous nodules or plaques that may ulcerate. American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) is an infectious parasitic disease caused by digenetic protozoa of the genus Leishmania sp. which affects the skin and/or mucous membranes of man and various species of wild and domestic animals. Both are part of the World Health Organization (WHO) neglected tropical diseases portfolio, mostly affecting economically vulnerable populations without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors. We present the report of a 59-year-old male patient, referred to the Hospital Geral Público de Palmas (HGPP) in December 2017, carrying a positive result from a direct parasitological detection test for Leishmania sp., in addition to multiple previously biopsied lesions caused by CMB. It was observed that the patient had an important improvement of the CMB lesions with the use of amphotericin B in combination with itraconazole, thus demonstrating the role that the former can play in the therapy of this fungal disease.&nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Chromoblastomycosis; American Tegumentary leishmaniasis; Amphotericin B. RESUMO A cromoblastomicose (CBM) é uma doença fúngica polimórfica, que acomete normalmente os membros inferiores e que se manifesta como nódulos ou placas verrucosas que podem ulcerar. A leishmaniose tegumentar (LT) é uma doença infectoparasitária causada por protozoários digenéticos do gênero Leishmania sp. que acomete a pele e/ou mucosas do homem e de várias espécies de animais silvestres e domésticos. Ambas fazem parte do portfólio de doenças negligenciadas da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), afetando em sua maioria pessoas economicamente vulneráveis, sem saneamento adequado e em contato próximo com vetores infecciosos. Apresentamos neste trabalho o relato de um paciente, masculino, 59 anos, encaminhado ao Hospital Geral Público de Palmas (HGPP) em dezembro de 2017, portando exame parasitológico direto positivo para Leishmania sp., além de múltiplas lesões causadas por CBM previamente biopsiadas. Foi observado que o paciente teve importante melhora das lesões de CBM com uso da anfotericina B em associação ao itraconazol, demonstrando o papel que essa droga pode exercer na terapêutica desta doença fúngica. Palavras-chave: Cromoblastomicose; Leishmaniose Tegumentar; Anfotericina B

Cannabidiol regulation of learned fear: implications for treating anxiety-related disorders

Anxiety and trauma-related disorders are psychiatric diseases with a lifetime prevalence of up to 25%. Phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterized by abnormal and persistent memories of fear-related contexts and cues. The effects of psychological treatments such as exposure therapy are often only temporary and medications can be ineffective and have adverse side effects. Growing evidence from human and animal studies indicates that cannabidiol, the main non-psychotomimetic phytocannabinoid present in Cannabis sativa, alleviates anxiety in paradigms assessing innate fear. More recently, the effects of cannabidiol on learned fear have been investigated in preclinical studies with translational relevance for phobias and PTSD. Here we review the findings from these studies, with an emphasis on cannabidiol regulation of contextual fear. The evidence indicates that cannabidiol reduces learned fear in different ways: (1) cannabidiol decreases fear expression acutely, (2) cannabidiol disrupts memory reconsolidation, leading to sustained fear attenuation upon memory retrieval, and (3) cannabidiol enhances extinction, the psychological process by which exposure therapy inhibits learned fear. We also present novel data on cannabidiol regulation of learned fear related to explicit cues, which indicates that auditory fear expression is also reduced acutely by cannabidiol. We conclude by outlining future directions for research to elucidate the neural circuit, psychological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of fear memory processing by cannabidiol. This line of investigation may lead to the development of cannabidiol as a novel therapeutic approach for treating anxiety and trauma-related disorders such as phobias and PTSD in the future

Elastase-2 Knockout Mice Display Anxiogenic- and Antidepressant-Like Phenotype : Putative Role for BDNF Metabolism in Prefrontal Cortex

Several pieces of evidence indicate that elastase-2 (ELA2; chymotrypsin-like ELA2) is an alternative pathway to the generation of angiotensin II (ANGII). Elastase-2 knockout mice (ELA2KO) exhibit alterations in the arterial blood pressure and heart rate. However, there is no data on the behavioral consequences of ELA2 deletion. In this study, we addressed this question, submitting ELA2KO and wild-type (WT) mice to several models sensitive to anxiety- and depression-like, memory, and repetitive behaviors. Our data indicates a higher incidence of barbering behavior in ELA2KO compared to WT, as well as an anxiogenic phenotype, evaluated in the elevated plus maze (EPM). While a decrease in locomotor activity was observed in ELA2KO in EPM, this feature was not the main source of variation in the other parameters analyzed. The marble-burying test (MBT) indicated increase in repetitive behavior, observed by a higher number of buried marbles. The actimeter test indicated a decrease in total activity and confirmed the increase in repetitive behavior. The spatial memory was tested by repeated exposure to the actimeter in a 24-h interval. Both ELA2KO and WT exhibited decreased activity compared to the first exposure, without any distinction between the genotypes. However, when submitted to the cued fear conditioning, ELA2KO displayed lower levels of freezing behavior in the extinction session when compared to WT, but no difference was observed during the conditioning phase. Increased levels of BDNF were found in the prefrontal cortex but not in the hippocampus of ELA2KO mice compared to WT. Finally, in silico analysis indicates that ELA2 is putatively able to cleave BDNF, and incubation of the purified enzyme with BDNF led to the degradation of the latter. Our data suggested an anxiogenic- and antidepressant-like phenotype of ELA2KO, possibly associated with increased levels of BDNF in the prefrontal cortex.Peer reviewe

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the haemodynamic effects of cannabidiol

Despite cannabidiol (CBD) having numerous cardiovascular effects in vitro, its haemodynamic effects in vivo are unclear. Nonetheless, the clinical use of CBD (Epidiolex) is becoming more widespread. The aim of this systematic review was to establish whether CBD is associated with changes in haemodynamics in vivo. Twenty-five studies that assessed the haemodynamic effects of CBD (from PubMed, Medline and EMBASE) were systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed. Data on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and blood flow (BF) were extracted and analyzed using random effects models. Twenty-two publications assessed BP and HR among 6 species (BP n = 344 and HR n = 395), and 5 publications assessed BF in 3 species (n = 56) after acute dosing of CBD. Chronic dosing was assessed in 4 publications in 3 species (total subjects BP, n = 6; HR, n = 27; BF, n = 3). Acute CBD dosing had no effect on BP or HR under control conditions. Similarly, chronic dosing with CBD had no effect on HR. In models of stress, acute CBD administration significantly reduced the increase in BP and HR induced by stress (BP, mean difference (MD) −3.54, 95% CI −5.19, −1.9, p < 0.0001; HR, MD −16.23, 95% CI −26.44, −6.02, p = 0.002). In mouse models of stroke, CBD significantly increased cerebral blood flow (CBF, standardized mean difference (SMD) 1.62, 95% CI 0.41, 2.83, p = 0.009). Heterogeneity among the studies was present, there was no publication bias except in HR of control and stressful conditions after acute CBD dosing, and median study quality was 5 out of 9 (ranging from 1 to 8). From the limited data available, we conclude that acute and chronic administration of CBD had no effect on BP or HR under control conditions, but reduces BP and HR in stressful conditions, and increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) in mouse models of stroke. Further studies are required to fully understand the potential haemodynamic effects of CBD in humans under normal and pathological conditions