The impact of resistance training on memory, gait and oxidative stress during periestropause in rats.

Aging, especially in female, is complex, involving various factors such as reproductive sensitivity, cognitive and functional decline, and an imbalance in the redox system. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of long-term resistance training as a non-pharmacological strategy to mitigate the impairment of recognition memory, hippocampal redox state, and ambulation in aging female Wistar rats during the periestropause period. Thirty Wistar rats aged 17 months, in periestropause, were distributed into non-trained (NT) and resistance training (RT; stair climbing 3 times per week for 4 months) groups. Before (17 months) and after (21 months) of the RT period, the rats underwent tests for ambulation, elevated plus maze (EPM), open field, and object recognition. Biochemical and histological analyses were conducted on the hippocampus of these animals. Analysis of the results revealed that at 21 months, females in the NT group (21Mo/NT) exhibited a decreased in length (p=0.0458) and an increased in past width (p<0.0479) compared to their measurements at 17 months. However, after 4 months of RT, the female rats aged 21 months (21Mo/RT group) experienced changes in gait components, showing an increase in length (p<0.0008) and a decrease in stride width. Regarding memory, the object recognition test indicated potential cognitive improvement in 21Mo/RT animals, with significant interaction between intervention and age across all three stages of the test (total exploration time, p=0.0001; Test 1, p=0.0003; Test 2, p=0.0014). This response was notable compared to animals in the 21Mo/NT group, which showed a decline in memory capacity (p<0.01). The data showed a significant difference in relation to the age of the animals (p<0.01). The hippocampal redox state markers showed reduced lipid oxidative (p=0.028), catalase (p=0.022), and superoxide dismutase (p=0.0067) in the RT group compared to the NT group. Hippocampal cells from the 21Mo/RT group showed increased citrate synthase enzyme activity (p<0.05) and Nissl body staining (p<0.05). The results of this study demonstrate that RT performed during the periestropause phase leads to significant improvements in functional abilities, cognitive performance, and neuroplasticity in aging female rats.

Analysis of the cognitive and functional behavior of female rats in the periestropause after hormone therapy with estrogen.

Perimenopause is a critical period, with severe cycle irregularity and lower estrogen secretion altering redox state biomarkers, leading to behavioral changes. The estrogen hormonal therapy (EHT) being commonly used to alleviate climacteric effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze anxiolytic profile, recognition memory (short and long term), ambulation, redox status, cell synaptic activity in locus coeruleus and hippocampus of Wistar rats in the periestropause after EHT. Forty rats participated in the study; 20 were treated with corn oil (group 21Mo/Veh; corn oil/0.2 mL/sc; 2x/week) and 20 were submitted to EHT (group 21Mo/E2; 17ß-estradiol/15 µg/Kg/sc; 2x/week) for 120 days. Open field, elevated plus maze, object recognition (RO), and footprint tests were performed immediately before and at the end of the treatment period. From the decapitated brains, isolated hippocampus were destined for biochemical analysis, in turn, perfused brains were destined for histological analysis. The 21Mo/E2 group had a significantly greater total time in the central region and a significantly greater number of entries into the open arms compared to the 21Mo/Veh group, as in crossing, rearing and grooming behaviors, evidencing an anxiolytic profile. In the RO test, the 21Mo/Veh group decreased long-term memory, and the 21Mo/E2 group maintained the same index as at 17 months of age, in addition to a better balance of the hippocampal redox state, prevention of neuronal cell loss and better gait. Based on the results, it appears that exogenous E2 supplementation during periestropause may help preserve neurological functions and potentially prevent neuropsychological and neurodegenerative disorders.

Multi-omics in HIV: searching insights to understand immunological non-response in PLHIV.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) induces persistent suppression of HIV-1 replication and gradual recovery of T-cell counts, and consequently, morbidity and mortality from HIV-related illnesses have been significantly reduced. However, in approximately 30% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on ART, CD4+ T-cell counts fail to normalize despite ART and complete suppression of HIV viral load, resulting in severe immune dysfunction, which may represent an increased risk of clinical progression to AIDS and non-AIDS events as well as increased mortality. These patients are referred to as "immune inadequate responders", "immunodiscordant responders" or "immune nonresponders (INR)". The molecular mechanisms underlying poor CD4+ T-cell recovery are still unclear. In this sense, the use of omics sciences has shed light on possible factors involved in the activity and metabolic dysregulation of immune cells during the failure of CD4+ T-cell recovery in INR. Moreover, identification of key molecules by omics approaches allows for the proposal of potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets to improve CD4+ T-cell recovery and the quality of life of these patients. Hence, this review aimed to summarize the information obtained through different omics concerning the molecular factors and pathways associated with the INR phenotype to better understand the complexity of this immunological status in HIV infection.

Are Ingested or Inhaled Microplastics Involved in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the predominant cause of chronic liver injury; however, the mechanisms underlying its progression have not been fully elucidated. Pathophysiological studies have stated that NAFLD is significantly influenced by dietary and environmental factors that could participate in the development of NAFLD through different mechanisms. Currently, "plastic pollution" is one of the most challenging environmental problems worldwide since several plastics have potential toxic or endocrine disputing properties. Specifically, the intake of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in water or diet and/or the inhalation from suspended particles is well established, and these particles have been found in human samples. Laboratory animals exposed to MPs develop inflammation, immunological responses, endocrine disruptions, and alterations in lipid and energy metabolism, among other disorders. MPs additives also demonstrated adverse reactions. There is evidence that MPs and their additives are potential "obesogens" and could participate in NAFLD pathogenesis by modifying gut microbiota composition or even worsen liver fibrosis. Although human exposure to MPs seems clear, their relationship with NAFLD requires further study, since its prevention could be a possible personalized therapeutic strategy. Adequate mitigation strategies worldwide, reducing environmental pollution and human exposure levels of MPs, could reduce the risk of NAFLD.

Fibromyalgia as a Heterogeneous Condition: Subgroups of Patients Based on Physical Symptoms and Cognitive-Affective Variables Related to Pain.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations, and knowing this variability can help to develop tailored treatments. To understand better the heterogeneity of FM the present cross-sectional study analyzed the role of several physical symptoms (pain, fatigue and poor sleep quality) and cognitive-affective variables related to pain (pain catastrophizing, pain vigilance, self-efficacy in pain management, and pain acceptance) in the configuration of clinical profiles. A sample of 161 women with FM fulfilled an interview and several self-report measures to explore physical symptoms, cognitive-affective variables, disability and psychopathology. To establish FM groups a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed. The findings revealed three clusters that differed in the grouping variables, Wilks' λ = .17, F(14, 304) = 31.50, p < .001, ηp2 = .59. Group 1 (n = 72) was characterized by high physical and psychological affectation, Group 2 (n = 19) by low physical affectation and high pain self-efficacy, and Group 3 (n = 70) by moderate physical affectation and low pain catastrophizing. The external validation of the clusters was confirmed, Wilks' λ = .72, F(4, 314) = 14.09, p < .001, ηp2 = .15, showing Group 1 the highest levels of FM impact and psychopathological distress. Considering the distinctive clinical characteristics of each subgroup therapeutic strategies addressed to the specific needs of each group were suggested. Assessing FM profiles may be key for a better understanding and approach of this syndrome.

Circulating Levels of Pro-Neurotensin and Its Relationship with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Hepatic Lipid Metabolism.

Recent studies suggest a link between pro-neurotensin (pro-NT) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the published data are conflicting. Thus, we aimed to analyze pro-NT levels in women with morbid obesity (MO) and NAFLD to investigate if this molecule is involved in NAFLD and liver lipid metabolism. Plasma levels of pro-NT were determined in 56 subjects with MO and 18 with normal weight (NW). All patients with MO were subclassified according to their liver histology into the normal liver (NL, n = 20) and NAFLD (n = 36) groups. The NAFLD group had 17 subjects with simple steatosis (SS) and 19 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We used a chemiluminescence sandwich immunoassay to quantify pro-NT in plasma and RT-qPCR to evaluate the hepatic mRNA levels of several lipid metabolism-related genes. We reported that pro-NT levels were significantly higher in MO with NAFLD than in MO without NAFLD. Additionally, pro-NT levels were higher in NASH patients than in NL. The hepatic expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was found to be altered in NAFLD, as previously reported. Additionally, although pro-NT levels correlated with LDL, there was no association with the main lipid metabolism-related genes. These findings suggest that pro-NT could be related to NAFLD progression.

Low Circulating Levels of Neurotensin in Women with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Associated with Severe Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate neurotensin plasma levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with severe obesity. METHODS: The plasma levels of neurotensin in 20 women with normal weight and 51 women with morbid obesity (MO) were measured, and women were subclassified according to their hepatic histology as having MO without NAFLD (n = 18) or MO with NAFLD (n = 33). The NAFLD group included 15 women with simple steatosis (SS) and 18 women with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). To quantify neurotensin in plasma, a multiplex sandwich immunoassay with a Luminex magnetic bead-based platform was used. RESULTS: Neurotensin levels were significantly decreased (P = 0.001) in women with MO and NAFLD (3.62 ± 0.85 ng/mL), compared with women with MO and normal liver function (11.65 ± 1.95 ng/mL; P = 0.001) and women with normal weight (13.68 ± 2.58 ng/mL; P = 0.001). There was no difference in levels between women with SS and women with NASH (P = 0.415). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of neurotensin were decreased in women with NAFLD associated with MO.

Bases anatómicas de la fibrilación atrial. Estudio descriptivo de la extensión de músculo cardíaco atrial hacia la vena cava superior / Anatomical bases of atrial fibrillation

Introducción: la fibrilación atrial (FA) puede originarse en la vena cava superior (VCS), desde el músculo cardíaco (MC) proveniente de la auricula derecha (AD). Objetivo: descripción anátomo de dicho MC, sus relaciones e implicancias clínicas. Material y método: mediante disección de material cadavérico (n=43) y análisis histológico, se estudió la presencia y extensión de MC desde la AD hasta la VCS, dirección, disposición, distribución, altura total y por cuadrantes del MC y la unión venoatrial. Resultados: todas las piezas presentaron MC en su pared, con dos (63 por ciento), tre (15,8 por ciento) o cuatro (10,5 por ciento)vías de entrada provenientes de la cara lateral de la AD y orejuela derecha, ubicadas por frecuencia en los sectores arteroizquierdo, anteroderecho, posteroizquierdo, anteroderecho están en estrecha relación con el frénico derecho y el nodo sinusal. La dirección fue ascentente en su cara anterior de derecha a izquierda, y descendente posterior de izquierda a derecha. La altura máxima se alcanzó en el cuadrante anteroizquierdo (15 a 56 mm, promedio 46 mm). Su distribución tuvo dos patrones: continuo en 9,4 por ciento y fenestrado en 90,6 por ciento. Conclusiones: la extensión de MC de la AD a la VCS constituye un hecho constante, con orientación precisa, vías de entrada a predominio de los cuadrantes anteriores, y un patrón de distribución a modo de envoltura oblicua en la VCS, con máxima altura en los cuadrantes izquierdos. Las relaciones más relevantes se vinculan al nervio frénico y nodo sinusual.

Cumplimiento de las estrategias terapéuticas en asma / Compliance of the therapeutic strategies in asthma

Fundamento: la falta de cumplimiento de las indicaciones terapéuticas en asma aparece como un importante obstáculo en el control de la enfermedad. Objetivo: comparar estrategias y resultados obtenidos por distintos autores. Proponer planes de prevención y tratamiento del asma actualizados sobre la base de los mismos. Diseño: revisión de publicaciones del tema durante cinco años. Método: se usaron palabras claves para buscar artículos de la base de datos MEDLINE entre 1995-2000. Resultado: la falta de cumplimiento de las indicaciones terapéuticas es un fenómeno persistente en el nivel mundial, sin que pueda establecerse actualmente un exacto perfil del paciente no adherente. Las consecuencias de ello son el agravamiento de los síntomas, las pérdidas económicas para el paciente y el aumento de los gastos de los servicios de salud, y un desmejoramiento de la calidad de vida del paciente y su familia. Conclusiones: debe insistirse en la implementación de planes de educación para el asma en el nivel gubernamental, que incluyan no sólo la educación del paciente, sino el entrenamiento apropiado de los distintos equipos de salud para detectar los pacientes con asma lábil o severa, la provisión de los medicamentos necesarios a quienes tienen dificultad económica en acceder a ellos, sino también el refuerzo de las consignas y los controles médicos frecuentes y regulares para determinar aciertos o errores en las pautas establecidas