S100B protein: general characteristics and pathophysiological implications in the Central Nervous System.

BACKGROUND: Calcium-binding proteins are heterogeneous proteins that act binding this ion in specific domains, performing numerous functions. OBJECTIVE: In the present review, we aim to gather principal information about S100B protein in the Central Nervous System (CNS), highlighting its particularities, mapping, functionalities, and consequences on CNS dysfunction. METHODS: The research was carried out by searching Pubmed, Medline, Science Direct, Lilacs, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases using the following descriptors: S100 protein; Central Nervous System; Nervous Lesions, as well as their corresponding terms in Portuguese and Spanish. The terms were first searched separately, then together. RESULTS: Due to its ability to bind with calcium, S100B is involved in the regulation of several intra- and extracellular physiological processes. As well as being multifunctional, this protein can be considered both a "marker" and "signaling" since it is capable of triggering functions of detection of and protection in situations of injury to the CNS. CONCLUSIONS: In-depth studies are necessary to discover the innumerable actions of this protein which are still unknown. It is expected that these can bring varied benefits by elucidating its therapeutic potential in preclinical and clinical situations.

Pattern of tyrosine hydroxylase expression during aging of mesolimbic pathway of the rat.

Senescence is a physiological and progressive event that leads to the impairment of normal functions of the organism. The nervous system is one of the most affected systems during aging, presenting both structural and functional alterations associated with a decline in normal brain functions. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the impact of senescence on the mesolimbic pathway (nucleus accumbens - NAc and ventral tegmental area - VTA) of the rat, through immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) enzyme, in young (3 months old), middle-aged (10 months old) and aged animals (18 months old). There was a significant decrease in the TH-immunoreactivity across NAc in aged animals as compared to the young and middle-aged ones, as revealed by optical densitometry. Medium and caudal regions of the VTA in the young animals possessed a higher number of TH-immunoreactive neurons as compared to the more aged groups. Comparisons among VTA regions in young animals revealed a difference in the number of cell bodies when the medium region was compared to the rostral and caudal regions whilst in both the middle-aged and aged groups comparisons between rostral vs caudal and medium vs caudal regions were significant. Our results show that aging impacts the mesolimbic pathway across its rostrocaudal axis, with a decrease of TH-reactivity in NAc and loss of neurons in VTA. These events may be involved with behavioral alterations observed throughout aging.

Atuação do enfermeiro no atendimento emergencial aos usuários acometidos de infarto agudo do miocárdio / Performance of the nursing professional in the emergency care to the users affected by acute myocardial infarction

Objetivo: analisar a assistência emergencial do enfermeiro frente ao usuário acometido por Infarto Agudo doMiocárdio (IAM). Método: estudo exploratório e descritivo com abordagem qualitativa. A amostra foicomposta pelos enfermeiros que trabalham no setor de urgência/emergência do Pronto-Socorro do HospitalRegional Tarcísio de Vasconcelos Maia (HRTVM), da cidade de Mossoró/RN/Brasil. Os dados foram analisados àluz da técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética ePesquisa da FACENE/FAMENE, sob protocolo nº 147/2011. Resultados: muitas vezes, a indisponibilidade deleitos, de materiais de suporte ventilatório e monitorização e a incipiência da educação permanentedificultam a execução de cuidados de enfermagem qualificados. Conclusão: a pesquisa vislumbrou para anecessidade de melhoria, adequação da estrutura física acolhedora dos usuários portadores de Infarto Agudodo Miocárdio (IAM). Embora, alguns profissionais apresentem conhecimentos adequados, torna-se relevante aênfase na qualificação dos recursos humanos, a fim de minimizar as consequências geradas pelo infarto.