Contribution of serotonergic and nitrergic pathways, as well as monoamine oxidase-a and Na+, K+-ATPase enzymes in antidepressant-like action of ((4-tert-butylcyclohexylidene) methyl) (4-methoxystyryl) sulfide (BMMS).

The present study investigated a possible antidepressant-like effect of ((4-tert-butylcyclohexylidene)methyl) (4-methoxystyryl) sulfide (BMMS) by using the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST) in Swiss mice. The contribution of serotoninergic, glutamatergic and nitrergic systems in the antidepressant-like activity of BMMS was evaluated. We also examined the involvement of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A, MAO-B and Na+, K+-ATPase activities in prefrontal cortex of mice. BMMS, (0.1-10 mg/kg, intragastrically (i.g.)) and fluoxetine (32 mg/kg, i.g.) decreased the immobility time in the FST and TST. The anti-immobility effect of BMMS (10 mg/kg, i.g.) in the TST was prevented by the pretreatment of mice with WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneously (s.c.), a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist), ketanserin (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.), a 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist), and partially blocked by ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist). The anti-immobility effect of BMMS (10 mg / kg, i.g.) was not avoided by pretreatment with MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg, s.c. a non-competitive N-methyl D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor) in the TST. Pretreatment with L-arginine (500 mg/kg, i.p., a nitric oxide precursor) reversed partially the reduction in the immobility time elicited by BMMS (10 mg/kg, i.g.) in TST. BMMS altered Na+,K+-ATPase and MAO-A activities in prefrontal cortex of mice, but was not able to change the MAO-B activity. In conclusion, BMMS exerted an antidepressant-like effect in mice and serotonergic and nitrergic systems are involved in the antidepressant-like action of compound. BMMS modulated MAO-A and Na+, K+- ATPase activities in prefrontal cortex of mice.

Cancer patients in Palliative Care: occurrences related to venipuncture and hypodermoclysis. / Pacientes oncológicos sob cuidados paliativos: ocorrências relacionadas à punção venosa e hipodermóclise.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the occurrences related to peripheral venipuncture and hypodermoclysis among patients hospitalized in a general hospital and in an exclusive hospital institution for the care of patients in palliative cancer care. METHOD: an observational, descriptive and multicenter study. The consecutive and non-probabilistic sample consisted of 160 cancer patients hospitalized in Palliative Care. The outcome variable corresponded to the occurrences and complications related to each type of puncture. A questionnaire containing the sociodemographic and clinical variables and a structured script for monitoring and daily evaluation of the puncture were used. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. RESULTS: the occurrences related to venipuncture at a general hospital were blood soiling at catheter insertion (17.4%) and expired use period (15.8%), while at a specific service for the care of patients under palliative care they were expired use period (32%) followed by infiltration (18.9%). As for hypodermoclysis, there were two subcutaneous punctures with phlogistic signs (1.0%) at the general hospital and a hematoma at the catheter insertion site (0.5%). At the specific service for the care of patients under palliative care there were three subcutaneous punctures with phlogistic signs (5.7%). CONCLUSION: the number of occurrences related to peripheral venipuncture was higher than those related to hypodermoclysis.

Simvastatin-loaded nanoemulsions: development, characterization, stability study and toxicity assays.

Aim: The aim of this study is to prepare and characterize simvastatin-loaded nanoemulsions (SIM-LN) as well as evaluate their physicochemical properties and toxicity. Methodology & results: The SIM-LN were prepared, their characteristics evaluated for 30 days, and after that, the SIM-LN toxicity was evaluated using Vero cell culture and the in vivo model of Caenorhabditis elegans. The prepared SIM-LN had an average droplet size of 139 ± 22 nm, with high encapsulation rate (>98.4%). The storage at room temperature proved to be the most optimal condition. Toxicity assays demonstrated no toxicity. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that the surfactants used as emulsifiers optimized the properties without side effects, because no toxicity was measured in preliminary tests.

Neuroprotective effects of thromboxane receptor antagonist SQ 29,548 after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in mice.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is an important eicosanoid in the cardiovascular system, and increasing evidence suggests that TXA2 receptors (TPs) and their ligands may constitute valuable tools for the development of neuroprotective drugs. However, the role of TPs on seizure-induced damage has not been investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of SQ 29,548, a potent and selective TP antagonist-on neuromotor performance, neurodegeneration, reactive astrocytosis, and c-Fos protein immunoreactivity after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in mice. Adult C57BL/6 mice received intracerebroventricular SQ 29,548 injections 90 min and 24 h after pilocarpine-induced SE. We found that SQ 29,548 prevented the impairment of neuromotor performance (Neuroscore test) 48 h after pilocarpine-induced SE. Data analysis suggested the existence of two subgroups of SQ 29,548-treated post-SE animals. Eight out of 12 SQ 29,548-treated animals displayed Neuroscore values identical to those of vehicle-treated controls, and were considered SQ 29,548 responders. However, 4 out of 12 SQ 29,548-treated animals did not show any improvement in Neuroscore values, and were considered SQ 29,548 non-responders. Treatment with SQ 29,548 attenuated SE-induced increase in the number of FJC- or GFAP-positive cells in the hippocampus of SQ 29,548 responders. In addition, SQ 29,548 prevented the SE-elicited increase of c-Fos immunoreactivity in the hippocampus. In summary, our results suggest that the TP antagonist (SQ 29,548) improves neurological outcome after pilocarpine-induced SE in mice. The existence of SQ 29,548 responders and non-responders was suggested by results from the Neuroscore test. Additional studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these findings, as well as the potential uses of TP antagonists in the treatment of seizure-induced damage.

Toxicological evaluation of naringin-loaded nanocapsules in vitro and in vivo.

Naringin is a flavonoid widely known for its pharmacological properties, such as: anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ones, being an ally to avoid oxidative damage. Although naringin is an active easily found in citrus fruits, it has low bioavailability, biodistribution and also undergoes biotransformation in naringenin, limiting the described effects. The use of nanocapsules as drug carriers may increase solubility, improve biodistribution, impede the biotransformation thereof, and thus could improve the performance of naringin for use in treating neurological diseases. Therefore, the objective of this work is to produce a nanocapsule containing naringin, validate an analytical method by RP-HPLC to determination of the drug in nanoparticle and evaluate the toxicity. To that end, the blank nanocapsules (NB, without the drug) or naringin-loaded nanocapsules (NN) at the concentration of 2 mg/mL were prepared by interfacial deposition of the preformed polymer and the quantification of naringin by HPLC. Toxicity of the formulations was evaluated in vitro in rat hippocampal slices and in vivo models with C. elegans and Danio rerio (zebrafish). The analytical parameters evaluated (linearity, limit of detection and quantification, specificity, precision, accuracy and robustness) indicated adequate method to assay of naringin in nanocapsules by HPLC. There was no indication of toxicity by the nanocapsules in the evaluated biological assays.

Nonphotochemical laser-induced nucleation of nematic phase and alignment of nematic director from a supercooled thermotropic liquid crystal.

A nonphotochemical laser-induced phase transition was studied in a supercooled 4;{'}-n -pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB, also referred to as PCB and K15) liquid crystal, using linearly polarized 45 ps light pulses at a wavelength of 532 nm. The laser induced nucleation from the metastable supercooled isotropic phase to the nematic phase during slow cooling (0.001 degrees C/min) and high light intensity (3.9 MW/cm{2}) . The resulting nematic director tended to be aligned along the direction of the plane of polarization of the light. At the intensities used, there is no observable laser-induced realignment of the director once the sample is in the nematic phase, nor any permanent laser-induced ordering when the sample is illuminated only in the stable isotropic phase during slow cooling. These experimental results are consistent with a mechanism based on optical Kerr alignment.

Pacientes oncológicos sob cuidados paliativos: ocorrências relacionadas à punção venosa e hipodermóclise / Cancer patients in Palliative Care: occurrences related to venipuncture and hypodermoclysis / Pacientes con cáncer en cuidados paliativos: eventos relacionados con la venopunción y la hipodermoclisis

Resumo Objetivo: identificar as ocorrências relacionadas à punção venosa periférica e à hipodermóclise entre pacientes internados em um hospital geral e em um hospital exclusivo de assistência a pacientes em cuidados paliativos oncológicos. Método: estudo observacional, descritivo e multicêntrico. A amostra do tipo consecutiva e não probabilística foi constituída por 160 pacientes oncológicos internados sob cuidados paliativos. A variável desfecho correspondeu às ocorrências e complicações relacionadas a cada tipo de punção. Utilizou-se um questionário contendo as variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas e um roteiro estruturado para acompanhamento e avaliação diária da punção. Foram utilizadas estatísticas descritivas para a análise dos dados. Resultados: as ocorrências relacionadas à punção venosa no hospital geral foram sujidade de sangue na inserção do cateter (17,4 %) e prazo de uso expirado (15,8%), enquanto no serviço específico para atendimento a pacientes sob cuidados paliativos foram prazo de uso expirado (32%) seguido de infiltração (18,9%). Quanto à hipodermóclise, foram duas punções subcutâneas com sinais flogísticos (1,0%) no hospital geral e um hematoma no local de inserção do cateter (0,5%). No serviço específico para atendimento a pacientes sob cuidados paliativos foram três punções subcutâneas com sinais flogísticos (5,7%). Conclusão: as ocorrências relacionadas à punção venosa periférica foram superiores às relacionadas à hipodermóclise.

Abstract Objective: to identify the occurrences related to peripheral venipuncture and hypodermoclysis among patients hospitalized in a general hospital and in an exclusive hospital institution for the care of patients in palliative cancer care. Method: an observational, descriptive and multicenter study. The consecutive and non-probabilistic sample consisted of 160 cancer patients hospitalized in Palliative Care. The outcome variable corresponded to the occurrences and complications related to each type of puncture. A questionnaire containing the sociodemographic and clinical variables and a structured script for monitoring and daily evaluation of the puncture were used. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. Results: the occurrences related to venipuncture at a general hospital were blood soiling at catheter insertion (17.4%) and expired use period (15.8%), while at a specific service for the care of patients under palliative care they were expired use period (32%) followed by infiltration (18.9%). As for hypodermoclysis, there were two subcutaneous punctures with phlogistic signs (1.0%) at the general hospital and a hematoma at the catheter insertion site (0.5%). At the specific service for the care of patients under palliative care there were three subcutaneous punctures with phlogistic signs (5.7%). Conclusion: the number of occurrences related to peripheral venipuncture was higher than those related to hypodermoclysis.

Resumen Objetivo: identificar los eventos relacionados con la venopunción periférica y la hipodermoclisis en pacientes hospitalizados en un hospital general y en un hospital que atiende exclusivamente a pacientes en cuidados paliativos oncológicos. Método: estudio observacional, descriptivo y multicéntrico. La muestra consecutiva y no probabilística estuvo compuesta por 160 pacientes oncológicos hospitalizados que reciben cuidados paliativos. La variable resultado correspondió a los eventos y complicaciones relacionados con cada tipo de punción. Se utilizó un cuestionario con variables sociodemográficas y clínicas y una guía estructurada para el seguimiento diario y la evaluación de la punción. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva para el análisis de datos. Resultados: los eventos relacionados con la venopunción en un hospital general fueron contaminación de sangre en la inserción del catéter (17,4%) y catéter vencido (15,8%), mientras que en un hospital específico que atiende exclusivamente a pacientes en cuidados paliativos oncológicos fueron catéter vencido (32%) seguido de infiltración (18,9%). En cuanto a la hipodermoclisis, hubo dos punciones subcutáneas con signos flogísticos (1,0%) en hospital general y un hematoma en el lugar de inserción del catéter (0,5%). En el hospital en un hospital que atiende exclusivamente a pacientes en cuidados paliativos oncológicos hubo tres punciones subcutáneas con signos flogísticos (5,7%). Conclusión: los eventos relacionados con la venopunción periférica fueron mayores que los relacionados con la hipodermoclisis.

Group cognitive-behavioral therapy versus sertraline for the treatment of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (GCBT) and of sertraline in treatment-naïve children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. METHOD: Between 2000 and 2002, 40 subjects between 9 and 17 years old were randomized to receive GCBT (n = 20) or sertraline (n = 20). GCBT consisted of a manual-based 12-week cognitive-behavioral protocol adapted for groups, and treatment with sertraline involved medication intake for 12 weeks. Subjects were assessed before, during, and after treatment (at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after treatment conclusion). Primary outcome measure was the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were done. RESULTS: Both GCBT and sertraline conditions had significant improvement in obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms as measured by the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale after 12 weeks of treatment. After the 9-month follow-up period, subjects in the GCBT condition had a significantly lower rate of symptom relapse than those in the sertraline group. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with GCBT may be effective in decreasing obsessive-compulsive symptoms in childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder and should be considered as an alternative to either individual cognitive-behavioral therapy or a medication, such as sertraline. Results support the effectiveness and the maintenance of gains of GCBT in the treatment of youngsters with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Caracterização de pacientes sob cuidados paliativos submetidos à punção venosa periférica e à hipodermóclise / Caracterización de pacientes en atención paliativa sometidos a una punción venosa periférica e hipodermoclisis / Characterization of patients under palliative care submitted to peripheral venipuncture and hypodermoclysis

Objetivo: caracterizar os pacientes oncológicos internados sob cuidados paliativos submetidos à punção venosa periférica e a hipodermóclise, segundo as variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas. Método: estudo observacional, descritivo e prospectivo. Foram realizadas entrevistas com o paciente e/ou seu cuidador, consulta ao prontuário, avaliação e acompanhamento diário da punção. Resultados: participaram do estudo 45 pacientes de ambos os sexos e com idade superior a 18 anos. A avaliação funcional dos pacientes, no momento da internação, foi de 30%, indicando pacientes extremamente incapacitados e com necessidade de hospitalização. Os sintomas mais frequentes apresentados pelos pacientes no dia da internação foram inapetência, sonolência, fadiga, dispneia e dor. O número de punções venosas periféricas foi superior ao número de hipodermóclises realizadas. Conclusão: os dados analisados permitiram caracterizar o perfil de pacientes oncológicos internados sob cuidados paliativos e a terapêutica adotada para a terapia medicamentosa. Pôde-se, ainda, identificar a baixa adesão da equipe à realização da hipodermóclise, o que remete à necessidade da realização de mais estudos com altos níveis de evidência para embasar a prática assistencial da equipe de enfermagem e contribuir para a qualidade de vida do paciente.(AU)

Objective: To characterize cancer patients hospitalized under palliative care who underwent peripheral venipuncture and hypodermoclysis according to sociodemographic and clinical variables. Method: This is an observational, descriptive, and prospective study. Interviews were carried out with the patients and/or their caregiver, as well as consultation of medical records, evaluation, and daily monitoring of the puncture. Results: 45 patients of both genders and of 18+ years of age participated in the study. The functional assessment of patients at admission was 30%, indicating extremely disabled patients and in need of hospitalization. The most frequent symptoms presented by patients on the day of hospitalization were lack of appetite, drowsiness, fatigue, dyspnea, and pain. The number of peripheral venipunctures was higher than the number of hypodermoclyses performed. Conclusion: The analyzed data allowed to characterize the profile of cancer patients hospitalized under palliative care and the therapy adopted for drug therapy. It was also possible to identify the low adherence of the team to the performance of hypodermoclysis, which refers to the need for further studies with high levels of evidence to support the care practice of the nursing team and contribute to the patient's quality of life(AU)

Objetivo: caracterizar los pacientes con cáncer hospitalizados bajo cuidados paliativos, que se sometieron a venopunción periférica e hipodermoclisis de acuerdo con variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Método: estudio observacional, descriptivo y prospectivo. Se realizaron entrevistas con el paciente y / o su cuidador, consulta de historias clínicas, evaluación y seguimiento diario de la punción. Resultados: 45 pacientes de ambos sexos y mayores de 18 años participaron en el estudio. La evaluación funcional de los pacientes al ingreso fue del 30%, lo que indica pacientes extremadamente discapacitados y que necesitan hospitalización. Los síntomas más frecuentes que presentaron el día de la hospitalización fueron: falta de apetito, somnolencia, fatiga, disnea y dolor. El número de punciones venosas periféricas fue mayor que el número de hipodermoclisis realizado. Conclusión: los datos analizados permitieron caracterizar el perfil de pacientes con cáncer hospitalizados bajo cuidados paliativos y el tratamiento adoptado para la terapia farmacológica. También fue posible identificar la baja adhesión del equipo a la realización de la hipodermoclisis, lo que remite a la necesidad de realizar más estudios con altos niveles de evidencia para apoyar la práctica de atención del equipo de enfermería y contribuir a la calidad de vida del paciente(AU)

Queixa de vertigem e prática de atividade física regular em idosos / Vertigo complaint and regular physical activity in the elderly

OBJETIVO: investigar a presença de queixa de vertigem em pacientes idosos associando-a a prática de atividade física regular. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo transversal com inclusão de indivíduos idosos com vida independente. A prática de exercícios físicos foi verificada por meio da aplicação de um questionário com perguntas objetivas a respeito da pratica exercícios físicos e queixa de vertigem. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio dos testes Qui-quadrado e Risco Relativo. RESULTADOS: a amostra foi constituída por 494 indivíduos de 60 a 95 anos e pode-se verificar que houve a associação significante (p = 0,001) entre a falta de prática de atividade física regular e queixa de vertigem e que as pessoas que não praticam atividades físicas têm 2,38 mais chances de ter vertigem do que as que praticam atividades físicas regularmente. Há constatação da associação da vertigem e falta de prática de atividade física nesta população. Houve também associação entre a falta de atividade física regular e queixa de vertigem no gênero feminino, porém, não houve esta associação no gênero masculino. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo a presença de queixa de vertigem foi menor nos idosos praticantes de atividade física regular.

PURPOSE: to investigate the presence of vertigo in elderly patients by associating it with the practice of regular physical activity. METHODS: a cross-sectional study including elderly individuals with independent living. The physical exercise was assessed by a questionnaire with objective questions about the practice exercises and vertigo, Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square and relative risk. RESULT: the sample consisted of 494 individuals from 60 to 95 years and was verify that there was a significant association (p = 0.001) between the lack of regular physical activity and vertigo and people who not practice activities physical are 2.38 more likely to have vertigo than those who engage in regular physical activity. It was observed an association of vertigo and lack of physical activity. There was also a correlation between lack of regular physical activity and vertigo in females, but there was no such association in males. CONCLUSION: In this study the presence of vertigo complaint was lower in elderly practitioners of regular physical activity.

Photonics and lasing in liquid crystal materials.

Owing to fundamental reasons of symmetry, liquid crystals are soft materials. This softness allows long length-scales, large susceptibilities and the existence of modulated phases, which respond readily to external fields. Liquid crystals with such phases are tunable, self-assembled, photonic band gap materials; they offer exciting opportunities both in basic science and in technology. Since the density of photon states is suppressed in the stop band and is enhanced at the band edges, these materials may be used as switchable filters or as mirrorless lasers. Disordered periodic liquid crystal structures can show random lasing. We highlight recent advances in this rapidly growing area, and discuss future prospects in emerging liquid crystal materials. Liquid crystal elastomers and orientationally ordered nanoparticle assemblies are of particular interest.