Behavioral alterations, brain oxidative stress, and elevated levels of corticosterone associated with a pressure injury model in male mice.

OBJECTIVES: Sustained stress can cause physiological disruption in crucial systems like the endocrine, autonomic, and central nervous system. In general, skin damages are physical stress present in hospitalized patients. Also, these pressure injuries lead to pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the neurobiology of mood disorders. Here, we aimed to investigate the behavioral alterations, oxidative stress, and corticosterone levels in the brain areas of mice submitted to the model of pressure injury (PI). METHODS: The male mice behaviors were assessed in the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPM), tail suspension test (TST), and sucrose preference test (SPT). Then, we isolated the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HP), and striatum (ST) by brain dissection. The nonprotein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the brain, and also the plasma corticosterone levels were verified. RESULTS: PI model decreased the locomotor activity of animals (p<0.05). Considering the EPM test, the PI group showed a decrease in the open arm activity (p<0.01), and an increase in the closed arm activity (p<0.05). PI group showed an increment in the immobility time (p<0.001), and reduced sucrose consumption (p<0.0001) compared to the control groups. Regarding the oxidative/nitrosative profile, all brain areas from the PI group exhibited a reduction in the NP-SH levels (p<0.0001-p<0.01), and an increase in the MDA level (p<0.001-p<0.01). Moreover, the PI male mice presented increased levels of plasma corticosterone (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the PI model induces depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. Furthermore, it induces pathophysiological mechanisms like the neurobiology of depression.

Stigmatising Attitudes Towards Suicide by Gender and Age / Actitudes Estigmatizadoras Hacia el Suicidio por Género y Edad

Abstract This cross-sectional study aimed to analyse the association between gender, age, and stigmatising attitudes towards suicide. We collected a non-probabilistic sample of 344 Portuguese individuals aged 16 to 66. The data were collected via questionnaire and then analysed with frequency analysis and chi-squared test. Results suggest that more men revealed stigmatising attitudes. However, the gender effect was more evident within adolescents than within adults. An age effect was also found, revealing that adults hold more stigmatising attitudes than adolescents, but this effect was more evident within female gender. Furthermore, all participants considered that suicide attempters should undergo psychotherapy. These results suggest that gender and age are relevant variables in the development of suicide prevention measures focused on reducing stigma and promoting help-seeking.

Resumen Este estudio transversal tuvo como objetivo analizar la asociación entre el género, la edad y las actitudes estigmatizadoras hacia el suicidio. Se seleccionó una muestra no probabilística de 344 individuos de la población portuguesa de entre 16 y 66 años. Los datos fueron recogidos a través de un cuestionario y posteriormente analizados con análisis de frecuencias y la prueba del Chi-cuadrado. Los resultados sugieren que más hombres revelaron actitudes estigmatizadoras. Sin embargo, el efecto de género fue más evidente en los adolescentes que en los adultos. También se encontró un efecto de la edad, mostrando que los adultos tienen actitudes más estigmatizadoras que los adolescentes, pero este efecto fue más evidente dentro del género femenino. Además, todos los participantes consideraron que los que intentan suicidarse deberían someterse a psicoterapia. Estos resultados sugieren que el género y la edad son variables relevantes en el desarrollo de medidas de prevención del suicidio centradas en reducir el estigma y promover la búsqueda de ayuda.

Feeding and reproductive patterns of Astyanax intermedius in a headwater stream of Atlantic Rainforest.

In this paper, we determined diet composition, reproductive periodicity and fecundity of Astyanax intermedius in a headwater stream of a State Park of an Atlantic rainforest. We also evaluated the influence of rainfall, water temperature and fish size on niche width and niche overlap. Sampling was conducted monthly throughout one year in the Ribeirão Grande stream, southeastern Brazil. Diet consisted of 31 food items with equal contribution of allochthonous and autochthonous items. Females were larger than males, and the mean sizes at first maturation were 4.44 cm and 3.92 cm, respectively. Based on 212 pairs of mature ovaries, the number of oocytes per female ranged from 538 to 6,727 (mean = 2,688.7). Niche width and niche overlap were not related to rainfall nor water temperature and only niche width increased with fish size, suggesting that as fish grow, more items are included in diet. Our results suggested that A. intermedius fit as a typical opportunistic strategist which may explain the prevalence of this species in several isolated headwater basins of vegetated Atlantic forested streams where food resources are abundant and distributed throughout the year.

Respiratory syncytial virus epidemic periods in an equatorial city of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Characterization of the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) season at the local level has important implications for appropriate decisions on the time period for administration of specific prophylaxis. OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe five consecutive epidemic periods of HRSV in an equatorial city of Brazil and (2) to show preliminary data on genomic diversity of circulating HRSV. PATIENTS/METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirates of 2885 children attending the emergency room and wards of a public hospital were collected and screened by indirect immunofluorescence for HRSV infections during five consecutive years (from January 2004 to December 2008). In addition, the genetic and antigenic variability of the HRSV strains isolated was evaluated by partial nucleotide sequencing of the protein G gene. RESULTS: HRSV was detected in 15·8% of the analyzed samples. HRSV seasons occurred in a restricted period of each year. The onset of each HRSV season was variable (February to May), but the end always occurred in July. From the 456 HRSV infections found, 86 cases with bronchiolitis were genotyped. Both HRSV subgroups (A and B) cocirculated during the five epidemic periods. The 58 HRSV-A strains grouped into two clades, GA2 and GA5. In respect of the HRSV-B strains, the 28 samples grouped into two clades: GB3 and BA. CONCLUSIONS: HRSV accounts for a substantial proportion of ARI in the study population. As in temperate countries, HRSV infections in this equatorial area of Brazil also cause seasonal yearly epidemics, and this has implications for prophylaxis strategies. The city of Fortaleza follows the same worldwide trend of circulation of genotypes of HRSV.

Uma revisão do conceito all-on-four / All-on-four concept: a literature review

Grandes avanços na história da Implantodontia vêm sendo documentados, porém, existem ainda algumas limitações no tratamento reabilitador com implantes dentários, o que desafia os profissionais a buscarem novas opções de tratamento. Pacientes que apresentam atrofia maxilar necessitam de procedimentos mais complexos, como enxertos ósseos extensos. Uma proposta de tratamento mais simplificada, com menor morbidade e menor tempo de tratamento, foi desenvolvida (Sistema all-on-four). Essa proposta de tratamento se baseia na redução do número de implantes compensada por um maior espaçamento entre eles, além da utilização dos implantes distais inclinados unidos por uma estrutura rígida que favorece a biomecânica e diminui a extensão do cantiléver.

Important progresses in the history of implants have been documented, but there are still some limitations in treatment rehabilitation with dental implants, challenging professionals to search for new treatment alternatives. Patients, with maxillary atrophy demand more complex procedures such as extensive bone grafts. A basic proposal for a treatment with lower morbidity and short-term duration has been developed (The All-on-Four Concept). This is based on reducing the number of implants compensated by an enlarged space between them, besides the use of tilted distal implants connected through a rigid structure that favors biomechanics and reduces cantilever extension.

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana in vitro do extrato de Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC / Evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activity of Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. extract

Diversas espécies de Tabernaemontana têm sido estudadas devido a diversidade de alcalóides com atividade farmacológica. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade antimicrobiana in vitro do extrato das cascas do caule de Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC.em cepas de Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa, microrganismos causadores de diversas infecções. Os testes de susceptibilidade bacteriana foram realizados usando o método de Kirby Bauer, consistindo na difusão em disco do antibiótico em meio de cultivo Mueller Hinton. Os testes de inibição foram realizados com soluções do extrato bruto seco de T. catharinensis dissolvido em etanol 70 por cento (v/v) na concentração 1,0 mg mL-1, que aplicada nos discos de área 20 mm², apresentaram concentração de 0,005 mg mm-2. Como controle negativo, realizou-se ensaios com placas contendo P. aeruginosa, e discos com etanol 70 por cento (v/v), e como controle positivo, discos com os antibióticos ceftriaxona sódica (0,25 mg mm-2 de área do disco), tetraciclina (0,005 mg mm-2) e cefalexina (0,005 mg mm-2). A solução do extrato na concentração de 0,005 mg mm-2 inibiu o Staphylococcus aureus, com diâmetro médio do halo de 0,6 cm. O halo de inibição para o Pseudomonas aeruginosa foi em média 1,2 cm. A tetraciclina, a cefalexina, e o controle negativo (etanol 70 por cento v/v) não demonstraram ação antimicrobiana. O halo de inibição usando ceftriaxona foi em média 2,2 cm para P. aeruginosa e 1,0 cm para Staphylococcus aureus.

Several Tabernaemontana species have been studied due to their several alkaloids with pharmacological activity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial action of the extract from stem barks of Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, microorganisms that cause several infections. Bacterial susceptibility tests were performed by the Kirby-Bauer method, consisting in antibiotic disk diffusion in Mueller Hinton medium. Inhibition tests were performed with solutions of T. catharinensis dry crude extract dissolved in ethanol 70 percent (v/v) at 1.0 mg mL-1, which became 0.005 mg mm-2 when applied to 20 mm² disks. As negative control, assays were carried out in plates containing P. aeruginosa and disks with ethanol 70 percent (v/v). Positive control consisted of disks containing the antibiotics ceftriaxone sodium (0.25 mg mm-2 disk area), tetracycline (0.005 mg mm-2) and cephalexin (0.005 mg mm-2). Extract solution at 0.005 mg mm-2 inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, with 0.6cm halo mean diameter. The inhibition halo for Pseudomonas aeruginosa was on average 1.2 cm. Tetracycline, cephalexin and negative control (ethanol 70 percent v/v) did not show antimicrobial action, whereas ceftriaxone sodium resulted in 2.2 and 1.0cm mean inhibition halo diameters for P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively.

A chemometric study of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors.

This work presents a chemometric classification for a set of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, based on a pattern recognition method widely used in quantitative structure-activity (QSAR) studies, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), aiming to access the most relevant structural and physicochemical variables related to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition and to quantify the similarity of the structures within the set of inhibitors. Our model is capable of classifying a test set of 26 known phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in terms of similarity, the results being consistent with published experimental data.

Surface modification with phosphoric acid of SiO2/Nb2O5 prepared by the sol-gel method: structural-textural and acid sites studies and an ion exchange model.

In this work, the structural and textural properties of the SiO2/Nb2O5 system prepared by the sol-gel method and then modified by phosphoric acid were studied. The different materials were prepared, with three different mol % Nb2O5 (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mol %), and calcined in the temperature range of 423-1273 K. BET specific surface area determinations, scanning electron microscopy connected to a X-ray emission analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for the investigation. For the lowest temperature of calcination (423 K), the mesopores and micropores of the modified material were blocked, resulting in a decrease of the specific surface area compared to the SBET values obtained for the SiNb matrix. Under intermediate temperatures of calcination (423-873 K), the modified material acquired textural stability. By XPS analysis, the presence of the dihydrogenphosphate species was identified, the P/Nb atomic ratios being independent of the thermal treatment. 31P magic angle spinning NMR confirmed the XPS data and also showed that the chemical shift of the (H2PO4)- ions strongly depended on the crystallization degree of the Nb2O5. Structural thermal stability was also shown by the presence of Brønsted acid sites in the modified material calcined at high temperature (1273 K). The thermal stability is directly associated with obtainment of the same value for K+ exchange capacity (0.74 mmol g(-1), average value) for the modified materials calcined at 423 and 1273 K. The chemical analyses of phosphorus for the modified materials were made by using the inductively coupled plasma. The value was 0.36 mmol g(-1), corroborating the presence of (H2PO4)- ions. The ion exchange isotherms presented an S-shaped form characteristic of energetically heterogeneous ion exchangers, permitting application of a model of fixed polydentate centers, in which ion exchange took place.