Psychological stress factors and salivary cortisol in nursing students throughout their training.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze psychological stress factors and salivary cortisol concentration in nursing undergraduates throughout their training. METHOD: a cross-sectional, analytical, and comparative study carried out in an evening course using a sociodemographic questionnaire, an Instrument to Assess Stress in Nursing Students, and salivary cortisol analysis. The study included descriptive and comparative analyses and a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: 187 participants answered the questionnaires, and 129 had their cortisol quantified. The domains Practical Activities Execution, Professional Communication, and Professional Training represented the stress factors with the highest mean values for 3rd, 4th, and 5th-year students compared to 1st and 2nd year. For the 5th year, it was the domains Professional Communication and Professional Training compared to the 3rd year and Environment compared to the 1st and 3rd year. A significant result was obtained between the times of cortisol collections for males (p < 0.0001), females (p < 0.0001), and for 1st (p = 0.0319) 2nd (p = 0.0245), and 5th (p < 0.0001) years. CONCLUSION: Students in years 3 through 5 had higher exposure to stressors, and there were adjustments in cortisol production rhythmicity for students in years 1, 2, and 5.

Psychological stress factors and salivary cortisol in nursing students throughout their training / Factores de estrés psicológico y cortisol salivar en alumnos de enfermería a lo largo de la formación / Fatores de estresse psicológico e cortisol salivar em alunos de enfermagem ao longo da formação

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze psychological stress factors and salivary cortisol concentration in nursing undergraduates throughout their training. Method: a cross-sectional, analytical, and comparative study carried out in an evening course using a sociodemographic questionnaire, an Instrument to Assess Stress in Nursing Students, and salivary cortisol analysis. The study included descriptive and comparative analyses and a multiple linear regression model. Results: 187 participants answered the questionnaires, and 129 had their cortisol quantified. The domains Practical Activities Execution, Professional Communication, and Professional Training represented the stress factors with the highest mean values for 3rd, 4th, and 5th-year students compared to 1st and 2nd year. For the 5th year, it was the domains Professional Communication and Professional Training compared to the 3rd year and Environment compared to the 1st and 3rd year. A significant result was obtained between the times of cortisol collections for males (p < 0.0001), females (p < 0.0001), and for 1st (p = 0.0319) 2nd (p = 0.0245), and 5th (p < 0.0001) years. Conclusion: Students in years 3 through 5 had higher exposure to stressors, and there were adjustments in cortisol production rhythmicity for students in years 1, 2, and 5.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar los factores de estrés psicológico y la concentración de cortisol salivar de estudiantes de enfermería a lo largo de su formación. Método: es un estudio transversal, analítico y comparativo realizado en un curso nocturno mediante cuestionario sociodemográfico, Instrumento para Evaluación del Estrés en Estudiantes de Enfermería y análisis del cortisol salivar. Se llevaron a cabo diversos análisis descriptivos, comparativos y modelo de regresión linear múltiple. Resultados: 187 respondieron a los cuestionarios y a 129 se les cuantificó el cortisol. Los dominios Realización de Actividades Prácticas, Comunicación Profesional y Formación Profesional representaron los factores de estrés con los valores medios más altos en los estudiantes de 3er, 4º y 5º año en comparación con los de 1er y 2º año. Para el 5º año fueron los dominios Comunicación Profesional y Formación Profesional en comparación con el 3er año y Medio Ambiente en comparación con el 1er y 3er año. Se obtuvo un resultado significativo entre los momentos de las recogidas de cortisol de los hombres (p < 0,0001), de las mujeres (p < 0,0001), y del 1er (p = 0,0319), 2º (p = 0,0245) y 5º (p < 0,0001) año. Conclusión: los alumnos de 3er a 5º año tuvieron una mayor exposición a los estresores y hubo ajustes en la ritmicidad de la producción de cortisol en los alumnos de 1er, 2º y 5º año.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar os fatores de estresse psicológico e a concentração de cortisol salivar de graduandos de Enfermagem ao longo da formação. Método: estudo transversal, analítico e comparativo realizado em curso noturno por meio de questionário sociodemográfico, Instrumento para Avaliação de Estresse em Estudantes de Enfermagem e análise do cortisol salivar. Foram feitas análises descritivas, comparativas e modelo de regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: um total de 187 responderam aos questionários, e 129 tiveram o cortisol quantificado. Os domínios Realização das Atividades Práticas, Comunicação Profissional e Formação Profissional representaram os fatores de estresse com os maiores valores médios para alunos do 3º, 4º e 5º anos em comparação ao 1º e 2º anos. Para o 5º ano, foram os domínios Comunicação Profissional e Formação Profissional em relação ao 3º ano e Ambiente em comparação ao 1º e 3º anos. Obteve-se resultado significativo entre os horários das coletas de cortisol para homens (p < 0,0001), mulheres (p < 0,0001) e para o 1º (p = 0,0319) 2º (p = 0,0245) e 5º (p < 0,0001) anos. Conclusão alunos do 3º ao 5º ano tiveram maior exposição aos fatores de estresse, e houve ajustes na ritmicidade de produção do cortisol para alunos do 1º, 2º e 5º anos.

The influence of angiotensin II and RAAS blockers on lipolytic and glycolytic activity in isolated adipocytes from Wistar, Wistar-Kyoto and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is related to dysfunctional adipose tissue, but the actions of angiotensin II (AII) in adipocytes remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RAAS blockers and AII in lipolysis and glycolysis from isolated adipocytes in Wistar (WIS), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR). Adipocytes from 15-weeks-old WIS, WKY and SHR were incubated with AII (10-17 M to 10-6 M) and noradrenaline (NOR - 10-10 M to 10-4 M) in presence or not of antagonists (Losartan Potassium 10-4 M, PD 123319 5.6 nM or co-incubation). Glycerol and lactate production in WIS and WKY were not affected by the RAAS blockade. SHR glycerol was attenuated by the blockers but lactate was not affected. NOR induced increase in glycerol from 10-7 M for all strains. Normotensive rats are not affected by blockers but decreased lipolytic activity ins SHR. The SHR hypolipodistrophy cannot be related to any disturbance in lipolytic or glycolytic upstream pathways.

The impact of confinement in the psychosocial behaviour due COVID-19 among members of a Brazilian university.

BACKGROUND: The current situation due COVID-19 may cause an eminent impact on mental health because the confinement restrictions. AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare perceived stress, resilience, depression symptoms and coping strategies on the members of University of Campinas, in Brazil, before and during the outbreak of the COVID-19. METHODS: Volunteers over 18 years of both sexes, members of the University of Campinas (Unicamp) in Brazil answered instruments related to perceived stress, depression, resilience and coping strategies during final exams at the end of semester during 2018 to 2020. RESULTS: We obtained 1,135 responses (893 before COVID-19 and 242 during COVID-19). The volunteers did not show significant differences for perceived stress, depressive signs and resilience before and during the pandemic. In both periods, men exhibited lower scores for perceived stress and depression and higher scores for resilience when compared to women. Undergraduate and graduate students exhibited higher perceived stress scores, more pronounced depressive signs and lower resilience, and employees and professors presented lower scores for perceived stress, depressive signs and greater resilience. CONCLUSIONS: These first months of confinement did not directly affect the scores of perceived stress, depression and resilience, however, each subgroup adapted to the new routine by changing the coping strategy used. This study suggests the importance of monitoring the mental health of member in the university, especially in times of epidemic, in the search for policies that aim to improve the resilience of the population and seek positive and effective coping strategies within the university environment.

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Hypertension Models

Abstract Background: Hypertensive condition can lead to abnormalities in heart structure and electrical activity. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart and widely used to diagnose and detect heart problem. Objective: We conducted a comparative ECG analysis between two hypertension models (L-NAME and SHR) and their controls (Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto) at six and 15 th week of age. Methods: Blood pressure was measured at the end of the 15 th week, and electrocardiography was performed at six and 15 weeks of age in anaesthetized rats. Data normality was confirmed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test followed by unpaired Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney for parametric and non-parametric data, respectively. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. The accepted level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: L-NAME exhibited prolongation of JT and QT intervals and SHR showed a decrease in heart rate when compared to Wistar-Kyoto and L-NAME. Wistar-Kyoto exhibited short PR interval with increased QRS complex, and only QT prolongation at 15 weeks compared to Wistar. Conclusions: All the hypertension models used in this study featured an increase in blood pressure. However, while SHR showed cardiac dysfunction, L-NAME exhibited changes in ventricular performance. These results may guide future studies on different types and models of hypertension.

The influence of hypertensive environment on adipose tissue remodeling measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

There is a lack of information correlating low adiposity with hypertension experienced by Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHR) or overweight and normotension in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). We aimed to investigate this lipodystrophy phenomenon by measuring fluorescence lifetime (FLIM), optical redox ratio (ORR), serum levels of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and/or hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) hormones axes between Wistar, WKY and SHR before and after establishment of hypertension. Under high blood pressure, we evaluated serum adipokines. Brown adipose tissue was characterized as lower ORR and shorter FLIM compared to white adipose tissue. HPT axis showed a crucial role in the SHR adipose tissue configuration by attenuating whitening. The increased adiposity in WKY may act as a preventive agent for hypertension, since SHR, with low adiposity, establishes the disease. The hypertensive environment can highlight key adipokines that may result in new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of adiposity dysfunctions and hypertension.

Efeito agudo da drenagem linfática manual sobre a natriurese e lipólise de mulheres jovens / Acute effect of manual lymphatic drainage on natriuresis and lipolysis in young women

Fundamentos: A importância da validação científica de técnicas coadjuvantes a diversos tratamentos de saúde é inquestionável. Desta forma, a influência da drenagem linfática manual (DLM) na natriurese e na lipólise sob interação de anticoncepcional oral precisa ser investigada. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito agudo da DLM sobre a natriurese e lipólise de mulheres jovens usuárias ou não de anticoncepcional oral. Método: Participaram 29 mulheres não usuárias de anticoncepcional oral e 29 usuárias, autodeclaradas saudáveis, sedentárias e eutróficas. As análises foram realizadas em dois dias distintos, Controle (C), sem intervenção terapêutica e DLM. Nos dias C e DLM coletamos 4 amostras de urina com intervalos de 60 min. Seguimos o método de Leduc, abdomem e membros inferiores, durante 45 min. Analisamos o fluxo urinário e excreção urinária e sódio, glicerol e peptideo natriurético atrial. A normalidade dos dados foi analisada pelo teste Shapiro-Wilk. Os dados que não obedeceram à normalidade foram apresentados em mediana e intervalo interquartil (25%-75%), enquanto os que obedeceram foram apresentados em média ± erro padrão. O teste de Mann-Whitney foi usado para dados não pareados e Wilcoxon para dados pareados. Dados com normalidade foram avaliados pelo teste t-Student não pareado. O nível de significância estatística adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: O efeito agudo de uma sessão de DLM promove aumento da natriurese em mulheres não usuárias de anticoncepcional oral, por outro lado, em usuárias induz aumento na liberação de glicerol e de ANP

Background: The importance of scientific validation of supporting techniques to various treatments is unquestionable. In this context, the influence of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) on natriuresis and lipolysis and its interaction with oral contraceptives still need to be investigated. Objectives: To evaluate the acute effect of MLD on natriuresis and lipolysis in young women using or not oral contraceptives. Methods: Twenty-nine non-users of oral contraceptives and 29 oral contraceptive users, self-reported healthy, sedentary, normal weight women were enrolled. Analyses were conducted on two different days ­ control (C), without therapeutic intervention and MLD day. Four urine samples were collected at 60-minute intervals. MLD was performed in lower limbs and abdomen for 45 min following the Leduc method. Urinary flow rat e and urinary sodium, glycerol and atrial natriuretic peptide excretion were analyzed. Data normality was tested by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data without normal distribution were expressed as median and interquartile range (25%-75%), while normally distributed data were expressed as mean ± standard error. Mann-Whitney test was used for unpaired data and Wilcoxon test for paired data. Data with normal distribution were evaluated by the unpaired t-Student test. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: One MLD session had an acute effect on both groups, increasing natriuresis in non-users of oral contraceptives and glycerol and atrial natriuretic peptide excretion in oral contraceptive users. Conclusion: Oral contraceptives influence the effect of MLD on natriuresis

Massage therapy in cortisol circadian rhythm, pain intensity, perceived stress index and quality of life of fibromyalgia syndrome patients.

We investigate the effects of a massage therapy program (MTP) in cortisol concentration (CC), intensity of pain, quality of life and perceived stress index of fibromyalgia patients. Volunteers (n = 24, aged 26-55 years) were treated with MT, twice a week for three months. They answered the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ-Br), and collected saliva to evaluate CC before and after the end of each month. The MT had improvement in quality of life, according to the FIQ results, and promoted reduction in PSQ values after the second (PSQ2-0.62 ± 0.04vsPSQ0-0.71 ± 0.04) and third month (PSQ3-0.64 ± 0.04vsPSQ0-0.71 ± 0.04). The MTP also promoted reduction in pain after the third month (MQP-Br1-44.50 ± 2.15vsMQP-Br4-35.38 ± 3.71). Despite PSQ reduction, the CC were not affected by the program. This pilot suggests that this treatment improved quality of life, reduced perceived stress index and pain in these volunteers.

History of vascular reactivity models and their involvement in hypertension pathogenesis.

Hypertension is a silent and multifactorial disease. Over two centuries ago, the first device to record blood pressure was developed, making it possible to determine normotension and to establish criteria for hypertension. Since then, several studies have contributed to advance knowledge in this area, promoting significant advances in pharmacological treatments and, as a result, increasing survival of hypertensive people. The main models developed for the study of hypertension and the main findings in the vascular area are included in this review. We considered aspects related to vascular reactivity, changes in the population, and action of beta adrenergic receptors in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Ultrasound associated with caffeine increases basal and beta-adrenoceptor response in adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue in pigs.

BACKGROUND: The topical use of caffeine has been indicated for the lipodystrophies treatment as it promotes increased lipolysis. Ultrasound (US) is often used in cutaneous diseases, esthetic conditions, and as a skin permeation enhancer. OBJECTIVE: We investigate the lipolytic response of adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous adipose pigs tissue subjected to treatment with topical application of phonophoresis associated with caffeine. METHOD: We treated dorsal regions of pigs (Landrace × Large White, 35 days, 15 kg, n = 6) daily for 15 days with gel, gel + US [3 MHz, continuous, 0.2 Wcm(2), 1 min/cm(2), in total 2 min], gel + caffeine (5%w/w), and gel + caffeine + US. We used a fifth untreated region as control. Twenty-four hours after the last application, we isolated the adipocytes of each treated area and quantified the basal and stimulated lipolytic responses to isoprenaline. The results, in µmol glycerol/10(6)cells/60 min, were analyzed with analysis of variance or ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls test. The value of p < 0.05 was indicative of statistical difference. RESULTS: Only the adipocytes isolated from the area treated with caffeine + US showed increased basal lipolysis (0.76 ± 0.26; p = 0.0276) and maximal isoprenaline stimulation (0.38 ± 0.15, p = 0.0029) compared with the other areas. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that increased lipolysis of caffeine + US is due to an increase in basal and beta-adrenoceptor response by caffeine, and caffeine's effect is local, avoiding unwanted effects.

Acute and Chronic Effects of Tantric Yoga Practice on Distress Index.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acute and chronic effects of yoga practice. DESIGN: Quantitative study using a one-group pre-posttest design. SETTING: Visão Futuro Institute, Porangaba, São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 22 volunteers (7 men and 15 women). INTERVENTION: Six weeks of a tantric yoga program (TYP), 50 minutes per session, held twice a week from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The local ethics committee approved the protocol. OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected in the first week and at the end of the sixth week of TYP. Salivary cortisol concentration (SCC) was used to measure physiology of distress and to analyze the short- and long-term effects of TYP. Psychological distress was evaluated by applying a specific perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ). Results (mean±standard deviation) were analyzed by Wilcoxon test (p<0.05). RESULTS: SCC decreased 24% after the first (0.66±0.20 µg/dL versus 0.50±0.13 µg/dL) and last (1.01±0.37 versus 0.76±0.31 µg/dL) sessions, showing the short-term effect of yoga. Long-term effects were analyzed by daily rhythm of cortisol production. In the beginning, volunteers showed altered SCC during the day, with nighttime values (0.42±0.28) higher than those at noon (0.30±0.06). After the TYP, SCC was higher in the morning (1.01±0.37) and decreased during the day, with lower values before sleep (0.30±0.13). The TYP was also efficient to reduce PSQ scores (0.45±0.13 versus 0.39±0.07). Specifically, the irritability, tension, and fatigue domains on the PSQ decreased (0.60±0.20 versus 0.46±0.13), as did the fear and anxiety domains (0.54±0.30 versus 0.30±0.20). CONCLUSION: Over the short term, TYP led to the decrease of cortisol production. Over the long term, TYP induced higher cortisol production in the morning and lower production in the evening. Those effects contributed to the physical and mental well-being of the participants.

Vascular Response of Ruthenium Tetraamines in Aortic Ring from Normotensive Rats / Resposta Vascular de Tetra-Aminas de Rutênio em Anéis de Aorta de Ratos Normotensos

Background: Ruthenium (Ru) tetraamines are being increasingly used as nitric oxide (NO) carriers. In this context, pharmacological studies have become highly relevant to better understand the mechanism of action involved. Objective: To evaluate the vascular response of the tetraamines trans-[RuII(NH3)4(Py)(NO)]3+, trans-[RuII(Cl)(NO) (cyclan)](PF6)2, and trans-[RuII(NH3)4(4-acPy)(NO)]3+. Methods: Aortic rings were contracted with noradrenaline (10−6 M). After voltage stabilization, a single concentration (10−6 M) of the compounds was added to the assay medium. The responses were recorded during 120 min. Vascular integrity was assessed functionally using acetylcholine at 10−6 M and sodium nitroprusside at 10−6 M as well as by histological examination. Results: Histological analysis confirmed the presence or absence of endothelial cells in those tissues. All tetraamine complexes altered the contractile response induced by norepinephrine, resulting in increased tone followed by relaxation. In rings with endothelium, the inhibition of endothelial NO caused a reduction of the contractile effect caused by pyridine NO. No significant responses were observed in rings with endothelium after treatment with cyclan NO. In contrast, in rings without endothelium, the inhibition of guanylate cyclase significantly reduced the contractile response caused by the pyridine NO and cyclan NO complexes, and both complexes caused a relaxing effect. Conclusion: The results indicate that the vascular effect of the evaluated complexes involved a decrease in the vascular tone induced by norepinephrine (10−6 M) at the end of the incubation period in aortic rings with and without endothelium, indicating the slow release of NO from these complexes and suggesting that the ligands promoted chemical stability to the molecule. Moreover, we demonstrated that the association of Ru with NO is more stable when the ligands pyridine and cyclan ...

Fundamento: As tetra-aminas de rutênio cada vez mais se destacam como carreadoras da molécula de óxido nítrico. Desse modo, estudos farmacológicos tornam-se altamente relevantes, afim de melhor compreender o mecanismo de ação envolvido. Objetivo: Avaliar a resposta vascular das tetra-aminas trans-[RuII(NH3)4(Py)(NO)]3+, trans-[RuII(Cl)(NO)(Cyclan)](PF6)2 e trans-[RuII(NH3)4(4-acPy)(NO)]3+. Métodos: Anéis de aorta foram pré-contraídos com noradrenalina (10-6M). Após estabilização da tensão, concentração única (10-6M) dos compostos foi adicionada ao banho de incubação. As respostas foram registradas ao longo de 120 minutos. A integridade vascular foi avaliada funcionalmente (acetilcolina 10-6M; nitroprussiato de sódio 10-6M) e histologicamente Resultados: A análise histológica confirmou a presença ou não de células endoteliais nos tecidos analisados. Todos os complexos alteraram a resposta contrátil induzida pela noradrenalina, resultando em aumento de tônus seguido de efeito relaxante. Em anéis com endotélio, a inibição do óxido nítrico endotelial causou redução do efeito contrátil da piridina óxido nítrico. Não foram observadas respostas significativas em anéis com endotélio referente ao composto cyclan óxido nítrico. Por outro lado, em anéis sem endotélio, a inibição da guanilato ciclase reduziu significativamente a resposta contrátil dos complexos piridina óxido nítrico e cyclan óxido nítrico, levando ambos os compostos a um efeito relaxante. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o efeito vascular dos complexos avaliados apresentaram diminuição no tônus vascular induzido pela noradrenalina (10-6M) ao final do tempo de incubação, em anéis com e sem endotélio, indicando liberação lenta da molécula de óxido nítrico do composto estudado e sugerindo que os ligantes causaram estabilidade química à molécula. Demonstramos que a ligação rutênio óxido nítrico é mais estável quando utilizamos os ligantes piridina e cyclan para a formulação ...

Vascular response of ruthenium tetraamines in aortic ring from normotensive rats.

BACKGROUND: Ruthenium (Ru) tetraamines are being increasingly used as nitric oxide (NO) carriers. In this context, pharmacological studies have become highly relevant to better understand the mechanism of action involved. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the vascular response of the tetraamines trans-[Ru(II)(NH3)4(Py)(NO)](3+), trans-[Ru(II)(Cl)(NO) (cyclan)](PF6)2, and trans-[Ru(II)(NH3)4(4-acPy)(NO)](3+). METHODS: Aortic rings were contracted with noradrenaline (10(-6) M). After voltage stabilization, a single concentration (10(-6) M) of the compounds was added to the assay medium. The responses were recorded during 120 min. Vascular integrity was assessed functionally using acetylcholine at 10(-6) M and sodium nitroprusside at 10(-6) M as well as by histological examination. RESULTS: Histological analysis confirmed the presence or absence of endothelial cells in those tissues. All tetraamine complexes altered the contractile response induced by norepinephrine, resulting in increased tone followed by relaxation. In rings with endothelium, the inhibition of endothelial NO caused a reduction of the contractile effect caused by pyridine NO. No significant responses were observed in rings with endothelium after treatment with cyclan NO. In contrast, in rings without endothelium, the inhibition of guanylate cyclase significantly reduced the contractile response caused by the pyridine NO and cyclan NO complexes, and both complexes caused a relaxing effect. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the vascular effect of the evaluated complexes involved a decrease in the vascular tone induced by norepinephrine (10(-6) M) at the end of the incubation period in aortic rings with and without endothelium, indicating the slow release of NO from these complexes and suggesting that the ligands promoted chemical stability to the molecule. Moreover, we demonstrated that the association of Ru with NO is more stable when the ligands pyridine and cyclan are used in the formulation of the compound.

[Stress among nurses: an examination of salivary cortisol levels on work and day off]. / Estresse em enfermeiros: o uso do cortisol salivar no dia de trabalho e de folga.

The present study evaluates the use of salivary cortisol concentration as a physiological index of the stress level among nurses on their work day and day off and correlates it with the questionnaire used to measure occupational stress in nurses (Inventário de Estresse em Enfermeiros - IEE). This is a comparative, cross-sectional descriptive study in which sociodemographic data, IEE results and salivary cortisol levels were used. Fifty-seven nurses participated in the study (80.7% females and a mean age of 37.1 years old). The IEE average score was 124.5. The average cortisol level was 564.1 ng/m on work day and 354.1 ng/mL on day off. Nurses who had double workdays presented high values of salivary cortisol during the work day (638.1 ng/mL). In conclusion, salivary cortisol identified the nurses' stress level, and differences were found between a work day and day off. On the nurses' day off, their salivary cortisol levels and stress scores were lower.

Stress among nurses: an examination of salivary cortisol levels on work and day off / Estres en enfermeras: la utilizacion del cortisol salival durante el dia de trabajo y de descanso / Estresse em enfermeiros: o uso do cortisol salivar no dia de trabalho e de folga

The present study evaluates the use of salivary cortisol concentration as a physiological index of the stress level among nurses on their work day and day off and correlates it with the questionnaire used to measure occupational stress in nurses (Inventário de Estresse em Enfermeiros - IEE). This is a comparative, cross-sectional descriptive study in which sociodemographic data, IEE results and salivary cortisol levels were used. Fifty-seven nurses participated in the study (80.7% females and a mean age of 37.1 years old). The IEE average score was 124.5. The average cortisol level was 564.1 ng/m on work day and 354.1 ng/mL on day off. Nurses who had double workdays presented high values of salivary cortisol during the work day (638.1 ng/mL). In conclusion, salivary cortisol identified the nurses’ stress level, and differences were found between a work day and day off. On the nurses’ day off, their salivary cortisol levels and stress scores were lower.

Este estudio analizó la concentración de cortisol salival como indicativo del índice fisiológico del estrés en enfermeras durante la jornada de trabajo y de descanso, correlacionándolo con el inventario de estrés (IEE). Investigación descriptiva, transversal y comparativa, donde se utilizaron datos socio-demográficos, el IEE y las dosis de cortisol salival. Participaron 57 enfermeras (80.7 % mujeres, con edad promedio de 37.1 años). La puntuación promedio de IEE fue de 124,5. La concentración media de cortisol fue de 564.1 ng/ml en día de trabajo y de 354.1 ng/mL durante el descanso. Las enfermeras que realizaron doble jornada de trabajo, presentaron valores superiores en la concentración de cortisol salival durante la jornada de trabajo (638.1 ng/mL). Se concluyó que la concentración de cortisol en la saliva, identificó el grado de estrés de las enfermeras y la diferencia obtenida entre un día de trabajo y de descanso. En el día de descanso, la concentración de los valores de cortisol salival se mantuvo inferior, así como la puntuación de estrés.

Este estudo avalia a concentração de cortisol salivar como índice fisiológico indicativo do grau de estresse em enfermeiros no dia de trabalho e de folga, correlacionando-o com o questionário do estresse (IEE). Pesquisa descritiva, comparativa e transversal em que foram utilizados dados sociodemográficos, o IEE e as dosagens de cortisol salivar. Participaram 57 enfermeiros (80,7% do sexo feminino, média de 37,1 anos de idade). O escore médio do IEE foi 124,5. A concentração média de cortisol foi 564,1 ng/mL no dia de trabalho e de 354,1 ng/mL no de folga. Enfermeiros que realizavam dupla jornada de trabalho apresentaram valores na concentração de cortisol salivar superiores no dia de trabalho (638,1 ng/mL). Concluiu-se que a concentração salivar de cortisol identificou o grau de estresse de enfermeiros e a diferença obtida entre um dia de trabalho e de folga. No dia de folga, a concentração de cortisol salivar manteve valores inferiores, assim como o escore de estresse.

The effect of topical caffeine on the morphology of swine hypodermis as measured by ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Cellulite or lipodystrophy involves the modification of the subcutaneous adipose tissue. A wide variety of topical products is available to combat cellulite, but these have difficulties in being absorbed through the skin. One option is the therapeutic use of the ultrasound to enhance the trans-dermic transport of these drugs. AIM: The objective of this study was the analysis of the effect of caffeine on the morphology of the swine hypodermis, both when applied topically and in combination with ultrasound treatment. METHODS: The following treatments were applied to the dorsal areas of five pigs (Landrace x Large White, 35 days old, weighing 15 kg each): gel, gel + ultrasound, gel + caffeine (5%, w/w), and gel + caffeine + ultrasound, daily for 15 days. A fifth area received no topical application and was used as a control. Continuous ultrasound of 3 MHz with an intensity of 0.2 W/cm(2) was applied at a rate of 1 min/cm(2). After histological processing (hematoxylin and eosin), morphometric analyses were conducted to determine the thickness and numerical profile of the hypodermis. A one-way analysis variance using a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was conducted, with a Tukey test used to identify significant differences. A confidence level of P < or = 0.05 was adopted. RESULTS: Caffeine treatment was effective only when associated with ultrasound therapy; the combination resulted in a significant reduction in the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, as well as damage to the adipocytes, consequently decreasing the number of cells. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound treatment was effective in increasing the cutaneous permeation of caffeine, as evidenced by the reduction in thickness of the hypodermis and number of adipocytes.

Glucocorticoid receptor and Beta-adrenoceptor expression in epididymal adipose tissue from stressed rats.

Adipocytes isolated from epididymal adipose tissue of foot-shock stressed rats are supersensitive to isoprenaline and subsensitive to norepinephrine. These alterations are probably mediated by a stress-induced increase in plasma corticosterone levels. We investigated whether foot-shock stress modifies the expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and beta-adrenergic protein receptors (beta-ARs) in epididymal adipose tissue from rats submitted to one daily foot-shock session on three consecutive days. This stress protocol caused decreases in GR, beta(1)-AR, and beta(3)-AR protein levels, but caused an increase in beta(2)-AR. These results confirm and support previous functional studies. The alterations in protein expression may be modulated by the high corticosterone levels that downregulate the glucocorticoid receptor.

Sensitivity to beta-adrenoceptor agonists of adipocytes from rats treated with an aqueous extract of Croton cajucara Benth.

Aqueous extracts of Croton cajucara bark are used in folk medicine to treat hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders and as a coadjuvant in weight-loss programs. We examined the effect of treating rats for 15 days with a 5% aqueous extract of C. cajucara on body weight and food intake. The epididymal adipose pads were removed and the lipolytic responses of isolated adipocytes to isoprenaline, noradrenaline (norepinephrine), BRL37344 and adrenaline (epinephrine) were analysed in the absence or presence of metoprolol or ICI118,551. Treated rats had a significantly lower weight gain than control rats, with no difference in food and liquid intake, epididymal fat-pad weight or basal glycerol release. The sensitivity of the lipolytic response to isoprenaline and adrenaline was significantly higher in adipocytes from treated rats. The sensitivity to noradrenaline or BRL37344 was unaltered. Metoprolol shifted the dose-response curves to noradrenaline to the right in adipocytes from control and treated rats; the dose-response curve to isoprenaline in adipocytes from control rats was also shifted to the right. In adipocytes from treated rats, the dose-response curve to isoprenaline was unaltered by metoprolol but was shifted to the right by ICI118,551, a beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist. We conclude that in adipocytes from treated rats there is an increase in the lipolytic response to non-selective agonists (isoprenaline and adrenaline) mediated by beta(2)-adrenoceptors, with no alteration in the responses mediated by beta(1)-adrenoceptors (noradrenaline) or beta(3)-adrenoceptors (BRL37344). This effect could increase the role of adrenaline as an endogenous stimulator of lipolysis.