Sensitization of meningeal afferents to locomotion-related meningeal deformations in a migraine model.

Migraine headache is hypothesized to involve the activation and sensitization of trigeminal sensory afferents that innervate the cranial meninges. To better understand migraine pathophysiology and improve clinical translation, we used two-photon calcium imaging via a closed cranial window in awake mice to investigate changes in the responses of meningeal afferent fibers using a preclinical model of migraine involving cortical spreading depolarization (CSD). A single CSD episode caused a seconds-long wave of calcium activation that propagated across afferents and along the length of individual afferents. Surprisingly, unlike previous studies in anesthetized animals with exposed meninges, only a very small afferent population was persistently activated in our awake mouse preparation, questioning the relevance of this neuronal response to the onset of migraine pain. In contrast, we identified a larger subset of meningeal afferents that developed augmented responses to acute three-dimensional meningeal deformations that occur in response to locomotion bouts. We observed increased responsiveness in a subset of afferents that were already somewhat sensitive to meningeal deformation before CSD. Furthermore, another subset of previously insensitive afferents also became sensitive to meningeal deformation following CSD. Our data provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying migraine, including the emergence of enhanced meningeal afferent responses to movement-related meningeal deformations as a potential neural substrate underlying the worsening of migraine headache during physical activity.

Sensitization of meningeal afferents to locomotion-related meningeal deformations in a migraine model.

Migraine headache is hypothesized to involve the activation and sensitization of trigeminal sensory afferents that innervate the cranial meninges. To better understand migraine pathophysiology and improve clinical translation, we used two-photon calcium imaging via a closed cranial window in awake mice to investigate changes in the responses of meningeal afferent fibers using a preclinical model of migraine involving cortical spreading depolarization (CSD). A single CSD episode caused a seconds-long wave of calcium activation that propagated across afferents and along the length of individual afferents. Surprisingly, unlike previous studies in anesthetized animals with exposed meninges, only a very small afferent population was persistently activated in our awake mouse preparation, questioning the relevance of this neuronal response to the onset of migraine pain. In contrast, we identified a larger subset of meningeal afferents that developed augmented responses to acute three-dimensional meningeal deformations that occur in response to locomotion bouts. We observed increased responsiveness in a subset of afferents that were already somewhat sensitive to meningeal deformation before CSD. Furthermore, another subset of previously insensitive afferents also became sensitive to meningeal deformation following CSD. Our data provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying migraine, including the emergence of enhanced meningeal afferent responses to movement-related meningeal deformations as a potential neural substrate underlying the worsening of migraine headache during physical activity.

Bacteria hijack a meningeal neuroimmune axis to facilitate brain invasion.

The meninges are densely innervated by nociceptive sensory neurons that mediate pain and headache1,2. Bacterial meningitis causes life-threatening infections of the meninges and central nervous system, affecting more than 2.5 million people a year3-5. How pain and neuroimmune interactions impact meningeal antibacterial host defences are unclear. Here we show that Nav1.8+ nociceptors signal to immune cells in the meninges through the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) during infection. This neuroimmune axis inhibits host defences and exacerbates bacterial meningitis. Nociceptor neuron ablation reduced meningeal and brain invasion by two bacterial pathogens: Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus agalactiae. S. pneumoniae activated nociceptors through its pore-forming toxin pneumolysin to release CGRP from nerve terminals. CGRP acted through receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) on meningeal macrophages to polarize their transcriptional responses, suppressing macrophage chemokine expression, neutrophil recruitment and dural antimicrobial defences. Macrophage-specific RAMP1 deficiency or pharmacological blockade of RAMP1 enhanced immune responses and bacterial clearance in the meninges and brain. Therefore, bacteria hijack CGRP-RAMP1 signalling in meningeal macrophages to facilitate brain invasion. Targeting this neuroimmune axis in the meninges can enhance host defences and potentially produce treatments for bacterial meningitis.

Trigeminal afferents sense locomotion-related meningeal deformations.

The trigeminal sensory innervation of the cranial meninges is thought to serve a nociceptive function and mediate headache pain. However, the activity of meningeal afferents under natural conditions in awake animals remains unexplored. Here, we used two- and three-dimensional two-photon calcium imaging to track the activity of meningeal afferent fibers in awake mice. Surprisingly, a large subset of afferents was activated during non-noxious conditions such as locomotion. We estimated locomotion-related meningeal deformations and found afferents with distinct dynamics and tuning to various levels of meningeal expansion, compression, shearing, and Z-axis motion. Further, these mechanosensitive afferents were often tuned to distinct directions of meningeal expansion or compression. Thus, in addition to their role in headache-related pain, meningeal sensory neurons track the dynamic mechanical state of the meninges under natural conditions.

Cortical spreading depression and meningeal nociception.

Migraine results in an enormous burden on individuals and societies due to its high prevalence, significant disability, and considerable economic costs. Current treatment options for migraine remain inadequate, and the development of novel therapies is severely hindered by the incomplete understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the pain. The sensory innervation of the cranial meninges is now considered a key player in migraine headache genesis. Recent studies have significantly advanced our understanding of some of the processes that drive meningeal nociceptive neurons, which may be targeted therapeutically to abort or prevent migraine pain. In this review we will summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to the genesis of the headache in one migraine subtype - migraine with aura. We will focus on animal studies that address the notion that cortical spreading depression is a critical process that drives meningeal nociception in migraine with aura, and discuss recent insights into some of the proposed underlying mechanisms.

Region- and receptor-specific effects of chronic social stress on the central serotonergic system in mice.

Serotonin (5-HT), via its receptors expressed in discrete brain regions, modulates aversion and reward processing and is implicated in various psychiatric disorders including depression. Stressful experiences affect central serotonergic activity and act as a risk factor for depression; this can be modelled preclinically. In adult male C57BL/6J mice, 15-day chronic social stress (CSS) leads to depression-relevant behavioural states, including increased aversion and reduced reward sensitivity. Based on this evidence, here we investigated CSS effects on 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C receptor binding in discrete brain regions using in vitro quantitative autoradiography with selective radioligands. In addition, mRNA expression of Htr1a, 2a, 2c and Slc6a4 (5-HT transporter) was measured by quantitative PCR. Relative to controls, the following effects were observed in CSS mice: 5-HT1A receptor binding was markedly increased in the dorsal raphe nucleus (136%); Htr1a mRNA expression was increased in raphe nuclei (19%), medial prefrontal cortex (35%), and hypothalamic para- and periventricular nuclei (21%) and ventral medial nucleus (38%). 5-HT2A receptor binding was decreased in the amygdala (48%) and ventral tegmental area (60%); Htr2a mRNA expression was increased in the baso-lateral amygdala (116%). 5-HT2C receptor binding was decreased in the dorsal raphe nucleus (42%). Slc6a4 mRNA expression was increased in the raphe (59%). The present findings add to the translational evidence that chronic social stress impacts on the central serotonergic system in a region- and receptor-specific manner, and that this altered state of the serotonergic system contributes to stress-induced dysfunctions in emotional processing.

Development of a sample preparation approach for the analysis of fining agents in wines by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

During winemaking a wide variety of processing aids such as albumin, caseinates and lysozyme are often used. These proteins are considered allergenic and could become a human health risk in susceptible individuals. In our knowledge, there are no methods published for the analysis of these three proteins simultaneously by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, with electrospray ionization. Therefore, in this work, a sample preparation approach for the analysis of α-casein, ß-casein, albumin and lysozyme, in a single run, was performed and compared with published data. Through a pH adjustment, combining the use of cellulose ester membranes, a precipitation with organic solvents and a final concentration/clean-up, we achieved recovery values from 90.7 to 108.6%. The method was validated, showing determination coefficients R2 ≥ 0.99. This method was able to quantify proteins even at lower levels (limits of quantification from 0.01 to 0.25 mg/L) than the current legal limits.

Chronic social stress in mice alters energy status including higher glucose need but lower brain utilization.

Chronic stress leads to changes in energy status and is a major risk factor for depression, with common symptoms of reductions in body weight and effortful motivation for reward. Indeed, stress-induced disturbed energy status could be a major aetio-pathogenic factor for depression. Improved understanding of these putative inter-relationships requires animal model studies of effects of stress on both peripheral and central energy-status measures and determinants. Here we conducted a study in mice fed on a standard low-fat diet and exposed to either 15-day chronic social stress (CSS) or control handling (CON). Relative to CON mice, CSS mice had attenuated body weight maintenance/gain despite consuming the same amount of food and expending the same amount of energy at any given body weight. The low weight of CSS mice was associated with less white and brown adipose tissues, and with a high respiratory exchange ratio consistent with increased dependence on glucose as energy substrate. Basal plasma insulin was low in CSS mice and exogenous glucose challenge resulted in a relatively prolonged elevation of blood glucose. With regard to hunger and satiety hormones, respectively, CSS mice had higher levels of acylated ghrelin in plasma and of ghrelin receptor gene expression in ventromedial hypothalamus and lower levels of plasma leptin, relative to CON mice. However, whilst CSS mice displayed this constellation of peripheral changes consistent with increases in energy need and glucose utilization relative to CON mice, they also displayed attenuated uptake of [18F]FDG in brain tissue specifically. Reduced brain glucose utilization in CSS mice could contribute to the reduced effortful motivation for reward in the form of sweet-tasting food that we have reported previously for CSS mice. It will now be important to utilize this model to further understanding of the mechanisms via which chronic stress can increase energy need but decrease brain glucose utilization and how this relates to regional and cellular changes in neural circuits for reward processing relevant to depression.

A new clean-up approach for stomach content toxicological analysis.

Stomach content is a matrix often applied in post-mortem cases. It is especially important in oral intoxication cases. The main advantages are the usually high concentration of analytes and the lack of biotransformation process. Still, even with extensive sample preparation, the final extract is not always suitable for analysis. The aim of this study was to develop an alternative method using QuEChERS for the extraction of drugs and pesticides from postmortem stomach content. Sample preparation started acetonitrile with 1% of acetic acid and QuEChERS salts. Later, the initial extract was cleaned-up using the EMR-Lipid sorbent. Residual water was withdrawn with MgSO4/NaCl in the third step and a final step with MgSO4. Vigorous shaken and centrifugation was performed after each step. The final supernatant was evaporated, re-suspended, and injected into GC-MS in full scan mode. This approach was successfully applied to stomach content, resulting in clean extracts, with low lipid levels. The method was able to detected target drugs and pesticides (cocaine, tramadol, diazepam, amytriptiline, phenobarbital, prochloraz, diazinon, heptachlor, permethrin, malathion and carbaryl) at the limit of detection of 0.1 mg/g or 0.1 mg/L. Recovery was over 70% for the majority of analytes, precision and accuracy was within acceptable range. The method was also applied to real forensic cases and carbofuran, terbuphos and fluoxetine was detected likewise. This work demonstrates that this method can provide an effective clean-up in high lipids samples such as stomach content, and can be used to analyze of pesticides and drugs in forensic cases.

Plano de segurança da água implementado na estação de tratamento de água de Guaraú, em São Paulo / Water safety plan implemented on Guaraú water treatment plant in São Paulo, Brazil

RESUMO O Plano de Segurança da Água representa a estratégia de previsão de perigos e monitoramento de riscos que podem ameaçar a qualidade da água para consumo humano. O trabalho teve o intuito de estudar o Plano de Segurança da Água implantado na estação de tratamento de água Guaraú, de modo a identificar sua concepção metodológica, seus desafios e suas potencialidades para o controle efetivo do sistema de abastecimento de água. Os documentos que subsidiaram a elaboração do plano foram as recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde e as exigências do padrão de potabilidade, previstos pela Portaria nº 2.914/2011, do Ministério da Saúde. Para tratamento de água, a companhia gestora do saneamento na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo adotou a metodologia de Beuken et al. (2008) e a proposta de Brasil (2012) para caracterização do perigo e avaliação de riscos. A avaliação indica que quanto maior o valor atribuído a determinado parâmetro, maior é a atenção necessária a este ao longo do sistema de abastecimento de água. A empresa instituiu o Plano de Segurança da Água para otimizar os processos de tratamento e garantir qualidade na distribuição de água potável de forma eficiente. Essa empresa iniciou discussões internas sobre o instrumento em 2006, identificou uma metodologia que pudesse expressar as diretrizes da política ambiental, elaborou o modelo do Plano de Segurança da Água, realizou reuniões técnicas e implantou o plano na estação de tratamento do Guaraú. Os principais resultados foram a sistematização de registros, a implementação de novos procedimentos, a aquisição de equipamentos, a capacitação técnica e a identificação de pontos de controle. O maior desafio foi implantar um instrumento preventivo viável e dinâmico para gestão hídrica. Ressalta-se que o sucesso do plano depende, entre outros fatores, de dados atualizados, da participação da alta administração e dos ajustes necessários requeridos pela própria metodologia. Há falta de estudos científicos e manuais práticos sobre o tema.

ABSTRACT Water Safety Plans represent the strategy for predicting hazards and monitoring risks that can threat the water quality for human consumption. This paper intended to study Water Safety Plans implemented at Guaraú water treatment plant in order to identify its methodological requirements, challenges and opportunities for the effective control in water supply systems. The documents that supported the plan were the World Health Organization recommendations and the drinking water standards of Brazilian regulation 2914/2010 by Health Ministry. Regarding water treatment, the managers of sanitation in the metropolitan areaof São Paulo adopted Beuken et al. (2008) and Brazil (2012) methodologies for hazard description and risk evaluation. This evaluation model proposes that the greater value associated to a certain parameter meansit needs more attentionthan another in the water supply system. The company has implemented Water Safety Plans to optimize its treatment processes and to ensure water distribution with quality and efficiency. The company has been discussing about this tool since 2006; it identified a methodology that could express the environmental policy guidelines, elaborated a model of Water Safety Plans, held technical meetings and applied the plan to Guaraú water treatment plant. The main results were records systematization, implementation of new procedures, acquisition of equipment, technical capacitation and identification of control points. The greatest challenge was to establish a feasible and dynamic preventive tool for managing water resources. It must be emphasized that the Water Safety Plans success depends on, among other variables, an up-to-date database, the cooperation of decision-makers and continuous adjustments required by the methodology itself. There is not sufficient scientific studies and handbooks about this subject.

Correlations between brain changes and pain management after cognitive and meditative therapies: A systematic review of neuroimaging studies.

BACKGROUND: There are different ways of dealing with pain and cognitive and meditative therapies (CMT) are alternative ways to regulate the emotions associated with pain. Current studies apply neuroimaging techniques trying to elucidate the neural mechanisms of cognitive strategies for pain. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence on brain activity changes after CMT, which include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and/or meditation, for pain management as well as to evaluate clinical pain outcomes. METHODS: Electronic databases - Pubmed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Science Direct, Scopus - were searched to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining neuroimaging data of CMT for chronic pain patients or healthy individuals with experimental pain. Two reviewers independently selected the relevant trials, rated for quality assessment and extracted all data using a standardized form. Primary outcome was brain activity changes (activation, deactivation or functional connectivity). Secondary outcomes were pain intensity, self-management, pain coping, quality of life, anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Nine RCTs were included involving 280 adults (18-59 years), 139 chronic pain patients vs. 148 healthy subjects. Three main kinds of intervention were identified: cognitive-behavioral therapy (n = 4), mindfulness meditation (n = 4) and transcendental meditation technique (n = 1). Neuroimaging results revealed distinct patterns of activity, but the main findings were related to increased activation of prefrontal cortex (PFC), specially dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OBF), somatosensory cortices (SSC) and limbic system in chronic pain population; and increased activation of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), anterior insular cortex (AI) and decreased activation of thalamus in healthy individuals following CMT. CONCLUSION: This result means that regulation of pain by CMT can alter functioning of brain regions in an extensive network including non-nociceptive regions. CMT reduced the affective experience of pain, while reductions of pain intensity ratings were less consistent. Brain changes have been demonstrated as a result of the application of psychological measures and may represent the clinical implications of changes in brain activity or morphology.

Genética e meio ambiente: decorrências éticas e jurídicas da ecogenética / Genetics and environment: Legal and ethical derivations of ecogenetics

O presente trabalho tem por escopo analisar as decorrências éticas, sociais e jurídicas de um específico ramo da genética: a ecogenética. Para tanto, foi adotada pesquisa bibliográfica, com base em fontes doutrinárias interdisciplinares, para se revisar a literatura sobre o tema, que ainda é escassa. O objeto de estudo da ecogenética é a inter-relação entre o meio ambiente e as características genéticas individuais que alteram as condições gerais de saúde. O atual desenvolvimento da biociência provocou uma alteração no foco, do tratamento e cura para a prevenção das doenças, assim como despertou questionamentos éticos sobre a influência das características genéticas e da atuação do meio ambiente sobre elas. Desloca-se o agir humano para a perspectiva da responsabilidade conferida tanto ao indivíduo, isoladamente, quanto à coletividade, em relação às gerações presentes e futuras. A importância do estudo no campo da ecogenética espraia-se para além de interesses individuais e familiares e traduz-se também na importância da adoção de medidas governamentais de prevenção.(AU)

This paper analyzes the ethical, social and legal derivations of a specific branch of genetics ­ ecogenetics. For this, a bibliographic methodology was adopted, based on interdisciplinary doctrinal sources, to review the literature on the subject, which is still scarce. The study object of ecogenetics is the relationship between the environment and the individual genetic characteristics that alter the general health conditions. The current bioscience developments moved the focus from treatment and cure to disease prevention as well as raised ethical questions about the influence of knowledge of genetic traits and the environmental factors that act on them. Moves the human act to the perspective of responsibility, both for the individual, as the community in relation to present and future generations. The importance of the ecogenetics research spreads beyond the individual and family interests, converting into important preconditions for governmental adoption of preventive measures.(AU)

Corpo e cuidado nas peças publicitárias do Jornal do Brazil (1891) / Body and care in advertising in the Jornal do Brazil newspaper (1891) / Cuerpo y cuidado en los anuncios publicitarios de Jornal do Brazil (1891)

Objetivo: estudar os anúncios de publicidade, por meio do Jornal do Brazil (1891), destinados ao cuidado com o corpo. Método: foi utilizada, a perspectiva da micro-história, o que possibilitou fazer a análise de cinco peças publicitárias, veiculadas no primeiro exemplar, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: os anúncios eram destinados para o consumo de produtos no cuidado com corpo ­ de uso interno ou externo ­ e a indicação de uso misto. As peças publicitárias veiculavam o local para a compra e apenas um dos anúncios divulgou o valor do produto. Conclusão: o estudo apresentou diversas ideias, entre elas, que as peças publicitárias são registros históricos para conhecer como a população cuidava do corpo, à época, mais precisamente, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro - Distrito Federal.

Objective: to study body care advertisements by way of the Jornal do Brazil of 1891. Method: the micro-history perspective was used, permitting analysis of five advertisements published in the first issue in Rio de Janeiro City. Results: the advertisements were intended to foster consumption of body care products for internal or external use and to indicate mixed use. Results: the advertisements announced place of sale, and only one stated the price of the product. Conclusion: the study presented several ideas, among them that the advertisements are historical records from which to learn how the population cared for the body at the time, more precisely in the city of Rio de Janeiro - Federal District.

Objetivo: estudiar los anuncios publicitarios publicados en Jornal do Brazil (1891), destinados al cuidado del cuerpo. Método: se utilizó la perspectiva de la microhistoria que permitió hacer el análisis de cinco anuncios, emitidos en el primer ejemplar, en la ciudad de Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: los anuncios estaban destinados al consumo de productos relacionados al cuidado con el cuerpo ­ de uso interno o externo ­ y la indicación de uso mixto. Los anuncios mostraban el sitio dónde comprar y apenas uno de los anuncios divulgó el valor del producto. Conclusión: se concluye que el estudio presentó varias ideas, entre ellas, que los anuncios son registros históricos para descubrir cómo la población cuidaba el cuerpo, en esa época, más precisamente, en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro-Distrito Federal.

Linalool and linalool complexed in ß-cyclodextrin produce anti-hyperalgesic activity and increase Fos protein expression in animal model for fibromyalgia.

The analgesic activity of (-)-linalool (LIN), a monoterpene present in essential oils of Lamiaceae species, has been previously demonstrated in rodents. However, its possible use in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM) was never demonstrated. Additionally, as a short half-life is a limitation for the LIN medicinal application, the employment of drug delivery systems has been used to improve pharmaceutical properties of this compound. We investigated the anti-nociceptive effect of LIN, isolated or in ß-cyclodextrin complex (LIN-CD), in an animal model of chronic non-inflammatory muscle pain (a FM animal model), as well as its effect on the central nervous system (CNS). Male Swiss mice were subjected to two injections of acidic saline (pH 4; 20 µL/gastrocnemius) and were treated on alternate days, with LIN-CD (25 mg/kg, p.o.), LIN (25 mg/kg, p.o.), tramadol (TRM 4 mg/kg, i.p.), or vehicle (neutral saline). After 60 min, they were screened for mechanical hyperalgesia (von Frey), motor coordination (rotarod), and muscle strength (grip strength meter) for 27 days. The CNS areas involved in the anti-hyperalgesic activity were evaluated by immunofluorescence. LIN or LIN-CD produced a significant reduction (p < 0.001) of mechanical hyperalgesia on chronic non-inflammatory muscle pain model, which remained for 24 h only in LIN-CD, and these compounds significantly (p < 0.05) activated neurons of the locus coeruleus, nucleus raphe magnus, and periaqueductal gray areas. So, our results suggest that LIN-CD improved analgesic profile of LIN, with a probable involvement of descending pain pathways and the anti-nociceptive effect of linalool in an animal model of chronic non-inflammatory muscle pain. So far, only the investigations in animal models of inflammatory pain and supraspinatus were published.

Cyclodextrin-complexed Ocimum basilicum leaves essential oil increases Fos protein expression in the central nervous system and produce an antihyperalgesic effect in animal models for fibromyalgia.

O. basilicum leaves produce essential oils (LEO) rich in monoterpenes. The short half-life and water insolubility are limitations for LEO medical uses. ß-Cyclodextrin (ß-CD) has been employed to improve the pharmacological properties of LEO. We assessed the antihyperalgesic profile of LEO, isolated or complexed in ß-CD (LEO/ß-CD), on an animal model for fibromyalgia. Behavioral tests: mice were treated every day with either LEO/ß-CD (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.), LEO (25 mg/kg, p.o.), tramadol (TRM 4 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (saline), and 60 min after treatment behavioral parameters were assessed. Therefore, mice were evaluated for mechanical hyperalgesia (von Frey), motor coordination (Rota-rod) and muscle strength (Grip Strength Metter) in a mice fibromyalgia model. After 27 days, we evaluated the central nervous system (CNS) pathways involved in the effect induced by experimental drugs through immunofluorescence protocol to Fos protein. The differential scanning analysis (DSC), thermogravimetry/derivate thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) curves indicated that the products prepared were able to incorporate the LEO efficiently. Oral treatment with LEO or LEO-ßCD, at all doses tested, produced a significant reduction of mechanical hyperalgesia and we were able to significantly increase Fos protein expression. Together, our results provide evidence that LEO, isolated or complexed with ß-CD, produces analgesic effects on chronic non-inflammatory pain as fibromyalgia.

Efficacy and safety of medicinal plants or related natural products for fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

To assess the effects of medicinal plants (MPs) or related natural products (RNPs) on fibromyalgia (FM) patients, we evaluate the possible benefits and advantages of MP or RNP for the treatment of FM based on eight randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) involving 475 patients. The methodological quality of all studies included was determined according to JADAD and "Risk of Bias" with the criteria in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1.0. Evidence suggests significant benefits of MP or RNP in sleep disruption, pain, depression, joint stiffness, anxiety, physical function, and quality of life. Our results demonstrated that MP or RNP had significant effects on improving the symptoms of FM compared to conventional drug or placebo; longer tests are required to determine the duration of the treatment and characterize the long-term safety of using MP, thus suggesting effective alternative therapies in the treatment of pain with minimized side effects.

Participação no programa de atividade física de idosos residentes em uma Casa Gerontológica no Rio de Janeiro / Participation in a physical activity program amongst elderly residents of a geriatric home in Rio de Janeiro

OBJETIVO: Analisar os fatores associados à participação dos residentes na Casa Gerontológica de Aeronáutica Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes (CGABEG) no Programa de Caminhada e Atividade Física da instituição. METODOLOGIA: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com idosos, que, no momento da admissão, receberam avaliação funcional baseada em instrumento desenvolvido pela instituição, abordando aspectos físicos, realização de atividades de vida diárias, instrumentais e sociais. Foi realizado levantamento de comorbidades em prontuário e os idosos foram entrevistados sobre escolaridade e história pregressa e atual da prática de exercício, além da autoavaliação do estado de saúde. Foi elaborado um modelo de regressão logística para analisar a associação entre a prática de exercício e as variáveis do estudo. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 94 residentes selecionados, 53,2% aderiram à prática de atividade física, quase exclusivamente (88%). Um quarto dos idosos sedentários aderiu ao programa após admissão na CGABEG. Foram observadas diferenças, mas não estatisticamente significantes, apontando maior prática para os homens, os com menor grau de dependência, menos agravos e mais escolaridade. Observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante apenas para a autoavaliação do estado de saúde (maior prática para aqueles com melhor autoavaliação). CONCLUSÃO: A incorporação de programa de atividade física orientado ao idoso é uma estratégia que pode potencializar a adesão e a manutenção da prática de atividade física. Embora sem significância estatística, escolaridade não mostrou associação, diferente da literatura sobre o tema, provavelmente por se tratar de população idosa, cujos comportamentos dependentes do gênero são bastante diferenciados dos da população geral.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors related to the participation of the residents of the Air Force´s geriatric home Casa Gerontológica de Aeronáutica Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes (CGABEG) in the Walking and Physical Activity Program offered by the institution. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with elderly people who lived in the geriatric home. It was performed a functional evaluation at the time of the admission, based on a tool developed by the institution, addressing physical aspects, activities of daily living, instrumental and social performance. The data of comorbidities were obtained from medical records. The elderly were interviewed on education, history and current practice of exercise, frequency, type and duration of physical activity practiced in addition to the self-assessment of health status. It was drawn a logistic regression model to analyze the association between the practice of physical activity and the variables of the study. RESULTS: Among the 94 residents selected to join the study, 53.2% were practicing some kind of activity and 88% of these were involved in walking. A quarter of sedentary elderly took part in the program after being admitted in the geriatric home. Differences were found, although they were not statistically significant. The results point out that the ones who practice more are men with less dependency, less injuries and more schooling. A statistically significant difference was found only for the auto-evaluation of the health state (more practice to the ones with best auto-evaluation). CONCLUSION: The incorporation of an elderly-oriented physical activity program is a strategy which can potentiate the participation and keep up the physical activity. Although not statistically significant, education showed no association, in contrast to the literature on the subject, probably because gender relations are different comparing elderly and the general population.

The new noninvasive occlusion spectroscopy hemoglobin measurement method: a reliable and easy anemia screening test for blood donors.

BACKGROUND: The tests used for anemia screening in blood donors are based on fingerstick samples, leading to discomfort and complaints. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of occlusion spectroscopy method in blood banks and to compare the method with fingerstick hemoglobinometer and hemoglobin (Hb) determination on an automatic blood analyzer. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study enrolled 205 consecutive volunteer blood donors. Samples were collected by fingerstick and venous punction to determine Hb level by a Hemocue Hb201+ (Hb-F) and automatic blood analyzer (Hb-V) and compare to the noninvasive Hb determination by occlusion spectroscopy using NBM200 system (Hb-NI). The percentage errors of Hb-F and Hb-NI of all donors as well as stratified by sex, weight, and age levels were compared to Hb-V as reference values using Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: The results obtained with Hb-F showed significant errors (p<0.001) in the general group as well as when stratified by sex, weight, and age groups, above values obtained with Hb-V. Hb-NI showed significant errors only in females (p=0.026) and weight level of 61 to 70kg (p=0.034), below Hb-V values. CONCLUSIONS: Hb-NI seems to be a good method in terms of precision and feasibility for anemia screening of blood donors as well as being much more comfortable for donors.

Application of semiotics in the analysis of facsimiles: a documentary research

Aim: To demonstrate the use of semiotic analysis in facsimiles to studies using photographic images as research documents. Method: We used an analytical matrix composed for four items, the results of which were enlightened by the notions of institutional rites, object representations and Hexis, from a microanalytical perspective. Results: The results were contextualized to the image articulating the notion of an imagetic signature, through the symbolic elements in terms of the clothes, veil/cap and cross symbol corresponding to the Brazilian Red Cross. Discussion: The discussions were related to the way in which the nurses held and expressed themselves, their clothes and symbols, their behavior towards the general who was being honored and the institutional ceremony. Conclusion: The matrix analysis is ratified as an additional documental imagetic research tool, enabling us to decode the symbolic codes for versions and (re)interpretations as epistemological issue.

Participação no programa de atividade física de idosos residentes em uma casa gerontológica no Rio de Janeiro / Participation in a physical activity program amongst elderly residents of a geriatric home in Rio de Janeiro

Objetivo: Analisar os fatores associados à participação dos residentes na Casa Gerontológica de Aeronáutica ?Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes? (CGABEG) no Programa de Caminhada e Atividade Física da instituição. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com idosos, que, no momento da admissão, receberam avaliação funcional baseada em instrumento desenvolvido pela instituição, abordando aspectos físicos, realização de atividades de vida diária, instrumentais e sociais. Foi realizado levantamento de comorbidades em prontuário e os idosos foram entrevistados sobre escolaridade, história pregressa e atual da prática de exercício, além da autoavaliação do estado de saúde. Foi elaborado um modelo de regressão logística para analisar a associação entre a prática de exercício e as variáveis do estudo. Resultados: Dentre os 94 residentes selecionados, 53,2% aderiram à prática de atividade física, e 88% desses praticavam caminhada. Um quarto dos idosos sedentários aderiu ao programa após admissão na CGABEG. Foram observadas diferenças, mas não estatisticamente significantes, apontando maior prática para os homens, os com menor grau de dependência, menos agravos e mais escolaridade. Observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante apenas para a autoavaliação do estado de saúde (maior prática para os com melhor autoavaliação). Conclusão: A incorporação de programa de atividade física orientado ao idoso é uma estratégia que pode potencializar a adesão e a manutenção da prática de atividade física. Embora sem significância estatística, escolaridade não mostrou associação, diferente da literatura sobre o tema, provavelmente por se tratar de população idosa, cujos comportamentos dependentes do gênero são bastante diferenciados dos da população geral.