Caffeine intake during lactation has a sex-dependent effect on the hippocampal excitatory/inhibitory balance and pups' behavior.

During early life, disruptions in glutamatergic and GABAergic synapse development in the hippocampus may contribute to several neurodevelopmental disorders, including cognitive deficits and psychiatric disorders. Caffeine is the most consumed psychoactive drug in the world, and previous work from our group has shown that caffeine disrupts visual system connections at different stages of development. This work aimed to investigate the effects of caffeine consumption during lactation in the glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic markers in the hippocampus and on the behavior of rat offspring. We found that maternal caffeine intake significantly reduced GluN1 subunits of the NMDA receptor, increased the GluA1/GluA2 ratio of AMPA receptor in the dorsal hippocampus, and decreased GAD content in female pups' ventral hippocampus. On the other hand, an increase in GluN1/GluN2b subunits, a decrease in GAD content in the dorsal hippocampus, and a reduction of the GluA1 content in the ventral hippocampus were observed in male pups. In addition, changes in the behavior of the offspring submitted to indirect caffeine consumption were also sex-dependent, with females developing anxiety-like behavior and males showing anxiety-like behavior and hyper-locomotion. These results highlight that maternal caffeine intake promotes changes in the hippocampal excitatory and inhibitory balance and offspring behavior in a sex-dependent manner, suggesting that the population should be alerted to reduced caffeine consumption by breastfeeding mothers.

Impacts of linseed oil diet on anxiety and memory extinction after early life stress: A sex-specific analysis of mitochondrial dysfunction, astrocytic markers, and inflammation in the amygdala.

Early exposure to stressors affects how the organism reacts to stimuli, its emotional state throughout life, and how it deals with emotional memories. Consequently, it may affect susceptibility to psychopathology later in life. We used an animal model of early stress by maternal separation to study its potential impact on the extinction of aversive memories and anxiety-like behavior in adulthood, as well as its effects on mitochondrial functionality, inflammatory and astrocytic markers in the amygdala. We also assessed whether a diet enriched with linseed oil, known for its high content in omega-3 fats, could be used to attenuate the behavioral and neurochemical effects of early stress. Litters of Wistar rats were divided into controls (intact) or subjected to maternal separation (MS). They were subdivided into two groups receiving isocaloric diets enriched in soy or linseed oils at weaning. In adulthood, the animals were exposed to the open field and the elevated plus maze, to evaluate exploratory activity and anxiety-like behavior. They were also trained in a context of fear conditioning, and afterward subjected to an extinction session, followed by a test session to evaluate the extinction memory. Amygdalae were evaluated for inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor-necrose factor (TNF)-alpha), mitochondrial functionality, and astrocyte markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein - GFAP, S100B, and glutamine synthetase activity). MS induced anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus-maze, which was reversed by a diet enriched in linseed oil offered from weaning. When testing the memory of an extinction session of fear conditioning, MS animals showed more freezing behavior. MS males receiving a linseed oil-enriched diet had lower functional mitochondria in the amygdala. In addition, MS led to increased inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-1beta, and the diet enriched in linseed oil further increased these levels in MS animals. MS also increased S100B levels. These results point to a higher emotionality presented by MS animals, with higher levels of inflammatory cytokines and S100B. While a diet enriched in linseed oil attenuated anxiety-like behavior, it further altered amygdala IL-1beta and reduced mitochondria functionality, particularly in males. MS also increased glutamine synthetase activity in the amygdala, and this effect was higher when the animals received a diet enriched in linseed oil, particularly in females. In conclusion, these results point to MS effects on emotional behavior, and neurochemical alterations in the amygdala, with sex-specific effects. Although a diet enriched in linseed oil appears to be able to reverse some of MS behavioral effects, these results must be considered with caution, since biochemical parameters could be worsened in MS animals receiving a linseed oil-enriched diet. This knowledge is important for the understanding of mechanisms of action of strategies aiming to reverse early stress effects, and future studies are warranted to determine possible interventions to promote resilience.

Circulating JKAP levels may correlate with postpartum anxiety and depression through its interaction with T helper 17 cells.

Jun N-terminal kinase pathway-associated phosphatase (JKAP) regulates CD4+ T-cell differentiation and immunity, which are linked to mental disorders. This study aimed to explore the relationships between JKAP and T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) ratio, as well as their associations with anxiety and depression in postpartum women. Serum JKAP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and blood Th17 and Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry in 250 postpartum women. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by the 6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI6) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Anxiety and depression rates were 22.0 and 28.4%, respectively, among postpartum women. Notably, JKAP was negatively associated with the STAI6 (P=0.002) and EPDS scores (P<0.001) in postpartum women and was lower in postpartum women with anxiety (P=0.023) or depression (P=0.002) than in those without. Moreover, JKAP was inversely related to Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio but positively correlated with Treg cells in postpartum women (all P<0.001). Interestingly, Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio were both positively associated with STAI6 and EPDS scores in postpartum women (all P<0.001). Furthermore, Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio were lower in postpartum women with anxiety or depression than in those without (all P<0.01). Nevertheless, Treg cells were not linked to anxiety or depression in postpartum women. JKAP was negatively associated with Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio; moreover, they all related to anxiety and depression in postpartum women, indicating that JKAP may be involved in postpartum anxiety and depression via interactions with Th17 cells.

Music therapy with adult burn patients in the intensive care unit: short-term analysis of electrophysiological signals during music-assisted relaxation.

Burn patients often face elevated pain, anxiety, and depression levels. Music therapy adds to integrative care in burn patients, but research including electrophysiological measures is limited. This study reports electrophysiological signals analysis during Music-Assisted Relaxation (MAR) with burn patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This study is a sub-analysis of an ongoing trial of music therapy with burn patients in the ICU. Electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), and electromyogram (EMG) were recorded during MAR with nine burn patients. Additionally, background pain levels (VAS) and anxiety and depression levels (HADS) were assessed. EEG oscillation power showed statistically significant changes in the delta (p < 0.05), theta (p = 0.01), beta (p < 0.05), and alpha (p = 0.05) bands during music therapy. Heart rate variability tachograms high-frequencies increased (p = 0.014), and low-frequencies decreased (p = 0.046). Facial EMG mean frequency decreased (p = 0.01). VAS and HADS scores decreased - 0.76 (p = 0.4) and - 3.375 points (p = 0.37) respectively. Our results indicate parasympathetic system activity, attention shifts, reduced muscle tone, and a relaxed state of mind during MAR. This hints at potential mechanisms of music therapy but needs to be confirmed in larger studies. Electrophysiological changes during music therapy highlight its clinical relevance as a complementary treatment for ICU burn patients.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04571255). Registered September 24th, 2020. https//classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04571255.

Prenatal and postnatal cocaine exposure enhances the anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in rats: An ontogenetic study.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal and postnatal exposure to drugs such as cocaine is a public health problem that causes deficits in brain development and function in humans and animals. One of the main effects of prenatal and postnatal cocaine exposure is increased vulnerability to developing the substance use disorder at an early age. Furthermore, the negative emotional states associated with cocaine withdrawal increase the fragility of patients to relapse into drug abuse. In this sense, prenatal and postnatal cocaine exposure enhanced the cocaine- and nicotine-induced locomotor activity and locomotor sensitization, and rats exposed prenatally to cocaine displayed an increase in anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in adulthood (PND 60-70). OBJECTIVE: Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of prenatal and postnatal cocaine exposure on anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors at different ages (30, 60, 90, and 120 days of age) in rats. METHODS: The study was divided into two stages: prenatal and postnatal. In the prenatal stage, a group of pregnant female Wistar rats was administered daily from GD0 to GD21 cocaine (cocaine pre-exposure group), and another group of pregnant female rats was administered daily saline (saline pre-exposure group). In the postnatal stage, during lactation (PND0 to PND21), pregnant rats received administration of cocaine or saline, respectively. Of the litters resulting from the cocaine pre-exposed and saline pre-exposed pregnant female groups, only the male rats were used for the recording of the anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors at different postnatal ages (30, 60, 90, and 120 days), representative of adolescence, adult, adulthood, and old age. RESULTS: The study found that prenatal and postnatal cocaine exposure generated age-dependent enhancement in anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors, being greater in older adult (PND 120) rats than in adolescent (PND 30) or adults (PND 60-90) rats. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that prenatal and postnatal cocaine exposure increases anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors, which may increase the vulnerability of subjects to different types of drugs in young and adult age.

Prevalence of depression and anxiety in Colombia: What happened during Covid-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the well-being of millions of people around the globe. The evidence has shown that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of the population was affected, which means that there is an extra demand to implement different actions to mitigate and treat mental health disorders result of the pandemic. According to the literature it was expected that the prevalence of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression increased by 25 per cent worldwide, and Colombia was not the exception. However, there is not clear evidence on how much this increase might be. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression for female and male adolescents and adults in Colombia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It estimated the potential increase of the prevalence in each group as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We used the Individual Registry of Health Services Delivery data from 2015-2021 to estimate the observed prevalence of anxiety and depression in Colombia for female and male adults. In addition, using the National Mental Health Survey 2015, we simulated the prevalence of anxiety and depression for adolescents (12 to 17 years) and adults (18 or older) in 2015 and using a static Monte Carlo simulation process we estimated the expected prevalence of depression and anxiety for each group from 2016 to 2021. The results of the analysis using revealed an important increase in the observed prevalence of depression and anxiety for adults and adolescents and men and women between 2015 and February 2020. When we simulated different scenarios using as a base line the National Mental Health Survey and estimated the prevalence of depression and anxiety for female and male adults and adolescents, we found that the prevalence of depression and anxiety has had an important increase in the last five years for all groups and had an important increase during 2020. This increase was greater for women compared to men, and adolescents than adults. Our results show the number of people who need potential attention from the health system in Colombia and highlight the importance to think about how to avoid and detect potential cases of anxiety and depression especially in female adolescents.

Maternal obesity induces sex-specific changes in the endocannabinoid system of the hypothalamus and dorsal hippocampus of offspring associated with anxiety-like behavior in adolescent female rats.

Maternal obesity during perinatal period increases the risk of metabolic and behavioral deleterious outcomes in the offspring, since it is critical for brain development, maturation, and reorganization. These processes are highly modulated by the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises the main lipid ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1R and CB2R), and several metabolizing enzymes. The ECS is overactivated in obesity and it contributes to the physiological activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, promoting stress relief. We have previously demonstrated that maternal high-fat diet during gestation and lactation programmed the food preference for fat in adolescent male offspring and adult male and female offspring. In the present study, we hypothesized that maternal diet-induced obesity would induce sex-specific changes of the ECS in the hypothalamus and dorsal hippocampus of rat offspring associated with dysregulation of the HPA axis and stress-related behavior in adolescence. Rat dams were fed a control (C) or an obesogenic high-fat high-sugar diet (OD) for nine weeks prior to mating and throughout gestation and lactation. Maternal obesity differentially altered the CB1R in the hypothalamus of neonate offspring, with significant increase in male but not in female pups, associated with decreased CB2R prior to obesity development. In adolescence, maternal obesity induced anxiety-like behavior only in adolescent females which was associated with increased content of CB1R in the dorsal hippocampus. Our findings suggest that the early origins of anxiety disorders induced by maternal exposome is associated with dysregulation of the brain ECS, with females being more susceptible.

Clinical and Functional Outcomes Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare (twenty-one per million female inhabitants) neoplastic cystic lung disease that impairs health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the factors associated with impaired quality of life in patients with LAM are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical, psychosocial, and functional characteristics associated with impaired quality of life in patients with LAM. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed on two nonconsecutive days. HRQoL (SF-36 and CRQ), lung function tests, anxiety and depression symptoms (HADS), maximal (CPET and ISWT), and submaximal exercise capacity (6MWT) were assessed. Linear associations among outcomes were assessed using Pearson's correlation and multivariate tests. RESULTS: Forty-five women with LAM (46 ± 10.years; FEV1,74%pred) were evaluated. The lowest SF-36 scores were observed for general health and vitality and the highest for the physical and social domains. The lowest CRQ scores were observed for dyspnea and fatigue, and the highest were for the emotional function and self-control domains. Sixteen (35%) women had anxiety, and 8 (17%) had depression symptoms. Most of the SF-36 and CRQ domains were associated with anxiety and depression symptoms (from r = 0.4 to r = 0.7; p < 0.05) and exercise capacity (from r = 0.3 to r = 0.5; p < 0.05). Lung function parameters were weakly or not associated with quality of life domains. After multiple linear regression, HRQoL was independently associated with depression symptoms and physical capacity but not with lung function. CONCLUSION: Our results show that aerobic capacity and depression symptoms are the main factors, rather than lung function, related to quality of life in patients with LAM.

Temporal bisection task as a predictor of cognitive deficits.

Evidence suggests that neuropsychiatric symptoms and deficits in attentional control and executive function can impair time discrimination, demonstrating the intricate link between cognitive processes, subjective well-being, and perception of time. However, the relationship between sleep quality and time discrimination remains elusive. This study aimed to understand differences in the temporal bisection task (TBT) performance. We expected that individuals with impaired cognition, executive function, quality of life, or sleep quality would have reduced time sensitivity. At the same time, those with stress, anxiety, or depression would show a shift in the point of subjective equality. Data were collected from 97 female participants (ranging from 20 to 72 years of age) in more than one moment, resulting in 163 measurements used for the analysis. Participants' neuropsychiatric status was assessed using a battery of tests and scales, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21). The results showed that attention and executive control significantly affect time discrimination. In addition, the research indicated that better sleep quality is associated with improved time discrimination sensitivity.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of post-COVID-19 syndrome in healthcare workers.

Given the global burden of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs), it is expected that they face an elevated risk of developing post-COVID-19 syndrome. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome and associated risk factors in HCWs followed for a median time of 18 months by conducting a retrospective cohort study. All HCWs with confirmed COVID-19 during the period from January 2021 to December 2022 were included in the study. HCWs were regularly assessed after COVID-19 diagnosis, so post-COVID-19 syndrome data could be collected. During the study period, 463 HCWs were included in the study, 227 (49.0%) of which experienced post-COVID-19 syndrome. The most common persistent symptoms were fatigue (n = 147 [32.5%]), memory disorders (n = 98 [21.5%]), dyspnea (n = 73 [16.0%]), anxiety/depression (n = 69 [15.0%]), and cough (n = 43 [9.4%]). Female sex and obesity were statistically associated with the development of post-COVID-19 syndrome. A high prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome in HCWs was found. Female sex and obesity appear to be risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Special attention should be given to these patients with risk factors during follow-up in the COVID-19 recovery period.

Severe and unclassifiable tremor.

BACKGROUND: Patients often exhibit very severe or disabling forms of tremor that cannot be clearly characterized. OBJECTIVE: To present a series of 37 cases of tremor considered unclassifiable. Patients diagnosed with essential tremor according to criteria of the International Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorder Society (IPDMDS), who had been previously studied, were included as controls. All patients underwent a battery of tests between 2019 and 2022, which enabled us to compare them. METHODS: Relevant demographic and clinical information were collected. The following tools were applied: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); the Fahn-Tolosa-Marín Tremor Rating Scale (TRS); and the Quality of Life in Essential Tremor (QUEST). A simple brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was performed for all patients. The categorical variables were compared using the Chi-squared test and the t-test with Fisher correction if appropriate, and the quantitative variables were compared through the two-tailed Student t-test. Values of p ≤ 0.01 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The cases presented higher scores on the anxiety and depression subscales of the HADS than the controls (p ≤ 0.006 and 0.000 respectively). In all domains of the TRS, the cases scored significantly higher, as well as in the QUEST. History of enolism was higher among the controls, and history of orthostasis and rest tremor was higher among the cases (p ≤ 0.000). Cerebellar atrophy was present in every patient in the case group, and in 24 subjects in the control group. Dystonia was observed in 7 subjects in the case group, and in none of the patients in the control group. CONCLUSION: There are patients with unclassifiable and extremely disabling tremors who respond poorly to the pharmacological therapy options.

ANTECEDENTES: Os pacientes muitas vezes apresentam formas muito graves ou incapacitantes de tremor que não podem ser claramente caracterizadas. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar uma série de 37 casos de tremor considerados inclassificáveis. Pacientes diagnosticados com tremor essencial de acordo com os critérios da International Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorder Society (IPDMDS), já estudados anteriormente, foram incluídos como controles. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exames entre 2019 e 2022 para permitir sua comparaç ão. MéTODOS: As informaç ões demográficas e clínicas relevantes foram coletadas. As seguintes ferramentas foram aplicadas: o Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM), a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HADS, do inglês Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), a Escala de Avaliaç ão de Tremor de Fahn-Tolosa-Marín (TRS, do inglês Fahn-Tolosa-Marín Tremor Rating Scale) e a Qualidade de Vida em Tremor Essencial (QUEST, do inglês Quality of Life in Essential Tremor). Uma ressonância magnética simples do cérebro foi realizada em todos os pacientes. As variáveis categóricas foram comparadas pelo teste qui-quadrado e pelo teste t com correç ão de Fisher, se apropriado, enquanto as variáveis quantitativas foram comparadas por meio do teste t de Student bicaudal. Valores de p ≤ 0,01 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. RESULTADOS: Os casos apresentaram pontuaç ões maiores nas subescalas de ansiedade e depressão do HADS do que os controles (p ≤ 0,006 e 0,000, respectivamente). Em todos os domínios do TRS, a pontuaç ão dos casos foi significativamente maior, assim como no QUEST. O histórico de enolismo foi maior entre os controles e o histórico de ortostase e tremor em repouso foi maior entre os casos (p ≤ 0,000). A atrofia cerebelar foi apresentada por todos os pacientes do grupo de casos e em 24 indivíduos do grupo de controle. A distonia foi observada em sete indivíduos do grupo de casos e em nenhum dos pacientes do grupo controle. CONCLUSãO: Há pacientes com tremores inclassificáveis e extremamente incapacitantes que respondem mal às opç ões terapêuticas farmacológicas.

Ketamine modulates the exploratory dynamics and homebase-related behaviors of adult zebrafish.

Anxiety can be a protective emotion when animals face aversive conditions, but is commonly associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders when pathologically exacerbated. Drug repurposing has emerged as a valuable strategy based on utilizing the existing pharmaceuticals for new therapeutic purposes. Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, acts as a non-competitive antagonist of the glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and shows potential anxiolytic and antidepressant effects at subanesthetic doses. However, the influence of ketamine on multiple behavioral domains in vertebrates is not completely understood. Here, we evaluated the potential modulatory effect of ketamine on the spatio-temporal exploratory dynamics and homebase-related behaviors in adult zebrafish using the open field test (OFT). Animals were exposed to subanesthetic concentrations of ketamine (0, 2, 20, and 40 mg/L) for 20 min and their locomotion-, exploration- and homebase-related behaviors were assessed in a single 30-min trial. Our data revealed that acute ketamine (20 and 40 mg/L) induced hyperlocomotion, as verified by the increased total distance traveled. All concentrations tested elicited circling behavior, a stereotyped-like response which gradually reduced across the periods of test. We also observed modulatory effects of ketamine on the spatio-temporal exploratory pattern, in which the reduced thigmotaxis and homebase activity, associated with the increased average length of trips, suggest anxiolytic-like effects. Collectively, our findings support the modulatory effects of ketamine on the spatio-temporal exploratory activity, and corroborate the utility of homebase-related measurements to evaluate the behavioral dynamics in zebrafish models.

Are BDNF and Stress Levels Related to Antidepressant Response?

Antidepressant response is a multifactorial process related to biological and environmental factors, where brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play an important role in modulating depressive and anxious symptoms. We aimed to analyze how BDNF impacts antidepressant response, considering the levels of anxiety. METHODS: A total of 40 depressed adults were included. We evaluated initial serum BDNF, anxiety through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the severity of depressive symptoms by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Participants received antidepressant treatment for 8 weeks, and response to treatment was evaluated according to the final HDRS scores. RESULTS: Basal BDNF was higher in responders compared to non-responder depressed patients, in addition to being inversely associated with the severity of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline BDNF serum is an adequate predictive factor for response to antidepressant treatment with SSRI, with lower pre-treatment levels of BDNF associated with higher anxiety symptoms after treatment. Stress levels could influence the response to treatment, but its association was not conclusive.

Fear, anxiety, and knowledge levels of women who underwent gynecologic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the fear, anxiety, and knowledge level in women who underwent gynecological surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 188 women who underwent a gynecologic surgical operation in Mugla, Turkey. Data were collected by using demographics and obstetric detail form, questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward COVID-19, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-I (STAI-I). RESULTS: Most of the women perceived their surgical process as very urgent. Women felt fear mostly for being infected with the virus, and they were afraid of transmitting COVID-19 to another one. The COVID-19 knowledge scores of women who had undergone cancer surgery were statistically significantly higher than others (p=0.017). The STAI-I scores of women increased as their COVID-19 knowledge scores increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that women were afraid of COVID-19 infection during gynecological operation and due to hospitalization, sociodemographic characteristics affected the knowledge levels about COVID-19 infection, and the anxiety levels of the women. Planning appropriate interventions to decrease the fear and anxiety of women who undergo gynecological surgery during the pandemic is important to ensure that women adhere to their treatment and follow-up in the postoperative period.

Post-natal antibiotic exposure in mother rat (F0) induces anxiety like behavior in adult rat offspring (F1) by activating HPA axis and down-regulating the Nr3c1 gene.

Early postnatal administration of antibiotics has been linked to lasting effects on brain development and behavior. Research conducted on animals that are free from germs has demonstrated that the impact of microbiome colonization on the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and neuroendocrine pathways is substantial, which play a crucial role in stress management. Nevertheless, it is still uncertain if the exposure to antibiotics in rat dams (F0-generation) before weaning is associated with neurobehavioral changes in rat offspring (F1-generation) during adulthood. In order to investigate the effects, we perturbed the intestinal microbiota of rat dams (F0 generation) by administering cefixime (CEF), an antibiotic commonly used for obstetric purposes, at clinically relevant doses (1 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg). Anxiety-like behaviors in adult offspring was evaluated through the utilization of elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field paradigm (OFP) following a six-week interval from birth (PND42). Subsequent to behavioral assessments, the rats were euthanized, and their brains and blood was collected for biochemical analysis. Plasma corticosterone concentration was used to assess HPA activity, whereas the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to determine the transcription levels of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) Nr3c1. The offspring of F1 that were administered antibiotics before being weaned spent less time in the EPM open arm. The alterations were accompanied by increased levels of corticosterone in the bloodstream. The gene expression study revealed a decrease in the levels of mRNA transcription of Nr3c1. This research emphasizes the possible long-term effects of antibiotic exposure before weaning on the development of anxiety in offspring upon adulthood.

Assistência domiciliar na punção, utilização e manutenção de hipodermóclise: revisão de literatura / Home assistance in puncture, use and maintenance of hypodermoclysis: literature review

O cuidado de Enfermagem é pautado em conhecimento científico aliado ao conhecimento prático com o objetivo maior de trazer o melhor atendimento ao paciente, proporcionando conforto e alívio de sintomas. O presente estudo obteve como objetivo compreender a técnica de punção e manutenção do uso de hipodermóclise em ambiente domiciliar na população idosa. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura no qual foram identificados um total de 05 (cinco) registros obedecendo os critérios de inclusão desta revisão. A técnica é passível de o mínimo de complicações, com alta taxa de sucesso em idosos em cuidados paliativos e muito idosos e com taxa de sucesso de absorção pelo tecido subcutâneo de 88% após uma hora de infusão. Conclui-se que a terapia é válida para a população idosa em domicílio, porém necessita-se de mais estudos nesta área pois a busca foi limitada a poucos registros.(AU)

Nursing care is based on scientific knowledge combined with practical knowledge with the main objective of providing the best care to the patient, providing comfort and symptom relief. The present study aimed to understand the puncture technique and maintenance of the use of hypodermoclysis in the home environment in the elderly population. This is an integrative literature review in which a total of 05 (five) records were identified meeting the inclusion criteria of this review. The technique is likely to have minimal complications, with a high success rate in the elderly in palliative care and the very elderly and with a success rate of absorption into the subcutaneous tissue of 88% after one hour of infusion. It is concluded that the therapy is valid for the elderly population at home, but more studies are needed in this area as the search was limited to a few records.(AU)

Los cuidados de enfermería se basan en el conocimiento científico combinado con el conocimiento práctico con el objetivo principal de brindar la mejor atención al paciente, brindando comodidad y alivio de los síntomas. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender la técnica de punción y mantenimiento del uso de hipodermoclisis en el ambiente domiciliario en la población anciana. Se trata de una revisión integradora de la literatura en la que se identificaron un total de 05 (cinco) registros que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión de esta revisión. Es probable que la técnica tenga complicaciones mínimas, con una alta tasa de éxito en ancianos en cuidados paliativos y en personas muy ancianas y con una tasa de éxito de absorción en el tejido subcutáneo del 88% después de una hora de infusión. Se concluye que la terapia es válida para la población anciana en el hogar, pero se necesitan más estudios en esta área ya que la búsqueda se limitó a unos pocos registros.(AU)

Hispanic Cancer Survivors Exposed to Multiple Natural Disasters: Pre-Post-Disaster Changes in Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Perceived Stress, and Physical Symptom Burden.

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating the effects of natural disasters on cancer outcomes are scarce, especially among USA ethnic minority groups, and none have focused on the effects of concurrent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this secondary data analysis is to explore the impact of concurrent exposure to COVID-19 and earthquakes on psychological distress and symptom burden among Puerto Rican cancer survivors. METHODS: This secondary data analysis (n = 101) was part of a longitudinal case-control cohort study (n = 402) aimed at describing unmet psychological needs among Puerto Rican cancer patients and non-cancer subjects previously exposed to Hurricane María in 2017. The research team pooled data from participants (cancer survivors and non-cancer group) from their baseline assessments and from follow-up assessments conducted during January-July 2020 (earthquake and the lockdown period). A descriptive, paired t-test, non-parametric mean rank test, and two-sided Pearson correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS: Psychological distress and cancer symptom burden diminished over time. Resilience was significantly correlated with all the psychological and symptom burden variables during both pre- and post-earthquake and COVID-19 assessment periods. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the role of resilience, social support, and post-traumatic growth as potential protective factors preventing psychological distress and diminishing cancer symptom burden among cancer survivors exposed to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Repositioning pinacidil and its anticonvulsant and anxiolytic properties in murine models.

Epilepsy, frequently comorbid with anxiety, is a prevalent neurological disorder. Available drugs often have side effects that hinder adherence, creating a need for new treatments. Potassium channel activators have emerged as promising candidates for treating both epilepsy and anxiety. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects of pinacidil, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel activator used as antihypertensive, in rats. Our results indicate that pinacidil at 10 mg/kg (i.p.) fully protected animals from seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and provided 85.7%, 100% and 100% protection against pilocarpine-induced seizures at 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg (i.p.), respectively. Although the 2.5 and 5 mg/kg (i.p) doses did not significantly protect the animals from PTZ-induced seizures, they did significantly increase the latency to the first seizure. Pinacidil also demonstrated mild anxiolytic activity, particularly at 10 mg/kg (i.p), evidenced by increased time spent in the open or illuminated areas of the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Light-Dark Box (LDB) and increased exploratory activity in the Open Filed, EPM and LDB. Pinacidil did not affect locomotor performance, supporting its genuine anticonvulsant effects. This study holds significant medical and pharmaceutical value by characterizing pinacidil's anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects and highlighting its potential for therapeutic repositioning.