Effects of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on the Testicular Parenchyma of Adult BALB/C Mice Submitted to a Hypercaloric Diet

Oxidative stress due to obesity plays a detrimental role in the testicular microenvironment and sperm parameters. We explored the impact of a hypercaloric diet in male BALB/c mice as a condition to trigger damage to the spermatogenic process and the antioxidant effect of Aspalathus linearis as well. We used a hypercaloric diet in animals divided into 3 groups: Control, Hypercaloric diet control (HC) and Hypercaloric diet and Rooibos infusion (HCR). Morphometric parameters, enzyme dosages, cell viability, and tubular histopathology were evaluated. Body weight increased in HCR animals at weeks 3, 4, and 8. We found a reduction in seminiferous epithelium height, with an increase in the tubular diameter of the HCR group. Catalase levels were lower in HC and HCR, while carbonyl protein was decreased in HC. We estimate that it induces oxidative stress (OS) capable of affecting the seminiferous epithelium and that the infusion of A. linearis does not demonstrate a potential benefit in cell preservation.

Doxycycline hyclate may damage testicular germinal epithelium in Wistar rats

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial doxycycline acts as an inhibitor of protein synthesis and it is widely used in the clinical treatment of various infections by microorganisms that are sensitive to the drug, as well as in animal feed. Its liposolubility guarantees its high tissue bioavailability, being associated with several biochemical changes in the organism and potentially adverse effects on reproduction. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the action of doxycycline on spermatogenesis to provide a complete analysis of the tubular and interstitial compartments and to identify possible changes in the testicular parenchyma. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: one control (water), and two treated with doxycycline at the doses of 10mg/kg and 30mg/kg, for 30 days. After euthanasia and sample processing, the following parameters were evaluated: a) tubular diameter and height of the seminiferous epithelium; b) volumetric proportions (%) and volumes (mL) of the components of the testicular parenchyma; c) counting testicular germ cell populations; d) evaluation of cell viability. The results of the comparative evaluation between the experimental groups demonstrated a significant increase in the diameter and area of the tubular lumen and a reduction in the count of spermatogonia in the experimental group that received doxycycline hyclate at a dose of 30mg/kg. In the same experimental group, an increase in the overall yield of spermatogenesis was found as a consequence of the increase in the mitotic index.

Risk factors for acute kidney injury after liver transplantation in intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication during the postoperative period following liver transplantation. Occurrence of AKI in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is associated with increased mortality and higher costs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate occurrences of moderate or severe AKI among patients admitted to the ICU after liver transplantation and investigate characteristics associated with this complication. DESIGN AND SETTING: Single-center retrospective cohort study in a public hospital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: Forty-nine patients admitted to the ICU between January 2015 and April 2017 were included. AKI was defined from a modified Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) score (i.e. based exclusively on serum creatinine levels). RESULTS: Eighteen patients (36.7%) developed AKI KDIGO 2 or 3; mostly KDIGO 3 (16 out of the 18 patients). Lactate level within the first six hours after ICU admission (odds ratio, OR: 1.3; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.021-1.717; P = 0.034) and blood transfusion requirement within the first week following transplantation (OR: 8.4; 95% CI: 1.687-41.824; P = 0.009) were independently associated with development of AKI. Patients with AKI KDIGO 2 or 3 underwent more renal replacement therapy (72.2% versus 3.2%; P < 0.01), had longer hospital stay (20 days versus 15 days; P = 0.001), higher in-hospital mortality (44.4% versus 6.5%; P < 0.01) and higher mortality rate after one year (44.4% versus 9.7%; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Need for blood transfusion during ICU stay and hyperlactatemia within the first six postoperative hours after liver transplantation are independently associated with moderate or severe AKI. Developing AKI is apparently associated with poor outcomes.

Comparison of the spermatogenic process in three different mice strains: Swiss, Balb/C and C57BL/6

Many studies have been trying to establish standard protocols for animal experimentation, especially for animal species or strains, to master research variables with high precision. The main mouse strains used in the field of the biology of reproduction are Swiss, Balb/c, and C57BL/6. Since some of the strains show reproduction limitations, such as the size of the litter, the present study aimed to compare their spermatogenic processes to verify differences regarding the testicular parenchyma and germ cell populations, which could explain low offspring production. In addition, the present study provides additional information concerning the testicular parenchyma of such strains, which consequently would help researchers to choose the most suitable strain for reproductive studies. Six adult male mice were used for each of the strains. After euthanasia, the testes were weighed, fixated with Karnovsky fixative, embedded in methacrylate, sectioned, and stained with toluidine blue/sodium borate 1%. Morphometrical analyses from the testicular parenchyma (seminiferous tubules and interstitium) were made using the software ImageJ. Germ and Sertoli cells populations were counted in seminiferous tubules cross-sections at stage I of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. The lowest body and testicular weights were observed in C57BL/6 animals, followed by Balb/c and Swiss, however, the relative testes, parenchyma, and albuginea weights were significantly lower only in C57BL/6. Despite the seminiferous tubules and seminiferous epithelium proportions were lower in Swiss animals, their relative amount related to the body weight was the same among strains. The total number of germ cells was higher in Swiss animals, reflecting higher spermatogenic yield and daily sperm production. Due to the lower relative number of Sertoli cells, the Swiss animals showed the highest Sertoli cell index and support capacity. On the other hand, the lowest pathological indexes regarding the germ cells were observed in Balb/c animals, followed by Swiss and C57BL/6. In the interstitium, the proportion of blood vessels was lower in Swiss mice, while the lymphatic cell proportion was lower in C57BL/6 animals. Moreover, the highest proportions of Leydig cells and macrophages were noticed in Swiss mice, which may indicate increased testosterone levels. Altogether, such observations must be taken into account when choosing any of the studied strains for reproduction studies.

A new heparan sulfate from the mollusk Nodipecten nodosus inhibits merozoite invasion and disrupts rosetting and cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum

BACKGROUND Despite treatment with effective antimalarial drugs, the mortality rate is still high in severe cases of the disease, highlighting the need to find adjunct therapies that can inhibit the adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (Pf-iEs). OBJECTIVES In this context, we evaluated a new heparan sulfate (HS) from Nodipecten nodosus for antimalarial activity and inhibition of P. falciparum cytoadhesion and rosetting. METHODS Parasite inhibition was measured by SYBR green using a cytometer. HS was assessed in rosetting and cytoadhesion assays under static and flow conditions using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and human lymphatic endothelial cell (HLEC) cells expressing intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) and chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), respectively. FINDINGS This HS inhibited merozoite invasion similar to heparin. Moreover, mollusk HS decreased cytoadherence of P. falciparum to CSA and ICAM-1 on the surface of endothelial cells under static and flow conditions. In addition, this glycan efficiently disrupted rosettes. CONCLUSIONS These findings support a potential use for mollusk HS as adjunct therapy for severe malaria.

Comportamento alimentar e idosos: um estudo sobre a estética e a gastronomia / Eating habits and the elderly: a study on aesthetics and gastronomy

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a percepção de diferentes preparações gastronômicas entre idosos. Participaram desta pesquisa 38 idosos (idade = 67,65, DP = ± 6,15), que degustaram uma preparação montada de duas formas, uma mais e outra menos estética. Esses idosos responderam a um questionário semiestruturado para os dados sociodemográficos, além de medidas hedônicas relacionadas às preparações e medidas psicológicas para avaliação dos estados de humor. Para análise dos dados, foram utilizados os testes Shapiro-Wilks, Wilcoxon, Mann Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis. Além disso, optou-se por trabalhar com o delta da diferença com três grupos, de acordo com a sua preferência de prato, utilizando o teste Qui-Quadrado (Monte Carlo). Os resultados demonstraram que o prato mais estético foi melhor avaliado por todos os idosos (p = 0,000), que o prato mais estético foi percebido como maior quantidade de sal quando dividido por faixa etária (p = 0,020), não havendo diferença entre idosos e idosas (p ≥ 0,05). Também não foram encontradas diferenças quanto às percepções pelo fato de o idoso cozinhar ou não, tampouco pela presença de ansiedade e depressão, visto que o grupo tinha baixos escores dessas. Assim, a utilização de pratos mais estéticos na gastronomia pode vir a favorecer a melhora do comportamento alimentar neste grupo, assim como melhorar a percepção de gostos, especialmente do salgado, que é diminuído no processo de envelhecer. (AU)

The objective of this research was to evaluate the perception of different gastronomic preparations among the elderly. Thirty-eight elderly (age = 67.65, SD = ± 6.15) participated in this study, who tasted a preparation assembled in two ways, one more and one less aesthetic. Those elderly filled in a semi-structured questionnaire for sociodemographic data, as well as hedonic measures related to the preparation and psychological measures to assess mood states. For data analysis, the Shapiro-Wilks, Wilcoxon, Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. In addition, we chose to work with the difference delta with three groups, according to their plate preference, using the Chi-square test (Monte Carlo). The results showed that the most aesthetic dish was better evaluated by all the elderly (p = 0.000), that the more aesthetic dish was perceived as having a greater amount of salt when divided by age group (p = 0.020), and that there was no difference between elderly men and elderly women (p ≥ 0.05). Also, no differences on perceptions were found regarding the fact of whether the elderly cooked or not, as well as whether they had anxiety and depression, since the group had low anxiety and depression scores. Thus, the use of more aesthetic dishes in the gastronomy may favor the improvement of the food behavior in this group, as well as improve the perception of tastes, especially the salty one, that is diminished in the aging process. (AU)

Sociodrama com crianças no contexto escolar / Sociodrama with children in school context / Sociodrama con los niños en el contexto escolar

A presente pesquisa foi realizada em uma escola pública municipal por meio de um processo de intervenção grupal sociodramática com crianças entre cinco e dez anos. Seu objetivo foi compreender o processo grupal vivido e verificar possíveis modificações no universo das crianças. Foram realizadas dez sessões grupais e lúdicas baseadas na teoria psicodramática com 29 crianças. Os resultados indicaram modificações relacionais e afetivas das crianças, como maior socialização e aumento das expressões verbais, e surgimento de lideranças positivas no grupo.

This research was conducted in a municipal school, through a process of sociodramatic group intervention with children aged between five and ten years old. Its goal was to understand the group process experienced by them and to verify possible modifications in the universe of children. Ten ludic and group sessions were carried out based on psicodramatic theory with 29 children. The results indicated that relational and affective modifications of children, as greater socialization and increase of verbal expressions, and development of positive leadership in the group.

La presente investigación fue realizada en una escuela pública municipal, a través de un proceso de intervención del grupo sociodramática con los niños entre cinco y diez años. Su objetivo fue comprender el proceso grupal vivido y verificar la presencia de posibles modificaciones en el universo de los niños. Se realizaron diez sesiones grupales y lúdicas basadas en la teoría psicodramática con 29 niños. Los resultados indicaron modificaciones relacionales y afectivas de los niños, como una mayor socialización y aumento de las expresiones verbales, y el surgimiento de un liderazgo positivo en el grupo.

Sociodrama de famílias: um instrumento de potencialização da relação pais e filhos no contexto escolar / Family sociodrama: an instrument for strengthening the relation between parents and children in the school context / Sociodrama familiar: un instrumento para potenciar la relación entre padres e hijos en el contexto escolar

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a percepção de 17 famílias sobre a relação pais e filhos no contexto escolar. Esses alunos foram identificados, pela escola, com dificuldades escolares, tal como foi revelado em quatro sessões de Sociodrama cujo tema abordava essa relação. Da análise de conteúdo dessas sessões, foi possível concluir que o Sociodrama ajudou a promover encontros entre pais e filhos, fazendo com que se colocassem no lugar um do outro para descobrirem novas soluções.

The purpose of this research was to verify the perception of 17 families about the relations between parents and kids in the school context. These students were identified by the school as the ones who have difficulties, as it was revealed in the four Sociodrama sessions that focused on their relations. Based on the analysis of this sessions, it was possible to conclude that Sociodrama has helped parents and kids to empathize with each other through role exchanging in order to find better solutions.

La pesquisa tuvo como objetivo verificar la percepción de 17 familias acerca de la relación entre padres e hijos en el contexto escolar. Esos alumnos fueron elegidos por la escuela como los que tenían más dificultades, lo que fue revelado en cuatro sesiones de Sociodrama realizadas que abordaba esa relación. Con el análisis de las sesiones, fue posible concluir que el Sociodrama ayudó a los padres y a los niños a tener empatía gracias a la troca de papeles para encontrar soluciones mejores.

Reflexões sobre trajetórias de trabalho do pequeno agricultor familiar no interior do Estado de São Paulo / Reflections on work trajectories of the small family farmer in the interior of the State of São Paulo / Reflexiones sobre trayectorias de trabajo del pequeño agricultor familiar en el interior del Estado de São Paulo

Este trabalho analisa aspectos de trajetórias psicossociais de um grupo de pequenos agricultores familiares arrendatários de terra e que vivenciam o processo de envelhecimento. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório de natureza social e qualitativa. A metodologia utilizada foi a história de vida. Participaram do estudo quatro sujeitos, três homens e uma mulher, com a idade entre sessenta e seis anos e setenta e seis anos. Os resultados evidenciam a complexidade do sistema de organização produtiva, o trabalho na zona rural e seus impactos na construção de identidade no contexto de envelhecimento.

This paper analyzes aspects of psychosocial trajectories of a group of small family farmers lessees of land and experience the aging process. This is an exploratory study of social and qualitative nature. The methodology used was the story of life. The study included four subjects, three men and one woman between the ages of sixty-six years and seventy-six. The results show the complexity of the system of productive organization, the work in the countryside and their impact on the construction of identity in the aging context.

Este trabajo analiza aspectos de las trayectorias psicosociales de un grupo de pequeños agricultores familiares arrendatarios de tierra y experimenta el proceso de envejecimiento. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio de naturaleza social y cualitativa. La metodología utilizada fue la história de la vida. El estudio incluyó cuatro sujetos, tres hombres y una mujer entre las edades de sesenta y seis años y setenta y seis. Los resultados muestran la complejidad del sistema de organización productiva, el trabajo en el campo y su impacto en la construcción de la identidad en el contexto del envejecimiento.

O jogo dramático com mulheres de uma comunidade: revelando potências de desenvolvimento humano e social / A dramatic game with women from a community: revealing the potential of human and social development / El juego dramático con las mujeres de una comunidad: revelar competencias de desarrollo humano y social

A presente pesquisa buscou investigar as percepções de mulheres que vivenciaram uma intervenção grupal psicodramática sobre os efeitos e as transformações ocorridas durante e depois dessa experiência. O processo grupal foi constituído de dez encontros, com duração de 120 minutos cada e contou com a participação de 12 mulheres de uma comunidade de baixa renda, na faixa etária de 20 a 68 anos, que não exerciam atividades profissionais fora de casa, cinco delas eram mães e sete, avós. O jogo dramático envolveu e capturou a entrega das participantes ao fluxo de espontaneidade proposto, expresso na relação com elas mesmas, na relação com as demais participantes, com seus organismos, propiciando-lhes saúde e bem-estar, e também na inserção em seus átomos sociais, produzindo desenvolvimento social.

This research aimed to investigate the perceptions of women who experienced a psychodramatic group intervention, regarding the effects and changes that took place during and after. The group process consisted of 10 meetings, each lasting 120 minutes with the participation of 12 women from a low-income community, aged from 20 to 68, who do not work outside the home, and of whom five were mothers and seven grandmothers. The dramatic game involved and captured the way the participants gave themselves to the proposed flow of spontaneity, which was expressed in the relation to their personal being, in relation to the other participants, and with their bodies, allowing them health and well-being, and inclusion in their social atoms, producing social development.

Esta investigación pretende investigar las percepciones de las mujeres que experimentaron una intervención psicodramática en grupo sobre los efectos y los cambios que tuvieron lugar durante y después de esta. El proceso consistió en diez sesiones, cada una con duración de 120 minutos, y tenía como el objetivo manejar la participación de 12 mujeres (cinco madres y siete abuelas) de una comunidad de bajos ingresos, entre 20 y 68 años, que no trabajaban fuera del hogar. El juego dramático involucró y capturó la entrega de las participantes al flujo de la espontaneidad propuesto, expresado en su relación con ellas mismas, en relación con las demás participantes y con sus cuerpos, permitiéndoles salud y bienestar e inclusión en sus átomos sociales, produciendo el desarrollo social.

Trastorno por atracón: prevalencia, factores asociados y relación con la obesidad en adultos jóvenes universitarios / Binge Eating Disorder: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Obesity in University Students

Introducción: El trastorno por atracón (TA) es una alteración de la conducta alimentaria que puede afectar a personas de cualquier edad. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del TA según criterios de la quinta edición del Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales (DSM-V), los factores asociados y su relación con obesidad en adultos jóvenes universitarios de Barquisimeto (Venezuela), durante el periodo de septiembre de 2013 a febrero de 2014. Pacientes y método: Se estudió a 497 jóvenes de ambos sexos, entre 18 y 28 arios de edad; 371 eran mujeres. Se aplicó un instrumento de recolección de datos y se realizaron mediciones antropométricas: peso, estatura, índice de masa corporal (IMC), perímetro de la cintura (PC) e índice cintura-talla (ICT). Resultados: La prevalencia de TA fue del 3,20%. Los factores asociados al TA fueron: insatisfacción de la imagen corporal, disfunción familiar y síntomas depresivos. El TA se asoció significativamente con la obesidad global y la obesidad central. Conclusiones: No parece que los cambios en los criterios diagnósticos del TA introducidos en el DSM-V incrementen la prevalencia de TA. Se identificaron importantes factores psi-cosociales asociados al TA y este se asoció fuertemente con pacientes con obesidad global y central. Se recomienda desarrollar nuevos estudios con diseños más rigurosos para dilucidar aspectos relacionados con el efecto de la nueva definición del DSM-V y determinar el carácter causal de las asociaciones encontradas.

Background: Binge eating disorder (BED) is a disorder of eating behavior that can affect people of all ages. Aim: To determine the prevalence of BED according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V, associated factors and their relationship to obesity in university students at Barquisimeto (Venezuela), between September 2013 and February 2014. Patients and methods: A study was conducted on a sample of 497 university students of both sexes (371 females), between 18 and 28 years old. A questionnaire was applied and anthropometric measurements were recorder:Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (CW) and waist-height ratio (WHR). Results: The prevalence of BED was 3.20%. Factors associated with BED were body image dissatisfaction, family dysfunction, and depressive symptoms. BED was significantly associated with global obesity and central obesity. Conclusions: Changes in diagnostic criteria of BED, introduced in DSM-V, do not appear to increase the prevalence of BED. Important psychosocial factors associated with BED were identified. BED was strongly associated with global and central obesity. Further studies need to be carried out, with more rigorous designs to elucidate the effects of the new definition by DSM-V, and to determine the causal nature of the associations found.