O relaxamento respiratório no manejo do craving e dos sintomas de ansiedade em dependentes de crack / Deep breathing in the management of craving and anxiety symptoms of crack-cocaine-dependent patients

Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a efetividade do relaxamento respiratório no manejo do craving e dos sintomas de ansiedade em dependentes de crack internados para tratamento em uma unidade de desintoxicação. Método: Ensaio clínico do tipo quase-experimental de análise quantitativa. A amostra foi por conveniência, sendo composta por 32 homens dependentes de cocaína (crack). Eles tinham a cocaína como a droga de escolha e haviam utilizado esta substância por última vez entre 2 e 3 semanas antes do início do tratamento, conseguindo realizar a técnica do relaxamento respiratório adequadamente do ponto de vista biomecânico. Os instrumentos aplicados foram: Cocaine Craving Questionnaire-Brief (CCQB), escala analógica visual (EAV), Inventário Beck de ansiedade (BAI) e ficha com dados sociodemográficos e referentes ao padrão de consumo de substâncias psicoativas (FSD). Foi realizada uma intervenção em grupo na qual, inicialmente, foram aplicados o CCQB, a EAV e o BAI. Depois, foram apresentadas imagens relacionadas ao uso do crack e foram reaplicados os mesmos instrumentos. A seguir, foi realizado o relaxamento respiratório durante 10 minutos e foram aplicados, pela terceira vez, os instrumentos. Após esta intervenção, foi realizada uma entrevista individual com aplicação da FSD. Resultados: Os resultados desta pesquisa demonstraram uma redução dos escores do CCQB, da EAV e do BAI pelo relaxamento respiratório em uma amostra cujo perfi l corresponde ao padrão geral dos usuários de crack. Conclusão: Este estudo, apesar de ter algumas limitações metodológicas, sugere que o relaxamento respiratório pode ser uma estratégia efetiva no manejo do craving e dos sintomas de ansiedade em dependentes de crack.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to verify the effectiveness of deep breathing in the management of craving and anxiety symptoms in crack-cocaine-dependent patients hospitalized for treatment in a detoxification unit. Method: This is a quasi-experimental clinical trial using a quantitative analysis. The convenience sample comprised 32 crack-cocaine-dependent males. These subjects had cocaine as their drug of choice, having used this substance between 2 and 3 weeks prior to the beginning of the treatment, and were able to adequately perform the deep breathing technique. The instruments used were: the Cocaine Craving Questionnaire-Brief (CCQB), the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and a form containing sociodemographic information and data related to the pattern of consumption of psychoactive substances (SDF). A group intervention was conducted with the administration of the CCQB, the VAS, and the BAI. After that, images related to the use of crack-cocaine were shown to the subjects and the same instruments were administered again. Next, the participants performed the deep breathing technique for 10 minutes, and the instruments were administered one more time. Finally, an individual interview was done and the SDF was completed. Results: Our findings demonstrated a decrease in the scores on the CCQB, the VAS and the BAI after the deep breathing technique was performed in a sample whose profile represents the general pattern of crack-cocaine users. Conclusion: In spite of some methodological limitations, the present study suggests that the deep breathing technique is effective in the management of craving and anxiety symptoms in crack-cocaine-dependent patients.

Effects of cessation of alcohol exposure on rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

Cessation of long-term alcohol exposure is reported to enhance rat hepatocarcinogenesis. The purpose of the present study was to assess this possibility using glutathione-S transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci as end point lesions. All rats were treated with a single i.p. injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (200 mg/kg body weight) and then given a MF pellet diet for 2 weeks. Thereafter, the animals were maintained on: alcohol liquid diet in which 36% of total calories were provided by alcohol (5% Al diet) for 6 weeks (group 1); control liquid diet (C diet) for 6 weeks (group 2); 5% Al diet for 6 weeks and subsequently C diet for 4 weeks (group 3); 5% Al diet for 10 weeks (group 4); or C diet for 10 weeks (group 5). All rats were subjected to two thirds partial hepatectomy at 3 weeks after DEN injection. The number and area of GST-P positive foci per cm2 of liver tissue were slightly increased in group 1 compared to the group 2 and significantly elevated in the group 4 compared to group 5. However, numbers in group 3 were significantly lower in group 4 and similar to the group 5 values. PCNA positive cells in the GST-P positive foci in the group 1 and group 4 were significantly increased as compared with respective controls (groups 2 and 5, respectively), while indices in the group 3 were again similar to values for group 5. Cessation of short-term alcohol administration thus had no promoting effects on development of GST-P foci, suggesting that the duration of alcohol treatment may be important. The results also imply the existence of a cumulative exposure time or dose threshold for alcohol if promoting effects of cessation are to be seen on rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

Effect of alcohol on neurons of iso-cortex--a histomorphometric study.

Effect of chronic intake of alcohol and its subsequent withdrawal was studied in albino mice on the layers of neurons of the iso-cortex. Neuronal density per mm2 of section in different layers of iso-cortex was counted and compared in 3 groups of animals (control, ethanol fed and withdrawal). Qualitative changes on nissl granules of neurons and myelinated fibres were also studied. Mice fed with 10% ethanol v/v ad libitum for 6 months showed loss of nissl granules and nucleolus and discontinuity of nuclear membrane. Quantitatively, significant reduction in neuronal density (P<0.001) was observed in layers II+III IV and V neurons of iso-cortex. Withdrawal of ethanol for 2 months showed continued reduction of counts of neuronal density in layers II+III and V only whereas reversal of count was found significantly (P<0.001) in layer IV of iso-cortex. Qualitatively, only few neurons showed prominent nissl granules after withdrawal of ethanol. More afferent synaptic connection in layer IV may be suggested as probable factor helping relative replenishment of neuronal count after withdrawal of alcohol.

Withdrwal effects in estrogenized mice testis a histological study

Animals selected for this experiment were mature male albino mice which were divided into control " A" [subgroups A 1 and A2] and experimental "B" [sub groups B1 and B2] groups. Estardial 17- beta, 50 ug/100 g body weight/day was administered to the experimental animals for one week. Group BI sacrificed at the end of 3rd week exhibited decreased body and paired testis weights. Diameter of seminiferous tubules were markedly reduced along with degeneration of spermatogenic cell lineage, Sertoli cells,l Leydig cells and blood vesels in the interstitium. Group B2 sacrificed at the end of 6 the week revealed improvement in the body and paired testis weights, diameter of the seminiferous tubules as well as better state of spermatogenic cell lineage, Sertoli cells Leydig cells and blood vessels, as compared to group BI. The results indicate atrophy of the testis and revival after cessation of estrogen treatment