Cannabinoid type 2 receptor inhibition enhances the antidepressant and proneurogenic effects of physical exercise after chronic stress.

Chronic stress is a major risk factor for neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) has emerged as a promising target to counteract stress-related disorders given the ability of newborn neurons to facilitate endogenous plasticity. Recent data sheds light on the interaction between cannabinoids and neurotrophic factors underlying the regulation of AHN, with important effects on cognitive plasticity and emotional flexibility. Since physical exercise (PE) is known to enhance neurotrophic factor levels, we hypothesised that PE could engage with cannabinoids to influence AHN and that this would result in beneficial effects under stressful conditions. We therefore investigated the actions of modulating cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2R), which are devoid of psychotropic effects, in combination with PE in chronically stressed animals. We found that CB2R inhibition, but not CB2R activation, in combination with PE significantly ameliorated stress-evoked emotional changes and cognitive deficits. Importantly, this combined strategy critically shaped stress-induced changes in AHN dynamics, leading to a significant increase in the rates of cell proliferation and differentiation of newborn neurons, overall reduction in neuroinflammation, and increased hippocampal levels of BDNF. Together, these results show that CB2Rs are crucial regulators of the beneficial effects of PE in countering the effects of chronic stress. Our work emphasises the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind the actions of cannabinoids and PE and provides a framework for future therapeutic strategies to treat stress-related disorders that capitalise on lifestyle interventions complemented with endocannabinoid pharmacomodulation.

Colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae among children in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Western Brazilian Amazon.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the primary pathogens that are associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) that cause high rates of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age in developed and developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization, the antimicrobial resistance profile, and the capacity for biofilm formation by S. pneumoniae isolated from children aged 0-6 years with ARI throughout the Porto Velho-RO. A total of 660 swabs were collected from children with ARI. Molecular and biochemical tests were performed to characterize the isolates. The disk-difusion method and the E-test were used for antimicrobial sensitivity testing (TSA). Biofilm formation capacity was assessed using microtiter plate assays, and serotype detection was acheived using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. The colonization rate for S. pneumoniae was 8.9% (59/660) and exhibited a high prevalence in children under 23 months of age 64.4% (38/59). The observed serotypes were 9V and 19F with frequencies of 1.7% (1/59) and 13.6% (8/59), respectively. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed 100% (59/59) sensitivity to vancomycin. In contrast, trimethoprim and oxacillin exhibited high resistance rates of 76.3% (45/59) and 52.5% (31/59), respectively. Of the biofilm-forming isolates, 54.8% (23/42) possessed resistance to some antimicrobials. In this study, S. pneumoniae showed high rates of antimicrobial resistance and the ability to form biofilms, as these are factors that favor bacterial persistence and can cause serious damage to the host.

Adultescência: a caminho da maturidade no mundo contemporâneo / Adultecence: On the way to maturity in the contemporary world / Adultoscencia: En camino a la madurez en el mundo contemporáneo

Este artigo dedica- se à reflexão a respeito da passagem da adolescência para vida adulta que, em alguns casos, pode ser experimentada com muita dificuldade. O termo adultescência é um neologismo muito recente, usado para nomear o prolongamento da adolescência e a dificuldade na entrada na vida adulta. A reflexão sobre essa problemática conta com a discussão sobre as dinâmicas arquetípicas atuantes neste momento do desenvolvimento e com a consideração de aspectos da cultura contemporânea influentes e relevantes na vida dos jovens na atualidade. A articulação entre as forças dos arquétipos Grande Mãe, Pai, Alteridade, Herói, Puer-Senex e Eros se soma às influências dos aspectos da cultura contemporânea, formando uma trama complexa de interações que pode favorecer ou atravancar a entrada na vida adulta.

This article is oriented to the reflection on the transition from adolescence to adulthood, which in some cases can be experienced with great difficulty. The term adultecence is a very recent neologism, used to name the prolongation of adolescence and the difficulty in entering adult life. The reflection on this problem relies on the discussion of the archetypal dynamics at this time of development and on the consideration of aspects of contemporary culture that are influential and relevant in the lives of young people today. The articulation between the forces of the archetypes Great Mother, Father, Alterity, Hero, Puer-Senex and Eros, add to the influences of the aspects of contemporary culture, forming a complex plot of interactions, which can favor or hinder entry into adult life.

Este artículo está dedicado a la reflexión sobre la transición de la adolescencia a la edad adulta, que en algunos casos se puede experimentar con gran dificultad. El término adultescencia es un neologismo muy reciente, utilizado para nombrar la prolongación de la adolescencia y la dificultad para entrar en la vida adulta. La reflexión sobre este problema se basa en el debate sobre la dinámica arquetípica en este momento de desarrollo y la consideración de aspectos influyentes y relevantes de la cultura contemporánea en la vida de los jóvenes de hoy. La articulación entre las fuerzas de los arquetipos Gran Madre, Padre, Alteridad, Hero, Puer-Senex y Eros, se suman a las influencias de aspectos de la cultura contemporánea, formando una compleja red de interacciones, que pueden favorecer o dificultar la entrada a la vida adulta.

Concussion management application for amateur sports.

Concussion management has become one of the most popular topics in sports medicine. Significant resources are being invested in developing protocols for professional sport associations such as the NFL and FIFA. These protocols are often expensive and require substantial resources to implement. The problem, however, runs much deeper than just professional sports. Currently there exists little infrastructure to effectively manage concussion in amateur settings such as high school, club and university sport. A more holistic approach is required to ensure that the same standard of concussion management is being implemented across the board, regardless of the available medical and financial resources. An application was developed that will allow for easily accessible baseline testing and access to a player's concussion history from anywhere in the world. The application will be used to monitor players from the day they start playing sport until they potentially become professional sport players.

Influência da adubação com nitrogênio e fósforo na produção de Jambu, Acmella oleracea (L) R. K. Jansen / Influence of the fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorus in the production of jambu (Acmella oleracea (L) R. K. Jansen)

Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência de doses de nitrogênio e fósforo na cultura do Jambu, foi instalado experimento na fazenda experimental da APTA Polo Vale do Ribeira utilizando-se sementes da cultivar Nazaré. Os tratamentos foram conduzidos em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4 x 4, e quatro repetições dos seguintes tratamentos: quatro doses de nitrogênio, (0; 37,5; 75 e 112,5 kg ha-1 N), quatro doses de fósforo (0; 75; 150 e 300 Kg ha-1 de P2O5). O solo foi inicialmente preparado recebendo calagem e adubação de plantio conforme recomendação em função da analise de solo. Após essas operações foi feito o transplante das mudas no espaçamento de 0,50 x 0,50 m e aplicado os tratamentos. A área útil da parcela foi de 1,0 m x 1,0 m. Foram analisadas as massas frescas e secas de folhas e flores, e o número de flores. A produção de matéria fresca e seca das folhas e flores foi influenciada pela adubação. Houve efeito das doses de nitrogênio, que proporcionaram aumento linear em todas as variáveis analisadas e, para a adubação fosfatada, a dose com 75 Kg ha-1 de P2O5 proporcionou a maior produção do número de flores e na massa fresca e seca das flores.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the use of nitrogen and phosphorus in the culture of jambu. The experiment was initiated at the experimental farm of the agency APTA Polo Vale do Ribeira, using the Nazaré cultivar. The experimental design was complete randomized with fourlevelsof nitrogen (0, 37.5, 75 and 112.5 kg ha-1 N) and phosphorus (0, 75, 150 and 300 Kg ha-1P2O5),and four reapplications. After soil preparation, liming and fertilization, seedlings of jambu were transplanted at a spacing of 0.50 x 0.5 m. The experimental plot was 1.0 x 1.0 m. Fresh and dry mass of leaves and flowers and number of flowers were analyzed. The production of fresh and dry leaves and flowers were influenced by fertilization. Thelevelsof nitrogen affected the outcome, as theyprovided a linear increase in all variables, and the phosphorus level of 75 kgha-1 P2O5 caused the highest average production in the number of flowers and in the fresh and dried mass of flowers.

Qualidade seminal, morfologia dos testículos e epidídimos de touros submetidos à dieta contendo gossipol / Seminal quality, testicle and epididymis morphology of bulls fed a diet containing gossypol

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da ingestão de gossipol livre sobre a qualidade espermática e a morfologia dos testículos e dos epidídimos de touros da raça Nelore. Doze touros receberam dieta contendo 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia (caroço de algodão) (Grupo 1, n=6) e dieta isenta de gossipol (Grupo 2, n=6), respectivamente. Foram realizadas coletas de sêmen no início e no final do experimento, que teve duração de 73 dias. Ao final do estudo, foram retirados os testículos e os epidídimos dos touros para se estudar o efeito do gossipol livre sobre as características histológicas. O consumo médio de 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia (média 7,1mg de gossipol livre/kg/dia) reduziu a motilidade e a concentração espermática e aumentou a porcentagem de defeitos espermáticos maiores e totais. Além disso, os animais apresentaram testículos com túbulos seminíferos de menor espessura de parede, menor número de camadas de células espermatogênicas, menor espessura do epitélio epididimário e menor número de espermatozoide no interior dos ductos epidídimários, em relação aos animais com dieta isenta de gossipol (Grupo 2). O consumo de 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia acarretou alterações na morfologia e na morfometria dos testículos e dos epidídimos e reduziu a qualidade espermática dos touros.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of intake of free gossypol on sperm quality and morphology of the testicles and epididymis of Nelore bulls. Twelve bulls were fed diets containing 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day (cottonseed) (Group 1, n = 6) and a diet free of gossypol (Group 2, n = 6), respectively. Semen samples were collected in the beginning and end of the experiment which lasted 73 days. In the end of the study the testes and epididymis of bulls were removed to study the effect of free gossypol on histological characteristics. The average consumption of 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day (mean 7.1mg of free gossypol/kg/day) reduced motility and sperm concentration and increased the percentage of major and total sperm defects, as well as the animals showing testes with seminiferous tubules of smaller thickness, fewer layers of spermatogenic lineage cells, smaller epididymal epithelium thickness and smaller number of sperm within the epididymal ducts, compared to animals with a diet free of gossypol (Group 2). The consumption of 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day led to changes in morphology and morphometry of the testes and epididymis and reduced sperm quality of bulls.

A paixão na adolescência - um rito de iniciação / Passion in adolescence - a rite of initiation

O artigo aborda o símbolo da paixão na adolescência. A paixão, nessa etapa do processo de individuação, tem a função de rito de iniciação e passagem para a maturidade e para um padrão de relacionamento de alteridade. A “des-ilusão” em virtude do recolhimento das projeções é uma etapa crucial desse rito de passagem. A impossibilidade de superar essa fase interrompe o ritual de iniciação e impede a passagem. O artigo considera ainda o contexto cultural em que os jovens estão inseridos e as especificidades dessa questão na atualidade.(AU)

The article discusses the symbol of passion in adolescence. The passion in this stage of the process of individuation fulfils the function of rite of initiation and passage to the maturity and to a pattern of relationship based on alterity. “Des-illusion”, in the light of the collapse of projections, is a crucial step in this rite of passage. The inability to overcome this step stops the ritual of initiation and prevents the passage. The article considers the cultural context in which young people are inserted and the specificities of this question today.(AU)

Emotional and affective temperament in 23 professional areas.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary data has shown temperament differences in workers of a few professions, particularly in artists. METHODS: 3805 subjects (75.5% female, mean 32.4+/-9.8 years) of 23 broad professional areas answered a web-survey with the Combined Emotional and Affective Temperament Scale (CEATS). RESULTS: Educational level was correlated with drive and control, was lower in depressives and apathetics and higher in euthymics and hyperthymics. Fear was lower in administration and communications and higher in computing and office workers. Drive was lower in those unemployed and at home and higher in fitness and administration. Control was lower in arts and higher in teaching and health caring. Anger was lower in subjects in the areas of teaching and health caring and higher in human studies and unemployed. For affective temperament scores: depressive was lower in fitness and higher in human studies; anxious and apathetic scores were lower in fitness and higher in unemployed subjects; cyclothymic was lower in health caring and higher in unemployed; euthymic score was lower in human studies and higher in fitness; irritable was lower in religion and higher in unemployed; labile was lower in health caring and higher in unemployed; disinhibited was lower in engineering and higher in communications and arts; hyperthymic was lower in human studies and high in fitness. LIMITATION: Convenience sample by the internet and most subjects assessed the instruments through a psychoeducational website for bipolar spectrum disorders, which may have biased the absolute scores of emotional temperaments. CONCLUSIONS: Professional areas and educational level are associated with distinct emotional and affective profiles.

FDG-PET in patients at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pattern of lung uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in patients with lung contusion that developed or did not progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Trauma Center (academic urban hospital). PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Eight patients with blunt thoracic trauma and pulmonary contusion, confirmed by computed tomography (CT) on admission, underwent repeat CT and FDG-PET (on the same day) 24-72 h after admission. RESULTS: No subjects met the criteria for ARDS at the time of the PET and second CT. Four subjects subsequently developed ARDS 1-3 days after the PET scan; the other four did not develop the syndrome. Three of the four subjects who subsequently developed ARDS showed diffuse FDG uptake throughout the entire lungs, while those who did not develop ARDS showed significant FDG uptake only in areas of focal lung opacity (non or poorly aerated lung units) on CT. FDG uptake in normally aerated lung regions was higher for those who subsequently developed ARDS than those who did not, approaching statistical significance. The normally aerated tissue:liver ratio was significantly higher in subjects who developed ARDS than in those who did not (P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: In this small series of patients with thoracic trauma, diffuse lung uptake of FDG was detected by PET imaging 1-3 days prior to clinically determined ARDS.

Neutralization of some hematological and hemostatic alterations induced by neuwiedase, a metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis snake venom, by the aqueous extract from Casearia mariquitensis (Flacourtiaceae).

The aqueous extract from the leaves of Casearia mariquitensis (C. m.), a plant found in Brazilian open pastures, was assayed for its ability to inhibit some hematological and hemostatic effects induced by neuwiedase, a 22 kDa class P-I metalloproteinase from the venom of the South American pit viper Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis. The aqueous extract from C. m. was able to neutralize the hematological alterations induced by the crude venom (C.V.) upon erythrocytes when the venom was incubated at a ratio of 1:10 (w/w, venom/extract), but it did not neutralize the platelet decreasing ability of C.V. The plasma fibrinogen concentration decreased approximately 36% and 83% when 0.6 LD(50) of the C.V. or neuwiedase, respectively, were injected by i.p. route in mice, and the aqueous extract from C. m. was able to inhibit this effect. The Bbeta fibrinogen chain was protected against degradation caused by crude venom and neuwiedase when the venom or toxin were incubated with C. m. extract. We also observed that this extract exerted a very slight effect on the clotting time, prolonging it only to a little extent. The pulmonary hemorrhage induced by neuwiedase when injected intravenously with 0.6 LD(50) was completely inhibited when this toxin was incubated with the extract at a ratio of 1:10 (w/w, toxin/extract). It is concluded that C. m. displays components able to inhibit some hematological and systemic alterations induced by C.V.