Physical activity and its relationship to burden and health concerns in family caregivers of people with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Caring for people with dementia (PwD) usually triggers stress and leads to mental and somatic health complaints (SHCs). Physical activity (PA) can provide burden relief in PwD caregivers, but it is not clear whether PA habits would contribute to reducing SHCs. This study aims to analyze the effect of PA on the relationship between burden and SHCs in a sample of family caregivers of PwD. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven caregivers of PwD reported their PA habits, and completed the Giessen's Subjective Health Complaints Questionnaire (GBB-8) and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). The relationship between PA habits, burden of care (ZBI), and SHCs (B-GBB-8 scale) was examined. Subsequently, the moderating effect of PA habits on the relationship between burden and SHCs was tested. RESULTS: PA habit was inversely associated with ZBI (rbp = -0.242) and GBB-8 scores (rbp (Gastrointestinal) = -0.174; rbp (Musculoskeletal) = -0.195; rbp (Exhaustion) = -0.247; rbp (Cardiovascular) = -0.250; and rbp (Overall) = -0.257, respectively), whereas moderate positive correlations were found between ZBI and GBB-8 scores (r (Gastrointestinal) = 0.483; r (Musculoskeletal) = 0.536; r (Exhaustion) = 0.542; r (Cardiovascular) = 0.438; and r (Overall) = 0.598, respectively). The interaction effect of PA habit and burden was significant for the overall SHCs (b = -0.11; P < 0.05) and cardiovascular complaints (b = -0.06; P < 0.05). However, the association between burden and SHCs was significant (P < 0.001) only for sedentary caregivers. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that maintaining an active lifestyle through regular PA could potentially help alleviate the adverse effects of caregiver burden on somatic health among caregivers of PwD. Encouraging and endorsing PA interventions for informal caregivers might yield substantial advantages for their health and general well-being.

Identifying biomarkers for tDCS treatment response in Alzheimer's disease patients: a machine learning approach using resting-state EEG classification.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising treatment for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, identifying objective biomarkers that can predict brain stimulation efficacy, remains a challenge. The primary aim of this investigation is to delineate the cerebral regions implicated in AD, taking into account the existing lacuna in comprehension of these regions. In pursuit of this objective, we have employed a supervised machine learning algorithm to prognosticate the neurophysiological outcomes resultant from the confluence of tDCS therapy plus cognitive intervention within both the cohort of responders and non-responders to antecedent tDCS treatment, stratified on the basis of antecedent cognitive outcomes. Methods: The data were obtained through an interventional trial. The study recorded high-resolution electroencephalography (EEG) in 70 AD patients and analyzed spectral power density during a 6 min resting period with eyes open focusing on a fixed point. The cognitive response was assessed using the AD Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale. The training process was carried out through a Random Forest classifier, and the dataset was partitioned into K equally-partitioned subsamples. The model was iterated k times using K-1 subsamples as the training bench and the remaining subsample as validation data for testing the model. Results: A clinical discriminating EEG biomarkers (features) was found. The ML model identified four brain regions that best predict the response to tDCS associated with cognitive intervention in AD patients. These regions included the channels: FC1, F8, CP5, Oz, and F7. Conclusion: These findings suggest that resting-state EEG features can provide valuable information on the likelihood of cognitive response to tDCS plus cognitive intervention in AD patients. The identified brain regions may serve as potential biomarkers for predicting treatment response and maybe guide a patient-centered strategy. Clinical Trial Registration: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02772185?term=NCT02772185&draw=2&rank=1, identifier ID: NCT02772185.

Temporal and contextual binding in episodic memory in younger and older adults.

Episodic memory (EM) is a subsystem responsible for storing and recalling information about the basic elements of an event in a binding manner. Some approaches consider the temporal element to be one of the basic components of EM (WWWhen paradigm), while others consider that the contextual component is able in practice to better represent this cognitive ability (WWWhich paradigm). The relationship of both paradigms simultaneously with other instruments for measuring EM has not been investigated in healthy older adults. Thus, the present study examined the performance of young and older adults on questions based on the WWWhen and WWWhich paradigms, investigating the relationship of these questions with episodic (Remember) and non-episodic (Know) strategies. The results showed that for the younger adults both the questions demonstrated to only be significantly related with the "remember" strategy. On the other hand, older adults presented a response pattern in which the "WWWhich" questions used only episodic strategies for their correct resolution. Aging appears to promote a substantial reduction in both "Remember" and "Know" strategies, mainly those associated with solving tasks based on the temporal element of EM.

Does the d2 Test of Attention only assess sustained attention? Evidence of working memory processes involved.

The d2 Test of Attention (d2) is widely used for assessing sustained attention and we aimed at verifying whether working memory may be a secondary construct measured by d2. 70 university students were assessed using d2 conventional paper-and-pencil and computational version. The experimental group and control group performed the task with or without target key, respectively. Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and N-back (1 and 2-back) tasks were used to measure sustained attention and working memory, respectively. Computational d2 performance was predicted by CPT (p < .05; R2 = .15) in the experimental group, and it was predicted by 2-back (p < .05; R2 = .28) in the control group. Conventional d2 performance was predicted by 2-back for both control group (p = .01; R2 = .20) and experimental group (p = .02, R2 = .17). Results suggest the involvement of working memory in d2, possibly a secondary construct assessed by this instrument.

The age-invariant role of resilience resources in emotional symptomatology.

Objectives 1) To study the relationship between resilience resources (both social and individual) and emotional symptomatology (depression and anxiety symptoms), taking into account the potential indirect effects through perceived stress; 2) to investigate whether this network of relationships varies in different age groups. METHOD: A sample of 718 Brazilians completed self-reports on perceived stress, depressive and anxious symptomatology, social support and individual resilience. The sample comprised two age groups: a sample of adults aged 60 or older (n = 361; 38.78% men; Mage = 67.32 years, SDage = 5.76, range = 60-86), and a sample of younger adults (n = 357; 29.41% men; Mage = 41.37 years, SDage = 7.23, range = 18-59). Multigroup multiple indicator, multiple cause (MIMIC) modelling was used to test for the direct and indirect effects of resilience resources on emotional symptom development, considering the age groups. RESULTS: The relationship between individual resilience resources and depressive or anxiety symptomatology was found to take place exclusively through stressfulness appraisal. On the other hand, social resilience resources showed a direct and indirect effect on emotional symptoms. This pattern of relationships was found to be invariant across age groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that both individual and social resilience resources are negatively related to both depressive and anxiety symptoms in adults regardless of age, thus opening the way to future research analysing how interventions may build resilience resources to minimise the influence of stressful and traumatic events across the lifespan.

Habituation of P300 in the Use of P300-based Brain-Computer Interface Spellers: Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Versus Age-Matched Controls.

The P300-based brain-computer interface speller can provide motor independent communication to individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the motor system. P300 amplitude stability is critical for operation of the P300 speller. The P300 has good long-term stability, but to our knowledge, short-term habituation in the P300 speller has not been studied. In the current study, 15 participants: 8 ALS patients and 7 age-matched healthy volunteers (HVs), used 2 versions of P300 spellers, Face speller and Flash speller, each for 30 minutes. The ALS group performed as well as the HVs in both spellers and HVs did better with the Face speller than Flash speller while the ALS group performed equally well in both spellers. Neither intra-run P300 habituation nor inter-run P300 habituation was found. The P300 speller could be a reliable communication device for individuals with ALS.

Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) Portuguese Version: validity and metrics for the older adult population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the new Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Brief Resilience Scale (B-BRS) in older adults. METHOD: A sample of 1251 participants (54.20% women; M = 68.02 years, SD = 6.52) completed the B-BRS and seven scales on successful aging and mental health. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to study the B-BRS dimensionality. Convergent and divergent validity was analyzed by means of examining the relationships of B-BRS with scales on successful aging and mental health. RESULTS: The results supported the unidimensionality of the B-BRS after controlling for wording method, as well as satisfactory reliability (ω = .79). B-BRS structure remained invariant across education level and income groups. B-BRS scores positively correlated with successful aging factors and negatively with psychopathology symptoms. CONCLUSION: To conclude, our findings provide some evidence on the reliability and validity of the B-BRS, as well as its validation for use in the senior population.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of successful aging scale in community-dwelling older adults.

There is a growing consensus regarding the multidimensional nature of successful aging (SA), including both the biomedical and psychosocial domains of the aging process. The Successful Aging Scale (SAS) is a self-rated instrument addressing both of these components. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the SAS (SAS-B) with regard to reliability and validity in 949 Brazilian community-dwelling older adults (53.60% women; M = 69.49 years; standard deviation = 7.67). Confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) was performed to provide evidence on its structural validity. Convergent and divergent validity was studied by means of examining the relationships of SAS-B with scales concerning resilience, life satisfaction, self-esteem, social support, perceived stress, and health, as well as mental health. The CFA showed that the SAS-B is multidimensional with three correlated factors (χ2 /df = 2.74; standardized root mean square residual = 0.03; root mean square error approximation = 0.04; comparative fit index = 0.91), and its factors showed adequate reliability (ω = 0.70 for Healthy living habits, ω = 0.69 for Adaptive coping, and ω = 0.70 for Engagement with Life). Convergent and divergent validity was endorsed by correlations with related factors. The SAS-B is a reliable and valid self-rated instrument to measure the SA from a multidimensional perspective.

A Shaping Procedure to Modulate Two Cognitive Tasks to Improve a Sensorimotor Rhythm-Based Brain-Computer Interface System.

This study aimed to propose an adapted feedback using a psychological learning technique based on Skinner's shaping method to help the users to modulate two cognitive tasks (right-hand motor imagination and relaxed state) and improve better control in a Brain-Computer Interface. In the first experiment, a comparative study between performance in standard feedback (N = 9) and shaping method (N = 10) was conducted. The NASA Task Load Index questionnaire was applied to measure the user's workload. In the second experiment, a single case study was performed (N = 5) to verify the continuous learning by the shaping method. The first experiment showed significant interaction effect between sessions and group (F(1, 17) = 5.565; p = .031) which the shaping paradigm was applied. A second interaction effect demonstrates a higher performance increase in the relax state task with shaping procedure (F(1, 17) = 5. 038; p = .038). In NASA-TXL an interaction effect was obtained between the group and the cognitive task in Mental Demand (F(1, 17) = 6, 809; p = .018), Performance (F(1, 17) = 5, 725; p = .029), and Frustration (F(1, 17) = 9, 735; p = .006), no significance was found in Effort. In the second experiment, a trial-by-trial analysis shows an ascendant trend learning curve for the cognitive task with the lowest initial acquisition (relax state). The results suggest the effectiveness of the shaping procedure to modulate brain rhythms, improving mainly the cognitive task with greater initial difficulty and provide better interaction perception.

A shaping procedure to modulate two cognitive tasks to improve a sensorimotor rhythm-based brain-computer interface systems

This study aimed to propose an adapted feedback using a psychological learning technique based on Skinner's shaping method to help the users to modulate two cognitive tasks (right-hand motor imagination and relaxed state) and improve better control in a Brain-Computer Interface. In the first experiment, a comparative study between performance in standard feedback (N = 9) and shaping method (N = 10) was conducted. The NASA Task Load Index questionnaire was applied to measure the user's workload. In the second experiment, a single case study was performed (N = 5) to verify the continuous learning by the shaping method. The first experiment showed significant interaction effect between sessions and group (F(1, 17) = 5.565; p = .031) which the shaping paradigm was applied. A second interaction effect demonstrates a higher performance increase in the relax state task with shaping procedure (F(1, 17) = 5. 038; p = .038). In NASA-TXL an interaction effect was obtained between the group and the cognitive task in Mental Demand (F(1, 17) = 6, 809; p = .018), Performance (F(1, 17) = 5, 725; p = .029), and Frustration (F(1, 17) = 9, 735; p = .006), no significance was found in Effort. In the second experiment, a trial-by-trial analysis shows an ascendant trend learning curve for the cognitive task with the lowest initial acquisition (relax state). The results suggest the effectiveness of the shaping procedure to modulate brain rhythms, improving mainly the cognitive task with greater initial difficulty and provide better interaction perception

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Knowledge generation in agricultura research / Geração do conhecimento em pesquisa agropecuária

ABSTRACT: Over the past decades, Brazilian agriculture has played an important role in the international market, in response to growing global demand for products, services and food security. This achievement was in a large extent powered by the ability to generate knowledge and the actions promoted by science and technology institutes. This article aims to describe the model of knowledge generation in agriculture, assuming that the knowledge cycle is responsible for the capture, identification, selection and share of informal and formal information, through practices in the workplace and outside it, in personal and institutional networks. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this research deals with a multi-case study on three Brazilian science and technology institutes dedicated to agricultural research. Using both, qualitative and quantitative approaches, and collecting data through semi-structured interviews applied to seniors researchers, as well as questionnaires answered by 410 scientists holding master's and doctoral degrees in natural sciences. Results indicate the existence of a knowledge generation model in agriculture research focused innovation, whose process starts from capturing ideas on how to solve a problem using the technological competence developed, through formal research projects.

RESUMO: No decorrer das últimas décadas, a agropecuária brasileira tem desempenhado um papel importante no mercado internacional, em resposta às crescentes demandas globais por produtos, serviços e segurança alimentar. Essa conquista foi estimulada, em grande parte, pela capacidade de geração de conhecimento e ações promovidas pelos institutos de ciência e tecnologia. Este artigo visa a descrever o modelo de geração do conhecimento na pesquisa agropecuária, assumindo que o ciclo do conhecimento inclui a captura, internalização e compartilhamento do conhecimento, mediante práticas informais e formais no ambiente de trabalho e nas redes de relacionamento, pessoais e institucionais. Precedida por ampla revisão teórica, a pesquisa é baseada em um estudo multicasos em três institutos de ciência e tecnologia, com foco na pesquisa agropecuária, com abordagem quali-quantitativa, instrumentalizada por entrevistas semiestruturadas aos pesquisadores seniores e aplicação de questionários em uma amostra de 410 pesquisadores com título de mestres e doutores em áreas relacionadas à pesquisa agropecuária. Os resultados indicam um modelo de geração do conhecimento em institutos de pesquisa agropecuária voltados à inovação, que tem origem na captura de ideias sobre como solucionar um problema com uso da competência tecnológica desenvolvida, por meio da elaboração do projeto de pesquisa.

Concentration on performance with P300-based BCI systems: a matter of interface features.

People who suffer from severe motor disabilities have difficulties to communicate with others or to interact with their environment using natural, i.e., muscular channels. These limitations can be overcome to some extent by using brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), because such systems allow users to communicate on the basis of their brain activity only. Among the several types of BCIs for spelling purposes, those that rely on the P300 event related potential-P300-based spellers-are chosen preferentially due to their high reliability. However, they demand from the user to sustain his/her attention to the desired character over a relatively long period of time. Therefore, the user's capacity to concentrate can affect his/her performance with a P300-based speller. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis using three different interfaces: one based on the classic P300 speller paradigm, another also based on that speller but including a word predictor, and a third one that was based on the T9 interface developed for mobile phones. User performance was assessed by measuring the time to complete a spelling task and the accuracy of character selection. The d2 test was applied to assess attention and concentration. Sample (N = 14) was divided into two groups basing on of concentration scores. As a result, performance was better with the predictor-enriched interfaces: less time was needed to solve the task and participants made fewer errors (p < .05). There were also significant effects of concentration (p < .05) on performance with the standard P300 speller. In conclusion, the performance of those users with lower concentration level can be improved by providing BCIs with more interactive interfaces. These findings provide substantial evidence in order to highlight the impact of psychological features on BCI performance and should be taken into account for future assistive technology systems.

Brain-computer interface: proposal of a shaping-based training

INTRODUCTION: Persons affected by certain motor disabilities such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can evolve with important motor and speech difficulties in communication. A BCI (Brain Computer Interface) is a system that allows interaction between the human brain and a computer, permitting the user to control a communication channel through his or her brain activity. It is based on the analysis and processing of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals to generate control commands. The present study focuses on the subjects' capability to improve the way they learn to control a BCI system. METHODS: Two training procedures were compared: standard and progressive shaping response. Six volunteers participated in a reversal single-subject ABAC design. RESULTS: The study showed that both procedures are equally effective in producing a differential responding in the EEG signals, with no significant differences between them. Nevertheless, there were significant differences when distinguishing two neuronal responses (relax state and hand-movement imagination). Also, in the analysis of individual signals, an adaptive process for the shaping process and a lower error rate in the idle response appeared. CONCLUSION: Both proposed training procedures, standard and progressive shaping, are equally effective to achieve training of differential responses (imagination of hand/relax) in the interaction with a BCI.

Variables psicológicas en el control de interfaces cerebro-computadora / Psychological variables in the control of brain-computer interfaces

BCI (Brain Computer Interface) es un sistema que permite la interacción entre el cerebro humano y un ordenador. Se basa en el análisis de señales electroencefalográficas (EEG) y el procesado de éstas para generar comandos de control. En el estudio se analizó la posible influencia de variables psicológicas como la capacidad imaginativa sinestésica y la ansiedad en relación al desempeño en un BCI. Todos los participantes (4 hombres y 19 mujeres estudiantes) realizaron los cuestionarios y una sesión de BCI para controlar con sus señales EEG un entorno virtual de un coche por una carretera recta. El grupo se dividió en dos subgrupos en función de que sus señales EEG consiguieran o no respuestas diferenciales en esa discriminación izquierda-derecha. Los resultados del estudio no mostraron diferencias significativas en las variables cognitivas de imaginación, ni tampoco en ansiedad. Al comparar ese grado de control BCI de los participantes se encontró un nuevo parámetro cuantitativo que permite comparar ejecuciones y tomar decisiones en el procesado de señales. Se discuten los hallazgos, el proceso de investigación en marcha para refinar el control de un BCI y la interacción de procedimientos psicológicos e informáticos (AU)

BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) is a system that allows interaction between the human brain and a computer. It is based on analyzing electroencephalographic signals (EEG) and processing them to generate control commands. The study analyzed the possible influence of psychological variables, such as the imaginative kinesthetic capacity and anxiety, in relation to performance in a BCI. All participants (4 male and 19 female students) completed the questionnaires and carried out a session of BCI to control their EEG signals in a virtual setting of a car along a straight road. The group was divided into two subgroups according to their EEG signals or differential responses obtained in the left-right discrimination. Study results showed no significant differences in cognitive variables of imagination or in anxiety. By comparing the degree of participants’ BCI control, a new quantitative parameter for comparing performances and making decisions in signal processing was found. The findings, the ongoing research process to refine the control of a BCI, and the interaction of psychological and computer procedures are discussed (AU)

[Psychological variables in the control of brain-computer interfaces]. / Variables psicológicas en el control de interfaces cerebro-computadora.

BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) is a system that allows interaction between the human brain and a computer. It is based on analyzing electroencephalographic signals (EEG) and processing them to generate control commands. The study analyzed the possible influence of psychological variables, such as the imaginative kinesthetic capacity and anxiety, in relation to performance in a BCI. All participants (4 male and 19 female students) completed the questionnaires and carried out a session of BCI to control their EEG signals in a virtual setting of a car along a straight road. The group was divided into two subgroups according to their EEG signals or differential responses obtained in the left-right discrimination. Study results showed no significant differences in cognitive variables of imagination or in anxiety. By comparing the degree of participants' BCI control, a new quantitative parameter for comparing performances and making decisions in signal processing was found. The findings, the ongoing research process to refine the control of a BCI, and the interaction of psychological and computer procedures are discussed.

A two-class self-paced BCI to control a robot in four directions.

In this work, an electroencephalographic analysis-based, self-paced (asynchronous) brain-computer interface (BCI) is proposed to control a mobile robot using four different navigation commands: turn right, turn left, move forward and move back. In order to reduce the probability of misclassification, the BCI is to be controlled with only two mental tasks (relaxed state versus imagination of right hand movements), using an audio-cued interface. Four healthy subjects participated in the experiment. After two sessions controlling a simulated robot in a virtual environment (which allowed the user to become familiar with the interface), three subjects successfully moved the robot in a real environment. The obtained results show that the proposed interface enables control over the robot, even for subjects with low BCI performance.

Cytotoxic activity of orsellinates.

The series of 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoates 2-10 (methyl to hexyl orsellinates) prepared by alcoholysis of lecanoric acid (1)--a natural product from the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum (Nyl.) Hale - was submitted to the brine shrimp lethality test (BST), which was also performed for 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid (11) (orsellinic acid) and the derivative ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate (12) (4-methoxy-ethyl orsellinate), in order to detect new substances with probable antineoplasic activity. Results showed that chain elongation--increase in lipophilicity (log P)--causes a rise in the cytotoxic activity of orsellinates. Hexyl orsellinate (7) showed the highest cytotoxic activity (LC50 = 31 microM). A correlation between lipophilicity (log P) and cytotoxic activity (log 1/LC50) is presented. Compounds with ramified chains--iso-propyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl orsellinates (8-10)--were less active than those with the correspondent linear chain. The activities presented by 4-methoxy-ethyl orsellinate (12) and ethyl orsellinate (3) suggest that the hydroxy group at the C-4 position causes effect in the cytotoxic activity of orsellinates against Artemia salina.

Rendimento escolar de alunos da área rural em escola urbana / School performance of rural area students in urban school

Objetivo: analisar e comparar as notas dos boletins de alunos residentes na área rural e na áreaurbana, estando ambos estudando nas mesmas escolas urbanas. Métodos: analisaram-se as notasdo primeiro semestre de 2005 de 641 alunos do Ensino Fundamental das escolas públicas urbanas deTerenos, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), sendo 81,1% residentes na área urbana e 18,9% na rural. Osalunos foram comparados segundo a sua performance nas disciplinas de Língua Portuguesa,Matemática, Ciências, Educação Física, Geografia, História e Educação Artística, considerando-se olocal de residência (urbana e rural), turno de estudo (diurno ou noturno), tipo de escola (municipal ouestadual) e gênero. Resultados: não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas performancesdos alunos da primeira a quarta séries, em nenhuma disciplina. Da quinta a oitava séries encontraramseperformances ligeiramente melhores nos alunos que residem na área urbana, medido por meio doTeste t-Student. Contudo, ao se analisar conjuntamente todas as variáveis citadas acima, nenhumadelas foi preponderante na explicação da performance do aluno nas diversas disciplinas analisadaspela Regressão Linear Múltipla. Conclusão: no estudo realizado não foram encontradas diferençassignificativas no rendimento escolar entre alunos da escola urbana e da rural, estando ambos estudandonas mesmas escolas urbanas.

Purpose: to analyze and compare grades in bulletins of students who lived in rural area and in urbanarea, with both kinds studying in the same urban schools. Methods: we analyzed the grades in thefirst semester of 2005 of 641 student in the basic education of the urban public schools of Terenos /MS, being 81.1% residents in urban area and 18.9% in rural area. The students were comparedaccording to their performances in the discipline of Portuguese, Mathematics, Sciences, PhysicalEducation, Geography, History and Artistic Education, considering the place of residence (urban/rural), period of study (day / night), type of school (municipal/state) and gender. Results: no significantdifference was found in the performances of the students from series 1 to 4, in none of the disciplines.From series 5 to 8 we found a slightly better performance in the students who lived in the urban area,measured by t-Student test. However, if upon jointly analyzing all the variable, none of them waspreponderant in explaining the performance of the student, measured by multiple lineal regression.Conclusion: no significant differences were found in the school performance between students in theurban and rural area.

Efeito do diclofenaco de sódio na cicatrização da parede abdominal de ratos

The aim of the experiment was to do a valuation of the effect of the sodium diclofenac on the collagenous sinthesis in abdominal wall healing. It was used 40 male Wistar rats to do longitudinal laparotomies with a standardized technique, divided into 2 groups: One without the drug (control group) and another group wich were administrated sodium diclofenac (3mg/kg) every day for 4 days. In the 7th and 14th postoperative day, 10 animals of each group were submitted to euthanasia and the front abdominal wall involving the scar was removed to be prepared to hystological analysis. The segments were prepared with Hematoxilyn-Eosin and Picrosirius Red F3BA, in order to do either a general view of healing process or a quantitative valuation of collagenous. The resultant data were submitted to statistical analysis. It was conclued that the abdominal wall scar in rats treated with sodium diclofenac had less collagenous fibres in the 7th and 14th postoperative days than rats from the control group.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do diclofenaco de sódio na cicatrização da parede abdominal de ratos. Foram utilizados 40 (quarenta) ratos machos Wistar, submetidos a laparotomia com técnica padronizada, distribuidos em dois grupos, um grupo controle e outro onde se administrou o diclofenaco de sódio - 3 mg/kg/dia, via intramuscular durante 4 (quatro) dias consecutivos. Ao sétimo e ao décimo quarto dias de pós operatório, respectivamente, fora realizada a eutanásia, retirando-se a camada músculo-facial abdominal envolvendo a cicatriz operatória para a realização do estudo histológico. Os segmentos foram corados por Hematoxilina-Eosina e Picrosirius Red F3BA, sendo feita observação qualitativa do processo cicatricial e quantitativa do colágeno. Os resultados encontrados foram analisados estatisticamente. Concluiu-se que a cicatriz da parede abdominal de rato tratado com o diclofenaco de sódio apresenta menor quantidade de fibras colágenas no 7 FONT FACE="Symbol">° /font> e 14 FONT FACE="Symbol">° /font> dias de pós-operatório, quando comparado a animal do grupo controle.

Efeito do diclofenato de sódio na cicatrizaçäo da parede abdominal de ratos / Effects of sodium diclofenac on the abdominal wall healing in rats

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do diclofenaco de sódio na cicatrização da parede abdominal de ratos. Foram utilizados 40 (quarenta) ratos machos Wistar, submetidos a laparotomia com técnica padronizada, distribuídos em dois grupos, um grupo controle e outro se administrou o diclofenaco de sódio - 3mg/kg/dia, via intramuscular durante 4 (quatro) dias consecutivos. Ao sétimo e ao décimo quarto dias de pós-operatório, respectivamente, fora realizada a eutanásia, retirando-se a camada músculo-facial abdominal envolvendo a cicatriz operatória para a realização do estudo histológico. Os segmentos foram corados por Hematoxilina-Eosina e Picrosirius Red F3BA, sendo feita observação quantitativa do processo cicatricial e quantitativa do colágeno. Os resultados encontrados foram analisados estatisticamente. Concluiu-se que a cicatriz da parede abdominal de rato tratado com o diclofenaco de sódio apresenta menor quantidade de fibras colágenas no 7§ e 14§ dias de pós-operatório, quando comparado a animal do grupo controle.