Unraveling the Influence of Litter Size, Maternal Care, Exercise, and Aging on Neurobehavioral Plasticity and Dentate Gyrus Microglia Dynamics in Male Rats.

This study explores the multifaceted influence of litter size, maternal care, exercise, and aging on rats' neurobehavioral plasticity and dentate gyrus microglia dynamics. Body weight evolution revealed a progressive increase until maturity, followed by a decline during aging, with larger litters exhibiting lower weights initially. Notably, exercised rats from smaller litters displayed higher body weights during the mature and aged stages. The dentate gyrus volumes showed no significant differences among groups, except for aged sedentary rats from smaller litters, which exhibited a reduction. Maternal care varied significantly based on litter size, with large litter dams showing lower frequencies of caregiving behaviors. Behavioral assays highlighted the detrimental impact of a sedentary lifestyle and reduced maternal care/large litters on spatial memory, mitigated by exercise in aged rats from smaller litters. The microglial dynamics in the layers of dentate gyrus revealed age-related changes modulated by litter size and exercise. Exercise interventions mitigated microgliosis associated with aging, particularly in aged rats. These findings underscore the complex interplay between early-life experiences, exercise, microglial dynamics, and neurobehavioral outcomes during aging.

Cotidiano e desafios da enfermagem em unidades hospitalares COVID-19: perspectiva dos profissionais / Daily life and challenges of nursing in COVID-19 hospital units: professionals' perspective

Introdução: O trabalho de enfermagem em unidades hospitalares COVID-19 é complexo, desafiador e repleto de elementos cuja compreensão é importante para o campo da Gestão e Saúde no Trabalho. Objetivo: Compreender o cotidiano e os desafios de trabalhadores de enfermagem na linha de frente do enfrentamento à pandemia em unidades hospitalares COVID-19. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo qualitativo desenvolvido com 35 trabalhadores de enfermagem em unidades COVID-19 de sete hospitais do Sul do Brasil, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. O software NVivo auxiliou no tratamento dos dados a partir da análise temática de conteúdo. Resultados: Da análise dos dados emergiram duas categorias analíticas: Desafios do cotidiano de enfermagem nas unidades COVID-19: complexidade e demandas da assistência; e Desafios de ser um trabalhador de enfermagem da linha de frente: desdobramentos no bem-estar profissional e na vida pessoal. Discussão: Pode-se considerar que a complexidade e intensificação do trabalho na linha de frente causou impactos que podem conduzir os trabalhadores de enfermagem ao adoecimento. São importantes ações de promoção à visibilidade profissional junto à sociedade para desmistificar a imagem romantizada sobre a profissão e problematizar a importância da enfermagem no enfrentamento da pandemia e os impactos sofridos por estes trabalhadores. Conclusão: Trabalhadores de enfermagem de unidades COVID-19 vivenciam desafios complexos, com repercussões em sua experiência laboral e em sua vida.

Introduction: The nursing work in COVID-19 hospital units is complex, challenging, and full of elements whose understanding is important for the field of Management and Health at Work. Objective: To understand the daily life and challenges of nursing workers in the front line of confronting the pandemic in COVID-19 hospital units. Materials and Methods: Qualitative study developed with 35 nursing workers in COVID-19 units from seven hospitals in southern Brazil, through semi-structured interviews. The NVivo software helped in the data treatment from the thematic content analysis. Results: Two analytical categories emerged from data analysis: Challenges of nursing daily life in COVID-19 units: complexity and demands of assistance; and Challenges of being a frontline nursing worker: unfolding in professional well-being and personal life. Discussion: It can be considered that the complexity and intensification of frontline work caused impacts that can lead nursing workers to illness. Actions to promote professional visibility in society are important, to demystify the romanticized image about the profession, and to problematize the importance of nursing in facing the pandemic and the impacts suffered by these workers. Conclusion: Nursing workers in COVID-19 units experience complex challenges, with repercussions on their work experience and their lives.

Introducción: El trabajo de enfermería en las unidades hospitalarias COVID-19 es complejo, desafiante y lleno de elementos cuya comprensión es importante para el campo de la Gestión y Salud Ocupacional. Objetivo: comprender el cotidiano y los desafíos de los trabajadores de enfermería en la primera línea de enfrentamiento a la pandemia en las unidades hospitalarias de la COVID-19. Materiales y Métodos: estudio cualitativo desarrollado con 35 trabajadores de enfermería en unidades de COVID-19 de siete hospitales del sur de Brasil, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas. El software NVivo ayudó en el procesamiento de datos basado en el análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: del análisis de los datos surgieron dos categorías analíticas: Desafíos cotidianos de la enfermería en las unidades de COVID-19: complejidad y demandas asistenciales; y Desafíos de ser un trabajador de enfermería de primera línea: desarrollos en el bienestar profesional y personal. Discusión: se puede considerar que la complejidad e intensificación del trabajo en primera línea provocó impactos que podrían llevar a los trabajadores de enfermería a la enfermedad. Las acciones de promoción de la visibilidad profesional en la sociedad son importantes para desmitificar la imagen romantizada de la profesión y discutir la importancia de la enfermería en el enfrentamiento de la pandemia y los impactos sufridos por estos trabajadores. Conclusión: los trabajadores de enfermería de las unidades de COVID-19 viven desafíos complejos, con repercusiones en su experiencia laboral y en su vida.

Management styles in outpatient nursing work: impacts on the worker's health.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze management styles in outpatient clinics of university hospitals and their impacts on the nursing workers' health. METHOD: Quantitative, cross-sectional study with 388 nursing professionals working in 11 outpatient clinics linked to public universities in Rio de Janeiro. The Management Styles Scale, the Pathogenic Suffering at Work Scale, and the Work-Related Physical and Psychosocial Harms Scale were used. RESULTS: The managerial and collective management styles showed a moderate presence for the outpatient clinics nursing staff. The characteristics of the predominantly managerial management style, evidenced by the lack of participation in decision-making, the strongly hierarchical work, focused on norms and control, acted as predictors of the experiences of suffering and of the physical, psychological, and social damages presented by the professionals working in this context. CONCLUSION: The analysis of management styles allowed elucidating characteristics that have the potential to negatively impact the workers' health, highlighting the need to review the management models currently adopted for the outpatient nursing team.

Sueño, estrés, riesgo cardiovascular y terapia complementaria en profesionales de enfermería de urgencias / Sleep, Stress, Cardiovascular Risk and Ancillary Therapy in Nursing Professional from the Emergency Department

Introducción: El trabajo de enfermería en urgencias se ha asociado con el estrés, la mala calidad del sueño y otros factores de riesgo de enfermedades, lo que ha incrementado la demanda de terapias complementarias. Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre la calidad del sueño, el nivel de estrés, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular y el uso de terapia complementaria por parte de profesionales de enfermería en un servicio de urgencias 24 horas. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado con profesionales de enfermería de una unidad de atención de emergencia 24 horas en el noroeste del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. La recolección de datos se realizó de enero a febrero de 2021 y se utilizaron como instrumentos un cuestionario sociodemográfico y clínico, la Lista de signos y síntomas de estrés y el Índice de calidad del sueño de Pittsburgh. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y la prueba exacta de Fisher para el análisis de datos. Resultados: De los 34 participantes, 88,23 por ciento eran mujeres y 73,52 por ciento eran técnicos o auxiliares de enfermería. Hubo mala calidad del sueño en 82,35 por ciento de ellos, nivel de estrés moderado a muy alto en 79,41 por ciento, uso de té o medicinas a base de hierbas en 61,76 por ciento, sobrepeso u obesidad en 52,94 por ciento y aumento de la circunferencia abdominal en 61,76 por ciento. Conclusiones: No hubo asociación entre la calidad del sueño, el estrés, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular y el uso de terapia complementaria. Sin embargo, el género femenino se asoció con el estrés y la terapia complementaria(AU)

Introduction: The emergency department nursing work has been associated with stress, poor sleep quality and other disease risk factors, which has increased the demand for ancillary therapies. Objective: To analyze the relationship between sleep quality, stress level, cardiovascular risk factors and the use of ancillary therapy by nursing professionals in a 24-hour emergency department. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with nursing professionals in a 24-hour emergency care unit in the northwestern part of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The data collection was performed in the period between January and February 2021. A sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Signs and Symptoms of Stress Checklist, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used as instruments. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis. Results: Of the 34 participants, 88.23% were women, while 73.52% were technicians or nursing assistants. Among the patients, 82.35% reported poor sleep quality, 79.41% reported moderate to very high stress level, and 61.76% used tea or herbal medicines. 52.94% were overweight or obese, while 61.76% presented increased abdominal circumference. Conclusions: There was no association between sleep quality, stress, cardiovascular risk factors and the use of ancillary therapy. However, the female gender was associated with stress and ancillary therapy.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Physical Well-being of Nursing and Medical Personnel: An Integrative Review / Impacto da covid-19 no bem-estar físico de profissionais de enfermagem e médicos: revisão integrativa / Impacto de la covid-19 en el bienestar físico de profesionales de enfermería y médicos: revisión integradora

Objective: To highlight the impact of responding to COVID-19 on the physical well-being of nursing and medical personnel. Method: This integrative literature review includes Spanish, English, and Portuguese articles. From July 10 to 16, 2020, the search was carried out in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Web of Science, SciVerse Scopus, and National Library of Medicine databases. Twenty-five studies were analyzed, and the results are presented descriptively and in tables. Results: Of the total number of articles, 52 % addressed coronavirus infection and related factors as an impact on nursing and medical personnel's physical well-being resulting from responding to COVID-19, 28 % addressed sleep quality and predictors, and 20 % addressed damage stemming from the use of personal protective equipment or other preventive measures. Conclusions: Responding to COVID-19 has been conducive to coronavirus infection among personnel due to the work process and prevention measures, poor sleep quality due to mental disorders and lack of social support, and physical harm, such as headaches and skin injuries, due to the use of protective equipment and hand disinfection.

Objetivo: evidenciar o impacto do enfrentamento da covid-19 no bem-estar físico de profissionais de enfermagem e médicos. Método: revisão integrativa da literatura com artigos em espanhol, inglês e português. A busca ocorreu de 10 a 16 de julho de 2020 nas bases de dados Cummulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Web of Science, SciVerse Scopus e National Library of Medicine. Foram analisados 25 estudos, cujos resultados estão apresentados de forma descritiva e por meio de quadros. Resultados: do total de artigos, 52 % abordaram a infecção por coronavírus e fatores relacionados como impacto no bem-estar físico decorrente do enfrentamento da covid-19 de profissionais de enfermagem e médicos; 28 %, a qualidade do sono e fatores preditores e 20 %, os danos provenientes do uso de equipamentos de proteção individual ou de outras medidas de prevenção. Conclusões: o enfrentamento da covid-19 tem propiciado a infecção por coronavírus entre os profissionais, devido ao processo de trabalho e às medidas de prevenção; a má qualidade do sono, relacionada às desordens mentais e à falta de apoio social, e danos físicos, como cefaleia e lesões cutâneas, causados pelo uso de equipamentos de proteção e pela desinfecção de mãos.

Objetivo: evidenciar el impacto del afrontamiento de la covid-19 en el bienestar físico de profesionales de enfermería y médicos. Método: revisión integradora de la literatura con artículos en español, inglés y portugués. La búsqueda se dio entre y el 10 y el 16 de julio de 2020 en las bases de datos Cummulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud, Web of Science, SciVerse Scopus y National Library of Medicine. Se analizaron 25 estudios, cuyos resultados se presentan de forma descriptiva y mediante tablas. Resultados: del total de artículos, el 52 % abordó la infección por coronavirus y factores relacionados como impacto en el bienestar físico de profesionales de enfermería y médicos por efecto del afrontamiento de la covid-19; el 28 %, la calidad del sueño y factores predictores y el 20 %, los daños provenientes del uso de equipos de protección personal u otras medidas de prevención. Conclusiones: el afrontamiento de la covid-19 ha propiciado la infección por coronavirus entre los profesionales, debido al proceso laboral y las medidas de prevención, la mala calidad del sueño relacionada con los desórdenes mentales y la falta de soporte social y daños físicos, como cefalea y heridas cutáneas, por el uso de equipos de protección personal y de la desinfección de las manos.

Management styles in outpatient nursing work: impacts on the worker's health / Estilos de gestión en el trabajo de enfermería ambulatorial: impactos en la salud del trabajador / Estilos de gestão no trabalho de enfermagem ambulatorial: impactos na saúde do trabalhador

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze management styles in outpatient clinics of university hospitals and their impacts on the nursing workers' health. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional study with 388 nursing professionals working in 11 outpatient clinics linked to public universities in Rio de Janeiro. The Management Styles Scale, the Pathogenic Suffering at Work Scale, and the Work-Related Physical and Psychosocial Harms Scale were used. Results: The managerial and collective management styles showed a moderate presence for the outpatient clinics nursing staff. The characteristics of the predominantly managerial management style, evidenced by the lack of participation in decision-making, the strongly hierarchical work, focused on norms and control, acted as predictors of the experiences of suffering and of the physical, psychological, and social damages presented by the professionals working in this context. Conclusion: The analysis of management styles allowed elucidating characteristics that have the potential to negatively impact the workers' health, highlighting the need to review the management models currently adopted for the outpatient nursing team.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar los estilos de gestión en ambulatorios de hospitales universitarios y sus impactos en la salud de los trabajadores de enfermería. Método: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal, participaron 388 profesionales de enfermería actuantes en 11 ambulatorios vinculados a las universidades públicas en Rio de Janeiro. Se utilizó la Escala de Estilos de Gestión, la Escala de Sufrimiento Patogénico en el Trabajo y la Escala de Daños Físicos y Psicosociales relacionados al Trabajo. Resultados: Los estilos de gestión gerencial y colectiva presentaron presencia moderada en el equipo de enfermería de los ambulatorios. Las características del estilo de gestión predominantemente gerencial, evidenciadas por la falta de participación en la toma de decisión, el trabajo fuertemente jerarquizado, enfocado en las normas actuaron como predictores de las vivencias de sufrimiento y de los daños físicos, psíquicos y sociales presentados por los profesionales actuantes en ese contexto. Conclusión: El análisis de los estilos de gestión permitió elucidar características que tienen potencial para impactar negativamente la salud de los trabajadores destacándose la necesidad de revisar los modelos de gestión actualmente adoptados para el equipo de enfermería ambulatorial.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os estilos de gestão em ambulatórios de hospitais universitários e seus impactos na saúde dos trabalhadores de enfermagem. Método: Estudo quantitativo, transversal, participaram 388 profissionais de enfermagem atuantes em 11 ambulatórios vinculados a universidades públicas no Rio de Janeiro. Utilizamos a Escala de Estilos de Gestão, a Escala de Sofrimento Patogênico no Trabalho e a Escala de Danos Físicos e Psicossociais relacionados ao Trabalho. Resultados: Os estilos de gestão gerencialista e coletivo apresentaram presença moderada para a equipe de enfermagem dos ambulatórios. As características do estilo de gestão predominantemente gerencialista, evidenciadas pela falta de participação na tomada de decisão, o trabalho fortemente hierarquizado, focado nas normas e controle, atuaram como preditores das vivências de sofrimento e dos danos físicos, psíquicos e sociais apresentados pelos profissionais atuantes nesse contexto. Conclusão A análise dos estilos de gestão permitiu elucidar características que têm potencial para impactar negativamente a saúde dos trabalhadores destacando-se a necessidade de rever os modelos de gestão atualmente adotados para a equipe de enfermagem ambulatorial.

Ostomía intestinal: dificultades y estrategias de cuidado tras el alta hospitalaria / Estomia intestinal: adversidades e estratégias de cuidado após alta hospitalar / Intestinal ostomy: Adversities and care strategies after hospital discharge

Objective: To describe the difficulties and advantages encountered by people after undergoing an intestinal ostomy and being discharged from hospital services. Materials and methods:Qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study conducted at a teaching hospital. The study included people with an intestinal ostomy who were discharged within 60 days from the beginning of data collection, which occurred from March and June 2018. Data collection involved a semi-structured interview and thematic content analysis, resulting in thematic categories. Results: A total of 11 people partic-ipated in the study. Factors such as the delay in defining the diagnosis, difficulties in the continuity of care at home, misinformation, and fear were identified as adversities by participants. Care actions were related to the existence of a support network and hope for the reconstruction of intestinal transit. Conclusions:The care of people with intestinal ostomy requires planning hospital discharge, health education, strengthening care strategies that involve social support, and the involvement of health professionals for the continuity of health care at home.

Objetivo: describir las dificulta-des y ventajas en el cuidado identificadas por personas con ostomía intestinal tras el alta hospitalaria. Materiales y métodos: estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio desarrollado en un hospital universitario. La muestra estuvo compuesta por personas con ostomía intestinal que fueron dadas de alta hasta 60 días antes del inicio de la recolección de datos, lo cual ocurrió entre marzo y junio de 2018. La recolección de datos se realizó por medio de una entrevista semiestructurada y análisis de contenido, lo que dio lugar a la formulación de categorías temáticas. Resultados: el estudio contó con la participación de 11 personas, quienes identificaron a modo de dificultades aspectos como un diagnóstico tardío, limitaciones para dar continuidad a los cuidados en casa, desinformación y miedo. Las estrategias de cuidados se relacionaron con la existencia de redes de apoyo y la esperanza de recuperar el tránsito intestinal. Conclusiones: el cuidado de personas con ostomía intestinal requiere planeación para el alta hospitalaria, educación en salud, fortalecimiento de las estrategias de cuidado que involucran redes de apoyo social y la activa participación de los profesionales de salud, con lo cual será posible dar continuidad a las prácticas de cuidado desde casa.

Objetivo: descrever as adversidades vivenciadas e as estratégias de cuidado identificadas por pessoas com estomia intestinal após alta hospitalar. Materiais e métodos:estudo qualitativo, descritivo-exploratório, realizado em um hospital de ensino. Foram incluídas pessoas com estomia intestinal, que tiveram alta hospitalar em um período de até 60 dias a partir do início da coleta dos dados, que ocorreu de março a junho de 2018. Foi utilizada entrevista semies-truturada e a análise foi de conteúdo, resultando em categorias temáticas.Resultados:o estudo contou com a participação de 11 pessoas, que identificaram como adversidades a demora na definição do diagnóstico, as dificuldades na continuidade dos cuidados no domicílio, a desinformação e o medo. As estratégias de cuidado se relacionaram à existência de rede de apoio e da esperança pela reconstrução do trânsito intestinal. Conclusões: o cuidado às pessoas com estomia intestinal requer o planejamento para alta hospitalar, educação em saúde, fortalecimento de estratégias de cuidado que envolvem suporte social e envolvimento dos profissionais de saúde para continuar o cuidado no domicílio.

The effect of pilates on metabolic control and oxidative stress of diabetics type 2 - A randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The Pilates method is an approach to body and mind exercises that has as its foundation the gain of stability, strength and flexibility, and the work of muscular control, posture and breathing, which can generate repercussions on oxidative stress and ROS production, it is expected that Pilates can satisfactorily influence glycemic and oxidative stress reduction in elderly diabetes. AIM: To analyze the effect of a Pilates protocol on variables indicative of metabolic control and oxidative stress in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. METHOD: Randomized clinical trial in type 2 diabetics enrolled in Hiperdia Parnaíba. A Pilates protocol was performed for 8 weeks, with 2 weekly consultations. The tested variables were: blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde. ANOVA tests, correlation of Wilcoxon, Friedman and Spearman, were used, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: 44 diabetics participated in the study (intervention group: 22; control: 22), with a mean age of 61.23 ± 8.49years, the majority being female (77.3%), married (59.1%), literate (31.8%), with an average BMI of 26.96 ± 4.35 kg/m2. When analyzing the effects of the protocol, there was a significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.002) and oxidative stress (p = 0.004) in the intervention group, however, there were no differences in fasting glucose (p = 0.055) and in the profile lipid, expressed by the total cholesterol (p = 0.654), HDL (p = 0.591), LDL (p = 0.564) and triglycerides (0.192). There was a moderate positive correlation between oxidative stress and glycated hemoglobin (r = 0.44, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The exercise protocol based on the Pilates method produced a reduction in glycated hemoglobin and oxidative stress.

What is the physical-mechanical mechanism of pressurized mesotherapy?

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and has a variable structure. It is divided into three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Amid aesthetics, this structure works as a systemic administration port or as a route to administration of active principles. Invasive procedures, however, non-surgical, have been standing out and gaining space globally, as these are techniques that do not bring a significant risk of life or prolonged rest after treatment. The aim of this work is to raise the hypothesis of the effect of pressurized mesotherapy in relation to injectable mesotherapy. The method does not use needles; just pressurization to spread the product's principles in the skin tissue. Assets applied under pressure associated with the minimization of mechanical resistance by distending the elastic components of the skin with the use of skin folds have a better effect on aesthetic dysfunctions.

Biofilm Formation by Histoplasma capsulatum in Different Culture Media and Oxygen Atmospheres.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus that causes an important systemic mycosis called histoplasmosis. It is an infectious disease with high prevalence and morbidity that affects the general population. Recently, the ability of these fungi to form biofilms, a phenotype that can induce resistance and enhance virulence, has been described. Despite some efforts, data regarding the impact of nutrients and culture media that affect the H. capsulatum biofilm development in vitro are not yet available. This work aimed to study H. capsulatum biofilms, by checking the influence of different culture media and oxygen atmospheres in the development of these communities. The biofilm formation by two strains (EH-315 and G186A) was characterized under different culture media: [Brain and Heart Infusion (BHI), Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) with 2% glucose, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and nutrient medium HAM-F12 (HAM-F12) supplemented with glucose (18.2 g/L), glutamic acid (1 g/L), HEPES (6 g/L) and L-cysteine (8.4 mg/L)] and oxygen atmospheres (aerobiosis and microaerophilia), using the XTT reduction assay to quantify metabolic activities, crystal violet staining for biomass, safranin staining for the quantification of polysaccharide material and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the observation of topographies. Results indicated that although all culture mediums have stimulated the maturation of the communities, HAM-F12 provided the best development of biomass and polysaccharide material when compared to others. Regarding the oxygen atmospheres, both stimulated an excellent development of the communities, however in low oxygen conditions an exuberant amount of extracellular matrix was observed when compared to biofilms formed in aerobiosis, mainly in the HAM-F12 media. SEM images showed yeasts embedded by an extracellular matrix in several points, corroborating the colorimetric assays. However, biofilms formed in BHI, RPMI, and DMEM significantly induced yeast to hyphae reversal, requiring further investigation. The results obtained so far contribute to in vitro study of biofilms formed by these fungi and show that nutrition promoted by different media modifies the development of these communities. These data represent advances in the field of biofilms and contribute to future studies that can prove the role of these communities in the fungi-host interaction.

Vagus nerve stimulation inhibits cortical spreading depression exclusively through central mechanisms.

Experimental and clinical data strongly support vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a novel treatment in migraine. Vagus nerve stimulation acutely suppresses cortical spreading depression (CSD) susceptibility, an experimental model that has been used to screen for migraine therapies. However, mechanisms underlying VNS efficacy on CSD are unknown. Here, we interrogated the central and peripheral mechanisms using VNS delivered either invasively (iVNS) or noninvasively (nVNS) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Cortical spreading depression susceptibility was evaluated 40 minutes after the stimulation. iVNS elevated the electrical CSD threshold more than 2-fold and decreased KCl-induced CSD frequency by 22% when delivered to intact vagus nerve. Distal vagotomy did not alter iVNS efficacy (2-fold higher threshold and 19% lower frequency in iVNS vs sham). By contrast, proximal vagotomy completely abolished iVNS effect on CSD. Pharmacological blockade of nucleus tractus solitarius, the main relay for vagal afferents, by lidocaine or glutamate receptor antagonist CNQX also prevented CSD suppression by nVNS. Supporting a role for both norepinephrine and serotonin, CSD suppression by nVNS was inhibited by more than 50% after abrogating norepinephrinergic or serotonergic neurotransmission alone using specific neurotoxins; abrogating both completely blocked the nVNS effect. Our results suggest that VNS inhibits CSD through central afferents relaying in nucleus tractus solitarius and projecting to subcortical neuromodulatory centers providing serotonergic and norepinephrinergic innervation to the cortex.

Vitamin D Levels, Frequency of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms, and Associations with Overweight and Asthma in Brazilian Schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: In children, nutritional status of vitamin D (vitD), frequency of vitD receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and their associations with overweight and asthma remain controversial. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the nutritional status of vitD and the frequency of VDR gene polymorphisms, as well as identify their associations with nutritional status and asthma. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with schoolchildren (n = 262; mean age = 8.7 ± 1.3 years). Clinical history, anthropometric measurements, and serum 25-hydroxy vitD were evaluated. Four VDR gene polymorphisms were identified and genotypes, alleles, and haplotypes were calculated. RESULTS: The serum vitD levels were found at 85.1%, within normal range. The FokI AA genotype was more frequent in asthmatics compared to healthy controls (10 vs. 1%, p < 0.05), while the GG genotype was less frequent (45.0 vs. 55.2%, p < 0.05). The frequency of the TT allele for the ApaI was higher among asthmatic eutrophic children (60.9 vs. 29.4%, p < 0.05) and that of the TT allele for the BsmI was higher among asthmatic overweight children (35.3 vs. 4.4%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Insufficiency in vitD was low. Two wild-type alleles (AA) of FokI were identified as risk factor for the development of asthma, while GG alleles appears to be a protective factor. To have polymorphic alleles (TT) of ApaI seems to be a risk factor for asthma in children with normal weight, while that of BsmI seems to be a risk factor for asthma in overweight condition. Serum vitD was not different among analyzed genotypes.

Down-regulation of TUFM impairs host cell interaction and virulence by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

The genus Paracoccidioides consist of dimorphic fungi geographically limited to the subtropical regions of Latin America, which are responsible for causing deep systemic mycosis in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Paracoccidioides spp. causes the disease remain poorly understood. Paracoccidioides spp. harbor genes that encode proteins involved in host cell interaction and mitochondrial function, which together are required for pathogenicity and mediate virulence. Previously, we identified TufM (previously known as EF-Tu) in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (PbTufM) and suggested that it may be involved in the pathogenicity of this fungus. In this study, we examined the effects of downregulating PbTUFM using a silenced strain with a 55% reduction in PbTUFM expression obtained by antisense-RNA (aRNA) technology. Silencing PbTUFM yielded phenotypic differences, such as altered translation elongation, respiratory defects, increased sensitivity of yeast cells to reactive oxygen stress, survival after macrophage phagocytosis, and reduced interaction with pneumocytes. These results were associated with reduced virulence in Galleria mellonella and murine infection models, emphasizing the importance of PbTufM in the full virulence of P. brasiliensis and its potential as a target for antifungal agents against paracoccidioidomycosis.

Taurine/Pilocarpine Interaction in the Malnourished Rat Brain: A Behavioral, Electrophysiological, and Immunohistochemical Analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate the possible protective role of taurine on anxiety-like behavior, brain electrical activity and glial cell immunoreactivity in well-nourished and malnourished rats that were treated with a subconvulsing dose of pilocarpine. Newborn Wistar rats were subjected to normal or unfavorable lactation conditions, represented by the suckling of litters with 9 or 15 pups, resulting in well-nourished and malnourished animals, respectively. Each nutritional group was split into five subgroups that were treated from postnatal day (PND) 35 to 55 with 300 mg/kg/day of taurine + 45 mg/kg/day of pilocarpine (group T + P), taurine only (group T), pilocarpine only (group P), vehicle control (group V), or not treated control (group naïve; Nv). At PND56-58, the groups were subjected to the elevated plus-maze behavioral tests. Glycemia was measured on PND59. Between PND60 and PND65, the cortical spreading depression (CSD) was recorded in the cerebral cortex, and the levels of malondialdehyde and microglial and astrocyte immunoreactivity were evaluated in the cortex and hippocampus. Our data indicate that treatment with taurine and pilocarpine resulted in anxiolytic-like and anxiogenic behavior, respectively, and that nutritional deficiency modulated these effects. Both treatments decelerated CSD propagation and modulated GFAP- and Iba1-containing glial cells. Pilocarpine reduced body weight and glycemia, and administration of taurine was not able to attenuate the effects of pilocarpine. The molecular mechanisms underlying taurine action on behavioral and electrophysiological parameters in the normal and altered brain remain to be further explored.

Pilocarpine/ascorbic acid interaction in the immature brain: Electrophysiological and oxidative effects in well-nourished and malnourished rats.

Ascorbic acid (AA) administration has been associated with neuroprotection against oxidative stress, although at high doses it can facilitate oxidation and acts like a proconvulsing drug. The pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model has been widely studied. However, less is known about the effects of sub-convulsive doses of pilocarpine on brain activity in immature animals under normal or deficient nutritional conditions. Herein, we investigated the effects of chronic pilocarpine administration in a sub-convulsive dose, with or without AA, on the excitability-related phenomenon denominated as cortical spreading depression (CSD) and levels of lipid peroxidation-induced malondialdehyde in well-nourished and malnourished rats. At postnatal days 7-28, rats received no gavage treatment (naïve group), saline (vehicle group), 45 mg/kg/d of pilocarpine and/or 120 mg/kg/d of AA. CSD propagation and malondialdehyde levels were analyzed at 34-40 days. The pilocarpine group presented with lower CSD velocities, while AA groups exhibited higher CSD velocities and augmented malondialdehyde levels compared with controls. The co-administration of AA partially antagonized the pilocarpine CSD effects, but did not revert it to control levels. Malnutrition increased CSD amplitude and velocity in comparison to the well-nourished condition. The electrocorticogram (ECoG) amplitude increased after CSD (ECoG potentiation) when compared with the baseline amplitude before CSD. However, no intergroup difference was observed in this CSD-related ECoG potentiation. The results support the hypothesis of a pilocarpine/ascorbic acid interaction in the immature rat brain and might help further the understanding of this interaction on neuronal electrical activity and oxidative stress.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil during pregnancy and lactation influences brain excitability and cortex oxidative status in the rat offspring.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how safflower oil (SFO) influences brain electrophysiology and cortical oxidative status in the offspring, mothers received a diet with SFO during brain development period. METHODS: Beginning on the 14th day of gestation and throughout lactation, rats received safflower (safflower group - SG) or soybean oil (control group - CG) in their diet. At 65 days old, cortical spreading depression (CSD) and cortex oxidative status were analyzed in the offspring. RESULTS: SG presented reduction of the CSD velocity as compared to the CG (SG: 3.24 ± 0.09; CG: 3.37 ± 0.07 mm/min). SFO reduced levels of lipid peroxidation by 39.4%. SG showed the following increases: glutathione-S-transferase, 40.8% and reduced glutathione, 34.3%. However, SFO decreased superoxide dismutase by 40.4% and catalase by 64.1%. To control for interhemispheric effects, since CSD was recorded only in the right cortex, we evaluated the oxidative status in both sides of the cortex; no differences were observed. DISCUSSION: Data show that when SFO is consumed by the female rats during pregnancy and lactation, the offspring present long-term effects on brain electrophysiology and cortical oxidative state. The present study highlights the relevance of understanding the SFO intake of pregnant and lactating mammals.

Is age a risk factor for liver disease and metabolic alterations in ataxia Telangiectasia patients?

BACKGROUND: Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes and the risk for development of cardiovascular disease was recently associated as an extended phenotype of the disease. We aimed to assess IR; liver involvement; carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and metabolic alterations associated to cardiovascular risk in A-T patients, and relate them with age. RESULTS: Glucose metabolism alterations were found in 54.6% of the patients. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed in 11/17 (64.7%) A-T patients. AST/ALT ratio > 1 was observed in 10/17 (58.8%). A strong positive correlation was observed between insulin sum concentrations with ALT (r = 0.782, p < 0.004) and age (r = 0.818, p = 0.002). Dyslipidemia was observed in 55.5% of the patients. The apolipoprotein (Apo-B)/ApoA-I ratio (r = 0.619; p < 0.01), LDL/HDL-c (r = 0.490; p < 0.05) and the Apo-B levels (r = 0.545; p < 0.05) were positively correlated to cIMT. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic disorders implicated in cardiovascular and liver diseases are frequently observed in adolescent A-T patients and those tend to get worse as they become older. Therefore, nutritional intervention and the use of drugs may be necessary.

Anti-apoptotic effects of decyl gallate on the induction of apoptosis in A549 pneumocytes by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43.

Apoptosis is considered an escape mechanism from the host immune system for the fungus Paracoccidioides spp, and it serves as a vehicle for entry into macrophages without stimulating microbicidal activities. Recently, gp43 of P. brasiliensis was demonstrated to be involved in this process. Therefore, as a new therapeutic alternative, it is very important to study compounds that could reduce the modulation of the induction of apoptosis caused by this fungus. Decyl gallate (G14) is a known antifungal compound, and we decided to investigate its anti-apoptotic properties. Our results demonstrate that G14 was effective against apoptosis induced by gp43, as observed in epithelial cells, and led to a reduction in DNA damage, Bak down-regulation and Bcl-2 up-regulation. Together, these data show that G14 presents promising anti-apoptotic activity.

Cross reactivity of commercial anti-dengue immunoassays in patients with acute Zika virus infection.

Several countries have local transmission of multiple arboviruses, in particular, dengue and Zika viruses, which have recently spread through many American countries. Cross reactivity among Flaviviruses is high and present a challenge for accurate identification of the infecting agent. Thus, we evaluated the level of cross reactivity of anti-dengue IgM/G Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) from three manufacturers against 122 serum samples obtained at two time-points from 61 patients with non-dengue confirmed Zika virus infection. All anti-dengue ELISAs cross reacted with serum from patients with acute Zika infection at some level and a worrisome number of seroconversion for dengue IgG and IgM was observed. These findings may impact the interpretation of currently standard criteria for dengue diagnosis in endemic regions.

Synergistic effect of pedalitin and amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans by in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection responsible for high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Combination of antifungal substances is a promising way to increase the percentage of successful treatment. Pedalitin (PED) is a natural substance obtained from Pterogyne nitens. The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of PED alone and in combination with amphotericin B (AmB) in vitro and in vivo against Cryptococcus spp. In the in vitro assay, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.125 mg/L for AmB and 3.9 mg/L for PED were found when the substances were tested alone, whilst in the combination treatment the active concentration of both decreased, with MICs of 0.03 mg/L for AmB and 1 mg/L for PED. In the survival assay, fungal burden study and histopathological assays it was possible to study the efficacy of the substances alone and in combination. The efficacy of combination therapy was considered better than monotherapy as evaluated in a Galleria mellonella model and a murine model. Thus, the combination of PED and AmB is an interesting alternative for anticryptococcal fungal treatment. Moreover, a correlation was observed between the invertebrate and murine models for this antifungal treatment combination.