GFAP expression in astrocytes of suprachiasmatic nucleus and medial preoptic area are differentially affected by malnutrition during rat brain development

The aim of the present study was investigate, in young rats, the effects of malnutrition on astrocyte distribution of two hypothalamic regions, the circadian pacemaker suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the medial preoptic area (MPA). Control rats were born from mothers fed on commercial diet since gestation and malnourished rats from mothers fed on multideficient diet, from the beginning of gestation (GLA group) or from the onset of lactation (LA group). After weaning, pups received ad libitum the same diet as their mothers, and were maintained under a 12/12 h light/dark cycle. The animals were analyzed either at 30-33, or 60-63 days of life. Brain coronal sections (50 microm) were processed to visualize glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity. Compared to control rats, both malnourished groups of 30 and 60 days exhibited a reduced number of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in the SCN. The total GFAP-immunoreactive area in the SCN of the GLA group differed from the control group at both age ranges analyzed. The GFAP expression as measured by the relative optical density (ROD) exhibited a 50-60% reduction in the MPA in both malnourished groups, compared to controls. The results suggest that malnutrition early in life leads to alterations in gliogenesis or glial cell proliferation in both nuclei, being these alterations greater in the MPA. Compensatory plasticity mechanisms in the GFAP-expression seem to be developed in the astrocyte differentiation process in the SCN, especially when the malnutrition is installed from the lactation.     

Narrating the social relations of initiating injecting drug use: transitions in self and society

Few studies have explored drug injectors' accounts of their initiation of others into injecting. There also lacks research on the social relations of initiating injecting drug use in transitional society. We draw upon analyses of 42 audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with current and recent injecting drug users, conducted in 2009 in the Republic of Moldova, a transitional society of south-eastern Europe. A thematic analysis informed by narrative theory was undertaken, focusing on accounts of self-initiation and the initiation of others. We also reflect upon the potential of peer efforts to dissuade would-be injectors from initiating. Findings emphasise initiation into injecting as a symbolic identity transition, enabled through everyday social relations. In turn, our analysis locates the drug transitions of the self inside an account of societal transition. We find that personal narratives of self transition are made sense of, and presented, in relation to broader narratives of social transition and change. Furthermore, we explore how narratives of self-initiation, and especially the initiation of others, serve to negotiate initiation as a moral boundary crossing. Self-initiation is located inside an account of transitioning social values. In looking back, initiation is depicted as a feature of a historically situated aberration in normative values experienced by the 'transition generation'. Accounts of the initiation of others (which a third of our sample describe) seek to qualify the act as acceptable given the circumstances. These accounts also connect the contingency of agency with broader narratives of social condition. Lastly, the power of peers to dissuade others from initiating injection was doubted, in part because most self-initiations were accomplished as a product of agency enabled by environment as well as in the face of peer attempts to dissuade.     

Acute and repeated-doses (28 days) toxicity study of Hypericum polyanthemum Klotzsch ex Reichardt (Guttiferare) in mice

Hypericum polyanthemum, a South Brazilian species showed antidepressant-like and antinociceptive effects in rodents. Since limited information is available on the toxicity and safety profile of the Hypericum genus, we therefore investigated whether H. polyanthemum cyclo-hexane extract (POL) treatment could be associated with toxicity in preclinical setting using mice as an experimental model. These toxicity studies were based on the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-guidelines 423 and 407). Animals received POL single dose (2000 mg/kg, p.o.) or daily for 28-days (90, 450 and 900 mg/kg, p.o.). Acute toxicity study did not detect any clinical signs, changes in behavior or mortality. In repeated dose toxicity study, POL affected the body weight gain and induced biochemical, hematological and liver histological changes at 450 and 900 mg/kg. Mice treated with POL 90 mg/kg did not show any toxicity signs. In conclusion H. polyanthemum can be classified as safe (category 5) according to OECD acute toxicity parameters. However, the alterations observed after repeated treatment with high doses suggest that the liver could be the target organ on potential H. polyanthemum toxicity and point to the need of further toxicity studies.     

Relationships of beta-blockers and anxiolytics intake and salivary secretion, masticatory performance and taste perception

Objective

Assess the influence of salivary flow on physiological parameters of the stomatognathic system in patients who take beta-blockers or anxiolytic medications.

Design

Sixty patients were divided into three groups based on the following criteria: Group 1, control (n = 20; no use of medication); Group 2, use of antihypertensive beta-blockers (n = 20); and Group 3, use of benzodiazepine anxiolytics (n = 20). Salivary flow was assessed by determining stimulated and non-stimulated flow/minute. The quantification of the sense of taste was determined on a visual analogue scale (VAS) using solutions of 0.9% NaCl (salty), 50% sucrose (sweet), 20% unsweetened coffee (bitter) and 4.2% vinegar (sour). The DMFT index (number of decayed/missing/filled teeth) was determined by a calibrated examination, following the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Masticatory performance was assessed with an Optosil comminution test and Rosim-Ramler equation.

Results

The results did not reveal a significant correlation between salivary flow and masticatory performance (p > 0.05). We observed significant decreased non-stimulated salivary flow for Group 2 (p = 0.05) when compared to controls. However, taste perception was not influenced by salivary secretion amongst groups. Furthermore, we observed a significant negative correlation between non-stimulated salivary flow and DMFT in Group 1 (p = 0.02; r = −0.52).

Conclusions

Patients under beta-blockers therapy presented reduced non-stimulated salivary flow when compared to controls, without influencing the sense of taste or masticatory performance. The use of anxiolytics did not affect salivary flow and taste perception in the studied sample.     

Bullous dermatoses in childhood: part II

Bullous dermatoses are commonly encountered in childhood practice. Much confusion exists among clinicians because of the similarity of clinical lesions, paucity of relevant literature, and varied nomenclature used for these diseases. For a better understanding of the proposed classification, this second part is a review of diseases with nonhereditary characteristics of subepidermal cleavage and hereditary characteristics with intraepidermal and subepidermal cleavage.     

Storytelling: discursive practices and gender violence

This paper analyzes a storytelling workshop, an intervention based on the referential elements of oral narratives, held at an NGO in S?o Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The workshop was divided into three different stages: narration of a story with a focus on gender violence, a discussion based on the narrative, and an activity with body painting. The theoretical framework was based on discursive practices, and when workshop participants' discourse was assessed, at least two interpretive repertories were identified: one based on the gender category and the other on everyday life and recollections from participants' life stories. There was also considerable variety in the arguments, manifested in the contradictions and incongruence permeating the discourse. Narratives used as tools to work with abused women (especially for public health interventions) have received little attention thus far. In the current study, stories were analyzed as possible strategies to deal with gender inequalities, a powerful analytical tool for evaluating public health actions.     

Influence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in the fluctuation of the submaximal isometric torque of knee extensors in patients with early-grade osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to investigate whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) alters the fluctuation of submaximal isometric torque of the knee extensors in patients with early-grade osteoarthritis (OA).

METHOD:

The study included 60 male volunteers, aged 40 to 70 years, divided into four groups: Group 1 (G1) - Control (n=15): without OA and without OSA; Group 2 (G2) (n=15): with OA and without OSA; Group 3 (G3) (n=15): without OA and with OSA; and Group 4 (G4) (n=15) with OA and with OSA. Five patients underwent maximal isometric contractions of 10 seconds duration each, with the knee at 60° of flexion to determine peak torque at 60°. To evaluate the fluctuation of torque, 5 submaximal isometric contractions (50% of maximum peak torque) of 10 seconds each, which were calculated from the standard deviation of torque and coefficient of variation, were performed.

RESULTS:

Significant differences were observed between groups for maximum peak torque, while G4 showed a lower value compared with G1 (p=0.005). Additionally, for the average torque exerted, G4 showed a lower value compared to the G1 (p=0.036). However, no differences were found between the groups for the standard deviation (p=0.844) and the coefficient of variation (p=0.143).

CONCLUSION:

The authors concluded that OSA did not change the parameters of the fluctuation of isometric submaximal torque of knee extensors in patients with early-grade OA.     

Suicide in the elderly from a gender perspective

This study examines the relationship between suicide and aging from a gender perspective, examining the socially imposed boundaries of masculinity and femininity in the lives of elderly people who committed suicide. It is a qualitative study in which 50 psychosocial autopsies conducted with elderly relatives were selected from 10 cities in the North, South, Northeast and Midwest of Brazil. In this article we have identified situations of gender vulnerabilities in the lives of 13 people who committed suicide: 10 men and 3 women selected for their exemplary character. Two main categories were listed: the first refers to femininity including the "gender destiny" experienced by elderly women who commit suicide when they can no longer care for themselves or work. The second concerns the hegemonic masculinity in crisis, in which old men die after changing from the role of providers due to retirement or illness. It should be stressed that gender norms, codes of honor, power inequalities and stereotypes affect both women and men in terms of susceptibility to suicidal behavior.     

Suicide Prevention Program: case study in a municipality in the south of Brazil

This article focuses on the theme of suicide prevention based on analysis of a work in progress. A case study of the Program for Promotion of Life and Suicide Prevention of Candelária in the State of Rio Grande do Sul was conducted. It is a Brazilian municipality that has high suicide mortality rates in the general population and among the elderly. The scope of this paper is to present a experience that has proved successful and is based on a local initiative. The data presented here result from participant observation, interviews with the team carrying out the work, discussion groups and document analysis. The following categories were used: line of care, management and evaluation process. The results of intervention show that suicide rates declined from 5 deaths per year (21/100,000 inhabitants) between 1996 and 2000 to 3.6 deaths per year (12/100,000 inhabitants) between 2007 and 2009. The study establishes a dialogue with the experiences of others locations and provides contributions to prevention programs that can be set up in Brazil.