40 resultados para Curto e longo prazos
em Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte(UFRN)
Resumo:
Ethanol withdrawn individuals present a wealth of signs and symptoms, some of them related with anxiety. To better understand brain areas involved in anxiety caused by ethanol abstinence, preclinical studies have been employing models of ethanol consumption followed by withdrawal in rodents submitted to behavioral tests of anxiety, such as the elevated plus-maze. The aim of this study was to investigate if short- or long-term ethanol withdrawal could alter both anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and open field tests and the number of serotonin immunorreactive cels in the dorsal raphe nucleus, a midbrain area associated with anxiety. Female Wistar rats (90 days old) were submitted to increasing concentrations of ethanol (2% for 3 days, 4% for 3 days and 6% for 15 days) as the only source of liquid diet and the control group received water ad libitum. Both groups received food ad libitum. In the behavioral experiments, on 21st day of consumption, ethanol was substituted by water (withdrawal) and 72 h or 21 days after withdrawal animals were submitted to the EPM, where it was evaluated the percentage of time and entries in the open arms and the entries in the enclosed arms during 5 minutes. Twenty and four hours after testing in the EPM, animals were submitted to the open field test for 15 minutes, where the distance traveled by the animals was observed along this period. During the first 5 minutes, the distance traveled, entries and time spent in the center of the test were analyzed. In the immunohistochemistry study, animals were submitted to 21 days of consumption of ethanol followed or not by 72 hours and 21 days of withdrawal previously perfusion, brain tissue preparation and quantification of serotonin dyed cells in the dorsal and caudal portions in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Behavioral data showed that both short- and long-term ethanol withdrawals reduced the open arms exploration in the EPM. In the open field test there were no locomotor activity changes during the total 15 minutes; however, longterm ethanol withdrawal reduced the exploration in the center of the open field during the first 5 minutes. In the immunohistochemistry step, there were no differences, when short- and long-term withdrawn groups were compared with control group; nevertheless, the chronic consumption of ethanol decreased the number of serotonergic immunorreactive cells in the dorsal part of dorsal raphe nucleus. Taken together, results here obtained suggest that both short- and long-term ethanol withdrawals promoted an anxiogenic-like effect that was not related with changes in the serotonin immunorreactivity in the dorsal and caudal parts of the dorsal raphe nucleus.
Resumo:
Techniques of mind & body control seem to benefit human organism in general and cognition in particular, because they involve a mindfulness practice. However, there is still a scarcity of studies with well-controlled methods to investigate the possible effects of Yoga practice. In this study, we investigated the effects of regular Yoga practice, based on Yoga postures (asanas), breathing techniques, and meditation exercises, on memory and physiologic and psychological parameters related to quality of life. There were significant improvements on performance tasks of short term memory and long term memory. We also observed significant beneficial effects on psychological and physiological parameters such as mood, anxiety, depression, stress, and modulation of the autonomic nervous system in Yoga practitioners group compared to the conventional physical exercises group. The results suggest the possible influences of stress, emotional state and mental training on cognitive effects of yoga practice. Our results support the indication of practice of Yoga for the treatment or prevention of stress, psychological disorders and their possible cognitive consequences
Resumo:
There is a known positive effect of nocturnal sleep for brain plasticity and the consolidation of declarative and procedural memories, as well as for the facilitation of insight in problem solving. However, a possible pro-mnemonic effect of daytime naps after learning is yet to be properly characterized. The goal of this project was to evaluate the influence of daytime naps on learning among elementary and middleschool students, measuring the one-day (acute), and semester-long (chronic) effects of post-learning naps on performance. In the Acute Day-Nap condition, the elementary students were exposed to a class and then randomly divided into three groups: Nap (N), Game-based English Class (GBEC) and Traditional English Class (TEC). There were 2 multiple-choice follow-up tests to evaluate students performance in the short and long runs. In the short run, the N group outperformed the other two groups; and such tendency was maintained in the long run. In the chronic condition, the middle-school students were randomly separated into two groups: Nap (N) and Class (C) and were observed during one academic term. The N group had increased school performance in relation to the C group. In the statistical analyses, independent t-tests were applied considering the scores significant when p<0,05, expressed in terms of average ± average standard error. Results can be interpreted as an indication that a single daytime nap opportunity is not enough to ensure learning benefits. Therefore, more research is needed in order to advocate in favor of a daytime nap as a pedagogical means of promoting enhanced school performance
Resumo:
Durante as últimas décadas, as indústrias farmacêuticas têm despertado grande interesse em óleos vegetais e vários extratos de planta por causa da sua baixa toxicidade e alta biodegrabilidade. O óleo de copaíba (Cop) é usado in natura na medicina popular como anti-inflamatório e antimicrobiano para tratar várias doenças, tais como inflamação da garganta, úlceras e infecções urinárias e pulmonares. Emulsões são sistemas dispersos termodinamicamente instáveis que consistem em dispersões de gotículas microscópicas em outro líquido imiscível. O objetivo deste trabalho foi preparar diferentes emulsões de Cop, determinar o EHL crítico deste óleo e avaliar a sua estabilidade, além de realizar estudos comparativos entre diferentes métodos de construção de diagramas de fases. As emulsões foram preparadas pelo método de inversão de fases variando as proporções de EHL de 4,7 a 16,7. A estabilidade foi determinada por vários métodos e os diagramas de fases foram produzidos pelo método de titulação usando diferentes procedimentos de agitação. As emulsões a base de Cop com EHL entre 12,7 e 15,7 foram as mais estáveis. As emulsões apresentaram boa estabilidade em curto e longo prazo, aspecto leitoso e baixos valores de índice de cremagem. Diferentes sistemas coloidais foram produzidos a partir dos diagramas de fases dependendo do processo de agitação. Baseado nesses métodos, o valor determinado de EHL do Cop foi 14,8, as emulsões permaneceram estáveis por mais de um ano e estes resultados indicam que o estudo das emulsões de Cop pode ser um promissor veículo de liberação tópica de fármacos e ativos cosméticos
Resumo:
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Resumo:
Mate choice is a component of sexual selection. Trying to understand the patterns of this process, several studies have emphasized the adaptive value of sexual differences and their influence on the assessment of the market value. The pattern for adults presented on the scientific literature, which is based on the preference for certain characteristics, shows that men search a partner who shows high value of fecundity and fertility, thus looking for partners with the ability of being pregnant and nursing their offspring. On the other hand, women look for partners with high socioeconomic status, which is strongly associated with the ability to protect and provide resources for them and their offspring. Surprisingly, there is few works that investigated the mate choice patterns during the beginning of the period of sexual differentiation on the morphological, physiological and behavioral traits. The aim of this study was to investigate mate choice patterns in adolescence in order to describe their preferences and contribute to the understanding of human reproductive behavior. Took part of this research 1,232 students from educational institutions of Natal, Brazil, and visitors to the Scientific, Technological and Cultural Fair UFRN. In the Experimental Study 1, we applied a questionnaire to evaluate the importance of certain characteristics, assessed the degree of romantic involvement and real and ideal partners age preference. In the Experimental Study 2, we did a survey of characteristics considered relevant and evaluate the importance of these characteristics in mate choice. The Experimental Study 3 brought an investigation of mate choice patterns based on self-assessment of adolescents, evaluating ideal partner for a short-term and long-term relationships and actual partner. We found that adolescents are motivated to live romantic experiences. We also observed a preference for partners of similar age to that described for adults. Finally, we found similarities and differences in the preferences for characteristics in real and ideal partners in relation to the adult pattern. In addition, we observed high similarity on the self-assessment and assessment of real and ideal partners. We suggest that in the mate choice, adolescents are similar to young adults in some aspects but not all. Our results show the relevance of the reproductive behavior investigation in this human developmental period and reinforce that further studies should contribute to the understanding of human behavior in terms of ontogenetic development and their evolutionary history.
Resumo:
Several studies have found different patterns of preferences to men and women for short term and long term relationship romantic partners. It is known that the preferences vary with the sex of individuals, the expected involvement level of the relationship and according to the perceptions that subjects have about themselves. In the present study, we investigate whether the preferences typically founded for sexes are also founded between Brazilian undergraduate students. We also investigated if the individuals choose partners in accord of the sex preferences and if the ideal preferences are really expressed in real choices. For these investigations, 370 undergraduate students described profiles of an ideal partner for a short-term and a long-term relationship, through the joint evaluation of nine characteristics. Each ideal s profile has been described over three simulations, in which the amount of points available to be invested were limited and gradually reduced. After the descriptions of these profiles, the participants described the current or previous partner (if they were not in a relationship) and performed a self-assessment with the same characteristics used in the description of preferences. Overall, the results obtained in several countries were observed in Brazil. For short-term relationships men prioritize physical attributes and women value physical and personal attributes. For long-term, personal traits gained in importance on masculine preferences and women emphasized personal traits and the partner disposition to acquire resources. We also identified similar preferences profiles for both sexes and that the romantic preferences reflect similarities with the own individual s characteristics, in addition to the typical sexual preferences expected for the Parental Investment Theory. When evaluated their real partners, men considerate them more physically attractive than themselves but less intelligent, good humorous and ambi tion/willing to work. Women, in turn, described their partners as good as them. Finally, we observed equivalence between characteristics of the subjects and those of its partners, this effect being more pronounced among men. The last partners were described only as less sincere. The interpretation of the most part of our results was possible from evolutionist s and socio-cultural s explanations and was discussed under the two perspectives. We conclude this study stressing that the traditional romantic preferences occur in Brazil and that the sex, the kind of relationship and the vision that people have about their own characteristics affect the preferences, which are expressed in the real partner choices
Resumo:
Students, normally, present an irregular sleep pattern characterized by delays in sleep onset and offset from weekdays to weekends, short sleep duration on weekdays and long sleep duration on weekends. The reduction of the necessary sleep and the irregularity in the sleep patterns provoke relevant short- and long-term impairments on performances, for example, in cardiorespiratory function. The cardiorespiratory performance represents, in addition to fitness, traces associated to health conditions and in several studies to pattern and/or individual s sleep quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of the sleep-wake cycle and the cardiorespiratory function of medical students under different class schedules. The study was accomplished with two classes of medical students of UFRN, one had classes at 7 am (n = 47) and the second had classes at 8 am (n = 41) during the week. On the first stage of the study all volunteers filled out an anamnesis, the International Physical Activity questionnaire, the Pittsburgh index of sleep quality, the Portuguese version of the Horne and Östberg cronotype questionnaire, the Health and Sleep questionnaire and the Epworth Scale of Somnolence (ESS). On the second stage, 24 students (12 of each class) had their activity rhythm monitored by actimeters set to record activity at a 2-min interval for 14 days concomitant to the completion of the sleep diary. In this same stage, each volunteer performed the effort test (treadmill) only once in the morning period (between 9:00 and 11:00). The students showed an irregular pattern of the sleep-wake cycle and this irregularity is strongly influenced by the class schedules, in addition to the contribution of the academic demand, social activities and endogenous factors. The students who woke up earlier showed greater irregularity in the sleep-wake pattern. The earlier was the class schedule the worse was the sleep quality and the greater was the frequency of students with excessive diurnal somnolence. The classes schedules and the irregular pattern of the sleep-wake cycle did not show effect on the cardiorespiratory performance of the medical students. The performance on the test seems to be affected by other factors, which can be related to the pattern of the sleep-wake cycle or not. Therefore, it is suggested that the late start of classes provokes less irregularity on the pattern of the sleep-wake cycle. However, it was observed that this irregularity and the class schedule seem not to affect the cardiorespiratory performance directly
Resumo:
The increased incidence along to new therapies for the treatment of HIV/AIDS bring way up exercise as a treatment option, as this promotes relevant changes in the general functioning of the body. The objective of this study was to evaluate in different periods the influence of exercise on quality of life and quality of sleep people living with HIV/AIDS, Natal/RN. The sample consisted of 17 people living with HIV/AIDS participating in physical exercise program, along accompanied by 25 months during the period January 2013 to April 2015. We evaluated through specific instruments quality of life, sleep quality and immunological parameters, which were evaluated before starting the exercise program and reassessed during periods of 2-4 months (short), 5-17 months (average period or intermediate) and finally to 19-25 months (long period). The results showed significant differences in five of the nine areas of quality life, pointing positive behaviors, specifically in the areas overall function, life satisfaction, health concerns, concerns about the medication and acceptance to HIV. We conclude that physical exercise promoted benefits both in short and long term, especially for the areas of quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and also demonstrated positive behavior changes and to aspects of sleep quality.
Resumo:
Substâncias psicoestimulantes vêm sendo utilizadas de forma indiscriminada há muitos anos, e pouco se sabe os efeitos que elas causam a curto e longo prazo no comportamento geral, na aprendizagem e na memória. Essas substâncias são bastante usadas por jovens e adultos e elas possuem efeitos diferentes. Essas substâncias são dose dependente, caso consumidas em baixa quantidade agem como estimulante, aumentando a atividade locomotora, caso consumidas em alta quantidade, causam efeito depressor, diminuindo a atividade locomotora e/ou causando ansiedade. Poucos estudos vêm investigando os efeitos dessas substâncias na atividade locomotora, aprendizagem e memória e grande parte desses estudos são realizados em roedores. Peixe paulistinha é um modelo animal promissor para estudos comportamentais, cognitivos, ontogenéticos, dentre outros. Nossos objetivos foram determinar os efeitos do álcool, cafeína e de seu uso combinado com álcool, na atividade locomotora desses animais, usando para isso doses crônicas durante 27 dias e doses agudas durante um dia. Visto que pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos dessa exposição prolongada. Também investigamos os efeitos das substâncias em teste de reconhecimento de objetos, que se baseia na memória de único evento. Essas memórias são mais vulneráveis que memórias baseadas em várias repetições de eventos. Sendo assim, um teste adequado para utilizar com uso de substâncias psicoativas. Observamos que o uso crônico de cafeína provoca alteração na atividade locomotora dos animais, do mesmo modo, abstinência de álcool combinada com cafeína em dose aguda (dose média) provoca aumento de atividade locomotora. Quando submetidos a testes de memória, os animais exposto a doses altas agudas de álcool e em abstinência dessa droga têm prejuízo na formação e/ou resgate da memória. No entanto, tratamento com cafeína não prejudica a formação de memória. Animais expostos a tratamento com dose crônica moderada de álcool e dose aguda moderada de cafeína tem melhor desempenho na tarefa, indicando que dose aguda moderada de cafeína pode evitar os efeitos deletérios ocasionados pela abstinência do álcool. Em termos do comportamento geral, doses agudas de cafeína aumentam a locomoção, enquanto doses elevadas e a abstinência de cafeína induzem a comportamentos tipo-ansioso. A combinação álcool crônico e cafeína aguda induzem a alto comportamento tipo-ansiedade, enquanto a combinação cafeína crônica e álcool agudo diminuem tanto a locomoção quanto a ansiedade.
Resumo:
Substâncias psicoestimulantes vêm sendo utilizadas de forma indiscriminada há muitos anos, e pouco se sabe os efeitos que elas causam a curto e longo prazo no comportamento geral, na aprendizagem e na memória. Essas substâncias são bastante usadas por jovens e adultos e elas possuem efeitos diferentes. Essas substâncias são dose dependente, caso consumidas em baixa quantidade agem como estimulante, aumentando a atividade locomotora, caso consumidas em alta quantidade, causam efeito depressor, diminuindo a atividade locomotora e/ou causando ansiedade. Poucos estudos vêm investigando os efeitos dessas substâncias na atividade locomotora, aprendizagem e memória e grande parte desses estudos são realizados em roedores. Peixe paulistinha é um modelo animal promissor para estudos comportamentais, cognitivos, ontogenéticos, dentre outros. Nossos objetivos foram determinar os efeitos do álcool, cafeína e de seu uso combinado com álcool, na atividade locomotora desses animais, usando para isso doses crônicas durante 27 dias e doses agudas durante um dia. Visto que pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos dessa exposição prolongada. Também investigamos os efeitos das substâncias em teste de reconhecimento de objetos, que se baseia na memória de único evento. Essas memórias são mais vulneráveis que memórias baseadas em várias repetições de eventos. Sendo assim, um teste adequado para utilizar com uso de substâncias psicoativas. Observamos que o uso crônico de cafeína provoca alteração na atividade locomotora dos animais, do mesmo modo, abstinência de álcool combinada com cafeína em dose aguda (dose média) provoca aumento de atividade locomotora. Quando submetidos a testes de memória, os animais exposto a doses altas agudas de álcool e em abstinência dessa droga têm prejuízo na formação e/ou resgate da memória. No entanto, tratamento com cafeína não prejudica a formação de memória. Animais expostos a tratamento com dose crônica moderada de álcool e dose aguda moderada de cafeína tem melhor desempenho na tarefa, indicando que dose aguda moderada de cafeína pode evitar os efeitos deletérios ocasionados pela abstinência do álcool. Em termos do comportamento geral, doses agudas de cafeína aumentam a locomoção, enquanto doses elevadas e a abstinência de cafeína induzem a comportamentos tipo-ansioso. A combinação álcool crônico e cafeína aguda induzem a alto comportamento tipo-ansiedade, enquanto a combinação cafeína crônica e álcool agudo diminuem tanto a locomoção quanto a ansiedade.
Resumo:
Even nowadays there is in Brasil a large number of edentulous and a precarious financial condition of most of the population. In addition, World Health Organization aims for oral health, which consists on the maintenance of a natural dentition, functional and aesthetic composed of at least 20 teeth, without need of prosthetic intervention throughout life. From this and considering the lack of researches about the permanence of edentulous spaces in the oral cavity, and also avoiding overtreatment, this research has been proposed. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the effect of different lengths of the shortened lower dental arch in the presence or absence of a removable partial denture (RPD) on masticatory function, quality of life and occurrence of temporomandibular dysfunction. To achieve this goal, we compared the masticatory efficiency (colorimetric test), the oral comfort through the analysis of the impact of oral health in quality of life (OHIP-14), the presence of temporomandibular dysfunction (RDC/TMD) and the general quality of life (WHOQOL) of patients with shortened dental arches (SDA) (n=60), which is an arch with a reduction of teeth starting posteriorly, and patients with complete dental arch (Complete DA) (n = 34). The group of patients whit SDA was divided among PPR wears (PPD + SDA) (n = 17) and non-wears (n = 43). The population of this study consisted on patients who received or looked for treatment at the clinics of the Department of Dentistry of UFRN, from clinical analysis and records. The sample was chosen by convenience. For statistical analysis, it was a database in SPSS 17.0, followed by descriptive analysis with frequencies, absolute values, tests of central tendency and variability. The statistical tests used were chi-squared and analysis of variance as well as Tukey s post test, when applicable, all with a 95% confidence level. The results shown a prevalence of TMD of 47,1% among patients using PRP and 69,8% among those who didn t, but this result wasn t statistically significant. The mean of the results of masticatory efficiency, WHOQOL and OHIP didn t show association to the presence or absence of PPR and to the lower number of occlusal units of the patients (0, 1, 2 or more occlusal). The association only occurred among the different groups of SDA and the patients with complete dental arch. Taking into account the results, it could be observed that studied patients with low posterior support using lower PRP didn t have better masticatory efficiency, general quality of life, less impacts of their oral conditions in quality of life or not even less temporomandibular dysfunction or better masticatory efficiency when compared to those who didn t use the prosthesis
Resumo:
Most cochlear implant (CI) users, who suffer from post lingual hearing loss, are able to perceive sounds and comprehend speech after the implant. The prediction of maximal benefit over time, with the use of CI, can be useful for counseling patients about their expectations in using the new device. The measurement of satisfaction should be of primary interest in medical intervention, as the results may be used for intervention feedback. The purpose of this study is to analyze auditory performance of CI over time, as well as to evaluate users‟ satisfaction. Therefore two types of study designs were employed: a) retrospective cohort study with the analysis of medical records from 59 subjects about auditory performance before and after surgery. Results were submitted to the Kaplan -Meier estimator of cumulative probability and compared to prognostic factors of auditory performance using the logrank test. b) A sectional study design was conducted to evaluate the satisfaction of 51 subjects. The instrument consists of two specific questionnaires: Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life SADL and International Outcome Inventory Cochlear Implant IOI- CI. Results show statistical significant differences (p<0,001) in auditory performance before and after CI. The majority obtained satisfactory results of CI use during the first six months. Logrank tests does not indicate significant correlation between the analyzed covariates and the time in which adequate speech perception occurs. SADL e IOI-CI questionnaires indicate that most of the CI users are satisfied with their devices. The SADL detected a 27, 5% insatisfaction amongst CI users in relation to services and costs involved with the CI. The results of the IOI show 4% of insatisfaction with the use of CI and the social environment. In conclusion CI is capable to rehabilitate social auditory function in a short period of time and CI users demonstrate satisfaction with auditory, social and psychological gain offered through CI device
Resumo:
O ambiente da pesquisa acadêmica nas bibliotecas universitárias se apresenta em constante evolução. Nesta perspectiva, as construções de novos espaços se fazem necessários na promoção e acesso à informação, via vários tipos de suportes. Atualmente, antigos paradigmas são sobrepostos com uma velocidade luz. Neste artigo, apresenta-se a implantação, manutenção e consolidação do Setor de Pesquisas Virtuais em uma biblioteca universitária, com vistas à democratização do acesso à informação eletrônica, como também à criação de uma rede de comunicação rápida, eficaz, tendo como foco central as novas Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TICs). Assim, enfoca-se a construção do espaço físico do Setor de Pesquisas Virtuais, através da criação de normas, produtos, serviços e divulgação desse novo recurso. A consolidação deste espaço encontra-se em pleno desenvolvimento, via aquisição de produtos específicos, consorciamentos junto às redes especializadas, geração de novos produtos e, principalmente, a presença direta de um profissional bibliotecário intervindo e mediando o processo da busca e do acesso às informações com segurança e confiabilidade das fontes. Consequentemente, essas ações estão trazendo benefícios à comunidade atendida.
Resumo:
Human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), also known as mesenchymal stem cells, have become an important and attractive therapeutic tool since they are easily isolated and cultured, have in vitro expansion potential, substantial plasticity and secrete bioactive molecules that exert trophic effects. The human umbilical cord as a cell source for cell therapy will help to avoid several ethical, political, religious and technical issues. One of the main issues with SC lines from different sources, mainly those of embryonic origin, is the possibility of chromosomal alterations and genomic instability during in vitro expansion. Cells isolated from one umbilical cord exhibited a rare balanced paracentric inversion, likely a cytogenetic constitutional alteration, karyotype: 46,XY,inv(3)(p13p25~26). Important genes related to cancer predisposition and others involved in DNA repair are located in 3p25~26. Titanium is an excellent biomaterial for bone-implant integration; however, the use can result in the generation of particulate debris that can accumulate in the tissues adjacent to the prosthesis, in the local bone marrow, in the lymph nodes, liver and spleen. Subsequently may elicit important biological responses that aren´t well studied. In this work, we have studied the genetic stability of MSC isolated from the umbilical cord vein during in vitro expansion, after the cryopreservation, and under different concentrations and time of exposition to titanium microparticles. Cells were isolated, in vitro expanded, demonstrated capacity for osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation and were evaluated using flow cytometry, so they met the minimum requirements for characterization as MSCs. The cells were expanded under different concentrations and time of exposition to titanium microparticles. The genetic stability of MSCs was assessed by cytogenetic analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and analysis of micronucleus and other nuclear alterations (CBMN). The cells were able to internalize the titanium microparticles, but MSCs preserve their morphology, differentiation capacity and surface marker expression profiles. Furthermore, there was an increase in the genomic instability after long time of in vitro expansion, and this instability was greater when cells were exposed to high doses of titanium microparticles that induced oxidative stress. It is necessary always assess the risks/ benefits of using titanium in tissue therapy involving MSCs, considering the biosafety of the use of bone regeneration using titanium and MSCs. Even without using titanium, it is important that the therapeutic use of such cells is based on analyzes that ensure quality, security and cellular stability, with the standardization of quality control programs appropriate. In conclusion, it is suggested that cytogenetic analysis, FISH analysis and the micronucleus and other nuclear alterations are carried out in CTMH before implanting in a patient