Noradrenergic neurotransmission within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis modulates the retention of immobility in the rat forced swimming test

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a limbic structure that has a direct influence on the autonomic, neuroendocrine, and behavioral responses to stress. It was recently reported that reversible inactivation of synaptic transmission within this structure causes antidepressant-like effects, indicating that activation of the BNST during stressful situations would facilitate the development of behavioral changes related to the neurobiology of depression. Moreover, noradrenergic neurotransmission is abundant in the BNST and has an important role in the regulation of emotional processes related to the stress response. Thus, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that activation of adrenoceptors within the BNST facilitates the development of behavioral consequences of stress. To investigate this hypothesis, male Wistar rats were stressed (forced swimming, 15 min) and 24 h later received intra-BNST injections of vehicle, WB4101, RX821002, CGP20712, or ICI118,551, which are selective α1, α2, β1, and β2 adrenoceptor antagonists, respectively, 10 min before a 5-min forced swimming test. It was observed that administration of WB4101 (10 and 15 nmol), CGP20712 (5 and 10 nmol), or ICI118,551 (5 nmol) into the BNST reduced the immobility time of rats subjected to forced swimming test, indicating an antidepressant-like effect. These findings suggest that activation of α1, β1, and β2 adrenoceptors in the BNST could be involved in the development of the behavioral consequences of stress. © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Peripheral kappa and delta opioid receptors are involved in the antinociceptive effect of crotalphine in a rat model of cancer pain

Cancer pain is an important clinical problem and may not respond satisfactorily to the current analgesic therapy. We have characterized a novel and potent analgesic peptide, crotalphine, from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. In the present work, the antinociceptive effect of crotalphine was evaluated in a rat model of cancer pain induced by intraplantar injection of Walker 256 carcinoma cells. Intraplantar injection of tumor cells caused the development of hyperalgesia and allodynia, detected on day 5 after tumor cell inoculation. Crotalphine (6 μg/kg), administered p.o., blocked both phenomena. The antinociceptive effect was detected 1 h after treatment and lasted for up to 48 h. Intraplantar injection of nor-binaltorphimine (50 g/paw), a selective antagonist of κ-opioid receptors, antagonized the antinociceptive effect of the peptide, whereas N,N-diallyl-Tyr-Aib-Phe-Leu (ICI 174,864, 10 μg/paw), a selective antagonist of δ-opioid receptors, partially reversed this effect. On the other hand, D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr amide (CTOP, 20 g/paw), an antagonist of μ-opioid receptors, did not modify crotalphine-induced antinociception. These data indicate that crotalphine induces a potent and long lasting opioid-mediated antinociception in cancer pain. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Influence of risk behavior aggregation in different categories of physical activity on the occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors

Background: We aimed to verify the association of risk behavior aggregation in different categories of physical activity (PA) with the presence of cardiovascular risk factors (RF) employees at a public university. Method. We analyzed data of 376 employees, which were visited in their workplace for measurement of weight, height and questionnaires to identify the risk behaviors and risk factors. Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between the dependent and independent variables and binary logistic regression was used to construct a multivariate model for the observed associations. Results: Associations were found between the aggregation of following risk behaviors: smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, considered in different categories of PA, and the increase in RF, except for the presence of hypertriglyceridemia. Individuals with two or more risk behaviors in occupational PA category are more likely to be hypertensive (3.04 times) and diabetes (3.44 times). For the free time PA category, these individuals were 3.18 times more likely to have hypercholesterolemia and for locomotion PA, more likely to be hypertensive (2.42 times) and obese (2.51 times). Conclusion: There are association between the aggregation of two or more risk behaviors and the presence of cardiovascular RF. © 2013 Bernardo et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Association between physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals undergoing cardiac rehabilitation program

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) practice presents an inverse relation with risk factors (RF) of cardiovascular disease, with positive effects in quality of life and other physical and psychological variables. However, the benefits of daily activities have not been established. Objective: To investigate the prevalence and association of cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity in different categories of patients under a cardiac rehabilitation program. Methods: 69 participants of a cardiac rehabilitation program were evaluated and weight, height and blood pressure were checked. Afterwards, the patients answered questionnaires to assess self-reported physical activity level, stress level and verify the presence of RF. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio. Results: High prevalence of RF was found in the subjects, age and hypertension were more prevalent while smoking and stress had lower prevalence. Most individuals were classified as sedentary, except for locomotion PA (LPA). Conclusion: That there is high prevalence of RF in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation programs, while sedentary ones are more likely to have the RF hypertension, obesity, smoking, alcohol and stress than the active ones, depending on the PA category.

Nível de atividade física, comorbidades e idade de pacientes hipertensos

Physical inactivity is associated with chronic diseases in older adults. There are different domains of physical activity, such as leisure and locomotion. This study investigate the associations between different domains of physical activity, comorbidities and aging in hypertensive adults. Participants included 192 hypertensive respondents classified in groups of active and insufficiently active for leisure-time, locomotion, occupation and total time. They were stratified in age groups. Waist circumference was measured and comorbidities were self-reported. The chi-square test analyzed these associations; a one-way ANOVA compared the age groups (significance at p <0.05). The mean total time and occupational physical activity were lower for groups ages over 60 and 70 years, respectively. Occupational activity was associated with age in the female group, and with cholesterol and diabetes in males, who also had physical activity of locomotion associated with waist circumference. Physical activity of hypertensive patients is associated with comorbidities in different age groups and sex.

Estabilidade locomotora durante a condução de um cão

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how walking a dog on a leash influenced haptic perception and stability during human locomotion. Fourteen adults, with and without sight restriction, walked on a narrow balance beam by themselves, or holding a leash attached to a dog that walked on a parallel narrow bench. The performance of participants who walked with the dog, but blindfolded, significantly (p < 0.05) improved as compared to the condition without the dog. Their locomotion performance was assessed via the duration of the total displacement on the balance beam, durations of the double support phase, swing phase, stepping cycle, stepping length, and linear velocity, as well as variability of the inter-limb relative phase. With vision, these parameters were not affected by the presence of the dog. We conclude that these adults were able to use the dog's leash to detect haptic properties in order to achieve postural control (e.g., stability in speed performance) while walking.

Encalhes de tubarões anequins e de raias-pretas no litoral do estado de São Paulo, sudeste do Brasil: Relato de casos

Stranding of oceanic-pelagic elasmo branchs in the southeastern Brazil are reported. Data comes from animals observed in the coast of São Paulo state, between 1999 and 2012. Nine individuals of two species were recorded: Pteroplatytrygon violacea (n = 5; mostly during the winter) and Isurus oxyrinchus (n = 4; two in the winter and two in the summer). For P. violacea the strandings restricted to the austral winter suggest that the species follows the intrusion of high temperatures water masses recorded in southeastern Brazil during this season, bringing some individuals to shallow waters. For I. oxyrinchus is possible that individuals escaped from hooks of the commercial pelagic long line fishery and suffered injuries in the esophagus and in the gastric wall, stranding due to difficulties in locomotion and feeding. As these stranded sharks were not necropsied and only two animals were observed during the austral summer, we cannot exclude other causes of beaching such diseases or the intrusion of cold water masses in the continental shelf during this season.

Associação entre nível de atividade física e ocorrência de comorbidades de pacientes hipertensos em tratamento ambulatorial

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Controle postural, equilíbrio funcional e estabilidade do ato de locomoção na neuropatia diabética periférica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Parâmetros da marcha, pressões plantares e equilíbrio corporal de diabéticos neuropatas e vasculopatas, com o uso de palmilhas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Adaptação voluntária do andar em idosos com doença de Parkinson sob dica visual dinâmica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Mobilidade funcional em indivíduos com paralisia cerebral espástica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos da atividade física nas atividades da vida diária em indivíduos com doença de Parkinson

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos da experiência no andar na organização da passada durante a ultrapassagem sobre obstáculos em bebês

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Nível de atividade física e principais barreiras percebidas por indivíduos adultos: um levantamento no município de Rio Claro - SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)