Avaliação endócrina e anatomo-morfológica do trato genital de fêmeas suínas

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Impacto do estresse no bem-estar dos animais e na qualidade da carcaça e da carne

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Estresse psicológico e desempenho de atletas juniores: uma análise documental

Soccer is one of the most practiced sports in the world, and for many years, some areas of physical education has been doing studies related to the improvement of their income from these areas if this sport psychology. The psychological aspects are very influential and involved in the daily life of an athlete, especially for basic categories of athletes who see in soccer a dream to come true or only a source of income for his family, where such aspects act beneficially or evil for the athlete. Stress, in particular, can appear in various situations and in various ways, and different influences and reactions athlete to athlete, also resulting in physiological changes and variations in performance. Stress, and especially stressful situations, like any psychological aspect should be identified in order to train your athlete to know how to deal with stressful situations. Know what are the stressors, which carries the stress load for the athlete, how to handle the stressful situations, using psychological training in the preseason, know how to use stress management techniques, and be able to manage it all so your athlete reaches an optimal level of income is described in the present work, in order to provide a theoretical and updated reference for professionals of Physical Education, so that they stay up to date on sports psychology and also understand a little more on this subject, which is still little discussed within soccer and often overlooked by many professionals who are already in the context of competitive soccer

The impact of cardiac rehabilitation on lifestyles, psychological correlates and the clinical course of cardiac disease

Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) on risky lifestyles, quality of life, psychopathology, psychological distress and well-being, considering the potential moderating role of depression, anxiety and psychosomatic syndromes on lifestyles modification. The influence of CR on cardiac morbidity and mortality was also evaluated. Methods: The experimental group (N=108), undergoing CR, was compared to a control group (N=85) of patients affected by cardiovascular diseases, not undergoing CR, at baseline and at 1-month, 6- and 12-months follow-ups. The assessment included: the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the structured interview based on Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR), GOSPEL questionnaire on lifestyles, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Symptom Questionnaire, Psychological Well-Being Scale and 14-items Type D Scale. Results: Compared to the control group, CR was associated to: maintenance of the level of physical activity, improvement of correct dietary behaviors and stress management, enhancement of quality of life and sleep; reduction of the most frequently observed psychiatric diagnoses and psychosomatic syndromes at baseline. On the contrary, CR was not found to be associated with: healthy dietary habits, weight loss and improvement on medications adherence. In addition, there were no relevant effects on sub-clinical psychological distress and well-being, except for personal growth and purpose in life (PWB). Also, CR did not seem to play a protective role against cardiac recurrences. The presence of psychosomatic syndromes and depressive disorders was a mediating factor on the modification of specific lifestyles. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need of a psychosomatic assessment and an evaluation of psychological sub-clinical symptomatology in cardiac rehabilitation, in order to identify and address specific factors potentially associated with the clinical course of the heart disease.

Work-related behavior and experience patterns and predictors of mental health in German physicians in medical practice

Background and Objectives: Work-related stress and burnout among physicians are of increasing relevance. The aim of this study was to investigate work-related behavior and experience patterns and predictors of mental health of physicians working in medical practice in Germany. Methods: We surveyed a stratified, random sample of 900 physicians from different specialties. The questionnaire included the standardized instruments Work-related Behavior and Experience Pattern (AVEM) and the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12). Results: Only one third of physicians reported high or very high general satisfaction with their job, but 64% would choose to study medicine again. Only 18% of physicians presented a healthy behavior and experience pattern. Almost 40% presented a pattern of reduced motivation to work, 21% were at risk of overexertion, and 22% at risk for burnout. Willingness to study medicine again, fulfilled job expectations, professional years, marital status, and behavior patterns were significant predictors of mental health and accounted for 35.6% of the variance in mental health scores. Job-related perceptions also had a significant effect on burnout. Conclusions: The strong influence of work-related perceptions suggests a need for realistic expectation management in medical education, as well as support in stress management and coping strategies during medical training.

Getting started with taiji: investigating students expectations and teachers appraisals of taiji beginners courses

In recent years, Taiji has been frequently investigated and considered as a stress management intervention. Although health care providers' appraisals and consumers' expectations are regarded as essential for treatment outcome, little attention has been drawn to this issue in Taiji research. In our study we have conducted two surveys to explore beginners' (n = 74) expectations and teachers' (n = 136) appraisals of their Taiji courses in general as well as more particularly related to stress management. Qualitative data analysis revealed that beginners mainly expected to learn a new method that is applicable in their daily life to foster peace of mind and to enhance their stress management. Congruently moderate-to-high improvements in stress management have also been found in quantitative analysis, whereby a lower educational level predicted higher expectations (P = 0.016). Taiji-teachers stated body- and mind-related benefits most frequently and appraised moderate-to-high improvements in stress management. Higher appraisals were predicted by a shorter teaching experience (P = 0.024). Our results inform about beginners' expectations and teachers' appraisals related to a Taiji-beginners course and highlight the role of educational background and teaching experience in shaping stress-management-related beginners' expectations and teachers' appraisals.

Study protocol: Transition from localized low back pain to chronic widespread pain in general practice: identification of risk factors, preventive factors and key elements for treatment--a cohort study

Background Chronic localized pain syndromes, especially chronic low back pain (CLBP), are common reasons for consultation in general practice. In some cases chronic localized pain syndromes can appear in combination with chronic widespread pain (CWP). Numerous studies have shown a strong association between CWP and several physical and psychological factors. These studies are population-based cross-sectional and do not allow for assessing chronology. There are very few prospective studies that explore the predictors for the onset of CWP, where the main focus is identifying risk factors for the CWP incidence. Until now there have been no studies focusing on preventive factors keeping patients from developing CWP. Our aim is to perform a cross sectional study on the epidemiology of CLBP and CWP in general practice and to look for distinctive features regarding resources like resilience, self-efficacy and coping strategies. A subsequent cohort study is designed to identify the risk and protective factors of pain generalization (development of CWP) in primary care for CLBP patients. Methods/Design Fifty-nine general practitioners recruit consecutively, during a 5 month period, all patients who are consulting their family doctor because of chronic low back pain (where the pain is lasted for 3 months). Patients are asked to fill out a questionnaire on pain anamnesis, pain-perception, co-morbidities, therapy course, medication, socio demographic data and psychosomatic symptoms. We assess resilience, coping resources, stress management and self-efficacy as potential protective factors for pain generalization. Furthermore, we raise risk factors for pain generalization like anxiety, depression, trauma and critical life events. During a twelve months follow up period a cohort of CLBP patients without CWP will be screened on a regular basis (3 monthly) for pain generalization (outcome: incident CWP). Discussion This cohort study will be the largest study which prospectively analyzes predictors for transition from CLBP to CWP in primary care setting. In contrast to the typically researched risk factors, which increase the probability of pain generalization, this study also focus intensively on protective factors, which decrease the probability of pain generalization.

Clinical outcome of a short-term psychotherapeutic intervention for the treatment of dental phobia

Objective: Anxiety before receiving dental treatment is widespread. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of a brief psychologic treatment on adherence to the dental treatment regimen in patients with dental phobia. Method and Materials: Dental phobic patients (n = 160) received 3 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy that consisted of stress management training and exposure to phobic stimuli. The outcome was determined in terms of 3 subsequent dental visits. Results: Participating patients had not visited a dental clinician for an average of 6 years. Comparison of patients who completed the psychologic treatment with those who dropped out showed that 68% of the former but also 52% of the latter adhered to the subsequent dental treatment regimen. The number of psychologic treatment sessions correlated significantly and positively with anxiety level before treatment. Conclusion: Short-term psychologic therapy of 3 sessions results in a success rate of 70% to adherence to dental treatment among dental phobic patients. Duration of avoidance of anxiety before treatment was not related to success in completing the trial. Nevertheless, the more intense the patient's phobia, the more psychotherapeutic sessions were necessary. (Quintessence Int 2007;38; E589-E596).

Ein neues psychoendokrin-validiertes Verfahren zur Erfassung von Stressbewältigungsfertigkeiten (ISBF)

Background: We previously found good psychometric properties of the Inventory for assessment of stress management skills (German translation: Inventar zur Erfassung von Stressbewältigungsfertigkeiten), ISBF, a short questionnaire for combined assessment of different perceived stress management skills in the general population. Here, we investigate whether stress management skills as measured by ISBF relate to cortisol stress reactivity in two independent studies, a laboratory study (study 1) and a field study (study 2). Methods: 35 healthy non-smoking and medication-free men in study 1 (age mean±SEM:38.0±1.6) and 35 male and female employees in study 2 (age mean±SEM:32.9±1.2) underwent an acute standardized psychosocial stress task combining public speaking and mental arithmetic in front of an audience. We assessed stress management skills (ISBF) and measured salivary cortisol before and after stress and several times up to 60 min (study 2) and 120 min (study 1) thereafter. Potential confounders were controlled. Results:. General linear models controlling for potential confounders revealed that in both studies, higher stress management skills (ISBF total score) were independently associated with lower cortisol levels before and after stress (main effects ISBF: p’s<.055) and lower cortisol stress reactivity (interaction ISBF-by-stress: p’s<.029). Post-hoc-testing of ISBF subscales suggest lower cortisol stress reactivity with higher “relaxation abilities” (both studies) and higher scores in the scale “cognitive strategies and problem solving” (study 2). Conclusions: Our findings suggest blunted increases in cortisol following stress with increasing stress management skills as measured by ISBF. This suggests that the ISBF not only relates to subjective psychological but also objective physiological stress indicators which may further underscore the validity of the questionnaire.

Investigating short- and long-term transfer effects of a Taiji beginner course in participants’ daily life

OBJECTIVE: In recent years research investigating various health benefits of Taiji practice has markedly increased. Despite this growing scientific interest, essential questions such as to what extent a Taiji course may exert noticeable effects in participants’ everyday life, what these effects are, and how and where potential transfer effects occur, have hardly been considered. The aim of our study was to explore transfer effects from a Taiji course into participants’ daily lives. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal observational study in 45 healthy participants at the end of their three-month Taiji beginner course (tp1) and at two months (tp2) as well as one year after course completion (tp3). Participants were asked to report their Taiji practice behavior at all time points, as well as to rate and describe perceived transfer effects of Taiji course contents on their daily life at tp1 and tp3. RESULTS: Transfer effects were reported by 91.1% of all respondents after course completion (tp1) and persisted in 73.3% at the one-year follow-up assessment (tp3), counting “increase of self-efficacy”, “improvement of stress management”, and “increase of body awareness” as the most frequently mentioned effects. Transfer effects predominantly occurred in participants’ work and social environments, as well as during everyday activities in public areas. While selfreliant Taiji practice frequency significantly decreased from 82.2% at tp1 to 55.6% at tp3 (P < 0.001), the magnitude of self-reported transfer effects did not (P = 0.35). As explorative analyses revealed, regular Taiji course attendance was highly correlated with stronger transfer effects at tp1 (r = 0.51; P < 0.001) and tp3 (r = 0.35; P = 0.020). Participants reporting high self-reliant Taiji practice frequency at tp2 were likely to maintain a regular practice routine at tp3 (r = 0.42; P < 0.004), whereas self-reliant practice frequency and transfer effects at tp1 were positively correlated with self-reliant practice frequency at tp3 on a trend level (r < 0.27; P > 0.08). CONCLUSION: Our data underline the importance of regular course participation for pronounced and long lasting transfer effects into participants’ everyday life. We discuss that several context and process-related aspects of a Taiji intervention are potentially relevant factors for enhancement of transfer effect.

Análisis multivariante del perfil psicológico de los deportistas universitarios : Aplicación del CPRD en México

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo conocer el perfil psicológico de los deportistas universitarios colimenses y analizar si existen diferencias significativas entre practicantes de modalidades individuales y colectivas. Así mismo, se pretende encontrar los perfiles de riesgo para los deportistas. Se trata de un estudio transversal, basado en una muestra no probabilística de 122 alumnos de la Licenciatura en Educación Física y Deporte de la Universidad de Colima, en México. Utilizando como instrumento de medida el cuestionario "Características Psicológicas Relacionadas con el Rendimiento Deportivo" (CPRD), en la versión adaptada para deportistas mexicanos. El cuestionario mide control de estrés, motivación, cohesión de equipo, influencia de la evaluación del rendimiento y habilidad mental. Entre los principales hallazgos, se encontraron siete perfiles de riesgo, ordenados según un gradiente de necesidad de intervención por medio de la definición de puntos de corte, para todas y cada una de las subescalas. Se encontró que, casi un 40 de los deportistas se encuentran en algún perfil de riesgo, de los cuales 6,6 se encontraban en el perfil menor, y un 4,1 en el perfil de riesgo máximo.

Análisis multivariante del perfil psicológico de los deportistas universitarios : Aplicación del CPRD en México

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo conocer el perfil psicológico de los deportistas universitarios colimenses y analizar si existen diferencias significativas entre practicantes de modalidades individuales y colectivas. Así mismo, se pretende encontrar los perfiles de riesgo para los deportistas. Se trata de un estudio transversal, basado en una muestra no probabilística de 122 alumnos de la Licenciatura en Educación Física y Deporte de la Universidad de Colima, en México. Utilizando como instrumento de medida el cuestionario "Características Psicológicas Relacionadas con el Rendimiento Deportivo" (CPRD), en la versión adaptada para deportistas mexicanos. El cuestionario mide control de estrés, motivación, cohesión de equipo, influencia de la evaluación del rendimiento y habilidad mental. Entre los principales hallazgos, se encontraron siete perfiles de riesgo, ordenados según un gradiente de necesidad de intervención por medio de la definición de puntos de corte, para todas y cada una de las subescalas. Se encontró que, casi un 40 de los deportistas se encuentran en algún perfil de riesgo, de los cuales 6,6 se encontraban en el perfil menor, y un 4,1 en el perfil de riesgo máximo.

Análisis multivariante del perfil psicológico de los deportistas universitarios : Aplicación del CPRD en México

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo conocer el perfil psicológico de los deportistas universitarios colimenses y analizar si existen diferencias significativas entre practicantes de modalidades individuales y colectivas. Así mismo, se pretende encontrar los perfiles de riesgo para los deportistas. Se trata de un estudio transversal, basado en una muestra no probabilística de 122 alumnos de la Licenciatura en Educación Física y Deporte de la Universidad de Colima, en México. Utilizando como instrumento de medida el cuestionario "Características Psicológicas Relacionadas con el Rendimiento Deportivo" (CPRD), en la versión adaptada para deportistas mexicanos. El cuestionario mide control de estrés, motivación, cohesión de equipo, influencia de la evaluación del rendimiento y habilidad mental. Entre los principales hallazgos, se encontraron siete perfiles de riesgo, ordenados según un gradiente de necesidad de intervención por medio de la definición de puntos de corte, para todas y cada una de las subescalas. Se encontró que, casi un 40 de los deportistas se encuentran en algún perfil de riesgo, de los cuales 6,6 se encontraban en el perfil menor, y un 4,1 en el perfil de riesgo máximo.

Heat shock resistance traits in specimens of the seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla originating from native and non-native populations

We compared the responses of native and non-native populations of the seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla to heat shock in common garden-type experiments. Specimens from six native populations in East Asia and from eight non-native populations in Europe and on the Mexican Pacific coast were acclimated to two sets of identical conditions before their resistance to heat shock was examined. The experiments were carried out twice - one time in the native range in Qingdao, China and one time in the invaded range in Kiel, Germany - to rule out effects of specific local conditions. In both testing sites the non-native populations survived heat shock significantly better than the native populations, The data underlying this statement are presented in https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.859335. After three hours of heat shock G. vermiculophylla exhibited increased levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and of a specific isoform of haloperoxidase, suggesting that both enzymes could be required for heat shock stress management. However, the elevated resistance toward heat shock of non-native populations only correlated with an increased constitutive expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The haloperoxidase isoform was more prominent in native populations, suggesting that not only increased HSP70 expression, but also reduced allocation into haloperoxidase expression after heat shock was selected during the invasion history. The data describing expression of HSP70 and three different isoforms of haloperoxidase are presented in https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.859358.