Efeitos da prática de Yoga na memória e em parâmetros psicológicos e fisiológicos de indivíduos saudáveis

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

Efeitos da senescência no núcleo supraquiasmático do sagui (Callithrix Jacchus): plasticidade morfológica e neuroquímica

The circadian timing system (CTS) is responsible for the generation and synchronization and the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus has been described as the major circadian pacemaker in many mammalian species. The internal temporal organization managed by SCN is disturbed with aging bringing many pathological disorders that range from loss of complex cognitive performance to simple physiological functions. Therefore, our aim was perform a comparative study of the morphological aspects and neurochemical composition in the SCN of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) adults and older using immunohistochemical techniques. We found morphometric and neurochemical changes in th SCN o folder animals in comparison to adults, among these a possible decreased in retinal projection to the SCN of older animals, found through a decline in CTB immunostaining, which can occur due atrophy and/or decreasing of fibers from the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). The Klüver-Barrera histological technique strongly suggests a decrease in those fibers from RHT. Also, by means of a morphometric study, it is found a atrophy and numerical decline of neurons in SCN of aged animals, investigated by Nissl technique, and immunostaining with NeuN and calbindin. Relative optical density (ROD) analysis were used to evaluate the expression of some neurochemical components in SCN, such as GFAP expression, which was increased in older, result that indirectly reinforces that morphological changes occurs due the aging; the vasoactive intestinal polipeptide (VIP) showed no expression alteration in SCN of older animals; the serotonin (5-HT) was descreased in the dorsomedial portion of the SCN, and neurpeptide Y (NPY) apparently also decrease due to the increase of age. Many of these modifications were seen in other animals, such as rodents, human primates and non-human primates. These data about marmoset comes to add new information of the effect of aging on structures responsibles for the circadian rhytmicity, and that some behavioral changes controlled by th SCN, and founded in aged animals, may be caused by these morphological and neurochemical changes. Although some results have been quantitatively negative, qualitatively all analysis show significant change comparing adult and older animals, perhaps due to a low sampling number. In conclusion, the marmoset presents several morphological and neurochemical changes in the SCN of aged animals compared to adults, which may result in behavioral changes that favor pathology aging related

Magnetic images of the disintegration process of tablets in the human stomach by ac biosusceptometry

Oral administration of solid dosage forms is usually preferred in drug therapy. Conventional imaging methods are essential tools to investigate the in vivo performance of these formulations. The non-invasive technique of ac biosusceptometry has been introduced as an alternative in studies focusing on gastrointestinal motility and, more recently, to evaluate the behaviour of magnetic tablets in vivo. The aim of this work was to employ a multisensor ac biosusceptometer system to obtain magnetic images of disintegration of tablets in vitro and in the human stomach. The results showed that the transition between the magnetic marker and the magnetic tracer characterized the onset of disintegration (t(50)) and occurred in a short time interval (1.1 +/- 0.4 min). The multisensor ac biosusceptometer was reliable to monitor and analyse the in vivo performance of magnetic tablets showing accuracy to quantify disintegration through the magnetic images and to characterize the profile of this process.

Gastrointestinal transit and disintegration of enteric coated magnetic tablets assessed by ac biosusceptometry

The oral administration is a common route in the drug therapy and the solid pharmaceutical forms are widely used. Although much about the performance of these formulations can be learned from in vitro studies using conventional methods, evaluation in vivo is essential in product development. The knowledge of the gastrointestinal transit and how the physiological variables can interfere with the disintegration and drug absorption is a prerequisite for development of dosage forms. The aim of this work was to employing the ac biosusceptometry (ACB) to monitoring magnetic tablets in the human gastrointestinal tract and to obtain the magnetic images of the disintegration process in the colonic region. The ac biosusceptometry showed accuracy in the quantification of the gastric residence time, the intestinal transit time and the disintegration time (DT) of the magnetic formulations in the human gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, ac biosusceptometry is a non-invasive technique, radiation-free and harmless to the volunteers, as well as an important research tool in the pharmaceutical, pharmacological and physiological investigations. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enteric coated magnetic HPMC capsules evaluated in human gastrointestinal tract by AC biosusceptometry

Purpose. To employ the AC Biosusceptometry (ACB) technique to evaluate in vitro and in vivo characteristics of enteric coated magnetic hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules and to image the disintegration process.Materials and Methods. HPMC capsules filled with ferrite (MnFe2O4) and coated with Eudragit (R) were evaluated using USP XXII method and administered to fasted volunteers. Single and multisensor ACB systems were used to characterize the gastrointestinal (GI) motility and to determine gastric residence time (GRT), small intestinal transit time (SITT) and orocaecal transit time (OCTT). Mean disintegration time (t (50)) was quantified from 50% increase of pixels in the imaging area.Results. In vitro and in vivo performance of the magnetic HPMC capsules as well as the disintegration process were monitored using ACB systems. The mean disintegration time (t (50)) calculated for in vitro was 25 +/- 5 min and for in vivo was 13 +/- 5 min. In vivo also were determined mean values for GRT (55 +/- 19 min), SITT (185 +/- 82 min) and OCTT (240 +/- 88 min).Conclusions. AC Biosusceptometry is a non-invasive technique originally proposed to monitoring pharmaceutical dosage forms orally administered and to image the disintegration process.

Práticas agroecológicas para o cultivo do gergelim (Sesamum indicum L.)

The exceeded use of the natural resources required by the modern agriculture has been caused soil impoverishment, soil salinization and soil compaction. The unreasonable use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides causes chemical imbalances in the plant tissues, nutritional losses, taste chances and human health problems. The monocrops are more vulnerable to the pest and disease attacks. The aim of this work were to indicate the better relative planting time of the cowpea bean for the sesame/cowpea bean intercropping based on the evaluation of agronomic, economic, ecological and physiological parameters and to evaluate the viability of the cow urine and cassava wastewater use as alternative fertilizers on the sesame cultivation. In a field essay, when the sesame/cowpea bean was evaluate, the mainly treatments were the single planting of the two cultures and the multiple cropping, with the cowpea bean being planted on the same time, 7, 14 and 21 days after the sesame. The mainly treatments of the second essay were the combined doses of the cow urine (0 and 50 ml) and cassava wastewater (0, 500 and 1000 mL). In the intercrop evaluation significant differences were found between the treatments for the most of the parameters. It was verified that as the sowing of the cowpea bean was retarded in relation to the sesame sowing, the sesame performance increased when the cowpea bean performance decreased. The treatment 7 days balanced the competition relations that occurred between the two crops in the intercrop. The sesame presented little pronounced responses to the different doses of cassava wastewater. The cow urine affected the sesame growth and the growth rates increased with the increasing of the application of the product. The responses of the sesame growth to the cow urine application must be related both the nutritional richness of the product and the presence of growth stimulating substances. The obtained results indicated that in the sesame/cowpea bean intercropping, when the sesame is planted 7 days after the sesame, there is a higher possibility of the net gains to the farmer. Cow urine and cassava wastewater may be used as additional organic fertilizers

Changes in apoptosis and Bcl-2 expression in human hyperglycemic, term placental trophoblast

Apoptosis and its associated regulatory mechanisms are physiological events crucial to the maintenance of placental homeostasis; imbalance of these processes, however, such as occurs under various pathological conditions, may compromise placenta function and, consequently, pregnancy success. Increased apoptosis occurs in the placentas of pregnant women with several developmental disabilities, while increased Bcl-2 expression is generally associated with pregnancy-associated tumors. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that apoptosis-associated disturbs might be involved in the placental physiopathology subjected to different maternal hyperglycemic conditions.Thus, in the present study we investigated and compared the incidence of apoptosis using TUNEL reaction and Bcl-2 expression, in term-placentas of normoglycemic, diabetic and daily hyperglycemic patients. Tissue samples were collected from 37 placentas, being 15 from healthy mothers with normally delivered healthy babies, and 22 from mothers with glucose disturbances. From these latter 22 patients, 10 showed maternal daily hyperglycemia and 12 were clinically diabetics. Both Bcl-2 expression and apoptotic DNA fragmentation were established and quantified in the trophoblasts of healthy mothers. Compared to these reference values, a higher apoptosis index and lower Bcl-2 expression were disclosed in the placentas of the diabetic women, while in the daily hyperglycemic group, values were intermediate between the diabetic and normoglycemic patients. The TUNEL/Bcl-2 index ratio in the placentas varied from 0.02 to 0.09 for pregnant normoglycemic and diabetic women, respectively, revealing a predominance of apoptosis in the diabetic group. Our findings suggest that hyperglycemia may be a key factor evoking apoptosis in the placental trophoblast, and therefore, is relevant to diabetic placenta function. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Performance, incidence of metabolic disturbances and endocrine variables of food-restricted male broiler chickens

1. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the productive and physiological consequences of a slight but long term food restriction of male broiler chickens from 2 commercial strains.2. Cobb-500 and Ross chickens were submitted to a 20% food restriction from 8 to 21 d of age. Strain, food programme and their interactive effects were analysed in terms of consequences upon performance, mortality, incidence of sudden death syndrome (SDS) and ascites syndrome (AS), index of right cardiac hypertrophy and plasma concentrations of hormones related to metabolism and growth (T-3, T-4, T-3:T-4 ratio, IGF-I and GH).3. Although some catch-up growth was observed by refeeding previously restricted birds after 22 d of rearing, food restriction decreased (P less than or equal to 0.05) body weight at market age (42 d) irrespective of the strain, but improved (P less than or equal to 0.05) food conversion.4. The incidence of mortality was not high in non-restricted birds but SDS and AS caused more than 50% of deaths. Hypertrophic cardiac index was observed in chickens of both strains after 4 weeks of age and was higher in ad libitum fed birds.5. During the period of food restriction, plasma T-3 and IGF-I concentrations decreased whereas plasma T-4 and GH concentrations increased compared to those of the age-matched ad libitum fed counterparts. During the subsequent ad libitum feeding period, few differences in circulating hormone concentrations were observed, except for the higher mean CH litres in previously food-restricted chickens at 35 d of age.6. These results indicate that even a non-severe food restriction negatively affects body weight of 42-d-old male broilers but these are benefits with improved food efficiency and diminished mortality from metabolic disturbances. The hormone results suggest that the degree of food restriction applied was not severe because there was a very fast adaptive response with small and transient alterations in T-3, T-4 and GH plasma concentrations during the period of compensatory growth.

Stress hormones increase cell proliferation and regulates interleukin-6 secretion in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

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

Performance of fluorescence methods, radiographic examination and ICDAS II on occlusal surfaces in vitro

This study compared the performance of fluorescence-based methods, radiographic examination, and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II on occlusal surfaces. One hundred and nineteen permanent human molars were assessed twice by 2 experienced dentists using the laser fluorescence (LF and LFpen) and fluorescence camera (FC) devices, ICDAS II and bitewing radiographs (BW). After measuring, the teeth were histologically prepared and assessed for caries extension. The sensitivities for dentine caries detection were 0.86 (FC), 0.78 (LFpen), 0.73 (ICDAS II), 0.51 (LF) and 0.34 (BW). The specificities were 0.97 (BW), 0.89 (LF), 0.65 (ICDAS II), 0.63 (FC) and 0.56 (LFpen). BW presented the highest values of likelihood ratio (LR)+ (12.47) and LR- (0.68). Rank correlations with histology were 0.53 (LF), 0.52 (LFpen), 0.41 (FC), 0.59 (ICDAS II) and 0.57 (BW). The area under the ROC curve varied from 0.72 to 0.83. Inter- and intraexaminer intraclass correlation values were respectively 0.90 and 0.85 (LF), 0.93 and 0.87 (LFpen) and 0.85 and 0.76 (FC). The ICDAS II kappa values were 0.51 (interexaminer) and 0.61 (intraexaminer). The BW kappa values were 0.50 (interexaminer) and 0.62 (intraexaminer). The Bland and Altman limits of agreement were 46.0 and 38.2 (LF), 55.6 and 40.0 (LFpen) and 1.12 and 0.80 (FC), for intra- and interexaminer reproducibilities. The posttest probability for dentine caries detection was high for BW and LF. In conclusion, LFpen, FC and ICDAS II presented better sensitivity and LF and BW better specificity. ICDAS II combined with BW showed the best performance and is the best combination for detecting caries on occlusal surfaces. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

In vitro comparison of laser fluorescence performance with visual examination for detection of occlusal caries in permanent and primary molars

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effect of green Coffea arabica L. seed oil on extracellular matrix components and water-channel expression in in vitro and ex vivo human skin models

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

A physiological manoeuvre to improve the positivity of the gastro-oesophageal reflux scintigraphic test

One of the best examinations used routinely to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is scintigraphy and attempts are continuously being made to improve the performance of the test. We have tested a new manoeuvre to improve the results. Three hundred and twenty eight patients (190 males and 138 females, aged 1 month to 84 years, average 4.47 years) were studied after a 12 h fast period with 100 MBq of Tc-99(m)-Phytate, 50 ml volume, directly delivered into the stomach in a mixture of orange juice. All patients were strongly suspected of having GOR. Conventional acquisition was done for 20 min, at a rate of one frame every 20 s. in the middle of the examination, small children were put in the upright position and held there for a few seconds or released in a way that allowed movement; adults were asked to stand up and walk a few metres. The test was then continued for the remaining 10 min. The global index of positivity was 64.6% (76 positive cases in the first half of the examination and 134 positive cases only after the manoeuvre). The mean of GOR episodes observed in the positive cases without the manoeuvre was 0.5 per patient, significantly different from the mean of 1.59 noted after the manoeuvre (P<0.01). In 28 cases the manoeuvre increased either the intensity or the frequency of reflux previously detected without it. We believe that this manoeuvre should be performed in all scintigraphic tests aiming to detect GOR. In the present series, the manoeuvre increased the frequency of GOR episodes. ((C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)].

Water balance and locomotor performance in three species of neotropical toads that differ in geographical distribution

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

Electrical and mechanical effects of hyoscine butylbromide on the human stomach: a non-invasive approach

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)