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Rabies is an encephalitis caused by rabies virus, whose transmission occurs upon contact with infected animals' saliva. The diagnosis is usually performed post-mortem through a direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT). If the DFAT results are negative, they must be confirmed with an isolation test, usually the mouse inoculation test (MIT), which implies the suffering and death of the animals, high costs and most importantly, up to 28 days to confirm a negative result. Another issue related to rabies diagnosis is the sample collection and storage, which is critical for the rabies virus' RNA genome. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate (i) reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Rabies Tissue Culture Infection Tests (RTCIT) in comparison to DFAT and MIT and (ii) FTA

Introdução: O traumatismo dentário ainda figura como um problema de saúde pública de dimensões descomunais, representando uma das causas principais da perda precoce de dentes decíduos, impactando diretamente nos dentes anteriores e posteriores. No caso dos dentes anteriores, as sequelas psicológicas assumem tão ou maior importância do que a fisiológica, uma vez que pode limitar substancialmente a vida dos pacientes nos aspectos fisiológico, fonação, deglutição e emocional. Objetivo: Abordar as condutas terapêuticas no tratamento da avulsão em dentes decíduos. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura. O corpus da pesquisa foi baseado em consultas a bases de dados on-line. Foram utilizados estudos indexados nas bases de dados online: PubMed, LILACS e SciELO. Resultados e discussão: Outrossim, os estudos destacaram que o tratamento da avulsão dentária em dentes decíduos é um tema controverso por parte da literatura, demonstrando que parte dos casos apresenta relativo sucesso na terapêutica do reimplante dentário, enquanto os índices de insucesso também são consideráveis, revelando as lacunas em termos do prognóstico, que ainda apresenta inconstância por parte da literatura, embora determinados fatores sejam abordados como decisivos para o sucesso do procedimento. Conclusão: O reimplante de dentes decíduos ainda conta com um prognóstico marcado pela imprecisão para uma parcela significativa dos casos de avulsão dentária. No entanto, ressalta-se a relevância do procedimento enquanto um excelente recurso terapêutico para os casos que são realizados de maneira imediata, em armazenamento em meio adequado, permanência de menos de 30 minutos de fora do alvéolo, além da capacidade do profissional envolvido. Palavras-chave: Avulsão Dentária, Traumatismo Dentário e Odontopediatria.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease characterized by acute viral encephalitis. It is almost 100% fatal for infected animals. While cases of human rabies have still been registered in Brazil, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul rabies is considered a controlled disease in urban areas. However, the transmission of bovine rabies – which has been largely associated with the Desmodus rotundus bat – is endemic. Additionally, there are estimates that only 10% of rabies cases are reported. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the positivity rates, geographical distribution, and seasonal occurrence of bovine rabies in RS, as well as the sampling practices in rabies surveillance. Using samples submitted for laboratory diagnosis from 2016 to 2019, we conducted a retrospective study of the sample results, positivity rates, and seasonal occurrence of rabies in cattle. Throughout these four years, less than a third of state municipalities sent samples for diagnosis, suggesting that the occurrence of rabies might still be underestimated in non-sampled areas. A higher number of rabies cases were reported in 2019, a year in which the most diagnosed samples and the highest positivity percentages were recorded. However, the case numbers registered between 2016 and 2019 were not significantly different. We found that the summer and autumn months presented statistically different positivity rates. Besides this, we did not find any positive D. rotundus samples, despite the positivity rates for bovine rabies. Active surveillance, especially of bat populations and under-sampled regions, must be strengthened to correctly estimate the impact of rabies.

A Salmonelose é uma doença de grande impacto na saúde única, ou seja, saúde humana, animal e ambiental. Por ser uma zoonose, é necessário controlar a sua disseminação devido a sua associação aos casos de Doenças transmitidas por Alimentos (DTA’s). O Brasil é o maior exportador da carne de frango no mundo, sendo assim, a identificação da presença de carne contaminada com Salmonella spp. pode trazer grande prejuízos à agroindústria. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento de artigos publicados na base de dados da Scielo relacionados ao controle de Salmonella spp. em frangos de corte. Como estratégia de pesquisa dos dados, utilizou-se a seguinte frase no item palavras-chave: Controle de Salmonella em frangos de corte. No total, 14 artigos oriundos do Brasil foram encontrados. No entanto, apenas 12 artigos foram analisados, visto que dois artigos não abordavam tratamentos contra a Salmonela spp. Verificaram-se resultados positivos para o controle de Salmonella spp. com probióticos, ácidos orgânicos, flagelina recombinante, óleos essenciais e prebióticos, no entanto, variações nos resultados podem estar relacionados com o produto utilizado, tempo de tratamento e cepa bacteriana utilizada no desafio.

This study sought, from an integrative literature review, to observe which biosecurity measures are being taken by the dental class to control infection after the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic. The search for articles was carried out between November 2021 and May 2022, in the bibliographic databases SCIELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences) and PUBMED (National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health of the USA) through the descriptors biosafety, Covid-19, coronavirus and dentistry. From a total of 76 articles found with these descriptors, 37 articles were excluded after reading the title and abstract and 34 after reading the full text, and 5 studies were selected for this review. It was possible to observe that in all areas of dental care, even in educational institutions, the importance of maintaining biosafety procedures was reassessed, with the progressive resumption of face-to-face consultations, so that it figured as a watchword in all highlighted scenarios. It is concluded, emphasizing that the studies demonstrate that there was a concern for the prevention of Covid-19, in which biosecurity represents the main means to guarantee the health of patients and professionals. Este estudio buscó, a partir de una revisión integrativa de la literatura, observar qué medidas de bioseguridad están siendo tomadas por la clase odontológica para el control de infecciones tras el surgimiento de la pandemia de Covid-19. La búsqueda de artículos se realizó entre noviembre de 2021 y mayo de 2022, en las bases de datos bibliográficas SCIELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), LILACS (Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud) y PUBMED (Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina Institutos Nacionales de Salud de la USA) a través de los descriptores bioseguridad, Covid-19, coronavirus y odontología. De un total de 76 artículos encontrados con estos descriptores, 37 artículos fueron excluidos después de leer el título y el resumen y 34 después de leer el texto completo, y 5 estudios fueron seleccionados para esta revisión. Se pudo observar que en todas las áreas de la atención odontológica, incluso en las instituciones educativas, se revalorizó la importancia de mantener los procedimientos de bioseguridad, con la progresiva reanudación de las consultas presenciales, por lo que figuró como consigna en todos los escenarios destacados. Se concluye, destacando que los estudios demuestran que hubo una preocupación por la prevención de la Covid-19, en la que la bioseguridad representa el principal medio para garantizar la salud de pacientes y profesionales. Este estudo buscou a partir de uma revisão integrativa de literatura, observar quais medidas de biossegurança estão sendo tomadas pela classe odontológica para o controle de infecção após surgimento da pandemia da Covid-19. A busca de artigos foi realizada entre os meses de novembro de 2021 até maio de 2022, nas bases de dados bibliográficas SCIELO (Scientific Eletronic Library Online), LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) e PUBMED (National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health dos EUA) por meio dos descritores biossegurança, Covid-19, coronavírus e odontologia. De um total de 76 artigos encontrados com estes descritores, teve-se 37 artigos excluídos após leitura do título e resumo e 34 após leitura do texto na íntegra, sendo selecionados 5 estudos para esta revisão. Foi possível observar que em todos os âmbitos de atendimento odontológico, até mesmo nas instituições de ensino, reavaliou-se a importância da manutenção dos procedimentos de biossegurança, com a progressiva retomada dos atendimentos presenciais, de forma que esta figurasse como uma palavra de ordem em todos os cenários destacados. Conclui-se, enfatizando que os estudos demonstram que houve uma preocupação mediante a prevenção da Covid-19, na qual a biossegurança representa o principal meio para garantia da saúde dos pacientes e dos profissionais.

Xylazine and acepromazine are drugs used exclusively in veterinary medicine. Xylazineis used as a sedative, analgesic, and tranquilizer while acepromazine is used as a sedative, pre-anesthetic, and anesthetic adjuvant. In vitrodrug toxicity experimentation is essential to predict possible damage associated with treatment. This study was carried out to evaluate and compare the in vitroeffects of acepromazine and xylazine on cell viability. Equine Dermis cells lines were used to examine different drug concentrations (0.02 mg/mL, 0.01 mg/mL, 0.005 mg/mL and 0.0025 mg/mL). An MTT assay was carried out to reveal cell viability. Both tested drugs reduced the viability of ED cells at 0.02 and 0.01 mg/mL. At 0.005 mg/mL, only acepromazine presented an effect. These results corroborate previous studies with xylazine. On the other hand, this is thefirst report about acepromazine and cell viability. Previous studies suggest that the mechanisms involved in reducing cell viability are apoptosis for xylazine and the activation of the autophagic pathway for acepromazine. Both mechanisms have been seen in other drugs of the same classes. These findings reveal that both acepromazine and xylazine cause concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro. Future experiments could further elucidate the mechanisms by which this effect happens and thus circumvent therisk of potential tissue damage in vivo.

Este estudo buscou a partir de uma revisão integrativa de literatura, observar quais medidas de biossegurança estão sendo tomadas pela classe odontológica para o controle de infecção após surgimento da pandemia da Covid-19. A busca de artigos foi realizada entre os meses de novembro de 2021 até maio de 2022, nas bases de dados bibliográficas SCIELO (Scientific Eletronic Library Online), LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) e PUBMED (National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health dos EUA) por meio dos descritores biossegurança, Covid-19, coronavírus e odontologia. De um total de 76 artigos encontrados com estes descritores, teve-se 37 artigos excluídos após leitura do título e resumo e 34 após leitura do texto na íntegra, sendo selecionados 5 estudos para esta revisão. Foi possível observar que em todos os âmbitos de atendimento odontológico, até mesmo nas instituições de ensino, reavaliou-se a importância da manutenção dos procedimentos de biossegurança, com a progressiva retomada dos atendimentos presenciais, de forma que esta figurasse como uma palavra de ordem em todos os cenários destacados. Conclui-se, enfatizando que os estudos demonstram que houve uma preocupação mediante a prevenção da Covid-19, na qual a biossegurança representa o principal meio para garantia da saúde dos pacientes e dos profissionais.

Bovines and equines are the domestic animals with the highest incidence of rabies in Brazil. This study evaluated the data input in testing request forms for rabies in herbivores accompanying samples sent to a certified laboratory of rabies diagnosis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Information was obtained systematically from all forms sent to the laboratory in 2013 and 2014 using a collection instrument that listed variables about the kind of form used, municipality of origin, description of the suspected animal, clinical signs, sample collection, and conservation procedure. The 11 most relevant variables (municipality of origin, geographic coordinates, species, gender, breed, age, herd size, clinical signs, persistence of clinical signs, biological material, and sample conservation) were assessed for the quality of the data entered, and percentage data input was calculated per form. In total, 603 forms were sent to the laboratory. The most used form was the FORM SN, (82.0%, 497/603). “Excellent” and “good” data inputs were observed only for one variable describing the location of suspected rabies cases or outbreaks and animals (species, gender, biological material). Quality of data input of variables describing geographic coordinates, age, breed, herd size, clinical signs, persistence of signs, and sample conservation method varied between “average” and “poor”. The data input in testing request forms for herbivores are not dully supplied in suspected cases neurological syndromes, pointing to the need to increase awareness and improve training of field staff. RESUMO: Bovinos e equinos são os animais domésticos com maior incidência de raiva no Brasil. Este estudo avaliou formulários de solicitação de testes para raiva em herbívoros acompanhando amostras enviadas a um laboratório certificado de diagnóstico de raiva no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As informações foram obtidas sistematicamente de todos os formulários enviados ao laboratório em 2013 e 2014 utilizando um instrumento de coleta que selecionou variáveis sobre o tipo de formulário utilizado, município de origem, descrição do animal suspeito, sinais clínicos, coleta de amostra e procedimento de conservação. As 11 variáveis mais relevantes (município de origem, coordenadas geográficas, espécie, gênero, raça, idade, tamanho do rebanho, sinais clínicos, persistência de sinais clínicos, material biológico e conservação da amostra) foram avaliadas quanto à qualidade dos dados inseridos, e os dados percentuais foram calculados por formulário. No total, 603 formulários foram enviados para o laboratório. O formulário mais utilizado foi o FORM SN, (82,0%, 497/603). Dados classificados como “excelentes” e “bons” foram observados apenas para uma variável que descreve a localização de casos suspeitos de raiva ou surtos e animais (espécie, gênero, material biológico). A qualidade da entrada dos dados das variáveis que descrevem coordenadas geográficas, idade, raça, tamanho do rebanho, sinais clínicos, persistência de sinais e método de conservação da amostra variou entre “regular” e “ruim”. A qualidade dos dados dos formulários de solicitação de testes para herbívoros não foi devidamente fornecida em casos suspeitos de síndromes neurológicas, apontando para a necessidade de aumentar a conscientização e melhorar o treinamento do pessoal de campo.

In public health, mood disorders are among the most important mental impairments. Patients with depressive episodes exhibit daily mood variations, abnormal patterns in sleep-wake behavior, and in the daily rhythms of several endocrine-metabolic parameters. Although the relationship between the sleep/circadian processes and mood disorders is poorly understood, clock-related therapies, such as light therapy, sleep deprivation, and rigid sleep schedules, have been shown to be effective treatments. Several studies investigated the relationship between circadian phenotype (chronotype) and depression. These focused mainly on urban populations and assessed diurnal preferences (Morningness-Eveningness score) rather than the actual timing of sleep and activity. Here, we used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in an essentially rural population (N?=?4051), and investigated its relation to circadian phenotype (chronotype and social jetlag), assessed with the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). In our study design, we (i) normalized both chronotype and BDI scores for age and sex (MSF(sas) and BDI(as), respectively); (ii) calculated individual social jetlag (misalignment of the biological and social time); and (iii) investigated the relationship between circadian phenotypes and BDI scores in a population homogeneous in respect to culture, socioeconomic factors, and daily light exposure. A 15.65% (N?=?634) of the participants showed mild to severe depressive BDI scores. Late chronotypes had a higher BDI(as) than intermediate and early types, which was independent of whether or not the participants were smokers. Both chronotype and BDI(as) correlated positively with social jetlag. BDI(as) was significantly higher in subjects with2?h of social jetlag than in the rest of the population?again independent of smoking status. We also compared chronotype and social jetlag distributions between BDI categories (no symptoms, minimal symptoms, and mild to severe symptoms of depression) separately for men and women and for four age groups; specifically in the age group 31?40 yrs, subjects with mild to severe BDI scores were significantly later chronotypes and suffered from higher social jetlag. Our results indicate that misalignment of circadian and social time may be a risk factor for developing depression, especially in 31- to 40-yr-olds. These relationships should be further investigated in longitudinal studies to reveal if reduction of social jetlag should be part of prevention strategies. (Author correspondence: karla.allebrandt@med.uni-muenchen.de ).

The present review has the objective of summarising chronobiological aspects of shift work and obesity. There was a systematic search in PubMed databases, using the following descriptors: shift work; obesity; biological clock. Shift work is extremely frequent in several services and industries, in order to systematise the needs for flexibility of the workforce, necessary to optimise productivity and business competitiveness. In developing countries, this population represents a considerable contingent workforce. Recently, studies showed that overweight and obesity are more prevalent in shift workers than day workers. In addition, the literature shows that shift workers seem to gain weight more often than those workers submitted to a usual work day. In conclusion, there is considerable epidemiological evidence that shift work is associated with increased risk for obesity, diabetes and CVD, perhaps as a result of physiological maladaptation to chronically sleeping and eating at abnormal circadian times. The impact of shift work on metabolism supports a possible pathway to the development of obesity and its co-morbities. The present review demonstrated the adverse cardiometabolic implications of circadian misalignment, as occurs chronically with shift workers.

Different effects of exposure to acute or to repeated stress have been observed upon the nociceptive response in rats. In the present study, we repeatedly submitted Wistar rats to restraint for 40 days, a treatment known to induce an increase in the nociceptive response in the tail-flick test. Afterwards, the effect of repeated restraint stress on the density of opioid receptors in rat spinal cord, frontal cortex, and hippocampus was investigated. Results showed that repeatedly stressed rats displayed a significant decrease in opioid receptors density in all structures studied; cortex (141.3 +/- 5.7 for control and 103.3 +/- 15.9 for stressed rats), hippocampus (92.4 +/- 7.2 for control and 64.8 +/- 7.7 for stressed rats), and spinal cord (122.2 +/- 12.8 for control and 79.7 +/- 9.7 for stressed rats). These findings suggest opioid mediation of the altered responses observed in these repeatedly-stressed animals, although the participation of non-opioid mechanisms in this phenomenon cannot be ruled out.

Different effects upon the nociceptive response have been observed with exposure to acute and chronic stress in rats. In the present study we repeatedly submitted rats to restraint for 40 days, inducing hyperalgesia using the tail-flick test. A new session of acute stress was applied at the end of 40 days period, and the chronically-stressed animals demonstrated analgesia after forced swimming, but not after restraint. The effect of stress interruption for 14 or 28 days on the nociceptive threshold was then investigated. The basal tail-flick latency remained decreased for at least 28 days (hyperalgesic effect). Following the periods of suspension, the animals were submitted to new session of acute restraint, and stress-induced analgesia was observed only after 28 days of stress interruption. Thus, the mechanisms involved in the long-lasting hyperalgesia presented in this study are not exactly the same as those responsible for the analgesia induced by acute stressors. After 40 days of chronic stress treatment, morphine was injected i.p. (1.0, 5.0 mg/kg or saline). The repeatedly stressed rats displayed decreased morphine effects on nociception compared to unstressed controls. The tolerance of the response to morphine agrees with previous studies suggesting that chronic restraint stress could modify the activity of opioid systems.

Introduction: The chronotype has impact on cognitive and physical performance, what may also influence the quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: To evaluate the chronotype of patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis and to analyze QOL according to this chronotype and the schedule of hemodialysis realization. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical and descriptive study approved by the research ethics committee. To characterize the chronotype the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) was applied and to evaluate QOL e have used the Brazilian Version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire - SF36, and the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Chronic Kidney Patients - SF-KDQOL. Results: Were included 80 patients, being 49 male, average age of 59.3±13.4 years old, and an average of time of hemodialysis treatment of 27.5 months. Regarding the chronotype, 68 (85%) patients were classified as morning, 12 (15%) as intermediaries and none as evening. It was observed a significant reduction in the QOL of patients with intermediate chronotype in the functional capacity domain (p=0.05) of SF-36 and in the domains effects of the disease (p

a b s t r a c t The objective of the study is to evaluate whether intervening and testing in different rest-activity periods of the day would produce different measurements in animal behavior studies. Methodology: Thirty-five, 60-day-old male Wistar rats were submitted to an inescapable foot shock (IFS) stress model and behav- ioral tests (Light-Dark Box test). The animals received intervention and were tested in both light and dark phases, resulting in the following groups: control L (tested in the light), control D (tested in the dark), LL (IFS and tested in the light), LD (IFS in the light and tested in the dark), DL (IFS in the dark and tested in the light), and DD (IFS and tested in the dark). Results: The Light-Dark Box test showed that control L was not significantly different from other groups in any of the parameters. However, when comparing control D with the intervention groups, we observed a difference in the mean length of time spent in the light compartment (t = 2.56; p = 0.045). A significant difference in the number of crossings into the light compartment was only observed between the control D and the LL and LD groups (t = −2.608; p = 0.028; t = −2.571; p = 0.030, respectively). The latency time for the control D group was significantly lower than that of the DD group (t = −2.556; p = 0.043). Conclusions: These results show that behavior testing dur- ing the animal's period of highest activity (dark period) revealed differences caused by the intervention, whereas no differences were apparent when the control group was observed during the day.

Morningness-eveningness dimension in humans have been indicated to influence social behavior and individual health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of the morningness-eveningness dimension with behavioral and health aspects in a sample of undergraduate students. We assessed demographic data; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to evaluate sleep quality; the Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire to determine morningness-eveningness, and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire to assess minor psychiatric disorders. A total of 372 students (66.7% females), on average 21.6 years old, participated in this study. Among them, 92.2% did not smoke, 58.9% engaged in physical activities, and 19.7% were night-shift workers. In regard to morningness-eveningness, 55.9% of the participants were intermediate between evening (39.5%) and morning (4.6%) types. Poor sleep quality (OR = 1.89), minor psychiatric disorders (OR = 1.92), and tobacco consumption (OR = 3.65) predominated among evening types. Evening types were predominantly males (OR = 1.72). This study suggests that evening types are more vulnerable to sleep and psychiatric disturbances, and tend to smoke more than morning types.

This study established the value of the 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) urine concentration as a predictor of the therapeutic response to noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors in depressive patients.Twenty-two women aged 18-60 years were selected. Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Hamilton Depression Scale. Urine samples were collected at 0600-1200 h, 1200-1800 h, 1800-2400 h, and 2400-0600 h intervals, 1 day before and 1 day after starting on the nortriptyline treatment. Urine aMT6s concentration was analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance/Bonferroni test. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between depressive symptoms after 2 weeks of antidepressant treatment and the increase in aMT6s urine concentration.Higher and lower size effect groups were compared by independent Student's t-tests. At baseline, the 2400‐ to 0600‐h interval differed from all other intervals presenting a significantly higher aMT6s urine concentration. A significant difference in aMT6s urine concentrations was found 1 day after treatment in all four intervals. Higher size effect group had lower levels of depressive symptoms 2 weeks after the treatment. A positive correlation between depressive symptoms and the delta of aMT6s in the 2400-0600 h interval was observed.Our results reinforce the hypothesis that aMT6s excretion is a predictor of clinical outcome in depression, especially in regard to noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors.

Objectives This study established the value of the 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) urine concentration as a predictor of the therapeutic response to noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors in depressive patients. Methods Twenty-two women aged 18–60 years were selected. Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Hamilton Depression Scale. Urine samples were collected at 0600–1200 h, 1200–1800 h, 1800–2400 h, and 2400–0600 h intervals, 1 day before and 1 day after starting on the nortriptyline treatment. Urine aMT6s concentration was analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance/Bonferroni test. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between depressive symptoms after 2 weeks of antidepressant treatment and the increase in aMT6s urine concentration. Results Higher and lower size effect groups were compared by independent Student's t-tests. At baseline, the 2400- to 0600-h interval differed from all other intervals presenting a significantly higher aMT6s urine concentration. A significant difference in aMT6s urine concentrations was found 1 day after treatment in all four intervals. Higher size effect group had lower levels of depressive symptoms 2 weeks after the treatment. A positive correlation between depressive symptoms and the delta of aMT6s in the 2400–06 00h interval was observed. Conclusion Our results reinforce the hypothesis that aMT6s excretion is a predictor of clinical outcome in depression, especially in regard to noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The effect of methylprednisolone on the hydrolysis of adenine nucleotides by rat blood serum enzymes was studied. Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to three different treatments with synthetic steroid methylprednisolone: one dose of 50 mg/kg, i.p. (acute); or oral doses of 6 mg/kg dissolved in drinking water for 15 (sub-chronic) or 30 (chronic) days. Decreased ADP hydrolysis was observed after acute and sub-chronic treatments. Furthermore, ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolysis decreased after chronic treatment. These alterations may constitute one of the mechanisms that mediate the development of some of the side effects associated with corticosteroid use.

Stress during the neonatal period leads to a large number of behavioral and biochemical alterations in adult life. The aim of this study is to verify the effects of handling and tactile stimulation during the first 10 days of life on feeding behavior in adult rats. Litters were divided into (1) intact; (2) handled (10 min/day); and (3) handled and tactile stimulated (10 min/day). Procedures were performed on Days 1–10 after birth. When adults, rats were tested for ingestion of sweet and savory snacks. We also measured body weight, ingestion of standard lab chow, and consumption of water and 1% glucose and 1.5% NaCl solutions. Stressed rats (handling and handling+tactile stimulation groups) consumed more sweet (two-way ANOVA, P=.008) or savory snacks (P=.001) than intact ones. This effect was observed in males and females. There were no differences in body weight, ingestion of standard lab chow, water, or in the ingestion of sweetened or salty solutions between groups. The same animals were tested later in life (15 months of age), and the effect was still evident. We suggest that handling during the neonatal period leads to alterations in the CNS of rats, causing an increased ingestion of palatable food in adult life, and this alteration probably persists throughout the whole life.

We have previously observed that adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) hydrolysis was decreased 25% in spinal cord synaptosomes of chronically stressed male rats, while no changes were observed in ATPase activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of chronic stress on the hydrolysis of adenine nucleotides in two cerebral structures (frontal cortex and hypothalamus) and in the blood serum of male rats. Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to 1-h restraint stress/day for 45 days (chronic) and were sacrificed 24 h after the last session of stress. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) or ADP hydrolysis was assayed in the synaptosomal fraction obtained from the frontal cortex and hypothalamus of control and chronically stressed animals. No effects on ADP or ATP hydrolysis were observed in any of the cerebral structures analyzed after chronic stress. On the other hand, reduced ADP hydrolysis was observed in the blood serum of chronic stressed rats. It is possible that the effects observed in the blood serum may represent an adaptation to chronic stress and may reflect different functions of nucleotides and/or enzymes in these tissues. It is possible that altered levels of ADPase activity in the serum may be a biochemical marker for chronic stress situations.

Background Circadian theories for major depressive disorder have suggested that the rhythm of the circadian pacemaker is misaligned. Stable phase relationships between internal rhythms, such as temperature and rest/activity, and the external day-night cycle, are considered to be crucial for adapting to life in the external environmental. Therefore, the relationship and possible alterations among (i) light exposure, (ii) activity rhythm, and (iii) temperature rhythm could be important factors in clinical depression. This study aimed to investigate the rhythmic alterations in depression and evaluate the ability of chronobiological parameters to discriminate between healthy subjects and depressed patients. Methods Thirty female subjects, including healthy subjects, depressed patients in the first episode, and major recurrent depression patients. Symptoms were assessed using Hamilton Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Montgomery-Äsberg Scale. Motor activity, temperature, and light values were determined for 7 days by actigraph, and circadian rhythms were calculated. Results Depressed groups showed a lower amplitude in the circadian rhythm of activity and light exposure, but a higher amplitude in the rhythm of peripheral temperature. The correlation between temperature and activity values was different in the day and night among the control and depressed groups. For the same level of activity, depressed patients had lowest temperature values during the day. The amplitudes of temperature and activity were the highest discriminant parameters. Conclusions These results indicate that the study of rhythms is useful for diagnosis and therapy for depressive mood disorders.