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Mechanosensory neurons located across the body surface respond to tactile stimuli and elicit diverse behavioral responses, from relatively simple stimulus location-aimed movements to complex movement sequences. How mechanosensory neurons and their postsynaptic circuits influence such diverse behaviors remains unclear. We previously discovered that Drosophila perform a body location-prioritized grooming sequence when mechanosensory neurons at different locations on the head and body are simultaneously stimulated by dust (Hampel et al., 2017; Seeds et al., 2014). Here, we identify nearly all mechanosensory neurons on the Drosophila head that individually elicit aimed grooming of specific head locations, while collectively eliciting a whole head grooming sequence. Different tracing methods were used to reconstruct the projections of these neurons from different locations on the head to their distinct arborizations in the brain. This provides the first synaptic resolution somatotopic map of a head, and defines the parallel-projecting mechanosensory pathways that elicit head grooming.
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Drosophila , Neurônios , Animais , Asseio Animal/fisiologia , Vias Aferentes , Neurônios/fisiologia , Encéfalo , Drosophila melanogaster/fisiologiaRESUMO
Prenatal iron (Fe) exposure has been associated with learning and cognitive impairments, which may be linked to oxidative stress resulting from elevated Fe levels and harm to the vulnerable brain. Drosophila melanogaster has contributed to our understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in neurological conditions. This study aims to explore Fe toxicity during D. melanogaster development, assessing oxidative stress and investigating behaviors in flies that are related to neurological conditions in humans. To achieve this goal, flies were exposed to Fe during the developmental period, and biochemical and behavioral analyses were conducted. The results indicated that 20 mM Fe decreased fly hatching by 50 %. At 15 mM, Fe exposure increased lipid peroxidation, and GSH levels decreased starting from 5 mM of Fe. Superoxide Dismutase activity was enhanced at 15 mM, while Glutathione S-Transferase activity was inhibited from 5 mM. Although chronic Fe exposure did not alter acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, flies exhibited reduced locomotion, increased grooming, and antisocial behavior from 5 mM of Fe. This research highlights potential Fe toxicity risks during development and underscores the utility of D. melanogaster in unraveling neurological disorders, emphasizing its relevance for future research.
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Drosophila melanogaster , Drosophila , Animais , Humanos , Drosophila melanogaster/metabolismo , Drosophila/metabolismo , Ferro/toxicidade , Acetilcolinesterase/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo , Antioxidantes/metabolismoRESUMO
Excessive sugar intake has been associated with the onset of several non-communicable chronic diseases seen in humans. Physical activity could affect sweet taste perception which may affect sugar intake. Therefore, it was investigated the chronic effects of swimming training on sucrose intake/preference, reactivity to sucrose taste, self-care in neurobehavioral stress, and the possible involvement of the vasopressin type V1 receptor in sucrose solution intake. Male Wistar rats, of from different cohorts were used, subjected to a sedentary lifestyle (SED) or swimming training (TR - 1 h/day, 5×/week, for 8 weeks, with no added load). Weekly intake was verified in SED and TR rats after access to a sucrose solution 1×/week, 2 h/day, for eight weeks. Chronic effects of swimming and/or a sedentary lifestyle were carried out three days after the end of the physical exercise protocol. Swimming training reduced the intake of sucrose solution from the third week onwards in the two-bottle test measured once a week for 8 weeks. After the ending of the swimming protocol, sucrose intake was also reduced as per its preference. This reduced intake is probably correlated with the carbohydrate aspect of sucrose since saccharin intake was not affected. In addition, chronic swimming training was shown to reduce ingestive responses, increase neutral responses, without interfering with aversive, in the sucrose solution taste reactivity test. In addition, these results are not related to a depressive-like behavior, nor to neurobehavioral stress. Furthermore, treatment with vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist abolished the reduced sucrose intake in trained rats. The results suggest that swimming performed chronically is capable of reducing intake and preference for sucrose by decreasing the palatability of sucrose without causing depressive-type behavior or stress. In addition, the results also suggest that central V1 vasopressin receptors are part of the mechanisms activated to reduce sucrose intake in trained rats.
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Natação , Paladar , Humanos , Ratos , Masculino , Animais , Ratos Wistar , Sacarose , Vasopressinas/farmacologiaRESUMO
Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating mental illness that has not yet been completely understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of ketamine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on the positive- and negative-like symptoms of schizophrenia. We also explored whether these effects are related to changes in the immunoreactivity of GAD67, TH, and PPAR-γ in brain structures. To conduct the study, male mice received ketamine (20-40 mg/kg) or its vehicle (0.9 % NaCl) intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days. We quantified stereotyped behavior, the time of immobility in the forced swimming test (FST), and locomotor activity after 7 or 14 days. In addition, we performed ex vivo analysis of the immunoreactivity of GAD, TH, and PPAR-γ, in brain tissues after 14 days. The results showed that ketamine administration for 14 days increased the grooming time in the nose region at all tested doses. It also increased immobility in the FST at 30 mg/kg doses and decreased the number of rearing cycles during stereotyped behavior at 40 mg/kg. These behavioral effects were not associated with changes in locomotor activity. We did not observe any significant alterations regarding the immunoreactivity of brain proteins. However, we found that GAD and TH were positively correlated with the number of rearing during the stereotyped behavior at doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg ketamine, respectively. GAD was positively correlated with the number of rearing in the open field test at a dose of 20 mg/kg. TH was inversely correlated with immobility time in the FST at a dose of 30 mg/kg. PPAR-γ was inversely correlated with the number of bouts of stereotyped behavior at a dose of 40 mg/kg of ketamine. In conclusion, the behavioral alterations induced by ketamine in positive-like symptoms were reproduced with all doses tested and appear to depend on the modulatory effects of TH, GAD, and PPAR-γ. Conversely, negative-like symptoms were associated with a specific dose of ketamine.
Assuntos
Ketamina , Esquizofrenia , Camundongos , Masculino , Animais , Ketamina/efeitos adversos , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológico , Esquizofrenia/induzido quimicamente , PPAR gama/metabolismo , Correlação de Dados , Natação , Comportamento AnimalRESUMO
Resumen El artículo tiene como objetivo analizar el modo en el que se construyen los sentidos de la ciudadanía (a)sexual infantil mediante el análisis discursivo del debate parlamentario sobre la ley de grooming en Argentina en ambas cámaras legislativas. Se consideran como premisas los aportes de estudios de sexualidad(es) y de los estudios sociales de infancia, desde una metodología sociosemiótica. El análisis enfoca específicamente el repertorio temático del debate: las dislocaciones de la espacialidad, la temporalidad y la autoridad familiar que imponen las nuevas tecnologías al gobierno de la infancia, como así también, la función protectora del estado. El relevamiento y análisis de los tópicos emergentes en el debate permiten mostrar cómo los discursos de prevención de la violencia sexual hilvanan una axiología moral que regula los modos aceptables de experimentar la sexualidad en la infancia y la reproducción del orden heterofamiliar.
Abstract The objective of this article is to analyze the way in which the meanings of child (a)sexual citizenship are constructed through the discursive analysis of the parliamentary debate on the grooming law in Argentina in both legislative chambers. The contributions of sexuality(ies) studies and social studies of childhood, from a socio-semiotic methodology, are considered as premises. The analysis focuses specifically on the thematic repertoire of the debate: the dislocations of spatiality, temporality and family authority imposed by new technologies to the government of childhood, as well as the protective role of the state. The survey and analysis of the emerging topics in the debate allow us to show how the discourses of prevention of sexual violence weave a moral axiology that regulates the acceptable ways of experiencing sexuality in childhood and the reproduction of the heterofamilial order.
Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a forma como os significados da cidadania (a)sexual infantil são construídos através da análise discursiva do debate parlamentar sobre a lei do aliciamento na Argentina, em ambas câmaras legislativas. As contribuições dos estudos da(s) sexualidade(s) e dos estudos sociais da infância são considerados como premissas, utilizando uma metodologia socio-semiótica. A análise centra-se especificamente no repertório temático do debate: os deslocamentos de espacialidade, temporalidade e autoridade familiar que as novas tecnologias impõem ao governo das crianças, bem como o papel protetor do Estado. O levantamento e a análise dos temas emergentes no debate permitem demonstrar como os discursos de prevenção da violência sexual tecem uma axiologia moral que regula as formas aceitáveis de vivência da sexualidade na infância e a reprodução da ordem hetero-familiar.
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In the past few years there has been an increasing interest for the study of honey bee populations that are naturally resistant to the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, aiming to identify the mechanisms that allow the bees to limit the reproduction of the mite. In eastern Uruguay there are still bees resistant to mites that survive without acaricides. In order to determine if the differential resistance to V. destructor was maintained in other environments, a reciprocal transplant experiment was performed between the mite-resistant bee colonies and the mite-susceptible bee colonies from the east and the west of the country, respectively, infesting bees with local mites. In both regions, the mite-resistant colonies expressed a higher hygienic behavior and presented a higher phoretic mites/reproductive mites and mites in drone cells/mites in worker cells ratio than the mite-susceptible colonies. All the mite-susceptible colonies died during fall-winter, while a considerable number of mite-resistant colonies survived until spring, especially in the east of the country. This study shows that the bees in the east of the country maintain in good measure the resistance to V. destructor in other regions and leaves open the possibility that the mites of the two populations have biases in the reproductive behavior.
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Resumen El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo estudiar si los problemas emocionales (depresión y ansiedad) y la Personalidad Oscura eran predictores del sexting y el grooming, y si este comportamiento varía según el género y la edad. Se constituyó una muestra de 728 adolescentes entre 11 y 18 años (38% hombres) de tres escuelas secundarias privadas ubicadas en Buenos Aires y Paraná, Argentina. Completaron un Cuestionario de sexting, el Cuestionario de Solicitación e Interacción Sexual a menores online por parte de adultos para evaluar el comportamiento de grooming, la Escala de síntomas psicosomáticos de Rosenberg, el Inventario de depresión de Kovacs para niños y el Dirty Dozen para los rasgos de Personalidad Oscura. Los resultados mostraron que 12% de los adolescentes admitió haber padecido una conducta de grooming. Las formas más frecuentes fueron el envío de mensajes escritos de carácter sexual (11%) y fotos (10%) y luego, en orden de frecuencia, el envío de videos (4%), pero no se detectaron diferencias por género. Los predictores significativos de sexting y el tamaño de su varianza explicada variaban según el género (R² = 47% para mujeres y R² = 12% para hombres, respectivamente). En el caso de las mujeres, mayor edad y puntajes de psicopatía fueron predictores significativos, y en el de los hombres, menor ansiedad fue el predictor significativo. Un modelo estructural explicó una varianza del 6% para el sexting y 21% para el grooming, indicando que no hubo invarianza, según el género. Las regresiones lineales para predecir el grooming a partir del sexting también sugirieron que el género moderaba esta relación.
Abstract The present study aimed to study if emotional problems (depression and anxiety) and Dark Personality were predictors of sexting and grooming, and if this behavior differs by gender and age. A sample of 728 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age (38% male) from three private high schools located in Buenos Aires and Paraná, Argentina, was drawn. They completed a Sexting questionnaire, the Questionnaire for Online Sexual Solicitation and Interaction of Minors with Adults for grooming behavior, Rosenberg Scale of Psychosomatic Symptoms, the Kovacs Depression Inventory for Children and the Dirty Dozen for dark personality traits. Results showed that 12% of adolescents admitted having carried out a sexting behavior. Sending written messages of a sexual nature (11%) and photos (10%) were the most prevalent ways, followed by videos (4%), but no differences were detected according to gender. Significant predictors of sexting and the size of its explained variance ranged by gender (R² = 47% for females and R² = 12% for men, respectively). In the case of females, older age and psychopathy were the significant predictors. In the case of males, less anxiety was the significant predictors. A structural model explained a variance of 6% for sexting and 21% for grooming, indicating that there was no inavariance, according to gender. Linear regressions to predict grooming from sexting also suggested this relationship was moderated by gender.
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Rodent self-grooming is a stereotyped behavior that can rise due to stressors such as novelty. In the present study, the occurrence of a rebound effect was investigated by means of manipulation of contextual novelty and of the possibility of self-grooming (with an Elizabethan collar which blocked head-body contact). Fourty-six male rats were submitted to an experiment latter replicated with 43 females. Half of the animals were submitted to habituation sessions (30 min) to the test box in three days. The other half was similarly handled but habituated to small cages. On the fourth day, rats from both conditions were assigned to Elizabethan or sham collar groups. Each animal was observed for 15 min with its respective collar and for other 15 min with no collars. Increased locomotion was observed in the rats not habituated to the test box. Such habituation did not affect any grooming parameter. On the other hand, the animals wearing Elizabethan collars during the first half of the test, as compared to those which wore sham collars, showed increased self-grooming during the second half of the test (i.e., with no collars). Females showed pretty similar results. Present results, thus, evidence a rebound effect in self-grooming.
Assuntos
Asseio Animal , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , RatosRESUMO
Proximity and interpersonal contact are prominent components of social connection. Giving affective touch to others is fundamental for human bonding. This brief report presents preliminary results from a pilot study. It explores if exposure to bonding scenes impacts the activity of specific muscles related to physical interaction. Fingers flexion is a very important component when performing most actions of affectionate contact. We explored the visuo-motor affective interplay by priming participants with bonding scenes and assessing the electromyographic activity of the fingers flexor muscle, in the absence of any overt movements. Photographs of dyads in social interaction and of the same dyads not interacting were employed. We examined the effects upon the electromyographical activity: (i) during the passive exposure to pictures, and (ii) during picture offset and when expecting the signal to perform a fingers flexion task. Interacting dyads compared to matched non-interacting dyads increased electromyographic activity of the fingers flexor muscle in both contexts. Specific capture of visual bonding cues at the level of visual cortex had been described in the literature. Here we showed that the neural processing of visual bonding cues reaches the fingers flexor muscle. Besides, previous visualization of bonding cues enhanced background electromyographic activity during motor preparation to perform the fingers flexion task, which might reflect a sustained leakage of central motor activity downstream leading to increase in firing of the respective motor neurons. These data suggest, at the effector level, an implicit visuo-motor connection in which social interaction cues evoke intrinsic dispositions toward affectionate social behavior.
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When primates groom each other, they tend to concentrate on those parts of the body they cannot efficiently self-groom (i.e., not visually accessible), and prefer to intensify grooming in areas with high hair density, thus suggesting a hygienic function. However, preferences for some body sites over others during social grooming may also result from different degrees of social bonding and relative dominance. To assess the relative importance of physical (hygienic) and social factors, we examined grooming interactions in two groups of wild black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) during 15 nonconsecutive months. We evaluated the distribution of social grooming across body sites according to their accessibility by self-grooming and hair density. At the same time, we assessed whether the degree of dyadic social bonding affects the relative body orientation between groomer and groomee and the access to vulnerable body sites (e.g., face, throat, groin) during grooming. As expected, capuchins preferentially groomed inaccessible body sites (e.g., back and head), with a disproportionate effort directed to the tufts of their partners. We found that dyadic social bond strength, together with rank distance, significantly affected the proportion of grooming in ventro-ventral body relative orientation only in dominant-subordinate groomer-groomee dyads. This may indicate that, when two individuals differ in rank but are strongly bonded, the level of uncertainty related to the social context is already resolved and thus grooming per se is no longer perceived by the subordinate as an uncertain/risky situation. We found no effect of social bonding on grooming vulnerable body sites for any type of dyad. Our findings suggest that grooming site preferences in black capuchin monkeys simultaneously reflect hygienic and social functions.
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Cebus , Comportamento Social , Animais , Asseio Animal , Haplorrinos , SapajusRESUMO
Social parasitism is well known in ants, but many aspects of this social phenomenon remain mysterious and unexplored. In some cases, parasite queens, who are able to mate very rarely end up producing brood and, thus, depend virtually on the labor of host ants. In this work, we sought to test the occurrence of grooming by host workers of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus Forel, to their own queens and queens of the parasite Acromyrmex ameliae De Souza, Soares and Della Lucia and to compare the immune defense responses of parasite queens and queens of A. subterraneus subterraneus and Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus Forel, the natural hosts. Duration and frequency of behavioral acts were recorded. The relative size of the bulla and the encapsulation response to a standardized antigen were analyzed. Regarding behavioral acts, self-grooming (duration and frequency) and allogrooming (duration) were statistically different between the species; the first is more frequent and lasted longer in parasite queens, while the second act lasted longer in host ants than in parasite ants. The bulla of A. ameliae was approximately 50% wider than those of its hosts. Parasite queens exhibited a stronger immune response than host queens. The results of this work contribute to elucidate potential mechanisms involved in the parasitism capacity of A. ameliae queens such as their strategies of immune defense.
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Formigas , Animais , Formigas/imunologia , Feminino , Reprodução , SimbioseRESUMO
The paper presents an exploratory and descriptive quantitative study, involving 560 Portuguese parents with school children, aged between 6 and 17 years. Data collection was carried out through a questionnaire that was made available online and focused on the use of social networks, the Internet and the risk of online grooming. The results showed that about half of the participants did not know the term 'online grooming'. After defining the phenomenon, 97% of the participants considered it very seriously. To prevent risk, 52% of the participants reported talking with their children about online risks and taking precautions to reduce the children's vulnerability. Approximately 89% of the respondents said they knew where to report cybercrime. The study aimed to contribute to a greater awareness of the risks associated with the Internet, involving parents and caregivers in the prevention of situations of victimization of children and adolescents. (AU)
O artigo apresenta um estudo quantitativo exploratório e descritivo, envolvendo 560 pais portugueses que tinham filhos em idade escolar entre 6 e 17 anos. A recolha de dados foi feita por meio de um inquérito por questionário, disponibilizado online, focado no uso das redes, da internet e no risco do online grooming. Os resultados mostraram que cerca de metade dos participantes não conhecia o termo "online grooming". Depois de definir o fenómeno, cerca de 97% dos participantes consideram-no muito grave. Para prevenir, 52% dos participantes disseram conversar com seus filhos sobre os riscos online e tomar precauções para reduzir a vulnerabilidade das crianças. Cerca de 89% dos entrevistados disseram saber onde denunciar crimes cibernéticos. O estudo visa contribuir para uma maior conscientização dos riscos associados à internet, envolvendo pais e cuidadores na prevenção de situações de vitimação de crianças e adolescentes. (AU)
El artículo presenta un estudio cuantitativo exploratorio y descriptivo, en el que participaron 560 padres portugueses que tenían hijos en edad escolar entre 6 y 17 años. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo a través de una encuesta, disponible en línea, enfocada en el uso de redes, Internet y el riesgo del online grooming. Los resultados mostraron que aproximadamente la mitad de los participantes no conocían el término "online grooming". Tras definir el fenómeno, alrededor del 97% de los participantes lo consideró muy grave. Para prevenirlo, el 52% de los encuestados afirmaron hablar con sus hijos sobre los riesgos digitales y tomar precauciones para reducir la vulnerabilidad de los niños. Alrededor del 89% de los encuestados dijeron que sabían dónde denunciar los delitos cibernéticos. El estudio tiene como objetivo contribuir a una mayor conciencia de los riesgos asociados a Internet, involucrando a los padres y cuidadores en la prevención de situaciones de victimización infantil y adolescente. (AU)
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Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Criança , Adolescente , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Adulto Jovem , Pais/psicologia , Abuso Sexual na Infância/psicologia , Vítimas de Crime/psicologia , Acesso à Internet , Portugal , Segurança , Inquéritos e Questionários , Análise FatorialRESUMO
La prevalencia de los parásitos intestinales presenta una mayor incidencia en los niños con respecto a los casos de los adultos. Se ha notado un crecimiento sostenido de la ocurrencia de casos de parasitosis en los niños en épocas reciente. Es por ello que el presente estudio presenta como fin estimar la prevalencia y factores asociados de protozoarios intestinales en niños 3 a 7 años en la Unidad Educativa del Milenio, parroquia de Quisapincha. Ambato- Ecuador 2018. Para lo cual el estudio se desarrolló de corte transversal, siendo una investigación de campo, la cual posee un nivel descriptivo. La población estuvo integrada por 79 niños, quienes son estudiantes de la etapa inicial, primero y segundo año de la Unidad Educativa el Milenio y sus 79 representantes. Como técnica de recolección de datos se empleó la encuesta y las muestras biológicas, como instrumentos se utilizó el cuestionario y la prueba de Graham. Como técnica de análisis de datos se contó con la tabulación y el procesamiento de los datos se realizó mediante el programa SPSS statistics 22. El resultado obtenido fue que 58 escolares resultaron parasitados lo que arroja un nivel de contagio del 73,42%, de este porcentaje de infectado los estudiantes masculinos presentan el 41,75% de los casos, mientras que las niñas obtuvieron el 31,62%. Siendo la edad con la mayor prevalencia los 6 años con un porcentaje de casos de 18,98%(AU)
in children compared to adult cases. A sustained growth in the occurrence of parasitic cases in children has been noted in recent times. That is why the present study aims to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal protozoa in children 3 to 7 years old at the Millennium Educational Unit, Quisapincha parish. Ambato- Ecuador 2018. For which the study was developed in a cross section, being a field investigation, which has a descriptive level. The population was made up of 79 children, who are students of the initial, first and second years of the Millennium Educational Unit and its 79 representatives. The data collection technique used was the survey and biological samples, as instruments the questionnaire and the Graham test were used. As a data analysis technique, tabulation was used and the data was processed using the SPSS statistics 22 program. The result obtained was that 58 schoolchildren were parasitized, which gives a contagion level of 73.42%, of this percentage of infected male students present 41.75% of cases, while girls obtained 31.62% . The age with the highest prevalence being 6 years with a percentage of cases of 18.98%(AU)
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Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Pré-Escolar , Criança , Parasitos , Infecções por Protozoários , Enteropatias , Doenças Parasitárias , Desinfecção das Mãos , Higiene , Giardia lamblia , Blastocystis hominis , AmoebaRESUMO
Diverse mechanosensory neurons detect different mechanical forces that can impact animal behavior. Yet our understanding of the anatomical and physiological diversity of these neurons and the behaviors that they influence is limited. We previously discovered that grooming of the Drosophila melanogaster antennae is elicited by an antennal mechanosensory chordotonal organ, the Johnston's organ (JO) (Hampel et al., 2015). Here, we describe anatomically and physiologically distinct JO mechanosensory neuron subpopulations that each elicit antennal grooming. We show that the subpopulations project to different, discrete zones in the brain and differ in their responses to mechanical stimulation of the antennae. Although activation of each subpopulation elicits antennal grooming, distinct subpopulations also elicit the additional behaviors of wing flapping or backward locomotion. Our results provide a comprehensive description of the diversity of mechanosensory neurons in the JO, and reveal that distinct JO subpopulations can elicit both common and distinct behavioral responses.
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Antenas de Artrópodes/fisiologia , Drosophila melanogaster/fisiologia , Asseio Animal/fisiologia , Mecanorreceptores/fisiologia , Neurônios/fisiologia , Órgãos dos Sentidos/fisiologia , Animais , Drosophila melanogaster/anatomia & histologia , Feminino , Masculino , Órgãos dos Sentidos/citologia , Órgãos dos Sentidos/inervaçãoRESUMO
Abstract Campomanesia phaea (Myrtaceae), popularly known as cambuci, is one of several species of plants producing comestible fruits, largely used in human nutrition. Despite its consumption and economic potential, limited scientific research is available on the Campomanesia, especially those related to its therapeutic benefits. It is reported by traditional medicine the use of the plant in the treatment of different disorders, such as cardiovascular and nervous system disturbances. So, the aim of this study was to carry out the pharmacological evaluation of the hydro-alcoholic extract (HAE) of Campomanesia fruits in rats by screening consisting of tests: a) neuropharmacological observation, b) test on the cardiovascular system. The HAE, prepared from the extraction of fruits with water/ethanol, was concentrated and freeze-dried. Behavioral responses in rats were investigated in open field test and the cardiovascular actions were investigated by a register of indirect blood pressure and the register of spontaneous beating rate right atrium. The results revealed that HAE induced grooming, hypotension and bradycardia. So, this study identified an action on the central nervous system, represented by grooming, and a cardiovascular activity of Campomanesia. The hypotension, attributed in part to bradycardia, was not related to a cholinergic effect, discarding a possible cholinomimetic action of the plant that could justify both cardiovascular and central actions.
Resumo Campomanesia phaea (Myrtaceae), popularmente conhecida como cambuci, é uma das várias espécies de plantas que produzem frutos comestíveis amplamente utilizados na nutrição humana. Apesar de seu consumo e potencial econômico, há poucas pesquisas científicas sobre a Campomanesia, especialmente aquelas relacionadas aos seus benefícios terapêuticos. É relatado pela medicina tradicional o uso da planta no tratamento de diferentes distúrbios, tais como distúrbios do sistema nervoso e cardiovascular. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a avaliação farmacológica do extrato hidroalcoólico (EHA) dos frutos de Campomanesia phaea em ratos através de triagem composta pelos testes: a) observação neurofarmacológica, b) testes no sistema cardiovascular. O EHA, preparado a partir da extração de frutos com água/etanol, foi concentrado e liofilizado. As respostas comportamentais em ratos foram investigadas em teste de campo aberto e as ações cardiovasculares foram investigadas pelo registro da pressão arterial indireta e o registro da taxa de batimentos cardíacos espontâneos em preparações isoladas de átrio direito. Os resultados revelaram que EHA induziu grooming, hipotensão e bradicardia. Assim, este estudo identificou uma ação da Campomanesia sobre o sistema nervoso central, representada por grooming, e uma atividade cardiovascular. A hipotensão, atribuída em parte à bradicardia, não está relacionada a um efeito colinérgico, descartando uma possível ação colinomimética da planta que pudesse justificar tanto as ações cardiovasculares quanto as centrais.
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Humanos , Animais , Ratos , Myrtaceae , Frutas , Extratos Vegetais , Ratos Wistar , EtanolRESUMO
For gregarious species such as domestic cattle, the social environment is a very important determinant of their welfare and fitness. Understanding the complexity of cows' relationships can assist the development of management practices that are more integrated with the cows' social behavioral processes. The two aims of this study were: (1) to determine the dynamics of affiliative relationships, as indicated by allogrooming, by means of stochastic actor-oriented modeling, in dairy cows during early lactation; (2) to explore the underlying processes and the individual attributes, such as age, social rank and reproductive state, that could shape network pattern changes in grooming contacts between individual. We observed the allogrooming behavior of a dynamic group of 38 dairy cows for 4 h per day for 30 days. Using stochastic actor-oriented models, we modeled the dynamics of weekly contacts and studied how structural processes (e.g., reciprocity, transitivity, or popularity) and individual attributes (i.e., age, social rank, and reproductive state) influence network changes. We found that cows tended to groom individuals that had previously groomed them, implying a possible cooperation. Cows that groomed more actively did not appear to have a preference for specific individuals in the herd, and in return, tended to be groomed by fewer cows over time. Older individuals groomed more cows than younger ones, indicating that allogrooming could be related to seniority. Cows groomed mainly individuals of similar age, suggesting that familiarity and growing up together enhanced social grooming. Over time, cows with higher social rank were groomed by fewer cows and individuals recently reintroduced to the group groomed more herdmates. The study of social network dynamics can be used to better understand the complexity and non-linearity of cow relationships. Our findings, along with further research, can complement and strengthen the design of improved management practices that are more in line with the natural social behavior of cows.
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To study how motivational factors modulate experience-dependent neurobehavioral plasticity, we modify a protocol of environmental enrichment (EE) in rats. We assumed that the benefits derived from EE might vary according to the level of incentive salience attributed to it. To enhance the rewarding properties of EE, access to the EE cage varied randomly from 2 to 48 h for 30 days (REE). The REE group was enriched only 50% of the time and was compared to standard housing and continuous EE (CEE) groups. As behavioral readout, we analyzed the spontaneous activity and the ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) within the EE cage weekly, and in the open field test at the end of the experiment. In the cage, REE increased the utilization of materials, physical activity, and the rate of appetitive USVs. In the OF, the CEE-induced enhancements in novelty habituation and social signaling were equaled by the REE. At the neural level, we measured the expression of genes related to neural plasticity and epigenetic regulations in different brain regions. In the dorsal striatum and hippocampus, REE upregulated the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, its tropomyosin kinase B receptor, and the DNA methyltransferase 3A. Altogether, our results suggest that the higher activity within the cage and the augmented incentive motivation provoked by the REE boosted its neurobehavioral effects equaling or surpassing those observed in the CEE condition. As constant exposures to treatments or stimulating environments are virtually impossible for humans, restricted EE protocols would have greater translational value than traditional ones.
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Yawning is a stereotyped behavioral pattern characterized by wide opening of the mouth associated with deep inspiration followed by short expiration. All vertebrate species yawn, but with low frequencies. We obtained two sublines of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by a strict inbreeding process: one with a high-yawning frequency (HY) of 20 yawns/h, which is one order of magnitude higher with respect to the low-yawning frequency (LY) subline, with 2 yawns/h. Outbred SD rats had a yawning frequency of 1 yawn/h. HY dams had a different organization of maternal care with respect to that displayed by LY and SD dams because HY dams constructed lower quality nests and had more re-retrieving and atypical retrieving. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in maternal care using in- and cross-fostering between the sublines and SD dams and to measure spontaneous and dopaminergic-induced yawning, penile erections, grooming and scratching bouts. We also measured the expression of dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum using Western blot analysis. Our results showed that HY male rats reared by SD or LY dams did not significantly differ in yawning frequencies with respect to HY male rats reared by mothers of their own phenotype. Maternal care did not differ between sublines and SD dams independent of the litter they reared. However, LY rats reared by HY dams showed a significant increase in the number of spontaneous penile erections. Importantly, in-fostered HY male rats had the highest number of yawns induced by systemic administration of (-)-quinpirole supporting that higher maternal care display can influence the frequency of dopaminergic-induced yawning. In fact HY male rats in all conditions yawned more than did LY and SD male rats independent of the dam that raised them supporting a strong influence of genetic background. However SD male rats raised by LY dams showed significantly increased the dopamine D2 receptor expression. In conclusion, maternal care and the environmental nest conditions during the lactation period did not change the phenotypic characteristics of the yawning sublines supporting that their genetic background is fundamental for the expression of spontaneous or dopaminergic-induced yawning.
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Campomanesia phaea (Myrtaceae), popularly known as cambuci, is one of several species of plants producing comestible fruits, largely used in human nutrition. Despite its consumption and economic potential, limited scientific research is available on the Campomanesia, especially those related to its therapeutic benefits. It is reported by traditional medicine the use of the plant in the treatment of different disorders, such as cardiovascular and nervous system disturbances. So, the aim of this study was to carry out the pharmacological evaluation of the hydro-alcoholic extract (HAE) of Campomanesia fruits in rats by screening consisting of tests: a) neuropharmacological observation, b) test on the cardiovascular system. The HAE, prepared from the extraction of fruits with water/ethanol, was concentrated and freeze-dried. Behavioral responses in rats were investigated in open field test and the cardiovascular actions were investigated by a register of indirect blood pressure and the register of spontaneous beating rate right atrium. The results revealed that HAE induced grooming, hypotension and bradycardia. So, this study identified an action on the central nervous system, represented by grooming, and a cardiovascular activity of Campomanesia. The hypotension, attributed in part to bradycardia, was not related to a cholinergic effect, discarding a possible cholinomimetic action of the plant that could justify both cardiovascular and central actions.(AU)
Campomanesia phaea (Myrtaceae), popularmente conhecida como cambuci, é uma das várias espécies de plantas que produzem frutos comestíveis amplamente utilizados na nutrição humana. Apesar de seu consumo e potencial econômico, há poucas pesquisas científicas sobre a Campomanesia, especialmente aquelas relacionadas aos seus benefícios terapêuticos. É relatado pela medicina tradicional o uso da planta no tratamento de diferentes distúrbios, tais como distúrbios do sistema nervoso e cardiovascular. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a avaliação farmacológica do extrato hidroalcoólico (EHA) dos frutos de Campomanesia phaea em ratos através de triagem composta pelos testes: a) observação neurofarmacológica, b) testes no sistema cardiovascular. O EHA, preparado a partir da extração de frutos com água/etanol, foi concentrado e liofilizado. As respostas comportamentais em ratos foram investigadas em teste de campo aberto e as ações cardiovasculares foram investigadas pelo registro da pressão arterial indireta e o registro da taxa de batimentos cardíacos espontâneos em preparações isoladas de átrio direito. Os resultados revelaram que EHA induziu grooming, hipotensão e bradicardia. Assim, este estudo identificou uma ação da Campomanesia sobre o sistema nervoso central, representada por grooming, e uma atividade cardiovascular. A hipotensão, atribuída em parte à bradicardia, não está relacionada a um efeito colinérgico, descartando uma possível ação colinomimética da planta que pudesse justificar tanto as ações cardiovasculares quanto as centrais.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Ratos , Solução Hidroalcoólica , Fenômenos Farmacológicos , Ratos , Myrtaceae , BradicardiaRESUMO
Resumen Basado en el análisis sociosemiótico de los discursos, deudor de Bajtin, Foucault y Angenot, el presente trabajo se propone abordar las diversas significaciones de la (a)sexualidad infantil en los discursos de prevención del acoso sexual de niños, niñas y adolescentes a través de internet -grooming- en la Argentina actual. En primera instancia, indagaremos en el espesor histórico del dispositivo de (a)sexualización infantil, regido por el modelo de estratificación de la sexualidad por edad. En segundo lugar, atenderemos cómo, en la industria cultural contemporánea, esas normas se ven desplazadas por otra tópica: la "hipersexualización" de la infancia. Ambas figuras cobran una particular complejidad en los discursos de prevención del grooming, que proponen un modo de gobierno fuertemente punitivo de la agencia sexual infantil.
Abstract Based on the sociosemiotic analysis of discourses inspired by Bajtin, Foucault and Angenot, the present work addresses the different meanings of child (a)sexuality in the sexual harassment of children and adolescents prevention discours on the internet-or grooming-in Argentina. We investigate the history of the (a)sexualization device of children, governed by the stratification model of sexuality by age. We will also analyze how in contemporary cultural industry these norms are displaced by another topic: the "hyper-sexualization" of childhood. Both figures are particularly complex in the grooming prevention discourses, which propose a strongly punitive mode of governing the sexual agency of children.
Resumo Baseado na análise sócio semiótica dos discursos, inspirada em Bajtin, Foucault e Angenot, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo abordar os diferentes significados da (a)sexualidade infantil nos discursos de prevenção do assédio sexual de crianças e adolescentes na internet - ou grooming - na Argentina. No primeiro caso, investigaremos a espessura histórica do dispositivo de (a)sexualização infantil, regido pelo modelo de estratificação da sexualidade por idade. Em segundo lugar, veremos como, na indústria cultural contemporânea, essas normas são substituídas por outro tópico: a "hipersexualização" da infância. As duas figuras possuem uma particular complexidade nos discursos de prevenção de grooming, que propõem um modo de governo fortemente punitivo da agência sexual infantil.