Chronic rose oxide and exercise synergistically modulate cardiovascular and autonomic functions in hypertensive rats.

With the alarming rise in cases of arterial hypertension worldwide, there is an urgent need to develop combined therapies to mitigate this scenario. Rose oxide (RO), a monoterpene with anti-inflammatory and hypotensive properties, emerges as an alternative. The present study is the first to evaluate the effect of RO administered chronically and combined with physical exercise (swimming) since both have been reported to have beneficial impacts on hypertension.

Influence of Physical Characteristics of Obstacles on the Locomotor Pattern of Older Adults at Higher Risk of Falling.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the locomotor behavior of older adults with and without a history of falls as they avoided obstacles with different physical characteristics.

Methods: Twenty-one older adults participated in this study. The group was divided into higher risk of falling (n = 10) and lower risk of falling (n = 11).

Alpha- and Beta-norepinephrinergic receptors of dorsomedial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei modulate panic attack-like defensive behaviour elicited by diencephalic GABAergic neurotransmission disinhibition.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) disinhibition in medial hypothalamus (MH) nuclei of rats elicits some defensive reactions that are considered panic attack-like behaviours. Recent evidence showed that the norepinephrine-mediated system modulates fear-related defensive behaviours organised by MH neurons at least in part via noradrenergic receptors recruitment on midbrain tegmentum. However, it is unknown whether noradrenergic receptors of the MH also modulate the panic attack-like reactions.

Neostriatum neuronal TRPV-signalling mediates striatal anandamide at high concentration facilitatory influence on neostriato-nigral dishinhibitory GABAergic connections.

Rationale: Several lines of evidence have demonstrated that the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB) is found in the caudate nucleus and putamen (CPu) in addition to the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr). Here, we investigated the role of endocannabinoid neuromodulation of striato-nigral disinhibitory projections on the activity of nigro-collicular GABAergic pathways that control the expression of unconditioned fear-related behavioural responses elicited by microinjections of the GABA receptor selective antagonist bicuculline (BIC) in the deep layers of the superior colliculus (dlSC).

Methods: Fluorescent neural tract tracers were deposited in either CPu or in SNpr.

Development and characterization of antioxidant and antimicrobial poly (butylene adipate-co-terephtalate) (PBAT) film incorporated with oregano essential oil and applied in sliced mozzarella cheese.

The objective was to develop and characterize biodegradable films with antimicrobial and antioxidant action, using poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) incorporated with OEO - essential oil (Origanum vulgare). The degradation temperature of the OEO increased after incorporation into the PBAT matrix, however, the degradation of the matrix did not undergo considerable changes. The films showed increase in elongation and modulus of elasticity with presence of OEO, however, it reduced the maximum tension.

Augmented anandamide signalling in the substantia nigra pars reticulata mediates panicolytic-like effects in mice confronted by Crotalus durissus terrificus pit vipers.

Rationale: The endocannabinoid modulation of fear and anxiety due to the on-demand synthesis and degradation is supported by a large body of research. Although it has been proposed that anandamide (AEA) in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) seems to be important for the organisation of innate fear-related behaviours, a role for endogenous AEA has yet to be clarified.

Methods: Mice were treated with the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) selective inhibitor URB597 at different concentrations (0.

Ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter integrative system of defense and antinociception.

Defensive responses are neurophysiological processes crucial for survival during threatening situations. Defensive immobility is a common adaptive response, in rodents, elaborated by ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter (vlPAG) when threat is unavoidable. It is associated with somatosensory and autonomic reactions such as alteration in the sensation of pain and rate of respiration.

The modulation of striatonigral and nigrotectal pathways by CB1 signalling in the substantia nigra pars reticulata regulates panic elicited in mice by urutu-cruzeiro lancehead pit vipers.

Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CBR) is widely distributed in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr). However, the role of CBR at the SNpr level in threatening situations is poorly understood. We investigated the role of CBR in the SNpr on the expression of fear responses in mice confronted with urutu-cruzeiro pit vipers.

Endocannabinoid neuromodulation in the neostriatum decreases the GABAergic striato-nigral disinhibitory function and increases the nigro-collicular inhibitory pathway activity.

We previously reported the involvement of neostriato-nigral projections in the organisation of innate fear and panic attack-like responses organised by dorsal midbrain neurons, such as the periaqueductal grey matter and the deep layers of the superior colliculus (dlSC). In addition, several lines of evidence have demonstrated that cannabinoid receptor type 1 is found in the neostriatum (caudate nucleus and putamen; CPu). In the present study, we investigated the role of endocannabinoid neuromodulation in CPu in the expression of unconditioned fear-related behavioural responses elicited by microinjections of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor selective antagonist bicuculline (BIC) in the dlSC.

Serological evidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection as potential risk for the development of lepromatous leprosy in an endemic area for both neglected tropical diseases in Brazil.

Background: Mycobacterium leprae and Toxoplasma gondii infections are both neglected tropical diseases highly prevalent in Brazil. Infection with certain parasite species can significantly alter susceptibility to other important pathogens, and/or influence the development of pathology. Here we investigated the possible influence of M.

The Blockade of µ1- and κ-Opioid Receptors in the Inferior Colliculus Decreases the Expression of Panic Attack-Like Behaviours Induced by Chemical Stimulation of the Dorsal Midbrain.

Background: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and opioid systems play a crucial role in the neural modulation of innate fear organised by the inferior colliculus (IC). In addition, the IC is rich in GABAergic fibres and opioid neurons, which are also connected to other mesencephalic structures, such as the superior colliculus and the substantia nigra. However, the contribution of distinct opioid receptors (ORs) in the IC during the elaboration and expression of innate fear and panic-like responses is unclear.

The endogenous opioid system modulates defensive behavior evoked by Crotalus durissus terrificus: Panicolytic-like effect of intracollicular non-selective opioid receptors blockade.

Background: There is a controversy regarding the key role played by opioid peptide neurotransmission in the modulation of panic-attack-related responses.

Aims: Using a prey versus rattlesnakes paradigm, the present work investigated the involvement of the endogenous opioid peptide-mediated system of the inferior colliculus in the modulation of panic attack-related responses.

Methods: Wistar rats were pretreated with intracollicular administration of either physiological saline or naloxone at different concentrations and confronted with rattlesnakes ( Crotalus durissus terrificus).

Blockade of synaptic activity in the neostriatum and activation of striatal efferent pathways produce opposite effects on panic attack-like defensive behaviours evoked by GABAergic disinhibition in the deep layers of the superior colliculus.

The dorsal periaqueductal grey matter (dPAG) and the deep layers of the superior colliculus (dlSC) have been implicated in the organisation of innate fear-related defensive behaviours. Furthermore, GABAergic neurons from the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) connected to the dlSC and dPAG receive convergent disinhibitory inputs from the caudate-putamen (CPu), comprising the neostriatum, and modulate defence responses elicited by midbrain tectum stimulation. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of either excitatory cortico-neostriatal input blockade or neostriato-nigral GABAergic disinhibitory output activation on the responsivity of GABAergic nigro-collicular tonic inhibitory pathways during the elicitation of panic attack-like defensive responses produced by bicuculline administration into the dlSC.

Xanthan Gum Production by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris IBSBF 1866 and 1867 from Lignocellulosic Agroindustrial Wastes.

This study aimed to evaluate the properties of xanthan gum produced by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 1866 and 1867 from lignocellulosic agroindustrial wastes. XG was produced using an orbital shaker in a culture medium containing coconut shell (CS), cocoa husks (CH), or sucrose (S) minimally supplemented with urea and potassium.

Panicolytic-like effects caused by substantia nigra pars reticulata pretreatment with low doses of endomorphin-1 and high doses of CTOP or the NOP receptors antagonist JTC-801 in male Rattus norvegicus.

Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) are connected to the deep layers of the superior colliculus (dlSC). The dlSC, in turn, connect with the SNpr through opioid projections. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (N/OFQ) is a natural ligand of a Gi protein-coupled nociceptin receptor (ORL1; NOP) that is also found in the SNpr.

Correction: Hypervirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain triggers necrotic lung pathology associated with enhanced recruitment of neutrophils in resistant C57BL/6 mice.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The μ-opioid receptor and 5-HT- and 5HT-serotonergic receptors of the locus coeruleus are critical in elaborating hypoalgesia induced by tonic and tonic-clonic seizures.

It has been proposed that the post-ictal state is associated with the expression of hypoalgesia. It is clear that the projections among the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and locus coeruleus (LC) play a role in pain management. These mesencephalic structures have direct reciprocal opioid and monoaminergic projections to the LC that can possibly modulate post-ictal hypoalgesia.

5-Hydroxytryptamine 1A receptors in the dorsomedial hypothalamus connected to dorsal raphe nucleus inputs modulate defensive behaviours and mediate innate fear-induced antinociception.

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is an important brainstem source of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 5-HT plays a key role in the regulation of panic attacks. The aim of the present study was to determine whether 5-HT1A receptor-containing neurons in the medial hypothalamus (MH) receive neural projections from DRN and to then determine the role of this neural substrate in defensive responses. The neurotracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was iontophoretically microinjected into the DRN, and immunohistochemical approaches were then used to identify 5HT1A receptor-labelled neurons in the MH.

Dissociation between the panicolytic effect of cannabidiol microinjected into the substantia nigra, pars reticulata, and fear-induced antinociception elicited by bicuculline administration in deep layers of the superior colliculus: The role of CB1-cannabinoid receptor in the ventral mesencephalon.

Many studies suggest that the substantia nigra, pars reticulata (SNpr), a tegmental mesencephalic structure rich in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- and cannabinoid receptor-containing neurons, is involved in the complex control of defensive responses through the neostriatum-nigral disinhibitory and nigro-tectal inhibitory GABAergic pathways during imminently dangerous situations. The aim of the present work was to investigate the role played by CB1-cannabinoid receptor of GABAergic pathways terminal boutons in the SNpr or of SNpr-endocannabinoid receptor-containing interneurons on the effect of intra-nigral microinjections of cannabidiol in the activity of nigro-tectal inhibitory pathways. GABAA receptor blockade in the deep layers of the superior colliculus (dlSC) elicited vigorous defensive behaviour.

Topological analyses and small-world patterns of hydrogen bond networks in water + t-butanol, water + n-butanol and water + ammonia mixtures.

Cluster (or island) statistics and topological statistical mechanics based properties were employed in the analyses of hydrogen bond (H-bond) networks of t-butanol, n-butanol and ammonia aqueous solutions. These networks were generated from equilibrated Monte Carlo simulations at mixture compositions covering the entire range of miscibility and a fine grid of points around the topological transitions. We found that these H-bond networks changed from a percolation regime in water rich mixtures to a non-percolating behavior at non-aqueous component rich compositions.

Chemical neuroanatomical and psychopharmacological evidence that κ receptor-mediated endogenous opioid peptide neurotransmission in the dorsal and ventral mesencephalon modulates panic-like behaviour.

The chemical neuroanatomy and the effects of central administration of opioid antagonists on the innate fear-induced responses elicited by electrical (at escape behaviour threshold) stimulation of the midbrain tectum were determined. The aim of the present work was to investigate the interaction between the tecto-nigral endogenous opioid peptide-mediated disinhibitory pathways and nigro-tectal inhibitory links in the control of panic-like behaviour and their organisation in the continuum comprised by the deep layers of the superior colliculus (dlSC) and the dorsolateral columns of the periaqueductal grey matter (dlPAG). Beta-endorphin-labelled neurons and fibres were found in the dorsal midbrain and also in the substantia nigra.

Serotonergic neural links from the dorsal raphe nucleus modulate defensive behaviours organised by the dorsomedial hypothalamus and the elaboration of fear-induced antinociception via locus coeruleus pathways.

Decrease of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated neurotransmission in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) evokes instinctive fear-like responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of the serotonin (5-HT)- and norepinephrine-mediated pathways of the endogenous pain inhibitory system, including the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and the locus coeruleus (LC), in the defensive responses and antinociceptive processes triggered by the blockade of GABAergic receptors in the DMH. The intra-hypothalamic microinjection of the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline (40 ng/200 nL) elicited elaborate defensive behaviours interspersed with exploratory responses.

Systemic leukocyte alterations are associated with invasive uterine cervical cancer.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate blood leukocyte counts in patients with uterine cervical neoplasia.

Methods: Patients treated at a university hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Disease progression was monitored, beginning in 1990 to 2002, for at least 5 years.