261 results match your criteria: "University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC) -[Affiliation]"

Background: The persistent neurological symptoms seen in long COVID survivors are attributed to immune system dysfunctions and changes in the microbiome induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In addition to the initial respiratory manifestations, a significant portion of COVID‐19 patients present with neurodegenerative symptoms. Our hypothesis suggests that disruptions in inflammatory signals and alterations in the gut microbiome post‐COVID‐19 play pivotal roles in the development of neurodegenerative complications among individuals experiencing prolonged effects of the disease.

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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized as a heterogeneous and pathological remodeling of brain physiology because of various external mechanisms, including blows, falls, and rapid acceleration and deceleration of the skull. Its pathophysiology consists of two distinct moments, beginning with a primary lesion resulting from the impact that evolves into a secondary lesion as biochemical and molecular mechanisms are activated. The severity and prognosis after TBI vary widely, depending on factors such as the site of the injury, the patient's premorbid history, and the severity of the injury, and can result in long-term sequelae impacting multiple organs and systems, with a reduction in the life expectancy of these individuals.

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The central nervous system (CNS) comprises membranes and barriers that are vital to brain homeostasis. Membranes form a robust shield around neural structures, ensuring protection and structural integrity. At the same time, barriers selectively regulate the exchange of substances between blood and brain tissue, which is essential for maintaining homeostasis.

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Protective effects of different exercise modalities on oxidative stress in animal models of high intraocular pressure and diabetes.

Exp Eye Res

December 2024

Department of Biochemistry, Post-Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Post-Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Electronic address:

High intraocular pressure (HIOP) and high glucose levels are associated with oxidative stress. Although physical exercise protects against oxidative damage, its specific impact on eye health remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of physical exercise on the oxidative status of whole eyes in male Swiss mice subjected to HIOP model and cafeteria diet (CD).

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The psychoactive decoction Ayahuasca (AYA) used for therapeutic and religious purposes by indigenous groups and peoples from Amazonian regions produces anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Thus, it may be useful to attenuate the neuroinflammation and related anxiety- and depressive-like symptoms elicited by inflammatory insults such as sepsis. Rats were pretreated for 3 days with different doses of AYA.

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in communication, social interaction, and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors, with no specific drug therapy available. Studies have found that cannabidiol (CBD) can improve hyperactive and cognitive symptoms in children with ASD. However, little is known about the effect of CBD in combination with other medications, such as risperidone (RISP).

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Alcohol is widely consumed worldwide and its abuse can cause cognitive dysfunction, affecting memory and learning due to several neurophysiological changes. An imbalance in several neurotransmitters, including the cholinergic and glutamatergic systems, have been implicated in these effects. Zebrafish are sensitive to alcohol, respond to reward stimuli, and tolerate and exhibit withdrawal behaviors.

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Biomarkers Unveiling the Interplay of Mind, Nervous System, and Immunity.

Methods Mol Biol

November 2024

Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.

The field of psychoneuroimmunology has significantly expanded in the last few decades and so has our understanding of the bidirectional communications between the immune and central nervous systems (CNS). There is a preponderance of evidence supporting the fact that immunological pathways and neuroinflammation are involved in the pathophysiology of multiple neurological and mental health conditions. In this chapter, we have explored various neuroimmunological biomarkers involved in these pathways, responsible for developing and perpetuating different neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Article Synopsis
  • Childhood maltreatment is linked to changes in epigenetics and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which play a role in psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder (BD), though specific mechanisms are still unclear.
  • The study involved 36 BD patients and 46 healthy controls, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) to evaluate the history of maltreatment and various biological markers related to epigenetics and BDNF.
  • Findings indicate that emotional abuse is the main type of childhood maltreatment affecting epigenetic markers in BD, but it is suggested that these effects are cumulative and may interact with other factors influencing BD, rather than being a direct cause of the disorder.
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Housing and Husbandry Factors Affecting Zebrafish () Novel Tank Test Responses: A Global Multi-Laboratory Study.

Res Sq

October 2024

Surrey Sleep Research Centre, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.

The reproducibility crisis in bioscience, characterized by inconsistent study results, impedes our understanding of biological processes and global collaborative studies offer a unique solution. This study is the first global collaboration using the zebrafish () novel tank test, a behavioral assay for anxiety-like responses. We analyzed data from 20 laboratories worldwide, focusing on housing conditions and experimental setups.

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Existing literature suggests that infection-specific mechanisms may play a significant role in the onset and progression of dementia, as opposed to the broader phenomenon of systemic inflammation. In addition, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme A (CoA) reductase inhibitors have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for sepsis, given their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) by analyzing neurodegenerative markers, mitochondrial respiration, and neuronal tracing in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE) of sepsis survivor animals.

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Article Synopsis
  • A eucalyptus essential oil-based nanoemulsion was created and tested for its antimicrobial effectiveness and toxicity on rabbit surface mucous cells.
  • The nanoemulsion had a small average particle size of about 100 nm and maintained good cell viability, indicating it was relatively safe.
  • It showed strong antimicrobial properties in both the nanoemulsion itself and in mouthwash formulations containing the nanoemulsion, suggesting potential applications in preventive dentistry for oral health.
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) etiology probably involves a complex interplay of both genetic and environmental risk factors, which includes pre- and perinatal exposure to environmental stressors. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) combined with maternal deprivation (MD) on behavior, oxidative stress parameters, and inflammatory state at a central and systemic level in male and female rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to VPA during gestation, and the offspring were submitted to MD.

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Classic psychedelics and the treatment for alcoholism.

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry

December 2024

Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Electronic address:

Alcohol is a harmful drug, and reducing its consumption is a significant challenge for users. Furthermore, alcohol dependence is often treatment-resistant, and no completely effective treatment model is available for chemical dependence. Classic psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca have been used in different clinical and pre-clinical trials, demonstrating promising pharmacotherapeutic effects in the treatment of treatment-resistant psychopathological conditions, such as addiction, especially related to alcohol dependence.

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Pre- and Post-Synaptic protein in the major depressive Disorder: From neurobiology to therapeutic targets.

Neuroscience

September 2024

Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil. Electronic address:

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has demonstrated its negative impact on various aspects of the lives of those affected. Although several therapies have been developed over the years, it remains a challenge for mental health professionals. Thus, understanding the pathophysiology of MDD is necessary to improve existing treatment options or seek new therapeutic alternatives.

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Alcohol is the most consumed addictive substance worldwide that elicits multiple health problems. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by pregnant women is of great concern because pre-natal exposure can trigger fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This disorder can significantly change the embryo's normal development, mainly by affecting the central nervous system (CNS), leading to neurobehavioral consequences that persist until adulthood.

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Background: Discussion of the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption is ongoing. Broadly, research focusing on ethanol consumption tends to report no benefits. However, studies that distinguish between different types of alcoholic beverages, particularly beers, often reveal positive effects.

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The present study aimed to investigate the effects of paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) on behavioral and oxidative stress parameters in the brain and serum of mice submitted to the animal model of hyperglycemia induced by alloxan, mimicking the main symptom of diabetes mellitus (DM). Adults C57BL/6 male and female mice received an injection of alloxan, and ten days later, the animals were submitted to the PSD for 36 h. The animals' behavioral parameters were evaluated in the open-field test.

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Anti-manic effect of deep brain stimulation of the ventral tegmental area in an animal model of mania induced by methamphetamine.

Bipolar Disord

June 2024

Functional Neuromodulation and Novel Therapeutics Laboratory, Asia Pacific Centre for Neuromodulation, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Background: Treatment of refractory bipolar disorder (BD) is extremely challenging. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) holds promise as an effective treatment intervention. However, we still understand very little about the mechanisms of DBS and its application on BD.

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The involvement of neuroinflammation in an animal model of dementia and depression.

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry

July 2024

Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS), University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil. Electronic address:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and depression are inflammatory pathologies, leading to increased inflammatory response and neurotoxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the treatment with fluoxetine and/or galantamine and/or donepezil on the levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in a mixed animal model of depression and dementia. Adult male Wistar rats underwent chronic mild stress (CMS) protocol for 40 days and were subjected to stereotaxic surgery for intra-hippocampal administration of amyloid-beta (Aꞵ) peptide or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) to mimic the dementia animal model.

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Are microglia in charge of controlling stress-response behavior?

Mol Psychiatry

August 2024

Translational Psychiatry Program, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.

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Article Synopsis
  • Older adults, especially those aged 80 and above, face a growing risk of cognitive impairment, which this study aimed to assess in community-dwelling seniors.
  • The research involved 165 participants who were interviewed using health and demographic questionnaires, with results indicating that 35.2% exhibited poor cognitive performance as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
  • Key factors associated with cognitive impairment included body mass index (BMI), income level, functional disability, and anxiety, although the study has limitations like its cross-sectional nature and a small sample size.
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Background: Oxygen therapy is an alternative for many patients with hypoxemia. However, this practice can be dangerous as oxygen is closely associated with the development of oxidative stress.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to hyperoxia with a 40% fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO) and hyperoxia (FIO = 60%) for 120 min.

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by repetitive behaviors and deficits in social interaction. Its etiology is not completely clear, but both genetic and environmental factors contribute to and influence its development and course. The increased number of autism cases in recent years has been strongly associated with increased exposure to heavy metals.

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