The purpose of this thesis project was to examine the function of connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions (GJs) in producing alcohol's intoxicating and rewarding effects. GABA neurons are thought to inhibit dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the mesocorticolimbic system, which originates in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects to limbic structures such as the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). The mesolimbic DA system is believed to be the neural substrate of alcohol intoxication and addiction (Tepper, Paladini, & Celada, 1998). Alcohol suppresses the firing rate of GABA neurons in the VTA (Gallegos, Criado, Lee, Henriksen, & Steffensen, 1999) and presumably disinhibits DA neurons thereby resulting in enhanced release of DA in the NAcc. Interestingly, VTA GABA neurons appear to form part of a larger syncytium of GABA neurons in the reticular formation that are linked by electrical synapses via Cx36 GJs (Allison, et al., 2006; Stobbs, et al., 2004; Lassen, et al., 2007). Gap junction blockers, including the Cx36-selective antagonist mefloquine, also suppress the excitability and electrical coupling of VTA GABA neurons (Stobbs, et al., 2004). Thus, I hypothesized that Cx36 GJs cause synchrony in VTA GABA neurons which alcohol blocks to cause intoxication and reward. To accomplish these studies I compared the effects of intoxicating doses of ethanol in Cx36 knockout (KO) mice and mefloquine-treated mice and their wild-type (WT) controls with two tests that index ataxia, an open field activity system and the fixed-speed rotarod apparatus, as well as with ethanol self-administration. I found that Cx36 KO and mefloquine-treated mice exhibit significantly more ethanol-induced loss of movement in the open field test, a paradigm which indexes gross motor activity and tremor, but less ataxia than their WT controls in the rotarod paradigm, a paradigm which indexes balance and coordination. Most importantly, both Cx36 KO and mefloquine-treated mice consumed less ethanol than their controls. These findings provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that Cx36 GJs are important targets for ethanol effects in the mesolimbic system.

Alcohol abuse among youth and young adults and accompanying undesirable behaviors (e.g., physical aggressiveness, vandalism, date rape, DUI) is a significant public health problem. This field research examined various intervention techniques for reducing excessive alcohol consumption in party settings. Prior to four fraternity parties, students' drinking intentions, lifestyles, and person characteristics (i.e., self-esteem, optimism, personal control, group cohesion, sensation seeking) were measured. Before and after the fraternity parties, students' blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was objectively assessed with a breathalyzer. During the fraternity parties, students' participation in various intervention techniques was systematically observed. The impact of the intervention process for reducing the risk of DUI was assessed with both within-subject and between-subject comparisons. That is, two fraternities and two sororities participated in two successive parties, one with the intervention process and the other as a control (with a balanced AB vs. BA format). It was hypothesized that the intervention techniques would reduce excessive alcohol consumption and DUI risk from comparisons within the same fraternity / sorority and between two different fraternities/sororities. It was also hypothesized that students' behavioral intentions to consume alcohol would predict their subsequent drinking behavior at a party. The intervention phase of the research was not successful in reducing overall intoxication rates at the fraternity parties studied. Students' intentions to consume alcohol, however, was a significant predictor of intoxication rates, accounting for 28 percent of the variance of exit BAC across all parties. Implications of this research for the design of future interventions aimed at curtailing the excessive use of alcohol among young adults are discussed. / Ph. D.

The thesis is focused on the possibility of intoxication by selected chemicals at home or in public places. Especially the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. We’re assessing the current state of the level of awareness and prevention in the Czech Republic. The thesis prepared an overview of the current state of intoxication busy the carbon monoxide in the Czech Republic and the level of medical procedures. There are evaluated measures, which are aimed to reduce the frequency of poisoning. The outcome of the thesis is to design a set of measures, which are designed to eliminate health risks to the population and raise public awareness. The thesis was carried out their own research facilities, household detectors, carbon monoxide at a pre-selected location.

Bakgrund: Målet med hälso- och sjukvården är en vård på lika villkor för alla. Ambulanssjuksköterskor möter ibland patienter påverkade av alkohol eller droger vilket kan försvåra bedömning och behandling av patienten.  Motiv: Det finns idag sparsamt med forskning inom området att vårda patienter påverkade av alkohol eller droger, denna studie har fokus på vårdandet av påverkade i en prehospital kontext.  Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva ambulanssjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att i en prehospital kontext vårda patienter påverkade av alkohol och/eller droger.  Metod: Studien genomfördes med hjälp av individuella semi-strukturerade intervjuer med specialistsjuksköterskor (n=9) anställda på ambulansstationer i norra Sverige. Intervjuerna analyserades med en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Det resulterade i tre kategorier innehållande underkategorier. Resultat: Resultatet visar att ambulanssjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att vårda patienter påverkade av alkohol eller droger handlade om: Att bemästra det svåra vårdandet som innebar att ambulanssjuksköterskor upplevde att alkohol och droger komplicerade vårdandet och att det krävdes en handlingsberedskap för att bemästra. Att värna om en trygg och säker arbetsmiljö innebar att möta och hantera aggressiva situationer med fokus på den egna säkerheten. Att sträva efter god och lika vård var viktigt för ambulanssjuksköterskorna genom att följsamt bemöta patienter påverkade av alkohol eller droger. Konklusion: Studien tydliggör att ambulanssjuksköterskor behöver ha ett öppet förhållningssätt och bemöta och bedöma alla lika. Den prehospitala vården handlar många gånger om problemlösning, i synnerhet i vården av påverkade då de kan behöva hantera aggressiva situationer genom ett följsamt bemötande, skapa ett gott omhändertagande. / Background: The purpose of Swedish healthcare is equal care for everyone in the society. Ambulance nurses sometimes meet patients affected by alcohol or drugs, which may complicate the assessment and treatment of the patient Motive: There is currently a small amount of research in the field of caring for patients affected by alcohol or drugs, thus, this study has focus on the care of those patients in a prehospital context. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the ambulance nurses’ experiences of caring for patients affected by alcohol and/or drugs in a prehospital context. Methods: The study was conducted using individual semi-structured interviews with specialist nurses (n=9) employed in ambulance stations in northern Sweden. The interviews were analyzed with a qualitative content analysis. This resulted in three categories containing subcategories.  Result: The results show that ambulance nurses’ experiences of caring for patients affected by alcohol or drugs were about: To master the difficult care which meant that ambulance nurses experienced that alcohol and drugs complicated the care and that readiness for action was required to master. To protect a safe and secure work environment meant meeting and managing aggressive situations with a focus on one’s own safety. To strive for good and equal care was important for the ambulance nurses by responsibly responding to patients under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Conclusion: The study clarifies that ambulance nurses need to have an open approach and treat and assess everyone equally. Prehospital care is often about problem solving, especially in the care of patients influenced by alcohol or drugs they may need to deal with aggressive situations through a compliant approach, creating good care.

Alcohol produces changes in behavior through molecular effects on ion channels, enzymes and transporters. Many proteins have been elucidated that at least in part mediate behavioral changes induced by alcohol. However, it has been difficult thus far to uncover key amino acid residues within a protein that are necessary for the effects of alcohol. This information is critical, potentially leading to effective pharmacological treatments for alcohol use disorders (AUD) and identification of allelic variations that predispose an individual for AUD. The big conductance voltage- and calcium-activated potassium (BK) channel has recently emerged as a critical protein for the effects of alcohol across species. In this dissertation, we study the molecular action of alcohol on the BK channel, and how this action contributes to behavioral intoxication. To accomplish this, we first provide credence for using the nematode C. elegans for studying the behavioral effects of ethanol. We demonstrate how behavioral intoxication and internal ethanol concentration in C. elegans is altered by the osmolarity of the ethanol-solution, reconciling results from previous conflicting reports in the literature. We then identify the amino acid residue T381 on the BK channel in C. elegans is critical for behavioral intoxication, but not other BK channel-dependent behaviors. These results suggest a functional BK channel resistant to ethanol. By knocking-in the human BK channel, we then demonstrate that the equivalent residue, T352 is also critical for behavioral intoxication in C. elegans, but not other BK channel-dependent behaviors. Using single-channel recordings, we find that the T352 residue is critical for the potentiating effects of ethanol on the human BK channel, without being critical for basal-function. Finally, we investigate the role of calcium-sensing residues on the worm BK channel for behavioral intoxication in C. elegans. We find that these residues are non-essential for intoxication, in contrast to in vitro reports in the mammalian channel suggesting the calcium-sensing residues are critical for ethanol-activation of the BK channel. / text

O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de determinar os efeitos da exposição prolongada ao KCN e ao KSCN em ratos, no período perinatal. Inicialmente, realizou-se o estudo toxicocinético do tiocianato em ratas, em três estados fisiológicos diferentes: fase estrogênica, gestacional e de lactação. Para tal, estes animais receberam, por via oral, na água de bebida ou gavage, a dose única de 3 mg/kg de KCN. Os resultados obtidos mostraram aumento significante nos níveis séricos, lácteos e no líquido amniótico, de tiocianato, após a administração do KCN. A partir destes dados, foram calculados os parâmetros toxicocinéticos. Na segunda etapa, foram utilizadas ratas, as quais foram divididas em 3 grupos controles e 18 experimentais, que receberam as diferentes doses de KCN (1; 3 e 30 mg/kg) ou KSCN (0,8; 2,4 e 24 mg/kg), na água de bebida, do 6º ao 20º dia de gestação e submetidas à eutanásia no 20º dia da gestação ou no 22º dia pós-parto; e do 1º ao 19º dia da lactação, e submetidas à eutanásia no 19º dia deste período. Ao final de cada experimento, os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia, no período apropriado, bem como os fetos e filhotes, coletando-se soro para análise dos níveis de tiocianato, glicose, colesterol, uréia, creatinina, alanina aminotransferase, aspartato aminotransferase, fosfatase alcalina, bem como foram retirados fragmentos do sistema nervoso central, do rim, do pâncreas, da tireóide, do fígado, do pulmão e do baço para estudo histopatológico. Ainda, realizou-se a dosagem de tiocianato no líquido amniótico e no leite, bem como a análise óssea e visceral dos fetos. Dos parâmetros bioquímicos analisados, em relação às mães, verificou-se que os níveis séricos de tiocianato estiveram aumentados, significantemente, em diversos grupos experimentais, no entanto, poucas foram as alterações nas enzimas e outras substâncias avaliadas. O estudo histológico revelou, tanto naquelas gestantes quanto nas lactantes, nefrose, hemorragia e hemossiderose renal; congestão, neuronofagia e gliose no SNC; congestão, vacuolização e proliferação dos ductos biliares e aumento no número de vacúolos de reabsorção no colóide dos folículos tireoidianos, de forma dose-dependente, nos diferentes grupos experimentais. Ratas gestantes, submetidas à eutanásia no 20º dia da gestação apresentaram, ainda, depleção de células das ilhotas de Langerhans. Em relação aos filhotes, tanto aqueles provenientes de fêmeas tratadas durante a gestação quanto da lactação, verificou-se que, embora a avaliação bioquímica tenha revelado alteração apenas no tiocianato sérico de filhotes de mães provenientes dos grupos experimentais, o estudo histológico, nestas proles, mostrou várias lesões, a saber: congestão, neuronofagia e gliose no SNC, congestão renal e hepática, vacuolização e proliferação dos ductos biliares. Por outro lado, não foram detectadas alterações na performance reprodutiva bem como na análise visceral e óssea dos fetos. Portanto, pode-se sugerir que o cianeto e/ou seu metabólito promovam efeito tóxico diretamente sobre o feto, no entanto estas alterações são passíveis de detecção apenas na fase pós-natal. Além disto, verificou-se, que o cianeto e/ou o tiocianato são carreados para o leite, podendo comprometer, também, a saúde do neonato. / The aim of the present study was to determinate the toxic effects of long-term exposure to KCN and KSCN in rats, during perinatal period. Initially, it was achieved the toxicokinetics study of the thiocyanate in female rats, in three different physiological states: estrogenic, gestation and lactation. These animals received, per os, in the drinking water or by gavage, the unique dose of 3.0 mg KCN/kg. The results showed significantly increased in the thiocyanate levels in the serum, milk and amniotic fluid, after the administration of the KCN. The toxicokinetics parameters were calculated based on these data. In a second part, female rats were distributed in 18 experimental and 3 control groups. The experimental groups were dosed with 1, 3 and 30 mg KCN/kg or 0.8; 2.4 and 24 mg KSCN/kg, daily, in the drinking water, from days 6 to 20 of gestation and euthanized on day 20 of gestation or on day 22 postpartum; or received from days 1 to 19 of lactation and euthanized on day 19 of lactation. At the end of each experiment, the animals were euthanized, in the appropriated period, as well as the fetuses and pups. The serum samples were obtained in order to determine the thiocyanate, glucose, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase levels as well as samples of the following organs for the histopathological study: central nervous system, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, liver, lung and spleen. Yet, the levels of thiocyanate were evaluated in the amniotic fluid and milk, from the mothers, as well as the skeletal and visceral analysis of the fetuses. From the biochemical parameters, in relation to the dams, it was verified that the thiocyanate levels were significantly increased, in several experimental groups; otherwise, too few alterations were observed in the enzymes and others substances analyzed. The histopathological study revealed, in the pregnant and lactating rats, nephrosis, hemorrhage and hemosiderosis in the kidneys; congestion, neuronophagia and gliosis in the CNS; vacuolization and proliferation of the biliar ducts in the liver and increase in the number of reabsorption vacuoles in follicular colloid, in a dose-dependent manner, in some experimental groups. At the pregnant rats that were euthanized on day 20 of gestation, it was verified depletion of cells from the islets of Langerhans. In relation to the pups, from mothers exposed during the gestation and lactation, it was verified alteration in the thiocyanate levels from experimental groups and the histopathological study revealed: congestion, neuronophagia and gliosis in the CNS, renal and hepatic congestion, vacuolization and proliferation of biliar ducts. On the other hand, it was verified no alterations in the reproductive performance nor skeletal and visceral analysis of the fetuses. Thus, it was suggested that the cyanide and/or its metabolite promoted toxic effect straight to the fetuses; however, these alterations are susceptible of detection only at postnatal phase. Furthermore, the cyanide and/or thiocyanate are transferred to the breast milk of rats and can also compromise the health of the offspring.

O cianeto e os compostos cianogênicos são ubíquos na natureza e amplamente estudados pela toxicologia. A exposição prolongada a este íon tem sido associada à produção do bócio, de diversos distúrbios neurológicos, bem como alterações em outros órgãos, tanto em seres humanos como em diferentes espécies animais. Embora existam na literatura muitos trabalhos relativos à exposição prolongada ao cianeto, em diferentes espécies animais, muito pouco é encontrado em relação aos possíveis efeitos tóxicos durante o período perinatal; assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi o de determinar os efeitos da exposição ao cianeto de potássio (KCN) em suínos, durante a gestação. Inicialmente, realizou-se estudo toxicocinético, em suínos fêmeas, em diferentes fases, utilizando-se o tiocianato como biomarcador. Vinte e dois suínos, foram divididos em quatro grupos (6; com 60 dias da idade; 5, com 95 dias da idade; 5, com 80 dias do gestação e 6, com 21 dias de lactação), e receberam por via oral, a dose única de 3.0 mg /kg de peso vivo de cianeto de potássio (KCN). As concentrações do tiocianato no sangue foram medidas dentro de 24h. O tempo máximo (Tmax) e constante de eliminação (Kel) foram mais elevados em porcas lactantes (15 h e 0,045, respectivamente); por ouro lado, as maiores concentração do tiocianato (Cmax) bem como área sob a cuva (ASC) foram observados nas fêmeas grávidas (161,8; 158.834,34). A meia vida de eliminação (t1/2β), o volume da distribuição (Vd) foram mais elevados nas fêmeas como 95 dias de idades, e o clearence (Cl), o mais baixo (41,57 ;1,23 e 0,017, respectivamente). Na segunda etapa, foram utilizados 24 fêmeas, gestantes, divididas em quatro grupos iguais: 1controle e 3 experimentais. Os animais dos grupos experimentais foram tratados com 1,0, 2,0 e 3,0 mg/KCN/Kg, duas vezes ao dia, adicionados a ração comercial, a partir da 3º semana de prenhez . O grupo controle recebeu somente ração comercial. Estas fêmeas foram pesadas e foram retiradas amostras de sangue para avaliação bioquímica (dosagensde ALT, AST, GGT, uréia, creatinina, T3, T4 e tiocianato) durante todo o período gestacional; além disto, acompanhou-se o desenvolvimento fetal por meio de ultra-sonografia aos 21, 35, 45, 55 e 65, quando foram mensurados os seguintes parâmetros: comprimento crânio-caudal, diâmetro torácico, diâmetro abdominal e diâmetro biparietal. No 110º DG, uma fêmea prenhe de cada grupo foi abatido, para coleta de fragmentos representativos de tireóide, coração, pulmão, fígado, rim, baço, pâncreas e cérebro para a avaliação histopatológica, bem como coletou-se o líquido amniótico para dosagem de tiocianato. As mães que prosseguiram com a gestação tiveram seus partos assistidos com subsequente retirada do colostro, para dosagem de tiocianato. Os filhotes desta mães foram acompanhados até o abate (120 dias de vida), quando também foram coletadas amostras dos diferentes tecidos para a avaliação histopatológica. A análise das mensurações fetais, não revelou alterações significantes, já a análise bioquímica, em relação às mães experimentais, verificou-se que os níveis de tiocianato estiveram aumentados, significantemente no soro, colostro e liquido amniótico, no entanto, poucas foram as alterações nas enzimas e outras substâncias. O estudo histológico revelou acidofilia citoplasmática, degeneração e vacuolização, de células de purkinje, neuroniofagia em cortex cerebral, aumento dos folículos tiroideanos, bem como espessamento e vacuolização do epitélio folicular e do colóide, degeneração hepática e renal, espessamento dos septos alveolares, no pulmão, e desarranjo do parêquima pancreático com desorganização dos acinos e diminuição dos grânulos de zimogênio. Em relação às proles verificou-se queda, no peso e ganho de peso daqueles filhotes provenientes de mães tratadas com 2,0 e 6,0 mg/kg de KCN. Embora a análise bioquímica não tenha mostrado alterações consistentes nos animais provenientes daquelas mães tratadas com o KCN durante a gestação, o estudo histopatológico revelou, nestes filhotes, lesões ao nível de tireóide e tecido pulmonar, semelhantes àquelas encontradas em suas mães. Concluindo, os resultados do presente estudo, evidenciam que a biotransformação do cianeto varia de maneira marcante, considerando a faixa etária e o estado fisiológico dos suínos fêmeas, e que são os animais gestantes, provavelmente, os mais sensíveis aos efeitos tóxicos, da exposição crônica as baixas doses do cianeto. Ainda, que esta exposição materna ao cianeto durante a gestação promove efeito tóxico no feto, no entanto, essas alterações são observadas apenas na fase pós-natal. / Cyanide and cyanogenic compounds are ubiquitous in nature and widely studied in toxicology. Long-term cyanide exposure has been associated to development of goiter, pancreatic diabetes, and several neurological diseases in humans and animals. However, the exact mechanism involved in induction of these diseases are not fully elucidated. It is believed that these effects are consequence of the toxic action of cyanide and/or its main product of transformation, thiocyanate. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determinate the effects of long term exposure to potassium cyanide (KCN) in swines, during perinatal period. Initially, it was realized a toxicokinetic study in female swines, in three different states, using thiocyanate as biomaker. Twenty two swines were randomly allocated in four groups: 6 with 60 days of age; 5 with 95 days of age, 6 with 80 days of gestation, and 6 with 21 days of lactation. All the animals received orally a single dose of 3.0 mg/kg/body weight of KCN. Thiocyanate concentrations in blood were measured within 24 h. The time of peak concentration (Tmax) and constant of elimination (Kel) was higher in lactation sows (15h; 0.045, respectively); on the other hand the higher concentrations of thiocyanate (Cmax) as well as area under the curve (AUC) were observed in pregnant sows (161.8; 158.834.34). The elimination half-life (t1/2β) and volume of distribution (Vd area) was higher in female swines with 95 days of age (41.57 h ; 1.23 L/kg), however the clearance value (Cl) was the smallest (0.017 L/kg/h). In the second step it was utilized 24 pregnancies sows, randomly allocated in four equal groups: 1 control and 3 experimental. The experimental groups was treated with 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg/kg/ KCN added in commercial ration, twice a day, since 3rd week of pregnancy until the last day of gestation. The control group received only commercial ration. All fetuses were evaluated by ultra-sonographic in the 21, 35, 45, 55 e 65 days of gestation (GD). All the sows was weigthy weekly and blood colleted for biochemical evaluation. In the 110 GD, one animal per group was euthanized and fragments from some tissues were collected for histopathological study. Yet, the levels of thiocynate were evaluation in the amniotic fluid. The other sows that following gestation was collected colostrum for thiocynate evaluation levels. Histopathology revealed degenerative vacuolar alterations in the liver, pancreas, thyroid and kidney cells, and in the neurons of the central nervous system in the animals that received the KCN. In the lungs was observed widening of the epithelium alveolar. In the third step the development of the piglets was evaluate, the same biochemical parameters observed in mothers were done, with exception T3 and T4, until 45 postnatal days as well as weight and body weight gains for 120 days; in this day carcasses weights and bacon thickness were evaluated. From the biochemical parameters in relation in the piglets, it was verified that the thiocynade levels were significantly increased in several experimental groups; otherwise, too feel alterations were observed in the enzymes and other substances analyzed. The histopathological study revealed the same alterations of thyroid and lungs of the sows. In conclusion, the results of the present study support the hypothesis that the metabolism of cyanide is extremely variable, considering the age and the physiological state of female swine´s. Furthermore this study suggest that pregnancies sows are most sensible to the toxic effect, of the long-term exposition the low doses of cyanide; still, this work showed that exposition leaded the maternal and development toxicity of de pliglets.

Hot och våld är vanligt förekommande inom prehospital akutsjukvård. Intoxikation med droger utgör en allt vanligare patientgrupp som vårdas av ambulanspersonal. Ambulansuppdrag med patienter som är intoxikerade med GHB, GBL eller 1.4 BD är vanligt förekommande i Västra Götaland. Hot och våldssituationer i samband med omhändertagandet av GHB-intoxikerade patienter är riskfyllt för ambulanspersonalen. Patienten kan snabbt pendla mellan att vara medvetslös till att bli hotfull. Syftet med studien är att kartlägga prehospitala vårdsituationer med patienter som är intoxikerade med GHB-preparat avseende hot, våld samt risk för hot och våld. Studien har en kvantitativ ansats med en deskriptiv och explorativ design. Totalt analyserades 50 ambulansdatajournaler. Dessa utgjorde dokumentation av en konsekutiv patientgrupp under tiden januari 2009 till augusti 2009. I resultatet påvisas en hög förekomst av hot och våld i samband med prehospitalt omhändertagande av patienter intoxikerade med GHB-preparat. Dokumentationen uppfyllde kraven enligt patientdatalagen, men omfattande kvalitetsbrister kunde ses. Avvikelserapporteringen för den studerade perioden visade två avvikelser gällande hot och våld i samband med vård av patienter intoxikerade med narkotika. Detta pekar på en kraftig underrapportering av hot och våld. / Program: Specialistsjuksköterskeutbildning med inriktning mot ambulanssjukvård

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T14:09:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Joana Quiroga de Figueiredo Cortes.pdf: 806604 bytes, checksum: 0673a1b360ff6ec89d128198abff7ccc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-15 / From that we consider to be the question of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in general, namely, diagnose and address the attitudes that deny life, we analyzed the meaning given to art as a way to overcome such a perspective. To this end, we deem necessary to deal with, since a broad approach, what he meant by life as will to power and body for better positioning its criticism of the tradition of Western thought, and collect what is the counterpoint that art provides. In turn, the notion of intoxication expresses the differential of art to establish themselves as "pre-physiological condition" just as soon as a pre-condition of its own overcoming. As we shall see, the "overcoming of metaphysics" advocated in the art does not represent a reversal, but the need to consider the truths from the perspective that enabled, invalidating thus the expectation of finding an unequivocal meaning to life, demanding, finally, the assumption of the consequences of a statement / A partir daquela que consideramos ser a questão do filósofo Friedrich Nietzsche de um modo geral, a saber, diagnosticar e combater as atitudes que neguem a vida, procuramos analisar o sentido dado à arte enquanto forma de superar tal perspectiva. Para tal, julgamos necessário tratar, desde uma ampla abordagem, daquilo que ele entende por vida, enquanto vontade de poder e corpo, para melhor posicionarmos sua crítica à tradição do pensamento ocidental, e recolhermos qual seja o contraponto que a arte estabelece. Por sua vez, a noção de embriaguez manifesta o diferencial da arte ao estabelecer-se como pré-condição fisiológica da mesma, logo, como pré-condição da própria superação. Como veremos, a superação da metafísica defendida na arte não representa a inversão, mas a necessidade de considerar as verdades desde a perspectiva que as possibilitou, invalidando, assim, a expectativa de encontrar um sentido unívoco para a vida, demandando, finalmente, a assunção das conseqüências de uma afirmação

O cianeto e os compostos cianogênicos são ubíquos na natureza e amplamente estudados pela toxicologia. A exposição prolongada a este íon tem sido associada à produção do bócio, de diversos distúrbios neurológicos, bem como alterações em outros órgãos, tanto em seres humanos como em diferentes espécies animais. Embora existam na literatura muitos trabalhos relativos à exposição prolongada ao cianeto, em diferentes espécies animais, muito pouco é encontrado em relação aos possíveis efeitos tóxicos durante o período perinatal; assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi o de determinar os efeitos da exposição ao cianeto de potássio (KCN) em suínos, durante a gestação. Inicialmente, realizou-se estudo toxicocinético, em suínos fêmeas, em diferentes fases, utilizando-se o tiocianato como biomarcador. Vinte e dois suínos, foram divididos em quatro grupos (6; com 60 dias da idade; 5, com 95 dias da idade; 5, com 80 dias do gestação e 6, com 21 dias de lactação), e receberam por via oral, a dose única de 3.0 mg /kg de peso vivo de cianeto de potássio (KCN). As concentrações do tiocianato no sangue foram medidas dentro de 24h. O tempo máximo (Tmax) e constante de eliminação (Kel) foram mais elevados em porcas lactantes (15 h e 0,045, respectivamente); por ouro lado, as maiores concentração do tiocianato (Cmax) bem como área sob a cuva (ASC) foram observados nas fêmeas grávidas (161,8; 158.834,34). A meia vida de eliminação (t1/2β), o volume da distribuição (Vd) foram mais elevados nas fêmeas como 95 dias de idades, e o clearence (Cl), o mais baixo (41,57 ;1,23 e 0,017, respectivamente). Na segunda etapa, foram utilizados 24 fêmeas, gestantes, divididas em quatro grupos iguais: 1controle e 3 experimentais. Os animais dos grupos experimentais foram tratados com 1,0, 2,0 e 3,0 mg/KCN/Kg, duas vezes ao dia, adicionados a ração comercial, a partir da 3º semana de prenhez . O grupo controle recebeu somente ração comercial. Estas fêmeas foram pesadas e foram retiradas amostras de sangue para avaliação bioquímica (dosagensde ALT, AST, GGT, uréia, creatinina, T3, T4 e tiocianato) durante todo o período gestacional; além disto, acompanhou-se o desenvolvimento fetal por meio de ultra-sonografia aos 21, 35, 45, 55 e 65, quando foram mensurados os seguintes parâmetros: comprimento crânio-caudal, diâmetro torácico, diâmetro abdominal e diâmetro biparietal. No 110º DG, uma fêmea prenhe de cada grupo foi abatido, para coleta de fragmentos representativos de tireóide, coração, pulmão, fígado, rim, baço, pâncreas e cérebro para a avaliação histopatológica, bem como coletou-se o líquido amniótico para dosagem de tiocianato. As mães que prosseguiram com a gestação tiveram seus partos assistidos com subsequente retirada do colostro, para dosagem de tiocianato. Os filhotes desta mães foram acompanhados até o abate (120 dias de vida), quando também foram coletadas amostras dos diferentes tecidos para a avaliação histopatológica. A análise das mensurações fetais, não revelou alterações significantes, já a análise bioquímica, em relação às mães experimentais, verificou-se que os níveis de tiocianato estiveram aumentados, significantemente no soro, colostro e liquido amniótico, no entanto, poucas foram as alterações nas enzimas e outras substâncias. O estudo histológico revelou acidofilia citoplasmática, degeneração e vacuolização, de células de purkinje, neuroniofagia em cortex cerebral, aumento dos folículos tiroideanos, bem como espessamento e vacuolização do epitélio folicular e do colóide, degeneração hepática e renal, espessamento dos septos alveolares, no pulmão, e desarranjo do parêquima pancreático com desorganização dos acinos e diminuição dos grânulos de zimogênio. Em relação às proles verificou-se queda, no peso e ganho de peso daqueles filhotes provenientes de mães tratadas com 2,0 e 6,0 mg/kg de KCN. Embora a análise bioquímica não tenha mostrado alterações consistentes nos animais provenientes daquelas mães tratadas com o KCN durante a gestação, o estudo histopatológico revelou, nestes filhotes, lesões ao nível de tireóide e tecido pulmonar, semelhantes àquelas encontradas em suas mães. Concluindo, os resultados do presente estudo, evidenciam que a biotransformação do cianeto varia de maneira marcante, considerando a faixa etária e o estado fisiológico dos suínos fêmeas, e que são os animais gestantes, provavelmente, os mais sensíveis aos efeitos tóxicos, da exposição crônica as baixas doses do cianeto. Ainda, que esta exposição materna ao cianeto durante a gestação promove efeito tóxico no feto, no entanto, essas alterações são observadas apenas na fase pós-natal. / Cyanide and cyanogenic compounds are ubiquitous in nature and widely studied in toxicology. Long-term cyanide exposure has been associated to development of goiter, pancreatic diabetes, and several neurological diseases in humans and animals. However, the exact mechanism involved in induction of these diseases are not fully elucidated. It is believed that these effects are consequence of the toxic action of cyanide and/or its main product of transformation, thiocyanate. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determinate the effects of long term exposure to potassium cyanide (KCN) in swines, during perinatal period. Initially, it was realized a toxicokinetic study in female swines, in three different states, using thiocyanate as biomaker. Twenty two swines were randomly allocated in four groups: 6 with 60 days of age; 5 with 95 days of age, 6 with 80 days of gestation, and 6 with 21 days of lactation. All the animals received orally a single dose of 3.0 mg/kg/body weight of KCN. Thiocyanate concentrations in blood were measured within 24 h. The time of peak concentration (Tmax) and constant of elimination (Kel) was higher in lactation sows (15h; 0.045, respectively); on the other hand the higher concentrations of thiocyanate (Cmax) as well as area under the curve (AUC) were observed in pregnant sows (161.8; 158.834.34). The elimination half-life (t1/2β) and volume of distribution (Vd area) was higher in female swines with 95 days of age (41.57 h ; 1.23 L/kg), however the clearance value (Cl) was the smallest (0.017 L/kg/h). In the second step it was utilized 24 pregnancies sows, randomly allocated in four equal groups: 1 control and 3 experimental. The experimental groups was treated with 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg/kg/ KCN added in commercial ration, twice a day, since 3rd week of pregnancy until the last day of gestation. The control group received only commercial ration. All fetuses were evaluated by ultra-sonographic in the 21, 35, 45, 55 e 65 days of gestation (GD). All the sows was weigthy weekly and blood colleted for biochemical evaluation. In the 110 GD, one animal per group was euthanized and fragments from some tissues were collected for histopathological study. Yet, the levels of thiocynate were evaluation in the amniotic fluid. The other sows that following gestation was collected colostrum for thiocynate evaluation levels. Histopathology revealed degenerative vacuolar alterations in the liver, pancreas, thyroid and kidney cells, and in the neurons of the central nervous system in the animals that received the KCN. In the lungs was observed widening of the epithelium alveolar. In the third step the development of the piglets was evaluate, the same biochemical parameters observed in mothers were done, with exception T3 and T4, until 45 postnatal days as well as weight and body weight gains for 120 days; in this day carcasses weights and bacon thickness were evaluated. From the biochemical parameters in relation in the piglets, it was verified that the thiocynade levels were significantly increased in several experimental groups; otherwise, too feel alterations were observed in the enzymes and other substances analyzed. The histopathological study revealed the same alterations of thyroid and lungs of the sows. In conclusion, the results of the present study support the hypothesis that the metabolism of cyanide is extremely variable, considering the age and the physiological state of female swine´s. Furthermore this study suggest that pregnancies sows are most sensible to the toxic effect, of the long-term exposition the low doses of cyanide; still, this work showed that exposition leaded the maternal and development toxicity of de pliglets.