AgNPs functionalized with natural extracts had a lower toxicity than citrate-coated silver particles.

Menopause is accompanied by enhanced oxidative stress and behavioral changes, effects attenuated by antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine on behavior and oxidative stress in an experimental model of menopause. Female rats were divided in: sham-operated (CON), sham-operated and caffeine-treated (CAF), ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized and caffeinetreated (OVX+CAF). Caffeine (6 mg/kg) and vehicle were administered for 21 days (subchronic) and 42 days (chronic), using 2 experimental subsets. Behavioral tests and oxidative stress parameters in the blood, whole brain and hippocampus were assessed. The subchronic administration of caffeine decreased the lipid peroxidation and improved the antioxidant defense in the blood and brain. The GSH/GGSG ratio in the brain was improved by chronic administration, with reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and enhanced nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels. In particular, the lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus decreased in both experiments. The rats became hyperactive after 21 days of treatment, but no effect was observed after chronic administration. In both experimental subsets, caffeine had anxiolytic effects as tested in EPM. The administration of low doses of caffeine, for a short period of time, may be a new therapeutic approach to modulating the oxidative stress and anxiety in menopause.

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Introduction:Socio – cultural factors play an important role in people’ s perception of child mental health problems and services.Objectives:To measure the perception of child and adolescent psychiatry in a small town, from the south-western part of Transylvania, Romania.Aims:To analyze whether the level of medical training influences the addressability to psychiatric services.Methods:The 90 respondents of the study included 27 doctors (other than psychiatrists), 32 nurses from the local hospital and 31 teachers. We randomly selected the participants, by consulting the list of the two institutions’ employees, in a specific day.The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions about demographic profile and perception of pediatrics psychiatry, as a medical specialty. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Two questionnaires were precluded because of not having all the items answered. To examine the statistical significance of the differences, one way ANOVA and nonparametric Kruskall Wallis test were used.Results:More than half (51%) considered that psychiatric medication may both diminish the symptoms, but can also have side effects on subjects. 68% of respondents said that a child is stigmatized when being in psychiatric service evidence. There was a valid statistical correlation between the medical level of training and the addressability to psychiatric services (r +0.39, p<0.001). Doctors would take their child to psychiatric services, as a personal decision, while teachers would apply to psychiatric services at recommendation of general practitioner/pediatrician (p<0.05).Conclusions:The addressability to psychiatric services is related to the level of medical training.