Fernando Frei

Bio: Fernando Frei is an academic researcher from Sao Paulo State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Corpus luteum. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 51 publications receiving 1586 citations. Previous affiliations of Fernando Frei include University of São Paulo.

Ethopharmacological analysis of rat behavior on the elevated plus-maze

Abstract: Behavioral categories were measured in rats left on an elevated plus-maze for 5 min, in addition to the traditional measures. Four independent factors emerged from a factor analysis. The variables that loaded highly and positively on Factor 1, seemingly related with anxiety, were: number of entries onto open arms, time spent on open arms, percentage of open/total arm entries, percentage of time on open arms, scanning over the edge of an open arm, and open arm end-exploring. The time spent on enclosed arms loaded highly, but negatively on the same factor. Risk-assessment from an enclosed arm also loaded negatively on Factor 1. Number of enclosed arm entries, total number of arm entries and rearing loaded highly on Factor 2, probably related to motor activity. However, the total number of entries also loaded on Factor 1, being thus a mixed index. Similarly, the number of open arm entries loaded on both Factors 1 and 2. As expected, the variables having high loads on Factor 1 were changed to one direction by administration of two anxiolytics (nitrazepam and midazolam) and to the opposite direction by two anxiogenic drugs (pentylenetetrazol and FG 7142). Such pattern of drug effects was not observed with the remaining variables.

[Correlation between sanitation conditions and intestinal parasitosis in the population of Assis, State of São Paulo].

Abstract: The distribution of the most frequent enteroparasites in the population of Assis, State of Sao Paulo, was studied from 1990 to 1992. A total of 18,366 medical examinations from six sanitary care centers in the neighbourhoods of Marialves, Progresso, city center, Xavier, Fiuza and Bonfim were analyzed. The general prevalence of enteroparasites was 23.3%. The most frequently found enteroparasites were: Giardia intestinalis (8.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (5.5%), Trichuris trichiura (2.4%) and Hymenolepis nana (1.9%). In Marialves, a low income neighborhood, the prevalences were: 17%; 13.1%; 5.9% and 4.2%, respectively. The age group from 3 to 12 years showed the largest number of infected individuals. There was a correlation between basic sanitation conditions, expressed as the number of places connected to the city water and sewage systems, and the prevalence of parasites. There was also a decrease of parasite prevalence in all sanitary care centers from 1990 to 1992, which coincided with the increase in the number of new water and sewage systems in these neighborhoods.

Phytotoxic activities of Mediterranean essential oils.

Abstract: Twelve essential oils from Mediterranean aromatic plants were tested for their phytotoxic activity, at different doses, against the germination and the initial radicle growth of seeds of Raphanus sativus, Lactuca sativa and Lepidium sativum. The essential oils were obtained from Hyssopus officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, Majorana hortensis, Melissa officinalis, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis and Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae), Verbena officinalis (Verbenaceae), Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare and Carum carvi (Apiaceae). The germination and radicle growth of tested seeds were affected in different ways by the oils. Thyme, balm, vervain and caraway essential oils were more active against both germination and radicle elongation.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells: stimulatory effects on proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes in vitro

Abstract: The clinical use of tissue engineering associated with cell therapy is considered a new alternative therapy for the repair of chronic lesions with potential application in different medical areas, mostly in orthopedic and dermatological diseases. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a rich source of growth factors and cytokines important for wound healing. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have shown potential to accelerate the resolution of ulcers, to stimulate cell proliferation, and to benefit the quality of skin repair. This study aims to determine the effect of PRP and conditioned medium (CM) from ADSC on fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation in vitro. Migration and proliferation assays were performed to evaluate the growth of fibroblasts and keratinocytes in the presence of PRP, CM, and CM + PRP. Significant proliferative stimulation was observed after 48 h of culture (p < 0.05) on mean absorbance of fibroblasts cultured with 10 and 25 % PRP, 100 % CM, and 25 % PRP + 25 % CM, if compared with control. Keratinocyte proliferation was stimulated after 48 h in cultures with 25, 50, and 100 % CM, and growth was compared with controls. The migration assay detected a significant migratory stimulus in fibroblasts cultured with 10 % PRP + 10 % CM after 48 h. These in vitro results suggest that PRP and ADSC have therapeutic potential for healing and re-epithelialization of chronic wounds in vivo.

Levantamento epidemiológico das parasitoses intestinais: viés analítico decorrente do tratamento profilático

Abstract: Intestinal parasite infections are a serious public health problem, mainly in underdeveloped countries, and are usually associated with (and aggravated by) poor sanitation and lack of information. This study evaluated a series of epidemiological parameters associated with the main intestinal parasites in different areas of the city of Assis, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The data were compared with those obtained from a previous survey in 1991 and showed a reduction of three percentage points. There is evidence of prophylactic dispensing of drugs for parasites, before receiving the results of stool tests. This could have important epidemiological implications and lead to analytical distortions. This therapeutic approach could disguise unfavorable health and/or educational conditions, with a low prevalence of parasite infections due to repeated treatments rather than improvements in basic sanitation and health education for the population.

A review of the validity and variability of the elevated plus-maze as an animal model of anxiety.

Abstract: Despite or possibly by virtue of the fact that it is one of the most commonly used animal models of anxiety the Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) results in a wide range of, often contradictory, results following pharmacological experiments. The responses from a questionnaire distributed to 65 groups that have published studies using the EPM in the past 3 years has, along with reference to published reports, enabled some conclusions regarding the influencing factors to be drawn. Some evidence for differential sensitivities between strains exists, with albino rats being more sensitive to the anxiolytic effects of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and 5-HT1A receptor agonists than pigmented animals. Most important, however, is the manipulation of the animals prior to testing and the aversiveness of the test conditions themselves. Stressing animals before testing (e.g., by moving from holding to test room) or using more aversive test conditions (e.g., elevated light levels) increases sensitivity to potential anxiolytics. Animals that are habituated to gentle handling or tested in less aversive conditions (e.g., EPM with ledges) show reduced likelihood of anxiolytic responses with administration of 5-HT3 antagonists, 5-HT1A agonists, and benzodiazepines.

Factor analysis of spatiotemporal and ethological measures in the murine elevated plus-maze test of anxiety

Abstract: Recent research employing the elevated plus-maze to assess anxiety in rodents has incorporated a variety of behavioral elements in addition to the standard parameters of entries onto and time spent in the aversive open arms. In the present study, we have used a large database comprising the behavioral profiles of 90 undrugged mice to examine the relationship between the standard spatiotemporal measures and a range of specific behaviors related to the defensive repertoire of the mouse. A factor analysis applied to the standard measures revealed two factors related to anxiety and locomotor activity. The simple addition of center time (an infrequently recorded measure) to the analysis yielded a third factor, most probably related to decision making. A large-scale factor analysis applied to all measures further confirmed the existence of factors related to anxiety, locomotor activity, and decision making, and revealed three further factors thought to represent risk assessment, vertical activity, and exploratory behavior. Thus, the inclusion of ethological measures not only confirmed prior knowledge based on a very limited range of measures, but also demonstrated the existence of additional behavioral dimensions. The potential applications of this knowledge are discussed.