Animals used in experiments have reduced levels of welfare and are thus vulnerable to pain and suffering. Considering that environmental enrichment increases the quality of life of captive animals, we aimed to assess its scientific application regarding the promotion of animal welfare by recognizing the vulnerability of biological models. Documentary analysis and experimental tests were conducted, stating that despite this technique having been applied mainly in neuroscience studies, endorsing their feasibility and the improvement in learning, the rationale for its use has been limited to the successful development of research, that is, not in recognition of animals' vulnerability, their need for welfare and quality of life. In contrast, we proposed the application of environmental enrichment for laboratory animals, within a framework of scientific contractualism and the researcher's responsibility, as a standard to be adopted for the mutual benefit of scientific development and the quality of animal life. Keywords: Bioethics. Bioethics-Enviromental. Animal Experimentation. Scientific misconduct. Psychology Experimental. Resumo Enriquecimento ambiental como princípio ético nas pesquisas com animaisAnimais utilizados em experimentos dispõem de reduzidos meios de bem-estar, estando vulneráveis a dor e sofrimento. Considerando que a técnica de enriquecimento ambiental aumenta a qualidade de vida de animais cativos, objetivou-se avaliar sua aplicação científica no âmbito da promoção de bem-estar por meio do reconhecimento da vulnerabilidade de modelos biológicos. Para tanto, conduziram-se análises documentais e ensaios experimentais, atestando que apesar de a técnica de enriquecimento ambiental ter sido aplicada principalmente em estudos de neurociência, endossando sua viabilidade, e da melhora no aprendizado, a justificativa para sua utilização tem se limitado ao bom desenvolvimento da pesquisa, e não em reconhecimento da vulnerabilidade e necessidade de bem-estar e qualidade de vida do animal. Em contraponto, foi proposta a aplicação do enriquecimento ambiental em animais de laboratório, num âmbito de contratualismo científico e responsabilidade do pesquisador, como norma a ser adotada para benefício mútuo do desenvolvimento científico e qualidade de vida animal. Palavras-chave: Bioética. Bioética-Meio ambiente. Experimentação animal. Má conduta científica. Psicologia experimental. ResumenEl enriquecimiento ambiental como un principio ético en la investigación con animales Los animales utilizados en experimentos disponen de bienestar reducido y están expuestos al dolor y al sufrimiento. Considerando que la técnica de enriquecimiento ambiental aumenta la calidad de vida de los animales en cautiverio, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar su aplicación científica en el ámbito de la promoción del bienestar mediante el reconocimiento de la vulnerabilidad de los modelos biológicos. Para ello, se realizaron análisis documentales y ensayos experimentales, señalando que a pesar de que la técnica de enriquecimien...

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which there is a decline of cholinergic function. The symptomatic AD treatment involves the use of ChEIs (cholinesterase inhibitors) as rivastigimine, a dual inhibitor. The human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is an enzyme that has specific roles in cholinergic neurotransmission and it has been associated with AD. In the serum, BChE is found in four main molecular forms: G1 (monomer); G1-ALB (monomer linked to albumin); G2 (dimer); and G4 (tetramer). The interaction between the products of BCHE gene and CHE2 locus results in CHE2 C5+ and CHE2 C5- phenotypes. CHE2 C5+ phenotype and BChE-K are factors that influence on BChE activity. This work aimed to verify the proportions of BChE molecular forms, total and relative activity in 139 AD patients and 139 elderly controls, taking into account K variant, CHE2 locus, rivastigmine treatment and clinical dementia rating (CDR) of AD patients. Phenotypic frequencies of CHE2 C5+ and frequency of the carriers of the K allele were similar between groups. Total BChE activity in plasma was significantly lower in AD patients than in elderly controls. Furthermore, we found that reduction on plasma BChE activity is associated directly with AD progression in AD patients and that rivastigmine treatment has a stronger effect on BChE activity within the CDR2 group. The reduction in BChE activity did not occur proportionally in all molecular forms. Multiple regression analysis results confirmed that AD acts as the main factor in plasma BChE activity reduction and that severe stages are related with an even greater reduction. These findings suggest that the reduction of total plasma BChE and relative BChE molecular forms activity in AD patients is probably associated with a feedback mechanism and provides a future perspective of using this enzyme as a possible plasmatic secondary marker for AD.

The present study addresses the issue of family planning in the context of bioethics, considering its different perspectives. We understand that some expressions apply a broader view of the problem studied, while others reflect a fragmented view of reality, and that as a result some difficulties arise in advancing this important area of health in Brazil. We propose that the term "planning of parenting" represents a more open agenda, intrinsic to a pluralistic society, by understanding that today it has become necessary to think of children who are wanted and parents who are prepared. This involves dealing with conflicts inherent to this dual approach: the best interests of the child and the mother. We discussed the congruence of these interests based on the belief that usually the mother wants the best for her children, and that no society wants abortion in itself. Therefore, we conclude by identifying eight points that are indicative of responsible planning of parenting and which is consistent with the common interest. Keywords: Family planning (public health). Sexuality. Bioethics. Resumo Planejamento familiar: do que estamos falando?Abordamos a temática do planejamento familiar no contexto da bioética, considerando suas diversas perspectivas. Compreendemos que algumas expressões implicam uma visão mais ampla da problemática estudada, enquanto outras refletem uma concepção fragmentada da realidade, e que disso decorrem algumas dificuldades de avançar nessa importante área da saúde no Brasil. Defendemos que a expressão "planejamento da parentalidade" representa uma agenda mais aberta, própria de uma sociedade pluralista, por compreender que em nossos dias tornou-se necessário pensar filhos que nasçam desejados e pais que estejam preparados. Isso implica lidar com conflitos inerentes a esse duplo enfoque: o melhor interesse da mãe e da criança. Discutimos sobre a congruência desses interesses, por acreditar que usualmente a mãe quer o melhor para seu filho e que nenhuma sociedade deseja o aborto por si mesmo. Assim, concluímos identificando oito pontos indicativos de um planejamento da parentalidade mais responsável e condizente com o interesse mútuo. Palavras-chave: Planejamento familiar. Sexualidade. Bioética. ResumenPlanificación familiar: ¿de qué estamos hablando? Abordamos el tema de la planificación familiar, en el contexto de la bioética, teniendo en cuenta sus diferentes perspectivas. Entendemos que algunas expresiones implican una visión más amplia del problema estudiado, mientras que otros reflejan una visión fragmentada de la realidad, de esto se derivan algunas dificultades para avanzar en esta importante área de la salud en Brasil. Proponemos que el término "planificación de la paternidad" representa una agenda más abierta, propia de una sociedad pluralista, para comprender que en nuestros días se hace necesario pensar en hijos que nazcan deseados y padres que estén preparados. Esto implica lidiar con los conflictos inherentes a este doble enfoque: el mayor bien de la madre y del niño. Discu...

Resumo A pandemia desencadeada pela covid-19, imersa em muitas incertezas, suscita uma série de conflitos éticos. O objetivo deste artigo é refletir sobre esses conflitos e sobre os distintos interesses envolvidos no atual cenário. O horizonte da análise crítica é a bioética global, e o foco do estudo é o Brasil, onde os problemas de saúde decorrentes da covid-19 não têm sido abordados de forma integrada à diplomacia internacional. No país, a oposição simplista entre saúde e economia tem servido de base para decisões estratégicas e medidas de contenção do vírus. No entanto, as variáveis a se considerar são múltiplas, e é necessário um balizador ético, como a responsabilidade dos agentes políticos quanto ao desfecho de suas decisões.

No abstract

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is an enzyme encoded by BCHE gene, responsible for secondary hydrolysis of the acetylcholine. K and -116A BCHE variants were associated with decrease in plasma BChE activity, and their influence has been investigated in diseases with a cholinergic deficit such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In order to check the influence of BCHE genetic variants on enzymatic activity, all patients and controls were genotyped for K and -116A variants. We found lower plasma BChE activity in DLB patients compared to elderly controls and to AD independent of the presence of K or -116A variants. Our results suggest that the reduction of total plasma BChE activity is probably associated with a feedback mechanism and provides a future perspective of using this enzyme as a possible plasmatic marker for differential diagnosis between AD and DLB.

The choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) are fundamental to neurophysiological functions of the central cholinergic system. We confirmed and quantified the presence of extracellular ChAT protein in human plasma and also characterized ChAT and VAChT polymorphisms, protein and activity levels in plasma of Alzheimer's disease patients (AD; N = 112) and in cognitively healthy controls (EC; N = 118). We found no significant differences in plasma levels of ChAT activity and protein between AD and EC groups. Although no differences were observed in plasma ChAT activity and protein concentration among ChEI-treated and untreated AD patients, ChAT activity and protein levels variance in plasma were higher among the rivastigminetreated group (ChAT protein: p = 0.005; ChAT activity: p = 0.0002). Moreover, AD patients homozygous for SNP rs1880676 A allele exhibited higher levels of ChAT activity. Considering this is the first study to report the influence of genetic variability of ChAT locus over ChAT activity in AD patients plasma, it opens a new set of important questions on peripheral cholinergic signaling in AD.

The Environmental enrichment technique, although scientifi cally recognized for raising the level of animal welfare, has led to the questioning of its infl uence on the results of experimental research. Thus, the goal is to promote refl ection about the need for standardization of these procedures. For that, documents and experimental analysis were done, in order to quantify and characterize the types of environmental enrichment used and to evaluate the effect of that in the social behavior of Rattus norvegicus. Data from the document review confi rmed the hypothesis that the researchers have used a variety of methods, not demonstrating a concern for standardization and prior assessment of its effects on the search results. Demand was corroborated in the experimental study in which, although there was available a simple object acting as refuge promotes behavioral improvements, the presence of the co-specifi c, as well as characteristics of the micro and macro environment can compromise the homogeneity of the sample. The data from this study endorse the need for validation procedures of environmental enrichment for specifi c proposals, to investigative data comparison, are possible and contribute to the refi nement of the search to reduce the number of animals targeted for this purpose.