Volatile chemical composition of Piper sancti-felicis Trel essential oil and its biocidal action against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

This research assessed the fumigant activity of the essential oil from Piper sancti-felicis Trel and five of its components on the Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) biological model. Hydrodistillation was used for extraction of the essential oil, with separation and identification of the compounds through gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The fumigant was evaluated through gas dispersion on the T. castaneum. The majority compounds found in the EO were b-nerolidol (15.4%), 3-carene (14.9%), p-cymene (9.1%), spathulenol (8.2%), a-cubebene (6.2%) and calamenene (5.2%). Piper sancti-felicis displayed fumigant activity with a LC50 = 108.5 & 956;g L-1 air, and other individual monoterpenes tested such as & 945;-terpinolene (LC50 = 110.1 & 956;g L-1 air), p-cymene (LC50 = 120.3 & 956;g L-1 air), 3-carene (LC50 = 130.6 & 956;g L-1 air), (R) -limonene (CL50 = 189.6 & 956;g L-1 air), and a-pinene (LC50 = 213.1 & 956;g L-1 air), were significantly less toxic than methyl pyrimiphos used as a positive control, CL50 = 87.4 & 956;g L-1 air. The essential oil of P. sancti-felicis can be considered as a natural source of biocides.

Impact on quality of life and sexual satisfaction of total abdominal hysterectomy and vaginal hysterectomy in the absence of prolapse. Cohort study, Medellín, 2015 / Impacto de la histerectomía abdominal total y de la histerectomía vaginal sin prolapso en la calidad de vida y la satisfacción sexual. Estudio de cohortes, Medellín, 2015

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify differences in quality of life and sexuality in women without genital prolapse taken to vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. Materials and methods: Prospective cohort study including women with no vaginal prolapse and benign conditions, with no adhesions and a uterus of less than 1000cc, amenable to surgery through the abdominal or vaginal approach, coming to a private clinic in Medellín, Colombia. The SF12 score was used for quality of life assessment two and four months after surgery, and sexuality was assessed before and four months after the procedure, using the Female Sexual Function Index. Comparisons were made using ANCOVA, adjusted on the basis of baseline values and other characteristics. Approval by the ethics committee as well as informed consents were obtained. Results: The study included women with similar pre-operative characteristics. Of them, 24 were included in the vaginal hysterectomy group and 22 in the abdominal hysterectomy group. Quality of life and sexual function improved for the women in both groups following the procedure. Postoperative physical health: adjusted score for vaginal hysterectomy, 49.5 (SD ± 1.6) and for abdominal hysterectomy, 43.8 (SD ± 1.7), with a difference of 5.6 points (95% CI 0.87-10.4). Mental health: 51.0 (SD ± 1.7) and 59.3 (SD ± 1.6) points, respectively; adjusted difference 8.4 (95% CI 3.6-13.3). Sexuality: 22.7 (SD ± 1.8) and 26.5 (SD ± 1.7), respectively; difference, 3.8 points (95% CI -1.2-8.7). Conclusion: Although statistically significant differences were found for quality of life, the score obtained is not clinically significant.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar diferencias en calidad de vida y sexualidad en mujeres sin prolapso genital intervenidas con histerectomía vaginal o abdominal. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Se incluyeron mujeres sin prolapso vaginal con condiciones benignas, sin adherencias, con útero menor de 1000 cc, que fueran susceptibles de ser intervenidas tanto por vía abdominal como vaginal en una clínica privada de Medellín, Colombia. Evaluación de calidad de vida con la escala SF-12 antes, a los 2 y 4 meses posquirúrgico y de la sexualidad con la escala índice de Función Sexual Femenina, antes y a los 4 meses posoperatorio. Comparaciones con ANCOVA ajustadas porlos valores basales y por otras características. Se contó con aprobación de comité de ética y se tomó consentimiento informado. Resultados: Se incluyeron 24 mujeres en el grupo de histerectomía vaginal y 22 en el grupo de histerectomía abdominal, con características similares antes de la cirugía. Ambos grupos mejoraron en calidad de vida y en satisfacción sexual después del proce- dimiento. Los puntajes para histerectomía vaginal e histerectomía abdominal fueron, respectivamente: salud física posoperatoria: puntaje ajustado en histerectomía vaginal 49,5 (DE ± 1,6) e histerectomía abdominal 43,8 (DE ± 6,7), diferencia 5,6 puntos (IC 95%: 0,87-10,4). Salud mental: 51,0 (DE ± 1,7) y 59,3 (DE ± 1,6) puntos, respectivamente, diferencia ajustada 8,4 (IC 95%: 3,6-13,3). Sexualidad: 22,7 (DE ± 1,8) y 26,5 (DE ± 1,7), respectivamente, diferencia 3,8 puntos (IC 95%: -1,2-8,7). Conclusión: Aunque se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la calidad de vida, el puntaje alcanzado no es clínicamente significativo.

Freeze survival of the cyanobacteria Microcoleus chthonoplastes without cryoprotector.

A Microcoleus chthonoplastes strain SC7B9002-1 isolated from microbial mats in tidal channels from San Carlos, Baja California Sur, Mexico was subjected to short- (15 days) and long-term (2 years) conservation assays in liquid nitrogen (–196oC) using cryoprotective agents, such as 5% DMSO, 20% PVP-40, and 20% glycerol. Survival rate, chlorophyll a, protein, and nucleic acids content were observed in each case. Interesting growth and a significant increase in protein content was observed when no cryoprotectant was used during liquid nitrogen immersion. In the absence of a cryoprotectant, M. chthonoplastes lost their typical shape resembled spheroplasts, and recovery cultivation times after freezing were 5 and 25 days (short and long-term, respectively). Recovery from long-term preservation with 5% DMSO took 15 days. PVP and glycerol did not allow recovery of viable cells. The survival of M. chthonoplastes to freezing without cryoprotectant and the adaptive mechanisms that allow surviving under freezing conditions are discussed.

Histerectomía vaginal sin prolapso: estudio de cohorte: Medellín (Colombia) 2008-2010 / Vaginal hysterectomy without prolapse: a 2008-2010 cohort study in Medellín (Colombia)

Objetivo: describir los resultados posquirúrgicos de la histerectomía vaginal sin prolapso uterino. Materiales y métodos: estudio de cohorte de pacientes, a quienes se les practicó histerectomía vaginal sin prolapso (HSVP) por patología benigna uterina, utilizando la técnica de Heaney modificada y técnicas de morcelamiento uterino en la Clínica Medellín – Antioquia, entre septiembre de 2008 y febrero de 2010. Se realizó muestreo secuencial estricto. Se estimó un tamaño de muestra de 84 pacientes. Se midieron las características sociodemográficas, características del útero, diagnóstico preoperatorio, tiempo quirúrgico, comorbilidades, y complicaciones. Resultados: fueron intervenidos 84 pacientes, de los cuales un 8,33% presentaron complicaciones (n: 7/84), el 3,6% de estas, fueron intraoperatorias (2 lesiones vesicales y 1 lesión rectal) y el 4,76% posoperatorias (1 absceso pélvico con dehiscencia secundaria de la herida, 1 sepsis, 2 granulomas del muñón vaginal). También, fueron encontrados 9 casos de infección del tracto urinario (ITU) (10,71%). Conclusión: La HVSP es una técnica quirúrgica que en manos expertas y con instrumental quirúrgico adecuado, surge como alternativa para el manejo de la patología uterina benigna.

Objective: describing the post-surgical results of vaginal hysterectomy (VH) without uterine prolapse. Materials and methods: this was a cohort study of patients who had undergone vaginal hysterectomy withoutprolapse(VHWP) forbenignuterinepathology using a modified Heaney technique and uterine morcellationtechniquesintheClínicaMedellínbetween September 2008 and February 2010. Strict sequential sampling was done. Patient sample size was estimated at 84. Socio-demographic characteristics, uttering characteristics,pre-operationdiagnosis,timeinsurgery, comorbidities and complications were measured. Results: 84 patients were operated on; complications occurred in 8.33% of them (n: 7/84), 3.6% were intra-operation (2 vesical lesions and 1 rectal lesion) and 4.76% were post-operation (1 pelvic abscess with secondary dehiscence of the wound, 1 sepsis, 2 granulomas of the vaginal cuff). There were 9 cases of urinary tract infection (UTI) (10.71%). Conclusion: VHWP emerges as an alternative for surgical treatment of benign uterine diseases when performed by expert hands and with the appropriate surgical instrumentals.

Diferentes términos utilizados para describir las mareas rojas / Different terms used to describe red tides

An event characterized by sudden increase in phytoplankton population, in the sea or aqueous environment, is often designated by different Spanish terms that attempt to describe the nature, aspect, characteristics, and/or properties of such phenomena. In this communication, we discuss the convenience of reaching an agreement among the Spanish-speaking scientific community to use a simple Spanish term that could be much more informative and accurate when referring to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), in general. Summarizing the different Spanish terms historically employed to describe the proliferation of noxious phytoplankton in the sea, we propose "Proliferación Microalgal Nociva" (PMN = HAB) as a term that, on the basis of its etymological meaning could be considered correct. Its use could help to avoid the prevailing confusion in our language caused by different misleading terms now employed when referring to a Harmful Algal Bloom event.

Superoxide dismutase and Naproxen in the very late phase of carrageenan induced edema in rats / Peróxido dismutasa y Naproxen en fase muy tardía de edema inducido por carragenina en ratas

Introducción. El modelo de edema inducido por carragenina (EIC) en la pata de la rata es ampliamente utilizado para estudiar el efecto antiinflamatorio de drogas. Clásicamente consta de dos etapas de reacción inflamatoria, sin embargo se ha observado una tercera poco caracterizada. La superóxido dismutasa (SOD) es una enzima eliminadora de radicales libres de oxígeno con actividad antiinflamatoria. En nuestro país no contamos con un instrumento especialmente diseñado para evaluar el edema en EIC. Métodos. Se indujo edema a la pata de la rata mediante la aplicación intraplantar de carragenina. Se formaron cuatro grupos: placebo, dos distintas dosis de SOD y Naproxen©. Se evaluó el edema utilizando un pletismógrafo de mercurio especialmente diseñado. La intensidad de la reacción inflamatoria se determinó durante las fases clásicas temprana y tardía y durante una tercera fase muy tardía. Resultados. Todos los tratamientos tuvieron efecto antiinflamatorio durante la fase temprana, tardía y muy tardía, a excepción de la dosis alta de SOD durante la primera fase. El Naproxen© fue superior que la SOD durante las dos primeras fases, sin embargo esta diferencia desapareció en la fase muy tardía. En términos de bases equimolares la enzima parece ser 1,800 veces más potente que el Naproxen©. El pletismógrafo de mercurio funcionó adecuadamente. Conclusiones. La SOD y el Naproxen© tienen efecto antiinflamatorio el cual se extiende hasta la fase muy tardía del modelo de EIC. La actividad antiinflamatoria de la enzima se debe a un mecanismo suplementario a la capacidad eliminadora de radicales libres de oxígeno. La SOD puede ser utilizada como fuente alternativa en enfermedades inflamatorias.

Effect of superoxide dismutase from bovine erithrocytes on different activity parameters in Ajuvant-Induced arthritis

Background. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on primary swelling, lipoperoxidation, body thymus, and spleen weight in the adjuvants-induced arthritis (AIA) model in rats. Methods. Orally and intraperitoneally administered SOD (100 U/kg) from bovine erythrocytes, as well as naproxen (40 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (25 mg/kg), were evaluated againts placebo. Results. Primary edema was not decreased by SOD; in contrast, naproxen and dexamethasone showed good anti-inflammatory activity. Lipoperoxidation increased 1.8, 2.5, and 2.8 times with intraperitoneal SOD, naproxen, and dexamethasone administration, respectively, while oral SOD decreased lipoperoxidation levels to approximately one-half of that found in the control group. Body weight increased with SOD but decreased with dexamethasone. Naproxen did not change the animal weight. Thymus weight remained unchanged with SOD and naproxen, while it decreased with dezamethasone. Splee weight remained the same wih SOD, but increased with naproxen and decreased with dezamethasone. No side of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and 50 percent of the rats in the dexamethasone group, of pulmonary infection. Conclusions. In conclusion, SOD showed no anti-inflammatory activity but decreased lipoperoxidation when administered orally. No deleterious effects in primary and secondary immunologic organs were observed with this agent

Anti-Inflammatory activity od debaryomyces hansenii Cu, Zn-SOD

Background. Cu,Zn-superoxide-dismutase, Cu,Zn-SOD, can be obtained from different sources with different anti-inflammatory activities. In this study we compared the antiinflammatory capacity of the marine yeast Debaryomyces hanseii Cu,Zn-SOD (Dh-SOD) with that of bovine erythrocytes (Be-SOD) in preventive an a therapeutic fashion. Methods. Edema was induced by carrageenan injection into the rat hind paw and was evaluated using a mercury plethysmograph. Development of the inflammatory process was followed by volume displacement at time 0 (carrageenan injection), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h thereafter. Three different SOD doses were used in preliminary experiments to prevent edema: 10, 100, and U/kg. Results. The results indicate that, at the lowest dose (10 U/kg), both SOD samples are effective in reducing inflammation in both the prostaglandin and amplification phases (-24.8 percent and -17.5 percent in the case of Be-SOD, and 11.8 percent and -18.7 percent in the case of Dh-SOD, respectively) (p<0.05). At 100 U/kg, Be-SOD also shows good anti-inflammatory activity in all edema phases (-27.1 percent in the serotonin phase; -19.4 percent in the prostaglandin phase; and -20 percent in the amplification phase) (p<0.05), but Dh-SOD was less effective (-10.9 percent, -9.1 percent, and -5.7 percent). At the highest dose tested (1000 U/kg), Dh-SOD was, again more effective than Be-SOD in all three edema phases (-33.1 percent and -1.5 percent; -17.9 percent and -2.6 percent; and -13.8 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively) (p >0.05). When evaluated as a therapeutic alternative, single doses of DH-SOD at 1,000 U/kg, and Be-SOD at 100 U/kg, both showed good anti-inflammatory activities (-31.7 percent and -23.5 percent, respectively) (p < 0.05). Conclusion. For therapy purposes alone, DH-SOD appears to be a better anti-inflammatory agent than Be-SOD in carrageenan-induced edema