Medicamentos Fitoterápicos na odontologia: evidências e perspectivas sobre o uso da aroeira-do-sertão (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão) / Phytotherapy medicines in dentistry: evidence and perspectives on the use of "Aroeira-do-sertão" (Myracrodruon Urundeuva Allemão)

Nas pesquisas com fitoterápicos o uso popular pode sugerir espécies potencialmente importantes, porém, faz-se necessário uma série de estudos, entre eles, a identificação de espécies com comprovada ação farmacológica e/ou substâncias biologicamente ativas. O uso de fármacos fitoterápicos na prática clínica, tratamento e prevenção de afecções de menor severidade vêm sendo reconhecido pelo SUS ultimamente. Apesar da utilização de plantas medicinais na odontologia ser ainda pouco explorada, existe pesquisa científica sobre os efeitos antimicrobiano, analgésico e antinflamatório de algumas espécies, entre elas: óleo de copaíba, extrato de romã, cravo da Índia, malva, tanchagem, amoreira, sálvia, e camomila. Nesta revisão o objetivo foi reunir informação sobre o potencial da aroeira-do-sertão (M. urundeuva All), planta utilizada na medicina tradicional nordestina e em alguns países da América do Sul, como fitoterápico na odontologia. Os extratos de aroeira são obtidos através do preparo das folhas, raízes, entrecasca e casca do tronco e galhos. Da casca de M. urundeuva já foram isoladas: chalconas diméricas: urundeuvina A, B, C, e matosina. Encontramos pesquisas sobre os seguintes efeitos da aroeira-do-sertão: ação antimicrobiana; antiinflamatória/cicatrizante no tratamento de ferimentos; gastrites; úlceras gástricas; cervicites; vaginites e hemorróidas. A aroeira conta com bons resultados em pesquisas que avaliaram o controle de microorganismo relacionado à patologias bucais, tal como S. mutans. No entanto, necessita-se de estudos para comprovar seu mecanismo de ação e definir condições seguras para seu uso em patologias específicas.

With regards to the studies of phytotherapeutic medicines, their popular use proves to be potentially important; however, a series of studies are necessary focusing on the identification of the species that have proven pharmacological action and/or biologically active components. The use of phytotherapy medicines in the clinical practice, treatment and prevention of less severe disorders is being recently recognized by the Brazilian SUS. Particularly in dentistry, the use of medicinal plants is still underexplored. However, some studies were conducted with plants of popular medicine use, such as: copaiba oil, pomegranate extract, clove, malva, plantain, mulberry, sage and chamomile, among others, in the search for antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities. Some of these qualities were later proven in scientific studies. In this review, we aimed to highlight the potential of the "aroeira-do-sertão" tree (M. urundeuva All), which is a plant utilized in traditional medicine in the Northeast region of Brazil and in some South America countries, as a phytotherapeutic medicine in dentistry. The extracts of the "aroeira-do-sertão" tree are acquired through the preparation of the leaves, roots and bark of the trunk and branches. The dimeric chalcones, urundeuvina A, B, C and matosine were isolated in the M. urundeuva bark. Some published studies have investigated the effects of the "aroeira-do-sertão" such as; antimicrobial action, anti-inflammatory action, healing in the treatment of wounds, gastritis, gastric ulcers, cervicitis, vaginitis, and hemorrhoids. In this regard, the "aroeira-do-sertão" has shown good results in studies involving the control of microorganism related to oral conditions, such as S. mutans. However, further studies are needed to confirm its mechanism of action and establish safe conditions for its use in specific situations (i.e. diseases).

Evidence of Long Term Benefit of Praziquantel Treatment Against Schistosoma mansoni in Kigungu Fishing Village of Entebbe, Uganda

Praziquantel (PZQ) is efficacious against all species of schistosome: Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma japonicum and other parasites like the Taenia species. This cross-sectional cohorts study was carried out in Kigungu fishing village along Lake Victoria shore in Entebbe Uganda. Our analysis was based on examining microscopically three slides from a single stool specimen from each of base line cohorts 945.These included children and adults; participants from both sexes in Kigungu fishing village in Entebbe Uganda. Nine hundred and one (901) of the cohorts were re-examined after six months and 625 of the same cohorts who were examined at the baseline and after six months were re-examined 18 months later. The slides were prepared using modified Kato/Katz (Odongo-Aginya) method. The infection proportion with Schistosoma mansoni at baseline was 448 (47.5) but this was reduced to 244 (25.8) 18 months after treatment with a single oral dose of praziquantel at 40mg/kg. However 495 (52.5) were negative at the baseline study. The cure proportion after six was significant ///{(P=0.00); (OR4.63) CI at 95(3.53-6.06)///}. Similarly the cure proportion after 18 months was significant ///{(P=0.00); (OR2.2) CI at 95(1.87-3.34)///}. The force of re-infection after six months was significant ///{(P=0.0001); (OR 0.47) CI at 95(0.31-0.71)///}. Nevertheless the force of re-infection was not significant after 18 months ///{(P=0.766); (OR 0.95) CI at 95(0.68-1.34)///} eggs excretion did not reach the level of the pre-treatment intensity. The egg reduction was 69.3. This was associated with age and pre-treatment intensity 400 eggs per gram (epg) of faeces and age groups ? 30 years. The egg reduction also resulted in marked decrease in clinical symptoms in the participants. Our study suggests evidence of long-term benefit of praziquantel in Kigungu and that the re-infection occurred more commonly in younger age group than in the older patients

Bone morphogenetic proteins: from structure to clinical use

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multi-functional growth factors belonging to the transforming growth factor ß superfamily. Family members are expressed during limb development, endochondral ossification, early fracture, and cartilage repair. The activity of BMPs was first identified in the 1960s but the proteins responsible for bone induction were unknown until the purification and cloning of human BMPs in the 1980s. To date, about 15 BMP family members have been identified and characterized. The signal triggered by BMPs is transduced through serine/threonine kinase receptors, type I and II subtypes. Three type I receptors have been shown to bind BMP ligands, namely: type IA and IB BMP receptors and type IA activin receptors. BMPs seem to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis, but their hallmark is their ability to induce bone, cartilage, ligament, and tendon formation at both heterotopic and orthotopic sites. This suggests that, in the future, they may play a major role in the treatment of bone diseases. Several animal studies have illustrated the potential of BMPs to enhance spinal fusion, repair critical-size defects, accelerate union, and heal articular cartilage lesions. Difficulties in producing and purifying BMPs from bone tissue have prompted the attempts made by several laboratories, including ours, to express these proteins in the recombinant form in heterologous systems. This review focuses on BMP structure, molecular mechanisms of action and significance and potential applications in medical, dental and veterinary practice for the treatment of cartilage and bone-related diseases.

Study of hantavirus infection in captive breed colonies of wild rodents

Wild sigmondontine rodents are known to be the reservoir of several serotypes of New World hantaviruses. The mechanism of viral transmission is by aerosol inhalation of the excreta from infected rodents. Considering that the captive breed colonies of various wild mammals may present a potencial risk for hantaviral transmission, we examined 85 speciemens of Thrichomys spp. (Echimyidae) and 17 speciemens of Nectomys squamipes (Sigmodontinae) from our colony for the presence of hantavirus infections. Blood samples were assayed for the presence of antibodies to Andes nucleocapsid antigen using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, serum samples from workers previously exposed to wild rodents, in the laboratories where the study was conducted, were also tested by ELISA to investigate prevalence of anti-hantavirus IgG antibodies. All blood samples were negative for hantavirus antibodies. Although these results suggest that those rodent's colonies are hantavirus free, the work emphasizes the need for hantavirus serological monitoring in wild colonized rodents and secure handling potentially infected rodents as important biosafety measures.

Avaliação do II Curso de Saude Publica da Secretaria de Saude do Distrito Federal: um estudo de caso / Evaluation of the II Course of Public Health of the Health Secretariat of Federal District: report of a case

Os cursos de especializacao em Saude Publica atualmente existentes entre nos, com seu formato diferencial de curta duracao e alta abrangencia, constituem uma realidade recente em nosso pais, contando com pouco mais de dez anos. No Distrito Federal, realizaram-se nove deles, dos quais seis com a atuacao diretiva e docente dos autores. Com vistas a incorporar tal experiencia acumulada como contribuicao para com futuras iniciativas a respeito, apresentam-se os resultados obtidos com avaliacao terminal procedida em um deles, executada segundo o modelo atualmente recomendado pela Escola Nacional de Saude Publica. Foi ela aplicada em amostra randomica de alunos, docentes e coordenadores, na busca de identificacao de apreciacoes positivas e negativas, sobretudo dos aspectos operacional, administrativo, metodologico e institucional do mesmo. Em meio a percepcoes e formulacoes heterogeneas e pluralistas, obtiveram maiores frequencias em suas respectivas distribuicoes, por um lado, a adequacao do trabalho de campo, baseado na utilizacao de quatro regionais, acompanhadas pelos alunos apos cada area tematica e, por outro, a preocupacao para com a fragilidade de decisao institucional quanto a oferta e manuntencao do curso, bem como quanto ao aproveitamento dos egressos para a consolidacao do sistema de saude do Distrito Federal. Tais aspectos merecem, ao final, destacada discussao.

Estenose e rutura de uretra posterior - revisao de 22 casos com a cirurgia de Badenoch. / Stenosis and rupture of posterior urethra: review of 22 cases with Badenoch's surgery

Os autores apresentam os resultados da cirurgia de Badenoch (telescopagem) para correcao do estreitamento ou rutura da uretra posterior em 22 casos

Insulina em crianca de 3 anos. / Insulin in a 3 years old child

Relata-se o caso de uma crianca de 3 anos de idade portadora de insulinoma, submetida a tratamento cirurgico e curada

Perfuracao amebiana do colon. / Colon rupture due to amoebiasis

Os autores apresentaram um caso de perfuracao amebiana do colon, tratado com sucesso no Hospital das Forcas Armadas, dando enfase ao valor da retossigmoidoscopia para o diagnostico desta entidade