A proline derivative-enriched methanol fraction from Sideroxylon obtusifolium leaves (MFSOL) stimulates human keratinocyte cells and exerts a healing effect in a burn wound model

It was previously demonstrated that the methanol fraction of Sideroxylon obtusifolium (MFSOL) promoted anti-inflammatory and healing activity in excisional wounds. Thus, the present work investigated the healing effects of MFSOL on human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) and experimental burn model injuries. HaCaT cells were used to study MFSOL's effect on cell migration and proliferation rates. Female Swiss mice were subjected to a second-degree superficial burn protocol and divided into four treatment groups: Vehicle, 1.0% silver sulfadiazine, and 0.5 or 1.0% MFSOL Cream (CrMFSOL). Samples were collected to quantify the inflammatory mediators, and histological analyses were performed after 3, 7, and 14 days. The results showed that MFSOL (50 μg/mL) stimulated HaCaT cells by increasing proliferation and migration rates. Moreover, 0.5% CrMFSOL attenuated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and also stimulated the release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 after 3 days of treatment. CrMFSOL (0.5%) also enhanced wound contraction, promoted improvement of tissue remodeling, and increased collagen production after 7 days and VEGF release after 14 days. Therefore, MFSOL stimulated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells and improved wound healing via modulation of inflammatory mediators of burn injuries.

Metabolic stress and reproductive features in post-partum goats supplemented for a long period with detoxified castor meal as the source of dietary nitrogen / Estresse metabólico e características reprodutivas em cabras pós-parto suplementadas por longo período com mamona desintoxicada como fonte de nitrogênio na dieta

This study evaluated the effect of detoxified castor meal on the reproductive performance, metabolic stress, milk production, and kid development in peripartum goats. The diet of the animals were with (DCM, n= 20) or without (WDCM, n= 21) detoxified castor meal during the entire gestation and until weaning, 60 days post-birth. No differences were observed in the gestation period, litter size, rate of multiple births, and mortality between the two groups. The postpartum plasma concentrations of progesterone remained below 1ng/mL in all animals, thus, confirming the absence of active corpora lutea. The thickness of sternum adipose tissue and loin area, levels of urea and cholesterol, milk production, and daily weight gain in the kids were low in the DCM group when compared to those in the WDCM group (P< 0.05). To conclude, the use of detoxified castor meal in peripartum goats resulted in lower level of performance in the kids because of reductions in the amount of milk received from their mothers during lactation. In addition, the diet containing detoxified castor meals was not efficient in recovering from the loss of stored body reserves able to initiate the recovery of the cyclic activity of the goats.(AU)

Este estudo avaliou o efeito da torta de mamona desintoxicada na reprodução, no estresse metabólico, na produção de leite e no desenvolvimento de cabritos no periparto de cabras. Um grupo foi alimentado com torta de mamona (DCM, n=20), e o outro (WDCM, n=21) não recebeu tal suplemento , durante a gestação até o desmame, 60 dias pós-parto. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no período de gestação, no número de cabritos, na taxa de partos múltiplos e na mortalidade entre os dois grupos. Em todos os animais, a concentração plasmática de progesterona ficou abaixo de 1ng/mL, confirmando a ausência de atividade lútea. A espessura da gordura subcutânea do esterno e da área de olho-de-lombo, a concentração de ureia e colesterol, a produção de leite e o ganho de peso dos cabritos foram menores no grupo DCM (P<0,05). Conclui-se que o uso de torta de mamona desintoxicada no periparto de cabra resultou em cabritos mais leves devido à redução na produção de leite das matrizes e as cabras não retornaram ao cio, pois não recuperaram a massa corporal.(AU)

A Follow-Up Study of a Large Group of Children Struck by Lightning

Background. On 11 November 1994; 26 preadolescent girls; 2 adult supervisors and 7 dogs were sleeping in a tent in rural South Africa when the tent was struck by lightning. Four of the girls and 4 of the dogs were killed. The 2 adults were unharmed; but all but 3 of the children suffered significant injuries. An article in 2002 detailed the event and examined the medical and psychological changes in the surviving girls. Objective. To understand the medical and psychological changes secondary to lightning strike years after injury. Methods. An online questionnaire was prepared that included a checklist of physical and psychological symptoms. Participants were asked to report on both initial and current symptoms. Eleven of the 22 survivors were contacted; and 10 completed the survey. Results. Participants reported that initial physical symptoms generally resolved over time; with ~10 - 20% continuing to experience physical symptoms. Vision problems persisted in 50% of respondents. Psychological symptoms; overall; had a later onset and were more likely to be chronic or currently experienced. Depression and anxiety; specifically; were higher among the survivors than the reported incidence in South Africa. Conclusions.Initial and current/chronic physical and psychological symptoms following lightning strike are reported; adding to the body of literature on the long-term after-effects of lightning strike on survivors. A brief discussion on post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology and post-lightning shock syndrome is provided

Avaliação da acessibilidade à assistência farmacêutica básica no município de Várzea Grande (Mato Grosso) / Study on the accessibility of basic pharmaceutical services to the public in the city of Várzea Grande (Mato Grosso, Brazil)

In order to gauge the accessibility of essential medicines in the service network pertaining to the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) in the city of Várzea Grande (MT), we performed a case study with multiple levels of analysis. We identified public access as an important dimension of pharmaceutical services in the city after carrying out an exploratory analysis (or feasibility study) on how to assess their implementation. We designed a logical model of pharmaceutical services in the city, from which was derived a matrix containing the questions and criteria for assessment. This matrix was validated by a consensus of experts and with information gathered from semi-structured interviews, document analysis and observation. The findings show that the National Policy for Pharmaceutical Service has been implemented only to a limited extent (34.7%) in this city, given that problems were found in all the component parts of the cycle of pharmaceutical service. Only geographical accessibility was ranked as at an advanced stage (89.5%). We conclude with recommendations for improvements related to criteria assessed as still at an early stage, especially with respect to the components of organizational accessibility. Finally, we note that the obstacles to be overcome not only call for specific measures related to pharmaceutical service itself, but also concern more general issues regarding health care organization...

Com o objetivo de avaliar a acessibilidade a medicamentos essenciais na rede de serviços pertencentes ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no município de Várzea Grande-MT, foi realizado um estudo de caso com múltiplos níveis de análise. A identificação do acesso como dimensão importante para avaliação da Assistência Farmacêutica no município foi identificada após a realização de uma análise exploratória ou estudo de avaliabilidade. Foi elaborado um modelo lógico da Assistência Farmacêutica no município do qual foi derivada uma matriz contendo as dimensões e critérios para avaliação. Essa matriz foi validada por meio de consenso de experts e as informações obtidas por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, análise documental e observação. Os achados mostram que a Política Nacional de Assistência Farmacêutica está implantada de forma incipiente (34,7%), no município estudado, tendo em vista que foram encontrados problemas em todos os componentes do ciclo de Assistência Farmacêutica. Apenas a acessibilidade geográfica foi classificada como em avançada (89,5%). Os autores concluem com recomendações relacionadas ao aperfeiçoamento dos critérios avaliados como em estágio incipiente, principalmente no que diz respeito aos componentes da acessibilidade organizacional. Registram ainda que a superação dos obstáculos encontrados relaciona-se não apenas com medidas específicas relacionadas à Assistência Farmacêutica propriamente dita, mas também com aspectos de ordem mais geral relacionados a organização da atenção a saúde...

Expressão gênica de adipocinas em ovelhas alimentadas com resíduos da indústria do biodiesel da mamona / Adipokine gene expression in ewes fed with residues from the biodiesel castor industry

A expressão de RNAm para leptina, receptor de leptina (obRb), adiponectina, receptor de adiponectina (AdipoR1) e resistina foi avaliada por meio da técnica de PCR em tempo real, em tecidos ovariano, hipofisário, adiposo do omento e da região perirrenal, em ovelhas alimentadas sem farelo de mamona ou com farelo de mamona detoxificada durante 14 meses. O tipo de dieta não afetou os níveis de RNAm para leptina, obRb, adiponectina, AdipoR1 e resistina nos diferentes tecidos avaliados (P>0,05). Nos tecidos ovariano e hipofisário, não foi verificada a expressão da adiponecina e da resistina, respectivamente. Como consequência, pode-se concluir que o farelo de mamona detoxificada pode ser utilizado como fonte proteica na dieta de ovelhas, sem afetar a expressão do gene resistina e dos genes leptina e adiponectina, bem como de seus receptores...

The expression of leptin, leptin receptor (obRb), adiponectin, adiponectin receptor (AdipoR1) and resistin was assessed by real-time PCR technique in ovarian, pituitary, and the omental adipose perirenal tissue in sheep feed without castor meal or with detoxified castor meal. The type of diet did not affect mRNA levels for leptin, obRb, adiponectin, resistin AdipoR1 evaluated in different tissues (P>0.05). However, in pituitary and ovarian tissues there was no expression of resistin and adiponectin, respectively. The detoxified castor meal can be used in sheep diets as alternative food protein without affecting the expression of leptin and adponectin as well as their receptors and resistin...

Excretion of Brucella abortus vaccine B19 strain during a reproductive cycle in dairy cows

This paper aimed to determine the excretion period of B19 vaccine strain during a complete reproductive cycle (from estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, pregnancy and until 30 days after parturition) of dairy cows from 3 to 9 years old that were previously vaccinated from 3 to 8 months. Three groups were monitored with monthly milk and urine collection during 12 months: G1 with seven cows from 3 to 4 years old; G2 with three cows from 5 to 6 years old; and G3 with four cows from 7 to 9 years old. Urine and milk samples were submitted to bacteriological culture and urine and PCR reactions for detection of Brucella spp. and PCR-multiplex for B19 strain identification. Ring test (RT) was also performed in the milk samples, and serum samples were tested by buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPA). All animals were serologically negative at BAPA and Brucella spp. was not isolated from both urine and milk samples. RT revealed 13/210 (6.2%) positive milk samples. PCR reactions detected DNA of Brucella spp. in 86/420 (20.5%) samples. In urine it was found a significantly higher frequency (35.2%; 74/210) than in milk (5.7%; 12/210), more frequently from the estrus to 150 days of pregnancy and after parturition (6.7%; 10/150), and from 150 days of pregnancy to parturition (3.4%; 2/60), and they were all identified as B19 strain. In three groups, intermittent excretion of B19 strain was detected mainly in urine samples, which confirmed its multiplication and persistence in cows for until 9 years.

Comparison of lyophilization, and freezing in honey as techniques to preserve cortical bone allografts used to repair experimental femoral defects in domestic adult cats / Comparação de enxerto ósseo cortical autógeno e implante ósseo cortical alógeno conservados no mel, congelados ou liofilizados na substituição de segmento diafisário do fêmur de gatos domésticos

Cats with orthopedic conditions are a prominent part of the clinical work of veterinary. Conditions such as comminuted fractures, bone tumors and non-unions are often difficult to repair and may require the use of bone grafts for treatment. This study evaluated cortical bone allografts preserved in honey, frozen or lyophilized for correcting long bone defects created in the diaphysis of the right femur of domestic cats (n=24). In the control group (n=6), the defect was repaired using autogenous cortical bone graft. In the remaining animals (n=6/group), the defect was repaired with cortical bone allografts preserved in honey, frozen or lyophilized. Success of graft incorporation and length of time for consolidation were assessed through clinical, radiographic and histological evaluations performed up to 180 days. In the control, frozen, honey and lyophylized groups, respectively, success of graft incorporation was 91.6%, 83.3%, 75%, and 25%, with corresponding mean length of time for consolidation of 83.1, 78, 105 and 120 days. Incorporation percentage in the lyophilized group was significantly lower than in the frozen and control groups. In conclusion, bone grafts preserved in honey or frozen were effective for repairing cortical defects in the femurs of cats as compared to autogenous cortical bone grafts.

Afecções ortopédicas em gatos são frequentes, podendo-se encontrar fraturas cominutivas, neoplasias ósseas ou não-uniões de fraturas. Uma opção para o tratamento dessas afecções é a utilização de enxerto ou implante ósseo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar implantes ósseos corticais alógenos conservados em mel, congelados ou liofilizados na substituição de segmento diafisário do fêmur de felinos. Foi confeccionada uma falha óssea na diáfise do fêmur de 24 felinos. Em seis felinos a falha foi preenchida com o próprio osso removido e nos outros 18 animais, com implantes ósseos corticais alógenos conservados em mel, congelados ou liofilizados. Os animais foram avaliados clínica, radiográfica e histologicamente durante 180 dias. A incorporação foi de 91,6% no grupo controle, com tempo médio para consolidação de 83,1 dias; no mel foi de 75%, com tempo médio de 105 dias; no congelado foi de 83,3% com tempo médio de 78 dias e no liofilizado foi de 25%, com tempo médio de 120 dias. A porcentagem de consolidação foi significativamente menor no grupo liofilizado em relação aos grupos congelado e controle. É possível concluir que os implantes ósseos autógenos e os conservados no mel e congelados são eficazes no preenchimento de defeito cortical em fêmur de felinos.

Osteossíntese de tibiotarso com miniplaca de titânio em Arara Canindé (Ara ararauna) / Tibiotarsus osteosynthesis' in blue-yellow-macaw (Ara ararauna) using titanium miniplate

Among the surgical problems of birds, fractures are the most prevalent, and the long bones of the wings and pelvic limbs are the most frequently affected. The success of orthopedic surgery in birds is directly related to the techniques used to undo the mechanical forces of a fracture. At the veterinary teaching hospital a psitacid from the Ara ararauna (blue-and-yellow-macaw) species with a clinical history of trauma in the cage was treated. Craniocaudal and lateral radiographs of the left limb demonstrated a mid-diaphyseal fracture of the tibiotarsus. The bird was sent to surgery. The patient was anesthetized with isufluorane and for the pre-anesthesic medicacion methadone was administrated. A medial surgical approach to the tibiotarsus was made and fracture reduction was performed. The fracture was stabilized through a titanium miniplate (system 2mm) fixed medially on the tibiotarsus with 6 cortical miniscrews, being 3 proximal and 3 distal to the fracture site. In this case, there was no complication in placing the miniplate and miniscrews, resulting in a satisfactory alignment of the fragments and causing an efficient reduction of the diaphyseal fracture of tibiotarsus with functional return of the limb and bone consolidation.

Racial inequalities and perinatal health in the southeast region of Brazil

Few studies are available about racial inequalities in perinatal health in Brazil and little is known about whether the existing inequality is due to socioeconomic factors or to racial discrimination per se. Data regarding the Ribeirão Preto birth cohort, Brazil, whose mothers were interviewed from June 1, 1978 to May 31, 1979 were used to answer these questions. The perinatal factors were obtained from the birth questionnaire and the ethnic data were obtained from 2063 participants asked about self-reported skin color at early adulthood (23-25 years of age) in 2002/2004. Mothers of mulatto and black children had higher rates of low schooling (ú4 years, 27.2 and 38.0 percent) and lower family income (ú1 minimum wage, 28.6 and 30.4 percent). Mothers aged less than 20 years old predominated among mulattos (17.0 percent) and blacks (14.0 percent). Higher rates of low birth weight and smoking during pregnancy were observed among mulatto individuals (9.6 and 28.8 percent). Preterm birth rate was higher among mulattos (9.5 percent) and blacks (9.7 percent) than whites (5.5 percent). White individuals had higher rates of cesarean delivery (34.9 percent). Skin color remained as an independent risk factor for low birth weight (P < 0.001), preterm birth (P = 0.01), small for gestational age (P = 0.01), and lack of prenatal care (P = 0.02) after adjustment for family income and maternal schooling, suggesting that the racial inequalities regarding these indicators are explained by the socioeconomic disadvantage experienced by mulattos and blacks but are also influenced by other factors, possibly by racial discrimination and/or genetics.

Primary culture of the region of the amebocyte-producing organ of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni

Biomphalaria glabrata snails are major hosts for the digenetic trematoda Schistosoma mansoni, the causative agent of human schistosomiasis. The success or failure of the infection will be dependent on the mobilization of the molluskan internal defense system, where a major role will be played by circulating hemocytes produced by the APO (amebocyte-producing organ) of the snail. In this report, the primary culture of the APO region of B. glabrata was obtained for the first time, as well as a control culture of the ovotestis. Three different cell populations migrated easily from the explants in culture, with no need of any dispersion agent. The cells grew in suspension at an incubation temperature of 15°C and the cultures were maintained viable for up to two weeks. Two of these cell populations obtained resembled cell types known to be present in the hemolymph of Biomphalaria. The availability of APO cells in culture may contribute to a better understanding of the internal defense in mollusks, in general, as well as the specific response of B. glabrata to S. mansoni infection.

Differential activity of a lectin from Solieria filiformis against human pathogenic bacteria

A lectin isolated from the red alga Solieria filiformis was evaluated for its effect on the growth of 8 gram-negative and 3 gram-positive bacteria cultivated in liquid medium (three independent experiments/bacterium). The lectin (500 æg/mL) stimulated the growth of the gram-positive species Bacillus cereus and inhibited the growth of the gram-negative species Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus sp, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 1000 æg/mL but the lectin (10-1000 æg/mL) had no effect on the growth of the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and B. subtilis, or on the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. The purified lectin significantly reduced the cell density of gram-negative bacteria, although no changes in growth phases (log, exponential and of decline) were observed. It is possible that the interaction of S. filiformis lectin with the cell surface receptors of gram-negative bacteria promotes alterations in the flow of nutrients, which would explain the bacteriostatic effect. Growth stimulation of the gram-positive bacterium B. cereus was more marked in the presence of the lectin at a concentration of 1000 æg/mL. The stimulation of the growth of B. cereus was not observed when the lectin was previously incubated with mannan (125 æg/mL), its hapten. Thus, we suggest the involvement of the binding site of the lectin in this effect. The present study reports the first data on the inhibition and stimulation of pathogenic bacterial cells by marine alga lectins.

Fingerprinting of cell lines by directed amplification of minisatellite-region DNA (DAMD)

The development of in vitro propagation of cells has been an extraordinary technical advance for several biological studies. The correct identification of the cell line used, however, is crucial, as a mistaken identity or the presence of another contaminating cell may lead to invalid and/or erroneous conclusions. We report here the application of a DNA fingerprinting procedure (directed amplification of minisatellite-region DNA), developed by Heath et al. [Nucleic Acids Research (1993) 21: 5782-5785], to the characterization of cell lines. Genomic DNA of cells in culture was extracted and amplified by PCR in the presence of VNTR core sequences, and the amplicons were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. After image capture with a digital camera, the banding profiles obtained were analyzed using a software (AnaGel) specially developed for the storage and analysis of electrophoretic fingerprints. The fingerprints are useful for construction of a data base for identification of cell lines by comparison to reference profiles as well as comparison of similar lines from different sources and periodic follow-up of cells in culture

Hepatic capillariasis in rats: a new model for testing antifibrotic drugs

Rats infected with the helminth Capillaria hepatica regularly develop septal hepatic fibrosis that may progress to cirrhosis in a relatively short time. Because of such characteristics, this experimental model was selected for testing drugs exhibiting antifibrosis potential, such as pentoxifylline, gadolinium chloride and vitamin A. Hepatic fibrosis was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated in liver samples obtained by partial hepatectomy and at autopsy. The material was submitted to histological, biochemical and morphometric methods. A statistically significant reduction of fibrosis was obtained with pentoxifylline when administered intraperitoneally rather than intravenously. Gadolinium chloride showed moderate activity when administered prophylactically (before fibrosis had started), but showed a poor effect when fibrosis was well advanced. No modification of fibrosis was seen after vitamin A administration. Hydroxyproline content was correlated with morphometric measurements. The model appears to be adequate, since few animals die of the infection, fibrosis develops regularly in all animals, and the effects of different antifibrotic drugs and administration protocols can be easily detected

Vigilância epidemiológica da poliomielite na Bahia - 1979-1982 / Epidemiologic surveillance of poliomyelitis in Bahia - 1979-1982

Ações de vigilância epidemiológica no Estado da Bahia, estudo da situação do Dia Nacional de Vacinação e apresentação do comportamento da doença após a campanha de vacinação Anti-poliomielitica. Fez-se o estudo da distribuição dos casos notificados segundo as Diretorias de Saúde, ano, mês de ocorrência, grupo etário, estado vacinal anterior, tipo de polivírus isolado e evolução da doença. Ressalta-se também a importância da continuidade da vacinação no grupo susceptível de 0-4 anos, a fim de se obter o controle da Poliomielite

Diagnostico histologico de hemacia falciforme. Comparacao com os dados da eletroforese de hemoglobina. / Histological diagnosis of the sickle cell erythrocyte. Comparison with hemoglobin electrophoresis data

O diagnostico histologico de hemacia falciforme foi comparado com a eletroforese de hemoglobina em 279 autopsias. A alta especificidade encontrada, de 90%, revelou a confiabilidade do exame histologico na deteccao da ausencia de doenca falciforme.Por outro lado, a presenca da doenca falciforme tambem pode ser diagnosticada com seguranca em 80% dos casos, deixando, no entanto, uma margem de 15% de erro onde aparecem os casos falsos positivos