Cell migration inhibition activity of a non-RGD disintegrin from Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom

In recent decades, snake venom disintegrins have received special attention due to their potential use in anticancer therapy. Disintegrins are small and cysteine-rich proteins present in snake venoms and can interact with specific integrins to inhibit their activities in cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. These molecules, known to inhibit platelet aggregation, are also capable of interacting with certain cancer-related integrins, and may interfere in important processes involved in carcinogenesis. Therefore, disintegrin from Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom was isolated, structurally characterized and evaluated for its toxicity and ability to interfere with cell proliferation and migration in MDA-MB-231, a human breast cancer cell line. Methods: Based on previous studies, disintegrin was isolated by FPLC, through two chromatographic steps, both on reversed phase C-18 columns. The isolated disintegrin was structurally characterized by Tris-TricineSDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequencing. For the functional assays, MTT and wound-healing assays were performed in order to investigate cytotoxicity and effect on cell migration in vitro, respectively. Results: Disintegrin presented a molecular mass of 7287.4 Da and its amino acid sequence shared similarity with the disintegrin domain of P-II metalloproteases. Using functional assays, the disintegrin showed low cytotoxicity (15% and 17%, at 3 and 6 µg/mL, respectively) after 24 h of incubation and in the wound-healing assay, the disintegrin (3 µg/mL) was able to significantly inhibit cell migration (24%, p < 0.05), compared to negative control. Conclusion: Thus, our results demonstrate that non-RGD disintegrin from C. d. collilineatus induces low cytotoxicity and inhibits migration of human breast cancer cells. Therefore, it may be a very useful molecular tool for understanding ECM-cell interaction cancer-related mechanisms involved in an important integrin family that highlights molecular aspects of tumorigenesis. Also, non-RGD disintegrin has potential to serve as an agent in anticancer therapy or adjuvant component combined with other anticancer drugs.(AU)

Tityus serrulatus envenoming in non-obese diabetic mice: a risk factor for severity

Background In Brazil, accidents with venomous animals are considered a public health problem. Tityus serrulatus (Ts), popularly known as the yellow scorpion, is most frequently responsible for the severe accidents in the country. Ts envenoming can cause several signs and symptoms classified according to their clinical manifestations as mild, moderate or severe. Furthermore, the victims usually present biochemical alterations, including hyperglycemia. Nevertheless, Ts envenoming and its induced hyperglycemia were never studied or documented in a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, this is the first study to evaluate the glycemia during Ts envenoming using a diabetic animal model (NOD, non-obese diabetic). Methods Female mice (BALB/c or NOD) were challenged with a non-lethal dose of Ts venom. Blood glucose level was measured (tail blood using a glucose meter) over a 24-h period. The total glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured 30 days after Ts venom injection. Moreover, the insulin levels were analyzed at the glycemia peak. Results The results demonstrated that the envenomed NOD animals presented a significant increase of glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin levels compared to the envenomed BALB/c control group, corroborating that DM victims present great risk of developing severe envenoming. Moreover, the envenomed NOD animals presented highest risk of death and sequelae. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the diabetic victims stung by Ts scorpion should be always considered a risk group for scorpion envenoming severity.(AU)

Tityus serrulatus envenoming in non-obese diabetic mice: a risk factor for severity

In Brazil, accidents with venomous animals are considered a public health problem. Tityus serrulatus (Ts), popularly known as the yellow scorpion, is most frequently responsible for the severe accidents in the country. Ts envenoming can cause several signs and symptoms classified according to their clinical manifestations as mild, moderate or severe. Furthermore, the victims usually present biochemical alterations, including hyperglycemia. Nevertheless, Ts envenoming and its induced hyperglycemia were never studied or documented in a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, this is the first study to evaluate the glycemia during Ts envenoming using a diabetic animal model (NOD, non-obese diabetic). Methods Female mice (BALB/c or NOD) were challenged with a non-lethal dose of Ts venom. Blood glucose level was measured (tail blood using a glucose meter) over a 24-h period. The total glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured 30 days after Ts venom injection. Moreover, the insulin levels were analyzed at the glycemia peak. Results The results demonstrated that the envenomed NOD animals presented a significant increase of glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin levels compared to the envenomed BALB/c control group, corroborating that DM victims present great risk of developing severe envenoming. Moreover, the envenomed NOD animals presented highest risk of death and sequelae. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the diabetic victims stung by Ts scorpion should be always considered a risk group for scorpion envenoming severity.

Abordagem multiprofissional da desnutricao energetico-proteica em uma unidade basica de saude: relato de uma experiencia / Multi-professional approach of the primary malnutrition in a health care basic unit: report of an experience

Em nosso meio, predominam as formas leves de desnutricao energetico-proteica na faixa etaria das criancas menores de cinco anos. Desta forma, o atendimento as criancas desnutridas acaba sendo feito principalmente em ambulatorio, principalmente nas unidades basicas de saude, onde devem ser desenvolvidas estrategias para uma adequada recuperacao nutricional. O objetivo e descrever uma experiencia de atendimento multiprofissional no combate a desnutricao energetico-proteica em criancas menores de cinco anos de idade, numa unidade basica de saude. Discute-se a importancia do atendimento em equipe de saude, do conhecimento das condicoes reais de vida da familia, por visitas domiciliares, assim como, do fortalecimento do vinculo mae-filho e da participacao ativa da familia em todas as atividades programadas

Um modelo de ensino para medicos residentes na area de Pediatria Comunitaria: a visita domiciliar contribuindo para uma formacao profissional mais abrangente / Teaching model for resident physicians in the area of Pediatrics in Community: the home visit contributing to a more complete professional formation

Os autores apresentam um modelo de ensino no campo da Pediatria Comunitaria, articulado com o ensino da assistencia de primeira linha em Pediatria, desenvolvido para os medicos residentes de primeiro ano do Departamento de Pediatria da Faculdade de Medicina da USP. A visita domiciliar e utilizada como instrumento para que o futuro pediatra conheca a realidade de vida de sua clientela, a partir da observacao in loco, estendendo a sua atuacao ao domicilio. Este programa de ensino tem permitido que o aluno compreenda melhor a inter-relacao saude-doenca, o papel da familia e a influencia do ambiente na saude infantil, complementando a formacao iniciada no consultorio de uma unidade basica de saude