Avaliação da espalhabilidade e do teor de flavonoides em forma farmacêutica semissólida contendo extratos de Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) / Evaluation of spreadability and flavonoid content in semisolid pharmaceutical form containing extracts of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a característica reológica (espalhabilidade) e quantificar os princípios ativos (flavonoides) de preparações semissólidas (pomadas) contendo extratos de Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae). A partir da droga vegetal dessa espécie, foram obtidos dois tipos de extratos preparados por percolação na proporção de 1:5 utilizando-se mistura hidroalcóolica (etanol:água 62:38) e hidroglicólica (propilenoglicol:água 9:1). As pomadas contendo esses extratos, além de excipientes lanolina e vaselina, foram preparadas por duas técnicas distintas: solução (a quente) e suspensão (a frio). Análises para determinar a espalhabilidade através das relações entre área, esforço limite e teor de flavonoides foram realizadas a partir de amostras das pomadas preparadas. Os resultados demonstraram que as pomadas contendo extratos hidroalcoólicos e hidroglicólicos, preparadas por suspensão (a frio), exibiram as maiores relações entre área e esforço limite (0,34 e 0,33 mm2 g-1, respectivamente). No entanto, as pomadas preparadas com extratos hidroalcoólicos por suspensão resultaram nos maiores valores de flavonoides totais (0,004% m/m calculados como hiperosídeos).

The aim of this study was to assess the rheological properties (spreadability) and assay the active ingredients (flavonoids) in semi-solid preparations (ointments) containing extracts of marigold (Calendula officinalis L. - Asteraceae). The herbal drug from this species was separated from the dried inflorescence and two types of extracts were prepared by percolation at a ratio of 1:5, one with an ethanol:water mixture (62:38) and the other with propylene glycol: water (9:1). Ointments were prepared from these extracts, lanolin and vaseline, by two different techniques: solution (hot) and suspension (cold). Samples of each ointment were analyzed, to determine the spreadability, as the ratio between area of spread and limiting applied weight, and the flavonoid content. The results showed that ointments prepared by cold suspension, containing hydroalcoholic and hydroglycolic extract, exhibited the highest area:limiting weight ratios (0.34 and 0.33 mm2 g-1 , respectively). Secondly, ointments prepared by suspension, with hydroalcoholic extracts, had the highest total flavonoid content (0.004% w/w, calculated as hyperoside).

Microbiological epidemiological history of meningococcal disease in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The main objectives of the present study were to investigate the clinical and laboratory features of meningococcal disease in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the overlap of 2 epidemics in the 1990s. We conducted a study of a series of cases of meningococcal disease admitted in a Meningitis Reference Hospital. All clinical isolates available were analyzed by means of microbiological epidemiological markers. In 1990, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B:4,7:P1.19,15, 1.7,1 sulfadiazine-resistant of the ET-5 complex emerged causing epidemic disease. Despite mass vaccination campaign (VaMengoc B+C®), the ET-5 clone remained hyperendemic after the epidemic peaked. In 1993 to 1995, an epidemic of serogroup C belonged to the cluster A4 overlapped, with a significant shift in the age distribution toward older age groups and an increase of sepsis. Serogroup C epidemics are a recurrent problem in Rio de Janeiro, which can be hindered with the introduction of a conjugate vaccine. We hope the data presented here brings useful information to discuss vaccines strategies and early management of suspected cases.

Effectiveness of liposomes to transfect livestock fibroblasts

The development of an efficient transfection system in livestock cells is an important step towards investigating gene transfer and the functioning and production of transgenic animals. Important factors involved in cationic liposome mediated gene transfer were evaluated through in vitro transfection of bovine, caprine and ovine fibroblast cells. Transfection of plasmid DNA complexes of different commercially available liposomes (Lipofectamine, Lipofectin, Cellfectin and DMRIE-C; Gibco-BRL, USA) was evaluated utilizing the following parameters: DNA/liposome ratio, cell density, DNA conformation, and the effect of transfection time on the efficiency of bovine fibroblasts to express a reporter gene. The effects and concentrations of liposomes were also evaluated in caprine and ovine fibroblasts. Lipofectamine alone and Lipofectamine with Plus reagent induced high-frequency expression of beta-galactosidase and neo genes in all cells evaluated (47 and 88.3%, respectively). Regarding phenotype, chromosomal stability was similar in transfected and non-transfected cells. The parameters set in this study will establish a foundation for utilizing transfected fibroblast cells to generate transgenic animals through nuclear transfer technology and gene function studies.

Acao do verapamil como agente hipotensor - Analise da curva de pressao arterial em teste cicloergometrico. / Action of verapamil as hypotensive agent- analysis of the curve of arterial blood pressure in cycloergometric test

Vinte e nove pacientes com hipertensao arterial leve e/ou moderada, nao tratados ou sem uso de medicacao por prazo minimo de 90 dias, foram submetidos a 3 testes ergometricos com avaliacao de curva de pressao arterial. O primeiro teste foi realizado sem uso de qualquer substancia, caracterizando-se a presenca do quadro hipertensivo. No segundo e terceiro testes, foram administrados, alternadamente aos pacientes, verapamil em dose unica de 120 a 360 mg por via oral e placebo, 2 horas antes da prova, sendo medida a PA a cada 60 s durante o decorrer do esforco e repouso posterior. O verapamil teve efeito hipotensor significativo em 63% dos pacientes, em 29% nao houve qualquer modificacao da curva tensional nos 3 testes; 8% dos pacientes tiveram diminuicao de seus niveis tensionais com placebo. Sao analisados ainda os para-efeitos da droga, resultados gerais dos testes ergometricos e a validade do metodo na avaliacao da terapeutica anti-hipertensiva