Anti-ophidian activity of Bredemeyera floribunda Willd. (Polygalaceae) root extract on the local effects induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom

Bredemeyera floribunda roots are popularly used to treat snakebites in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil, and previous studies indicate the anti-ophidian actions of triterpenoid saponins found in its roots. To assess B. floribunda root extract (BFRE) activity against the effects of Bothrops jararacussu venom (BjuV), antiphospholipasic, antiproteolytic, antihemorrhagic, antinecrotic, and anti-edematogenic activities were investigated in mice. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, and sugars, with rutin and saccharose being the major constituents of BFRE. Acute toxicity was determined and BFRE was nontoxic to mice. Phospholipase A2 and proteolytic activities induced by BjuV were inhibited in vitro by BFRE at all concentrations tested herein. BFRE (150 mg/kg) inhibited paw edema induced by BjuV (50 µg/animal), reducing total edema calculated by area under the curve, but carrageenan-induced paw edema was unchanged. Hemorrhagic and necrotizing actions of BjuV (50 µg/animal) were considerably decreased by BFRE treatment. Thus, BFRE blocked the toxic actions of B. jararacussu venom despite having no anti-inflammatory activity, which points to a direct inhibition of venom's toxins, as demonstrated in the in vitro assays. The larger amounts of rutin found in BFRE may play a role in this inhibition, since 3′,4′-OH flavonoids are known inhibitors of phospholipases A2.

Fatal bothropic snakebite in a horse: a case report

The present study reports a snakebite in a horse in the state of Pará, Brazil. At initial evaluation the animal was reluctant to walk and had tachycardia, tachypnea, severe lameness, bleeding on the pastern and swelling around the left hind leg. Blood samples from the bleeding sites, took on the first day, showed leukocytosis and neutrophilia, whereas biochemical values of urea and creatinine were significantly increased. The chosen treatment was snake antivenom, fluid therapy, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and diuretic drugs. On the fourth day of therapy, the hematological values were within normal parameters. There was improvement related to the clinical lameness and swelling of the limb. However, a decrease in water intake and oliguria were observed. On the seventh day the animal died. Necropsy revealed areas of hemorrhagic edema in the left hind limb and ventral abdomen; the kidneys presented equimosis in the capsule, and when cut they were wet. Moreover, the cortex was pale, slightly yellow and the medullary striae had the same aspect. Based on these data, we concluded that the snakebite in the present study was caused by Bothrops spp. and that renal failure contributed to death.

Ocorrência de Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844) em Chaetomys subspinosus (Olfers, 1818) oriundos da Mata Atlântica / Occurrence of Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844) in Chaetomys subspinosus (Olfers, 1818) from Atlantic Forest

Chaetomys subspinosus (Olfers, 1818) or bristle-spined porcupine is a species of rodent restricted to the Atlantic Forest of the Eastern Coast of Brazil, vulnerable to extinction. Four specimens captured in the State of Espírito Santo, at the Biological Station of Santa Lúcia (EBSL) and at the State Park Paulo César Vinha (PEPCV), were examined for the presence of ectoparasites. One female and three males of Amblyomma longirostre were collected from a single C. subspinosus female in three independent captures carried out in 2004 at the EBSL. No ticks were found on bristle-spined specimens from the PEPCV. This constitutes the first report of A. longirostre infesting this rodent species in the State of Espírito Santo and reinforces that these mammals from the family Erethizontidae act as hosts for adults stages of this ixodic tick species.

Variáveis espaço-temporais da marcha de crianças com paralisia cerebral submetidas a eletroestimulação no músculo tibial anterior / Spatiotemporal gait variables of children with cerebral palsy undergoing electrostimulation in the anterior tibial muscle

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever variáveis espaço-temporais da marcha de crianças de 4 a 5 anos de idade com paralisia cerebral (PC) do tipo hemiplegia espástica, antes e após sessões de eletroestimulação do músculo tibial anterior do dimídio plégico. METODOLOGIA: Cinco crianças foram submetidas à eletroestimulação durante 12 sessões (três vezes na semana). Para a coleta dos dados biomecânicos, foi realizada análise da marcha através do sistema Peak Motus versão 7.0 com duas câmeras de vídeo SVHS com taxa de aquisição de 60 Hz. Para reconstrução tridimensional dos movimentos, foi utilizado o método Direct Linear Trasformation (DLT). RESULTADOS: Após a intervenção, todas as crianças apresentaram diferenças menores entre o comprimento dos passos do dimídio plégico e não-plégico (p= 0,009). Observou-se o aumento no comprimento do ciclo em quatro crianças. Duas crianças tiveram aumento da cadência, velocidade e tempo de apoio simples do dimídio plégico. CONCLUSÕES: Foi verificada a melhoria da simetria da marcha relacionada ao comprimento do passo antes e após a intervenção, embora o aumento nas variáveis espaço-temporais não tenha ocorrido da mesma maneira para todas as crianças. Apesar das dificuldades em se obterem amostras maiores e mais homogêneas em estudos desse tipo, os dados sugerem a necessidade de identificação e maior controle das variáveis intervenientes no tratamento e na marcha de crianças portadoras de paralisia cerebral.

OBJECTIVE: This study had the objective of describing spatiotemporal gait variables of four to five-year-old children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, before and after sessions of electrostimulation of the anterior tibial muscle on the paralyzed side. METHOD: Five children underwent 12 sessions of electrostimulation (three times a week). To collect biomechanical data, the gait was analyzed using the Peak Motus system, version 7.0, with two S-VHS video cameras with an acquisition rate of 60 Hz. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the movements was performed using the direct linear transformation (DLT) method. RESULTS: Following the intervention, all the children presented smaller differences in step length between the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides (p= 0.009). Four children presented increased cycle amplitude. Two children presented increased cadence, speed and single support time on the paralyzed side. Thus, it was found that there was an improvement in gait symmetry in relation to the step lengths seen before and after the intervention, although the increase in the spatiotemporal variables did not occur in the same way for all the children. CONCLUSION: Despite the difficulties in defining larger and more homogeneous samples for studies of this type, the present data suggest the need for identification of and greater control over the variables that affect gait and its treatment among children with cerebral palsy.

Estudo do padräo de normalidade da audiometria de tronco cerebral (B.E.R.A.) nas diversas faixas etárias

Os autores estudam o padräo de normalidade para a audiometria do tronco cerebral e sua variaçäo em relaçäo à faixa etária. Foram selecionados 40 indivíduos de 9 a 59 anos de idade sem história pregressa de patologia otológica e com exame físico e audiometria tonal normal. Além do estudo médio das latências, conclui-se que o limiar ao B.E.R.A. aumenta com a idade em todas as curvas, apesar da audiometria tonal normal, e que as curvas I, III e V säo as mais consistentes e com valor clínico, e que a amplitude tem pouco valor prático

Celulite orbitaria. / Orbital cellulitis

Os autores realizam um estudo retrospectivo de 51 casos de celulite orbitaria que pela gravidade do quadro clinico necessitam internacao na Clinica Oftalmologica do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, no periodo compreendido entre janeiro de 1970 e junho de 1980, e discutem dados gerais da patologia em questao, detalhando de modo especial os itens referentes a fatores desencadeantes, patologias associadas, complicacoes e procedimentos cirurgicos