Constituents from stem barks of Luehea ochrophylla Mart and evaluation of their antiparasitic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities.

Luehea species are found in almost all Central and South American countries. The present work describes the phytochemical study, isolation, and structural characterisation of friedelin, ß-friedelinol, lupeol, pseudotaraxasterol, ß-sitosterol, betulinic acid, taraxasterol, (-)-epicatechin, ß-sitosterol-3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, and (+)-epicatechin-(4ß→8)-epicatechin from stem barks of Luehea ochrophylla Mart. The structural identification of the isolated compounds was mainly performed by NMR analyses and comparison with the data from literature. These compounds were isolated for the first time in the genus Luehea, except ß-sitosterol glucopyranoside, (-)-epicatechin, and lupeol. Hexane extract (HE) and dichloromethane (DF) and ethyl acetate (AF) fractions exhibited antiparasitic activity against amastigote (intracellular) and trypomastigote culture forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. The ethanol extract (EE), DF, and ethanol fraction (EF) exhibited considerable antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Moreover, extracts and fractions exhibited significant percentage of capture free radicals of 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) when compared to the standard of ascorbic acid.

First record of Seticornuta Morley (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Metopiinae) from Brazil and description of a new species.

A new species of Seticornuta from Brazil is described and illustrated, the first record of this genus for the Brazilian fauna. This new species was found in a study that aimed to enhance knowledge of the Brazilian fauna of Metopiinae, analysing samples from the hydrographic basin of Rio Mogi Guaçu. A diagnosis, along with distribution information for Seticornuta species are provided.

New species of Metopiinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Brazil.

Two new species of Trieces and Metopius from Brazil are described and illustrated. These new species were found during a large study of the neotropical fauna of Metopiinae with emphasis in the fauna of Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Project BIOTA/FAPESP). Diagnosis and distribution information for each species are provided.

Profile of the Brazilian scientific production in multiple sclerosis.

This paper analyzes the profile of the Brazilian output in the field of multiple sclerosis from 1981 to 2004. The search was conducted through the MEDLINE and LILACS databases, selecting papers in which the term "multiple sclerosis" was defined as the main topic and "Brazil" or "Brasil" as others. The data were analyzed regarding the themes, the state in Brazil and institution where the papers were produced, the journals where the papers were published, journal's impact factor, and language. The search disclosed 141 documents (91 from MEDLINE and LILACS, and 50 from LILACS only) published in 44 different journals (23 of them MEDLINE-indexed). A total of 111 documents were produced by 17 public universities, 29 by 3 private medical schools and 1 by a non-governmental organization. There were 65 original contributions, 37 case reports, 20 reviews, 6 PhD dissertations, 5 guidelines, 2 validation studies, 2 clinical trials, 2 chapters in textbooks, 1 Master of Science thesis, and 1 patient education handout. The journal impact factor ranged from 0.0217 to 6.039 (median 3.03). Of 91 papers from MEDLINE, 65 were published by Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. More than 90% of the papers were written in Portuguese. São Paulo was the most productive state in the country, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Paraná. Eighty-two percent of the Brazilian output came from the Southeastern region.

Profile of the Brazilian scientific production in multiple sclerosis

This paper analyzes the profile of the Brazilian output in the field of multiple sclerosis from 1981 to 2004. The search was conducted through the MEDLINE and LILACS databases, selecting papers in which the term "multiple sclerosis" was defined as the main topic and "Brazil" or "Brasil" as others. The data were analyzed regarding the themes, the state in Brazil and institution where the papers were produced, the journals where the papers were published, journal's impact factor, and language. The search disclosed 141 documents (91 from MEDLINE and LILACS, and 50 from LILACS only) published in 44 different journals (23 of them MEDLINE-indexed). A total of 111 documents were produced by 17 public universities, 29 by 3 private medical schools and 1 by a non-governmental organization. There were 65 original contributions, 37 case reports, 20 reviews, 6 PhD dissertations, 5 guidelines, 2 validation studies, 2 clinical trials, 2 chapters in textbooks, 1 Master of Science thesis, and 1 patient education handout. The journal impact factor ranged from 0.0217 to 6.039 (median 3.03). Of 91 papers from MEDLINE, 65 were published by Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. More than 90 percent of the papers were written in Portuguese. São Paulo was the most productive state in the country, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Paraná. Eighty-two percent of the Brazilian output came from the Southeastern region.

Evaluation of maximal bite force in temporomandibular disorders patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the maximum bite force in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. Two hundred women were equally divided into four groups: myogenic TMD, articular TMD, mixed TMD and control. The maximum bite force was measured in the first molar area, on both sides, in two sessions, using an IDDK (Kratos) Model digital dynamometer, adapted to oral conditions. Three-way anova, Tukey and Pearson correlation tests were used for the statistical analysis. The level of statistical significance was given when P < or = 0.05. The maximal bite force values were significantly higher in the control group than in the experimental ones (P = 0.00), with no significant differences between sides. Higher values were obtained in the second session (P = 0.001). Indeed, moderate negative correlation was found between age and bite force, when articular, mixed groups and all groups together were evaluated. A moderate negative correlation was also detected between TMD severity and the maximal bite force values for myogenic, mixed and all groups together. Authors concluded that the presence of masticatory muscle pain and/or TMJ inflammation can play a role in maximum bite force. The mechanisms involved in this process, however, are not well understood and deserve further investigation.

Evidence for the presence of a type III secretion system in diffusely adhering Escherichia coli (DAEC).

Diffusely adhering Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains (DAEC) represent a potential cause of diarrhoea in infants, and the detection of type three secretion system (TTSS) genes in DAEC would substantiate their pathogenic nature. In this work, four isolates of DAEC, recovered from stools of diarrhoeic children, were analysed by PCR, in order to detect the presence of TTSS genes. Primers targeted to the escC, escJ, escN and escV, some of the most conserved TTSS genes in enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC and EHEC), were used in order to verify the occurrence of homologous genes in our DAEC isolates. By this approach, we were able to characterise DNA fragments corresponding to putative escJ and escN genes in all DAEC isolates. Furthermore, DNA fragments homologous to the escC and escV genes were also amplified from all isolates. Besides the similarity found among the DAEC esc homologues with EPEC and EHEC esc genes, the nucleotide sequence analysis of the flanking regions of the amplified DNA fragments suggests that the putative DAEC esc genes are organised in the same manner as observed in EPEC and in EHEC strains. The results described here provide strong evidence for the presence of a TTSS in the DAEC strains analysed, implicating a pathogenic nature of these isolates.

Relationship between systemic joint laxity, TMJ hypertranslation, and intra-articular disorders.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between general joint hypermobility, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hypertranslation and signs and symptoms of TMJ intra-articular disorders. One hundred twenty individuals constituted the sample, divided into two groups: Group I (symptomatic) included 60 patients with complaints of joint noises, pain, or jaw locking, and Group II (nonsymptomatic) included 60 people with no TMD complaints. The Beighton's hypermobility score addressed the systemic laxity while lateral x-rays taken in both closed and full open mouth positions measured TMJ mobility (condyle hypertranslation). No association was found between intra-articular disorders and systemic hypermobility (p > 0.05). A significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) was found between age and systemic hypermobility, while no correlation was detected between systemic and TMJ hypermobility (condyle hypertranslation).

Rat models of protein and protein-energy malnutrition.

Two animal models of infantile malnutrition were produced where some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism can be studied: protein-depleted (PD, "kwashiorkor") rats, fed a protein-free diet for 18 days, starting 3 days before weaning, and chronically malnourished animals during suckling (PED, "marasmus") where 20-22 pups were fed by the same dam. PED and PD rats were sacrificed at 21 and 36 days of age, respectively. Body weight was 35% in PD, and 50% in PED groups when compared to their age-matched controls. After an overnight fast, some of the PD animals presented with low blood glucose levels, and the levels of lactic and pyruvic acids were depressed in PED, while lactic acid was increased in PD animals. Blood glucose utilization was reduced in PED, and increased in PD rats, while the opposite was true for the kidney gluconeogenic capacity. When compared to the respective control values, muscle glycogen was high in both groups, while the level of liver glycogen was unchanged. The rate of muscle glycolysis was decreased in both groups. These results are in agreement with clinical observations, suggesting that these models may be used to study some of the metabolic changes brought about by infantile malnutrition.

Seleçäo de fungos produtores de sacarose fosforilase e sua produçäo a partir do inhame / Screening, thermal properties and production in yam extract of fungal sucrose phosphorylase

Dentre 16 cepas de fungos testados, foram selecionadas 4 cepas como melhores produtoras da atividade sacarose fosforitase.Scytalidium sp e Colletotrichum gloesporioides apresentaram atividade sacarose fosforitase predominantemente intracelular, enquanto que em Sclerotinia sclerotiorum e Monilia sitophila, a atividade foi predominante extracellular.Altos valores de temperatura ótimas 50ºC e 40ºC foram encontrados respectivamente para a enzima de M.sitophila e para as outras 3 cepas selecionadas.Como sacarose fosforilase de M.sitophila foi a mais termoestável, retendo 90-95 por cento de sua atividade fosforolítica inicial após pré-tratamento na ausência de substrato, a 50ºC-70ºC durante 30 minutos, ela foi selecionada para estudos posteriores.A maior produçäo da enzima (340 UI/L de meio cultivado ou 0, 336 UI/mg de proteínas) foi obtida no início da fase estacionária de crescimento da M.sitophila cultivada em extrato de inhame com 0, 15 por cento de sulfato de amônio, à temperatura ambiente(28ºC-30ºC) e agitaçäo continua.Foram afetuados estudos preliminares de imobilizaçäo do extrato bruto da sacarose fosforilase, por adsorçäo em DEAE-celulose e ligaçäo covalente em quitosana.o melhor resultado foi obtido com o derivado imobilizado em quitosana o qual reteve 12 por cento de proteínas e 216 por cento da atividade específica inicial

Liver levels of retinol in unselected necropsy specimens: a prevalence survey of vitamin A deficiency in Recife, Brazil.

Total retinol was analyzed in 517 necropsy specimens from children 0 to 14 yr of age, deceased of various causes in Recife, Brazil, and from eight persons, 10 to 59 yr of age, who died violently. Age and nutritional status, in that order, were found to be the major determinants of the prevalence of low reserves, children less than 1 yr of age showing the highest prevalence of deficient values. These data were extrapolated to the live population less than 5 yr of age, categorized by age and nutritional status. By using the criteria that liver reserves of vitamin A less than 5 and 20 micrograms/g denote states of high risk and inadequacy, respectively, approximately 3 and 17% of children 0 to 4 yr of age in the live population of Recife were estimated to fall in the high risk and inadequate status group, respectively. None of the persons who died violently was at high risk and only one had inadequate reserves. These estimates agree with previous prevalence figures from clinical and biochemical surveys. Thus, the direct assessment of concentrations of vitamin A in the liver at necropsy is a simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive procedure for estimating the vitamin A status of children.

Dietary manipulation of serum triglycerides.

A group of children who had been treated for protein-energy malnutrition with a high-energy, high-faty diet, presented very low levels of fasting serum triglycerides (50.8 +/- 5.9 mg/dl). When the diet was changed to a high-energy, low-fat formula, these levels increased rapidly to normal values (104.9 +/- 19.2 mg/dl). Reversing the dietary change produced the opposite effect within 2 days. This effect was also studied in 14 normal adults, who received a high-fat diet ad libitum during 5 days. Meals were prepared from common foodstuffs with a high fat content. The hypotriglyceridemic effect occurred in all volunteers. A close relationship was observed between the initial triglyceride concentration and the decrement produced by the high-fat diet (r = 0.97), which did not affect serum cholesterol levels. No consistent response of serum free-fatty acids was detected, while serum proteins remained within normal values. Despite the rather high energy intake, most subjects lost weight during the experimental period. The level of fasting serum triglycerides of the adult volunteers was negatively correlated to the fat content of their self-selected diets. These results are discussed in relation to current ideas about fat requirements.