It was not possible to detect BRAF V600E mutation in circulating cell-free DNA from patients with ameloblastoma: A diagnostic accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of plasma-based liquid biopsy for the detection of the BRAF V600E mutation in circulating cell-free DNA from patients with ameloblastoma. METHODS: This is a prospective diagnostic accuracy study conducted based on the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy recommendations. The index test was the plasma-based liquid biopsy, whereas the reference standard was the conventional tissue biopsy. The target condition was the detection of BRAF V600E mutation. The study population consisted of individuals with ameloblastoma recruited from three tertiary hospitals from Brazil. A negative control group composed of three individuals with confirmed wild-type BRAF lesions were included. The participants underwent plasma circulating cell-free DNA and tumor tissue DNA isolation, and both were submitted to using competitive allele-specific TaqMan™ real-time polymerase chain reaction technology mutation detection assays. Sensitivity and specificity measures and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: Twelve patients with conventional ameloblastoma were included. BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 11/12 (91.66%) ameloblastoma tissue samples. However, the mutation was not detected in any of the plasma-based liquid biopsy circulating cell-free DNA samples in both ameloblastomas and negative control group. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma-based liquid biopsy for the detection of the BRAF V600E mutation in circulating cell-free DNA was 0.0 and 1.0, respectively. The agreement between index test and reference standard results was 26.66%. CONCLUSION: Plasma-based liquid biopsy does not seem to be an accurate method for the detection of the BRAF V600E mutation in circulating circulating cell-free DNA from patients with ameloblastoma, regardless of tumor size, anatomic location, recurrence status, and other clinicopathological features.

High prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders and risk factors in a semi-urban brazilian city: a population-based cross-sectional study / Alta prevalencia de trastornos orales potencialmente malignos y factores de riesgo en un ciudad brasileña semiurbana: un estudio transversal de base poblacional

Background: Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) are defined as lesions with a greater likelihood ofprogressing to cancer. Population-based studies that evaluate the prevalence of OPMDs are scarce in Brazil. Theaim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of OPMDs and associated risk factors in a semi-urbanBrazilian population.Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, whose universe included individuals aged 40 years or olderresiding in a medium-sized city of northeastern Brazil. Data collection was divided into two steps: interview andoral examination. The outcome variable was the presence of OPMDs. The predictor variables were sociodemo-graphic characteristics and risk habits. The bivariate analysis was performed through chi-square test. The crudeprevalence ratios (PR) and its respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Poisson regression analy-sis with robust variance was used to calculate adjusted PRs and 95% CI.Results: Three hundred fourteen individuals were included in the study. When asked about risk habits, 58.9%reported being current smokers or ex-smokers and 62.2% reported being current drinkers or ex-drinkers. Theprevalence of OPMDs was 7.6% and was significantly higher among individuals with black skin color (p < 0.001),alcohol users (p = 0.017), and individuals with both tobacco and alcohol habits (p = 0.012).Conclusions: Therefore, the population in the present study had a high frequency of risk habits associated withPMDs of the oral cavity.(AU)

Is Dexamethasone superior to Ketorolac in reducing pain, swelling and trismus following mandibular third molar removal? A split mouth triple-blind randomized clinical trial

Background: The preemptive use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids and NSAIDs, has the po-tential to reduce pain, swelling and trismus following oral surgery. The aim of this study was to compare theefficacy of dexamethasone and ketorolac tromethamine in reducing pain, swelling and trismus after mandibularthird molar removal.Material and Methods: The researches implemented a triple-blind, randomized clinical trial. The study was con-ducted with ASA I individuals aging between 18 and 35 years, which were randomized and submitted to twointerventions, one with 8mg dexamethasone and the other with 20mg ketorolac tromethamine given 1h before theprocedure. The primary predictor variable was the use of dexamethasone or ketorolac. The primary outcome vari-able was the postoperative pain level, measured with a Visual Analogue Scale. The secondary outcome variableswere the amount of rescue analgesic consumed, swelling and trismus. Repeated-measures ANOVA and t-test forpaired samples were used to compare the means. Significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: Fifty individuals were randomized and allocated to intervention, and the sample was composed of 40subjects who completed the study (27 female and 13 male). Dexamethasone, when compared to ketorolac trometh-amine, showed a significantly higher reduction in pain level at 8h, 16h, 24h, 32h, 40h and 72h, in swelling and tris-mus at 24h, 48h, 72h and 7 days and in total number of rescue analgesics taken up to 72h postoperative (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The clinical performance of dexamethasone in controlling pain, swelling and trismus after mandibularthird molar removal was superior to ketorolac tromethamine’s.(AU)

Prevalence of ulcerative stomatitis in arbovirus infections in a Brazilian Northeast population

BACKGROUND: Although there are no population-based studies that support an association, there are reports in the literature of mucocutaneous, vesiculobullous and ulcerated lesions in the oral mucosa in cases of arbovirus infection. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of ulcerative stomatitis in individuals affected by arboviruses in a population of the municipality of Arcoverde, Pernambuco, Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1,003 people living in an area assigned to a Primary Health Care Unit were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, with questions about sociodemographic variables, residence conditions, general health information, as well as information about the general signs and symptoms of arboviruses and specifically about oral lesions. RESULTS: Of the 1,003 individuals interviewed, 815 (81.25%) were infected by one or more arboviruses. Of these, 147 (18%) reported ulcerated oral lesions during arbovirus infections. The association between arbovirus infections and the presence of ulcerated oral lesions was statistically significant (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: In these cases, the ulcerated lesions on the oral mucosa appear to be associated with arbovirus infection, especially Chikungunya, although the pathophysiological mechanisms are not defined, and the studies are not sufficient to confirm this association

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Doenças periodontais em pacientes hivpositivos: uma revisão da literatura / Periodontal disease in HIV-positive patients: a literature review

Many papers indicate that up to 80% of HIV seropositive patients show lesions due to opportunistic infections or malignant neoplasm in oral cavity. Periodontal Diseases (PD) are among the most common oral manifestations in those patients. The aim was to describe the prevalence, the microbiologic characteristics and the clinical forms of PD in HIV seropositive patients. Consultations were conducted in scientific papers on the Virtual Health Library (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde) - BVS database, from 2007, following selection criteria. The data from the researches varies considerably due to the lack of standardized diagnosis criteria and the methods used. Opportunistic microorganisms usually not related to periodontopathy are frequently found in HIV seropositive patients' oral cavity of and may be related to the rapid progression and severity of the PD in these individuals. The Linear Gingival Erythema (LGE) and the most aggressive and unusual forms of PD, such as Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (NUG), Necrotizing Ulcerative Periodontitis (NUP) and Necrotizing Ulcerative Stomatitis (NUS), are strongly associated to HIV infection and AIDS. Some authors link the possibility of preexisting PD progress after the HIV infection. The periodontal diseases seem to be linked to HIV infection and AIDS, and can be an important variable in diagnosis and prognosis of these systemic conditions. However, the available researches are not conclusive and there is a need for further studies, with standardized materials and methods, in order to improve the understanding on the mechanisms involved in the association of those pathologies. (AU)

Muitos estudos apontam que até 80% dos indivíduos HIV-positivos apresentam alterações provenientes de infecções oportunistas ou de neoplasia maligna na região da boca e, as Doenças Periodontais (DP) estão entre as mais frequentes manifestações orais nestes pacientes. Objetiva-se descrever a prevalência, as características microbiológicas e as formas clínicas das DP em pacientes HIV-positivos. Foram realizadas consultas em artigos científicos no banco de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde ­ BVS (a partir de 2007), seguindo critérios de seleção. Os dados de estudos têm variado consideravelmente, devido à falta de padronização nos critérios de diagnóstico e aos métodos utilizados. Microrganismos oportunistas usualmente não relacionados às periodontopatias são encontrados com frequência na cavidade oral de pacientes infectados por HIV e podem relacionar-se à rápida progressão e severidade das DP nestes indivíduos. O Eritema Gengival Linear (EGL) e formas mais agressivas e incomuns das DP, como Gengivite Ulcerativa Necrosante (GUN), Periodontite Ulcerativa Necrosante (PUN) e Estomatite Ulcerativa Necrosante (EUN), estão mais fortemente associadas à infecção por HIV e à AIDS. Alguns autores apontam a possibilidade de progressão das DP pré- existentes após infecção por HIV. Conclui-se que as doenças periodontais parecem apresentar relação com a infecção por HIV e AIDS, podendo ser uma importante variável no diagnóstico e prognóstico destas condições. No entanto, os trabalhos disponíveis atualmente não são conclusivos e, portanto, se fazem necessários novos estudos, com materiais e métodos padronizados, para uma melhor compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos na associação entre estas patologias (AU)

Produção dos sentidos de saúde construídos no Grupo Sol, por pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS / Production of constructed health directions in the Sol Group, for people living with HIV / AIDS / Producción de las direcciones de salud construido en el Grupo Sol, para personas que viven con VIH/SIDA

Objetivo: dar visibilidade à produção dos sentidos de saúde construídos, em grupo, por pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS (PVHA). Método: estudo exploratório e descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 23 PVHA participantes de, pelo menos, 15 reuniões em grupo, no Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, da Universidade Federal Fluminense, em especial, no ambulatório de HIV/AIDS, onde se tem desenvolvido uma estratégia de acolhimento, uma "tecnologia", designada por "Grupo SOL". Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas, capturadas de modo individual, analisadas de acordo com a Técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: as categorias emergiram das falas dos depoentes: A tecnologia de potência de vida e Construção do pertencimento na produção de saúde no Grupo SOL. Conclusão: a partir da emergência das falas dos participantes, houve uma forte contribuição daqueles na potencialização dos processos de individuação dos envolvidos, assim como a possibilidade do modus operandi do trabalho constituir-se numa tecnologia social, no campo da saúde.(AU)

Objective: to give visibility to the production of health directions constructed as a group for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Method: an exploratory and descriptive study of qualitative approach, accomplished with 23 PLWHA participants from at least 15 group meetings at the Antônio Pedro University Hospital, Fluminense Federal University, especially in the outpatient HIV/AIDS, where it has developed a strategy to host a "technology" called "SOL Group". There were semi-structured interviews, taken individually, analyzed according to the Content Analysis Technique. Results: categories emerged from the speeches of the deponents: Life Power Technology and Construction of belonging in health production in the SOL Group. Conclusion: from the emergence of participants' speech, there was a strong contribution that the potentiating of the involved processes of individuation, as well as the possibility of working modus operandi being in a social technology in the health field.(AU)

Objetivo: dar visibilidad a la producción de los sentidos de salud construido en grupo, para personas que viven con VIH/SIDA (PVVS). Método: estudio descriptivo y exploratorio, con enfoque cualitativo, realizado con 23 participantes de PVVS al menos 15 encuentros en grupo, en el University Hospital Antônio Pedro, de la Universidade Federal Fluminense, en clínica particular ambulatoria VIH/SIDA, donde se ha desarrollado una estrategia, una "tecnología" llamada "Sol". Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, capturadas individualmente, que fueron analizadas según la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: las categorías surgieron de los discursos de los deponentes: la tecnología de potencia de vida y construcción de la pertenencia en la producción de salud en el grupo de sol. Conclusión: a partir de la emergencia de los discursos de los participantes, hubo una fuerte contribución en la potenciación de los procesos de individuación de los envueltos, así como la posibilidad del modus operandi de la obra constituye una tecnología social en el campo de la salud.(AU)

A produção dos sentidos de saúde construídos por pessoas com HIV/AIDS: Grupo Sol, uma tecnologia de intervenção / The production of the senses of health constructed by people with HIV / AIDS: Grupo Sol, an intervention technology

Esse estudo se propõe a demonstrar, no universo de participantes do Grupo SOL, certo modo de operar o acolhimento grupal, como uma tecnologia, que agregada ao tratamento da PVHA, influencia na construção da adesão ao tratamento. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, de natureza híbrida, exploratória e descritiva, que utilizará como técnica a análise documental e a entrevista semiestruturada dos participantes do grupo em questão, para a produção dos dados. Num primeiro momento, a intenção é dar visibilidade à história do grupo e caracterizar a sua composição e suas dinâmicas, para, a partir daí, buscar-se apreender os seus possíveis efeitos junto aos participantes e analisar se, e em que sentido, tais dinâmicas puderam contribuir para a adesão ao tratamento proposto pela equipe de saúde e para a integração social, diante da necessidade de construir outra e nova forma de ver e viver a vida, uma vez se sabendo pessoa vivendo com HIV/AIDS (PVHA). Como resultado, espera-se dar expressão à produção dos sentidos de saúde, construídos no Grupo SOL, e avaliar se essa modalidade de operar um grupo pode ser considerada como uma tecnologia facilitadora do acolhimento para esses tipos de usuários, em sua "nova perspectiva de vida", e efetivamente contribuir com a produção do cuidado para indivíduos em tratamento de HIV/AIDS. Além disso, também se espera colaborar no sentido de demonstrar aqueles que se propõem a cuidar de PVHA, como pode ser adequado para a reterritorialização existencial desses indivíduos, por um lado, o compartilhar horizontalizado das angústias que advém dessa condição e, por outro, a socialização democrática das questões que se inscrevem e interferem nos modos de ser e de viver desses indivíduos que vivem com HIV/AIDS

This study aims to demonstrate, in the universe of SOL Group participants, a way to operate the group hosting, as a technology, which, aggregated with the PLHA treatment, influences the construction of treatment adherence. It is a qualitative research with hybrid, exploratory and descriptive nature, that will use as technique the documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with this referred group participants, in order to produce all data. In a first moment, the intention is to give visibility to the group history characterizing its composition and dynamics, and then seek to apprehend their possible effects among the participants and examine whether, and in what sense, these dynamics could contribute with the treatment adherence proposed by the professional health team and to social integration, faced with the necessity to build another new way of seeing and living life, considering the fact that they are individuals who are living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). As a result, it is expected to give expression to the health production meanings, constructed within the SOL Group, and assess whether this form to operate a group can be considered as an enabling hosting technology for these kinds of users, in their "new perspective of life", and effectively contribute to the production of care for individuals in treatment of HIV/AIDS. In addition, it also hopes to collaborate in order to clarify those who propose to take care of PLHA, as it may be appropriate for the existential reterritorialization of these individuals, on the one hand, the share of horizontal anguish that comes from that condition and, on the other hand, the democratic socialization of issues that appear and interfere with the ways of being and living of those individuals with HIV/AIDS

En el estudio, se propone demostrar en el universo de participantes del Grupo SOL, cierto modo de operar el acogimiento grupal, como una tecnología que sumada al tratamiento de las personas que viven con HIV/AIDS de su sigla en portugués (PVHA), influencia en la construcción de la adherencia al tratamiento. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa, de naturaleza hibrida, exploratoria y descriptiva, que utilizara como técnica el análisis documental y la entrevista semiestructurada de los participantes en el grupo mencionado, para la producción de datos. En un primer momento, la intención es dar visibilidad a la historia del grupo y caracterizar su composición y dinámicas para a partir de ahí entender los posibles efectos junto a los participantes y analizar el sentido en que tales dinámicas pudieran contribuir en la adherencia al tratamiento propuesto por el equipo de salud y para la integración social, delante de la necesidad de construir otra y nueva forma de ver y vivir la vida, una vez que la persona se entera que vive con HIV/SIDA , de su sigla en portugués (PVHA). Como resultado, se espera dar expresión a la producción de los sentidos de salud, construidos en el grupo SOL y evaluar si esa modalidad de trabajar en un grupo puede ser considerada como una tecnología facilitadora de acogimiento para ese tipo de usuarios, en su "nueva perspectiva de vida" y efectivamente contribuir con la producción del cuidado para individuos en tratamiento de HIV/AIDS. Por otra parte, se espera colaborar en el sentido de demostrar a aquellos que se proponen a cuidar de pacientes que viven con HIV/AIDS (PVHA), como seria la reterritorializacion existencial de estos individuos de una manera adecuada compartiendo las angustias que vienen de esta condición y por otro lado la socialización democrática de las preguntas que se infieren en el modo de ser y de vivir de las personas que viven con HIV/ADIS

Drying of Echinodorus macrophyllus and autoclaving and lyophilization of the fluid-extract: effects on the pharmacochemical composition

Some pharmaceutical industries of phytomedicines are using conservation procedures (drying, autoclaving), in an attempt to avoid medicinal plants degradation, and of their fluid-extracts. Or, by adopting techniques adequate to foods, which not always are appropriate. On this sense, there is less research with Brazilian plants, causing some difficulties for their use as raw material by the domestic industry. Thus, the effects of drying at various temperatures or irradiation with microwaves, as well as autoclaving or lyophilization of the fluid-extract of samples collected in natura of Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli, Alismataceae, on the pharmacochemical composition were analyzed. At the research for chemical groups, the preponderating presence of flavones and coumarin derivatives was observed. The chromatographic profiles of the flavonic extracts were analyzed by TLC and HPLC and the levels of total flavonoids were determined. According to the results obtained, qualitative and quantitative changes were caused by the various processes employed.

Estudo morfoanatômico comparativo entre a poaia (Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot) Stokes - Rubiaceae) obtida da região Amazônica (habitat original) e proveniente de processo biotecnológico submetida a diferentes tratamentos de interceptação da radiação solar / Morphoanatomy comparative study between "poaia" (Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot) Stokes - Rubiaceae) from the Amazon region (original habitat) and from biotechnology process, subjected to different treatments of interception of solar radiation

A poaia ou ipeca (Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot.) Stokes.-Rubiaceae) apesar de seu valor farmacológico e sócio-econômico é cada vez menos freqüente no seu habitat. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o estudo comparativo dos aspectos morfoanatômicos entre a espécie originária da Amazônia Brasileira e a obtida in vitro submetidas a diferentes tratamentos de interceptação de radiação solar, visando, desta forma, dar suporte a estudos com fins de preservação, cultivo, validação farmacognóstica/farmacopéica e ampliar o conhecimento biotecnológico desta espécie. A espécie nativa foi obtida de fragmento de mata (fase vegetativa) e empregada para micropropagação através do cultivo in vitro de fragmentos de segmentos internodais sobre meio de cultivo Murashige & Skoog com o regulador de crescimento BAP (2,0 mg/l de meio). Obtiveram-se plântulas que foram transferidas para casa de vegetação por 2 anos sob dois tipos de ambiente e três diferentes tratamentos de interceptação da radiação solar. Foi feito o estudo morfoanatômico, analisado estatisticamente. Verifica-se que as plantas originadas por processo biotecnológico e submetidas aos diferentes tratamentos apresentam morfologia semelhante à planta nativa, no entanto constatou-se um maior número de raízes secundárias, não há diferença significativa entre larguras e comprimentos de folhas, comprimento de raízes, estípulas, peso de raízes e rizomas. Mas, observou-se diferença estatística no comprimento do caule em relação à nativa.

The poaia or ipeca (Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot.) Stokes.-Rubiaceae) although its farmacological and partner-economic value is each less frequent time in its habitat. The objective of this work was to carry through the comparative study of the morpho-anatomics aspects between the originary species of the Brazilian Amazônia and gotten in vitro submitted the different treatments of interception of solar radiation, aiming at, of this form, to give has supported the studies with preservation ends, culture, pharmacognostic/pharmacopeic validation and to extend the biotechnological knowledge of this species. The native species was gotten of breaks up of bush (phase vegetative) and used for micropropagation through the culture in vitro of fragments of internodais segments on way of culture Murashige & Skoog with the plant growth regulator BAP (2.0 mg/l growth). Plantlet was gotten that they had been transferred to house of vegetation per 2 years under two types of environment and three different treatments of interception of the solar radiation. The morpho-anatomic study was made, statistics analyzed. And is verified that the plants originated for biotechnological process and submitted to the different treatments present similar morphology to the native plant, however evidenced a bigger number of secondary roots, does not have significant difference between widths and lengths of leaves, length of roots, internodais, stipules, weight of roots and rhizomes. But, difference was observed statistics in the length of stem in relation to the native.

Caracterização química do fruto jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg) e de suas frações / Chemical characterization of the jabuticaba fruits (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg) and their fractions

A jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg) é uma fruta nativa brasileira e pouco se conhece sobre os constituintes químicos nas diversas partes do fruto, principalmente, em relação aos compostos bioativos. Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a composição centesimal e alguns compostos bioativos no fruto inteiro e nas frações da jabuticaba de duas variedades (Paulista e Sabará). O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 x 2 x 3, sendo 4 fatores, fruto inteiro, casca, polpa e semente; 2 variedades de jabuticabas e 3 repetições. Os frutos foram colhidos, selecionados, pesados, sanitizados, separados em fruto inteiro, casca, polpa e semente, que foram triturados, congelados e liofilizados até peso constante. Os teores de proteína bruta e extrato etéreo foram baixos. Os teores de cinzas não variaram entre as frações, exceto para as cascas da variedade Sabará que apresentaram os maiores teores. As fibras alimentares apresentaram diferença significativa entre as frações, não variando entre as duas variedades. As cascas apresentaram os maiores teores: 33,80 g/100g na Paulista e 33,23 g/100g na Sabará, sendo o maior percentual de fibras insolúveis. O maior teor de extrato não nitrogenado foi encontrado na polpa e o menor na casca, não se diferenciando entre as variedades. Quanto aos compostos bioativos, foram analisados saponinas, ácido oxálico, inibidor de tripsina, polifenóis e lectinas. Destes apenas os polifenóis nas frações casca apresentaram níveis elevados, necessitando de caracterizá-los, a fim de se verificar se o fruto é seguro para ser usado na indústria alimentícia.

Jabuticaba, Myrciaria cauliflora Berg, is a native Brazilian fruit; very little is known about the chemistry of its components, specially the bioactives compounds. The purpose of this paper was to determine the centesimal composition and some bioactives compounds of the whole fruit and fractions of two varieties of jabuticaba (Paulista and Sabará). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design on a 4 x 2 x 3 factorial scheme (4 factors: whole fruit, skin, pulp and seed; 2 varieties: Paulista e Sabará, and 3 replicates). The fruits were sampled, selected, weighted, sanitized and fractionated into whole fruit, skin, pulp and seed that were grinded, frozen and lyophilized to a constant weight. Protein contents and of ether extract were low for all fractions. The ash contents indicate elevated levels of minerals, specially on the Sabará variety. The content of alimentary fibers differed widely among fractions, with no differences between varieties. The skin fractions presented the highest levels of fiber, 33.80 g/100g on Paulista and 33.23 g/100g on Sabará, most of it was insoluble fibers. The greatest amount of non nitrogen extract was found in the pulp fraction, while the lowest was found in the skin, with no differences between varieties. Regarding bioactives compounds, only polyphenols were presented at considerable levels in all the fractions but the pulp one, showing the need for better characterization before using the fruit in the food industry.

[Chemical characterization of the jabuticaba fruits (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg) and their fractions]. / Caracterização química do fruto jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg) e de suas frações.

Jabuticaba, Myrciaria cauliflora Berg, is a native Brazilian fruit; very little is known about the chemistry of its components, specially the bioactives compounds. The purpose of this paper was to determine the centesimal composition and some bioactives compounds of the whole fruit and fractions of two varieties of jabuticaba (Paulista and Sabará). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design on a 4 x 2 x 3 factorial scheme (4 factors: whole fruit, skin, pulp and seed; 2 varieties: Paulista e Sabará, and 3 replicates). The fruits were sampled, selected, weighted, sanitized and fractionated into whole fruit, skin, pulp and seed that were grinded, frozen and lyophilized to a constant weight. Protein contents and of ether extract were low for all fractions. The ash contents indicate elevated levels of minerals, specially on the Sabará variety. The content of alimentary fibers differed widely among fractions, with no differences between varieties. The skin fractions presented the highest levels of fiber, 33.80 g/100 g on Paulista and 33.23 g/100 g on Sabará, most of it was insoluble fibers. The greatest amount of non nitrogen extract was found in the pulp fraction, while the lowest was found in the skin, with no differences between varieties. Regarding bioactives compounds, only polyphenols were presented at considerable levels in all the fractions but the pulp one, showing the need for better characterization before using the fruit in the food industry.

Contribuição ao estudo farmacobotânico da Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli (chapéu-de-couro) - Alismataceae / Contribution to the pharmacobotanical study of Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli (chapéu-de-couro) - Alismataceae

A Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli - Alismataceae, conhecida como chapéu-de-couro, chá-mineiro, erva-de-pantâno, erva-de-bugre, congonha-do-brejo e erva-do-brejo, ocorre em Minas Gerais e São Paulo. Embora tenha importância terapêutica, comercial e estar inscrita nas duas primeiras edições da Farmacopéia Brasileira (1924, 1959), são poucos os estudos que a contemplam. Este presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a morfoanatomia foliar e do pecíolo da E. macrophyllus, a fim de ampliar o seu conhecimento farmacognóstico, visando o controle de qualidade. A descrição macroscópica foi realizada à vista desarmada, com recursos óticos e as dimensões, com paquímetro. As características anatômicas foram determinadas, após a colheita, nos fragmentos de folhas e pecíolos fixos, seccionados à mão livre e fixados em glicerina, azul-de-astra ou fucsina. O estudo morfo-anatômico da folha e do pecíolo da E. macrophyllus contribuiu para ampliar e aprofundar as informações contidas nas Farmacopéias Brasileiras (1924, 1959). As características estruturais assinaladas auxiliam na identificação da espécie e fornece parâmetros que poderão ser aplicados futuramente no controle de qualidade farmacognóstico. E, inseriu no contexto da descrição anatômica, a presença de pêlos tectores e de células diafragmáticas, estruturas chaves no diagnóstico da espécie, não descritas pelas Farmacopéias Brasileiras (1929, 1959).

Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli - Alismataceae, known as "chapéu-de-couro", "chá-mineiro", "erva-de-pântano", "erva-de-bugre", "congonha-do-brejo", "erva-do-brejo", occurs in Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Although it has therapeutic and commercial importance and is described in the two first editions of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (1924, 1959), there are few studies that contemplate it. This present work had the objective to study the leaf and petiole morpho-anatomy of A. macrophyllus, in order to extend its pharmacognosy knowledge, aiming at the quality control. The macroscopic description was carried through disarmed sight, with optical resources and the dimensions with a caliper. The anatomical c haracteristics had been determined, after the harvest, in the fragments of leaves and fixed petioles, freehand sectioned and stained either in glycerin, astra-blue or fuchsine. The morpho-anatomical study of the leaf and petiole of A. macrophyllust contributed to extend and deepen the information contained in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (1924, 1959). The designated structural characteristics assist in the identification of the species and supply parameters that could be applied in the pharmacognosy quality control in the future. And, the presence of non-glandular trichomes in the midribs (adaxial and abaxial surface) and the petiole exhibits diaphragm (specialized cells), key structures in the diagnosis of the species, that are not described in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (1924, 1959), were inserted in the context of the anatomical description.

Hitchhiking Trypanosoma cruzi minicircle DNA affects gene expression in human host cells via LINE-1 retrotransposon

The horizontal transfer of Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial minicircle DNA to the genomes of naturally infected humans may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. Minicircle integrations within LINE-1 elements create the potential for foreign DNA mobility within the host genome via the machinery associated with this retrotransposon. Here we document integration of minicircle DNA fragments in clonal human macrophage cell lines and their mobilization over time. The movement of an integration event in a clonal transfected cell line was tracked at three months and three years post-infection. The minicircle sequence integrated into a LINE-1 retrotransposon; one such foreign fragment subsequently relocated to another genomic location in association with associated LINE-1 elements. The p15 locus was altered at three years as a direct effect of minicircle/LINE-1 acquisition, resulting in elimination of p15 mRNA. Here we show for the first time a molecular pathology stemming from mobilization of a kDNA/LINE-1 mutation. These genomic changes and detected transcript variations are consistent with our hypothesis that minicircle integration is a causal component of parasite-independent, autoimmune-driven lesions seen in the heart and other target tissues associated with Chagas disease.

Hitchhiking Trypanosoma cruzi minicircle DNA affects gene expression in human host cells via LINE-1 retrotransposon.

The horizontal transfer of Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial minicircle DNA to the genomes of naturally infected humans may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. Minicircle integrations within LINE-1 elements create the potential for foreign DNA mobility within the host genome via the machinery associated with this retrotransposon. Here we document integration of minicircle DNA fragments in clonal human macrophage cell lines and their mobilization over time. The movement of an integration event in a clonal transfected cell line was tracked at three months and three years post-infection. The minicircle sequence integrated into a LINE-1 retrotransposon; one such foreign fragment subsequently relocated to another genomic location in association with associated LINE-1 elements. The p15 locus was altered at three years as a direct effect of minicircle/LINE-1 acquisition, resulting in elimination of p15 mRNA. Here we show for the first time a molecular pathology stemming from mobilization of a kDNA/LINE-1 mutation. These genomic changes and detected transcript variations are consistent with our hypothesis that minicircle integration is a causal component of parasite-independent, autoimmune-driven lesions seen in the heart and other target tissues associated with Chagas disease.

Triagem fitoquímica preliminar de tetrapterys multiglandulosa A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae) / Preliminary phytochemical screening of tetrapterys multiglandulosa A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae)

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de identificar os princípios tóxicos da tetrapterys multigalndulosa A. Juss. Realizou-se triagem fitoquímica nas folhas (brotos e maduras) frescas, através de marcha analítica clássica e Cromatografia em Camada Delgada (CCD) pesquisando-se os seguintes princípios ativos: heterosídeos antrasênicos, saponínicos, flavônicos, cardiotônicos, taninos (hidrolisáveis e condensados), alcalóides (terciários e quaternários), composto esteróides e cumarínicos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram na folha jovem e madura, presença de heterosídeos flavônicos e esteróides. Taninos condensados e alcalóides quaternários foram encontrados somente na folha madura.

Integration of Trypanosoma cruzi kDNA minicircle sequence in the host genome may be associated with autoimmune serum factors in Chagas disease patients

Integration of kDNA sequences within the genome of the host cell shown by PCR amplification with primers to the conserved Trypanosoma cruzi kDNA minicircle sequence was confirmed by Southern hybridization with specific probes. The cells containing the integrated kDNA sequences were then perpetuated as transfected macrophage subclonal lines. The kDNA transfected macrophages expressed membrane antigens that were recognized by antibodies in a panel of sera from ten patients with chronic Chagas disease. These antigens barely expressed in the membrane of uninfected, control macrophage clonal lines were recognized neither by factors in the control, non-chagasic subjects nor in the chagasic sera. This finding suggests the presence of an autoimmune antibody in the chagasic sera that recognizes auto-antigens in the membrane of T. cruzi kDNA transfected macrophage subclonal lines.