Applicability of eucalyptus wood waste extracts for the histological staining of connective tissue.

Biological staining of tissue is a crucial procedure in histotechnology. Rudimentary methods for section preparation have often used stains from natural products, although use of synthetic dyes has become the contemporary standard. Artificial dyes increase the operating costs of a laboratory as well as increase the environmental and personnel risks during manufacturing and usage. These considerations have stimulated research to find alternative natural stains from the wide diversity of plant species. The present study investigated the effect of Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae) wood waste extract on histological staining of animal tissues, using a series of pigment concentrations, pH conditions, and temperatures. Eucalyptus wooden slivers were dried, milled, and 1 g, 2 g, and 4 g of the fine powder was subjected to 50% ethanol extraction for 2 days. Staining tests were then performed on formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) sections. Increasing acetic acid concentrations (1%, 2% and 4%) were added to the extracts and compared to an acid-free extract. Staining was performed at both ambient room temperature (RT) and 60°C. Connective tissue acidophilic components were well-contrasted and a hematoxylin counterstain demonstrated distinct structural differences between matrix and cell nuclei. Therefore, the present findings demonstrate the potential utility of the eucalyptus wood extracts application as a natural stain alternative for routine histology.

Preventive use of Bach flower Rescue Remedy in the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of Bach flower Rescue Remedy on the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. DESIGN: A randomized longitudinal experimental study. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of six animals each and orogastrically dosed with either 200 µl of water (group A, control), or 100 µl of water and 100 µl of Bach flower remedy (group B), or 200 µl of Bach flower remedy (group C) every 2 days, for 20 days. All animals were fed standard rat chow and water ad libitum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urine volume, body weight, feces weight, and food intake were measured every 2 days. On day 20, tests of glycemia, hyperuricemia, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol were performed, and the anatomy and histopathology of the heart, liver and kidneys were evaluated. Data were analyzed using Tukey's test at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in food intake, feces weight, urine volume and uric acid levels between groups. Group C had a significantly lower body weight gain than group A and lower glycemia compared with groups A and B. Groups B and C had significantly higher HDL-cholesterol and lower triglycerides than controls. Animals had mild hepatic steatosis, but no cardiac or renal damage was observed in the three groups. CONCLUSION: Bach flower Rescue Remedy was effective in controlling glycemia, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol and may serve as a strategy for reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. This study provides some preliminary "proof of concept" data that Bach Rescue Remedy may exert some biological effects.

Alimentos transgênicos: uma visäo atual / Transgenic foods: a current vision

A partir da década de 60, surgiu a engenharia genética ou tecnologia do DNA recombinante, com técnicas que permitem a manipulaçäo do ácido desoxirribonucléico (DNA). Por meio dessas técnicas, genes de um organismo podem ser transferidos para outro. Esses genes transferidos quebram a seqüência de DNA do organismo receptor, tornando-o capaz de produzir novas substancias. Assim säo obtidos os alimentos transgênicos. Atualmente, questiona-se sua utilizaçäo frente aos riscos e benefícios de seu emprego.(au)