Prevention of necrosis in ischemic skin flaps using hydrogel of Rhizophora mangle.

INTRODUCTION: Necrosis in ischemic cutaneous flaps (ISF) is a type of surgical failure more feared among surgical complications. Currently, synthetic drugs are applied during the treatment of necrosis in ISF and although several substances show improvement in viability, some require application at high systemic doses, which can produce important side effects. Therefore, the search for natural substances with fewer side effects is constant. The use of medicinal plants that stimulate angiogenesis is commonly mentioned in previous studies and in this case Rhizophora mangle L. (R. mangle) highlights that among its main compounds have tannins and flavonoids that are very chemically reactive in various biological activities. This study aimed to associate a natural hydrogel to the 5% extract of R. mangle and to evaluate its potential in the prevention of tissue necrosis in distal portions of ISF in rats, using the model proposed by Macfarlane, et al. (1965). METHODS: Ischemic skin flaps were made in the thin dorsal skin area of 28 Wistar rats and divided into 4 groups, group A: received only saline, group B where the aqueous extract of R. mangle was applied, group C received the 1.5% hydrogel of xanthan gum (XG) + placebo and group D was applied the hydrogel associated with 5% R. mangle extract. Morphometric analyses of the areas of tissue necrosis were performed from photographic records using the software Photoshop® and ImageJ®. In addition, 5 photomicrographs were taken from each histological sample of each animal for histomorphometric analysis that obtained the count of fibroblasts and blood vessels. RESULTS: The mean percentage of necrotic areas was: group (A) - 50,66%, group (B) - 40,49%, group (C) - 37,44% and group (D) - 34,25%. The statistical analysis, using the Kruskal-Wallis test, showed a significant difference (p < 0.001).

Estudo comparativo dos valores de ângulo do retropé entre corredoras com sintomas no joelho e assintomáticas / Comparative study of rearfoot angle values between runners with and without knee symptoms

Introdução: As características morfológicas do pé sugerem desalinhamento dos membros inferiores, tornando praticantes de corrida mais susceptíveis a dor e lesões. Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência de dor e comparar as características morfológicas dos pés e alinhamento do retropé entre corredoras com sintomas no joelho e assintomáticas. Métodos: Estudo caso-controle, exploratório com abordagem quantitativa, com 31 mulheres corredoras. A presença de dor e lesões foi avaliada por meio de um questionário padronizado. A morfologia dos pés foi realizada através da inspeção, com registros fotográficos no plano posterior e o arco longitudinal do pé foi analisado através de podometria de pressão. Os dados foram analisados pelo SPSS versão 18.0. Na comparação das médias das variáveis dos ângulos de retropé foi utilizado o teste t Student para amostras independentes, considerando o p < 0,05. Resultados: Observouse que 86% das mulheres relataram sintoma predominante no joelho (64,51%). Na análise das características morfológicas dos pés, encontrou-se predomínio do tipo rebaixado e assimetria dos retropés no grupo sintomático. Conclusão: Apenas a assimetria entre os membros e as caraterísticas morfológicas do pé apresentam associação com a presença de dor no joelho. (AU)

Introduction: The morphological characteristics of foot suggests lower limbs misalignment, making street runners more susceptible to pain. Objective: To compare the morphological characteristics of the foot and rearfoot alignment between runners with or without knee symptoms, as well as to analyze the prevalence of pain. Methods: Case-control, exploratory and quantitative approach study, with 30 female runners. The presence of pain and lesions was evaluated by a standardized questionnaire. Foot morphology was analyzed through inspection, with photographic records in the posterior plane, and the longitudinal arch of the foot was measured by pressure podometry. The data were analyzed by SPSS 18.0. In the comparison of the means of the variables of the hindfoot angles, the Student t test was used for independent samples, considering p < 0.05. Results: We observed that 86% of the women reported a symptom, predominant in the knee (64.51%). In the analysis of the foot morphological characteristics, we found a predominance of the recessed type and asymmetry of the symptomatic group backs. Conclusion: Asymmetry between the limbs and morphological features of the foot are associated with knee pain. (AU)

Tratamento conservador das fraturas de côndilo mandibular em crianças: Relatório de casos / Tratamiento conservador de las fracturas del cóndilo mandibular en pacientes pediátricos: serie de casos / Conservative treatment of mandibular condyle fractures in children: Case series

La fractura del cóndilo mandibular es una lesión traumática cuya prevalencia en niños es relativamente baja, lo cual puede deberse tanto a factores anatómicos como ambientales. Las consecuencias incluyen anquilosis de la articulación temporomandibular, asimetrías faciales y trastornos funcionales. El tratamiento conservador es el que cuenta con mayor aceptación, siendo el seguimiento cercano y a largo plazo fundamental. Esta investigación describe el seguimiento de 11 pacientes con antecedentes de fracturas condilares, que asistieron al servicio de Ortodoncia Interceptiva de la Facultad de Odontología de la UCV durante el periodo comprendido entre 2001-2014. Se evaluó la edad del paciente, causa de la fractura, el tipo de fractura, tratamiento recibido y tiempo de duración mediante radiografías panorámicas y tomografías antes y después del tratamiento conservador. Se evaluaron los cambios anatómicos ocurridos. Los tipos de tratamientos variaron desde uso de analgésicos, antiinflamatorios, fisioterapia (ejercicios de apertura y cierre mediante abrebocas y paletas de mordida), aparatos funcionales (Bionator, Klammt, híbridos), y fijación intermaxilar. La prevalencia de fracturas condilares fue de 1,50% siendo las causas más frecuentes caídas de altura y accidentes de tránsito. Las fracturas mas prevalentes fueron 5 casos de fracturas unilaterales y 6 casos de fracturas bilaterales. El tratamiento conservador resultó exitoso en la vasta mayoría de los casos. Como resultado terapéutico se observó remodelado del cóndilo, en ocasiones con leves variantes anatómicas, simetría facial en reposo y apertura. Ningún caso presentó anquilosis de la ATM.

A fratura do côndilo mandibular é uma lesão traumática infrequente em crianças devido a fatores anatômicos e ambientais, além de causar anquilose da articulação temporomandibular, assimetrias faciais e transtornos funcionais. O tratamento conservador é o mais aceito e é fundamental o acompanhamento em curto e longo prazo. A seguinte pesquisa descreve o acompanhamento de 11 pacientes que apresentaram fraturas de côndilo préviamente e visitaram o consultório de Ortodontia Interceptativa da Faculdade de Ontologia da Universidade Central da Venezuela no período 2001-2014. Utilizaram-se radiografia panorâmicas e tomografias antes e depois o tratamento para avaliar a idade do paciente, tipo e causa da fratura, tratamento realizado e o tempo de duração do acompanhamento. Avaliaram-se as mudanças anatômicas acontecidas. Os tipos de tratamento incluíram analgésicos, anti-inflamatórios, bloqueio intermaxilar, fisioterapia e aparelhos funcionais (bionator, klammt, híbridos). A presença de fraturas de côndilo foi de 1,50% e as causas mais frequentes foram quedas e acidente de tráfego. As fraturas mais comuns foram 5 casos de fraturas unilaterais e 6 de fraturas bilaterais. O tratamento conservador foi sucesso na maior parte dos casos. Observou-se como resultado a remodelação do côndilo com variantes anatômicas menores nalgumas ocasiões. Não se observou nem anquilose nem assimetria facial ou funcional.

Fractures of the mandibular condyle are infrequent in children, due to morphologic and other factors. Consequences may include ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, facial asymmetry and functional disturbances. Conservative treatment is widely accepted, being that close long-term follow-up is fundamental. This report includes 11 cases of children with condylar fractures who were treated at the Interceptive Orthodontics Clinic, Universidad Central de Venezuela Dental School, between 2001 and 2014. Evaluated factors include: age, cause and type of the fracture, treatment performed and follow-up period; which were studied using clinical records: panoramic radiographs, tomograms and photographs before and after treatment. Treatment performed included analgesic, anti-inflammatory drugs, intermaxillary fixation, physiotherapy and functional appliances (hybrids, Klammt, Bionator). Prevalence was 1,50% with falls from heights and traffic accidents the most common cause. Most prevalent fractures were 5 cases of unilateral fractures and 6 cases of bilateral fractures. Conservative treatment was successful in the majority of cases. For most cases satisfactory remodeling of the condyle was attained, with some morphologic variations; no ankylosis, facial asymmetry or functional anomalies were observed after treatment.

Cuidado dos pés de pessoas com diabetes mellitus: ações protetivas vinculadas à promoção da saúde / Cuidados de los pies de personas con diabetes mellitus: acciones protectoras vinculadas a la promoción de la salud / Caring of feet of people with diabetes mellitus: protective actions linked to health promotion

O presente estudo buscou investigar as condutas do paciente a partir da avaliação dos pés das pessoas com diagnóstico de Diabetes Mellitus cadastradas em um Núcleo de cuidado à saúde. Pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva e transversal que se originou de um projeto guarda-chuva que empregou o método misto na transversalidade, com a abordagem pesquisa-ação. A amostra (n=15), constituída por mulheres, média de idade 62,33 anos, com Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2, integrantes de um núcleo interdisciplinar de cuidados e promoção à saúde da família. Os instrumentos: uma ficha de avaliação dos pés, adaptada do Consenso Internacional sobre Pé Diabético e prontuários do arquivo da pesquisa guarda chuva para as variáveis sócio-demográficas das participantes. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de agosto de 2013 a julho de 2014, no município de Jequié, Bahia. A análise foi realizada no programa Excel® da Microsoft® e submetida ao software SPSS for Windows. Evidenciou-se que 73,33% das participantes já tiveram seus pés avaliados por profissionais de saúde. A avaliação dos pés evidenciou que apenas as sensibilidades protetora (98,52%) e tátil (93,33%) não estavam presentes; força muscular encontrada satisfatória; pulsos pediosos e tibiais posteriores diminuídos em 13,33% e 33,33%, respectivamente. Considerando as participantes integrantes de um núcleo de promoção à saúde, evidenciamos que a estratégia proximal na abordagem pesquisa-ação mostrou-se como ferramenta significante à prevenção e/ou minimização das complicações aos níveis neuro-músculo-esquelético e vascular dos seus pés. Destaca-se que ações educativas no direcionamento do autocuidado revestem-se em uma ferramenta de concretização ˆ atenção primária resolutiva à saúde das pessoas, para um viver com melhor qualidade de saúde.

El objetivo del artículo es investigar las conductas de los pacientes a partir de la evaluación de los pies de personas con diagnóstico de Diabetes Mellitus matriculadas en un Núcleo de Cuidado en Salud. Es una investigación descriptiva y transversal que se originó de un macro-proyecto que empleaba el método mixto transversal. La muestra (n=15) constituida por mujeres, de edad media de 62.33 años, con Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2, integrantes de un núcleo interdisciplinar de cuidados y promoción a la salud de la familia. Los instrumentos: una ficha de evaluación de los pies adaptada del Consenso Internacional sobre el Pie Diabético y los archivos del macro-proyecto para las variables socio-demográficas. La recolección de los datos fue realizada de agosto de 2013 a julio de 2014, en la municipalidad de Jequié /Bahía. El análisis fue realizado usando los softwares Excel y SPSS. Los resultados arrojaron que 73.33% de las participantes ya tuvieron sus pies evaluados por profesionales de salud. Dicha evaluación evidenció que solamente la sensibilidad protectora (98.52%) y táctil (93.33%) no estuvieron presentes; la fuerza muscular fue satisfactoria; los pulsos pedios y tibiales posteriores estuvieron disminuidos en 13.33% y 33.33% respectivamente. Se concluye que la estrategia proximal en el abordaje de investigación-acción se mostró como una herramienta significativa para la prevención y/o minimización de las complicaciones en el nivel neuro-músculo-esquelético y vascular de sus pies. Se destaca que las acciones educativas direccionadas al autocuidado son una herramienta de concretización de atención primaria resolutiva dirigidas al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de las personas.

The goal of this article is to investigate the behavior of patients by evaluating the feet of people diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus registered in a Health Care Center. It is a descriptive and transversal research originated from a macro project that employs the mixed-transversal methodology. The sample (n=15) consisted in women, mean age of 62.33 years, with diabetes mellitus type 2, members of an interdisciplinary group of care and health promotion for the family. The instruments used were an evaluation form feet, adapted from the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot, and patient records from the macro-project file in order to obtain their sociodemographic data. Data was collected from August 2013 to July 2014 in the municipality of Jequié, Bahia. The analysis was made using Excel® and SPSS softwares. It was shown that 73.33% of the participants already had their feet evaluated by a health professional. The assessment of their feet showed that just the protective sensitivity (98.52%) and the tactile sensitivity (93.33%) were not present; muscle strength was found satisfactory; distal pulses and posterior tibial pulses decreased by 13.33% and 33.33%, respectively. The proximal strategy in action research approach has proved to be a significant tool to prevent and/or reduce the neuro-musculoskeletal and vascular level complications of their feet. It is emphasized that educational activities about self-care guidance is a basic tool to promote primary health care of people in order to guarantee a better quality of life.

Nursing professional education: implications of education for transpersonal care.

This study identifies the perceptions of undergraduate nursing students concerning their education to provide transpersonal care. This qualitative study was conducted in four public universities in Bahia, Brazil with 16 seniors (non-probabilistic sampling) through semi-structured interviews, analyzed through the Collective Subject Discourse. The results expressed the students' feelings in the face of the challenge to provide transpersonal care; the psycho-cognitive competencies required by inter-subjective praxis; their perceptions concerning the curriculum in relation to the psycho-emotional dimension of being, untying critical knots; strategies suggested. The final reflections indicate the need to implement changes in the professional education of nurses in order to recover the humanistic view while preserving the scientific view. Undergraduate courses should develop an interactive methodology capable of supporting a more humane, sensitive and inter-subjective care praxis.

[Effects of the decongestive physiotherapy in the healing of venous ulcers]. / Efeitos da terapia física descongestiva na cicatrização de úlceras venosas.

The objective of this study was to verify the effects of the decongestive physiotherapy (DP) in the healing of venous ulcers. It is an interventionist, and almost experimental, study with the participation of 20 clients who were divided into 2 groups: the control group (n = 10) and the intervention group (n = 10). Clients from the first group were only treated with conventional dressing and those in the second group were treated with conventional dressing and decongestive physiotherapy (association of techniques: manual lymph drainage, compressive bandaging, elevation of the lower limbs, myolymphokinetic exercises and skin care). Both groups were treated during six months. The clients submitted to DP presented significant reduction of the edema and the pain, besides an improvement in the healing process. Results allowed to verify that the decongestive therapy stimulated the healing process of venous ulcers, improving the quality of life of the subjects.

Factores de riesgo asociados a maloclusión en pacientes pediátricos / Associated risk factors in pediatric patients moloclusion

Determinar la correlación entre los factores de riesgo: pérdidas prematuras de dientes primarios, hábitos y alteraciones de número de dientes, con las maloclusiones diagnosticadas en un grupo de pacientes pediátricos. Se realizó el estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal y correlacional de 479 registros ortodóncicos del Servicio de Ortodoncia Interceptiva. La maloclusión se clasificó según Angle, modificación Dewey-Anderson; registrando la pérdida prematura de dientes primarios, la persistencia de hábitos parafuncionales y la presencia de alteraciones del número de dientes. Los datos fueron sometidos a pruebas estadísticas ?2 o Fischer, con nivel de significación p<0,05. La prevalencia de pérdidas prematuras fue 24,40%, hábitos 34,70%, y alteraciones del número de dientes 16,50%. Los resultados mostraron correlación estadísticamente significativa entre la presencia de hábitos y las maloclusiones Clase II, Clase I tipo 2, biprotrusión y normoclusión. Así mismo, entre las pérdidas prematuras y la maloclusión Clase I tipo 1, 3 y 5 y la Clase III tipo 3. Hubo independencia entre las alteraciones de número y el diagnóstico de maloclusión. Se observó prevalencia elevada de pérdidas prematuras, hábitos y alteraciones de número de dientes. La presencia de pérdidas prematuras y hábitos tiene correlación con las maloclusiones dentales diagnosticadas por lo que pueden considerarse factores de riesgo

To determine the correlation between premature loss of primary teeth, oral habits or tooth number anomalies, and dental malocclusion in a group of pediatric patients. A descriptive, retrospective, transversal, and correlation study was performed, using orthodontic records of 479 patients attending an Interceptive Orthodontics Clinic. Malocclusion was classified according to Angle´s criteria, considering the Dewey-Anderson modification. Premature loss of primary teeth, persistence of oral habits and alterations in the number of teeth were recorded. Data were analyzed using ?2 test or Fischer´s exact test (p<0,05). The prevalence of premature tooth loss was 24,40%, oral habits 34,70%, and tooth number anomalies 16,50%. Significant statistical positive correlation was noted between habits and Class II, Class I type 2, biprotrusion and normocclusion. Premature loss of primary teeth was correlated with Class I types 1, 3 and 5 and Class III type 3. Premature loss of primary teeth, oral habits and tooth number anomalies have high prevalence. Premature loss of primary teeth and oral habits have a positive correlation with diagnosed malocclusions and may be considered risk factors

[Family, a care unit for its members: reflexive concerns]. / Família uma unidade de cuidado para seus membros: inquietações reflexivas.

This reflection has searched through a brief historic perspective, to understand the family as a care unit for its members. It has as objective, to awake a health professional's more conscientious new look for the care to elderly people in chronical condition, aiming to extend this look to the family as a unit care. This reflexion leans on Systemic Thought, that is, on the comprehension that the family isn't the sum of parts, but pressuposes the whole and the parts at the same time, thus it isn't possible to see the individual only without looking at the family as a whole in the dynamical relations and interactions between them. After the realized re-reading it became that it's necessary to rethink new strategies to approach the care to the bearer of a chronic disease such as diabetes, that embrace the whole family as focus attention of its members health, considering the complexity, intersubjectivity and instability of the new pos-modern science paradigm.

Prevalence of newborn bacterial meningitis and sepsis during the pregnancy period for public health care system participants in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Bacterial meningitis is still a major public health threat inside developing countries. In Brazil, the Department of Public Health estimates that the prevalence of bacterial meningitis is 22 cases per 100,000 persons. During the neonatal period, the bacterial meningitis develops special characteristics that can result in hearing problems and movement loss due to neurological and psychological damages. This study had the aim to analyze the prevalence of bacterial meningitis and sepsis in newborns during the pregnancy period for those using the public health care system in Salvador-Bahia. One of the goal was to describe the risk factors of bacterial meningitis and sepsis in newborns. A second goal was to identify, based on newborn health records, the difficulties to predict issues with the hearing, neurological and psychological problems. This study has a cross-sectional design. The newborns that were included in this study had bacterial meningitis or sepsis within 0-28 days of life. They were admitted in the maternity wards between June-December 2005 at the newborn intensive unit care. We analyzed 72 reports of newborns and only 11 (17%) were bacterial meningitis or sepsis newborn cases. These cases were associated to high intake of ototoxic drugs that can cause oto and nephrotoxicity, and cause serious sequels on the child development. Nervous system infection is one of the 2 major problems in clinical practice, especially during the first month after birth. During this first month, the nervous system infection develops special characteristics, which are different from regular symptoms and it requires treatment due to the increased risk to develop complications. It is strongly recommended to monitor ototoxic drugs use to prevent effects on the hearing system.

Etiology of hearing impairment in children and adolescents of a reference center APADA in the city of Salvador, state of Bahia.

UNLABELLED: Hearing represents the main source for acquisition of language and speaking skills in childhood. In the first months of life, the hearing impaired child is deprived of sound stimulation in the most important period of development, and consequently, might present emotional, social and linguistic disorders. Therefore, it is of utmost relevance to learn about the main etiological factors that cause the auditory damage to trace a reliable nosological profile, and to take the appropriate measures to prevent and guide the family on the repercussions of hearing impairment in childhood. AIM: To characterize the etiology profile of hearing impairment in a reference center for hearing impaired children and adolescents. METHODOLOGY: We performed interviews, speech and hearing screening and analyses of medical charts of 87 hearing impaired children that were part of Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Deficientes Auditivos do Estado da Bahia (APADA-BA), trying to define etiology, gender distribution, age at diagnosis, level of hearing loss, age at hearing aid fitting, and rehabilitation. RESULTS: Among the 87 children and adolescents who had undergone speech and hearing screening, we select a sample of 53 subjects, whose parents had come for three sessions of anamnesis and assessment. The main responsible etiological factor for hearing loss in the evaluated population was maternal rubella, amounting to 32% of the cases of deafness, followed by pyogenic meningitis with 20%, idiopathic cause with 15%, prematurity with 9%, heredity (deaf father or mother) and neonatal jaundice, which also presented 6% incidence; chronic otitis media represented 4%, use of misoprostol in the gestation, measles, ototoxicity and mumps, each factor with 2%. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the heterogeneity of factors that cause hearing impairment, and the two main causes (rubella and pyogenic meningitis) still present high incidence in the studied population. We believe that preventive measures must be taken, especially in the prophylaxis of maternal rubella and extended vaccination of neonates and infants against bacterial meningitis.

[Systematic approach to family nursing: thoughtful considerations]. / Abordagem sistêmica de enfermagem à família--considerações reflexivas.

This study is part of the theoretical referential of doctorate in development thesis based on Bertalanffy, Vasconcellos and Capra's ideas. It searches from the systemic approach to comprehend the family as a inter-relations system among the members, an irreducible open unit to the continuous flow of entrance and exit of energy, a dynamic unit in which the whole and the parts are influenced mutually. It aims the development of a professional reflection for the Care of Nursing for the family not as context, but the familiar one. Its genesis is related to the many concerns that have surfaced from professional activities which have met answers in the new paradigmatic approach of the post-modern science of the complexity, instability, intersubjectiveness for the think/act of Nursing in the interdisciplinary development of their careful actions of joint way: the unit family.

[Education and care in nursing: passport to the learning, education, and care in health]. / Cuidar-educando em enfermagem: passaporte para o aprender/educar/cuidar saúde.

This is an essay about care and education in nursing from integrative and converging approaches, elucidating that the dialogical process between the subject who cares and the citizen-subject who is cared must occur in a problem-maker perspective, contextualized and transversalized between the two conceptual worlds that involve the human relations. It shows furthermore that, to the professional exert the care and education, he must use a "passport" that conducts him to different "scales" of knowledge in a creative, aesthetical, ethical, political and technical approach. In which the education empowers the capacity of care and the use of it, capacitates him to intervent in a constructive/reflexive, singular/plural, dynamic/flexible way, in a given historical cultural context of relationships between subjects.

[The care according to Leonardo Boff's perspective, a personality to be rediscovered in nursing]. / O cuidado na perspectiva de Leonardo Boff, uma personalidade a ser (re)descoberta na enfermagem.

It is an essay about Boff's contribution for care in the macro dimension, from its ecological point of view and micro in the care among the human beings. The author bases the concept of care starting from theological, philosophical, social, and mystical questions, visualizing the human relations that move through the ecological dimension: integral, social and environmental. It aims to know/understand the care broached by the author for the ontological and epistemological fundamentation of care in nursing. The result of this one, has been a vigilant arouse in the sense to visualize and to implement strategies of adaptation to the proposal of a new paradigm that involves a rescue of human being essence with a manner-of-being-with-the-world that moves through the care.

Canine rabies epidemiology in Araçatuba and neighborhood, Northwestern São Paulo State-Brazil.

Epidemiological characteristics of canine rabies in the northwest region of São Paulo State (Araçatuba region), Brazil, from 1993 to 1997 are presented. Out of 1,984 dogs, a total of 351 (17.7%) were positive for rabies diagnosis; 89% (312/351) of these occurred in urban areas and 85% (266/312) of the urban positive cases were among owned dogs. The mean age of the rabid dogs was 34 months and 61% were male. Aggressive behavior was observed in 77% of rabid dogs, followed by lack of coordination and paralysis (42%) and 48% of these dogs were responsible biting people or other animals. Information about vaccination status was obtained from 182 records and 51% of rabid dogs were non-vaccinated. The number of unvaccinated rabid dogs indicates a low vaccination index and this factor added to the high dog/man ratio must have contributed to the canine rabies epizootic observed in the studied area.

Seed lectin from pisum arvense: isolation, biochemical characterization and amino acid sequence.

A glucose/mannose lectin was purified by affinity chromatography from Pisum arvense seeds (PAL) and the 50 kDa molecular mass in solution determined by size exclusion chromatography. SDS-PAGE and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry showed two distinct polypeptide chains: alpha (Mr. 5591 Da) and beta (19986 Da). The lectin was extensively characterized in terms of its biochemical and biological aspects. The amino acid sequence was established by Edman degradation of overlapping peptides. PAL in solution behaves as a dimer and has its monomeric structure formed by two distinct polypeptide chains named alpha (Mr. 5591 Da) and beta (19986 Da) by Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. PAL possesses identical amino acid sequences to that of pea seed lectin but undoubtedly does not exhibit sequence heterogeneity. It is discussed that P. arvense should be considered as a synonym of P. sativum. Furthermore, like pea lectin, PAL discriminates biantennary fucosylated glycan, determined by surface plasmon resonance.