Anatomical, phytochemical and histochemical study of Solidago chilensis Meyen.

Solidago chilensis Meyen, belonging to the family Asteraceae, is a plant native to South America and the only representative of the genus in Brazil. This species is popularly known as "arnica" and is used to treat bruises, muscle pain and inflammation. The objective of this work was to contribute to the pharmacognostic standardization of S. chilensis. Cross-sections were obtained, by freehand, for microscopic analysis of root, stem and leaf; for these parts of the plant maceration was also performed according to the method of Jeffrey. For the leaf were still made paradermal sections, scanning electron microscopy analysis, phytochemical and histochemical tests. Thus, it was determined anatomical features useful for diagnosis of the species which, together with identification of the chemical compounds and its histolocalization, provides support to their quality control.

Nocturnal enuresis: a placebo controlled trial of two antidepressant drugs.

A multicentre, randomised, double blind treatment trial was set up comparing imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant with anticholinergic action), mianserin (a quadricyclic antidepressant without anticholinergic activity), and placebo, (a) possibly to identify an effective alternative drug and (b) to elucidate the action of imipramine in enuretic children. Eighty children (65 boys, 15 girls) aged 5-13 years, wet three or more nights a week, were studied. Exclusions were a urinary tract infection or abnormality, other organic illness, or severe emotional disorders. After a four week assessment, 25 children were randomised to eight weeks' treatment with imipramine 25 mg, 26 to mianserin 10 mg and 29 to placebo, followed by four weeks without treatment. Dry nights and a wetness score were recorded throughout. During treatment, imipramine was superior to both placebo and mianserin (p < 0.001) in achieving dry nights and reducing wetness scores. It led to a definite improvement in 72% of children. Mianserin produced a mildly beneficial effect that was not superior to placebo. No side effects were recorded. Mianserin would not be a satisfactory alternative treatment for nocturnal enuresis. The efficacy of imipramine is unlikely to be the result of its antidepressant activity.

Cryoglobulinemia and immune-mediated glomerulonephritis in association with hairy cell leukemia.

The nephrotic syndrome in association with hairy cell leukemia is typically seen in the setting of amyloidosis. This report describes a patient with the nephrotic syndrome and hairy cell leukemia in whom cryoglobulinemia and an immune-mediated glomerulonephritis were seen. While hairy cells have the capacity for immunoglobulin production, we were unable to demonstrate a teleological link between these cells and the renal lesion. In contrast, there is speculative evidence to suggest that indolent infections may have played a causative role in cryoglobulin production and the subsequent immune-mediated glomerulonephritis.