Year round patchiness of Vibrio vulnificus within a temperate Texas bay.

AIMS: To investigate with high geographical resolution the small-scale spatial and temporal distribution of the pathogen Vibrio vulnificus throughout the water column in a temperate Texas bay where numerous V. vulnificus infections had been reported by the regional media the previous summer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surface and bottom water samples were collected from 19 sites between April 2005 and October 2006 from Matagorda Bay, TX. Physicochemical parameters were measured and V. vulnificus were analysed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) as a means of overcoming constraints of traditional culturing techniques. V. vulnificus was detected through out the year, although its temporal and spatial distribution was patchy. V. vulnificus abundances at individual sites ranged from <10 to >1·1×10(3)cellsml(-1) . No statistically reliable predictive model related to the physicochemical parameters could be developed for this pathogen. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that year round detection of V. vulnificus while likely in the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state during the winter months and emphasizes why physicochemical factors are insufficient metrics for robust regression modelling of this pathogen. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides an effective new tool, Q-PCR, to study environmental distribution of V. vulnificus and that in the light of the patchy distribution observed, new reliable approaches and a mechanistic understanding of pathogen ecology need to be considered to effectively model the aquatic distribution of V. vulnificus.

Dynamics of reepithelialisation and penetration rate of a bee propolis formulation during cutaneous wounds healing.

The aim of this work is to investigate the dynamics of reepithelialisation and the penetration rate of a propolis ointment formulation during cutaneous wounds healing. The experiments were performed as a function of the treatment time in a well controlled group of rats. We observed that the propolis ointment influenced the healing process stimulating keratinocytes cell proliferation as compared to the control group. It was shown that the propagation of the bee propolis was dependent on the wound healing stages. In addition, the photoacoustic spectroscopy showed that the applied substances reached the deep wound region, highlighting once again the particular characteristic of this technique to evaluate the penetration rate of substances through the skin.

In vitro release of propolis from gelatin microparticles prepared by spray-drying technique

The purpose of this study was to investigative the in vitro release of propolis from gelatin microparticles. Gelatin microparticles containing porpolis extractive solution (PES) were prepared by spray-drying technique. Microparticles with a mean diameter of 2.50 µm and with regular morphology were obtained. The entrapment efficiency of propolis in the microparticles was over 39%. Spray-drying showed to be a feasible method for the preparation of gelatin microparticles containing propolis. Comparing to PES, the in vitro release of propolis from gelatin microparticles in aqueous medium was slower, considering markes 1 and 2. Thus, it was possible to transform a liquid propolis dosage form into a solid one, improving manipulation, packaging and storage and with modified release in aqueous medium, comparatively to the ethanolic extract of the drug

Caracterização farmacognóstica do jambolão (Syzypiam cumini (L. ) Skeels)

A padronização de um fitoterápico é etapa imprescindível para garantia da qualidade de medicamentos contendo plantas medicinais. Objetivou-se padronizar Syzygiam cumini (L.) Skeels e para tanto se estabeleceram parametros tais como, avaliação morfoanatômica das folhas, morfológica das flores e dos frutos, avaliação granulométrica da droga rasurada (frutos), determinação da umidade, avaliação dos processos de secagem, determinação do teor de extrativos e do teor de taninos (monômeros e polimeros). O estudo anatômico das folhas revelou a inexistência de pêlos no sistema dérmico, assim como a ocorrência de glândulas secretoras, drusas, colênquima e esclerênquima. As flores são hermafroditas, com androceu polistêmone e gineceu com ovário ínfero, gamocarpelar, bilocular com placentação axial. Observou-se elevado teor extrativo (38,57 por cento). O diâmetro médio de partícula dos frutos secos moídos ficou em 0,630 mm. O processo de secagem dos frutos influenciou o teor de taninos totais. O teor de taninos determinado ficou em 5,10 por cento para monômeros e 11,30 por cento para os polimeros.

The phytotherapics standardization is an important step for the warranty of the quality of the drugs contends medicinal plants. The aim of this paper was to standardize and establish parameters seeking the characterization of the drug, according to technical pharmacopoeias and in some cases, other techniques were developed. Morphologic description of leaves, flowers and fruits, granulometric analysis of the ground drugs, dry residues, evaluations in the drying methods, determination of the extractive drift and tannins values (monomers and polymers) were executed, being the monomers in the range of 5,10 percent and 11,30 percent for the polymeric ones.

Avaliação farmacognóstica da própolis da região de Maringá / Pharmacognostic evaluation of propolis in the region of Maringá

Os autores propõem procedimentos para estabelecer o controle de qualidade da própolis. Para tanto, foram adaptadas e executadas técnicas farmacopéicas e/ou desenvolvidas técnicas novas. Foram estabelecidos perfis dos teores de flavonóides, de ceras, de substâncias voláteis totais (através da perda por dessecação) e de cinzas totais. Os valores obtidos para as amostras de própolis estudadas, coletadas em um apiário-escola, foram comparados com os de própolis adquiridas no mercado. Foi estabelecido, ainda, o perfil destes parâmetros para amostras de própolis coletadas nos diferentes locais da colméla, no periodo de três anos, com coletas de inverno e verão. Os teores de flavonóides variaram entre 2,05 - 5,52 por cento.

The aim of this work was to establish a control quality methodology for propolis. For that, techniques were carried out as described in pharmacopoeias, or adapt from it. Moreover it developed new techniques. It was used propolis collected in the school apiary. Profiles of flavonoids, waxes, total volatile substances and total ashes were determined in propolis collected in different places of bees' hive. The results obtained from this propolis were compared with commercial propolis. Flavonoid drift values obtained from apiary school were established in the range between 2.05-5.52 percent.