Comparison of venoms from wild and long-term captive Bothrops atrox snakes and characterization of Batroxrhagin, the predominant class PIII metalloproteinase from the venom of this species.

Comparisons between venoms from snakes kept under captivity or collected at the natural environment are of fundamental importance in order to obtain effective antivenoms to treat human victims of snakebites. In this study, we compared composition and biological activities of Bothrops atrox venom from snakes collected at Tapajós National Forest (Pará State, Brazil) or maintained for more than 10 years under captivity at Instituto Butantan herpetarium after have been collected mostly at Maranhão State, Brazil. Venoms from captive or wild snakes were similar except for small quantitative differences detected in peaks correspondent to phospholipases A2 (PLA2), snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP) class PI and serine proteinases (SVSP), which did not correlate with fibrinolytic and coagulant activities (induced by PI-SVMPs and SVSPs). In both pools, the major toxic component corresponded to PIII-SVMPs, which were isolated and characterized. The characterization by mass spectrometry of both samples identified peptides that matched with a single PIII-SVMP cDNA characterized by transcriptomics, named Batroxrhagin. Sequence alignments show a strong similarity between Batroxrhagin and Jararhagin (96%). Batroxrhagin samples isolated from venoms of wild or captive snakes were not pro-coagulant, but inhibited collagen-induced platelet-aggregation, and induced hemorrhage and fibrin lysis with similar doses. Results suggest that in spite of environmental differences, venom variability was detected only among the less abundant components. In opposition, the most abundant toxin, which is a PIII-SVMP related to the key effects of the venom, is structurally conserved in the venoms. This observation is relevant for explaining the efficacy of antivenoms produced with venoms from captive snakes in human accidents inflicted at distinct natural environments.

Características Fenológicas de Baccharis trimera (Less. ) DC. (1836) - Asteraceae - no município de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil / Phenology of populations of "carqueja" [Baccharis trimera (Less. ) DC. - Asteraceae] in the municipal district of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Quatro populações de Baccharis trimera (Asteraceae) foram analisadas no município de Viçosa-MG quanto ao ciclo fenológico. As observações foram realizadas mensalmente de março de 2010 a março de 2011 acompanhando a fenofase vegetativa e reprodutiva em espécimes ocorrentes em diferentes ambientes - barranco, mata de eucaliptos, mata secundária e pastagem. Os indivíduos do barranco e da pastagem floresceram durante maio, junho e julho e frutificaram entre agosto e setembro. As plantas em sub-bosque de mata secundária não apresentaram a fenofase reprodutiva. A floração e a frutificação das plantas na mata de eucalipto ocorreram após um mês em relação às outras populações. O conhecimento preliminar do ciclo fenológico da espécie contribui para a estratégia de seu manejo sustentável e emprego medicinal.

Four populations of Baccharistrimera (Asteraceae) were analyzedin Viçosa-MG in relation to thephenological cycle. The observations were taken monthly from March 2010 to March 2011 following the vegetative and reproductive phenology inspecimens occurringin different environments-ravine, forest of eucalyptus trees, secondary forest and pasture. Individuals from the ravine and pasture bloomed during May, June and July and bore fruitin August and September. The plants of the secondary forestunder story showed no reproductive phenology. Flowering and fruiting of plants in the forest of eucalyptus trees occurred after one month compared to other populations. Preliminary knowledge of the phenological cycle of the species contributes toits sustainable management strategy and medicinal uses.

Plasticidade fenotípica de Baccharis genistelloides subsp. crispa (Spreng. ) Joch. Müll. (2006) - Asteraceae - sob manejo orgânico / Phenotypic plasticity of Baccharis genistelloides subsp. crispa (Spreng. ) Joch. Müll. (2006) - Asteraceae - under organic management

O objetivo deste trabalho, relacionado a produção orgânica, utilizou preparados homeopáticos visando incremento na biomassa e no teor de flavonóides em plantas dióicas de carqueja. Os tratamentos foram: controle com água, controle com álcool 70%, Phosphorus 12CH, Sulphur 6CH, e a combinação destas homeopatias. Variações fenotípicas foram registradas a partir da análise de crescimento, realizada quinzenalmente durante 60 dias e dos caracteres morfológicos, tais como: como altura, número de ramificações, comprimento do ramo principal, diâmetro do caule e ala caulinar mediana. Na colheita foram medidos: a fitomassa fresca/seca e o volume de raiz. Posteriormente, foi quantificado o teor de flavonóides totais conforme as análises prescritas pela Farmacopéia Brasileira. O experimento foi avaliado em delineamento de blocos casualizados (2x5x2), sendo suas médias avaliadas pelo teste Tukey e o coeficiente de variação ambiental para estimar a plasticidade. Quanto ao estudo do crescimento da planta ao longo do tempo, verificou-se aumento linear simples para a maioria das variáveis nos dois sexos. Foram detectadas respostas plásticas na maioria dos caracteres avaliados. De acordo com os resultados, em ambos os sexos, 60 dias de cultivo são suficientes para obtenção de matéria prima com teor aceitável de flavonóides, bem como para verificação dos efeitos de patogenesia e similitude na aplicação de preparados homeopáticos Phosphorus 12CH, Sulphur 6CH e sua combinação Phosphorus 12CH + Sulphur 6CH. A fitomassa e o teor de flavonóides totais foram semelhantes entre plantas dióicas durante o período de estudo.

This study looked at organic production, in addition to the use of homeopathic preparations, in order to increase biomass and flavonoid content in dioecious plants of Baccharis genistelloides. The adopted treatments were: water control, control with 70% alcohol, Phosphorus 12CH, Sulphur 6CH and a combination of them. Phenotypic changes were recorded for the growth analysis, performed biweekly for 60 days, of the morphological features, such as height, number of branches, length of the main branch, diameter of the stem and median stem wing. At harvest, we measured the fresh/dry phytomass and root volume. Subsequently, we quantified the content of total flavonoids according to the analyses required by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The experiment was evaluated in a randomized block design, and its averages were evaluated by the Tukey's test and environmental variation coefficient to estimate plasticity. As for the study of plant growth over time, there was a simple linear increase for most of the variables in both genders. We could detect phenotypic plasticity traits in most features analyzed. According to these results in both genders, 60 days after inoculation are sufficient to obtain raw material with acceptable level of flavonoids, as well as pathogenesis and similar effects in the application of homeopathic preparations of Phosphorus 12CH, Sulphur 6CH and their combination. Phytomass and content of total flavonoids were similar between the dioecious plants during the study period.

In vitro anthelmintic effect of Melia azedarach L. and Trichilia claussenii C. against sheep gastrointestinal nematodes.

The control of parasitic diseases in small ruminants is mainly done with the use of synthetic anthelmintics. However, incorrect and indiscriminate use of these products has caused the emergence of parasite resistance. Plants with anthelmintic activity are used in folk veterinary medicine, but it is necessary to investigate and scientifically validate low-cost phytotherapeutic alternatives for future use to control gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants by family farmers. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic effect of plant extracts from Melia azedarach and Trichilia claussenii by the egg hatch test (EHT) and larval development test (LDT) against sheep gastrointestinal nematodes. The hexane extract of M. azedarach fruits was extracted through cold percolation and the methanol extract of T. claussenii leaves was obtained by extraction at room temperature in solvents in order of increasing polarity. The efficacy results were analyzed using the Probit program of SAS. The M. azedarach extract showed a LC(50) of 572.2 µg/mL and LC(99) of 1137.8 µg/mL in the EHT, and LC(50) of 0.7 µg/mL and LC(99) of 60.8 µg/mL in the LDT. In turn, the T. claussenii extract presented a LC(50) of 263.8 µg/mL and LC(99) of 522.5 µg/mL in the EHT and LC(50) of 1.1 µg/mL and LC(99) of 26.4 µg/mL in the LDT. Comparing the extracts of the species from the Meliaceae family, T. claussenii showed greater anti-parasite potential in vitro than M. azedarach. However, studies on the isolated compounds, toxicity and administration forms to animals are also needed to validate low-cost alternative herbal remedies for use to control gastrointestinal nematodes by family farmers.

Correlação entre classe funcional e qualidade de vida em usuários de marcapasso cardíaco / Correlation between functional class and quality of life among cardiac pacemaker users

INTRODUÇÃO: Os crescentes avanços tecnológicos desenvolvidos para o tratamento de distúrbios de condução cardíaca vêm proporcionando aos pacientes melhores condições de vida. As escalas de classificação funcional e questionários de qualidade de vida (QV) constituem uma forma suplementar de avaliação dos aspectos físicos, emocionais e funcionais dos pacientes. Entretanto, permanece a seguinte questão: existe correlação entre a classe funcional (CF) e a percepção da QV em usuários de marcapasso (MP)? OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar se existe correlação entre classe funcional (CF) e QV em portadores de MP cardíaco definitivo. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 14 usuários de MP. Para avaliar CF, foi utilizada a escala de atividade específica proposta por Goldman, e, com objetivo de avaliação da QV, foi aplicado o questionário Aquarel associado ao SF-36. Com o objetivo de verificar se existe correlação entre as variáveis, foi aplicado o teste de correlação de Spearman, considerando como significativo a< 0,05. Para a análise dos dados, foi utilizado Software SPSS for Windows versão 10.0. RESULTADOS: A CF correlacionou-se inversa e significativamente com a QV avaliada pelo Aquarel em seus três domínios: desconforto no peito (r= -0,666; p= 0,009); dispnéia (r= -0,604; p= 0,022) e arritmia (r= -0,550; p= 0,041). Já em relação ao SF-36, dos seus oito domínios, três estabeleceram uma correlação significativa com a CF: capacidade funcional (r= -0,745; p= 0,002); dor (r= -0,667; p= 0,009) e vitalidade (r= -0,591; p= 0,026). CONCLUSÃO: No presente estudo, encontrou-se correlação significativa entre CF e QV, sugerindo que as escalas de classificação funcional podem refletir aspectos da QV de portadores de MP.

INTRODUCTION: Growing technological progress in treating patients with heart conduction disturbances has provided such patients with better life conditions. Functional classification (FC) scales and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires are additional means for evaluating patients' physical, emotional and functional characteristics. However, the question remains as to whether there is any association between FC and perception of QOL among pacemaker users. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there is any correlation between FC and QOL among definitive cardiac pacemaker users. METHOD: Fourteen pacemaker users were evaluated. To assess FC, the specific activity scale proposed by Goldman was used. To evaluate QOL, the Aquarel questionnaire was used in association with SF-36. The Spearman correlation test was applied to investigate whether there was any association between the variables, considering p< 0.05 to be significant. The SPSS for Windows software, version 10.0, was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between FC and QOL through evaluation by Aquarel questionnaire in its three domains: chest discomfort (r= -0.666; p= 0.009); dyspnea (r= -0.604; p= 0.022); and arrhythmia (r= -0.550; p= 0.041). Among the eight domains of SF-36, three showed a significant correlation with FC: physical functioning (r= -0.745; p= 0.002); pain (r= -0.667; p= 0.009); and vitality (r= -0.591; p= 0.026). CONCLUSION: In the present study, a significant correlation was found between FC and QOL, thus suggesting that functional classification scales may reflect aspects of QOL among pacemaker users.

Sazonalidade dos ductos secretores e óleo essencial de Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae) / Seasonality of the secretory ducts and essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae)

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar os ductos secretores e o óleo essencial das folhas de Foeniculum vulgare em diferentes épocas do ano. Para esta finalidade, foram realizados estudos de caracterização anatômica, bem como anatomia comparada dos ductos secretores e testes histoquímicos das folhas. O óleo essencial foi obtido de folhas e frutos, por hidrodestilação em aparelho de Clevenger e analisados quantitativamente e qualitativamente por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada ao espectrômetro de massa, realizando-se análises seguidas de três réplicas para folhas coletadas durante o inverno e primavera, e frutos no verão. Os resultados encontrados para os ductos secretores de óleo corresponderam à redução do teor de óleo essencial nas folhas coletadas no final da primavera. O componente majoritário do óleo essencial de folhas e frutos foi o trans-anetol, durante todas as estações do ano. Portanto, evidenciou-se que os ductos secretores e teor de óleo essencial estão relacionados, bem como os constituintes químicos também estão sujeitos a sazonalidade, conforme o estágio fenológico da planta.

This work aimed to analyze the secretory ducts and the essential oil of the leaves of Foeniculum vulgare in different periods of the year. For this purpose, the anatomic characterization, and histochemical tests of the leaves were performed as well as the comparative anatomy of the secretory ducts. The essential oil was obtained from the leaves and fruits by hidrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer, each analysis was repeated three times for leaves collected during the winter and spring, and for fruits collected in the Summer. The results obtained for the secretory ducts, corresponded to the yield reduction of essential oil in the leaves collected in the end of the spring. The major substance of the essential oil of the leaves and fruits, in all seasons of the year was trans-anetol. Therefore, it was evidenced that the secretory ducts and yield of essential oils are related, and also that the substances are subject to the seasonality, according to the phenologic stage of the plant.

Back school: um artigo de revisäo

O objetivo desta revisao bibliografica e descrever a metodologia inicial do programa de Back School e suas modificacoes posteriores, alem de revisar os estudos que avaliaram a eficacia dessa intervencao. A intervencao denominada Back School foi inicialmente desenvolvida por uma fisioterapeuta sueca, com o objetivo de capacitar os individuos para que assumissem atitudes de auto-cuidado com a coluna, por meio de orientacoes sobre a lombalgia. Para tanto, a Back School foi estruturada em quatro licoes compostas por conteudos teoricos e praticos(exercicios especificos). Essa proposta inicial sofreu modificacoes que deram origem a outras escolas, dentre as quais as mais importantes sao: Canadian Back Education Units(CBEU) e a Back School Californiana. Alguns estudos comprovaram a associacao dessa tecnica com a reducaao de dor e recidiva de lombalgias, nao encontraram resultados significativos. Apesar de os artigos revisados descreverem pesquisas bem desenhadas, apresentaram uma metodologia de intervencao muito vaariada, dificultando nossa analise e mostrando que, para avaliar a eficacia dessa proposta, muitas sao as variaveis a ser controladas. Assim sendo, a informacao existente nao e suficiente para encerrar essa discussao. Atualmente, a Back School pode representar uma alternativa de intervencao para pacientes portadores de problemas na coluna, necessitando, porem, de uma sistematizacao em sua metodologia

[Comparative study of benign and malignant tumor of the ovary]. / Estudo comparativo de tumores benignos e malignos do ovário.

This study concerns the evaluation of epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory parameters and the comparison of the multiple parameters between benign and malignant tumors of the ovary to establish significant criteria allowing a Malignant Risk Index to be defined. The incidence of ovarian cancer was higher among post-menopausal women with no use of oral contraceptives. There was no correlation between sterility, infertility or nulliparity and ovarian cancer. The age at menarche, menopause or first term delivery showed no influence on the risk of ovarian cancer. The Authors verified significant differences (p < 0.001) in the levels of serum CA 125 between patients with benign ovarian tumors and patients with ovarian cancer. Those differences showed high sensitivity and specificity. Ultrasonographic criteria were difficult to interpret because of their subjectivity. However, there were significant differences concerning the size of the tumors, the bilaterality, the solid component and ascites; all these criteria were more frequent among malignant masses. It is imperative to define a high confidence degree Malignant Risk Index for ovarian tumors allowing the establishment of screening strategies applicable to risk populations.

[Asymmetric septate uterus with unilateral menstrual retention. A rare uterine malformation]. / Utero septado assimétrico com retenção menstrual unilateral. Uma malformação uterina rara.

A case is reported of a patient with an asymmetric septate uterus and menstrual retention in the blind cavity localized on the right side of the septum. A review is made of the literature about this rare malformation first described by Robert, is made.

Changes in the vasa vasorum following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in a canine model of aortic stenosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty on the vasa vasorum in dogs with experimentally created abdominal aortic stenoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two stenoses were created in the abdominal aorta in each of 21 dogs. After 6 weeks, the more cephalic stenosis was dilated; the other stenosis served as an untreated control. Groups of three dogs were killed at 24 hours, 3 and 6 weeks, and 4, 8, 12, and 18 months after angioplasty. The aortae were studied by means of histologic examination, microangiography, scanning electron microscopy, and the Spalteholz technique. RESULTS: At nondilated stenoses, the vasa vasorum was interrupted in the outer adventitia and unchanged in the outer media. At dilated stenoses, the number of precapillary arterioles in the outer media progressively increased up to 8 months; thereafter, the number of precapillary arterioles began to decrease. At 18 months, the number was normal. CONCLUSION: Angioplasty brings about changes in the number of precapillary arterioles in the outer media of the aorta in our canine model of focal abdominal aortic stenosis.

Vasa vasorum changes following stent placement in experimental arterial stenoses.

PURPOSE: Experimental stenoses were created in canine aortae to compare the effects of stent placement and balloon angioplasty on the vasa vasorum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A balloon-expandable Palmaz stent was placed in the proximal stenosis, and angioplasty was performed in the distal stenosis in each of eight dogs. Two dogs were killed at 4, 8, 12, and 18 months, respectively. Specimens were studied by means of microangiography, histology, scanning electronic microscopy, and Spalteholz technique. RESULTS: At up to 12 months, there was proliferation of the vasa vasorum and a rich plexus formed in each of the animals at each treated site. More vasa vasorum were seen after stent placement than after angioplasty. The new vessels were mainly venules located in the media. At 18 months, there was regression of the venules and the vasa vasorum distribution returned to baseline. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that the effects of stents on the vasa vasorum are temporary.