Myorelaxation, respiratory depression and electrocardiographic changes caused by the administration of extract of açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) stone in rats.

The biological and pharmacological properties of natural polyphenols of the extract of Euterpe oleracea stone (EEOS) are associated with the central nervous system (CNS). To investigate the sedative and myorelaxant activity of EEOS in vivo, this study aimed to present the myorelaxant and sedative effects of EEOS in Wistar rats using spontaneous locomotor activity and motor electrophysiology. A total of 108 animals were used in the following experiments: a) behavioral tests (n = 27); b) electromyographic recordings of skeletal muscle (n = 27); c) respiratory muscle activity recordings (n = 27); d) cardiac muscle activity recordings (n = 27). The behavioral characteristics were measured according to the latency time of onset, the transient loss of posture reflex and maximum muscle relaxation. Electrodes were implanted in the gastrocnemius muscle and in the tenth intercostal space for electromyographic (EMG) signal capture to record muscle contraction, and in the D2 lead for electrocardiogram acquisition. After using the 300 mg/kg dose of EEOS intraperitoneally, a myorelaxant activity exhibited a lower frequency of contractility with an amplitude pattern of low and short duration at gastrocnemius muscle and intercostal muscle, which clearly describes a myorelaxant activity and changes in cardiac activity. The present report is so far the first study to demonstrate the myorelaxant activity of this extract, indicating an alternative route for açai stone valorization and its application in pharmaceutical fields.

Degradation of carbendazim in water via photo-Fenton in Raceway Pond Reactor: assessment of acute toxicity and transformation products.

This study aimed at investigating the degradation of fungicide carbendazim (CBZ) via photo-Fenton reactions in artificially and solar irradiated photoreactors at laboratory scale and in a semi-pilot scale Raceway Pond Reactor (RPR), respectively. Acute toxicity was monitored by assessing the sensibility of bioluminescent bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri) to samples taken during reactions. In addition, by-products formed during solar photo-Fenton were identified by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS). For tests performed in lab-scale, two artificial irradiation sources were compared (UVλ > 254nm and UV-Visλ > 320nm). A complete design of experiments was performed in the semi-pilot scale RPR in order to optimize reaction conditions (Fe2+ and H2O2 concentrations, and water depth). Efficient degradation of carbendazim (> 96%) and toxicity removal were achieved via artificially irradiated photo-Fenton under both irradiation sources. Control experiments (UV photolysis and UV-Vis peroxidation) were also efficient but led to increased acute toxicity. In addition, H2O2/UVλ > 254nm required longer reaction time (60 minutes) when compared to the photo-Fenton process (less than 1 min). While Fenton's reagent achieved high CBZ and acute toxicity removal, its efficiency demands higher concentration of reagents in comparison to irradiated processes. Solar photo-Fenton removed carbendazim within 15 min of reaction (96%, 0.75 kJ L-1), and monocarbomethoxyguanidine, benzimidazole isocyanate, and 2-aminobenzimidazole were identified as transformation products. Results suggest that both solar photo-Fenton and artificially irradiated systems are promising routes for carbendazim degradation.

Evaluación de las características funcionales del juego de reactivos VDRL Plus / Evaluation of the functional characteristics of the set of reagents called VDRL Plus

Introducción: la prueba de VDRL (venereal disease research laboratories) es una técnica no treponémica de microfloculación en lámina para la detección cualitativa y semicuantitativa de reaginas plasmáticas. El VDRL Plus es un juego de reactivos que contiene una suspensión antigénica estabilizada (no alcohólica), basada en una mezcla de cardiolipina, colesterol y lecitina en tampón fosfato. Objetivo: determinar un conjunto de parámetros funcionales que caracterizan el desempeño diagnóstico o clínico del juego de reactivo VDRL Plus producido en Centro de Isótopos (CENTIS). Métodos: los parámetros del desempeño diagnóstico evaluados fueron: sensibilidad y especificidad diagnóstica, valores predictivos positivo y negativo, razón de verosimilitud positiva y negativa. Se determinaron además los índices de Youden y de concordancia Kappa. Se emplearon como métodos de referencia TPHA (Treponema pallidum hemagglutination) y RPR (rapid plasma reagin)-carbón producidos en el CENTIS. Se utilizaron muestras de sueros obtenidas en diferentes instituciones de salud de La Habana y el estudio se realizó con dos lotes del producto. Resultados: para los dos lotes evaluados se obtuvieron valores de sensibilidad de 100 porciento y de especificidad diagnóstica de 81 y 84 porciento. Los valores predictivos positivos resultaron de 71 y 75 porciento, y los negativos de 100 porciento. Por su parte, las razones de verosimilitud negativas fueron de 0 porciento y las positivas de 5,3 y 6,3 porciento, para cada lote estudiado. Los índices de Youden obtenidos (0,84 y 0,81) y la concordancia expresada mediante Kappa muestran que existe una adecuada correlación entre los resultados con el método en evaluación y los de referencia. Conclusiones: las características funcionales evaluadas evidencian que el diagnosticador VDRL Plus es apto para el uso previsto y que estas son consistentes entre los lotes estudiados(AU)

Introduction: the VDRL test (venereal disease research laboratories) is a no-treponemal slide microaglutination test for the qualitative and semi-quantitative detection of plasma reagins in human serum. The VDRL Plus contains non alcoholic stabilized antigen suspension based in cardiolipin, lecithin and cholesterol in phosphate buffer. Objective: to determine a group of functional parameters in the diagnostic or clinical performance of the VDRL Plus set of reagents produced by the Center of Isotopes (CENTIS). Methods: several parameters, such as, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and positive and negative likelihood ratios were evaluated. Likewised, Youden and Kappa indexes were calculated. Two references methods were employed, that is, TPHA (Treponema pallidum hemagglutination) and RPR-Carbon (rapid plasma reagin)-carbon, both from CENTIS. Serum samples were collected from several health centers in Havana city. Two different product batches were evaluated. Results: the sensitivity value for both evaluated batches was 100 percent and the specificity was 81 and 84 percent. The positives predictive values were 71 and 75 percent and negative predictive value was 100 percent. The positive likelihood ration were 5.3 and 6,3 percent respectively and negative likelihood ration was 0 percent for both batches. The Youden indexes obtained (0.84 and 0.81) and Kappa's indexes showed that there was an adequate correlation between the results obtained and the evaluation and reference methods. Conclusions: the evaluated functional characteristics showed that they are consistent among studied batches and that the VDRL Plus assay is suitable for the intended use(AU)

Evaluación de las características funcionales del juego de reactivos VDRL Plus / Evaluation of the functional characteristics of the set of reagents called VDRL Plus

Introducción: la prueba de VDRL (venereal disease research laboratories) es una técnica no treponémica de microfloculación en lámina para la detección cualitativa y semicuantitativa de reaginas plasmáticas. El VDRL Plus es un juego de reactivos que contiene una suspensión antigénica estabilizada (no alcohólica), basada en una mezcla de cardiolipina, colesterol y lecitina en tampón fosfato. Objetivo: determinar un conjunto de parámetros funcionales que caracterizan el desempeño diagnóstico o clínico del juego de reactivo VDRL Plus producido en Centro de Isótopos (CENTIS). Métodos: los parámetros del desempeño diagnóstico evaluados fueron: sensibilidad y especificidad diagnóstica, valores predictivos positivo y negativo, razón de verosimilitud positiva y negativa. Se determinaron además los índices de Youden y de concordancia Kappa. Se emplearon como métodos de referencia TPHA (Treponema pallidum hemagglutination) y RPR (rapid plasma reagin)-carbón producidos en el CENTIS. Se utilizaron muestras de sueros obtenidas en diferentes instituciones de salud de La Habana y el estudio se realizó con dos lotes del producto. Resultados: para los dos lotes evaluados se obtuvieron valores de sensibilidad de 100 porciento y de especificidad diagnóstica de 81 y 84 porciento. Los valores predictivos positivos resultaron de 71 y 75 porciento, y los negativos de 100 porciento. Por su parte, las razones de verosimilitud negativas fueron de 0 porciento y las positivas de 5,3 y 6,3 porciento, para cada lote estudiado. Los índices de Youden obtenidos (0,84 y 0,81) y la concordancia expresada mediante Kappa muestran que existe una adecuada correlación entre los resultados con el método en evaluación y los de referencia. Conclusiones: las características funcionales evaluadas evidencian que el diagnosticador VDRL Plus es apto para el uso previsto y que estas son consistentes entre los lotes estudiados

Introduction: the VDRL test (venereal disease research laboratories) is a no-treponemal slide microaglutination test for the qualitative and semi-quantitative detection of plasma reagins in human serum. The VDRL Plus contains non alcoholic stabilized antigen suspension based in cardiolipin, lecithin and cholesterol in phosphate buffer. Objective: to determine a group of functional parameters in the diagnostic or clinical performance of the VDRL Plus set of reagents produced by the Center of Isotopes (CENTIS). Methods: several parameters, such as, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and positive and negative likelihood ratios were evaluated. Likewised, Youden and Kappa indexes were calculated. Two references methods were employed, that is, TPHA (Treponema pallidum hemagglutination) and RPR-Carbon (rapid plasma reagin)-carbon, both from CENTIS. Serum samples were collected from several health centers in Havana city. Two different product batches were evaluated. Results: the sensitivity value for both evaluated batches was 100 percent and the specificity was 81 and 84 percent. The positives predictive values were 71 and 75 percent and negative predictive value was 100 percent. The positive likelihood ration were 5.3 and 6,3 percent respectively and negative likelihood ration was 0 percent for both batches. The Youden indexes obtained (0.84 and 0.81) and Kappa's indexes showed that there was an adequate correlation between the results obtained and the evaluation and reference methods. Conclusions: the evaluated functional characteristics showed that they are consistent among studied batches and that the VDRL Plus assay is suitable for the intended use

Seroprevalencia de Sífilis en embarazadas Alto Parana-2008

Background: Congenital syphilis is acquired from an infected mother in utero or through the birth canal. With the diagnosis of the disease and the advent of penicillin, it becomes a significant reduction. Nontreponemal serologic evidence as the VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) or RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) are easy to determined, economic cost, are useful for diagnosis and essential to monitor response to treatment, which needs to the study is quantitative. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of syphilis infection in the pregnant population in 6 cities of Alto Paraná, in 2008. Materials and methods: Study retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional. We reviewed the files of maternal and child services private and public, of 7,380 pregnant women who attended the pre-natal control 2,028 serology for syphilis. Results: Of a total of 7,380 chips analyzed, 5,310 were public institutions, where 17% of pregnant women, presented in the medical record VDRL test. In private institutions, of 2,070 pregnant, 54% of them had registered VDRL test. In Ciudad del Este, (capital of Alto Paraná) pregnant women in public institutions were 2,445, of which, only 36% made 4 or more controls during pregnancy, 0.80% tested positive for VDRL test, 7.20% was negative and 92% did not record data, this scenario is repeated in all major cities of the department and the percentage is even lower in public institutions. Conclusion: The situation of pregnant women in Alto Paraná is alarming because it represents a significant and unnecessary risk to the newborn, because they account for many years with appropriate pharmacological and economic weapons to avoid.

La sífilis congénita se adquiere a partir de una madre infectada in útero o por el canal del parto. Con el diagnóstico de la enfermedad y el advenimiento de la penicilina, se torna una reducción significativa. Existen pruebas serológicas no treponémicas como el VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) o RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) fáciles de realizar, tienen escaso costo económico, son útiles para el diagnóstico y esenciales para controlar la respuesta al tratamiento, para lo cual se necesita que el estudio sea cuantitativo. El objetivo del trabajo consistió en investigar la incidencia de la infección por sífilis, en la población embarazada, en 6 ciudades del Alto Paraná, durante el año 2008. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, de corte transversal. Se revisaron los archivos de Servicios materno-infantil privado y público, de 7.380 embarazadas que concurrieron al control pre-natal, donde se registraba la serología para sífilis. Resultados: De un total de 7.380 fichas analizadas, 5.310 fueron de Instituciones Públicas, en donde el 17% de las embarazadas, presentaban en la historia clínica registro de test de VDRL. En Instituciones privadas, de 2.028 embarazadas, el 54% de ellas tenían registrado test de VDRL. En Ciudad del Este, (capital del Alto Paraná) las embarazadas de Instituciones Públicas, fueron 2.445, de las cuales: solo el 36% realizaron 4 o más controles durante la gestación, el 0,80% dio positivo el test para VDRL, el 7,20% dio negativo, y 92 % no registra datos, este panorama se repite en las grandes ciudades del departamento y el porcentaje es menor en Instituciones públicas. Conclusión:La situación de las embarazadas en el Alto Paraná es alarmante ya que supone un riesgo importante e innecesario para el recién nacido, debido a que se cuenta, hace muchos años con las armas farmacológicas adecuadas y económicas para evitarlas.