Wound tissue remodeling by latex exudate of Himatanthus drasticus: A plant species used in Brazilian folk medicine.

This work investigated the healing properties of proteins extracted of latex (HdLP) on excisional wounds. Cell toxicity of HdLP was investigated carried out in murine fibroblasts after incubation with HdLP (12.5-100 µg/ml). The dermal irritability test was performed to evaluate dermal reactions. The wounds were performed and treated with vehicle or HdLP (0.5 %, 1.0 %, and 2.0 %). The macroscopic parameters, histological analysis and measurement of inflammatory markers and mediators were evaluated. HdLP did not exhibit cytotoxicity and did not induce skin irritation. HdLP stimulated the release of IL-1ß at the beginning of the inflammatory phase. This effect probably favored the earlier release of IL-10 by macrophages, during the proliferative phase. The shortening and completeness of healing were characterized by fibroblast proliferation and the presence of newly synthesized collagen fibers. This was accompanied by well-organized re-epithelialization. The involvement of latex proteins in this activity is reported for the first time.

A phytomodulatory hydrogel with enhanced healing effects.

The healing performance of a hydrogel composed of hemicelluloses extracted from seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Fabaceae) and mixed with phytomodulatory proteins obtained from the latex of Calotropis procera was characterized on excisional wounds. The hydrogel did not induce dermal irritability. When topically used on excisional wounds, the hydrogel enhanced healing by wound contraction. Histology and the measurement of inflammatory mediators (myeloperoxidase, interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6) suggested that the inflammatory phase of the healing process was intensified, stimulating fibroplasia and neovascularization (proliferative phase) and tissue remodeling by increasing new collagen fiber deposition. In addition, reduction on levels of malondialdehyde in the groups that the hydrogel was applied suggested that the oxidative stress was reduced. The hydrogel performed better than the reference drug used, as revealed by the extended thickness of the remodeled epithelium.

Postmortem Findings for 7 Neonates with Congenital Zika Virus Infection.

Postmortem examination of 7 neonates with congenital Zika virus infection in Brazil revealed microcephaly, ventriculomegaly, dystrophic calcifications, and severe cortical neuronal depletion in all and arthrogryposis in 6. Other findings were leptomeningeal and brain parenchymal inflammation and pulmonary hypoplasia and lymphocytic infiltration in liver and lungs. Findings confirmed virus neurotropism and multiple organ infection.

Mortalidade materna: Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (1975-1991) / Maternal mortality: Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (1975-1991)

Quarenta e três mortes maternas ocorreram na Clínica Obstétrica do Hospital Geral de Fortaleza Sistema Estadual de Saúde (HGF-SES), no período de janeiro de 1975 a julho de 1991. As causas obstétricas diretas contribuiram com um maior percentual (69,77 por cento), sendo eclâmpsia, hemorragia e infecçao as principais afecçoes em ordem decrescente de freqüência, seguidas pelas causas obstétricas indiretas (ll,63 por cento)e as nao-obstétricas (6,98 por cento). Comparamos dois períodos: janeiro de 1975 a dezembro de 1987, com um coeficiente de mortalidade matema (CMM) de 206, e janeiro de l988 a julho de l99l, comum CMM de lO4, everificamos uma diminuiçao significativa do mesmo, apesar de este ser ainda alto, visto que nosso serviço atende gestantes de risco. Observamos, ainda, que a maioria das mortes matemas sao evitáveis, sendo necessária a instalaçao de um melhor programa de saúde pública.