Activity of epiisopiloturine against Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis, caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, still imposes a considerable public health burden on large parts of the world. The control of this disease depends almost exclusively on the drug praziquantel, and there are no alternative drugs in sight. Natural compounds have recently attracted significant attention due to their relevance to parasitic infection and potential development into new therapeutic agents. Epiisopiloturine is an imidazole alkaloid isolated from the leaves of Pilocarpus microphyllus (Rutaceae), a native plant from Brazil. Here, we report the in vitro effect of this drug on the survival time of Schistosoma mansoni of different ages, such as 3 h old and 1, 3, 5, and 7 days old schistosomula, 49-day-old adults, and on egg output by adult worms. Epiisopiloturine at a concentration of 300 µg/mL caused the death of all schistosomula within 120 h. Extensive tegumental alterations and death were observed when adult schistosomes had been exposed to 150 µg/mL of the epiisopiloturine. At the highest sub-lethal dose of alkaloid (100 µg/mL), a 100% reduction in egg laying of paired adult worms was observed. Additionally, epiisopiloturine showed selective antischistosomal activity and exhibited no cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. This report provides the first evidence that epiisopiloturine is able to kill S. mansoni of different ages and inhibit worm egg laying.

Contribution of the cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale L.) for development of layer-by-layer films with potential application in nanobiomedical devices.

The search for bioactive molecules to be employed as recognition elements in biosensors has stimulated researchers to pore over the rich Brazilian biodiversity. In this sense, we introduce the use of natural cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale L.) as an active biomaterial to be used in the form of layer-by-layer films, in conjunction with phthalocyanines, which were tested as electrochemical sensors for dopamine detection. We investigated the effects of chemical composition of cashew gum from two different regions of Brazil (Piauí and Ceará states) on the physico-chemical characteristics of these nanostructures. The morphology of the nanostructures containing cashew gum was studied by atomic force microscopy which indicates that smooth films punctuated by globular features were formed that showed low roughness values. The results indicate that, independent of the origin, cashew gum stands out as an excellent film forming material with potential application in nanobiomedical devices as electrochemical sensors.

Atlanto axial instability due to neurofibromatosis: case report.

Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant genetic disease, characterized by café au lait spots, neurofibromas and several bony anomalies. Deformities of the spine are the most frequent alterations. Involvement of the cervical spine has been studied less frequently. The case of a 16-year-old male patient affected by neurofibromatosis, with cervical pain without neurological symptoms is presented. X-rays, CT-scan and MRI demonstrated the presence of cervical kyphosis, occipitoaxial instability and atlantoaxial instability with subluxation. Posterior occipito-C2 fusion was performed with prior placement of a halo-vest. The outcome at four years was good with solid occipito axial fusion, moderate loss of cervical spine flexion and moderate-to-severe limitation of cervical spine rotation. The incidence and variety of alterations of the cervical spine in patients affected with neurofibromatosis is discussed, as well as the results obtained by the treatment.

Vertebral artery occlusion after acute cervical spine trauma.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of vertebral artery injury diagnosed during the last 6 years in our institution. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical and radiologic features of vertebral artery injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Extracranial occlusion of the vertebral artery associated with cervical spine fracture is uncommon and can cause serious and even fatal neurologic deficit due to back lifting and cerebellar infarction. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography are extremely helpful in the examination of acute injuries of the cervical spine. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography were performed at the time of injury. RESULTS: The authors reviewed six patients with cervical spine fractures who were diagnosed with a unilateral occlusion of the vertebral artery by means of magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography. One patient had signs of vertebrobasilar insufficiency and another with complete cord lesion had cerebellar and back lifting infarctions. Surgical anterior spinal fusion was performed in five patients, and one was treated by traction and orthosis. At the time of discharge, five patients had no vertebrobasilar symptoms, and the patient who experienced vertebrobasilar territory infarctions showed no progression of the neurologic damage. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral artery injury should be suspected in cervical trauma patients with facet joint dislocation or transverse foramen fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography is a helpful test to rule out vascular injury. Vertebral artery injury affects the extracranial segment at the same level as the cervical fracture. This is a retrospective review that did not permit drawing conclusions about the effects of early surgical stabilization in the treatment of cervical spine injuries with associated vertebral artery injury; however, surgical stabilization may avoid propagation and embolization of the clot located at the site of the lesion.