Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential of Hippeastrum psittacinum (Ker Gawl.) herb (Amaryllidaceae).

Hippeastrum psittacinum, Amaryllidaceae, is used in traditional medicine as a purgative, aphrodisiac, and anticough remedy. The ethanol extract (EE) and alkaloid-rich fractions (ARF) from H. psittacinum bulbs were evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. The EE cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells, and the neuroprotective and genotoxic activities in SH-SY5Y cells, were also estimated. Fifteen alkaloids were identified in the EE by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. ARFs were less active for AChE inhibition than EE. The viability of both cell lines was higher than 70% with EE concentrations below 25 µg/mL. The EE decreased nitrite release in RAW cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, showing values of 83, 67, and 53% at 6.25, 12.5, and 25 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the EE partially protected SH-SY5Y cells from hydrogen peroxide-mediated deleterious effects by approximately 50% at the same concentrations. The micronucleus assays showed that the extract caused chromosomal missegregation at concentrations above 12.5 µg/mL. The in silico analyses showed that some alkaloids presented properties of permeation of the blood-brain barrier and the intestine. Our findings present new evidence of the potential of H. psittacinum potential as an AChE inhibitor, as well as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent.

Frequency of HLA-DQ, susceptibility genotypes for celiac disease, in Brazilian newborns.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 predisposing genotypes for celiac disease (CD) has shown significant variation among different world regions and has not been previously determined among the highly interbred Brazilian population. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of these genotypes among Brazilian newborns (NB). METHODS: We typed DQA1*05 - DQB1*02 (DQ2.5) and DQA1*03 - DQB1*03:02 (DQ8) alleles in 329 NB using qPCR technique. Subsequently we confirmed our results by PCR-SSP using a reference kit which further identified DQ2.2 (DQA1*02:01 - DQB1*02). RESULTS: Among the 329 NB, using qPCR technique: 5 (1.52%) carried both DQ2.5 and DQ8 variants; 58 (17.63%) carried only DQ2.5 (DQA1*05 and DQB1*02) and 47 (14.29%) carried only the DQ8 (DQA1*03 and DQB1*03:02) variant. The use of the PCR-SSP method yielded further information; among the 329 samples: 34 (10.34%) tested positive for DQ2.2 and among the 47 previously DQ8 positives samples, we found 10 (3.04%) that also tested positives for DQ2.2. CONCLUSION: 43.7% of the analyzed individual tested positive for at least one of the CD predisposing HLA-DQ genotypes in our group of Brazilian NB. The highest frequency was found for DQ2.5 positive subjects (17.6%) followed by DQ8 (11.3%); DQ2.2 (10.3%); DQ8 and DQ2.2 (3.0%); DQ2.5 and DQ8 (1.5%). We found no positive sample for DQ2.5 associated with DQ2.2.

Screening for celiac disease in 1st degree relatives: a 10-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Although it is known that first degree relatives of celiac patients have an increased risk for celiac disease few studies are available on its incidence. We investigated the incidence of serologic conversion and of new cases of celiac disease among first degree relatives with negative results at a first screening. METHODS: From a total of 634 first degree relatives of 186 biopsy-proven celiac disease patients diagnosed between October 2000 and October 2010, 450 subjects agreed to participate in the study (Group I), and underwent serologic screening. Between January 2010 and October 2012, out of the initial group of 450, 205 previously sero-negative subjects consented to participate in a second stage of the study and undergo new serologic testing (Group II). All serologically positive individuals of both groups (I and II) were genotyped for celiac disease-predisposing alleles (HLA-DQ2/DQ8). RESULTS: 19 subjects (4.2%) out of the 450 subjects of Group I disclosed positive serologic results, presence of DQ2 and/or DQ8 alleles and celiac disease-compatible mucosal abnormalities. The 205 previously negative first degree relatives from Group II that underwent new serologic testing disclosed eight sero-converted subjects. Mucosal abnormalities in five of these patients confirmed the diagnosis of celiac disease. During the 10-year period of the study the incidence of sero-conversion was 8/205 and the incidence of biopsy-proven celiac disease cases was 5/205. CONCLUSIONS: Our data are coincident with other works on this subject and confirm once again that relatives of celiac patients, especially first degree relatives are at high risk of developing celiac disease. In view of the relatively low incidence further studies are needed to try to establish a useful and cost-effective algorithm for follow-up of relatives of celiac patients.

Campanha da popularização do auto exame da boca - Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil (Part I) / Popularization of oral self-examination campaign - University of Sao Paulo

Os modelos de saúde bucal do Brasil estão pautados em ações assistencialistas e curativas, que, devido uma demanda crescente e recursos insuficientes, culmina numa assistência inadequada e omissão social por exclusão de parte da população necessitada. A Odontologia tem um grande desafio em sua frente no combate ao câncer de boca os profissionais tais como, médicos, fonoaudiólogos, psicólogos,nutricionistas, etc. devem ser nossos parceiros nas equipes multiprofissionais. Inspirado nesta filosofia foi criado o projeto deôpopularização do auto-exame da bocaö, executado em maio de 2005. Neste trabalho serão apresentadas suas experiências, repercussões e perspectivas futuras. A abordagem se constituiu principalmente da elaboração de um projeto de comunicação em massa, onde uma campanha foi o instrumento utilizado para provar que é viável fazer ações educativas nacionais em câncer de boca, captar recursos e agregar parceiros, devendo tomar um caráter permanente a partir de maio 2006