Anthelmintic effect of Psidium guajava and Tagetes erecta on wild-type and Levamisole-resistant Caenorhabditis elegans strains.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Psidium guajava and Tagetes erecta have been used traditionally to treat gastrointestinal parasites, but their active metabolites and mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the anthelmintic potential of Psidium guajava and Tagetes erecta extracts on Levamisole-sensitive and Levamisole-resistant strains of the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extracts of Psidium guajava (PGE) and Tagetes erecta (TEE) were assayed on locomotion and egg-laying behaviors of the wild-type (N2) and Levamisole-resistant (CB193) strains of Caenorhabditis elegans. RESULTS: Both extracts paralyzed wild-type and Levamisole-resistant nematodes in a dose-dependent manner. In wild-type worms, TEE 25mg/mL induced a 75% paralysis after 8h of treatment and PGE 25mg/mL induced a 100% paralysis after 4h of treatment. PGE exerted a similar paralyzing effect on N2 wild-type and CB193 Levamisole-resistant worms, while TEE only partially paralyzed CB193 worms. TEE 25mg/mL decreased N2 egg-laying by 65% with respect to the untreated control, while PGE did it by 40%. CONCLUSIONS: Psidium guajava leaves and Tagetes erecta flower-heads possess hydrosoluble compounds that block the motility of Caenorhabditis elegans by a mechanism different to that of the anthelmintic drug Levamisole. Effects are also observable on oviposition, which was diminished in the wild-type worms. The strong anthelmintic effects in crude extracts of these plants warrants future work to identify their active compounds and to elucidate their molecular mechanisms of action.

Evaluation of parameters related to libido and semen quality in Zebu bulls naturally infected with Trypanosoma vivax.

BACKGROUND: Trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by Trypanosoma (Dutonella) vivax, a hemoprotozoa that can affect bovines. In South America, the sanguineous form is mechanically transmitted from one mammalian host (ruminant) to another by the bite of a blood-sucking insect or by needles contaminated with infected blood. The negative impact of the parasitosis caused by T. vivax infection on the reproductive activity of male and female ruminants is known to reduce fertility. In males, alterations such as degeneration, diffuse or interlobular inflammatory infiltrate found in ovine and bovine testicles, can affect fertility through decreased sperm quality. This study evaluated the impact of natural infection with T. vivax on Zebu bulls from the Central Station of Artificial Insemination (CSAI) with regard to libido and the negative effects caused by this protozoan on semen quality. METHODS: Blood samples of 44 animals were collected to evaluate the presence of the trypomastigote form of T. vivax in blood smears obtained from hematocrit and buffy coat, and antibody titer IgG anti T. vivax in indirect Immunoflorescence (IFI). Furthermore, data related to libido, ejaculate volume, spermatic concentration, and seminal vigor were recorded for these animals employing the criteria of the CSAI. RESULTS: Nine animals (20.45 %) showed T. vivax trypomastigotes and parasitemia between 0.02 and 0.07, and antibody titers from 1:80 to 1:320 in IFI. Twenty nine negative animals in parasitological tests were not reactive in IFI, and six animals presented the antibodies IgG anti T. vivax in IFI. Data on reproductive activity showed that animals infected with T. vivax have a decreased libido and an increased spermatic volume, whereas other factors related to the reproductive process such as spermatic concentration, motility and spermatic force, were unchanged in infected bulls. CONCLUSIONS: The T. vivax infection in Zebu bulls from CSAI caused patent parasitemia, induced a febrile state, promoted reduction in the libido and increased the ejaculate volume. These conditions together may account to decrease the performance of these animals.

Enfermedad de Kawasaki resistente al tratamiento con inmunoglobulinas. Infliximab como nueva terapia / Title: Infliximab as nobel therapy for refractory Kawasaki disease

La enfermedad de Kawasaki (EK) es una vasculitis multisistémica de etiología desconocida. Pueden afectarse las arterias coronarias hasta en el 25% de los casos que no reciben tratamiento precoz con inmunoglobulinas intravenosas (IGIV) y ácido acetilsalicílico en dosis elevadas. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 5 años y 10 meses de edad con EK resistente al tratamiento convencional. Recibió 3 dosis de IGIV y 3 dosis de metilprednisolona, sin resultados terapéuticos; finalmente respondió a infliximab (anticuerpo contra el factor de necrosis tumoral alfa). A pesar de presentar signos de vasculitis severa y persistente, manifestada por una fiebre que no cedía y una elevación de los reactantes de fase aguda, el paciente no presentó aneurismas coronarios(AU)

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multisystemic vasculitis of unknown etiology, with coronary artery aneurisms occurring in 25% of untreated cases with conventional treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and acetylsalicylic acid (AAS) to high dose. We describe the case of a 5-year-old boy and 10months with KD resistant to the conventional therapy. He received a total of 3 doses of IVIG and 3 pulses of methylprednisolone without success. He was treated with infliximab (antitumor necrosis factor-alfa) with a good response. In spite of presenting signs of severe and persistent vasculitis, evidenced by ongoing fever and elevation of the reactants of acute phase, our patient didn't develop coronary aneurysms(AU)

Opiate addicts and their perceived parental rearing.

A comparison is made between a group of young opiate addicts and a control group on their parents' rearing attitudes. A number of significant differences between the two groups emerged e.g. concerning affection, guilt engendering, favouring self esteem, estimation of school performance, strictness indicating a defective family atmosphere. The presence of a high percentage of alcoholism in fathers of the toxicomanics supports these findings.

Analysis of the family structure in a case of psychogenic purpura.

The case deals with an 18-year-old female patient suffering from psychogenic purpura who was successfully treated with individual and family oriented dynamic psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on family dynamics and their possible bearing on the origin of the illness.