Long-circulating and fusogenic liposomes loaded with a glucoevatromonoside derivative induce potent antitumor response.

Cancer is an important public health problem, being one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Most antineoplastic agents cause severe toxic effects and some types of cancer do not respond or are resistant to the existing pharmacotherapy, necessitating the research and development of new therapeutic strategies. Cardenolides have shown significant antitumor activity due to their ability to inhibit the Na+K+ATPase enzyme, and the expression of this enzyme is increased in tumor cells. Glucoevatromonoside containing peracetylated glucose hydroxyl groups (GEVPG) is a cardenolide derivative that has low solubility in aqueous media, which constitutes a barrier to its potential biological applications. In this context, the use of liposomes represents a promising strategy to deliver GEVPG, thus allowing its intravenous administration. In this study, long-circulating and fusogenic liposomes containing GEVPG (SpHL-GEVPG) were developed, and their chemical and physicochemical properties were evaluated. SpHL-GEVPG presented adequate properties, including a mean diameter of 182.2 ± 2.7 nm, a polydispersity index equal to 0.36 ± 0.03, a zeta potential of -2.37 ± 0.31 mV, and a GEVPG entrapment of 0.38 ± 0.04 mg/mL. Moreover, this formulation showed a good stability after having been stored for 30 days at 4 °C. The cytotoxic studies against breast (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and SKBR-3) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines demonstrated that SpHL-GEVPG treatment significantly reduced the cell viability. In addition, the SpHL-GEVPG formulation presented a good selectivity toward these cancer cells. The evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment with SpHL-GEVPG showed a potent anticancer effect in an A549 human lung cancer xenograft model. SpHL-GEVPG administered at doses of 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg (i.v.) induced antitumor effect comparable to paclitaxel given at dose of 10 mg/kg (i.v.) to mice. Therefore, the results of the present work indicate the potential applicability of SpHL-GEVPG as a new anticancer formulation.

Evisceración vaginal. Aportación de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía / Vaginal eviceration. Report of a case and review of the literature

La evisceración vaginal es una complicación infrecuente de la histerectomía. Aparece fundamentalmente en mujeres posmenopáusicas con antecedentes de cirugía vaginal y enterocele asociado. Es una urgencia quirúrgica, con morbilidad elevada en la que lo más importante es confirmar la viabilidad del asa herniada. El cierre simple de la cúpula vaginal es suficiente para corregir el defecto. La reparación quirúrgica puede ser por vía vaginal, abdominal, laparoscópica o combinadas. Presentamos un nuevo caso resuelto por vía abdominal (AU)

[Comparison of 4 techniques for the diagnosis of Giardia lamblia in stool of children from Belém city, Pará State, Brazil]. / Comparação de quatro métodos laboratoriais para diagnóstico da Giardia lamblia em fezes de crianças residentes em Belém, Pará

We report the evaluation of four techniques for Giardia lamblia diagnosis in children's stool. The Iron haematoxilin staining and direct examination with lugol showed lower positivity, while the method of Faust et al. Continues to be a good option for G. lamblia diagnosis and Immunoenzymatic assay increases the detection of this parasite.

Comparação de quatro métodos laboratoriais para diagnóstico da Giardia lamblia em fezes de crianças residentes em Belém, Pará / Comparison of 4 techniques for the diagnosis of Giardia lamblia in stool of children from Belém city, Pará State, Brazil

We report the evaluation of four techniques for Giardia lamblia diagnosis in children's stool. The Iron haematoxilin staining and direct examination with lugol showed lower positivity, while the method of Faust et al. Continues to be a good option for G. lamblia diagnosis and Immunoenzymatic assay increases the detection of this parasite.

Relatamos a comparação de quatro metodologias para o diagnóstico da Giardia lamblia em material fecal de crianças, Belém/PA. A Hematoxilina Férrica e o método direto apresentaram menor positividade, enquanto que o Método de Faust continua uma boa escolha para o diagnóstico e o Ensaio imunoenzimático melhora a qualidade da detecção deste parasito.

Sex education in Portugal.

PIP: The article on sex education in Portugal covers background, the educational system, the clashes of the 1960's over sex education, the Committee for the Study of Sexuality and Education (CSSE), the policies, politics and social movements during the period 1974 - 1984, the discussions in Parliament, the 1988 Reform of the Educational System, the Family Planning Association (FPA) and sex education, and the future role of the FPA. It was not until the institution of the multiparity parliamentary system in 1974 that discussing social and political changes was possible, culminating in 1984 with new legislation on abortion, family planning, and sex education. School reform came in 1987/8 with the Ministry of Education primarily responsible for curricula. The 1960's brought with it the influence of the Catholic Church. Change came in the form of progressivism among Catholics who replaced dogma with dialogue and listening. Sex education was considered as preparation for marriage, but masturbation, contraception, and prostitution were also discussed. In addition, the founder of FPA chaired the CSSE in 1971 and opened up debate on sex issues and drafted a bill to establish co-education in Portuguese schools. The revolution of 1974 brought an end to censorship and brought forth a policy of developing family planning. Changed in the Family Code gave women greater equality. UNFPA supported teacher training in non-sexist education. With human reproduction included in the natural sciences, there was still no school sex education policy and contraception was only sometimes represented in the biology curriculum. The focus of FPA was on contraception and abortion. Finally in the 1980's, the first sex education programs were developed for out-of-school youth. Even though in the 1970's there were leftists groups promoting sex education, it took leftist parliamentary power to get legislation on sex education in the schools adopted. The Ministry of Education however was pressured by the Catholic Church. As in 1973, committees were formed but no action was taken. Sex education activity increased nonetheless - the first FPA document on school education prepared. In 1986 Personal and Social Education was approved by parliament providing an alternative (due to the Catholic Church) to Religious Education, but even with FPA support documents, the implementation did not begin until the end of 1990. In brief the FPA's emphasis was on the body, sexuality, sex and interpersonal relationships, and sexual reproduction. The role of FPA continues at the grass roots level in stimulating discussion; cooperating with schools, students and parents; and acting as a resource center.^ieng

[Use of sebacic acid for identifying anaerobic bacteria using gas phase chromatography]. / Uso del ácido sebácico en la identificación de bacterias anaerobias por cromatografía en fase gaseosa (CGL).

Volatile short-chain fatty acids formed as end products of metabolism of 25 anaerobic bacterial strains isolated from different clinical specimens and collections were analysed by GLC. Strains were previously identified using microscopic, cultural and biochemical tests. Gas-chromatograms of acids (volatile fatty acid profiles) were obtained with a sebacic acid packed column. The potential application of the GLC technique for the rapid and accurate identification of these organisms is discussed.

Uso del ácido sebácico en la identificación de bacterias anaerobias por cromatografía en fase gaseosa (CGL). / [Use of sebacic acid for identifying anaerobic bacteria using gas phase chromatography]

Volatile short-chain fatty acids formed as end products of metabolism of 25 anaerobic bacterial strains isolated from different clinical specimens and collections were analysed by GLC. Strains were previously identified using microscopic, cultural and biochemical tests. Gas-chromatograms of acids (volatile fatty acid profiles) were obtained with a sebacic acid packed column. The potential application of the GLC technique for the rapid and accurate identification of these organisms is discussed.

[Microbiological quality of dehydrated and instant products for infants and children ]. / Calidad microbiológica de productos deshidratados e instantáneos para lactantes y niños.

A total of 23 lots of dehydrated and instant products for babies and children were analyzed. Neither Salmonella, C. perfringens, B. cereus, St. aureus, Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, fecal coliforms, E. coli nor aflatoxins could be detected in the 115 samples studied. With the exception of the cereals, results obtained for the Aerobic Plate Count (RAP), the Moulds and Yeast Count (RHL) and the Total Coliforms Count (RCT) were, respectively, 91% equal of lower then 3 per gram, and 92% lower than 100 per gram. The results obtained justify the proposition of consultants of FAO/WHO, to limit determination to RAP, RCT, and investigation of Salmonella. According to specifications of FAO/WHO, 10,5% of the lots examined would be considered non acceptable. With regard to the cereals, the lower sensitivity of the used techniques, due to the physical sample characteristics, makes it advisable to adopt RHL here, too.

Calidad microbiológica de productos deshidratados e instantáneos para lactantes y niños. / [Microbiological quality of dehydrated and instant products for infants and children ]

A total of 23 lots of dehydrated and instant products for babies and children were analyzed. Neither Salmonella, C. perfringens, B. cereus, St. aureus, Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, fecal coliforms, E. coli nor aflatoxins could be detected in the 115 samples studied. With the exception of the cereals, results obtained for the Aerobic Plate Count (RAP), the Moulds and Yeast Count (RHL) and the Total Coliforms Count (RCT) were, respectively, 91

equal of lower then 3 per gram, and 92

lower than 100 per gram. The results obtained justify the proposition of consultants of FAO/WHO, to limit determination to RAP, RCT, and investigation of Salmonella. According to specifications of FAO/WHO, 10,5

of the lots examined would be considered non acceptable. With regard to the cereals, the lower sensitivity of the used techniques, due to the physical sample characteristics, makes it advisable to adopt RHL here, too.

[Numerical taxonomy of the genus Bacillus]. / Taxonomía numérica del género Bacillus.

Eighty-one morphologic and biochemical features of seventy Bacillus strains were studied. Techniques of Numerical Taxonomy were used for this purpose. One method of coding and four others of clustering methods were used. Clustering methods were: weighted an unweighted pair-groups methods using arithmetic averages (WPGMA and UPGMA, respectively) and those of simple and complete linkage. With this methodology four dendrograms were obtained. The highest cophenetic correlation coefficient (0,718) was obtained from UPGMA. With UPGMA a classification in eleven groups and fourteen subgroups was obtained. Group was defined as the cluster of strains linked with similarity coefficients greater than 0.700 and subgroup as the cluster of strains linked with similarity coefficients greater than 0.800. It is important to take into account that in WPGMA dendrogram a very similar distribution was observed. As in classical taxonomy, the characteristic morphologic and physiological variabilities of the genus Bacillus were observed.

Taxonomía numérica del género Bacillus. / [Numerical taxonomy of the genus Bacillus]

Eighty-one morphologic and biochemical features of seventy Bacillus strains were studied. Techniques of Numerical Taxonomy were used for this purpose. One method of coding and four others of clustering methods were used. Clustering methods were: weighted an unweighted pair-groups methods using arithmetic averages (WPGMA and UPGMA, respectively) and those of simple and complete linkage. With this methodology four dendrograms were obtained. The highest cophenetic correlation coefficient (0,718) was obtained from UPGMA. With UPGMA a classification in eleven groups and fourteen subgroups was obtained. Group was defined as the cluster of strains linked with similarity coefficients greater than 0.700 and subgroup as the cluster of strains linked with similarity coefficients greater than 0.800. It is important to take into account that in WPGMA dendrogram a very similar distribution was observed. As in classical taxonomy, the characteristic morphologic and physiological variabilities of the genus Bacillus were observed.

[Simplified preliminary identification of some species of Clostridium]. / Identificación preliminar simplificada de algunas especies de Clostridium.

A dichotomous key is proposed for the identification of eight species of Clostridium: Clostridium botulinum, C. butyricum, C. haemolyticum, C. histolyticum, C. paraperfringens, C. perfringens, C. sporogenes y C. subterminale, on the basis of the Gram staining, catalase production, growth on nutrient agar, glucose utilization, motility test, gelatin hydrolysis, lecithinase production, human blood hemolysis and the test of mice toxicity.

[Numerical taxonomy of gram-positive anaerobic bacilli]. / Taxonomia numérica de bacilos gram positivos anaerobios.

Numerical Taxonomy's techniques were employed on twenty one anaerobic Gram positive bacilli strains taking account of eighty morphologic and biochemical features. Two methods of coding (weighted and non weighted) and four clustering methods (unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages; weighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages; single linkage and complete linkage) were used. Eight dendrograms were obtained and they showed that C. haemolyticum (strains 1, 2, 4, 7); C. subterminale (strains 8, 19); C. botulinum (strain 14) and C. sporogenes (strain 15) belong to a different group than the other strains. Another group would be formed with C. perfringens (strains 3, 5, 6, 12, 16, 21) and C. paraperfringens (strains 9, 10, 11). Of the remaining strains the two classified as Propionibacterium acnes (strains 17, 18) have a very high degree of agreement. C. histolyticum (strain 20) adjoins at a very low level, while C. butyricum (strain 13) shows a unfixed behaviour. The dendrograms display a disposition according with Classical Taxonomy.

Taxonomia numérica de bacilos gram positivos anaerobios. / [Numerical taxonomy of gram-positive anaerobic bacilli]

Numerical Taxonomys techniques were employed on twenty one anaerobic Gram positive bacilli strains taking account of eighty morphologic and biochemical features. Two methods of coding (weighted and non weighted) and four clustering methods (unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages; weighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages; single linkage and complete linkage) were used. Eight dendrograms were obtained and they showed that C. haemolyticum (strains 1, 2, 4, 7); C. subterminale (strains 8, 19); C. botulinum (strain 14) and C. sporogenes (strain 15) belong to a different group than the other strains. Another group would be formed with C. perfringens (strains 3, 5, 6, 12, 16, 21) and C. paraperfringens (strains 9, 10, 11). Of the remaining strains the two classified as Propionibacterium acnes (strains 17, 18) have a very high degree of agreement. C. histolyticum (strain 20) adjoins at a very low level, while C. butyricum (strain 13) shows a unfixed behaviour. The dendrograms display a disposition according with Classical Taxonomy.

Identificación preliminar simplificada de algunas especies de Clostridium. / [Simplified preliminary identification of some species of Clostridium]

A dichotomous key is proposed for the identification of eight species of Clostridium: Clostridium botulinum, C. butyricum, C. haemolyticum, C. histolyticum, C. paraperfringens, C. perfringens, C. sporogenes y C. subterminale, on the basis of the Gram staining, catalase production, growth on nutrient agar, glucose utilization, motility test, gelatin hydrolysis, lecithinase production, human blood hemolysis and the test of mice toxicity.

Taxonomia numerica de bacilos gram positivos anaerobios. / Numerical taxonomy of gram-positive anaerobic bacilli

Se estudiaron por taxonomia numerica 21 cepas de bacilos anaerobios Gram positivos empleandose ochenta caracteres morfologicos y bioquimicos. Se aplicaron dos metodos de codificacion (pesado y no pesado) y cuatro de agrupamiento (metodo de los pares no pesados usando promedios aritmeticos, metodo de ligamiento simple y metodo de ligamiento completo). Se obtuvieron ocho dendrogramas que muestran que Clostridium haemolyticum (cepas 1, 2, 4 y 7), C. subterminale (cepas 8 y 19), C. botulinum (cepa 14) y C. sporogenes (cepas 15) forman un grupo diferenciable de las restantes cepas. Outro grupo estaria constituido por C. perfringens (cepas 3, 5, 6, 12, 16 y 21) y C. paraperfringens (cepas 9, 10 y 11). De las cuatro cepas restantes la dos correspondientes a Propionibacterium acnes (cepas 17 y 18) guardan entre si una estrecha similitud. C. histolyticum (cepa 20) se une luego a un nivel muy inferior, mientras que C. butyricum (cepa 13) muestra un comportamiento variable. El ordenamiento obtenido es concordante con el dado por la taxonomia clasica

Identificacion preliminar simplificada de algunas especies de Clostridium / Simplified preliminary identification of some species of Clostridium

Se propone una clave dicotomica para la identificacion de ocho especies de Clostridium: Clostridium botulinum, C. butyricum, C. haemolyticum, C. histolyticum, C.paraperfringens, C. perfringens, C. sporogenes y C. subterminale, la cual requiere observacion microscopica por medio de la coloracion de Gram y ocho pruebas: produccion de catalasas, crecimiento en agar nutritivo, fermentacion de glucosa, movilidad, hidrolisis de gelatina, produccion de lecitinasas, hemolisis en agar sangre humana y la prueba de toxicidad en raton