Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of 7-hydroxycoumarin in experimental animal models: potential therapeutic for the control of inflammatory chronic pain

Objectives In the present study we investigated the anti nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) in animal models. Methods The effects of oral 7-HC were tested against acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin test, tail flick test, complete Freund`s adjuvant (CFA)-induced hypemociception, carrageenan-induced paw oedema, lipopolysaccharide-induced fever and the rota rod test. Key findings 7-HC (3-60 mg/kg) produced a dose-related antinociception against acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and in the formalin test. In contrast, treatment with 7-HC did not prevent thermal nociception in the tail flick test. A single treatment with 7-HC, 60 mg/kg, produced a long-lasting antinociceptive effect against CFA-induced hypernociception, a chronic inflammatory pain stimulus. Notably, at 60 mg/kg per day over 4 days the administration of 7-HC produced a continuous antinociceptive effect against CFA-induced hypernociception. 7-HC (30-120 mg/kg) produced anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects against carrageenan-induced inflammation and lipopolysaccharide-induced fever, respectively. Moreover, 7-HC was found to be safe with respect to ulcer induction. In the rota rod test, 7-HC-treated mice did not show any motor performance alterations. Conclusions The prolonged antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of 7-HC, in association with its low ulcerogenic activity, indicate that this molecule might be a good candidate for development of new drugs for the control of chronic inflammatory pain and fever.

Thermal properties and release of Lippia sidoides essential oil from gum arabic/maltodextrin microparticles

Microencapsulation of Lippia sidoides essential oil was carried out by spray drying. Blends of maltodextrin and gum arabic were used as carrier. Spray dried microparticles were characterized using conventional (thermogravimetry, evolved gas analysis) and combined (thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry analysis) thermal analysis techniques in order to evaluate the abilities of carriers with different compositions in retaining and in releasing the core vs. dynamic heating. Thermal analysis was useful to evaluate the physico-chemical interactions between the core and carriers and to determine the protective effect of the carriers on the evaporation of essential oil.

Thermal Characteristics of Polybia scutellaris Nests (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Using Computational Fluid Dynamics: A Possible Adaptation to Tropical Climates

Polybia scutellaris constructs huge nests characterized by numerous spinal projections on the surface. We investigated the thermal characteristics of P scutellaris nests in order to determine whether their nest temperature is homeothermically maintained and whether the spines play a role in the thermoregulation of the nests. In order to examine these hypotheses, we measured the nest temperature in a active nest and in an abandoned nest. The temperature in the active nest was almost stable at 27 degrees C, whereas that of the abandoned nest varied with changes in the ambient temperature, suggesting that nest temperature was maintained by the thermogenesis of colony individuals. In order to predict the thermal properties of the spines, a numerical simulation was employed. To construct a 3D-model of a P scutellaris nest, the nest architecture was simplified into an outer envelope and the surface spines, for both of which the initial temperature was set at 27 degrees C. The physical properties of the simulated nest were regarded to be those of wood since the nest of this species is constructed from plant materials. When the model was exposed to cool air (12 degrees C), the temperature was lower in the models with more spines. On the other hand, when the nest was heated (42 degrees C), the temperature increase was smaller in models with more spines. It is suggested that the spines act as a heat radiator, not as an insulator, against the changes in ambient temperature.

Thermal Characteristics of the Mud Nests of the Social Wasp Polybia spinifex (Hymenoptera; Vespidae)

The thermal characteristics of mud nests of Polybia spinifex were investigated by measuring internal and surface temperatures of the nests. The nests had a layer of mud envelope and consisted of mud with fine sand particles. The envelope had a vertically long slit-like entrance hole. The mud nests had high thermal conductivities (0.51-0.67 W/(m degrees C)) comparable to brick, rather than insulation materials of wasps` nests such as paper and wood. It was revealed that the long entrance radiated more heat from the thereto-image. The rate of thermal radiation (emissivity) of the nest surface was 0.80, and the value was similar to that of sand. The internal temperatures of the nests were high from top (T(n1), temperature difference between ambient temperature (T(a)) was 10 degrees C) to bottom (T(n3), difference, 5 degrees C) at noon. On the other hand, the temperature distributions were reversed during the night. Temperature T(n1) was lower by 1 degrees C than T(a), possibly from nightly dew on the top surface, whereas, at the middle point (T(n2),) and T(n3), temperatures were higher by 1 degrees C compared to T(a). Temperature fluctuations (ranges between maximum and minimum temperature) at T(n2) and T(n3) were similar to that of T(a), whereas the values at T(n1) and T(s) were higher than that of T(a).

Pt-RuO(2) electrodes prepared by thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors as catalysts for direct methanol fuel cell applications

The electrocatalytic activity of Pt and RuO(2) mixed electrodes of different compositions towards methanol oxidation was investigated. The catalysts were prepared by thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors and characterized by energy dispersive X-ray, scanning electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. This preparation method allowed obtaining uniform films with controlled stoichiometry and high surface area. Cyclic voltammetry experiments in the presence of methanol showed that mixed electrodes decreased the potential peak of methanol oxidation by approximately 100 mV (RHE) when compared to the electrode containing only Pt. In addition, voltammetric experiments indicated that the Pt(0.6)Ru(0.4)O(y) electrode led to higher oxidation current densities at lower potentials. Chronoamperometry experiments confirmed the contribution of RuO(2) to the catalytic activity as well as the better performance of the Pt(0.6)Ru(0.4)O(y) electrode composition. Formic acid and CO(2) were identified as being the reaction products formed in the electrolysis performed at 400 and 600 mV. The relative formation of CO(2) was favored in the electrolysis performed at 400 mV (RHE) with the Pt(0.6)Ru(0.4)O(y) electrode. The presence of RuO(2) in Pt-Ru-based electrodes is important for improving the catalytic activity towards methanol electrooxidation. Moreover, the thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors seems to be a promising route for the production of catalysts applicable to DMFC. (C) 2009 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization and voltammetric behavior of Pt(y)Mo(z)O(x)/C electrodes prepared by the thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors

Carbon-supported catalysts containing platinum and molybdenum oxide are prepared by thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors. The Pt(y)Mo(z)O(x)/C materials are characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The catalysts present a well-controlled stoichiometry and nanometric particles. Molybdenum is present mainly as the MoO(3) orthorhombic structure, and no Pt alloys are detected. The voltammetric behavior of the electrodes is investigated; a correlation with literature results for PtMo/C catalysts prepared by other methods is established. The formation of soluble species and the aging effect are discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Potential of Amaranthus cruentus BRS Alegria in the production of flour, starch and protein concentrate: chemical, thermal and rheological characterization

BACKGROUND: Amaranth is a little-known culture in Brazilian agriculture. Amaranthus cruentus BRS Alegria was the first cultivar recommended by Embrapa for the soil of the Brazilian scrubland. In order to evaluate the potential of this species in the production of flour, starch and protein concentrates, the latter products were obtained from A. cruentus BRS Alegria seeds, characterized and compared with the products obtained from the A. caudatus species cultivated in its soil of origin. RESULTS: The seeds of A. cruentus BRS Alegria furnished high-purity starch and flour with significant content of starch, proteins, and lipids. The starch and flour of this species presented higher gelatinization temperatures and formed stronger gels upon cooling compared with those obtained from the A. caudatus species. This is due to their greater amylose content and a difference in the composition of the more important fatty acids, such as stearic, oleic and linoleic acids, which indicates that they have greater heat stability. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and differential scanning calorimetry revealed the presence of albumins, globulins, glutelins and prolamins in the protein concentrate, which was obtained as a byproduct of starch production. CONCLUSION: Amaranthus cruentus BRS Alegria has potential application in the production of flour, starch and protein concentrates, with interesting characteristics for use as food ingredients. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

STATIC IMAGES WITH DIFFERENT INDUCED INTENSITIES OF HUMAN BODY MOVEMENTS AFFECT SUBJECTIVE TIME

Modulation of subjective time was examined using static images eliciting perceptions of different intensities of body movement. Undergraduate students were exposed to photographs of dancer sculptures in different dance positions for 36 sec. and asked to estimate the exposure duration. Lower movement intensities were related to shorter estimated durations. Mean durations for images of unmoving dancers were underestimated and for dancers taking a ballet step were overestimated. Temporal estimations were also related to the order of presentation of the stimuli, which suggested that subjective time estimations were influenced by the experimental context. Subjective time is related not only to the visual perception of moving images, but also of elicited perceptions of movement in static images, suggesting an embodiment effect on subjective time estimation.

A New Family of Distance Functions for Perceptual Similarity Retrieval of Medical Images

A long-standing challenge of content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems is the definition of a suitable distance function to measure the similarity between images in an application context which complies with the human perception of similarity. In this paper, we present a new family of distance functions, called attribute concurrence influence distances (AID), which serve to retrieve images by similarity. These distances address an important aspect of the psychophysical notion of similarity in comparisons of images: the effect of concurrent variations in the values of different image attributes. The AID functions allow for comparisons of feature vectors by choosing one of two parameterized expressions: one targeting weak attribute concurrence influence and the other for strong concurrence influence. This paper presents the mathematical definition and implementation of the AID family for a two-dimensional feature space and its extension to any dimension. The composition of the AID family with L (p) distance family is considered to propose a procedure to determine the best distance for a specific application. Experimental results involving several sets of medical images demonstrate that, taking as reference the perception of the specialist in the field (radiologist), the AID functions perform better than the general distance functions commonly used in CBIR.

Microsurgical Anatomy of the Posterior Cerebral Artery in Three-Dimensional Images

OBJECTIVE: To describe the microsurgical anatomy, branches, and anatomic relationships of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) represented in three-dimensional images. METHODS: Seventy hemispheres of 35 brain specimens were studied. They were previously injected with red silicone and fixed in 10% formalin for at least 40 days. Four of the studied specimens were frozen at -10 degrees to -15 degrees C for 14 days, and additional dissection was done with the Klingler`s fiber dissection technique at x6 to x40 magnification. Each segment of the artery was measured and photographed to obtain three-dimensional stereoscopic images. RESULTS: The PCA origin was in the interpeduncular cistern at the pontomesencephalic junction level in 23 specimens (65.7%). The PCA was divided into four segments: P1 extends from the PCA origin to its junction with the posterior communicating artery with an average length of 7.7 mm; P2 was divided into an anterior and posterior segment. The P2A segment begins at the posterior communicating artery and ends at the most lateral aspect of the cerebral peduncle, with an average length of 23.6 mm, and the P2P segment extends from the most lateral aspect of the cerebral peduncle to the posterior edge of the lateral surface of the midbrain, with an average length of 16.4 mm; P3 extends from the posterior edge of the lateral surface of the midbrain and ends at the origin of the parieto-occipital sulcus along the calcarine fissure, with an average length of 19.8 mm; and the P4 segment corresponds to the parts of the PCA that run along or inside both the parieto-occipital sulcus and the distal part of the calcarine fissure. CONCLUSIONS: To standardize the neurosurgical practice and knowledge, surgical anatomic classifications should be used uniformly and further modified according to the neurosurgical experience gathered. The PCA classification proposed intends to correlate its anatomic segments with their required microneurosurgical approaches.

Prospective randomized trial of EUS versus ERCP-guided common bile duct stone removal: an interim report (with video)

Background: EUS is being increasingly utilized for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis and microlithiasis, especially in patients with biliary colic. Simultaneously, there is also a rising interest in the use of EUS for therapeutic interventions. Objectives: Our goal was to assess the effectiveness of EUS-directed common bile duct (CBD) stone removal to compare its safety and effectiveness with ERCP-directed intervention. Design: interim results of a prospective, randomized, single-center blinded clinical trial. Setting: A single tertiary care referral center. Patients: Fifty-two patients with uncomplicated CBD stones were prospectively randomized to CBD cannulation and stone removal under EUS or ERCP guidance. Main Outcome Measurements and Interventions: Primary outcome measure was the rate of successful cannulation of the CBD. Secondary Outcome measures included Successful removal of stones and overall complication rates. Results: CBD cannulation followed by stone extraction was successful in 23 of 26 patients (88.5%) in the EUS group (1) versus 25 of 26 patients (96.2%) in the ERCP group (11) (95% CI, -27.65%, 9.88%). Overall, there were 3 complications in the EUS group and 4 complications in the ERCP group. Limitation: The current study is an interim report from a single center report and performed by a single operator. Conclusions: Our preliminary analysis indicates that Outcomes following EUS-guided CBD stone retrieval are equivalent to those following ERCP EUS-related adverse events are similar to those following ERCP. ERCP and EUS-guided stone retrieval appears to be equally effective for therapeutic interventions of the bile duct. Additional studies are required to validate these preliminary results and to determine predictors of success of EUS-guided stone removal. (Gastrointest Endosc 2009;69:238-43.)

Primary ciliary dyskinesia: evaluation using cilia beat frequency assessment via spectral analysis of digital microscopy images

Olm MA, Kogler JE Jr, Macchione M, Shoemark A, Saldiva PH, Rodrigues JC. Primary ciliary dyskinesia: evaluation using cilia beat frequency assessment via spectral analysis of digital microscopy images. J Appl Physiol 111: 295-302, 2011. First published May 5, 2011; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00629.2010.-Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) measurements provide valuable information for diagnosing of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). We developed a system for measuring CBF, used it in association with electron microscopy to diagnose PCD, and then analyzed characteristics of PCD patients. 1 The CBF measurement system was based on power spectra measured through digital imaging. Twenty-four patients suspected of having PCD (age 1-19 yr) were selected from a group of 75 children and adolescents with pneumopathies of unknown causes. Ten healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (age >= 17 yr) served as a control group. Nasal brush samples were collected, and CBF and electron microscopy were performed. PCD was diagnosed in 12 patients: 5 had radial spoke defects, 3 showed absent central microtubule pairs with transposition, 2 had outer dynein arm defects, 1 had a shortened outer dynein arm, and 1 had a normal ultrastructure. Previous studies have reported that the most common cilia defects are in the dynein arm. As expected, the mean CBF was higher in the control group (P < 0.001) and patients with normal ultrastructure (P < 0.002), than in those diagnosed with cilia ultrastructural defects (i.e., PCD patients). An obstructive ventilatory pattern was observed in 70% of the PCD patients who underwent pulmonary function tests. All PCD patients presented bronchial wall thickening on chest computed tomography scans. The protocol and diagnostic techniques employed allowed us to diagnose PCD in 16% of patients in this study.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of derivatives from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella

Context: Species of Baccharis exhibit antibiotic, antiseptic, and wound-healing properties, and have been used in the traditional medicine of South America for the treatment of inflammation, headaches, diabetes, and hepatobiliary disorders. Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of organic phases from EtOH extract of the aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella DC (Asteraceae). Materials and methods: The crude EtOH extract from the aerial parts of B. uncinella was subjected to partition procedures and the corresponding CH(2)Cl(2) and EtOAc phases were subjected to several chromatographic separation procedures. Thus, these phases and their purified compounds were assayed for evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity. Results: The CH(2)Cl(2) phase from EtOH extract from B. uncinella contained two triterpenoids (oleanolic and ursolic acids) and one flavonoid (pectolinaringenin), whereas the respective EtOAc phase showed to be composed mainly by two phenylpropanoid derivatives (caffeic and ferulic acids). The CH(2)Cl(2) and EtOAc phases as well as their isolated compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory effects against inflammatory reactions induced by phospholipase A2 (from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom) and by carrageenan. Discussion and conclusion: The results suggested that the components obtained from partition phases of EtOH extract of B. uncinella could represent lead molecules for the development of anti-inflammatory agents. Additionally, the results confirmed the use of Baccharis genus in the traditional medicine of South America for the treatment of inflammation and other heath disorders. To date, the present work describes for the first time the anti-inflammatory effects of compounds isolated from B. uncinella.

Anti-leishmanial effects of purified compounds from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella C. DC. (Asteraceae)

Species of Baccharis exhibit antibiotic, antiseptic, wound-healing, and anti-protozoal properties, and have been used in the traditional medicine of South America for the treatment of several diseases. In the present work, the fractionation of EtOH extract from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella indicated that the isolated compounds caffeic acid and pectolinaringenin showed inhibitory activity against Leishmania (L.) amazonensis and Leishmania (V.) braziliensis promastigotes, respectively. Moreover, amastigote forms of both species were highly sensible to the fraction composed by oleanolic + ursolic acids and pectolinaringenin. Caffeic acid also inhibited amastigote forms of L. (L.) amazonensis, but this effect was weak in L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes. The treatment of infected macrophages with these compounds did not alter the levels of nitrates, indicating a direct effect of the compounds on amastigote stages. The results presented herein suggest that the active components from B. uncinella can be important to the design of new drugs against American tegumentar leishmaniases.

Influence of thermal and mechanical cycling on the flexural strength of ceramics with titanium or gold alloy frameworks

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thermal and mechanical cycling alone or in combination, on the flexural strength of ceramic and metallic frameworks cast in gold alloy or titanium. Methods. Metallic frameworks (25 mm x 3 mm x 0.5 mm) (N = 96) cast in gold alloy or commercial pure titanium (Ti cp) were obtained using acrylic templates. They were airborne particle-abraded with 150 mu m aluminum oxide at the central area of the frameworks (8 mm x 3 mm). Bonding agent and opaque were applied on the particle-abraded surfaces and the corresponding ceramic for each metal was fired onto them. The thickness of the ceramic layer was standardized by positioning the frameworks in a metallic template (height: I mm). The specimens from each ceramic-metal combination (N = 96, n = 12 per group) were randomly assigned into four experimental fatigue conditions, namely water storage at 37 degrees C for 24 h (control group), thermal cycling (3000 cycles, between 4 and 55 degrees C, dwell time: 10 s), mechanical cycling (20,000 cycles under 10 N load, immersion in distilled water at 37 degrees C) and, thermal and mechanical cycling. A flexural strength test was performed in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed: 1.5 mm/min). Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05). Results. The mean flexural strength values for the ceramic-gold alloy combination (55 +/- 7.2MPa) were significantly higher than those of the ceramic-Ti cp combination (32 +/- 6.7 MPa) regardless of the fatigue conditions performed (p < 0.05). Mechanical and thermo-mechanical fatigue decreased the flexural strength results significantly for both ceramic-gold alloy (52 +/- 6.6 and 53 +/- 5.6 MPa, respectively) and ceramic-Ti cp combinations (29 +/- 6.8 and 29 +/- 6.8 MPa, respectively) compared to the control group (58 +/- 7.8 and 39 SA MPa, for gold and Ti cp, respectively) (p < 0.05) (Tukey`s test). While ceramic-Ti cp combinations failed adhesively at the metal-opaque interface, gold alloy frameworks exhibited a residue of ceramic material on the surface in all experimental groups. Significance. Mechanical and thermo-mechanical fatigue conditions decreased the flexural strength values for both ceramic-gold alloy and ceramic-Ti cp combinations with the results being significantly lower for the latter in all experimental conditions. (C) 2007 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.