Simvastatin improves the healing of infected skin wounds of rats

This study explores the potential of the simvastatin to ameliorate inflammation and infection in open infected skin wounds of rats. Methods: Fourteen Wistar rats weighing 285±12g were used. The study was done in a group whose open infected skin wounds were treated with topical application of sinvastatina microemulsion (SIM, n=7) and a second group with wounds treated with saline 0.9 % (SAL, n=7). A bacteriological exam of the wounds fluid for gram positive and gram negative bacteria, the tecidual expression of TNFá and IL-1â by imunohistochemical technique, and histological analysis by HE stain were performed. Results: The expression of TNFa could be clearly demonstrated in lower degree in skin wounds treated with simvastatin (668.6 ± 74.7 ìm2) than in saline (2120.0 ± 327.1 ìm2). In comparison, wound tissue from SIM group displayed leukocyte infiltration significantly lower than that observed in SAL group (p<0.05). Culture results of the samples taken from wound fluid on fourth post treatment day revealed wound infection in only one rat of group simvastatin (SIM), where Proteus mirabilis, Escherchia coli and Enterobacter sp were isolated. In the rats whose wounds were treated with saline (SAL), polymicrobial infection with more than 100,000 CFU/g was detected in all the wounds. Conclusion: In addition to its antiinflammatory properties, the protective effects of simvastatin in infected open skin wounds is able to reduce infection and probably has antibacterial action. The potential to treat these wounds with statins to ameliorate inflammation and infection is promising

Dípteros (Culicidae) transmissores de arbovírus em área de proteção ambiental urbana (Parque das Dunas Natal-RN,) 2004-2006

Desenvolvido no Parque das Dunas, segunda reserva ambiental urbana do Brasil, ocupando uma área de 1.172,80 hectares, com característica de mata atlântica de dunas, situada numa faixa litorânea na região urbana do município de Natal (05° 46 S, 35º 12 W), o presente estudo, realizado durante os anos de 2004 a 2006, teve como objetivo identificar as espécies de culicídeos existentes no Parque das Dunas, capazes de transmitir arbovírus, tendo em vista que em 2004 houve uma epizootia de saguis (Callitrix jacchus), que causou grande mortandade, sem definição do agente etiológico. No ano de 2004, foram pesquisados sete pontos no interior da mata, com instalação de 20 armadilhas de ovitrampas e 20 de bambu para coleta dos imaturos. Para os adultos, durante quatro vezes por semana, foram usadas as armadilhas de Sannhon. Foram coletados 5.691 imaturos, sendo 839 Ae. aegypti, 3.184 Ae. albopictus e 1.668 Hg. leucocelaenus. A coleta dos adultos foi realizada de 2004 a 2006, etapa em que se recolheu 17.506 culicídeos adultos, sendo 17.244 Wy. bourrouli, 255 Ae. aegypti, 593 Ae. albopictus, 1.275 Hg. leucocelaenus, 294 Oc. scapularis, 05 Oc. taeniorynchus, 02 Oc. serratus e 3 Li. durhami. Para os imaturos houve correlação significativa entre Ae. aegypti e umidade relativa do ar p = 0, 049 e pluviometria p = 0,00, Ae. albopictus apresentou correlação significativa positiva com a pluviometria, enquanto Hg. leucocelaenus não apresentou nenhuma das variáveis climáticas. Para os adultos, a análise de série temporal aponta flutuação sazonal significativa para Ae. aegypti (p = 0,003); Ae. albopictus (p = 0,04); Oc. scapularis (p = 0,008 ) e Hg. leucocelaenus (p = 0,003). Uma correlação significativa negativa foi observada entre o número de Ae. albopictus coletado e a temperatura (Corr= - 0,50, p = 0,01); isto é, para cada 1°C a mais há diminuição de 7 espécimes. Este estudo teve a participação de uma equipe multidisciplinar: biólogos, entomologistas, para confirmação das espécies; técnicos de laboratório, para acompanhamento diário das larvas eclodidas das armadilhas de ovitrampas. Teve a importante colaboração de profissionais da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz FIOCRUZ/Rio de Janeiro, da Universidade de São Paulo USP para identificação do grupo Wyeomyia.

Influência espaço-temporal e fisiológica na absorção de nutrientes e elementos tóxicos por Eichhornia crassipes visando o uso adequado da sua biomassa: o caso do Rio Apodi/Mossoró - RN

This study aims to determine the amount of nutrients and toxic elements in aquatic macrophytes of species Eichhornia crassipes present in River Apodi/Mossoró - RN and check some of the possibilities of using the biomass produced, based on the influence of space - temporal and physiological absorption of nutrients by plants. For this, was determined: Leaf area, Leaf wet mass, Leaf dry mass, Real humidity, Apparent humidity, Ash, Total nitrogen, Crude protein, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Total phosphorus, Sodium, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Nickel, Cobalt, Aluminum, Cadmium, Lead and Total chromium at different times, 2 sampling points and 2 parts of plants (leaves and roots). The results show that the levels of nutrients, protein and toxic elements present in plant tissue of Eichhornia crassipes are influenced by spatial, temporal and physiological variability. In general, because the maximum values in the dry matter for total nitrogen (4.4088 g/100g), crude protein (27.5549 g/100g), total phosphorus (0.642 g/100 g), calcium (1.444 g/100g), magnesium (0.732 g/100 g), potassium (7.51 g/100 g), copper (4.4279 mg/100g), manganese (322.668 mg/100g), sodium (1.39 g/100g), iron (194.169 mg/100g) and zinc (3.5836 mg/100g), there was the possibility of using biomass of Eichhornia crassipes for various purposes such as in food animal, products production for human consumption, organic fertilizers, fabrication of brick low cost, and crafts. For all these applications requires a control of the levels of substances in plant tissue. Based on the levels of nutrients and crude protein, the younger plants (0 Month) would be best to have their biomass used. Moreover, one factor that contributes to the use of larger plants (6 Months), the levels of toxic elements which have significantly small or below the detection limit. Therefore, further studies quantifying the biomass produced/m2 at 0 and 6 months are needed for a more correct choice for the best time of harvest