Alchornea glandulosa Ethyl Acetate Fraction Exhibits Antiangiogenic Activity: Preliminary Findings from In Vitro Assays Using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Dexmedetomidina e sufentanil como analgésicos per-operatórios: estudo comparativo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A utilização das drogas agonistas dos alfa2-adrenoceptores para controlar a pressão arterial e freqüência cardíaca, propiciar menores respostas hemodinâmicas à intubação e extubação traqueal e poupar anestésicos já está difundida na literatura desde a introdução da clonidina. O desenvolvimento de agentes providos de maior seletividade alfa2-adrenoceptora que, por isso, determinam menos efeitos adversos, como a dexmedetomidina, recentemente liberada para utilização clínica, possibilitou que ocorressem maior sedação e analgesia com o seu uso. Despertou-se, então, o interesse em sua utilização como substitutos dos opióides, conhecidos por determinarem potente analgesia e sedação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a analgesia promovida pela dexmedetomidina e pelo sufentanil, utilizados em infusões contínuas durante anestesias de procedimentos otorrinolaringológicos e de cabeça e pescoço. MÉTODO: Os 60 pacientes estudados foram divididos em dois grupos de 30: G1, recebendo sufentanil e G2, dexmedeto- midina, na indução e manutenção anestésicas. Para a manutenção da anestesia utilizaram-se, também, o óxido nitroso e o propofol, em infusão contínua alvo-controlada. Foram avaliados os parâmetros hemodinâmicos (pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica e freqüência cardíaca), tempos de despertar e de extubação após interrupção do propofol, locais onde foram extubados os pacientes, sala de operação (SO) ou sala de recuperação pós-anestésica (SRPA), tempo de permanência na SRPA, índice de Aldrete e Kroulik e as complicações apresentadas na SO e SRPA. RESULTADOS: G1 apresentou menores valores de pressões arteriais sistólica, diastólica e freqüência cardíaca, tempos de despertar e extubação maiores, maior número de extubações na SRPA, maior tempo de permanência na SRPA, valores mais baixos para Aldrete e Kroulik na alta da SRPA e mais complicações per e pós-operatórias. CONCLUSÕES: A utilização de dexmedetomidina como analgésico per-operatório apresentou melhores resultados que a de sufentanil, nos procedimentos selecionados neste trabalho, com relação à estabilidade hemodinâmica e às condições de despertar e de recuperação anestésica.

Eficiência de absorção, transporte e utilização de macronutrientes por porta-enxertos de caramboleira, cultivados em soluções nutritivas

O estado nutricional de plantas cultivadas em solução nutritiva pode ser influenciado pelo tipo de solução utilizada, afetando desta forma seu adequado crescimento. Com este trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a exigência nutricional de porta-enxertos de caramboleira, cultivados em quatro diferentes soluções nutritivas. O delineamento experimental empregado foi inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições, tendo como tratamentos as quatro soluções. Como solução padrão foi utilizada a de Hoagland & Arnon, comparada à outras três soluções. O experimento foi conduzido em condições de casa-de-vegetação, em recipientes plásticos com 8 L de capacidade. Após 150 dias do transplantio, foram determinados a matéria seca e o teor de nutrientes, inferindo-se o conteúdo dos macronutrientes na planta. Com esses resultados calculou-se os índices: eficiência de absorção; eficiência de transporte e eficiência de utilização dos nutrientes. As soluções nutritivas de Sarruge, de Castellane & Araújo e de Furlani foram semelhantes na produção de matéria seca das plantas de caramboleira. O uso da solução nutritiva de Hoagland & Arnon resultou em menor produção de matéria seca das caramboleiras, e, também, menor eficiência de utilização de Ca e Mg pelas plantas. A eficiência de transporte dos nutrientes foi a mais afetada pelas soluções nutritivas utilizadas, enquanto a eficiência de utilização dos nutrientes sofreu pouca variação em função das soluções empregadas.

Longitudinal clinical evaluation of adjunct minocycline in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

Background: the clinical benefits of minocycline in combination with thorough scaling and root planing (SRP) have been examined in multicenter studies. The aim of this longitudinal investigation was to evaluate the clinical response to scaling and root planing combined with the use of locally delivered minocycline microspheres for 720 days in individuals with advanced chronic periodontitis.Methods: A total of 26 individuals aged 26 to 69 years (mean: 46.8 +/- 12.1 years) were included in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. After randomization, 13 individuals were selected for the test group (TG) and treated with SRP plus subgingival minocycline at baseline and 90, 180, and 270 days, and 13 individuals were selected for the control group (CG) and received SRP plus vehicle at the same time-points. Two homologous sites with probing depth (PD) >= 6 mm were chosen in each subject. To evaluate the clinical response after treatment, PD, plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) were assessed at baseline and 90, 180, 270, 360, and 720 days.Results: No statistical differences were found between test and control groups in relation to PD at the different timepoints. The mean values of PD demonstrated a higher reduction in the test group at 270 and 360 days. No statistical differences were observed at 90, 180, and 720 days between TG and CG (P < 0.05; Wilcoxon test). There were no statistically significant differences between TG and CG concerning PI and GI (P < 0.05; analysis of variance and t test) at all evaluated timepoints.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that both therapies reduced mean PD from 90 to 360 days; however, SRP combined with the use of subgingival minocycline showed a higher reduction at 270 and 360 days following therapy.

The influence of chlorhexidine on the severity of cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth

THE INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL PLAQUE CONTROL, using topically applied 0.12% chlorhexidine, on the severity of cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth (GO) was evaluated. Forty Holtzman rats were divided into four groups: 1) control; 2) cyclosporin A: a 10mg/kg/day subcutaneous dose of CsA; 3) chlorhexidine: 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) was applied to the buccal surface of the right mandibular molars; and 4) cyclosporin A/chlorhexidine: a combination of the treatment described for cyclosporin A and chlorhexidine groups. The animals were fed a high sucrose diet during the experiment and were sacrificed after 14 and 21 days. The histometric analysis revealed a significant increase in buccal gingival area in the cyclosporin A group compared to other groups (P < 0.01) after 21 days. The epithelium thickness of the buccal gingiva was significantly increased in the cyclosporin A group, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The cyclosporin A/chlorhexidine group exhibited statistically significantly lower gingival overgrowth than the cyclosporin A group. These findings, if replicated in human studies, suggest that topically applied 0.12% chlorhexidine may be a valuable measure in the management of cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth.

Evaluation of nanoparticles loaded with benzopsoralen in rat peritoneal exudate cells

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of anionic collagen membranes in the treatment of class II furcation lesions: an histometric analysis in dogs

This study aims to evaluate the effect of using anionic collagen membranes in guided tissue regeneration treatment of Class II furcation lesions in dogs. The defects were created in the buccal furcation of 16 mandibular premolars of four dogs. After 56 days without plaque control, the sites were scaled and divided into two groups according to the treatment applied: control sites, open flap debridement; and test sites, guided tissue regeneration treatment. The animals were killed after 3 months. Histological and histometrical analyses showed that the collagen membrane was better than open flap debridement in terms of newly formed cementum and epithelial migration prevention. It provided effective blockade of epithelial tissue and promoted regeneration of lost periodontal tissues, suggesting that the membrane warrants further study. (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V. Limited. All rights reserved.

Histomorphometrical analysis of bone formed after maxillary sinus floor augmentation by grafting with a combination of autogenous bone and demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft or hydroxyapatite

Background: Maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedures are currently the treatment of choice when the alveolar crest of the posterior maxilla is insufficient for dental implant anchorage. This procedure aims to obtain enough bone with biomaterial association with the autogenous bone graft to create volume and allow osteo conduction. The objective of this study was to histologically and histometrically evaluate the bone formed after maxillary sinus floor augmentation by grafting with a combination of autogenous bone, from the symphyseal area mixed with DFDBA or hydroxyapatite.Methods: Ten biopsies were taken from 10 patients 10 months after sinus floor augmentation using a combination of 50% autogenous bone plus 50% dernineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA group) or 50% autogenous bone plus 50% hydroxyapatite (HA group). Routine histological processing and staining with hernatoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome were performed.Results: the histomorphometrical analysis indicated good regenerative results in both groups for the bone tissue mean in the grafted area (50.46 +/- 16.29% for the DFDBA group and 46.79 +/- 8.56% for the HA group). Histological evaluation revealed the presence of mature bone with compact and cancellous areas in both groups. The inflammatory infiltrate was on average nonsignificant and of mononuclear prevalence. Some biopsies showed blocks of the biomaterial in the medullary spaces close to the bone wall, with absence of osteogenic activity.Conclusions: the results indicated that both DFDBA and HA associated with an autogenous bone graft were biocompatible and promoted osteoconduction, acting as a matrix for bone formation. However, both materials were still present after 10 months.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berkeley) Pegler) extracts as a modulator of micronuclei induced in HEp-2 cells

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berkeley) Pegler) is one of the most consumed mushrooms, for both therapeutic purposes and as food, therefore, the study of its biological properties is of great interest for producers and consumers. Aqueous extracts of the shiitake mushroom (L. edodes (Berkeley) Pegler) were evaluated by the micronucleus test (MN) in HEp-2 cells in vitro, to analyze their possible mutagenic and antimutagenic activities. None of the three extract concentrations tested (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/mL) presented mutagenicity at any of the preparation temperatures (4 degrees C, 22 +/- 2 degrees C and 60 degrees C). In the antimutagenicity evaluation, all extract concentrations at all preparation temperatures presented a strong protective activity for the HEp-2 cells in response to the alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in the different treatment protocols: pre-treatment, simultaneous treatment and post-treatment. The extracts prepared at 22 +/- 2 degrees C presented the lowest frequencies of MN in the evaluations of mutagenicity and antimutagenicity, indicating these as the best option for potential therapeutic use. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Healing of dehiscence defects following root surface demineralization with tetracycline: A histologic study in monkeys

Background: the purpose of this study was to histologically evaluate the healing of experimental dehiscence defects after surface demineralization with tetracycline hydrochloride.Methods: Six adult male monkeys (Cebus apella) were used in this study. Dehiscence defects were surgically created on the buccal aspect of the mandibular lateral incisors in all animals. The root surfaces were debrided and planed. In a split-mouth design, a 10% tetracycline hydrochloride solution was applied to one tooth for 4 minutes (T group), followed by irrigation with saline. The contralateral tooth served as a control (C group). The flaps were repositioned and sutured. The animals were sacrificed at 6 months postoperatively and histological sections were processed. Computer-assisted histomorphometric analysis was used to evaluate the formation of new cementum, new bone, new connective tissue attachment, and length of the epithelium (junctional and sulcular).Results: Bone regeneration was similar in both groups (1.5 +/- 0.3 mm for the T group and 1.5 +/- 0.6 mm for the C group). The C group showed more new cementum than the T group (2.3 +/- 0.3 mm versus 2.2 +/- 0.3 mm) as well as a longer epithelium (1.0 +/- 0.3 mm versus 0.9 +/- 0.2 mm). The T group presented more new connective tissue attachment (3.1 +/- 0.2 mm) than the C group (2.9 +/- 0.6 mm). However, no statistically significant differences were detected between the two groups.Conclusions: the amount of new attachment was similar in both groups. Root conditioning with 10% tetracycline solution did not produce any additional new attachment in comparison to the controls.

Espécies de uso medicinal popular nativas e introduzidas cultivadas em cinco municípios do estado do amazonas

The objective if this work was a survey of medicinal plants plus commonly cultivated in quintais in Amazon State, Brazil. The work was carried out in five counties at the Solimões/Amazonas and Negro Rivers, by questionnaires, interviews and collections of botanical materials, using the literature to define the geographic origins. It was showed 105 species of medicinal plants, with average of 13 per house. The Amazonian plants, in general wood plants, meaning 10,9 percent of the total of species that was survey, with predominance of the American continent plants out of Amazonian (38,2 per cent). The major group was herbaceous or shrubs exotic plants, aromatics. In general, the peoples unknown the origin of the species of medicinal plants that use day after day.

Efeito de drogas utilizadas no tratamento de hipertensão arterial sistêmica sobre a pressão intra-ocular: Estudo experimental no cão

Purpose: To study the effects of two drugs (captopril and propranolol) used in the treatment of systemic hypertension, on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of anesthetized dogs. Methods: 24 dogs, divided into 3 groups of 8 each. In the first group, 1.5 mg/kg IV of captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) was administered. In the second group, 1.5 mg/kg IV of propranolol (a beta-blocker) was administered. The third group was the control. IOP and blood pressure (BP) were measured by manometry. The perfusion pressure was calculated by the difference between BP and IOP (BP-IOP). The parameters were studied at 6 moments (0, 10, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes). Results: There was significant reduction of IOP (p<0.05) with captopril and propranolol, without difference between the drugs. With captopril the BP and PP decreased markedly at 10 and 30 minutes. With propranolol there was no reduction of BP or PP. Conclusions: Captopril and propranolol reduced IOP. However, the marked reduction of BP, and consequently of PP caused by captopril may be undesirable for irrigation of the optic nerve.

Blefarospasmo essencial e espasmo hemifacial: Características dos pacientes, tratamento com toxina botulínica A e revisão da literatura

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of the essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm patients and the feasible treatment with botulinum toxin. A. Methods: Thirty-four essential blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm patients were evaluated according to gender, ocular complaint, time of disease, treatment outcome and complications. Results: Age median was 63 years and the mean was 61 years, with no difference regarding sex; 66.66% of the patients had hemifacial spasm and 33.33%, essential blepharospasm. Many patients complained of dry eye associated with involuntary spasm. Botulinum toxin A showed a positive outcome in 91.30% of the treated patients and complications observed after treatment were eyelid ptosis (8.33%) and buccal angle deviation (8.33%). Conclusion: Essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm occurred in the elderly, of both sexes. Treatment with botulinum toxin A was useful, with very low complication rates.

Tissue distribution of a plasmid DNA encoding Hsp65 gene is dependent on the dose administered through intramuscular delivery

In order to assess a new strategy of DNA vaccine for a more complete understanding of its action in immune response, it is important to determine the in vivo biodistribution fate and antigen expression. In previous studies, our group focused on the prophylactic and therapeutic use of a plasmid DNA encoding the Mycobacterium leprae 65-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp65) and achieved an efficient immune response induction as well as protection against virulent M. tuberculosis challenge. In the present study, we examined in vivo tissue distribution of naked DNA-Hsp65 vaccine, the Hsp65 message, genome integration and methylation status of plasmid DNA. The DNA-Hsp65 was detectable in several tissue types, indicating that DNA-Hsp65 disseminates widely throughout the body. The biodistribution was dose-dependent. In contrast, RT-PCR detected the Hsp65 message for at least 15 days in muscle or liver tissue from immunized mice. We also analyzed the methylation status and integration of the injected plasmid DNA into the host cellular genome. The bacterial methylation pattern persisted for at least 6 months, indicating that the plasmid DNA-Hsp65 does not replicate in mammalian tissue, and Southern blot analysis showed that plasmid DNA was not integrated. These results have important implications for the use of DNA-Hsp65 vaccine in a clinical setting and open new perspectives for DNA vaccines and new considerations about the inoculation site and delivery system. © 2006 Coelho-Castelo et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.