Recent advances in pharmacologic study of natural anticancer agents in China

In this paper a number of anticancer agents of natural origin will be presented. Hydroxycamtothecin (HCPT) was found to produce a strong inhibitory action on a variety of animal tumors. It is also effective for treatment of patients with gastric carcinoma, liver carcinoma, tumor of head and neck or leukemia. Pharmacologic studies showed that it could depress S phase of tumor cells significantly and cause formation of cellular chromatid breaks. By means of alkaline elution and nick translation methods it has been proved that HCPT induced DNA singlo strand breaks remarkably. Homoharringyonine (hhrt) was shown to be effective against acute leukemia. Recent experiments in tumor-bearing mice inidcated that (HHRT) could diminish tumor metastasis. Using molecular hybridization technique it was demonstrated that (HHRT) decreased the content of c-myc RNA in the cytoplasm but not in the nuclei. Lycobetaine (LBT) poddrddrf dytnh inhibitory effects on a number of ascites tumors. In clinical trials it was against ovarian and gastric carcinomas. It is able to intercalate into DNA. Oxalysine (OXL) is a new antibiotic and shown to be effective against tumor metastatis. When used in combination with 5-FU, its anticancer action could be enhanced. Other natural compounds such as indirubin, ß-elemene, irisquinone, oridonine, norcantharidin and PSP have been also found to possess antitumor action.

Age Structure of Adult Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

In order to detect seasonal trends in the age structure of adult mosquitoes from Buenos Aires province, Argentina, female populations were sampled with CDC traps during 1989-1991 in Punta Lara and La Plata. The mosquitoes were dissected and age-grouped according to ovarian tracheation and ovariolar stages. All Runchomyia paranensis females were parous, suggesting that this species could be autogenous. Aedes albifasciatus showed parous peaks following population peaks, with shorter delays in spring-summmer and longer in fall-winter. Ae. crinifer and Culex dolosus showed wide fluctuations in age structure due to adult emergences during all months. Psorophora ferox showed high population replacement rates. Mansonia indubitans and Ma. titillans have few generations per year during their activity period. This is the first report on age-grading of adults of field mosquito populations from Argentina

Effects of Polydispyrenia simulii (Microspora; Duboscqiidae) on Development of the Gonads of Simulium pertinax (Diptera; Simuliidae)

The effects of the infection caused by the microsporidium Polydispyrenia simulii in gonads of the simuliid Simulium pertinax were evaluated. This blackfly species is the main target of control programmes in southeastern Brazil. Infected and noninfected blackflies were reared from larval stage to adults using a laboratory rearing system. There was no significant difference between the oogenic development and dimensions of ovarian follicles of healthy females compared to those reared from infected larvae. Otherwise, there was a significant difference between the fecundity of healthy females and those reared from infected larvae. In males, there was an evident reduction of motility of spermatozoids of males reared from infected larvae. The results obtained suggest that the microsporidium P. simulii have an important effect on the natural population dynamics of S. pertinax.

Age structure and abundance in populations of muscoid flies from a poultry facility in Southeast Brazil

Muscina stabulans, M. domestica, Chrysomya putoria, C. megacephala and Stomoxys calcitrans were the most abundant muscoid flies captured in a poultry facility in southeastern Brazil. We examined the gonadotrophic profiles of the females caught at different sites and different times and found that Mu. stabulans and M. domestica, the predominant species, presented similar gonadotrophic profiles only when captured on the manure under the cages, but very different and sometimes opposite gonadotrophic profiles when sampled from wooden posts, vegetation or electric cords. We also determined sex ratios and relative abundance for these two species and found significant differences between them. More than 50% of the females of both species of Chrysomya captured on manure carried eggs or exhibited signs of recent oviposition. The vast majority of S. calcitrans presented ovaries with eggs or signs of recent oviposition. A small proportion of them had ovaries in the recent emerged condition. Our data on ovarian stages, sex ratio and relative abundance allowed us to associate different gonadotrophic profiles with each site and characterize each site as a resting, ovipositing or mating site.

Culex quinquefasciatus vitellogenesis: morphological and biochemical aspects

The vitellogenic process in Culex quinquefasciatus, which is triggered by a blood meal, involves the synthesis, distribution and storage of the nutrients necessary for embryo development. The fat body of an adult female Cx. quinquefasciatus revealed two cell types: large trophocytes and small, eosinophilic, "oenocyte-like" cells, which show no morphological changes throughout the gonotrophic cycle. Trophocytes, which only begin to synthesise vitellogenin (Vg) 12 h post-blood meal (PBM), undergo a series of morphological changes following engorgement. These changes include the expansion of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi complex, which are later destroyed by autophagosomes. At 84 h PBM, trophocytes return to their pre-engorgement morphology. The ovarian follicles of non-blood-fed Cx. quinquefasciatus contain a cluster of eight undifferentiated cells surrounded by follicular epithelium. After engorgement, the oocyte membrane facing the perioocytic space increases its absorptive surface by microvilli development; large amounts of Vg and lipids are stored between 24 and 48 h PBM. Along with yolk storage in the oocyte, follicular cells exhibit the development of RER cisternae and electron-dense granules begin to fill the perioocytic space, possibly giving rise to endochorion. Later in the gonotrophic cycle, electron-dense vesicles, which are possible exochorion precursors, fuse at the apical membrane of follicular cells. This fusion is followed by follicular cell degeneration.

Morphological studies on castes of Protopolybia chartergoides (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini) observed in colonies during male production stage

Social wasps are important for the study of social behavior evolution because their colonies present different degrees of caste differentiation, from morphologically similar to highly conspicuous, associated with the occasional presence of intermediate females, which bears developed ovaries but no insemination. In the Polistinae, depending on the taxon, such differentiation can be discreet or conspicuous. This work intended to study morphological and physiological differences between castes in Protopolybia chartergoides by using morphometric analyses associated with multivariate statistical analyses and physiological evaluations from females' ovarian development. Results evidence low morphological and physiological differences among the castes in P. chartergoides, indicating three groups of females: queens, workers and intermediates. In this way, it was possible to suggest that Protopolybia chartergoides presents post-imaginal caste differentiation (or a very subtle form of pre-imaginal determination).

Follicular dynamics in zebu cattle

The aim of this study was to investigate the follicular dynamics during estrous cycle in Gir breed (Bos indicus) cows. Follicular growth and atresia during estrous cycle were evaluated using a portable ultrasound device. Luteal activity was evaluated by serum progesterone levels. Cycles with two (6.67%), three (60.00%), four (26.67%) and five (6.67%) follicular waves were observed. There was no difference (P>0.05) in dominant or subordinate follicles growth or atresia rates among follicular waves. The maximum diameter of the ovulatory follicle was higher than the diameter of the other dominant follicles in cycles with four waves, and higher than the diameter of the second dominant follicle in cycles with three waves (P<0.05). There was no difference (P>0.05) in estrous cycle length (21.11±1.76 and 22.25±1.71 days) or progesterone levels during diestrous (4.48±1.45 and 5.08±1.40 ng/mL) between cycles with three or four waves. Follicular dynamics in Gir cattle is characterized by a higher incidence of cycles with three or four waves, associated with a low persistence of the dominant follicle.

Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and gonadal maturation of lambari females under different photoperiods

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of photoperiod on luteinizing hormone (LH) plasma levels and gonadal maturation of lambari females. One hundred and twenty adult lambaris, distributed into 12 aquaria of 20 L each, were randomly subjected to three different treatments, in a completely randomized design, and four replicates. Treatments were photoperiods in hours of light (L) and darkness (D): T1, 0 L:24 D; T2, 12 L:12 D; T3, 24 L:0 D. After 40 days, fish were subjected to fasting for 24 hours and, then, anesthetized. Immediately after slaughter, fish were weighed, and their gonads and livers were removed and weighed. Ovaries were weighed and immersed in Bouin's fixative solution for 24 hours and, then, kept in 70% alcohol until processing the material. Subsequently, the oocyte developmental stage was determined. No significant differences were observed between treatments for final weight, ovary weight, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and LH levels. In all treatments, lambari females showed maturing ovaries with prevalence of vitellogenic oocytes. Photoperiod does not affect the LH levels and ovarian maturation in lambari females.

Um panorama atual da química e da farmacologia de naftoquinonas, com ênfase na beta-lapachona e derivados

Naphthoquinones have been extensively studied due to their activity as topoisomerase inhibitors. These enzymes are critical to DNA replication in cells. In addition, naphthoquinones have been shown to induce what are known as "reactive oxygen species" that can cause damage to cells. beta-Lapachone is a very important pyranaphthoquinone obtained from the heartwood of the lapacho tree, Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex. Griseb. (Bignoniaceae), and other Tabebuia trees native to Central and South America and chemically from lapachol. beta-Lapachone has a diversity of useful biological activities against various cancer cell lines such as human ovarian and prostate tumors and, at lower doses is a radiosensitizer of several human cancer cell lines. It gives rise to a variety of effects in vitro including the inhibition or activation of topoisomerase I an II in a distinct manner from that of other topoisomerase inhibitors. This review intend to discuss some details of the mechanisms of quinone-induced cell damage and death, and we also summarize results of the literature indicating that b-Lapachone may take part in quinone-elicited apoptosis despite the fact that its mechanism of action in vivo and its targets are still unknown.

Novos produtos naturais capazes de atuar na estabilização de microtúbulos, um importante alvo no combate ao câncer

Microtubules are involved in many aspects of cellular biology and represent an important target of anticancer chemotherapeutics. In the past five years, novel natural products such as epothilones, discodermolide, sarcodictyin, eleutherobin, and laulimalide, all of which have biological activities similar to those of paclitaxel (Taxolâ), have been discovered. Taxolâ is an important antitumor drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of ovarian, breast and non-small-cell lung carcinomas and became the first natural product described that stabilized microtubules avoiding the cellular replication. The present article reports new natural products that are able to act on the stabilization of microtubules.

Estudo químico de Sinningia allagophylla guiado por testes de atividade antiproliferativa

Activity guided fractionation of Sinningia allagophylla (Mart.) Wiehler ethanolic extract yielded a new benzochromene 8-methoxylapachenol, besides seven known compounds: lapachenol, sitosteryl oleate, sitosteryl linoleate, stigmasteryl oleate, stigmasteryl linoleate, dunniol and tectoquinone. Extract, fractions, and compounds lapachenol, 8-methoxylapachenol, and dunniol were tested in vitro against human cancer cell lines U251 (glioma, CNS), MCF-7 (breast), NCI-ADR/RES (drug-resistant ovarian), 786-0 (kidney), NCI-H460 (lung, no small cells), PC-3 (prostate), OVCAR-3 (ovarian), HT-29 (colon), K562 (leukemia) and against VERO, a normal cell line. The most active compound was dunniol, which inhibited the growth of U251, MCF-7, NCI-ADR/RES, OVCAR-3 and K562 cell lines.

Istoadenoma do ducto biliar comum

Biliary duct cystoadenomas are rare neoplasms, with about 120 cases described in the literature, including cystoadenomas and cystoadenocarcinomas. The authors report a case of cystoadenoma of the common bile duct in a 45-year-old woman with history of jaundice. Ultrasound revealed a cystic mass located in the common bile duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a negative filling defect in the proximal third of the common bile duct, a finding unique to our case. Total excision of the mass, cholecystectomy and an end-total anastomosis with a T-tube choledochostomy, were performed. Histological examination revealed a multicystic lesion with cavities lined by mucinous columnar non-ciliated epithelium, with surrounding densely cellular stroma resembling ovarian stroma. Six years after surgery the patient is alive and well, with no complains referring to the hepatobiliary tract. No abnormalities are presently detected in the biliary tree, ultrasonographically.

Gravidez ovariana íntegra: tratamento cirúrgico videolaparoscópico

The intact ovarian pregnancy is an extremely rare condition. We report the case of a 34- years old woman case, nuliparus, with no previous clinical history of pelvic disease. An intact right ovarian pregnancy was diagnosed by a transvaginal ultrasonographic exam. A video-laparoscopy surgery was undertaken and only the ectopic tissue was removed. The authors discuss the effectiveness of the diagnostic tools and the surgical approach.

Preliminary study of coconut water for graft tissues preservation in transplantation

OBJECTIVE: to verify the effectiveness of coconut water in preserving tissues for transplant. METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in five groups, according to the following preservation solutions for tissue grafts: Group 1: Lactated Ringer; Group 2: Belzer solution; Group 3: mature coconut water; Group 4: green coconut water; Group 5: modified coconut water. In Group 5, the green coconut water has been modified like the Belzer solution. From each animal we harvasted the spleen, ovaries and skin of the back segment. These tissues were preserved for six hours in one of the solutions. Then, the grafts were reimplanted. The recovery of the function of the implanted tissues was assessed 90 days after surgery, by splenic scintigraphy and blood exame. The implanted tissues were collected for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The serum levels did not differ among groups, except for the animals in Group 5, which showed higher levels of IgG than Group 1, and differences in relation to FSH between groups 1 and 2 (p <0.001), 4 and 2 (p = 0.03) and 5 and 2 (p = 0.01). The splenic scintigraphy was not different between groups. The ovarian tissue was better preserved in mature coconut water (p <0.007). CONCLUSION: the coconut water-based solutions preserves spleen, ovary, and rat skin for six hours, maintaining their normal function.

Laparoscopy in uterine cervical cancer. Current state and literature review

Cervical cancer remains the most frequent gynecological tumor in Brazil and other developing countries. Minimally invasive techniques, especially laparoscopy, have been increasingly employed in such tumors. This article aims to describe the main applications of laparoscopy in the treatment and staging of cervical cancer. In the early stages, it is possible to provide a fertility-preserving surgery in the form of radical trachelectomy and, in a study protocol, the function-preserving surgery, avoiding parametrectomy and the associated morbidity. A fully laparoscopic radical hysterectomy is fairly standard in the literature and has the tendency to become the standard of care in early cases, for patients who want to bear no more children. In advanced stages, minimally invasive surgery can offer ovarian transposition, with intent to prevent actinic castration, without upsetting the time for the start of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Staging laparoscopic surgery, including pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, has been the subject of studies, since it has the potential to modify the extension of radiotherapy depending on the extent of lymph node spread.