Different substances and dry-needling injections in patients with myofascial pain and headaches

Trigger point injections with different solutions have been studied mainly with regard to the management of myofascial pain (MFP) patient management. However, few studies have analyzed their effect in a chronic headache population with associated MFP. The purpose of this study was to assess if trigger point injections using lidocaine associated with corticoid would be better than lidocaine alone, as in comparison with dry-needling in for the management of local pain and associated headache management. Forty-five (45) myofascial pain patients with headaches that could be reproduced by activating at least one trigger point, were randomly assigned into one of the three groups: G1, dry-needling, G2, 0.25% lidocaine, at 0.25% and G3, 0.25% lidocaine at 0.25% associated with corticoid, and were assessed during a 12 week period. Levels of pain intensity, frequency and duration, local post-injection sensitivity, obtainment time and duration of relief, and the use of rescue medication were evaluated. Statistically, all three groups showed favorable results for the evaluated requisites (p <= 0.05), but only for post-injection sensitivity did the association of lidocaine with corticoid present the best results and ingestion of rescue medication.

Bioactive coating on titanium implants modified by Nd:YVO4 laser

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Bioactive guanidine alkaloids from Pterogyne nitens

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of a methanolic CHCl 3 extract of the leaves of Pterogyne nitens afforded the known guanidine alkaloid pterogynidine [2] and three new guanidine alkaloids, nitensidines A [3], B [4], and C [5], all of which exhibited selective activity towards the DNA repair-deficient yeast mutant RS 321 (IC 12=9.3-20.0 μg/ml); 3,4, and 5 were moderately cytotoxic to CHO Aux B 1 cells (IC 50=8.5-13.0 μg/ml).

Relative lability of trace metals complexed in aquatic humic substances using ion-exchanger cellulose-hyphan

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the lability/inertness metal fractions complexed by aquatic humic substances (HS) in relation to pH, complexation time, and HS concentration. HS were preconcentrated by ultrafiltration and complexed with bivalent metal ions. These fractions were characterized by ion exchange with the chelating collector cellulose Hyphan by applying batch procedure. The metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results show that the distribution coefficients, Kd, decreased with HS presence, and that the relative lability of metal fractions complexed by HS is dependent on variables such as pH, complexation time, and HS concentration. Until c.a. 15 min, the metal change between aquatic HS and ion exchanger occurs following a 2 order reaction. Afterwards, the remaining metal fraction in the HS reacts following a 1st order reaction. For traces of metal ions bound to dissolved HS, the lability orderPb > Mn > Cd, Ni > Cu is revealed. ©1997 Soc. Bras. Química.

An alternative methodology for the extraction of humic substances from organic soils

The present study reports on an alternative methodology for the extraction of Humic Substances (HS) from the soil. The extractions were carried out with 0.5 M KOH for 3 h, at a ratio of 1:20 (m/v) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The HS were separated by centrifugation based on their solubility in alcaline solution. This methodology was compared with the usual procedure in three different soil samples and in one sample from vermicompost. The yield, E4/E6 ratio, ash content, and the elemental composition (C, H, O, N) of the extracted HS have been determined. The functional groups were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. This novel procedure adds a new perspective to the extraction of humic substances due to the short time and high performance of the extraction in relation to the usual procedure.

Interaction of mercury(II) with humic substances from the Rio Negro (Amazonas State, Brazil) by means of an ion exchange procedure

The aquatic humic substances (HS) investigated in this study with respect to their binding capability towards mercury(II) were isolated from the river Rio Negro, Amazonas State - Brazil, by means of the adsorbent XAD 8. Labile/inert fractions of inorganic Hg(II) complexes formed with these HS were characterized using an ion-exchange batch and column technique, respectively, based on Chelite S. This collector exhibits high Hg(II) distribution coefficients, Kd, up to the order of 104 decreasing, however, in the case of small Hg(II)/HS ratios (< 0.1 μg Hg(II) / mg HS). The influence of different complexation parameters (ratio of Hg(II)/HS, pH, contact time, complexing time) relevant for Hg(II) binding in aquatic environments was assessed. The Hg(II) lability in dissolved HS is mainly influenced by the mass ratio of Hg(II)/HS and the ageing of Hg(II)-HS species formed. This is particularly obvious in the case of low Hg(II) loading of HS where slow transformation processes of freshly formed Hg(II)-HS species significantly decrease their lability, leading to incomplete recoveries (< 20%) of the total Hg(II) bound to HS.

Plant Cell Wall Research Related to Evolution and Chemical Defenses

The plant cell wall is composed mainly of polysaccharides some constituted of repeating units of a single sugar, as cellulose or by two or more sugars grouped in repeating oligosaccharide blocks as the galactomannans and xyloglucans. Variations in composition and fine structure of these cell wall polysaccharides have been used as taxonomic markers and in the comprehension of the evolutive process, particularly in the Leguminosae. Partial hydrolysis of these compounds give rise to oligomers, some of which are capable of eliciting the synthesis of defensive substances in plants named phytoalexins. Species which differ in respect to phytoalexin liberation also differ in cell wall composition, particularly in the pectic fraction of the wall. Pectinases (mainly endopolygalacturonases) present in fungi, have been shown to hydrolyze plant cell walls yielding phytoalexin-eliciting oligosaccharides which differ in composition and in eliciting capacity in different species. These differences can be associated with the capacity of a given species to produce phytoalexins. On the other hand, the phytoalexin induction in plants is being used as a method of producing novel bioactive secondary metabolites.

Influence of antimicrobial subinhibitory concentrations on hemolytic activity and bacteriocin-like substances in oral: Fusobacterium nucleatum

Fusobacterium nucleatum is considered for its role in colonization of initial and late microorganisms in dental plaque and for its coaggregation with other bacterial species. It is known that action of different antimicrobial substances may interfere with either virulence factors or with host-bacteria interaction. The goal of this study was to examine the influence of subinhibitory concentrations of chlorhexidine, triclosan , penicillin G and metronidazole on hemolytic activity and bacteriocin-like substance production of oral F. nucleatum. A high resistance to penicillin G was observed and 63% of the isolates were β-lactamase positive. All the tested isolates were susceptible to metronidazole. F. nucleatum isolates grown with or without antimicrobials were alpha-hemolytics. Bacteriocin-like substance production was increased in isolates grown with penicillin G. Impaired production of hemolytic or antagonic substances can suggest a role in the regulation of oral microbiota.

A new application of humic substances: Activation of supports for invertase immobilization

Invertase was immobilized on aminopropyl silica (APTS-SiO2) activated with humic substances (APTS-SiO2-HS) and on aminopropyl silica activated with glutaraldehyde (APTS-SiO2-GA). The resulting activity of both systems was compared. Humic substances (HS) used for the activation of the silica were extracted from soil of Cananéia, São Paulo State, Brazil, according to the procedure recommended by the International Humic Substances Society. Activity was determined by measuring the rate of formation of reduced sugars using the reaction with dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS). The amount of HS bound on the APTS-SiO2 was equal to 50 mg. The maximum amount of invertase immobilized on APTS-SiO2-HS was 15200 U/g while in the system APTS-SiO2-GA it was 13400 U/g. The experimental enzymatic activity was 3700 and 3300 U/g, for the systems APTS-SiO2-HS and APTS-SiO2-GA, respectively. Considering the increased amount and activity of immobilized enzyme compared with the glutaraldehyde method, it was concluded that this technique opens a new perspective in the preparation of supports for enzyme immobilization employing humic substances. © Springer-Verlag 2000.

Helivypolide G. A novel dimeric bioactive sesquiterpene lactone

Helivypolide G was isolated from leaves of Helianthus annuus L. cv. Stella. In the course of our ongoing research for new allelochemicals from Helianthus annuus, a novel dimeric bioactive sesquiterpene lactone, helivypolide G has been isolated and characterized from the medium polar active fractions of the leaves of cultivar variety Stella. The monomers are connected through carbons C-15 of each unit and an oxygen bridge, forming an enolic oxane ring. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Competition between humic substances and α-amino acids by metal species

The aim of the present work was to carry out experimental comparison between humic substances (HS) and representative α-amino acids (methionine, methionine sulfoxide and cysteine hydrochloride) in relation to the complexation of biologically active trace elements (Al, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cd and Ni). A mobile time-controlled tangential-flow UF technique was applied to differentiate between HS-metal and α-aminoacids-metal complexes. Metal determinations were conventionally carried out using a ICP-OES. The results showed that HS may be considered as a selective complexing agents with higher metal bonding capability in relation to Al, Cu and Pb, the fact that may be clinically important.

Studies on the interaction between humic substances and conducting polymers for sensor application

The interaction between humic substances and poly(o-ethoxyaniline) (POEA), a conducting polymer, was investigated for both solution and self-assembled films. The results have shown that the humic substances induce a doping of POEA by protonation, as indicated by UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopies. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies on the self-assembled films have shown that the average roughness of the polymer film has increased after exposing it to humic substances (fulvic and humic acids), consistent with the interaction between POEA and humic substances. However, this change in morphology is reversible by washing the films with water in agreement with the electrical data allowing using this system in sensor applications. Here, the sensor formed by an array of different sensing units was able to detect and distinguish humic substances in aqueous solution, as shown by multivariate analysis (principal component analysis). The motivation to detect humic substance comes due to its importance in terms of quality control of water or soil. ©2005 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Oral toxicity of chemical substances found in Dimorphandra mollis (Caesalpiniaceae) against honeybees (Apis mellifera) (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Dimorphandra mollis is a characteristic plant from Brazilian saP vanna-like vegetation. The pollen of this species could be toxic to bees and the objective of the present investigation was to study the toxicity of methanolic extracts obtained from the flowers, peduncles and stem bark of D. mollis to Apis mellifera workers. For the study, the extracts were incorporated into the diet of the bees for later evaluation of mortality rates. The substances isolated: neoisoastilbin, catechin, astilbin and tannins were tested on adult workers and only catechin did not cause toxic effects. The data obtained in the toxicity bioassays were analyzed statistically by Log Rank test and all methanolic extracts showed significant (p<0.0001) toxic effects. Astilbin is also the major component of pollen grains, and is probably responsible for honeybee mortality during blooming periods.

New bioactive metabolites produced by Phomopsis cassiae, an endophytic fungus in Cassia spectabilis

Two new metabolites, ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethylbenzoate (1) and phomopsilactone (2) were isolated from Phomopsis cassiae, an endophytic fungus in Cassia spectabilis. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, MS and IR spectral data. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed strong antifungal activity against the phytopatogenic fungi Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum, as well as cytotoxicity against human cervical tumor cell line (HeLa), in in vitro assays. ©2005 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.