Most of the Abundant Protein Fractions of Embryonic Cerebrospinal Fluid are Produced Out of the Brain Anlagen

The microenvironment of the central nervous system is important for neuronal function and development. During the early stages of embryo development the cephalic vesicles are filled by embryonic cerebrospinal fluid, a complex fluid containing different protein fractions, which contributes to the regulation of the survival, proliferation and neurogenesis of neuroectodermal stem cells. The protein content of embryonic cerebrospinal fluid from chick and rat embryos at the start of neurogenesis has already been determined. Most of the identified gene products are thought to be involved in the regulation of developmental processes during embryogenesis. However, due to the crucial roles played by embryonic cerebrospinal fluid during brain development, the embryological origin of the gene products it contains remains an intriguing question. According to the literature most of these products are synthesised in embryonic tissues other than the neuroepithelium. In this study we examined the embryological origin of the most abundant embryonic cerebrospinal fluid protein fractions by means of slot-blot analysis and by using several different embryonic and extraembryonic protein extracts, immunodetected with polyclonal antibodies. This first attempt to elucidate their origin is not based on the proteins identified by proteomic methods, but rather on crude protein fractions detected by SDS-PAGE analysis and to which polyclonal antibodies were specifically generated. Despite some of the limitations of this study, i.e. that one protein fraction may contain more than one gene product, and that a specific gene product may be contained in different protein fractions depending on post-translational modifications, our results show that most of the analysed protein fractions are not produced by the cephalic neuroectoderm but are rather stored in the egg reservoir; furthermore, few are produced by embryo tissues, thus indicating that they must be transported from their production or storage sites to the cephalic cavities, most probably via embryonic serum. These results raise the question as to whether the transfer of proteins from these two embryo compartments is regulated at this early developmental stage.

Constituintes químicos de Galianthe brasiliensis (RUBIACEAE)

This paper describes the chemical constituents isolated from aerial parts of the plant Galianthe brasiliensis. From a methanol extract, the iridoid glycosides asperuloside, deacetylasperuloside, mixture of Z- and E-6-O-p-coumaroylscandoside methyl ester, the triterpene ursolic acid and the steroids stigmasterol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol and 3-O-beta-glycopiranosyl sitosterol were isolated. The structures of the natural products were identified on the basis of spectral data, including 2D NMR experiments. The antiproliferative properties of the crude methanolic extract were investigated against a series of nine human cancer cell lines.

Titulação potenciométrica aplicada na determinação de ácidos graxos livres de óleos e gorduras comestíveis

Free fatty acids are a measure of evaluating fats and oils, submitted to abusive conditions, besides being a quality characteristic of edible vegetable oils. The official method of determination (AOCS Ca 5a-40, 2004) is based on titration, using phenolphthalein as an indicator. For crude and degummed oils, the titration end point is difficult to be observed due to the high level of pigments, resulting in dark solutions. In this case and others, such as self-life studies, in which sample quantities are limited, potentiometric titration may be a very good alternative.

Potencial antimicrobiano e alelopático das amidas isoladas do extrato das raízes de Ottonia martiana Miq.

Two amides, piperovatine and isopiperlonguminine, were isolated from the roots of Ottonia martiana Miq., a herbaceous shrub commonly used in folk medicine in the treatment of toothache. The crude extract (CE) and isolated compounds were submitted to bioautography and allelopathic assay. The bioautograms allowed the detection of compounds with antibacterial activity and the identification of the bioactive substance piperovatine. The CE and amides exhibited an allelopathic effect on Lactuca sativa (lettuce) seedling growth but did not affect the seeds' germinability.

Extração de esterase de fígado suíno (PLE)

A simple, fast and low-cost methodology was optimized, seeking preparation of a crude pig liver esterase (PLE) concentrate. Basically, the method consisted of the following steps: liver homogenization, acetone washing, enzyme extraction and purification/concentration. Starting from 1 kg of fresh liver more than 200 kU of PLE suspension were obtained after 8 hours, at an estimated cost of US$0.21/kU. The PLE concentrate thus obtained was stable, showing 96-100% of the initial activity after 7 months in refrigerator at 4°C.

Determinação de nitrato e nitrito em chás de peles de pescados empregados para tratamento de asma brônquica na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul

The objective of this paper was to determine nitrate and nitrite anions in toasted fish skin tea, which the population of southern Rio Grande do Sul believes to have pharmacological properties for trating asthma. Two methods were compared, an official and one described by Guozhen et al., that has the advantage of not needing reduction of nitrate to nitrite on a Cd column. The samples were the skin of the fish species Balistes capriscus (peixe porco) and Menticirrhus littoralis (papa-terra), both crude and toasted, as traditionally used. The method of Guozhen et al. was used due to its performance (detection limit 0.005 µmol/L NO3- and 0.02 µmol/L - NO2- and mean recuperation of 100 and 97% respectively for each anion) and results similar to those of the official methods under conditions used by the population, the estimated daily intake, of the teas is equivalent to 0.03 to 0.05 mg of nitrate and 0.007 to 0.014 mg of nitrite. These values are in accord with safety recommendations and don't represent a health risk.

Visual impairment and multimorbidity in a representative sample of the Spanish population

BACKGROUND: In the context of population aging, visual impairment has emerged as a growing concern in public health. However, there is a need for further research into the relationship between visual impairment and chronic medical conditions in the elderly. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between visual impairment and three main types of co-morbidity: chronic physical conditions (both at an independent and additive level), mental health and cognitive functioning. METHODS: Data were collected from the COURAGE in Europe project, a cross-sectional study. A total of 4,583 participants from Spain were included. Diagnosis of chronic medical conditions included self-reported medical diagnosis and symptomatic algorithms. Depression and anxiety were assessed using CIDI algorithms. Visual assessment included objective distance/near visual acuity and subjective visual performance. Descriptive analyses included the whole sample (n = 4,583). Statistical analyses included participants aged over 50 years (n = 3,625; mean age = 66.45 years) since they have a significant prevalence of chronic conditions and visual impairment. Crude and adjusted binary logistic regressions were performed to identify independent associations between visual impairment and chronic medical conditions, physical multimorbidity and mental conditions. Covariates included age, gender, marital status, education level, employment status and urbanicity. RESULTS: The number of chronic physical conditions was found to be associated with poorer results in both distance and near visual acuity [OR 1.75 (CI 1.38-2.23); OR 1.69 (CI 1.27-2.24)]. At an independent level, arthritis, stroke and diabetes were associated with poorer distance visual acuity results after adjusting for covariates [OR 1.79 (CI 1.46-2.21); OR 1.59 (CI 1.05-2.42); OR 1.27 (1.01-1.60)]. Only stroke was associated with near visual impairment [OR 3.01 (CI 1.86-4.87)]. With regard to mental health, poor subjective visual acuity was associated with depression [OR 1.61 (CI 1.14-2.27); OR 1.48 (CI 1.03-2.13)]. Both objective and subjective poor distance and near visual acuity were associated with worse cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Arthritis, stroke and the co-occurrence of various chronic physical diseases are associated with higher prevalence of visual impairment. Visual impairment is associated with higher prevalence of depression and poorer cognitive function results. There is a need to implement patient-centered care involving special visual assessment in these cases.

Determinação de nitrito em águas utilizando extrato de flores

Aspects of visible spectrophotometry can be presented to students using simple experiments in which the color of the crude extract of Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb. is bleached in the presence of nitrite ions in acidic medium. The dependence of the absorption intensity with time, the reaction completeness and the Beer law can be demonstrated. Quantitative results for mineral water samples "contaminated" with nitrite ions were obtained from a method based on the Griess reaction and a procedure based on the bleaching reaction between the crude extract and NO2- ions. Both the Griess and the bleaching reactions were found to be time dependent. Recoveries of about 100 - 104% were obtained with these procedures. The use of natural dyes attracted students' interest enhancing the teaching process. Experiments performed by the teaching staff suggested that the proposed methodology can be performed in a 4 h class, with relative errors ranging from 0.19 to 1.86% in relation to the Griess method.

Constituintes químicos e avaliação do potencial alelopático de Adiantum tetraphyllum Humb. & Bonpl. Ex. Willd (Pteridaceae)

Chemical studies of green leaves of A. tetraphyllum afforded beta-sitosterol, a mixture containing the ethyl esters of long chain carboxylic acids, 30-normethyl-lupan-20-one, hopan-22-ol, phytol, phyten-3(20)-1,2-diol, quercetin and quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and GC analysis. The allelopathic potentials of the crude ethanolic extract and fractions were evaluated against Lactuca sativa (letuce) and Allium cepa (onion) seeds.

Evaluation of seasonal changes in chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Elyonurus muticus (sprengel) O. Kuntze (Gramineae)

Aerial parts of Elyonurus muticus were collected in the four seasons of the year in the Brazilian Pantanal and subjected to extractrion with cold ethanol and to hydrodistillation. Sesquiterpenoids (E)-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide were the main components identified in the essential oils and their concentrations varied according to the plant collection period. The essential oils and the ethanolic crude extracts were active against Bacillus cereus MIP 96016, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and were not active against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. The antibacterial activities varied according to the plant collection period.

Multimorbidity patterns in a national representative sample of the Spanish adult population.

BACKGROUND: In the context of population aging, multimorbidity has emerged as a growing concern in public health. However, little is known about multimorbidity patterns and other issues surrounding chronic diseases. The aim of our study was to examine multimorbidity patterns, the relationship between physical and mental conditions and the distribution of multimorbidity in the Spanish adult population. METHODS: Data from this cross-sectional study was collected from the COURAGE study. A total of 4,583 participants from Spain were included, 3,625 aged over 50. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to detect multimorbidity patterns in the population over 50 years of age. Crude and adjusted binary logistic regressions were performed to identify individual associations between physical and mental conditions. RESULTS: THREE MULTIMORBIDITY PATTERNS ROSE: 'cardio-respiratory' (angina, asthma, chronic lung disease), 'mental-arthritis' (arthritis, depression, anxiety) and the 'aggregated pattern' (angina, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, cataracts, edentulism, arthritis). After adjusting for covariates, asthma, chronic lung disease, arthritis and the number of physical conditions were associated with depression. Angina and the number of physical conditions were associated with a higher risk of anxiety. With regard to multimorbidity distribution, women over 65 years suffered from the highest rate of multimorbidity (67.3%). CONCLUSION: Multimorbidity prevalence occurs in a high percentage of the Spanish population, especially in the elderly. There are specific multimorbidity patterns and individual associations between physical and mental conditions, which bring new insights into the complexity of chronic patients. There is need to implement patient-centered care which involves these interactions rather than merely paying attention to individual diseases.

Titulações espectrofotométricas de sistemas ácido-base utilizando extrato de flores contendo antocianinas

Considering the attraction of the students' attention by the changes in the colors of vegetable crude extracts caused by the variation of the pH of the medium, the use of these different colors in order to demonstrate principles of spectrophotometric acid-base titrations using the crude extracts as indicators is proposed. The experimental setup consisted of a simple spectrophotometer, a homemade flow cell and a pump to propel the fluids along the system. Students should be stimulated to choose the best wavelength to monitor the changes in color during the titration. Since the pH of the equivalence point depends on the system titrated, the wavelength must be properly chosen to follow these changes, demonstrating the importance of the correct choice of the indicator. When compared with the potentiometric results, errors as low as 2% could be found using Rhododendron simsii (azalea) or Tibouchina granulosa (Glory tree, quaresmeira) as sources of the crude extracts.

Impact of multimorbidity on disability and quality of life in the spanish older population

BACKGROUND: Population aging is closely related to high prevalence of chronic conditions in developed countries. In this context, health care policies aim to increase life span cost-effectively while maintaining quality of life and functional ability. There is still, however, a need for further understanding of how chronic conditions affect these health aspects. The aim of this paper is to assess the individual and combined impact of chronic physical and mental conditions on quality of life and disability in Spain, and secondly to show gender trends. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from the COURAGE study. A total of 3,625 participants over 50 years old from Spain were included. Crude and adjusted multiple linear regressions were conducted to detect associations between individual chronic conditions and disability, and between chronic conditions and quality of life. Separate models were used to assess the influence of the number of diseases on the same variables. Additional analogous regressions were performed for males and females. RESULTS: All chronic conditions except hypertension were statistically associated with poor results in quality of life and disability. Depression, anxiety and stroke were found to have the greatest impact on outcomes. The number of chronic conditions was associated with substantially lower quality of life [β for 4+ diseases: -18.10 (-20.95,-15.25)] and greater disability [β for 4+ diseases: 27.64 (24.99,30.29]. In general, women suffered from higher rates of multimorbidity and poorer results in quality of life and disability. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic conditions impact greatly on quality of life and disability in the older Spanish population, especially when co-occurring diseases are added. Multimorbidity considerations should be a priority in the development of future health policies focused on quality of life and disability. Further studies would benefit from an expanded selection of diseases. Policies should also deal with gender idiosyncrasy in certain cases.

Desenvolvimento de um spot test para o monitoramento da atividade da peroxidase em um procedimento de purificação

In this work we describe both a chromatographic purification procedure and a spot test for the enzyme peroxidase (POD: EC 1.11.1.7). The enzyme was obtained from crude extracts of sweet potatoes and the chromatographic enzyme purification procedure resulted in several fractions. Therefore a simple, fast and economic spot test for monitoring peroxidase during the purification procedure was developed. The spot test is based on the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and guaiacol, which is catalyzed by the presence of peroxidase yielding the colored tetraguaiacol.

Saponinas triterpênicas das raízes de guettarda pohliana müll. Arg. (Rubiaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of Guettarda pohliana roots led to the isolation of 28-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl quinovic acid, 28-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl quinovic acid, 3-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl quinovic acid, 28-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl cincholic acid along with quinovic acid, daucosterol and 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid. The structures of the isolated compounds were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data, including two-dimensional NMR methods. The antiradical activity of the crude methanolic extract and of its fractions was evaluated.