Produtos naturais como candidatos a fármacos úteis no tratamento do mal de Alzheimer

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative pathology with severe economic and social impact. There is currently no cure, although cholinesterase inhibitors provide effective temporary relief of symptoms in some patients. Nowadays drug research and development are based on the cholinergic hypothesis that supports the cognition improvement by regulation of the synthesis and release of acetylcholine in the brain. There are only four commercial medicines approved for treatment of AD and natural products have played an important role in the research for new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Injeção subaracnóidea inadvertida de corticoíde em tratamento de dor crônica da coluna lombar. Relato de caso

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Before epídural steroids were used in chronic lumbar pain, subarachnoid injection of these agents was the treatment of choice. Although still preconized by some authors, this technique may lead to severe complications with neurological sequelae. This report aimed at describing a case of accidental subarachnoid injection of steroid associated to local anesthetics during epidural puncture to treat lumbar pain. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 46 years old, followed byneuro-surgery for presenting right sciatic pain for 9 month, refractory to clinical treatment due to L 4-L 5 disk protrusion confirmed by CT scan, without neurological deficit. Epidural puncture for pain treatment was performed in L 4-L 5 with 17G needle and 10 mL solution were injected containing 4 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, 80 mg methylprednisolone and 4 mL of 0.9% saline. Although there has not been CSF reflux, 5 minutes after injection there were sensory block in T 4 and motor block in T 6, associated to blood pressure and heart rate decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Accidental subarachnoid injections with the association of steroids for pain relief may cause adverse effects. There are several risks, varying from mild transient symptoms to nervous injuries, including spinal cord injuries. Our patient had no sequelae from the accidental subarachnoid injection, probably because it has been a single injection.

Dispersão de bioaerossóis por aeradores em uma estação de tratamento de esgoto sanitário

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação histológica da hipoderme de suínos submetida a tratamento mesoterápico com tiratricol, cafeína e hialuronidase

The aim of this research was to evaluate histologically the skin of swines submitted to mesotherapy with tiratricol, caffeine and hyaluronidase. Histological processing was conducted in Hematoxilin and Eosin (HE) of the skin of swines treated being obtained measures of thickness of the hipodermis using a Zeiss ocular micrometer. It was verified that the treatments with tiratricol and caffeine provoked reduction of the thickness of the hipodermis (42.3% and 55.3%, respectively, p<0.05). The mesotherapy with hyaluronidase did not present significant results (17.5,p>0.05).

Proteína da matriz do esmalte associada a R.T.G. e vidro bioativo no tratamento de furca grau III em cães

This study investigated, both histologically and histometrically, the efficacy of enamel matrix derived proteins (EMD) associated with bioactive glass (BG) and an absorbable membrane in the treatment of class III furcation defects in mongrel dogs. After surgical defect creation and chronification, the lesions were randomly divided into three groups according to the treatment employed: Test Group 1 - EMD + BG + membrane, Test Group 2 - EMD + membrane and Control Group - BG + membrane. After a 90-day healing period, the dogs were sacrificed. The descriptive analysis and the histometric data showed similar results for the experimental groups in all studied parameters (MANOVA, p > 0.05). The association of Emdogain® with bioglass and GTR, or with GTR only, showed similar results when compared with the ones obtained with bioglass associated with membrane in the treatment of class III furcation defects in dogs. The three modalities of treatment showed partial filling of the furcations, with bone and cementum regeneration limited to the apical portion of the defects.

Eficácia e segurança da atorvastatina no tratamento de pacientes com hipercolesterolemia primária

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the first cause of death and third reason for hospital admissions in Brazil. The reduction of serum cholesterol levels reduces morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in the treatment of Brazilian patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (types IIA and IIB dyslipidemias). Patients and methods: After a 4-week wash-out period, 152 patients were treated with atorvastatin at the initial dose of 10 mg/day. According to treatment efficacy within the first 8 weeks this dose could be increased to 20 mg/day. Treatment lasted for a total of 16 weeks, and its efficacy was evaluated by the reduction of serum levels of LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as by the propotion of patients that achieved the target levels recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel II (NCEP ATP II) Results: The analysis of efficacy was conducted in 145 patients. Atorvastatin led to significant reductions in the levels of LDL-cholesterol after 8 and 16 weeks of treatment (P<0.001 for both comparisons). The relative reduction of such levels was 38% (P<0.001 after 8 and 16 weeks). Atorvastatin also led to significant reductions of total cholesterol and triglycerides. At the end of the study, 81% of patients achieved the target LDL-cholesterol levels recommended by NCEP ATP II. Treatment was well tolerated, and was interrupted due to creatine phosphokinase elevation in only one patient. Conclusion: Atorvastatina is efficacious and safe in the treatment of patients with primary hypercholesteromia. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editora. Todos os direitos reservados.

Efeito do tratamento com algumas vitaminas B na potencializaçã o do efeito antiinflamatório e antinociceptivo do diclofenaco e da talidomida

The effects of some B vitamins on chemical nociception in mice or paw edema in rats were investigated. A combination of thiamine (B1), pyridoxine (B6) and cyanocobalamin (B12), in doses of 100,100 and 5mg/kg, i.p., respectively, potentiated the inhibition by diclofenac or thalidomide of paw edema induced by carrageenin in rat. Antinociceptive effects of diclofenac and thalidomide inhibition of abdominal contortion were also potentiated by the combination of the vitamins B1, B6 and B12. Thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin given singly were effective in potentiating antinociceptive effects of thalidomide, but only cyanocobalamin potentiated these effects of diclofenac, probably reflecting the differing mechanisms of action of the two drugs. The results document the positive influence of B vitamins on antinociceptive effects of diclofenac or thalidomide and support the use of B vitamins to shorten the treatment time and reduce the daily dose of anti-inflammatories.

Obstrução nasolacrimal congênita - Diagnóstico e tratamento

This article assembled the congenital lacrimal obstruction according embryology, clinical presentation, propedeutic exams and other differential anomalies.

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.

Inibidores da HIV-integrase: Potencial abordagem farmacológica para tratamento da AIDS

AIDS has the HIV as its etiological agent. Researches has been done to find new pharmacological agents to be used in therapy, because of problems of resistance and side effects. The HIV-integrase inhibitors are some of those new agents that are being studied. This updating focusses on the fundamental information about HIV and HIV-integrase and the main methods being used to develop these new drugs, with examples for each case.

Tratamento de esgoto sanitário utilizando reatores anaeróbios operados em bateladas sequenciais (escala piloto)

The performances of two anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (1.2 m 3) containing biomass immobilized in inert support and as granular sludge in the treatment of domestic sewage from the Campus of São Carlos-University of São Paulo were evaluated. The experimental phase lasted seventy days. During this period, the reactors presented quite similar performances in respect to COD and total suspended solids removal, achieving average efficiencies of approximately 60% and 75%, respectively. The analysis using molecular biology techniques on biomass samples taken at 35 th and 70 th showed differences in the bacterial community in the reactors indicating that the type of biomass immobilization selected the populations differently. A higher similarity was found for the Archaea domain probably because these microorganisms utilize specific substrates formed at the end of the anaerobic process.

Distúrbio de hiperatividade e déficit de atenção na síndrome de apnéia obstrutuiva do sono: Há melhora com tratamento cirúrgico?

Neuropsychological disorders are frequently associated with obstructive ventilatory disorders (OVD). Aim: To analyze the incidence of neuropsychological disorders in Brazilian children with OVD, using a screening questionnaire and to compare the answers given before and after surgery. Patients and Methods: We studied 30 children with clinical diagnosis of OVD. The children were divided into 3 groups: group I, children aged 4 to 7; group II, from 8 to 10; and group III, children over 11. The applied questionnaires were answered by the parents or tutors, and comprised 30 questions, 10 for each disorder: attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The children were diagnosed with one of the disorders when presented 3 or more positive answers. The follow up interview occurred 6 months after adenotonsillectomy. Results: There was a predominance of male gender (60.6%) over female gender (39.4%). Group II presented the highest number of significant changes, with reductions raging from 87.5% to 33.3% of patients with attention deficit, 75% to 50% of the hyperactive patients, and 50% to 33% of the impulsive patients. Conclusion: There was neuropsychological improvement after the surgery, which occurred mainly in the children from group II. More interaction among health professionals is necessary when diagnosing and following up similar cases.

Associação do hidróxido de cálcio e metronidazol no tratamento de dentes de cães com lesão periapical crônica

One of the primary objectives of endodontic treatment of teeth with pulp necrosis is the elimination of microorganisms from the root canal system, as effectively as possible, especially in cases with chronic periapical lesions. AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyze the response of the periapical tissue of dogs' teeth with chronic periapical lesions to endodontic treatment performed with utilization of metronidazole, calcium hydroxide, and an association of both as root canal dressings. METHODOLOGY: Forty root canals were submitted to pulpectomy and the root canals were kept exposed to the oral environment for 6 months. Then, they were submitted to biomechanical preparation and divided into 4 study groups with 10 specimens: group I - no root canal dressing; group II - calcium hydroxide; group III - metronidazole; group IV - calcium hydroxide associated to metronidazole. After 15 days, the root canals were filled with Fill Canal sealer. After 90 days, the animals were killed and the especimens processed for histological analysis. RESULTS: Calcium hydroxide dressing provided a significantly better outcome compared to other experimental groups (α = 0.01). Also, the results of the association of metronidazole and calcium hydroxide were similar to those observed for the metronidazole group. The worst results were obtained by the no root canal dressing group. CONCLUSION: The use of metronidazole alone or associated with Calcium hydroxide, did not improve periapical healing when compared to Calcium hydroxide dressing.

Causas de ambliopia e resultados do tratamento

Objective: to evaluate the causes and the results of occlusion amblyopia treatment. Methods: a retrospective study was done including children under 12 years old. Sex, age of starting treatment, etiology, ocular deviation affection, visual acuity and time for the occlusion treatment were evaluated. Results: 158 children had all the requirements to compose the sample. 50.6% were males. 70.2% had esotropia, 13.2% exotropia, 0.7% hypertropia and 4.4% presented horizontal and vertical strabismus. 11.4% had no ocular deviation. 6.6% presented anisometropia, 0.7% congenital cataract and 6.6% other diagnoses. Visual acuity improved in 85.5%, faster in the ortophoric children. The occlusion treatment time was long in all the deviation types. Conclusion: the treatment was beneficial in improving amblyopia in the majority of the children evaluated.