Translational Perspectives on the Therapeutic Potential of Hyptis Crenata Essential Oil Terpenes in Smooth Muscle Function.

Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are classes of organic compounds found in various natural products, such as the essential oil of Hyptis crenata (EOHc). The therapeutic potential of these terpenes present in EOHc is evidenced by their effect on smooth muscle and potential clinical applications. Among the highlighted monoterpenes, such as sabinene, α-pinene, and ß-pinene, a relaxing effect on rat intestinal smooth muscles is observed, attributed to interaction with calcium channels. Furthermore, monoterpenoids like borneol, cineole, and linalool also demonstrate vasorelaxant properties, suggesting potential in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions. Sesquiterpenes, such as caryophyllene and aromadendrenes, exhibit relaxing effects in various smooth muscle tissues, such as rat uterus and guinea pig ileum, indicating pharmacological potential in these areas. The translational exploration of targets, such as calcium channels and G protein-coupled receptors, highlights the importance of these compounds in discovering new therapies based on natural products for treating various medical conditions.

Pulse generators for enhanced magnetomotive ultrasound: Toward a cost-effective imaging for tissue characterization.

Magnetomotive ultrasound (MMUS) stands out as a promising and effective ultrasound-based method for detecting magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) within tissues. This innovative technique relies on the precise estimation of micrometric displacements induced by the interaction of an external magnetic field with MNPs. Pulsed MMUS has emerged as a strategic alternative to address limitations associated with harmonic excitation, such as heat generation in amplifiers and coils, frequency-dependent tissue mechanical responses, and prolonged magnetic field rise times. Despite the growing interest in MMUS, the devices conventionally employed to excite the coil are not specifically tailored to generate intense magnetic fields while minimizing interference with the transient behavior of induced displacements. To bridge this gap, our work introduces the design and fabrication of two pulse generators: one based on a capacitor-discharge circuit and the other on a resonant-inverter circuit. We evaluated the performance of these pulse generators by considering parameters such as the magnetic field generated, rise and fall times, and their ability to supply sustained current for varied pulse widths across different pulse repetition frequencies. Furthermore, we carried out a practical MMUS implementation using tissue-mimicking phantoms, demonstrating the capability of both devices to achieve magnetic fields of up to 1 T and average displacements of 25 µm within the phantom. In addition, we estimated the shear wave velocity, effective shear modulus, and their temperature-dependent variations. Our findings highlight the versatility and efficacy of the proposed pulse generators and emphasize their potential as low-cost platforms for theranostic applications, enabling the assessment of targeted entities within biological tissues.

Perianal tuberculosis presenting as a Fournier's gangrene.

Key Clinical Message: In the setting of Fournier's gangrene, atypical clinical manifestations and complications in an immunocompetent patient warrant consideration of perineal tuberculosis as a potential underlying cause. Abstract: Tuberculosis cutis orificialis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that affects the perianal region. Fournier's gangrene is an aggressive necrotizing fasciitis that primarily involves the perianal area and external genitalia. A previously healthy 38-year-old man presented with a left perianal abscess. His condition deteriorated, leading to septic shock and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. A CT scan displayed extensive necrotizing fasciitis. Treatment included broad-spectrum antibiotics, numerous surgical perineal debridements, a transverse loop colostomy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We believe the patient had pre-existing asymptomatic, non-diagnosed perianal tuberculosis, and a subsequent bacterial superinfection resulted in a perineal local abscess that progressed to severe Fournier's gangrene. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed through positive cultures and molecular identification in perineal biopsies. The patient experienced a complex clinical course with complications such as myocardial necrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, rhabdomyolysis with severe critical illness polyneuromyopathy and internal jugular thrombosis. Fournier's gangrene resulted in air dissection throughout the perineal fasciae, extending to the abdominal wall muscles resulting in an infected extraperitoneal spontaneous hematoma, probably caused by therapeutic anticoagulation. An extraperitoneal surgical drainage was performed. This case emphasizes the complexities in diagnosing and managing both perianal tuberculosis and Fournier's gangrene.

Production of MgAl/layered double hydroxide microspheres and investigation of the volumetric heat transfer coefficient in spray drying.

Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) are synthetic materials nanostructured in two dimensions that present positively charged layers with interspersed anions for charge and structure balancing. Being recognized as a promising material for various applications, a complete exploration of its possible attractive properties and its synthesis process is essential. However, drying, a necessary step in the process, is still little studied. This work aimed to produce MgAl-CO3/LDH microspheres and calculate the volumetric heat coefficient in spray drying, evaluating the drying air inlet temperature and the concentration of the feed paste in the dryer. LDH synthesis was carried out using the coprecipitation method, maintaining a 2:1 Mg/Al ratio. The infrared spectra presented the bands characteristic of the hydrotalcite-type material. Through XRD, it was possible to observe that the variation in drying air temperature and feed paste concentration produced LDHs with structural differences. The results obtained for the basal spacing ranged from 7.685 to 7.705 Å. Scanning electron microscopy images confirm the production of LDH microspheres, showing variation in the size of the agglomerates with changes in the feed paste concentration. The volumetric heat transfer coefficient values ranged from 4.31 to 5.36 W m-3 K-1, with only the air inlet temperature significantly influencing the process under the conditions studied.

Transcriptional Profiling of SARS-CoV-2-Infected Calu-3 Cells Reveals Immune-Related Signaling Pathways.

The COVID-19 disease, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in late 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide, becoming a pandemic that infected millions of people and caused significant deaths. COVID-19 continues to be a major threat, and there is a need to deepen our understanding of the virus and its mechanisms of infection. To study the cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, we performed an RNA sequencing of infected vs. uninfected Calu-3 cells. Total RNA was extracted from infected (0.5 MOI) and control Calu-3 cells and converted to cDNA. Sequencing was performed, and the obtained reads were quality-analyzed and pre-processed. Differential expression was assessed with the EdgeR package, and functional enrichment was performed in EnrichR for Gene Ontology, KEGG pathways, and WikiPathways. A total of 1040 differentially expressed genes were found in infected vs. uninfected Calu-3 cells, of which 695 were up-regulated and 345 were down-regulated. Functional enrichment analyses revealed the predominant up-regulation of genes related to innate immune response, response to virus, inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. These transcriptional changes following SARS-CoV-2 infection may reflect a cellular response to the infection and help to elucidate COVID-19 pathogenesis, in addition to revealing potential biomarkers and drug targets.

Mechanism of molecular interaction of sitagliptin with human DPP4 enzyme - New Insights.

PURPOSE: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inactivates a range of bioactive peptides. The cleavage of insulinotropic peptides and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) by DPP4 directly influences glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to describe the mode of interaction between sitagliptin (an antidiabetic drug) and human DPP4 using in silico approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Docking studies were conducted using AutoDock Vina, 2D and 3D schematic drawings were obtained using PoseView and PLIP servers, and the DPP4-sitagliptin complex was visualized with Pymol software. RESULTS: The best affinity energy to form the DPP4-sitagliptin complex was E-value â€‹= â€‹- 8.1 â€‹kcal â€‹mol-1, as indicated by docking simulations. This result suggests a strong interaction. According to our observations, hydrophobic interactions involving the amino acids residues Tyr663 and Val712, hydrogen bonds (Glu203, Glu204, Tyr663, and Tyr667), π-Stacking interactions (Phe355 and Tyr667), and halogenic bonds (Arg123, Glu204, and Arg356) were prevalent in the DPP4-sitagliptin complex. Root Mean Square Deviation prediction also demonstrated that the global structure of the human DPP4 did not have a significant change in its topology, even after the formation of the DPP4-sitagliptin complex. CONCLUSION: The stable interaction between the sitagliptin ligand and the DPP4 enzyme was demonstrated through molecular docking simulations. The findings presented in this work enhance the understanding of the physicochemical properties of the sitagliptin interaction site, supporting the design of more efficient gliptin-like iDPP4 inhibitors.

Evaluation of the anti-diabetic drug sitagliptin as a novel attenuate to SARS-CoV-2 evidence-based in silico: molecular docking and molecular dynamics.

The current outbreak of COVID-19 cases worldwide has been responsible for a significant number of deaths, especially in hospitalized patients suffering from comorbidities, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension. The disease not only has prompted an interest in the pathophysiology, but also it has propelled a massive race to find new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. In this scenario, known drugs commonly used to treat other diseases have been suggested as alternative or complementary therapeutics. Herein we propose the use of sitagliptin, an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) used to treat type-II diabetes, as an agent to block and inhibit the activity of two proteases, 3CLpro and PLpro, related to the processing of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. Inhibition of these proteases may possibly reduce the viral load and infection on the host by hampering the synthesis of new viruses, thus promoting a better outcome. In silico assays consisting in the modeling of the ligand sitagliptin and evaluation of its capacity to interact with 3CLpro and PLpro through the prediction of the ligand bioactivity, molecular docking, overlapping of crystal structures, and molecular dynamic simulations were conducted. The experiments indicate that sitagliptin can interact and bind to both targets. However, this interaction seems to be stronger and more stable to 3CLpro (ΔG = -7.8 kcal mol-1), when compared to PLpro (ΔG = -7.5 kcal mol-1). This study suggests that sitagliptin may be suitable to treat COVID-19 patients, beyond its common use as an anti-diabetic medication. In vivo studies may further support this hypothesis. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03406-w.

UPLC-HDMSE to discover serum biomarkers in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex disease with metabolic and functional changes that can alter an individual's proteome. An LC-MS/MS analytical method, in an HDMSE system, was used to identify differentially expressed proteins in the high abundance protein-depleted serum of T1D patients and healthy controls. Samples were processed in Progenesis QI for Proteomics software. A functional enrichment of the proteins was performed with Gene Ontology and ToppGene, and the interactions were visualized by STRING 11.5. As a result, 139 proteins were identified, 14 of which were downregulated in the serum of patients with T1D compared to controls. Most of the differentially expressed proteins were shown to be involved with the immune system, inflammation, and growth hormone stimulus response, and were associated with the progression of T1D. Differential protein expression data showed for the first-time changes in CPN2 expression levels in the serum of patients with T1D. Our findings indicate that these proteins are targets of interest for future investigations and for validation of protein biomarkers in T1D.

New insights about the EptA protein and its correlation with the pmrC gene in polymyxin resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Nowadays, clinical and scientific interest in antibiotics, as polymyxin, has increased due to the large number of reports of multiresistant Gram-negative bacteria, as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of this study was to investigate a related group of proteins for resistance to polymyxins, encoded by P. aeruginosa genome, through in silico analysis. The mobilized colistin resistance 1 (MCR1) protein from Escherichia coli was used for comparison. Similar sequences to the protein MCR1 in P. aeruginosa were analysed for physicochemical properties. 31 protein isoforms in P. aeruginosa (EptA) were found able to confer resistance to polymyxin showing protein lengths between 551 and 572 amino acids, with molecular mass values between 61.36 - 62. 80 kDa, isoelectric point between 6.10 to 7.17, instability index between 33.76 to 41.87, aliphatic index between 98.67 to 102.63 and the hydropathyindex between - 0.008 to 0.094. These proteins belong to the DUF1705 superfamily with bit-score values between 559.81 and 629.78. A high degree of similarity between EpTAs in P. aeruginosa was observed in relation to other proteins that confer resistance to polymyxins, present in Gram-negative bacteria species of clinical interest. Although, further studies are needed to identify the actual contribution of EptAs in P. aeruginosa species.

Percepção dos profissionais de saúde sobre a atuação de acadêmicos no contexto da Atenção Primária / Perception of health professionals on undergraduate students acting in the context of primary care

A Atenção Primária em Saúde (APS) é um cenário importante para a graduação dos cursos na área da saúde. Objetiva-se descrever e analisar a percepção dos profissionais da saúde de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) sobre a atuação dos acadêmicos de enfermagem, medicina e odontologia. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e exploratório de abordagem qualitativa, por meio da realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas aplicadas a profissionais atuantes na UBS em questão. A UBS apresentou recursos humanos adequados para atender às necessidades dos estudantes, mas uma insuficiência na estrutura física. A atuação dos estudantes traz contribuições para a organização do serviço e atendimento da população, apesar de diminuir a agilidade do serviço e limitar a longitudinalidade nos atendimentos. Conclui-se que a participação de estudantes na UBS agrega valor e é necessária para a formação acadêmica, como meio de ampliar a compreensão do processo saúde-doença e das possibilidades de cuidado.

Primary Health Care (PHC) is an important scenario for undergraduate health courses. The objective is to describe and analyse the perception of health professionals on undergraduate students on nursing, medicine, and dentistry acting in a Basic Health Unit (BHU). It is a descriptive and exploratory study of a qualitative approach with personal semi-structured interviews applied to professionals working in the BHU. The unit presents adequate human resources to attend to the students' needs, despite the physical structure being unsatisfying. The undergraduate students' performance brings contributions to the organization of the service and attendance of the population, although it can reduce and limit the agility and the longitudinality of the service. Through this study, the undergraduate students' participation in the BHU adds value and is essential for academic training as a means to broaden the understanding of the health-disease process and the treatment possibilities.

Effect of Drying on the Fabrication of MgAl Layered Double Hydroxides.

This study aimed to evaluate the synthesis of MgAl/LDH from the drying process perspective, evaluating the influence of temperature (75-90 °C) and time (16-20 h) in the drying process. The synthesis was performed, maintaining a ratio of 2:1 of Mg/Al, and the drying was conducted according to a 22 experimental design: four axial points and three repetitions at the central point. The surface area and pore diameter ranged from 4.09 to 18.55 m2/g and 12.50 to 24.46 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicated the drying-caused variation of the LDH typical bands intensities. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the tendency of the increase of agglomeration with the temperature elevation. The drying parameters' influence was evident for X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis observing the crystallite size increment, from 13.10 to 38.94 nm, and basal spacing variation, from 7.52 to 7.64 Å. The statistical models for growing crystal and reduction of the basal spacing were physically consistent but with low values of R 2. The drying time and temperature had a considerable influence on the chemical, physical, structural, and morphological properties of LDH.

Da ludoterapia não-diretiva à ludoterapia centrada na criança - desenvolvimento histórico / From non-directive play therapy to child-centered play therapy - historical development / De la terapia de juego no-directiva a terapia de juego centrada en el nino - desarollo histórico

O desenvolvimento da Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa foi dividido em fases que apresentam as atitudes que fazem parte da relação terapêutica, independente do público atendido. Contudo, na especificidade da psicoterapia infantil, o desenvolvimento teórico e prático da própria abordagem aponta para a existência de peculiaridades. Este estudo tem como objetivo apresentar, através de uma revisão narrativa de literatura, fundamentada na hermenêutica filosófica de Gadamer, as possíveis características relativas ao atendimento de crianças a partir de um retorno às fases da ACP. Discutimos os fundamentos iniciais do atendimento com crianças em Rogers ena perspectiva clássica de Axline, compreendendo como a ludoterapia com crianças se caracteriza nas fases não-diretiva, reflexiva, experiencial e pós-rogeriana. Discutimos sobre propostas contemporâneas nos contextos europeu, estadunidense e brasileiro. Concluímos que essa delimitação do atendimento infantil possibilita uma percepção mais clara das mudanças e aprimoramentos em relação aos trabalhos pioneiros de Rogers e Axline, sempre tendo como eixo a dimensão relacional e a tendência ao crescimento como motor do processo terapêutico.

The development of the Person-Centered Approach was divided into phases that presents the attitudes that are part of therapeutic relationship, regardless of the public served. However, in the specificity of child psychotherapy, the theoretical and practical development of the approach points to the existence of peculiarities. This study aims to present, through narrative literature review, based on Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics, the possible characteristics related to the child therapy, starting from a return to the PCA phases. We discuss the foundations of child therapy in Rogers and Axline's classic perspective, understanding how child play therapy is characterized in non-directive, reflective, experiential and post-Rogerian phases. We discuss contemporary proposals in the European, American, and Brazilian contexts. We conclude that this delimitation enables a clearer perception of changes and improvements amongst to the Rogers and Axline's pioneering work, always having as its axis the relational dimension and the tendency to growth as a motor of the therapeutic process.

El desarrollo del Enfoque Centrado en la Persona se dividió en fases que presentan las actitudes de la relación terapéutica, independiente del público. Sin embargo, en la especificidad de la psicoterapia infantil, el desarrollo teórico y práctico del enfoque en sí mismo apunta la existencia de peculiaridades. Este estudio tiene como objetivo presentar, a través de una revisión narrativa de la literatura, basado em la hermenéutica filosófica de Gadamer, las posibles características de la psicoterapia con niños, desde el retorno a las fases de ECP. Discutimos los fundamentos de la psicoterapia con niños en Rogers, la perspectiva clásica de Axline, comprendiendo como la terapia de juego com los niños se caracterizan em las fases no directiva, reflexiva, experiencial y pos-rogeriana. Discutimos propuestas contemporáneas en los contextos europeo, estadounidense y brasileño. Concluimos que esta delimitación permite una percepción más clara de los cambios y mejoras en relación con los trabajos pioneros de Rogers y Axline, teniendo siempre como eje la dimensión relacional y la tendencia al crecimiento como motor del proceso terapéutico.

SARS-COV-2 infection outcomes in patients with congenital generalized lipodystrophy.

BACKGROUND: A new strain of human coronavirus (HCoV) spread rapidly around the world. Diabetes and obesity are associated with a worse prognosis in these patients. Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy (CGL) patients generally have poorly controlled diabetes and require extremely high doses of insulin. There is no documentation in the literature of cases of COVID in CGL patients. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in CGL patients, and the association of their clinical and metabolic characteristics and outcomes. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out between July and October 2020. Clinical data collected were respiratory or other flu-like symptoms, need of hospitalization in the last three months, CGL comorbidities, and medications in use. Cholesterol, triglycerides, glycohemoglobin A1c levels, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and nasopharyngeal swab for RT-qPCR were also obtained in all CGL patients. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the characteristics of the participants, verifying the non-adherence of the data to the Gaussian distribution. In investigating the association between categorical variables, we used Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. A significance level of 5% was adopted. RESULTS: Twenty-two CGL patients were assessed. Eight subjects (36.4%) had reactive anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Only one of these, also presented detectable RT-qPCR. Five individuals (62.5%) were women, median age of 13.5 years (1 to 37). Symptoms like fever, malaise, nausea, diarrhea and chest pain were present, and all asymptomatic patients were children. All subjects had inadequate metabolic control, with no difference between groups. Among positive individuals there was no difference between those with AGPAT2 (75%) and BSCL2 gene mutations (25%) (p > 0.05). No patient needed hospitalization or died. CONCLUSIONS: We described a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in CGL patients with a good outcome in all of them. These findings suggest that at least young CGL patients infected by SARS-COV-2 are not at higher risk of poor outcome, despite known severe metabolic comorbidities.

Hemicorporectomía y equipamiento protésico. Reporte de un caso a los 15 años de seguimiento / Hemicorporectomy and prosthetic equipment. Report of a case at 15 years of follow-up

La hemicorporectomía o amputación translumbar es una cirugía radical indicada en casos de tumores, osteomielitis crónicas y traumas graves de la pelvis, y también, en pacientes parapléjicos con úlceras por decúbito intratables. La tasa de mortalidad por este procedimiento es del 50% y la gran mayoría de los pacientes que sobreviven quedan confinados a una silla de ruedas. El equipamiento de todo el hemicuerpo inferior es sumamente complejo. Comunicamos el caso de un paciente con una hemicorporectomía, secuela de una osteomielitis pélvica, su equipamiento completo posterior y su evolución a los 15 años de seguimiento. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Hemicorporectomy or translumbar amputation is a radical surgery indicated in localized pelvic tumors, chronic osteomyelitis, severe trauma, and intractable decubitus ulcers in paraplegic patients. It has a death rate of about 50% and most of the patients are confined to a wheelchair. The equipment of the entire lower body is extremely complex. We report a case of a patient with a hemicorporectomy, sequel to pelvic osteomyelitis, his subsequent complete equipment, and his evolution after 15 years of follow-up. Level of Evidence: IV

What happens when the money runs out? Forest outcomes and equity concerns following Ecuador's suspension of conservation payments.

Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) are now a prominent policy instrument for conserving tropical forests. PES are voluntary, direct, and contractual: an ES buyer pays an ES steward for adopting conservation practices for a fixed term. A defining feature of PES is its 'quid pro quo' conditionality, e.g. stewards are paid only if they deliver contracted conservation outcomes. Most studies on PES effectiveness focus on the steward's compliance with contract conditions. By contrast, the buyer's compliance has received scant attention despite the fact that PES programs across the globe have delayed payments, suspended re-enrollment, or shut down altogether. 'Use-restricting' PES depend on the continued flow of funding to pay for conservation; however, institutional, political, and economic factors can disrupt or terminate PES funding. What happens when the PES money unexpectedly runs out? Do stewards continue to conserve or revert to their former practices? We use mixed methods to study equity concerns and forest outcomes of an unexpected, two-year interruption in conservation payments to 63 private landowners residing in Ecuador's Amazon and enrolled in the Socio Bosque program, compared to similar landowners who did not enroll. Using quasi-experimental methods, we found that during the payment suspension period enrolled properties did not maintain their conservation outcomes where deforestation pressures were high (e.g. close to roads). Where deforestation pressures were low, enrolled properties continued to conserve more, on average, than similar properties not enrolled. Findings from 40 interviews and 26 focus groups conducted before, during, and after the payment suspension exposed profound landowner uncertainty regarding their contract rights. Poor official communication and imbalanced PES contract terms reinforced power inequalities between the state and rural ES stewards. Our work highlights the need to plan for financial volatility and to protect participants' rights in PES contract design.

Pesquisa fenomenológica em psicologia: ainda a questão do método / Phenomenological research in psychology: yet on the matter of method / Investigación fenomenológica en psicología: sigue siendo la cuestión del método

Este texto tem por objetivo refletir sobre a pesquisa fenomenológica a partir da questão da ética. Parte-se da ideia de que, na investigação do humano, a ética antecede a epistemologia e que, portanto, caberia a qualquer conhecimento desse campo questionar-se a respeito do lugar daquilo que é expurgado pelo método científico. Aponta-se que tal problema se coloca, inclusive, para pesquisas fenomenologicamente orientadas, visto que muitas delas pensam muito a questão da unidade e refletem pouco a respeito do lugar da diferença que essa unidade pode conter. Entende-se que o conceito de intencionalidade, que reúne diversas perspectivas fenomenológicas, como as de Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty e Gadamer, traz em si questões que envolvem a relação entre universal e particular, bem como nuances éticas, porém não há uma descrição operacional de como essas questões se tornam concretas na investigação empírica. Como solução para esse problema, aponta-se o que se chamou de solução pragmático-ética, de modo que o pesquisador explique mais clara e operacionalmente como os princípios fenomenológicos incidem sobre a pesquisa (dimensão pragmática), bem como evidencie a dimensão histórico-relacional a partir da qual ele produz saber. Assim, acredita-se, restam preservadas a historicidade e a provisoriedade contidas na construção do conhecimento.

This paper aims to make a reflection about phenomenological research from the matter of ethics. The start point is the idea of that, in the investigation of human, ethics comes before epistemology and that, therefore, it would concer to any knowledge of this field to make questions about the place of what is purged by scientific method. It is pointed that such problem happens even with phenomenologically oriented researches, once that often many of them think about the problem of unity, but seldom think about the place of the difference that this unity may contain. It is understood that the concept of intentionality, that put together several phenomenological perspectives, such as Husserl's, Heidegger's, Merleau-Ponty's and Gadamer's, brings on itself questions that wrap the relationship between universal and particular, as well as ethical nuances, but there is not an operational description of how these questions become concrete in empirical research. As a solution to this problem, it is suggested a pragmatic-ethical solution, so that researcher must explain more clearly and operationally how phenomenological principles affect the research (pragmatic dimension), as well as it is also suggested that he must evidence the historical-relational dimension from wich he produces knowledge. Therefore, it is believed, it keeps preserved historicity and temporariness contained in the construction of knowledge.

Este artículo tiene por objetivo reflexionar sobre la investigación fenomenológica a partir de la cuestión de la ética. Se parte de la idea de que, en la investigación de lo humano, la ética antecede a la epistemología y que, por lo tanto, cabría a cualquier conocimiento de ese campo cuestionarse acerca del lugar de aquello que es expurgado por el método científico. Se apunta que tal problema se pone, incluso, para investigaciones fenomenológicamente manejadas, ya que muchas de ellas plantean en demasiado la cuestión de la unidad y reflejan poco acerca del lugar de la diferencia que esa unidad puede contener. Se entiende que el concepto de intencionalidad, que reúne diversas perspectivas fenomenológicas, como las de Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty y Gadamer, trae en sí cuestiones que involucran la relación entre universal y particular, así como matices éticos, sin embargo no hay una descripción operacional de cómo estas cuestiones se vuelven concretas en la investigación empírica. Como solución para este problema, se apunta lo que se llamó de solución pragmática y ética, de modo que el investigador pueda aclarar operacionalmente como los principios fenomenológicos inciden en la investigación (dimensión pragmática), así como evidencie la dimensión histórico-relacional a partir de la cual él produce saber. Así, se cree, quedan preservadas la historicidad y la provisoriedad contenidas en la construcción del conocimiento.

Lateral Spreading Tumor Arising in an Interposed Colonic Segment.

A 57-year-old woman developed dysphagia 30 years after esophagectomy with partial gastrectomy and colonic interposition due to severe and extensive caustic esophageal stricture. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a lateral spreading tumor in the colonic tube with a granular surface measuring 40 mm in diameter. The lesion was removed by piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection. Histology revealed tubular adenoma with low/high-grade dysplasia. Although colonic interposition replacement is a relatively common procedure, especially in the past, the development of adenoma or adenocarcinoma as a late complication is very rare.

Propolis polyphenolic compounds affect the viability and structure of Helicobacter pylori in vitro

ABSTRACT To evaluate the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of the major polyphenol compounds of propolis and their cellular damage, both as single molecule or in combination. Honey bees propolis were fractionated by using CPC and preparative HPLC. Four major polyphenols (chrysin, pinocembrin, galangin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester) were identified by thin layer chromatography-mass spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. These compounds inhibited both ATCC and clinical H. pylori strains, with caffeic acid phenethyl ester being the most active. The four compounds presented minimum inhibitory concentration in the range 256-1024 µg ml−1 and a fractional inhibitory concentration of 64-512 µg ml−1. In mixtures all compounds showed an indifference effect (FIC < 0.15) but chrysin + galangin which was synergistic (FIC = 2.0). Killing curves show a similar behavior as the antibiotic amoxycillin. On the other hand, analyses by transmission electron microscopy at sub inhibitory concentration show vesicle formation and cell lysis after exposition to both individual polyphenol compounds and in mixture. The major compounds of propolis show anti-H. pylori activity both as individual compounds and in mixture. When combined they present mainly indifference but exert a lytic activity upon H. pylori, suggesting a potential bactericidal activity of propolis.