Acetogenin-induced fibrotic heart disease from avocado (Persea americana, Lauraceae) poisoning in horses.

Poisoning by avocado (Persea americana) has been confirmed in sheep, goats, dogs, rabbits and ostriches. The clinical signs and lesions are attributed to the acetogenin, persin. Little is known regarding the epidemiology, clinical signs, lesions and therapy caused by acetogenin-induced heart damage. During the two-year study, we investigated a horse farm with six horses that often fed themselves with P. americana leaves or mature fruit pulp and skin on the ground. Two horses died, and one underwent necropsy, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry using the anti-cardiac troponin C (cTnC). Grossly and histopathologically, there was severe cardiac fibroplasia. Immunohistochemically, there was a multifocal decrease or negative expression in the cTnC cardiomyocytes' cytoplasm. Persea americana leaves were confirmed in the alimentary tract using botanical anatomy and molecular techniques. The chemical investigation by (LC-ESI-MS) revealed the presence of the acetogenins, persin and avocadene 1-acetate from P. americana. Persin was present in leaves and fruits (seed and pulp), while avocadene 1-acetate was found in leaves and fruits (seed, peel, and pulp) with a higher concentration in the pulp. Four other horses have been examined by electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and serum Troponin 1 (cTnI). To establish a causal effect of consumption of P. Americana and heart fibroplasia in horses, long-time experiments must be carried out.

Resistance exercise training ameliorates chronic kidney disease outcomes in a 5/6 nephrectomy model.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or increased albumin excretion leading to renal injury. However, exercise training is an important non-pharmacological intervention that ameliorates and protects against Diabetes Mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and CKD. AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the capability of resistance exercise training (RET) to improve CKD outcomes and the contribution of the renal and muscular Akt/mTOR signaling pathway for RET beneficial effects on a CKD model. MAIN METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to RET, followed for 10 weeks, and randomly divided into 5 groups: Sham: Sham-operated; sedentary and nephrectomy (5/6Nx) (SNS); exercising post-5/6Nx (SNE); exercising pre-5/6Nx (ENS); exercising pre- and post-5/6Nx (ENE). The systolic blood pressure (BP) was measured. Creatinine, proteinuria, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were evaluated. After euthanasia Renal and muscular Akt/mTOR signaling pathways were analyzed. KEY FINDING: Our study showed that the SNS presented renal injury, hypertension, weight and muscular mass loss and a higher mortality rate. SNS group also decreased renal IL-10 and increased TNF-alfa and TGF-Beta. Renal AKT, mTOR, and rpS6 pathway were increased, PTEN was decreased on SNS. And muscular Akt and mTOR were decreased on SNS. SIGNIFICANCE: The RET before and after the 5/6Nx ameliorates all these parameters mentioned above, suggesting that RET is a good non-pharmacological approach to diminish complications frequently found in CKD. We also suggest that the AKT-m-TOR pathway can play an important role in these beneficial outcomes of RET on the CKD animal model.

Glandular trichome density and essential oil composition in leaves and inflorescences of Lippia origanoides Kunth (Verbenaceae) in the Brazilian Cerrado.

The essential oils from leaves and inflorescences of Lippia origanoides Kunth present aromatic and medicinal potential and have been used to treat several diseases, including melanoma. In Brazil, L. origanoides is commonly found in campo cerrado and cerrado stricto sensu, physiognomies featured mainly by the differential light conditions to which short and medium-sized plants are subjected. Our aim was to investigate the glandular trichome density and the yield and chemical composition of the essential oils in leaves and inflorescences of L. origanoides from campo cerrado and cerrado stricto sensu. For glandular density analysis, leaves and inflorescences were processed according to conventional techniques for scanning electron microscopy. The essential oils of leaves and inflorescences were obtained by hydrodistillation and identified with gas chromatography. Bracts and sepals showed the highest glandular density, followed by petals and leaves. The glandular density in the abaxial leaf surface was higher in individuals from the campo cerrado. In both populations the essential oil yield was higher in inflorescences than in leaves. The chemical composition of the essential oils varied among individuals from different areas and inside a same population. Our results demonstrated the chemical plasticity of L. origanoides suggesting the importance of monitoring its popular use.

Hemangioma sinovial do joelho: relato de caso / Synovial hemangioma of the knee: case report

Hemangioma sinovial é uma neoplasia vascular benigna, rara, que afeta crianças e adultos jovens, comprometendo freqüentemente o joelho. Clinicamente, o paciente apresenta queixa de dor, limitaçao de movimento e hemartrose de repetiçao na articulaçao afetada. O diagnóstico será feito somente por médicos que estiverem cientes das características da patologia. Os autores discutem as características da neoplasia, apresentam as condutas tomadas e preconizam, como tratamento definitivo, a ressecçao do tumor e da sinovial envolvida.

Avaliaçäo comparativa do maleato de flupirtina versus diclofenaco potássico em afecçöes músculo-esqueléticas / Comparative study of maleate of flupirtine versus diclofenac potassium in musculoskeletal diseases

A eficácia terapêutica e a tolerabilidade do maleato de flupirtina foram avaliados comparativamente com o diclofenaco potássico em 61 pacientes portadores de afecçöes músculo-esqueléticas. A flupirtina foi administrada na posologia de uma cápsula de 100mg t.i.d., enquanto que o diclofenaco foi administrado na dose de 1 frágea (50mg) t.i.d. Para análise da eficácia foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: dor em repouso, dor à movimentaçäo, sensibilidade local, limitaçäo à movimentaçäo e interferência com o sono. A auto-avaliaçäo da dor pelos pacientes também foi analisada. Uma melhora estatisticamente significante (p < 0,001) foi encontrada em todos os parâmetros avaliados nos dois grupos de tratamento. A tolerabilidade foi excelente ou boa em 100% dos pacientes que fizeram uso da flupirtina, e em 50% dos pacientes que usaram o diclofenaco, diferença esta estatisticamente significante (p < 0,01)