Corrigendum to "Integration of datasets to provide insights about households' natural gas expenditure as trigger to building stock decarbonisation" [Heliyon 9(4) (April 2023) e14922].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14922.].

Integration of datasets to provide insights about households' natural gas expenditure as trigger to building stock decarbonisation.

Deep-renovations measures are identified as possible solutions to support European Union's natural gas phase-out and fuel independency. However, it has been difficult to increase renovation rates (about 1% per year), and previous studies have recognized socio-economic barriers as one of the reasons for that. Then, integrated (techno-socio-economic) datasets are vital to support building policy measures that circumvent the negative consequences of high gas prices. This paper's main objective is to develop and to test a methodology that merges two data sources: the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions and the Household Budget Survey in order to create an integrated techno-socio-economic dataset. The following research questions are answered: What is the replicable methodology for merging both datasets in order to create an accurate statistical model? What can we learn about household savings and natural gas expenditures of household types characterised by ownership status and dwelling type? The modelling results show that the developed logistic regression model presented an accuracy of 77% using 2015 data from Spain. The explorative statistical analysis showed that the owner-occupied single-family houses predominate in the highest natural gas expenditure quintiles, while the rented single-family houses in the lowest quintiles, indicating that ownership status may have a stronger influence on the natural gas expenditure than building type. The mean annual household savings are negative, an evidence of households' budget restrictions to finance deep renovation activities. As a conclusion, the generated techno-socio-economic synthetic dataset provides useful information about the relation between household budget restrictions, natural gas expenditure and potential investment on deep renovation. Based on the generated dataset, it is also concluded that higher natural gas prices alone are not sufficient to stimulate deep renovations. For boosting renovation activities, the design of financing and incentive schemes should be end-user targeted considering the households' heterogeneity. Then, the definition of households' profiles should include ownership status and other socio-economic parameters not only dwelling type. This work prepares the ground for setting techno-socio-economic databases that can be used to design more accurate incentives and financing schemes to accelerate European building stock decarbonisation and fossil fuel independency.

Quantitative MRI evaluation of bone marrow in sickle cell disease: relationship with haemolysis and clinical severity.

AIM: To evaluate bone marrow fat fraction using the Dixon technique (FFDix) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential biomarker of haemolysis and clinical severity in the overall assessment and follow-up of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study in which healthy individuals and SCD patients (matched for age, sex, and weight) were subjected to MRI of the lumbar spine and pelvis to quantify FFDix in the bone marrow using the Dixon technique. SCD severity was analysed by clinical and laboratory data, and an online calculator. A high degree of haemolysis was defined using the cut-off values haemoglobin (Hb) ≤10 g/dl, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ≥325 U/l, reticulocytes ≥3% and total bilirubin (TB) ≥1.2 mg/dl. Pearson's correlation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Forty-eight SCD patients (26 homozygous: HbSS and 22 compound heterozygous: HbSC) and 48 healthy individuals participated in the study. FFDix was lower in SCD patients than in the control group, showing even lower values in the HbSS subtype and patients with a higher degree of haemolysis. HbSC patients with a higher degree of haemolysis using hydroxyurea (medium dosage 9.8 mg/kg/day) had lower FFDix. ROC curves and odds ratios for detecting patients with a higher degree of haemolysis at the different FFDix measurement sites demonstrated excellent performance: iliac bones (cut-off ≤16.75%, AUC = 0.824, p<0.001), femoral heads (cut-off ≤46.7%, AUC = 0.775, p=0.001), lumbar vertebrae (cut-off ≤7.8%, AUC = 0.755, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Decreased FFDix is indicative of higher degree of haemolysis and SCD severity with great potential as a non-invasive biomarker contributing to the overall assessment and follow-up of SCD patients.

Characterization of the normal fetal circulatory system of the ductus venosus using sound complexity parameters

The aim of this study was to characterize the normality of the fetal circulatory system through the time between ventricular systoles of the ductus venosus in the three gestational trimesters in healthy fetuses using nonlinear methods of the complexity of the signal. A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP) from December 2019 to May 2020. Pregnant women between 11 and 14 weeks, with intrauterine pregnancy and healthy fetus were included. Patients with multiple gestation, positive screening for congenital malformation, including heart disease, and under 18 years of age were excluded. Doppler velocimetry ultrasonography of the ductus venosus was performed between the 11th and 14th weeks, 20th and 24th weeks, and 28th and 32nd weeks of gestation, and then the sound signal was extracted and segmented from the videos. To compare the means between the gestational trimesters of the approximate entropy (ApEn) and Lempel-Ziv complexity (CLZ) of the time between ventricular systoles, the Friedman test was used, with a significance level of 5%. No statistically significant difference was found between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters regarding the mean ApEn (P=0.281) and CLZ (P=0.595) of the time between ventricular systoles of the ductus venosus. Ductus venosus systolic time was not sensitive to differentiate fetal cardiovascular dynamics between gestational trimesters. This study pioneered the characterization of cardiovascular normality by nonlinear parameters of the fetal ductus venosus in all three trimesters.

Decrease phase angle one year after Roux-en-Y bypass and sleeve gastrectomy is related to risks to protein nutritional status.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Phase angle (PhA) has been used as an indicator of nutritional status. However, the significance of PhA reduction after bariatric surgery is less known. This study evaluated PhA and its relation with biochemical parameters and prognostic inflammatory and nutritional indices at a one-year follow-up of patients subjected to Roux-en-Y bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). METHODS: Our final sample consisted of 25 patients subjected to RYGB and 11 to SG. Body mass index, fat-free mass, fat mass, PhA, serum transthyretin (TTR), albumin, C-reactive protein, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and prognostic inflammatory and nutritional indices were evaluated at four time points: before and approximately two, six, and 12 months after RYGB or SG. One-way repeated measures ANOVA or the Friedman test with Tukey's post hoc test was used depending on data distribution. The correlation between PhA and biochemical parameters and indices were evaluated using Spearman's or Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Except for serum albumin, all parameters significantly decreased over time (p < 0.001). Only the RYGB group showed transthyretinTR values below reference ones. Prognostic indices significantly decreased in both groups (p < 0.001). We found a significant positive correlation of PhA with TTR in both RYGB (r = 0.475; p < 0.001) and SG (r = 0.457; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that at a one-year follow-up after bariatric surgery, lower PhA values might indicate a concomitant loss of visceral protein and a worsening of protein nutritional status.

Braylin induces a potent vasorelaxation, involving distinct mechanisms in superior mesenteric and iliac arteries of rats.

Arterial hypertension is a risk factor for various cardiovascular and renal diseases, representing a major public health challenge. Although a wide range of treatment options are available for blood pressure control, many hypertensive individuals remain with uncontrolled hypertension. Thus, the search for new substances with antihypertensive potential becomes necessary. Coumarins, a group of polyphenolic compounds derived from plants, have attracted intense interest due to their diverse pharmacological properties, like potent antihypertensive activities. Braylin (6-methoxyseselin) is a coumarin identified in the Zanthoxylum tingoassuiba species, described as a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor. Although different coumarin compounds have been described as potent antihypertensive agents, the activity of braylin on the cardiovascular system has yet to be investigated. To investigate the vasorelaxation properties of braylin and its possible mechanisms of action, we performed in vitro studies using superior mesenteric arteries and the iliac arteries isolated from rats. In this study, we demonstrated, for the first time, that braylin induces potent vasorelaxation, involving distinct mechanisms from two different arteries, isolated from rats. A possible inhibition of phosphodiesterase, altering the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway, may be correlated with the biological action of braylin in the mesenteric vessel, while in the iliac artery, the biological action of braylin may be correlated with increase of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), followed by BKCa, Kir, and Kv channel activation. Together, these results provide evidence that braylin can represent a potential therapeutic use in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.

MRI findings of the cervical spine in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI: relationship with neurological physical examination.

AIM: To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the cervical spine of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI) and correlate them with clinical manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 12 patients with MPS VI. A limited neurological examination was undertaken in each patient including Tinel's test, assessment of muscle tone, and the evaluation of deep tendon reflexes. Additionally, each patient underwent cervical spine MRI to evaluate platybasia, odontoid dysplasia, periodontoid soft-tissue thickening, spinal canal stenosis, myelopathy, basilar invagination, platyspondyly, and reduction of nasopharyngeal airway. RESULTS: Nine patients were male (75%). The average age was 12.5 (±3.5 years). Tinel's test was negative in all patients. No muscle tone abnormalities were observed. Approximately 48% of the tested reflexes were considered abnormal, 10 of which (8.3%) were pathological occurring in five different patients (41.6%). At MRI, all patients showed periodontoid soft-tissue thickening and cervical spinal stenosis; six showed spinal cord compression and two showed myelopathy. Odontoid hypoplasia and basilar invagination were observed in nine patients. All patients with cervical stenosis on MRI had abnormal reflexes; however, only two of the six patients with evidence of cord compression on MRI had abnormal reflexes on clinical examination. CONCLUSIONS: The present study of 12 patients with MPS VI demonstrated that a normal neurological examination cannot confidently exclude potential cord compression in patients with this condition. MRI may aid in the timely identification of cervical spine abnormalities, and potentially play a role in lessening morbidity and mortality in patients with MPS.

Heme Oxygenase-1 and Autophagy Linked for Cytoprotection.

BACKGROUND: Heme-oxygenase (HO) catalyzes the main enzymatic step of heme degradation and generates anti-inflammatory end products with protective roles in physiological and pathological situations. The importance of HO in pathological conditions is evidenced by its pharmacological inhibition or genetic blockage in different models of stress such as infection, inflammation and oxidative stress. Under these situations, another well-known protective process triggered is autophagy. Autophagy is a homeostatic process that eliminates defective cytosolic components and organelles, allowing cells and tissues to recover through recycling of functional blocks for anabolic reactions. Recently, studies have demonstrated a link between HO activity and autophagy activation. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we focus on the interplay between HO and autophagy, and highlight its importance in homeostasis maintenance under stress conditions.

Repair of a perforated sinus membrane with an autogenous periosteal graft: a study in 24 patients.

We describe a technique for repairing a perforation of the sinus membrane with a periosteal graft. Of 117 patients who had augmentation of the sinus floor, the sinus membrane perforated in 24, and these were repaired with autogenous periosteal grafts. Patients were followed up daily for the first 10days and monthly for the next six months, and clinical and radiographic variables were recorded. Patients had to be free of complications such as wound dehiscence, sinus infections, exposure of the graft, local inflammation, or pain. The radiographs showed correct osseointegration of all implants. Periosteal grafts are an effective alternative for repair of a perforation of the sinus membrane.

El género Attalea (Arecaceae) de Bolivia: Afinidades con sistemas ecológicos regionales

La documentación de las especies neotropicales de la familia Arecaceae, basada en los recientes aportes a su taxonomía y su relación con los paisajes naturales, actualiza los patrones espaciales a los cuales se adaptan en su rango de distribución. En este caso se relevan 121 registros de especímenes de las 11 especies del género Attalea de Bolivia y su relación con 30 sistemas ecológicos que aproximan su ámbito de distribución a nivel regional. Para ello se sistematizó, se verificó y corrigieron las coordenadas geográficas vs. localidades de todos los especímenes coleccionados del género Attalea con el fin de cotejarlos con los sistemas ecológicos, utilizando las herramientas del ArgGis. Seguidamente elaboramos un dendrograma (especies vs. sistemas ecológicos) utilizando el método de distancia mínima en el programa R. El análisis de la relación de las especies con los sistemas ecológicos resalta una especie que no compone al sudoeste amazónico: A. eichleri y que procede de sistemas ecológicos del Cerrado. Entre las especies de Attalea amazónicas, A. blepharopus (endémica de Bolivia) se aísla de las demás y el resto subagrupa a especies según su presencia afín en bosques y sabanas, además del subandino y aluvial, como es para A. princeps, que se encuentra en 17 sistemas (57%). Ocho especies de Attalea son comunes con Perú y 10 con Brasil. Es importante relacionar la agrupación jerárquica de las especies de Attalea con los sistemas ecológicos en función a dinámicas paisajísticas para documentar sus patrones de espacio y también para su conservación.

The documentation of the Neotropical species of the Arecaceae family, based on the recent contributions to its taxonomy and its relationship with natural landscapes, updates the spatial patterns to which they adapt in their range of distribution. In this case 121 records of specimens of the 11 species of the genus Attalea of Bolivia and their relationship with 30 ecological systems that approximate their scope of distribution at regional level are released. To this end, the geographical coordinates were systematized, verified and corrected. Localities of all the specimens collected from the genus Attalea in order to compare them with ecological systems, using the ArgGis tools. We then elaborate a dendrogram (species vs. ecological systems) using the minimum distance method in the R program. The analysis of the relation of the species with the ecological systems highlights a species that does not compose to the southwest amazon: A. eichleri and that is native to ecological systems of the Cerrado. Among the SW Amazonian Attalea species, A. blepharopus (endemic to Bolivia) is isolated from the others and the rest subgroup species according to their presence in forests and savannas, in addition to the subandean and alluvial, as it is for A. princeps, which is found in 17 systems (57%). Eight species of Attalea are common with Peru and 10 with Brazil. It is important to relate the hierarchical grouping of the Attalea species with ecological systems in function of landscape dynamics to document their space patterns and also for their conservation.

Plantas medicinales comercializadas por las chifleras de La Paz y El Alto (Bolivia) / Medicinal plants marketed by chifleras of La Paz and El Alto cities (Bolivia)

plantas medicinales son comercializadas en La Paz y El Alto mediante puestos urbanos atendidos por mujeres (chifleras) de origen aymara. El objetivo fue documentar los conocimientos y usos de plantas medicinales en ambas ciudades (Dpto. La Paz). Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas de julio-octubre en castellano y aymara en La Paz (18) y El Alto (19) con 28 preguntas. Se tomaron los siguientes datos: nombre común de la planta, tipo de dolencia tratada y formas de preparación del remedio, entre otras. Se identificaron 105 especímenes, 94 identificadas hasta especie, 11 hasta género y 10 indeterminadas en ambas ciudades. El 47% corresponde a especies nativas y 41 % a introducidas. Se registraron 31-40 familias de plantas con mayor número de especies en Asteraceae (24%), Lamiaceae (11%), Solanaceae (7%), Fabaceae- Papilionoideae y Brassicaceae (5%). Las especies de uso más frecuente para el tratamiento de dolencias de hombres (con el 40%) y mujeres (60%) y las especies con mayor valor de uso fueron Clinopodium bolivianum, Tripodanthus acutifolius y Baccharis latifolia, mientras siete especies son exclusivas para dolencias femeninas. Se reportó el uso de cinco estructuras morfológicas par contrarrestar de 27-53 dolencias, como hojas (41.64%), tallos (29.34%), flores (15.56%), raíz (5.34%), frutos (3.1%) y toda la planta (4.8%). Con estos aportes se ha relevado a mayor detalle la comparación de las plantas medicinales, dolencias tratadas y el uso por género entre ambas ciudades como base para otros estudios.

Correlação da composição de placas à histologia virtual com proteína C-reativa / Correlation between plaque composition as assessed by virtual histology and C-reactive protein

FUNDAMENTOS: Estudos prévios demonstram que o principal determinante de vulnerabilidade da placa aterosclerótica é a sua composição. Recentemente, diversos métodos de imagens e marcadores laboratoriais têm sido investigados visando identificar lesões vulneráveis. O ultrassom com Histologia Virtual® (HV) permite a diferenciação e quantificação dos componentes da placa. Por sua vez, a proteína C-reativa (PCR) é apontada como importante preditor de eventos adversos. A correlação entre este marcador e as características da placa não é bem estabelecida. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a constituição da lesão culpada em pacientes com síndrome coronária aguda (SCA) - conforme caracterizada pela HV - e investigar a relação dos componentes da placa com o marcador inflamatório PCR. MÉTODOS: Cinquenta e dois pacientes com SCA e com indicação de intervenção coronária percutânea foram submetidos a dosagens de PCR de alta sensibilidade antes e 24 horas após a ICP. Análise por ultrassom HV da lesão-alvo foi realizada antes da ICP. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 55,3 ± 4,9 anos, sendo 76,9% homens, 67,3% hipertensos e 30,8% diabéticos. A área luminal mínima foi de 3,9 ± 1,3 mm², e a carga de placa de 69 ± 11,3%. Os componentes da placa foram assim identificados: fibrótico (59,6 ± 15,8%), fibrolipídico (7,6 ± 8,2%), cálcio (12,1 ± 9,2%), necrótico (20,7 ± 12,7%). Não observamos correlação entre os níveis basais de PCR ou a variação dentre os valores pré e pós-ICP com os componentes da placa. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo, a composição das placas pela HV foi predominantemente fibrótica, com alto conteúdo necrótico. Não foi encontrada correlação entre a PCR e os componentes da lesão culpada em pacientes com SCA.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that coronary plaque composition plays a pivotal role in plaque instability, and imaging modalities and serum biomarkers have been investigated to identify vulnerable plaque. Virtual histology IVUS (VH-IVUS) characterizes plaque components as calcified, fibrotic, fibrofatty, or necrotic core. C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is an independent risk factor and a powerful predictor of future coronary events. However, a relationship between inflammatory response indicated by CRP and plaque characteristics in ACS patients remains not well established. OBJECTIVE: To determine, by using VH-IVUS, the relation between coronary plaque components and plasma high-sensitivity CRP levels in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: 52 patients with ACS were enrolled in this prospective study. Electrocardiographically-gated VH-IVUS were performed in the culprit lesion before PCI. Blood sample was drawn from all patients before the procedure and after 24 hours, and hs-CRP levels were determined. RESULTS: Mean age was 55.3±4.9 years, 76.9% were men and 30.9% had diabetes. Mean MLA was 3.9±1.3 mm², and plaque burden was 69±11.3%, as assessed by IVUS. VH-IVUS analysis at the minimum luminal site identified plaque components: fibrotic (59.6±15.8%), fibrofatty (7.6±8.2%), dense calcium (12.1±9.2%) and necrotic core (20.7±12.7%). Plasma hs-CRP (mean 16.02±18.07 mg/L) did not correlate with necrotic core (r=-0.089, p = 0.53) and other plaque components. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study with patients with ACS, the predominant components of the culprit plaque were fibrotic and necrotic core. Serum hs C-reactive protein levels did not correlate with plaque composition.

Post-partum testosterone administration does not reverse the effects of perinatal exposure to cadmium on rat offspring development.

This study investigated the effects of perinatal cadmium exposure on physical and reflexologic development of pup rats. It was examined if the immediate postpartum testosterone administration was able to reverse the toxic effects of the metal. Forty Wistar pregnant rats were divided into three groups: control and 10 and 20 mg kg(-1) per day of cadmium chloride. These dams were treated from gestational days 18 to 21, and until the 7th lactation day. Immediately after birth, half of the offspring from the experimental and control groups received 50 microL of testosterone 0.2% i.p. The maternal body weight gain, food and water consumption were measured during the treatment period. In pups, the body weight, body length, physical landmarks, reflex development and the general activity were assessed. Results showed that: only 20 mg kg(-1) cadmium induced maternal toxicity; pup body weight and body weight gain were reduced in all experimental groups; only the cadmium-exposed offspring not treated with testosterone treatment showed a reduction in body length and body length gain; cadmium highest dose reduced the anogenital index in pups and delayed physical and reflexes development; and cadmium effects on the offspring, except in body length gain, were not reversed by testosterone. The results indicate that perinatal maternal exposure to cadmium promoted changes in the development of male rat offspring, reprogramming the pup's development. Testosterone administration was not able to reverse the cadmium effects, even on those parameters more directly related to the androgenic system as the testis descent and anogenital distance delays.

Induction and secretion of elastinolytic and proteolytic activity in cultures of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

P. brasiliensis parasitizes various human tissues and proteinases exported by this fungus may allow it to metabolize and invade host tissues. The influence of the culture medium on the production of proteinases by P. brasiliensis isolates was studied and the export of these enzymes was followed as a function of culture time. The fungus was grown in neopeptone, BSA, elastin orcollagen medium. The culture medium was assayed for azocollytic, elastinolytic and caseinolytic activity. Proteolytic activity was also analysed by electrophoresis of the culture medium on gelatin and casein substrate gels. P. brasiliensis expressed relatively high levels of azocoll, elastin and casein degrading activity in all types of medium, except in neopeptone medium. Generally, expression of azocollytic activity peaked during the third week of culture and caseinolytic activity during the fourth week of culture. Azocollytic activity was highest at pH 4.0 and caseinolytic activity at pH 8.0. Elastinolytic activity was also highest at pH 8.0. This activity, as well as the others, may provide the fungus with a source of carbon and nitrogen and may alsobe responsible for the invasion of host tissues, such as pulmonary elastic fiber, by P. brasiliensis.

Efficacy and safety of combined piroxicam, dexamethasone, orphenadrine, and cyanocobalamin treatment in mandibular molar surgery.

Third molar extraction is a common procedure frequently accompanied by moderate or severe pain, and involves sufficient numbers of patients to make studies relatively easy to perform. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic combination of 10 mg piroxicam, 1 mg dexamethasone, 35 mg orphenadrine citrate, and 2.5 mg cyanocobalamin (Rheumazin) when compared with 20 mg piroxicam alone (Feldene) in mandibular third molar surgery. Eighty patients scheduled for removal of the third molar were included in this randomized and double-blind study. They received (vo) Rheumazin or Feldene 30 min after tooth extraction and once daily for 4 consecutive days. Pain was determined by a visual analogue scale and by the need for escape analgesia (paracetamol). Facial swelling was evaluated with a measuring tape and adverse effects and patient satisfaction were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference in facial swelling between Rheumazin and Feldene (control group). Both drugs were equally effective in the control of pain, with Rheumazin displaying less adverse effects than Feldene. Therefore, Rheumazin appears to provide a better risk/benefit ratio in the mandibular molar surgery. Since the side effects resulting from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration are a severe limitation to the routine use of these drugs in clinical practice, our results suggest that Rheumazin can be a good choice for third molar removal treatment.

Efficacy and safety of combined piroxicam, dexamethasone, orphenadrine, and cyanocobalamin treatment in mandibular molar surgery

Third molar extraction is a common procedure frequently accompanied by moderate or severe pain, and involves sufficient numbers of patients to make studies relatively easy to perform. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic combination of 10 mg piroxicam, 1 mg dexamethasone, 35 mg orphenadrine citrate, and 2.5 mg cyanocobalamin (Rheumazin®) when compared with 20 mg piroxicam alone (Feldene®) in mandibular third molar surgery. Eighty patients scheduled for removal of the third molar were included in this randomized and double-blind study. They received (vo) Rheumazin or Feldene 30 min after tooth extraction and once daily for 4 consecutive days. Pain was determined by a visual analogue scale and by the need for escape analgesia (paracetamol). Facial swelling was evaluated with a measuring tape and adverse effects and patient satisfaction were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference in facial swelling between Rheumazin and Feldene (control group). Both drugs were equally effective in the control of pain, with Rheumazin displaying less adverse effects than Feldene. Therefore, Rheumazin appears to provide a better risk/benefit ratio in the mandibular molar surgery. Since the side effects resulting from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration are a severe limitation to the routine use of these drugs in clinical practice, our results suggest that Rheumazin can be a good choice for third molar removal treatment.

Glutathione and the redox control system trypanothione/trypanothione reductase are involved in the protection of Leishmania spp. against nitrosothiol-induced cytotoxicity

Glutathione is the major intracellular antioxidant thiol protecting mammalian cells against oxidative stress induced by oxygen- and nitrogen-derived reactive species. In trypanosomes and leishmanias, trypanothione plays a central role in parasite protection against mammalian host defence systems by recycling trypanothione disulphide by the enzyme trypanothione reductase. Although Kinetoplastida parasites lack glutathione reductase, they maintain significant levels of glutathione. The aim of this study was to use Leishmania donovani trypanothione reductase gene mutant clones and different Leishmania species to examine the role of these two individual thiol systems in the protection mechanism against S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), a nitrogen-derived reactive species donor. We found that the resistance to SNAP of different species of Leishmania was inversely correlated with their glutathione concentration but not with their total low-molecular weight thiol content (about 0.18 nmol/10(7) parasites, regardless Leishmania species). The glutathione concentration in L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 0.12, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.04 nmol/10(7) parasites, respectively. L. amazonensis, that have a higher level of glutathione, were less susceptible to SNAP (30 and 100 µM). The IC50 values of SNAP determined to L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 207.8, 188.5, 160.9, and 83 µM, respectively. We also observed that L. donovani mutants carrying only one trypanothione reductase allele had a decreased capacity to survive (40 percent) in the presence of SNAP (30-150 µM). In conclusion, the present data suggest that both antioxidant systems, glutathione and trypanothione/trypanothione reductase, participate in protection of Leishmania against the toxic effect of nitrogen-derived reactive species.

Glutathione and the redox control system trypanothione/trypanothione reductase are involved in the protection of Leishmania spp. against nitrosothiol-induced cytotoxicity.

Glutathione is the major intracellular antioxidant thiol protecting mammalian cells against oxidative stress induced by oxygen- and nitrogen-derived reactive species. In trypanosomes and leishmanias, trypanothione plays a central role in parasite protection against mammalian host defence systems by recycling trypanothione disulphide by the enzyme trypanothione reductase. Although Kinetoplastida parasites lack glutathione reductase, they maintain significant levels of glutathione. The aim of this study was to use Leishmania donovani trypanothione reductase gene mutant clones and different Leishmania species to examine the role of these two individual thiol systems in the protection mechanism against S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), a nitrogen-derived reactive species donor. We found that the resistance to SNAP of different species of Leishmania was inversely correlated with their glutathione concentration but not with their total low-molecular weight thiol content (about 0.18 nmol/10(7) parasites, regardless Leishmania species). The glutathione concentration in L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 0.12, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.04 nmol/10(7) parasites, respectively. L. amazonensis, that have a higher level of glutathione, were less susceptible to SNAP (30 and 100 microM). The IC50 values of SNAP determined to L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 207.8, 188.5, 160.9, and 83 microM, respectively. We also observed that L. donovani mutants carrying only one trypanothione reductase allele had a decreased capacity to survive (approximately 40%) in the presence of SNAP (30-150 microM). In conclusion, the present data suggest that both antioxidant systems, glutathione and trypanothione/trypanothione reductase, participate in protection of Leishmania against the toxic effect of nitrogen-derived reactive species.

Distúrbios ácido-básicos em pacientes críticos: método de stewart / Acid-base disorders in critically ill patients: stewart theory

Distúrbios do equilíbrio ácido-básico são comuns nos pacientes críticos, estando em geral associados à maior morbimortalidade. Métodos que permitam entender a natureza destes distúrbios e auxiliar e consequentemente identificar atidudes que possam evitá-los e/ou corrigi-los são portanto extremamente importantes. A avaliação tradicional

Etnobotánica en los Andes de Bolivia / sss

Los Andes de Bolivia ocupan aproximadamente el 35% del territorio nacional y contienen a siete diferentes ecoregiones. El uso de recursos de la biodiversidad presentes por encima de los 1.000 m de altitud, incluye un amplio contenido de herencia cultural prehispánica, que ha sido influenciado y transformado a diferentes niveles por el proceso histórico del país. El etnoconjunto andino está constituido principalmente por las etnias Aymaras, Quechuas, Urus y los Kallawayas; sin embargo, se debe también tomar en cuenta a las poblaciones campesinas o poblaciones de origen étnico mixto. La cultura andina ha desarrollado cultivos importantes, cuya área geográfica representa el centro de origen de especies como Chenopodium quinoa y Solanum tuberosum entre otros, también ha identificado especies vegetales útiles pertenecientes a distintas categorías de uso, predominando las que son utilizadas en la alimentación, la medicina, la construcción, como combustible y de uso doméstico. Por otro lado, el análisis referente a las publicaciones etnobotánicas de los Andes de Bolivia depositadas en la biblioteca del Herbario Nacional de Bolivia, señala que el 94% han sido realizadas a partir de la década de los 70´s, y que la documentación generada se ha concentrado en temas y grupos específicos como los Kallawayas y su conocimiento acerca del uso medicinal de las plantas. El 63%de los trabajos revisados se han concentrado en el estudio de una sola categoría de uso, de los cuales el 42%corresponden al estudio de las características de uso de las plantas con fines medicinales. Otras categorías de uso que han merecido estudios específicos son el uso de las plantas con fines artesanales, para la alimentación, para forraje, como fuente de combustible y las cultivadas...