Enraizamento in vitro de catuaba (Anemopaegma arvense (Vell. ) Stell. ex de Souza), uma planta medicinal do Cerrado / Study on the in vitro rooting of Anemopaegma arvense (Vell. ) Stell. ex de Souza, a medicinal plant of the Brazilian Cerrado

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de otimizar o protocolo para enraizamento in vitro de Anemopaegma arvense, planta medicinal do Cerrado em risco de extinção e conhecida popularmente como catuaba, a qual é amplamente utilizada na medicina popular. Brotações cultivadas in vitro foram inoculadas em meio de cultura MS/2 liquido e MS sólido suplementado com diferentes concentrações de auxinas, poliaminas ou dithiothreitol (DTT). As avaliações foram realizadas quanto à porcentagem de enraizamento, número e comprimento das raízes. A presença de NAA (Ácido naftaleno acético) no meio de cultura foi essencial para promover a indução de raízes adventícias nas brotações. A maior porcentagem de enraizamento, 50%, foi obtida no tratamento 2 mg L-1 de NAA com tempo de permanência de 15 dias nesta auxina. No experimento com poliaminas o melhor tratamento foi MS/2 + 5 mg L-1 de putrescina, com 27% de brotações enraizadas. Na presença de DTT (Dithiothreitol), 23% das brotações enraizaram em 0,10 mg L-1 de DTT. A presença da auxina NAA e a alternância no tempo de permanência foi a melhor condição para promover o enraizamento in vitro da de A. arvense. .

This work was carried out in order to optimize an efficient protocol for the in vitro rooting of Anemopaegma arvense, a medicinal plant of the Brazilian Cerrado in danger of extinction, popularly known as Catuaba in Portuguese and widely used in folk medicine. Shoots cultivated in vitro were inoculated in liquid MS/2 and solid MS culture medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins, polyamines or dithiothreitol (DTT). Evaluations were performed for the rooting percentage and for the number and length of roots. The presence of NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) in the culture medium was essential to promote the induction of adventitious roots. Higher rooting percentage (50%) was obtained in the treatment with 2 mg L-1 NAA and duration of stay of 15 days in this auxin. In the experiment with polyamines, the best treatment was MS/2 + 5 mg L-1 putrescine with 27% of shoots rooted. In the presence of DTT (dithiothreitol), 23% of shoots rooted at 0.10 mg L-1 DTT. The presence of the auxin NAA and the alternation in length of stay was the best condition to promote in vitro rooting of A. arvense. .

Carbon nanotube-based bioceramic grafts for electrotherapy of bone.

Bone complexity demands the engineering of new scaffolding solutions for its reconstructive surgery. Emerging bone grafts should offer not only mechanical support but also functional properties to explore innovative bone therapies. Following this, ceramic bone grafts of Glass/hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced with conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) - CNT/Glass/HA - were prepared for bone electrotherapy purposes. Computer-aided 3D microstructural reconstructions and TEM analysis of CNT/Glass/HA composites provided details on the CNT 3D network and further correlation to their functional properties. CNTs are arranged as sub-micrometric sized ropes bridging homogenously distributed ellipsoid-shaped agglomerates. This arrangement yielded composites with a percolation threshold of pc=1.5vol.%. At 4.4vol.% of CNTs, thermal and electrical conductivities of 1.5W·m(-1)·K(-1) and 55S·m(-1), respectively, were obtained, matching relevant requisites in electrical stimulation protocols. While the former avoids bone damaging from Joule's heat generation, the latter might allow the confinement of external electrical fields through the conductive material if used for in vivo electrical stimulation. Moreover, the electrically conductive bone grafts have better mechanical properties than those of the natural cortical bone. Overall, these highly conductive materials with controlled size CNT agglomerates might accelerate bone bonding and maximize the delivery of electrical stimulation during electrotherapy practices.

Ocorrência de fungos micorrízicos em catuaba (Anemopaegma arvense (Vell. ) Stell. ex de Souza - Bignoniaceae), uma planta medicinal do Cerrado em risco de extinção / Michorrizical funghi studies in catuaba (Anemopaegma arvense (Vell. ) Stell. ex de Souza), a medicinal plant from the Cerrado region at risk of extinction

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de verificar a ocorrência de fungos micorrízicos, identificar suas espécies, e avaliar a colonização em raízes de plantas de diferentes populações e variedades de Anemopaegma arvense, uma planta medicinal do Cerrado em risco de extinção. As avaliações da colonização micorrízica e identificação de espécies de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) foram realizadas no Laboratório de Microbiologia do Solo da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA). Foram utilizadas raízes de 10 plantas coletadas em diferentes locais juntamente com as amostras de solo próximo ao sistema radicular de populações naturais das variedades: glabra, puberula e petiolata. Os esporos foram extraídos do solo por meio da metodologia de peneiramento úmido e, para a avaliação e observação da colonização radicular, as raízes coradas foram observadas em microscópio estereoscópico (ampliação 10 a 40x). Em todas as amostras analisadas foi possível identificar espécies de FMAs, exceto para a variedade puberula, coletada no município de Mogi Guaçu-SP. O número de esporos variou de maneira significativa entre as amostras e os locais amostrados, não havendo distribuição regular. Acaulospora scrubiculata, A. spinosa, A. longula, Escustelospora heterogama, Paraglomus occultum, Gigaspora margarita, Gigaspora sp., dentre outros, encontram-se entre as espécies identificadas. Quanto à avaliação da colonização micorrízica nas raízes, observou-se que todas as variedades foram colonizadas no sitema radicular, verificada por meio da presença de hifas. No entanto, a colonização não foi constatada em todas as amostras avaliadas e também não foi observada a formação de arbúsculos e/ou vesículas.

This work was carried out to verify the occurrence, identify species of mycorrhizal fungi and to evaluate the colonization in roots of plants of different varieties and populations of Anemopaegma arvense, a medicinal plant from the Savannah, in danger of extinction. Assessments of mycorrhizal infection and identification of species of mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were conducted at the Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). We used roots from 10 plants collected at different sites, along with samples of soil near the root system of natural populations of the varieties glabra, puberula and petiolata. Spores were extracted from soil by the wet sifting methodology and, for the assessment and observation of the root colonization, the stained roots were observed under a stereomicroscope (magnification 10 to 40x), respectively. In all samples it was possible to identify AMF species, except for the variety puberula, collected in the municipality of Mogi Guaçu - SP. The number of spores varied significantly between samples and sampling sites, with no regular distribution. Acaulospora scrubiculata, A. spinosa, A. longula, Escustelospora heterogama, Paraglomus occultum, Gigaspora margarita, Gigaspora sp. among others, are some of the species identified. Regarding the assessment of mycorrhizal infection in the roots, we observed that all the varieties analyzed showed colonization by hyphae. However, not all samples assessed presented colonization and the formation of arbuscules and/or vesicles was not observed.

Total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. Analysis of 115 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There was a tendency to use more extensive operations for the treatment of gastric cancer during the last decade particularly in Europe. This retrospective study was carried out to review our recent experience with total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifteen patients treated for gastric cancer by total gastrectomy from 1987 to 1996 were analyzed. At the time of surgery 22.3% of patients were older than 70 years of age. RESULTS: Fifty eight cancers (50.4%) were located in the distal third of the stomach, forty-seven (41%) were smaller than 6 cm and seventy-one (61.7%) were of the diffuse type. In 74.9% the tumor had penetrated through the serosa. The mortality and morbidity rates were 6.1% and 35.1% respectively. Age was a major determining factor with respect to hospital mortality and post-operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of personal attitudes, gastrectomy does not have to be total to be curative, and many total gastrectomies performed in Western countries with "curative intent" are noncurative procedures. Nevertheless, to achieve a curative oncologic resection, total gastrectomy is required with growing frequency.

Total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The increased average life expectancy and the changing patterns in gastric carcinoma have resulted in a considerable rise in the number of older patients requiring total gastrectomy. Results of total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in elderly patients are presented. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1987 and December 1996, 115 patients underwent total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. At the time of surgery, 25 (21.8%) patients were older than 70 years. The results achieved in these patients were compared with those observed in 90 younger ones. RESULTS: The hospital mortality and morbidity rates for the elderly patients were 16% and 56%, respectively; for the younger ones they were 3.3% and 30%, respectively. No difference was seen between the two age groups concerning the average post-operative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, age was a major determinant with respect to post-operative morbidity and mortality. However, age alone could not be clearly defined as a determining risk factor considering that the accompanying illness and preexisting factors predispose for poor prognosis.

Congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia in the adult.

Bochdalek's hernia, congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia, is common in children but rarely occurs in adults. The authors report two such adult cases. One of the hernias was on the left and the other on the right. Both patients had gastrointestinal symptoms. The approach was abdominal in one and thoracoabdominal in the other. There were no operative or postoperative complications. The possibility of congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia must be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who have recurrent gastrointestinal and respiratory complaints. A complete roentgenologic examination is necessary in order to make an accurate diagnosis preoperatively. Because of the danger of strangulation of the hernia, operation should be carried out as soon as the diagnosis is made.

Malignant leiomyoblastoma (epithelioid leiomyosarcoma) of the duodenum.

Leiomyoblastoma of the stomach is exceedingly rare. The authors report the case of a 69-year-old woman who presented with acute epigastric pain, anemia and weight loss. She was found to have a malignant leiomyoblastoma (epithelioid leiomyosarcoma) of the duodenum with lymph-node involvement. The clinical and pathological aspects of leiomyoblastoma of the gastrointestinal tract are reviewed, with emphasis on the distinctive, diagnostic histologic features. To the authors' knowledge, this is only the fourth reported case of leiomyoblastoma of the duodenum and the only case in which the tumour was malignant.

[Surgery of biliary lithiasis in patients over 75 years of age. Apropos of 139 cases]. / La chirurgie de la lithiase biliaire chez les sujets de plus de 75 ans. A propos de cent trente-neuf cas.

The authors report the results of the surgical removal of bilestones in 139 patients over 75 years of age, taken from a series of 1 179 cases. The low mortality (4.3%) and morbidity rates are due to a non-aggressive protocol, especially in the treatment of choledocholithiasis. They conclude that advanced age does not necessarily imply a need for systematic alteration of the therapeutic approach.

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias: a report of 19 cases.

From an analysis of 19 patients with traumatic diaphragmatic hernias with respect to the type of injury, associated injuries, clinical and radiologic features, diagnosis, surgical management and causes of death and from a review of the literature, the authors draw a number of conclusions. 1. Careful clinical examination coupled with an accurate interpretation of the roentgenograms should detect most cases of traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. 2. Impairment of respiratory function, possibility of strangulation and incarceration of the abdominal viscera demand early repair. 3. The choice of incision and approach depends on the stage at which the rupture is recognized (early or late), the site of rupture and the associated injuries. 4. Careful assessment of respiratory function should be made in order to prevent postoperative complications; in some cases respiration must be assisted. 5. Although the mortality in patients with traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is still relatively high, the deaths sould not be related to the rupture per se, or to its repair, but rather to the associated injuries.