Phytochemical characterization and biological activities of Plectranthus barbatus Andrews / Caracterização fitoquímica e atividades biológicas de Plectranthus barbatus Andrews

Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) is widely distributed in the world and has a range of popular therapeutic indications. This work aimed to evaluate the phytochemical characterization of two leaf extracts of P. barbatus, and their antimicrobial, antineoplastic and immunomodulatory potential. After collection, herborization and obtainment of the P. barbatus aqueous extract (PBA) and acetone:water 7:3 P. barbatus organic extract (PBO), the phytochemical characterization was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antimicrobial activity was performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against eight bacterial strains using the microdilution test and the fungus Trichophyton rubrum by disc diffusion assay and microdilution test. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT and trypan blue methods in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at concentrations ranged between 0.1 to 100 µg.mL-1 and in neoplastic cell lines Toledo, K562, DU-145 and PANC-1 at 1, 10 and 100 µg.mL-1 . Immunomodulatory activity, was evaluated by sandwich ELISA of proinflammatory cytokines at BALB/c mice splenocytes cultures supernatant. Both extracts presented flavonoids, cinnamic derivatives, steroids and ellagic acid. PBO showed bacteriostatic activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (MIC = 250 µg.mL-1) clinical isolate and PBA fungistatic activity against Trichophyton rubrum (MIC = 800 µg.mL-1). The extracts did not exhibit toxicity to PBMCs and neoplastic cells (IC50 > 100 µg.mL-1). Additionally, PBO at 100 µg.mL-1 significantly inhibited IFN-γ and IL-17A cytokines (p = 0.03). Plectranthus barbatus is a potential candidate for therapeutic use due to its low toxicity in healthy human cells and exhibits biological activities of medical interest as bacteriostatic, fungistatic and immunomodulatory.

Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) é amplamente distribuída no mundo e com uma série de indicações terapêuticas populares. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a caracterização fitoquímica de dois extratos da folha de P. barbatus e seu potencial antimicrobiano, antineoplásico e imunomodulador. Após coleta, herborização e obtenção do extrato aquoso (PBA) e acetona: água 7: 3 (orgânico) (PBO) de P. barbatus, a caracterização fitoquímica foi realizada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). A atividade antimicrobiana foi realizada para determinar a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) contra oito cepas bacterianas usando o teste de microdiluição e o fungo Trichophyton rubrum por ensaio de difusão em disco e teste de microdiluição. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada por métodos MTT e azul de tripan em células normais mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP) em concentrações variadas entre 0,1 a 100 µg.mL-1 e nas linhagens celulares neoplásicas Toledo, K562, DU-145 e PANC-1 em 1, 10 e 100 µg.mL-1 . A atividade imunomoduladora foi avaliada por ELISA sanduíche de citocinas pró-inflamatórias em sobrenadante de culturas de esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c. Ambos os extratos apresentaram flavonoides, derivados cinâmicos, esteróides e ácido elágico. O PBO mostrou atividade bacteriostática contra Acinetobacter baumannii (CIM = 250 µg.mL-1) e atividade fungistática do PBA contra Trichophyton rubrum (CIM = 800 µg.mL-1). Os extratos não apresentaram toxicidade para CMSP e células neoplásicas (IC50 > 100 µg.mL-1). Além disso, o PBO a 100 µg.mL-1 inibiu significativamente as citocinas IFN-γ e IL-17A (p = 0,03). Plectranthus barbatus é um candidato potencial para uso terapêutico devido à sua baixa toxicidade em células humanas saudáveis e exibe atividade de interesse médico como bacteriostática, fungistática e imunomoduladora.

Phytochemical characterization and biological activities of Plectranthus barbatus Andrews / Caracterização fitoquímica e atividades biológicas de Plectranthus barbatus Andrews

Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) is widely distributed in the world and has a range of popular therapeutic indications. This work aimed to evaluate the phytochemical characterization of two leaf extracts of P. barbatus, and their antimicrobial, antineoplastic and immunomodulatory potential. After collection, herborization and obtainment of the P. barbatus aqueous extract (PBA) and acetone:water 7:3 P. barbatus organic extract (PBO), the phytochemical characterization was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antimicrobial activity was performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against eight bacterial strains using the microdilution test and the fungus Trichophyton rubrum by disc diffusion assay and microdilution test. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT and trypan blue methods in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at concentrations ranged between 0.1 to 100 µg.mL-¹ and in neoplastic cell lines Toledo, K562, DU-145 and PANC-1 at 1, 10 and 100 µg.mL-¹ . Immunomodulatory activity, was evaluated by sandwich ELISA of proinflammatory cytokines at BALB/c mice splenocytes cultures supernatant. Both extracts presented flavonoids, cinnamic derivatives, steroids and ellagic acid. PBO showed bacteriostatic activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (MIC = 250 µg.mL-¹) clinical isolate and PBA fungistatic activity against Trichophyton rubrum (MIC = 800 µg.mL-¹). The extracts did not exhibit toxicity to PBMCs and neoplastic cells (IC50 > 100 µg.mL-¹). Additionally, PBO at 100 µg.mL-1 significantly inhibited IFN-γ and IL-17A cytokines (p = 0.03). Plectranthus barbatus is a potential candidate for therapeutic use due to its low toxicity in healthy human cells and exhibits biological activities of medical interest as bacteriostatic, fungistatic and immunomodulatory.

Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) é amplamente distribuída no mundo e com uma série de indicações terapêuticas populares. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a caracterização fitoquímica de dois extratos da folha de P. barbatus e seu potencial antimicrobiano, antineoplásico e imunomodulador. Após coleta, herborização e obtenção do extrato aquoso (PBA) e acetona: água 7: 3 (orgânico) (PBO) de P. barbatus, a caracterização fitoquímica foi realizada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). A atividade antimicrobiana foi realizada para determinar a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) contra oito cepas bacterianas usando o teste de microdiluição e o fungo Trichophyton rubrum por ensaio de difusão em disco e teste de microdiluição. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada por métodos MTT e azul de tripan em células normais mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP) em concentrações variadas entre 0,1 a 100 µg.mL-¹ e nas linhagens celulares neoplásicas Toledo, K562, DU-145 e PANC-¹ em 1, 10 e 100 µg.mL-¹ . A atividade imunomoduladora foi avaliada por ELISA sanduíche de citocinas pró-inflamatórias em sobrenadante de culturas de esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c. Ambos os extratos apresentaram flavonoides, derivados cinâmicos, esteróides e ácido elágico. O PBO mostrou atividade bacteriostática contra Acinetobacter baumannii (CIM = 250 µg.mL-¹) e atividade fungistática do PBA contra Trichophyton rubrum (CIM = 800 µg.mL-¹). Os extratos não apresentaram toxicidade para CMSP e células neoplásicas (IC50 > 100 µg.mL-¹). Além disso, o PBO a 100 µg.mL-¹ inibiu significativamente as citocinas IFN-γ e IL-17A (p = 0,03). Plectranthus barbatus é um candidato potencial para uso terapêutico devido à sua baixa toxicidade em células humanas saudáveis e exibe atividade de interesse médico como bacteriostática, fungistática e imunomoduladora.

Phytochemical characterization and biological activities of Plectranthus barbatus Andrews

Abstract Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) is widely distributed in the world and has a range of popular therapeutic indications. This work aimed to evaluate the phytochemical characterization of two leaf extracts of P. barbatus, and their antimicrobial, antineoplastic and immunomodulatory potential. After collection, herborization and obtainment of the P. barbatus aqueous extract (PBA) and acetone:water 7:3 P. barbatus organic extract (PBO), the phytochemical characterization was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antimicrobial activity was performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against eight bacterial strains using the microdilution test and the fungus Trichophyton rubrum by disc diffusion assay and microdilution test. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT and trypan blue methods in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at concentrations ranged between 0.1 to 100 µg.mL-1 and in neoplastic cell lines Toledo, K562, DU-145 and PANC-1 at 1, 10 and 100 µg.mL-1 . Immunomodulatory activity, was evaluated by sandwich ELISA of proinflammatory cytokines at BALB/c mice splenocytes cultures supernatant. Both extracts presented flavonoids, cinnamic derivatives, steroids and ellagic acid. PBO showed bacteriostatic activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (MIC = 250 µg.mL-1) clinical isolate and PBA fungistatic activity against Trichophyton rubrum (MIC = 800 µg.mL-1). The extracts did not exhibit toxicity to PBMCs and neoplastic cells (IC50 > 100 µg.mL-1). Additionally, PBO at 100 µg.mL-1 significantly inhibited IFN- and IL-17A cytokines (p = 0.03). Plectranthus barbatus is a potential candidate for therapeutic use due to its low toxicity in healthy human cells and exhibits biological activities of medical interest as bacteriostatic, fungistatic and immunomodulatory.

Resumo Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) é amplamente distribuída no mundo e com uma série de indicações terapêuticas populares. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a caracterização fitoquímica de dois extratos da folha de P. barbatus e seu potencial antimicrobiano, antineoplásico e imunomodulador. Após coleta, herborização e obtenção do extrato aquoso (PBA) e acetona: água 7: 3 (orgânico) (PBO) de P. barbatus, a caracterização fitoquímica foi realizada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). A atividade antimicrobiana foi realizada para determinar a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) contra oito cepas bacterianas usando o teste de microdiluição e o fungo Trichophyton rubrum por ensaio de difusão em disco e teste de microdiluição. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada por métodos MTT e azul de tripan em células normais mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP) em concentrações variadas entre 0,1 a 100 µg.mL-1 e nas linhagens celulares neoplásicas Toledo, K562, DU-145 e PANC-1 em 1, 10 e 100 µg.mL-1 . A atividade imunomoduladora foi avaliada por ELISA sanduíche de citocinas pró-inflamatórias em sobrenadante de culturas de esplenócitos de camundongos BALB/c. Ambos os extratos apresentaram flavonoides, derivados cinâmicos, esteróides e ácido elágico. O PBO mostrou atividade bacteriostática contra Acinetobacter baumannii (CIM = 250 µg.mL-1) e atividade fungistática do PBA contra Trichophyton rubrum (CIM = 800 µg.mL-1). Os extratos não apresentaram toxicidade para CMSP e células neoplásicas (IC50 > 100 µg.mL-1). Além disso, o PBO a 100 µg.mL-1 inibiu significativamente as citocinas IFN- e IL-17A (p = 0,03). Plectranthus barbatus é um candidato potencial para uso terapêutico devido à sua baixa toxicidade em células humanas saudáveis e exibe atividade de interesse médico como bacteriostática, fungistática e imunomoduladora.

Efeito do estresse térmico calórico agudo e crônico sobre a qualidade oocitária de bovinos de raças adaptadas / Effect of acute and chronic caloric heat stress on oocyte quality of adapted breeds cattle

Nos trópicos, o uso de raças adaptadas tem sido uma estratégia para minimizar o efeito do estresse térmico calórico (ETC). No entanto, faltam informações que quantifiquem o estresse e o seu efeito sobre a reprodução dessas raças. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade do oócito recuperado e alguns parâmetros fisiológicos indicadores de ETC em bovinos de raças adaptadas. Animais Bos taurus x Bos indicus (n=6) e Bos taurus (raça Pantaneira; n=12), localizados na região de transição entre o Cerrado e o Pantanal brasileiro, foram submetidos à aspiração folicular guiada por ultrassonografia (OPU) em diferentes condições climáticas. Foram realizadas oito sessões de OPU, com intervalo mínimo de sete dias e máximo de 54 dias entre as coletas. Para caracterização climática, foi realizado o cálculo do índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU). Foram quantificados os ITUs do dia da OPU, sete dias antes e 60 dias antes de cada sessão. Os parâmetros fisiológicos e a viabilidade oocitária de fêmeas das raças Girolando e Pantaneira não foram afetados negativamente por ITUs entre 72 e 78. O ETC crônico (60 dias) parece afetar a viabilidade oocitária de doadoras na raça Pantaneira quando ITU é superior a 75.(AU)

In tropical regions, the use of adapted breeds has been a strategy to minimize the effect of heat stress (HS) in cattle. However, information quantifying stress and its effect on reproduction of these breeds is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the recovered oocyte and some physiological parameters that indicate HS in adapted breed. Bos taurus x Bos indicus (n=6) and Pantaneira (n=12) cows, located in the transition region between Cerrado and Brazilian Pantanal, underwent follicular aspiration guided by ultrasound (OPU) in different weather conditions. Eight sessions of OPU were carried out, with a minimum interval of 7 days and maximum 54 days between sessions. For weather characterization, the temperature and humidity index (THI) was calculated. THI of the day of OPU, 7 days before and 60 days before each session were calculated. The physiological parameters and oocyte viability of Girolando and Pantaneira cows were not negatively influenced under ITU between 72 and 78. The chronic HS (60 days)may affect the oocyte viability of Pantaneira donors when ITU is over 75.(AU)

Consumo e desempenho de ovinos alimentados com silagens de cana-de-açúcar tratadas com óxido de cálcio e cloreto de sódio / Intake and performance of lambs fed with sugarcane silages treated with whitewash and sodium chloride

Avaliaram-se o consumo e o desempenho de ovinos alimentados com silagens de cana-de-açúcar tratadas com óxido de cálcio (CaO) e cloreto de sódio (NaCl). Utilizaram-se sete tratamentos: controle (silagem sem aditivo), silagens com 0,5; 1,0 e 1,5% de CaO e silagens com 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0% de NaCl, com quatro repetições. Os animais consumiram maior quantidade de matéria seca e de nutrientes digestíveis totais quando se adicionou 0,5% de NaCl ou ainda 1,0 e 1,5% de CaO. Quanto à fibra em detergente neutro e à proteína bruta, observou-se maior consumo quando se adicionou 0,5% de NaCl ou 1,0% de CaO. Não foi observado efeito da dieta sobre o ganho médio diário de peso. A adição de 0,5% de cloreto de sódio e 1,0% de óxido de cálcio à silagem de cana-de-açúcar resultou em aumento no consumo e melhora no desempenho de ovinos.

The intake and performance of lambs fed with sugarcane silages treated with whitewash and chloride sodium were evaluated. Seven treatments were used: untreated silage (control); silages treated with 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5% of CaO (whitewash); and silages treated with 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0% of NaCl, with four replicates per treatment. The animals were fed a higher amount of dry matter and total digestible nutrients when the sugarcane silages were treated with 0.5% of NaCl, 1.0 and 1.5% of CaO. The intake of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein increased when the lambs were fed silages treated with 0.5% of NaCl and 1.0% of CaO. The average daily gain did not differ among treatments. The inclusion of 0.5% of sodium chloride and 1.0% of whitewash in sugarcane silages increased the intake and improved the performance of lambs.

Efeito in vitro do extrato etanólico das folhas do melão-de-São-Caetano (Momordica charantia L. ) sobre ovos e larvas de nematóides gastrintestinais de caprinos / In vitro effect of the ethanolic extract of "melão de São Caetano" (Momordica charantia L. ) leaves on the eggs and larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes from goats

O experimento in vitro foi realizado para avaliar a ação do extrato etanólico das folhas do melão-de-São-Caetano (Momordica charantia L.) sobre o desenvolvimento de ovos e motilidade de larvas de nematóides gastrintestinais de caprinos. As larvas foram obtidas de coproculturas e a recuperação de ovos foi feita pela técnica dos quatro tamises, a partir de fezes de caprinos naturalmente infectados da mesorregião do Sertão Paraibano. O extrato foi utilizado nas diluições de 50; 25; 12,5; 6,25 e 3,12 por cento para ambos os testes e como controle positivo e para controle negativo, utilizou-se água destilada estéril. As placas foram examinadas ao microscópio óptico para contagem dos ovos em desenvolvimento e larvas móveis e imóveis, após 24, 48 e 72 horas de incubação. As concentrações do extrato etanólico de M. charantia e os tratamentos controle negativo e positivo diferiram quanto ao número de ovos inviáveis. No teste de motilidade larval as concentrações acima de 12 por cento apresentaram médias significativas quanto ao número de larvas inviáveis. Nas condições ensaiadas a M. charantia apresentou atividade ovicida e larvicida.

The experiment in vitro was performed to evaluate the action of the ethanolic extract of "melão de São Caetano" (Momordica charantia L.) leaves on the development of eggs and motility of larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes from goats. The nematode larvae were obtained from coproculture and the recovery of eggs was done in sieves, from feces of naturally infected goats from the Mesoregion of Paraíba State. The extract was used at the dilutions of 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12 percent for both tests and as positive control; for negative control, sterile distilled water was used. The plates were examined under optical microscope to count the eggs in development and mobile larvae after 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. The concentrations of M. charantia ethanolic extract and the negative and positive controls differed as to the number of eggs that were not viable. In the larval motility test, concentrations higher than 12 percent had significant means as to the number of larvae that were not viable. Under the tested conditions, M. charantia showed larvicidal and ovicidal activity.

Mechanisms underlying gas exchange alterations in an experimental model of pulmonary embolism

The aim of the present study was to determine the ventilation/perfusion ratio that contributes to hypoxemia in pulmonary embolism by analyzing blood gases and volumetric capnography in a model of experimental acute pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolization with autologous blood clots was induced in seven pigs weighing 24.00 ± 0.6 kg, anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. Significant changes occurred from baseline to 20 min after embolization, such as reduction in oxygen partial pressures in arterial blood (from 87.71 ± 8.64 to 39.14 ± 6.77 mmHg) and alveolar air (from 92.97 ± 2.14 to 63.91 ± 8.27 mmHg). The effective alveolar ventilation exhibited a significant reduction (from 199.62 ± 42.01 to 84.34 ± 44.13) consistent with the fall in alveolar gas volume that effectively participated in gas exchange. The relation between the alveolar ventilation that effectively participated in gas exchange and cardiac output (V Aeff/Q ratio) also presented a significant reduction after embolization (from 0.96 ± 0.34 to 0.33 ± 0.17 fraction). The carbon dioxide partial pressure increased significantly in arterial blood (from 37.51 ± 1.71 to 60.76 ± 6.62 mmHg), but decreased significantly in exhaled air at the end of the respiratory cycle (from 35.57 ± 1.22 to 23.15 ± 8.24 mmHg). Exhaled air at the end of the respiratory cycle returned to baseline values 40 min after embolism. The arterial to alveolar carbon dioxide gradient increased significantly (from 1.94 ± 1.36 to 37.61 ± 12.79 mmHg), as also did the calculated alveolar (from 56.38 ± 22.47 to 178.09 ± 37.46 mL) and physiological (from 0.37 ± 0.05 to 0.75 ± 0.10 fraction) dead spaces. Based on our data, we conclude that the severe arterial hypoxemia observed in this experimental model may be attributed to the reduction of the V Aeff/Q ratio. We were also able to demonstrate that V Aeff/Q progressively improves after embolization, a fact attributed to the alveolar ventilation redistribution induced by hypocapnic bronchoconstriction.

Gene Class expression: analysis tool of Gene Ontology terms with gene expression data

Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) technology produces large sets of interesting genes that are difficult to analyze directly. Bioinformatics tools are needed to interpret the functional information in these gene sets. We present an interactive web-based tool, called Gene Class, which allows functional annotation of SAGE data using the Gene Ontology (GO) database. This tool performs searches in the GO database for each SAGE tag, making associations in the selected GO category for a level selected in the hierarchy. This system provides user-friendly data navigation and visualization for mapping SAGE data onto the gene ontology structure. This tool also provides graphical visualization of the percentage of SAGE tags in each GO category, along with confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.

Pathologic study of a fatal case of dengue-3 virus infection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a severe febrile disease, characterized by abnormalities in hemostasis and increased vascular permeability, which in some cases results in hypovolemic shock syndrome and in dengue shock syndrome. The clinical features of DHF include plasma leakage, bleeding tendency and liver involvement. We studied the histopathological features of a fatal case of dengue-3 virus infection. The patient, a 63-year old male, presented with an acute onset of severe headache, myalgia and maculopapular rash. Tissue fragments (liver, spleen, lung, heart, kidney and lymph nodes) were collected for light microscopy studies and stained by standard methods. Histopathology revealed severe tissue damage, caused by intense hemorrhage, interstitial edema and inflammation. Some tissue sections were also processed with the immunoperoxidase reaction, which revealed the dengue viral antigen. Dengue-3 virus was isolated and identified with electron microscopy in a C6/36 cell culture inoculated with the patient's serum. Viral particles were detected in the infected cell culture.

The mutation G298A®Ala100Thr on th coding sequence of the Duffy antigen/chemokine receptor gene in non-caucasian Brazilians

Ala100Thr has been suggested to be a Caucasian genetic marker on the FY*B allele. As the Brazilian population has arisen from miscegenation among Portuguese, Africans, and Indians, this mutation could possibly be found in Euro- and Afro-Brazilians, or in Brazilian Indians. Fifty-three related individuals and a random sample of 100 subjects from the Brazilian population were investigated using the polymerase chain reaction and four restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Confirming the working hypothesis, among the related individuals three Afro-Brazilians (two of them a mother and daughter) and a woman of Amerindian descent had the Ala100Thr mutation on the FY*B allele. Five non-related Euro-Brazilians also carried the mutation. All nine individuals presented the Fy(a-b+) phenotype. We conclude that the Ala100Thr mutation can occur in populations other than Caucasians and that this mutation does not affect Duffy expression on red blood cells. Gene frequencies for this allele in the non-related individuals were in agreement with those of other populations. The Duffy frequencies of two Amerindian tribes were also investigated.

Pharmacologically induced penile erections in the assessment and treatment of erectile impotence: a preliminary study of 100 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the immediate and subsequent response to pharmacologically induced penile erections, using intracavernosal injections of papaverine. DESIGN: Preliminary, prospective study. SETTING: Male sexual dysfunction clinic at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. PATIENTS: 100 consecutive patients receiving 20 mg papaverine hydrochloride intracavernosally as the first dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of the quality of the erection following the initial injection and determination of the optimum dose to achieve a normal erection; number who elected self-injection at home. RESULTS: Mean age of the 100 impotent men was 36.6 years and the mean duration of erectile dysfunction 43.9 months. Of men in the third decade 87.5% had a normal erection but only one-third of patients over 50 years showed a normal response. 16 patients had a reasonably well established organic problem. 42% of patients had normal nocturnal or early morning erections. The drop-out rate after the initial injection was 17%, 19% of men had a normal erection with 20 mg papaverine and 67% had a normal response to 20 to 80 mg papaverine. Seven patients continued on the self-injection program. Prolonged erections were experienced by 6% of men (1.9% of injections). CONCLUSIONS: Intracavernosal injection of papaverine hydrochloride is effective in a dose of 20 to 80 mg.

Propanil poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: To document clinical features of propanil poisoning and discuss treatment. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: Five patients treated in the University medical unit at the Karapitiya teaching hospital over the past two years. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: Relevant laboratory investigations were done. The patients were treated on accepted lines. RESULTS: All had methaemoglobinaemia. The first patient died after severe poisoning in spite of intensive treatment. The second had severe poisoning requiring exchange transfusion and treatment with methylene blue. The third, fourth and fifth patients had mild poisoning which responded readily to oral methylene blue. The last patient had taken a combination of propanil and oxydiazone. The first and second patients had features of haemolysis and the second patient had acute hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Propanil poisoning is uncommon. Lower levels of methaemoglobin than were previously thought may be associated with a fetal outcome. Methylene blue is used in the treatment as it reduces blood methaemoglobin but in severe poisoning exchange transfusion may be necessary as a life saving measure.

Tratamento endoscopico da litiase ureteral com extrator de Dormia. / Endoscopic treatment of urethral lithiasis with Dormia extractor

Os autores apresentam sua experiencia constante de 361 casos tratados com extrator de Dormia no periodo de outubro de 1976 a junho de 1979. Estudam a incidencia quanto ao sexo e idade; indicacao; localizacao e tamanho do calculo e analisam os resultados e complicacoes. Concluem pela validade da presente tecnica no tratamento da litiase do ureter inferior, pois obtiveram resultados satisfatorios e complicacoes quase sempre de pequena monta