Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas asociados a diarrea aguda en la zona norte de Bucaramanga. Estudio observacional analítico, 2014-2015 / Knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with acute diarrhea in the northern zone of Bucaramanga. An observational analytic study. 2014 to 2015

RESUMEN Introducción: la diarrea aguda y la mortalidad por diarrea continúan siendo un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial, especialmente en los países de ingreso medio o bajo. Gran parte de las enfermedades diarreicas son prevenibles mediante el acceso al agua potable y a servicios adecuados de saneamiento e higiene. Objetivo: caracterizar los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de cuidadores de niños menores de cinco años asociados a prevalencia de diarrea. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional analítico de corte transversal, realizado durante el periodo 2014-2015. Se realizó un muestreo por conglomerados en la comuna norte de la ciudad de Bucaramanga y se aplicó una encuesta dirigida. Resultados: solo uno de cada diez cuidadores conoce todas las características de la diarrea aguda (cambios en la consistencia, número y duración de los síntomas) y ninguno reconoce totalmente los signos de deshidratación. El uso de remedios caseros y la creencia en causas sobrenaturales y esotéricas como causas de diarrea tuvo una alta prevalencia. La menor edad del cuidador, tener aseguramiento y mayor nivel conocimientos sobre la diarrea se asociaron a un mayor reporte de episodios de diarrea en los últimos seis meses. Conclusiones: el 49% de todos los cuidadores encuestados manifestaron que sus niños han tenido al menos un episodio de diarrea en los últimos seis meses. El nivel de conocimientos de los cuidadores es bajo. Se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la edad del cuidador, conocimiento de los síntomas diarreicos, régimen de aseguramiento y prevalencia de diarrea en menores de cinco años. MÉD.UIS. 2017;30(1):21-33.

ABSTRACT Introduction: acute diarrhea and mortality from diarrhea remains a public health problem worldwide, particularly in middle-income countries or low. Much of diarrheal diseases are preventable through access to safe water and adequate sanitation and hygiene. Objective: to characterize the knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers of children under five years associated with prevalence of diarrhea. Materials and methods: cross-sectional observational study, made during the period 2014-2015. Cluster sampling was conducted in the northern district of the city of Bucaramanga. A targeted survey was conducted. Results: only one in ten caregivers know all the characteristics (changes in consistency, number and duration of symptoms) of acute diarrhea. None fully recognize the signs of dehydration. The use of home remedies and belief in supernatural and esoteric causes as causes of diarrhea had a high prevalence. Caregiver younger, having higher-level assurance and knowledge on diarrhea associated with increased reporting of episodes of diarrhea in the last six months. Conclusions: 49% of all respondents report that their children caregivers have had at least one episode of diarrhea in the last six months. The level of knowledge of caregivers is low. Age of the caregiver, knowledge about diarrhea symptoms and healthcare affiliation was statistically associated with the onset of diarrhea in children up to five years. MÉD.UIS. 2017;30(1):21-33.

Homeopathic mistletoe adverse reaction mimics nodal involvement in 18F-FDG PET/CT performed for evaluation of response to chemotherapy in lymphoma.

Some patients use complementary medicine. We present a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma, scanned with 18F-FDG PET/CT for evaluation of response after chemotherapy, who was self-administering mistletoe as a homeopathic medicine product. The careful review of the images of the entire scan and patient collaboration in anamnesis were crucial to avoid a false positive result. A review of the published scientific data on the effects of mistletoe is also presented.

Impact of hexavalent chromium on mammalian cell bioenergetics: phenotypic changes, molecular basis and potential relevance to chromate-induced lung cancer.

Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] has been firmly associated with the development of several pathologies, notably lung cancer. According to the current paradigm, the evolution of normal cells to a neoplastic state is accompanied by extensive metabolic reprogramming, namely at the level of energy-transducing processes. Thus, a complete understanding of the molecular basis of Cr(VI)-induced lung cancer must encompass the elucidation of the impact of Cr(VI) on metabolism. Research in this area is still in its infancy. Nonetheless, Cr(VI)-induced metabolic phenotypes are beginning to emerge. Specifically, it is now well documented that Cr(VI) exposure inhibits respiration and negatively affects the cellular energy status. Furthermore, preliminary results suggest that it also upregulates glucose uptake and lactic acid fermentation. From a mechanistic point of view, there is evidence that Cr(VI) exposure can interfere with energy transducing pathways at different levels, namely gene expression, intracellular protein levels and/or protein function. Loss of thiol redox control likely plays a key role in these processes. The transcriptional networks that control energy transduction can likewise be affected. Data also suggest that Cr(VI) exposure might compromise energy transducing processes through changes in the intracellular pools of their substrates. This article reviews, for the first time, the information available on Cr(VI) impact on mammalian cell bioenergetics. It aims to provide a framework for the understanding of the role played by bioenergetics in Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis and is also intended as a guide for future research efforts in this area.

Palm tree syrup: nutritional composition of a natural edulcorant.

INTRODUCTION: Palm syrup is a typical product from the Canary Islands, traditionally produced from the sap of the tropical palm tree Phoenix canariensis. Its high caloric content has led to its increasing use as a health food supplement for athletes, children and elderly. Furthermore, demand for this natural syrup is continuously increasing due also to its medicinal uses in homeopathic medicine. OBJECTIVE: Palm Tree syrup samples prepared with palm sap from primary producers in La Gomera island (Canary Islands, Spain) were analyzed for their nutritional composition (moisture, ash, sugars, fat, vitamins and minerals). METHODS: 35 syrup samples from five different producing regions in La Gomera island were analyzed. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine sugars and vitamins and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS) was used to analyze the minerals. RESULTS: Major carbohydrates were sucrose (37.8%), glucose (9.50%) and fructose (4.80%), respectively. The presence of arabinose could not be confirmed. Niacin was the water-soluble vitamin with the highest concentration with an average content of 0.003%. Fat content was found to be under 0.20%. Potassium was the mineral with highest contents (0.45%). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that palm tree syrup can play an important role as a sugar and mineral source in human nutrition, suggesting that future applications for this product could be developed.

Palm tree syrup; nutritional composition of a natural edulcorant / Miel de palma; composición nutricional de un edulcorante natural

Introduction: Palm syrup is a typical product from the Canary Islands, traditionally produced from the sap of the tropical palm tree Phoenix canariensis. Its high caloric content has led to its increasing use as a health food supplement for athletes, children and elderly. Furthermore, demand for this natural syrup is continuously increasing due also to its medicinal uses in homeopathic medicine. Objective: Palm Tree syrup samples prepared with palm sap from primary producers in La Gomera island (Canary Islands, Spain) were analyzed for their nutritional composition (moisture, ash, sugars, fat, vitamins and minerals). Methods: 35 syrup samples from five different producing regions in La Gomera island were analyzed. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine sugars and vitamins and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS) was used to analyze the minerals. Results: Major carbohydrates were sucrose (37.8%), glucose (9.50%) and fructose (4.80%), respectively. The presence of arabinose could not be confirmed. Niacin was the water-soluble vitamin with the highest concentration with an average content of 0.003%. Fat content was found to be under 0.20%. Potassium was the mineral with highest contents (0.45%). Conclusions: Results suggest that palm tree syrup can play an important role as a sugar and mineral source in human nutrition, suggesting that future applications for this product could be developed (AU)

Introducción: La miel de palma es un producto típico de las Islas Canarias, tradicionalmente producido a partir de la savia de la palmera Phoenix canariensis. El alto contenido calórico lo convierte en un producto cada vez más utilizado como suplemento alimenticio para atletas, niños y mayores. Además, la demanda de este sirope natural, está en constante crecimiento debido también a sus usos medicinales en la medicina homeopática. Objetivo: Analizar la composición nutricional (humedad, cenizas, azúcares, grasa, vitaminas y minerales) de las muestras de miel de palma preparadas con la savia de las palmeras de los productores de la isla de La Gomera (Islas Canarias, España). Métodos: 35 muestras de miel de palma procedentes de cinco regiones productoras de la isla de La Gomera fueron analizadas. Los azúcares y las vitaminas fueron medidos mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (CLAR) y la espectrofotometría de absorción atómica por llama (FAAS) se usó para determinar los minerales. Resultados: Los hidratos de carbono mayoritarios fueron sacarosa (37,8%), glucosa (9,50%) y fructosa (4,80%), respectivamente. La presencia de arabinosa no pudo ser confirmada. La niacina es la vitamina hidrosoluble con la mayor concentración con un contenido promedio de 0,003%. Los contenidos en grasas se encontraron por debajo de 0,20%. El potasio era el macroelemento con los contenidos más altos (0,45%). Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que la miel de palma puede jugar un papel importante como una fuente de azúcar y minerales en la nutrición humana y se pueden desarrollar futuras aplicaciones para este producto (AU)

Saoussanabiloïde, a novel antifungal alkaloid from Echiochilon fruticosum Desf. growing in Tunisia.

Bioactivity guided fractionation of Echiochilon fruticosum Desf. (Boraginaceae) butanolic extract biautography assay against fungi led to the isolation of a new bioactive alkaloid, named saoussanabiloïde (1). Its structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic measurements, IR, MS and 2D NMR using COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments. The strongest inhibitory effect of the butanolic extract, from fractions derived from the crude extract and saoussanabiloïde (1), were observed against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum.

Effects of strictosamide on mouse brain and kidney Na+, K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities.

Present study reports on the general bioactivity of strictosamide and on its effects on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities of Charles River male mouse. Strictosamide is the main glycoalkaloid of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Rubiaceae) leaves and roots, used as medicinal plant in folk medicine. In this work, we studied the in vitro effects of various concentrations of strictosamide (0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg/mL) and the in vivo effects of single doses (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, i.p.) of this compound on kidney and brain Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities. Results of general study showed that strictosamide is slightly toxic to Charles River mouse (LD(50)=723.17 mg/kg), producing CNS depression and kidney toxicity, but the exact mechanism of these effects could not be defined. Strictosamide inhibited the in vitro and in vivo Mg(2+)-ATPase activity on kidney but had nonsignificant effect on brain. Furthermore, strictosamide had nonsignificant in vitro and in vivo effect on kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity but produced an in vivo increase of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity of brain, these findings suggesting that strictosamine may be related to the induction of alpha(2) isoform of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and may account for the folk use of Sarcocephalus latifolius root infusion on hypertension.

Protective effect of an aqueous extract of Harpagophytum procumbens upon Escherichia coli strains submitted to the lethal action of stannous chloride.

Regardless of its lethal effects upon Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultures trough the production of free radicals (FR), stannous chloride (SnCl2) remains to be the most used reducing agent on the production of technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals, to obtain images on nuclear medicine. Moreover, authors have reported that vegetal extracts are able to protect Escherichia coli cultures against the cytotoxicity of this agent. Harpagophytum procumbens, also known as Devil's Claw, is a plant used in folk medicine, as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory in cases of joint and back pain, on the treatment of degenerative rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, kidney inflammation and heart diseases. The presence of this extract reduced the lesive effects of SnCl2 upon E. coli AB1157 (proficient in DNA repair), BW9091 (deficient in the xthA gene) and BH110 (deficient in the xthA, nfo and fpg genes) cultures, and the deficient strains (BW9091 e BH110) were more sensible to this SnCl2 action than the proficient one. The substances in the extract could be acting as: (i) chelator of the stannous ions, avoiding the generation of FR, (ii) FR scavenger, protecting the cells against the oxidation, and/or (iii) an oxidant compound acting upon the stannous ions, reducing the SnCl2 cytotoxicity.

A propolis extract and the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m.

Since ancient times propolis has been employed for many human purposes because to their favourable properties. Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) have been used in nuclear medicine procedures. Some authors have reported that synthetic or natural drugs can interfere with the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. The aim of this work was to evaluate the action of a propolis extract on the labeling of blood elements with 99mTc. Samples of whole blood of male Wistar rats were incubated in sequence with an aqueous propolis extract at different concentrations, stannous chloride and 99mTc, as sodium pertechnetate. Blood samples were centrifuged to separate plasma and blood cells, soluble and insoluble fractions of plasma and blood cells were also separated after precipitation in trichloroacetic acid solution and centrifugation. The radioactivity was counted and the percentage of incorporated radioactivity (%ATI) for each fraction was calculated. The data obtained showed that the aqueous propolis extract used decreased significantly the %ATI in plasma proteins at higher concentration studied. Results suggest that at high concentration the constituents of this extract could alter the labeling of plasma proteins competing with same binding sites of the 99mTc on the plasma proteins or acting as antioxidant compounds.

[Usefulness of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of patients with chronic severe brain injury]. / Utilidad de la PET con FDG en la valoración del paciente con traumatismo craneoencefálico severo crónico.

INTRODUCTION: To describe the changes in cerebral glucose metabolism after a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), at the beginning of the rehabilitation, to analyze its diagnostic agreement with morphologic neuroimaging technologies (MR/CT) and to correlate the neuroimaging findings with the intensity of the TBI and the functional ability for daily activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of 55 patients who had sustained a severe TBI (GCS < or = 8) by means of 18F-FDG PET and MR/CT. The agreement between anatomical and functional neuroimagen studies was measured. Correlation between cerebral injury severity in neuroimaging, clinical functional evaluation assessed with Barthel-M Index and GCS were tested. RESULTS: 100 % of patients showed changes in cerebral metabolism, being the thalamus the area more frequently affected. 60 % of patients showed injuries in MR/CT, more frequently in frontal areas. The agreement for the diagnosis of pathology between morphologic and functional neuroimagen was very low. The TBI severity showed significant statistical correlation with the degree of cerebral metabolism and the level of disability. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FDG PET allows to know the cerebral glucose metabolism at the beginning of the rehabilitation, being correlated with the TBI severity and the level of patient's disability for daily activities. 18F-FDG PET diagnoses major number of injuries that traditional neuroimaging and demonstrates a high thalamic vulnerability, with injuries in up to 76 % of patients with severe TBI.

Guava extract (Psidium guajava) alters the labelling of blood constituents with technetium-99m.

Psidium guajava (guava) leaf is a phytotherapic used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and respiratory disturbances and is used as anti-inflammatory medicine. In nuclear medicine, blood constituents (BC) are labelled with technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) and used to image procedures. However, data have demonstrated that synthetic or natural drugs could modify the labelling of BC with (99m)Tc. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of guava leaves on the labelling of BC with (99m)Tc. Blood samples of Wistar rats were incubated with different concentrations of guava extract and labelled with (99m)Tc after the percentage of incorporated radioactivity (%ATI) in BC was determined. The results suggest that aqueous guava extract could present antioxidant action and/or alters the membrane structures involved in ion transport into cells, thus decreasing the radiolabelling of BC with (99m)Tc. The data showed significant (P<0.05) alteration of ATI in BC from blood incubated with guava extract.

[Effects of nasal positive airway pressure treatment on oxidative stress in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome]. / Efectos del tratamiento con CPAP nasal en el estrés oxidativo en pacientes con síndrome de apnea del sueño.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces oxidative stress in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with SAHS requiring nasal CPAP treatment and 10 controls in whom SAHS was ruled out were enrolled. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations to assess lipid peroxidation at the beginning of the study and then again after a mean (SD) of 2.9 (0.6) months of nasal CPAP. Plasma MDA concentrations were determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. We controlled for the following factors known to influence oxidative stress: age, sex, use of vitamin supplements, smoking habit, body mass index (kg/m2), ischemic cardiopathy, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with SAHS was 51.4 (9.9) years and the mean body mass index was 32.9 (5.3) kg/m2. Nasal CPAP was titrated to a mean pressure of 8.9 (3.4) cm H2O. The mean score on the Epworth sleepiness scale was 10.2 (4.3) before treatment and 4.2 (2.8) after treatment (P<.001). The apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 43.7 (22.6) before treatment to 4 (3.5) after treatment (P<.001). Mean MDA concentrations in patients with SAHS were 2.0 (1.1) micromol/mL before treatment and decreased significantly to 1.6 (.07) micromol/mL after treatment, whereas MDA concentrations remained unchanged in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal CPAP treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress in patients with SAHS in our study.

Efectos del tratamiento con CPAP nasal en el estrés oxidativo en pacientes con síndrome de apnea del sueño / Effects of nasal positive airway pressure treatment on oxidative stress in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

Objetivo: Analizar si el tratamiento con presión positiva continua de la vía aérea nasal (CPAPn) reduce el estrés oxidativo (EO) en pacientes con síndrome de apneas-hipopneas durante el sueño (SAHS). Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyó en el estudio a 36 pacientes con SAHS que requirieron tratamiento con CPAPn y a 10 controles en quienes se excluyó dicho síndrome. Se realizó una primera determinación del EO mediante las concentraciones de malondialdehído (MDA) en sangre para conocer la peroxidación lipídica, y una segunda tras una media ± desviación estándar de 2,9 ± 0,6 meses de seguimiento con CPAPn. Las concentraciones plasmáticas de MDA se midieron como sustancia reactiva al ácido tiobarbitúrico. Se controló para los siguientes factores, que se sabe que influyen en el EO: edad, sexo, suplementos vitamínicos, consumo de tabaco, índice de masa corporal (kg/m²), cardiopatía isquémica, hipertensión, diabetes e hipercolesterolemia. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes con SAHS fue de 51,4 ± 9,9 años y el índice de masa corporal, de 32,9 ± 5,3 kg/m². La CPAPn se reguló a una presión media de 8,9 ± 3,4 cmH2O. La puntuación en la escala de Epworth antes del tratamiento fue de 10,2 ± 4,3, frente a 4,1 ± 2,8 después del tratamiento (p < 0,001). El índice de apneas-hipopneas/h descendió de 43,7 ± 22,6 antes del tratamiento a 4 ± 3,5 después de la CPAPn (p < 0,001). En los pacientes con SAHS las concentraciones de MDA antes del tratamiento con CPAPn fueron de 2,0 ± 1,1 µM y descendieron significativamente a 1,6 ± 0,7 µM después del tratamiento, mientras que no se modificaron en los sujetos controles. Conclusiones: El tratamiento con CPAPn reduce de forma significativa el EO en los pacientes SAHS de nuestro estudio

Objective: To analyze whether nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces oxidative stress in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). Patients and methods: Thirty-six patients with SAHS requiring nasal CPAP treatment and 10 controls in whom SAHS was ruled out were enrolled. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations to assess lipid peroxidation at the beginning of the study and then again after a mean (SD) of 2.9 (0.6) months of nasal CPAP. Plasma MDA concentrations were determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. We controlled for the following factors known to influence oxidative stress: age, sex, use of vitamin supplements, smoking habit, body mass index (kg/m²), ischemic cardiopathy, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. Results: The mean age of patients with SAHS was 51.4 (9.9) years and the mean body mass index was 32.9 (5.3) kg/m². Nasal CPAP was titrated to a mean pressure of 8.9 (3.4) cm H2O. The mean score on the Epworth sleepiness scale was 10.2 (4.3) before treatment and 4.2 (2.8) after treatment (P<.001). The apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 43.7 (22.6) before treatment to 4 (3.5) after treatment (P<.001). Mean MDA concentrations in patients with SAHS were 2.0 (1.1) µmol/mL before treatment and decreased significantly to 1.6 (.07) µmol/mL after treatment, whereas MDA concentrations remained unchanged in control subjects. Conclusions: Nasal CPAP treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress in patients with SAHS in our study

Utilidad de la PET con FDG en la valoración del paciente con traumatismo craneoencefálico severo crónico / Usefulness of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of patients with chronic severe brain injury

Objetivo. Describir los cambios del metabolismo glucolítico cerebral tras un traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) severo en el momento de iniciar la rehabilitación, medir su nivel de acuerdo diagnóstico con las técnicas de neuroimagen morfológica (RM/TC) y correlacionar los hallazgos en neuroimagen con la intensidad del TCE sufrido y con la discapacidad funcional para las actividades de la vida diaria. Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo de 55 pacientes con antecedente de TCE severo (GCS <= 8) mediante 18F-FDG PET y RM/TC. Medida del acuerdo entre los estudios de neuroimagen anatómica y funcional. Valoración funcional mediante el test de Barthel-M y cálculo de correlación entre la afectación cerebral en neuroimagen y el test de Barthel y la GCS. Resultados. El 100 % de los pacientes presentó alteración en el metabolismo cerebral, siendo los tálamos las áreas más frecuentemente afectadas. El 60 % de los pacientes mostró lesiones en RM/TC, más frecuentemente frontales. El grado de acuerdo para el diagnóstico de patología entre la neuroimagen morfológica y funcional fue muy bajo. La intensidad del traumatismo sufrido y el nivel de discapacidad se correlacionaron de forma estadísticamente significativa con el grado de afectación del metabolismo cerebral. Conclusiones. La PET con 18F-FDG permite conocer el estado del metabolismo glucolítico cerebral en el momento de iniciar la rehabilitación, correlacionándose con la severidad del traumatismo sufrido y con la discapacidad para las actividades de la vida diaria. La PET diagnostica mayor número de lesiones que la neuroimagen anatómica y demuestra una elevada vulnerabilidad talámica, con lesiones hasta en el 76 % de pacientes con antecedente de TCE severo

Introduction. To describe the changes in cerebral glucose metabolism after a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), at the beginning of the rehabilitation, to analyze its diagnostic agreement with morphologic neuroimaging technologies (MR/CT) and to correlate the neuroimaging findings with the intensity of the TBI and the functional ability for daily activities. Material and methods. Prospective study of 55 patients who had sustained a severe TBI (GCS <= 8) by means of 18F-FDG PET and MR/CT. The agreement between anatomical and functional neuroimagen studies was measured. Correlation between cerebral injury severity in neuroimaging, clinical functional evaluation assessed with Barthel-M Index and GCS were tested. Results. 100 % of patients showed changes in cerebral metabolism, being the thalamus the area more frequently affected. 60 % of patients showed injuries in MR/CT, more frequently in frontal areas. The agreement for the diagnosis of pathology between morphologic and functional neuroimagen was very low. The TBI severity showed significant statistical correlation with the degree of cerebral metabolism and the level of disability. Conclusions. 18F-FDG PET allows to know the cerebral glucose metabolism at the beginning of the rehabilitation, being correlated with the TBI severity and the level of patient's disability for daily activities. 18F-FDG PET diagnoses major number of injuries that traditional neuroimaging and demonstrates a high thalamic vulnerability, with injuries in up to 76 % of patients with severe TBI

New trichothecenes isolated from Holarrhena floribunda.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an extract of Holarrhena floribunda stem, has led to the isolation of the new trichothecenes, 8-dihydrotrichothecinol A (1), loukacinol A (2), and loukacinol B (3), and the known compounds, trichothecolone (4), trichothecin (5), trichothecinol A (6), rosenonolactone (7), 6beta-hydroxyrosenonolactone (8), and rosololactone (9). The structures were determined by spectral and chemical methods, and absolute configurations were established by a modified Horeau's method using HPLC. Compounds 1 and 6 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines, whereas compound 8 showed moderate and weak antileishmanial activity toward extracellular and intracellular Leishmania donovani, respectively.

Androgen-dependent nitric oxide release in rat penis correlates with levels of constitutive nitric oxide synthase isoenzymes.

Androgens are known to influence penile erection and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in cavernosal tissue homogenates. The present study was an assessment of the effects of castration and androgen replacement on the in vivo release of nitric oxide (NO), and of the simultaneously recorded intracavernosal pressure (ICP) changes elicited by electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerves (SCN) in the anesthetized rat. The extracellular levels of NO in the corpora were monitored electrochemically using porphyrin microsensors. The content of NOS isoenzymes in corporal homogenates was determined by immunoblotting. The responses of castrated rats with or without testosterone (T) implants were compared to those of intact animals. Castration virtually abolished both the NO and the ICP responses to SCN. There was a concomitant significant decrease in the content of both the neuronal (nNOS) and the endothelial (eNOS) isoenzymes in the cavernosal tissue. All these effects of castration were prevented by T replacement. The NO response to SCN was positively correlated with the levels of nNOS and eNOS, especially when the values of the two isoforms were added (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). These data suggest that the facilitatory action of androgens on penile erection involves the up-regulation of both constitutive NOS isoenzymes in the corpora cavernosa.

Antimicrobial, antitumor and antileishmania screening of medicinal plants from Guinea-Bissau.

Following an ethnobotanical search carried out in Guinea-Bissau, eighteen extracts derived from sixteen medicinal species were screened for antimicrobial, antitumor and antileishmania activity. Significant antitumor activity was found for Holarrhena floribunda against KB (squamous carcinoma), SK-Mel 28 (melanoma), A 549 (lung carcinoma) and MDA-MB 231 (mamma carcinoma) cell lines, with corresponding IC50 values of 7.9, 9.0, 3.4 and 9.9 micrograms/ml. Khaya senegalensis and Anthostema senegalense exhibited a significant activity against Leishmania donovani with IC50 values of 9.8 and 9.1 micrograms/ml, respectively. Most of the extracts showed week or moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity, with MIC values in the range 0.25-1.0 mg/ml. Active extracts were submitted to bioassay-guided fractionation, and the IC50 and MIC of the active fractions were determined.