One-year Functional Outcomes after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): Introduction of a Composite Score (Hexafecta).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficiency (micturition symptoms, continence, erection) and safety of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) with a single composite score (the Hexafecta score) one year postprocedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including all patients who had undergone HoLEP for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) between May 2013 and August 2017. Data were obtained preoperatively and at the 6- and 12-month visits. We also reported all 90-day complications. The Hexafecta score included 6 criteria: peak urine flow of at least 15ml/s, 30% reduction in International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) score, quality of life via the IPSS less than 2, no incontinence (International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire), no significant change in erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function), and no grade III or more complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-five patients were included, of whom 197 (83.8%) completed the 12-month visit. Complete data were available to assess the Hexafecta score for 178 of them (75.7%). Most of the missing data were for uroflowmetry and the erectile function assessment. Hundred three patients (58%) met all 6 criteria, while 45 (25%) met 5 of them. None were retreated for BPH in the follow-up period. The de novo incontinence rate was 4.1%. CONCLUSION: The Hexafecta score is a simple, transversal method for comprehensively evaluating functional outcomes after HoLEP surgery. Such an evaluation could be used to compare other types of procedures for BPH treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Management of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB; defined as resistance to at least rifampicin and isoniazid) represents a growing threat to public health and economic growth. Never before in the history of mankind have more patients been affected by MDR-TB than is the case today. The World Health Organization reports that MDR-TB outcomes are poor despite staggeringly high management costs. Moreover, treatment is prolonged, adverse events are common, and the majority of affected patients do not receive adequate treatment. As MDR-TB strains are often resistant to one or more second-line anti-TB drugs, in-depth genotypic and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing is needed to construct personalised treatment regimens to improve treatment outcomes. For the first time in decades, the availability of novel drugs such as bedaquiline allow us to design potent and well-tolerated personalised MDR-TB treatment regimens based solely on oral drugs. In this article, we present management guidance to optimise the diagnosis, algorithm-based treatment, drug dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring, and the management of adverse events and comorbidities, associated with MDR-TB. We also discuss the role of surgery, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, palliative care and smoking cessation in patients with MDR-TB. We hope that incorporating these recommendations into patient care will be helpful in optimising treatment outcomes, and lead to more MDR-TB patients achieving a relapse-free cure.

Diagnosis delay of tuberculosis in the Huambo province, Angola.

INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis is necessary for the success of the tuberculosis (TB) program. GOAL: To identify factors associated with diagnosis delay of TB in Huambo, Angola. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in patients diagnosed with TB at the Huambo Anti-Tuberculosis Dispensary (ATD) in the period between October 2015 and January 2016. RESULTS: The 247 patients included in the analysis had a median age of 27 years and a median diagnosis delay of 64 days. In the univariate analysis, age, consumption of alcoholic beverages, living in a residence further than 10km from a healthcare unit, and looking for any other health unit than the emergency unit were associated with longer diagnosis delay. In the multivariate analysis model, to be between 30 and 44 years of age (p=0.018), to live in a residence more than 10km from a healthcare unit (p=0.006) and to turn to traditional medicine as the first healthcare option (p<0.001) were factors that led to greater time delay before diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In the Huambo province, age, distance to healthcare facility and the first healthcare service consulted were associated with diagnosis delay of TB.

Beyond multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Europe: a TBNET study.

The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a challenge to TB control in Europe. We evaluated second-line drug susceptibility testing in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients with multidrug-resistant, pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR-TB) and XDR-TB at 23 TBNET sites in 16 European countries. Over 30% of bacilli from patients with pre-XDR-TB showed resistance to any fluoroquinolone and almost 70% to any second-line injectable drug. Respectively >90% and >80% of the XDR-TB strains tested showed phenotypic resistance to pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Resistance to prothionamide/ethionamide was high in bacilli from pre-XDR-TB patients (43%) and XDR-TB patients (49%).

Tuberculosis screening in patients receiving biological therapy.

AIM: Biological therapies are a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). Portuguese recommendations recommend universal baseline screening for TB before starting biologics (2006) and annually thereafter if screened negative (2012 update). The gain with re-screening remains unknown. We aimed to i)identify the risk of latent TB infection at baseline screening among patients candidates to initiate biologics ii)present follow-up results for patients receiving different biological therapies and analyse intolerance or toxicity related to preventive therapy, conversions of immunodiagnostic tests under biological therapy and development of active TB. METHODS: Patients screened for TB at a reference centre before starting biological therapy between 2008-2012 were identified. Medical files were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, screening and follow-up results and information on biological therapy were collected. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: unavailable information on initiation of biological therapy. RESULTS: 183 patients were included in the study, with 115 starting biological therapy. The baseline screening was positive in 52(45,2%) patients - 50(96,2%) were proposed for preventive treatment (2 had abnormal liver enzymes). Mild hepatotoxicity occurred in 4(8%) patients without need to interrupt TB prophylaxis. No cases of active TB occurred during follow-up in patients with positive baseline screening. Among the 63(54,8%) patients who screened negative, 2(3,2%) developed active TB (under infliximab and adalimumab) more than one year after initiation of biologics. 26(41,3%) patients were re-screened at the TB centre. 5(19,2%) had tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion and one concomitantly undetermined IGRA. No IGRA conversions were observed. The follow-up period was 4,0 years. TB baseline screening's negative predictive value (NPV) was 96,8% (95%CI: 89,0% to 99.5%). A low rate of re-screening was observed. CONCLUSION: The rate of latent TB at baseline screening was higher than expected. Preventive treatment was well tolerated. No patients with positive baseline screening developed active TB. Efforts should be made to raise awareness concerning the risk of TB exposure, specially considering that the active TB cases were compatible with new infection. The rate of re-screening suggests a low awareness regarding current recommendations Nation-wide studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the re-screening strategy and to clarify what risk groups most benefit from it.

Screening antimycobacterial activity of Baccharis dracunculifolia, Centella asiatica, Lantana camara and Pterodon emarginatus / Atividade anti-micobacteriana de Baccharis dracunculifolia, Centella asiatica, Lantana camara e Pterodon emarginatus

ABSTRACT The permanent investigation of new antimycobacterial drugs is necessary for the eradication programs of tuberculosis and other mycobacterium-related diseases. The aim of the present study is to search for new sources of antimycobacterial drugs using plant materials. In this study, 11 plant materials (extracts, essential oils and some fractions) obtained from 4 species of medicinal plants traditionally used as general therapeutics for different illnesses and specifically as treatment of tuberculosis, were evaluated using the microplate resazurin assay against 2 species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex and 3 nontuberculous mycobacteria. The results showed the hexane extract and the essential oil from fruits of Pterodonemarginatus (Vogel) as potential sources of antimycobacterial drugs against 4 species of tested mycobacteria. The hexane fraction of methanol extract from leaves of Centella asiatica also presented significant mycobacterial growth inhibition, but against M. chelonae only. In conclusion, it was possible to contribute to the antimycobacterial investigations by presenting three new samples of plants with significant antimicrobial activity against four Mycobacteriumspp and suggest future studies about the antimycobacterial properties of fruits from P. emarginatus.

RESUMO A investigação permanente de novas drogas antimicobacterianas é necessária no programa de erradicação da tuberculose e de outras doenças relacionadas com micobactérias. O objetivo deste estudo foi buscar novas fontes de drogas antimicobacterianas usando material vegetal. Neste estudo, 11 materiais de base vegetal (extratos, óleos essenciais e algumas frações) foram avaliados contra 5 espécies de micobactérias. Estes materiais foram obtidos a partir de 4 espécies de plantas medicinais tradicionalmente utilizadas como terapêutica geral para diferentes doenças e, especificamente, no tratamento de tuberculose (Baccharis dracunculifolia, Centella asiatica, Lantana camara, Pterodon emarginatus). Os ensaios foram realizados em microplacas com resazurina contra duas espécies do Complexo Mycobacteriumtuberculosis e 3 espécies de micobactérias não tuberculosas. Os resultados mostraram o extrato hexânico e o óleo essencial de frutos de P.emarginatus como potenciais fontes para drogas antimicobacterianas contra quatro espécies de micobactérias testadas. A fração hexânica do extrato metanólico das folhas de C. asiatica também apresentou significativa inibição do crescimento de micobactérias apenas contra M.chelonae. Em conclusão, foi possível contribuir para as investigações de antimicobacterianos por apresentar três novas amostras de plantas com atividade antimicrobiana significativa contra quatro Mycobacterium spp e sugerir a realização de estudos futuros sobre as propriedades antimicobacterianas de frutos de P. emarginatus.

Bioactividad del aceite esencial de Ocimum micranthum Willd, recolectado en el departamento de Bolívar, Colombia / Bioactivity of essential oil from Ocimum micranthum Willd collected from Bolivar department, Colombia

Introducción: Ocimum micranthum Willd, es una planta herbácea, perteneciente a la familia de las Lamiáceas, originaria de las regiones tropicales y subtropicales de América, cultivada con fines medicinales y/o ornamentales. La infusión de esta planta es usada para enfermedades de tipo gastrointestinal como úlceras, gastritis, fiebre intestinal, inflamación; disentería, vómito, dolor de estómago y vermífugo. Objetivos: determinar la composición química volátil del aceite esencial de Ocimum micranthum Willd y evaluar in vitro las actividades antifúngica, repelente, insecticida y antioxidante. Métodos : el aceite esencial (AE) fue obtenido de hojas frescas de O. micranthum por hidrodestilación, la composición química volátil fue determinada mediante cromatografía de gases acoplada a detector de espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). El ensayo de actividad fumigante (insecticida) del AE se realizó sobre Sitophilus zeamais. La actividad antifúngica sobre el hongo fitopatógeno ( Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. Dianthi), la actividad repelente contra el Tribolium castaneum Herbst y la capacidad antioxidante se efectuóa través del ensayo de decoloración del radical DPPH. Resultados: el compuesto mayoritario encontrado en el AE de O. micranthum fue el eugenol (60,37 %), seguido de eucaliptol (12,09 %), cis b-terpineol (4,25 %) y a-terpineol (4,43 %), a-cadineno (1,27 %). El AE de O. micranthum fue activo contra F. oxysporum con un porcentaje de inhibición micelar de 98,8 % a 176,5 µL de AE/L aire, leído a las 72 horas; y un porcentaje de mortalidad contra S. zeamais de 66,7 % a 500 µL de AE/L de aire, después de 24 horas de exposición. La actividad repelente fue de 92,5 % y 93,3 % a las 2 y 4 horas de exposición, respectivamente. El porcentaje de inhibición del radical DPPH• fue de 93,92 %. Conclusiones: El aceite esencial de O. micranthum mostró una significativa actividad fungicida, repelente y fumigante, por lo cual puede llegar a ser una alternativa en reemplazo de fungicidas e insecticidas sintéticos.

Introduction: Ocimum micranthum Willd is a herbaceous plant of the family Lamiaceae native to tropical and subtropical regions of America and grown for medicinal and/or ornamental purposes. Infusion of this plant is used for gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, gastritis, intestinal fever, inflammation, dysentery, vomiting, stomach pain and as vermifuge. Objectives: determine the volatile chemical composition of essential oil from Ocimum micranthum Willd and evaluate its in vitro antifungal, repellent, insecticidal and antioxidant activities. Methods: essential oil (EO) from O. micranthum fresh leaves was obtained by hydrodistillation. Volatile chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometric detector (GC-MS). The fumigant activity assay (insecticidal) was performed against Sitophilus zeamais . Antifungal activity was determined against pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Dianthi, and repellent activity against Tribolium castaneum Herbst. Antioxidant capacity was analyzed with the DPPH radical decolorization assay. Results: the most abundant compound found in O. micranthum EO was eugenol (60.37 %), followed by eucalyptol (12.09 %), cis-terpineol (4.25 %), a-terpineol (4.43 %), and δ-cadinene (1.27 %). O. micranthum EO was active against F. oxysporum, with a mycelial inhibition of 98.8 % at 176.5 uL EO / L air, read at 72 hours, and a mortality rate of 66.7 % against S. zeamais at 500 uL EO / L air, after 24 hours of exposure. Repellent activity was 92.5 % and 93.3 % at 2 and 4 hours of exposure, respectively. DPPH radical inhibition was 93.92 %. Conclusions: Essential oil from O. micranthum showed significant antifungal, repellent and fumigant activities. Thus it could become an alternative to replace synthetic fungicides and insecticides.

Treatment response in type 2 diabetes patients with major depression.

AIMS: Major depression is more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in general population. Comparing psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment responses could help to inform the choice between available treatment options. METHOD: Thirty-four patients with T2DM and major depression detected by using the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), the Montgomery-Äsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and a structured interview (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview) were randomized to undergo Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) or treatment with sertraline in a 3-month acute intervention course in addition to a 3-month continuation format. Provided that the initial MADRS score was not reduced ≥25% at week 6, these early non-responding patients continued treatment in a sequential add-on combined format. Psychological adjustment to diabetes, attachment style, diabetes self-efficacy, quality of life and HbA1c were also evaluated along intervention. RESULTS: Out of 22 early-responding patients (11 for each treatment type), 16 had clinically significant improvements (<50% initial MADRS score) at endpoint with 11 reaching remission (MADRS scores ≤8), and with no significant differences between IPT and sertraline. Within sequential add-on treatment, out of eight patients, only three of them achieved a clinically significant improvement and only one reached remission. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggested that IPT may be an option to treat major depression in T2DM against medical care with sertraline. Early non-responding patients likely need alternative or longer treatment interventions. Limitations of this study relate to small sample and absence of a control group, which was difficult to implement due to ethical restrictions. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: Findings suggest that Interpersonal Psychotherapy is a useful tool to treat major depression in type 2 diabetes patients. A significant number of type 2 diabetes patients with major depression do not achieve depression remission irrespective of the type of treatment. Further clinical research should focus on addictive effects of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology in the treatment of depressed patients with chronic somatic diseases.

Descompresión percutánea discal con láser para el tratamiento del dolor lumbo-radicular de origen discal / Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression for lumbar discogenic radicular pain

Objetivos. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de la descompresión percutánea discal con láser (DPDL) en el tratamiento del dolor lumbo-radicular de origen discal. Material y métodos. Desde junio de 2006 hasta julio de 2009 se incluyeron en este estudio 205 pacientes con hernia discal contenida demostrada mediante tomografía computarizada (TC) o resonancia magnética (RM), que presentaban concordancia entre el dolor radicular y la raíz nerviosa comprimida por el disco herniado, con hallazgos neurológicos referidos a una única raíz nerviosa y que no mejoraron tras un tratamiento conservador de al menos seis semanas. Todos los pacientes fueron tratados con DPDL guiada mediante TC y con anestesia local. Se realizaron controles al primer y segundo día y a los tres y seis meses. Los controles posteriores fueron a los 12, 24 y 36 meses y se realizaron mediante visita o por teléfono. Para la valoración del resultado clínico se aplicaron los criterios de MacNab. Resultados. El rango de edad fue de 27-78 años (media: 58±11 años). La afectación fue en 18 casos a nivel de L3-L4, en 123 casos a nivel de L4-L5 y en 64 casos a nivel de L5-S1. Siguiendo los criterios de MacNab, los resultados fueron: un 67% (n=137) mostraron un resultado bueno y un 9% (n=18) un resultado aceptable. No hubo complicaciones importantes en nuestro estudio. Conclusión. La DPDL es un tratamiento efectivo para el dolor lumbo-radicular de origen discal, que solo causa ligeras molestias al paciente. Esta técnica mínimamente invasiva es una alternativa adecuada para aquellos pacientes que no responden al tratamiento médico conservador, obviando en muchos casos la necesidad de intervenir la columna quirúrgicamente (AU)

Purpose. The aim of our study was to directly evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) for treatment of lumbar discogenic radicular pain. Materials and methods. From June 2006 through July 2009, 205 patients with contained disc herniation demonstrated on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance, concordance between the radicular pain and the nerve root compressed by the herniated disc, neurological findings referring to a single nerve root and no improvement after conservative therapy for a minimum of six weeks were enrolled. All patients were treated with PLDD under CT guidance and local anaesthesia. Follow-up was scheduled at 1, 2 days, 3, 6 months. Subsequent follow-ups at 12, 24 and 36 months were carried out through visits or by telephone. Clinical outcome was quantified using the MacNab criteria. Results. The age of patients ranged from 27 to 78 years (mean 58±11 years). The levels of involvement were 18 cases at L3-L4, 123 cases at L4-L5 and 64 cases at L5-S1. Using the MacNab criteria, the results were as follows: 67% (n=137) showed a good outcome and 9% (n=18) a fair outcome. There were no serious complications in our series. Conclusion. PLDD is effective treatment for lumbar discogenic radicular pain, associated with only minimal discomfort to the patient. This minimally invasive technique is a valid alternative for those patients not responding to conservative medical treatment, allowing in many cases to obviate the need of spine surgery (AU)

Bioactividad del aceite esencial de Chenopodium ambrosioides colombiano / Bioactivity of essential oil from Colombian Chenopodium ambrosioides

Introducción: las plantas tienen mecanismos químicos de autoprotección para evitar ser atacadas por insectos, hongos, bacterias y virus. Las enfermedades producidas por estas plagas son controladas con plaguicidas, que presentan alta toxicidad; por esto, es necesario usar compuestos alternativos como aceites esenciales. Estas sustancias son fuentes botánicas potenciales que cumplen la misma función de los plaguicidas, con la ventaja de que presentan baja toxicidad para los mamíferos, alta volatilidad y toxicidad para los insectos y microorganismos que atacan los productos de cosecha almacenados, por ser volátiles su propiedad insecticida se conoce como fumigante. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiaceae) ha sido reportada por sus potentes propiedades antiparasitarias, incluida la actividad antiprotozoaria. Objetivo: determinar la actividad fumigante, antifúngica y antioxidante del aceite esencial de Chenopodium ambrosioides y su composición química volátil. Métodos: el aceite esencial fue obtenido de hojas de C. ambrosioides por hidrodestilación, la composición química volátil se determinó mediante cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas. El ensayo de actividad fumigante del aceite esencial se realizó sobre Sitophilus zeamais. La actividad antifúngica sobre el hongo fitopatógeno Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Dianthi, y la capacidad antioxidante se efectuómediante el ensayo de decoloración del radical DPPH. Resultados: el compuesto mayoritario encontrado en aceite esencial de C. ambrosioides fue a-terpineno (60,29 por ciento), seguido de p-cimeno (20,49 por ciento), 4-careno (7,96 por ciento) y trans-ascaridol (1,91 por ciento). C. ambrosioides fue activo contra Fusarium oxysporum con un porcentaje de inhibición micelar de 97,3 por ciento a 176,5 µL de aceite esencial/litro de aire, leído a las 72 h; y un porcentaje de mortalidad contra Sitophilus zeamais de 100 por ciento a 500 µL de aceite esencial/litro de aire, después de 24 h de exposición. El porcentaje de inhibición del radical DPPH• fue de 84,89 por ciento. Conclusiones: el aceite esencial de C. ambrosioides exhibió importante actividad fungicida contra F. oxysporum y fumigante contra S. zeamais, por lo cual podría reemplazar fungicidas e insecticidas sintéticos.

Introduction: plants have developed self-protecting chemical mechanisms to avoid being attacked by insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. The diseases caused by these pests are controlled with pesticides of high toxicity, therefore, it is necessary to use alternative compounds like essential oils. Essential oils are potential botanical sources of compounds having the same function as the pesticides. However, they have some advantages over the latter such as low toxicity for mammal, high volatility and toxicity for pests and microorganisms which attack stored products. Its volatile insecticidal property made it to be known as fumigant. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiaceae) has been reported for its potential antiparasitic properties, including antiprotozoal activity. Objective: this study determine the fumigant, antifungal, and antioxidant activities of essential oils isolated from Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and their volatile chemical composition. Methods: the essential oil (EO) was obtained from leaves of C. ambrosioides by hydrodistillation whereas the volatile chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS). The fumigant activity assay of the essential oil was performed against Sitophilus zeamais. The antifungal activity on plant pathogenic fungus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Dianthi) and the antioxidant potential were determined through the discoloration test of DPPH. radical. Results: the major component found in the essential oil from C. ambrosioides was a-terpinene (60.29 percent), followed by p-cymene (20.49 percent), 4-carene (7.96 percent) and trans-ascaridol (1.91 percent). C. ambrosioides was active against Fusarium oxysporum, with a mycelial inhibition of 97.3 percent at 176.5 µL EO/L air after 72 h of exposure; and a mortality rate against Sitophilus zeamais of 100 percent at 500 µL of essential oil per air liter after 24 h of exposure. The inhibition percentage of DPPH• radical was 84.89 percent. Conclusions: this study demonstrated that C. ambrosioides essential oil exhibits important fungicidal activity on F. oxysporum and fumigant on S. zeamais, which could become an alternative to synthetic fungicides and insecticides.

Position paper on tuberculosis screening in patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases candidates for biological therapy.

UNLABELLED: Chronic immunosuppression is a known risk factor for tuberculosis. Our aim was to reach a consensus on screening and prevention of tuberculosis in patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases candidates to biologic therapy. METHODS: Critical appraisal of the literature and expert opinion on immunosuppressive therapies and risk of tuberculosis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The currently recommended method for screening is the tuberculin skin test and the interferon gamma assay, after exclusion of active tuberculosis. Positively screened patients should be treated for latent tuberculosis infection. Patients may start biological therapy after 1 to 2 months, as long as they are strictly adhering to and tolerating their preventive regimen.

Action of Coriandrum sativum L. Essential Oil upon Oral Candida albicans Biofilm Formation.

The efficacy of extracts and essential oils from Allium tuberosum, Coriandrum sativum, Cymbopogon martini, Cymbopogon winterianus, and Santolina chamaecyparissus was evaluated against Candida spp. isolates from the oral cavity of patients with periodontal disease. The most active oil was fractionated and tested against C. albicans biofilm formation. The oils were obtained by water-distillation and the extracts were prepared with macerated dried plant material. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration-MIC was determined by the microdilution method. Chemical characterization of oil constituents was performed using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). C. sativum activity oil upon cell and biofilm morphology was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The best activities against planktonic Candida spp. were observed for the essential oil and the grouped F(8-10) fractions from C. sativum. The crude oil also affected the biofilm formation in C. albicans causing a decrease in the biofilm growth. Chemical analysis of the F(8-10) fractions detected as major active compounds, 2-hexen-1-ol, 3-hexen-1-ol and cyclodecane. Standards of these compounds tested grouped provided a stronger activity than the oil suggesting a synergistic action from the major oil constituents. The activity of C. sativum oil demonstrates its potential for a new natural antifungal formulation.

Biological effects of a chayotte extract in Wistar rats with induced diabetes: a radiopharmaceutically analysis.

The present research evaluated the influence of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extract (macerated) on the bioavailability of 99TcO4Na as well as in the mass of the organs. In this study, in the biodistribution analysis, the 99mTcO4Na was administrated into female Wistar rats (diabetes and no diabetes induced) which had drunk or not the extract for 7 days. After 10 min, animals were sacrificed, the organs were isolated, the radioactivity determined in a well counter and the percentages of radioactivity per gram (%ATI/g) in the organs and mass of them (g) were calculated. The analysis of the results has indicated that in the diabetes group had been an increase in the uptake of 99mTcO4Na the in pancreas as well as in the diabetes groups treated with chayotte extract. The mass of the spleen, stomach, pancreas, heart and kidney has been altered due to the comparison of the groups. It is possible to suggest that some components of chayotte extracts present an oxidant power able to alter the biodistribution of 99mTcO4Na, as a tip, we speculate that the referred extract when metabolized in the liver may produce reactive metabolites with oxidant properties linked to the stress which is generated by diabetic status, this fact could justify by the increase of %ATI/g in the pancreas which probably may be due to the producing of AGEs in diabetes status as well as by the different molecular and cellular mechanisms related to the effects of the extract and diabetes would promote differences in the mass of the organs.

Effects of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extract (macerated) on the biochemistry of blood of Wistar rats and on the action against the stannous chloride effect.

The use of natural products as medicines has been growing in the entire world. There are concerns that these products may contain potentially toxic ingredients and contaminants such as heavy metals. The labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m has been influenced by the presence of natural extracts. We evaluated the influence of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extract (100% v/v macerated) on the labeling of blood elements with 99mTc. The animals were treated with the extract during 15 days. Samples of blood were carried out with specific blood biochemistry kits. The present study analyzed the influence ofchayotte in the survival of the strain of Escherichia coli AB1157 submitted to reactive oxygen species induced by stannous chloride. There was a reduction of the lethal effect induced by stannous chloride on the survival of the E. coli culture in the presence of chayotte. The results indicated a decrease in the level of glucose and globulin The effect of the extract could be explained by its metabolic transformation inducing the generation of oxidant metabolites. The culture of bacteria when was treated with stannous chloride and chayotte simultaneously, the extract could be reacting with stannous chloride ions, protecting them against the oxidation avoiding the generation of reactive oxygen species.

Secretion of mouse-metallothionein by engineered E. coli cells in metal-enriched culture media.

Heterologous Escherichia coli expression systems were designed and assayed for the synthesis of functional mouse metallothionein (MT) as a secreted fusion protein. MT secretion was compared among different systems, and the optimum vector/host/medium combination was tested for metal removal. In this case, the Cu content of the medium decreased by up to 34% after growth of recombinant bacteria. The potential use of these genetically-engineered bacteria for water bioremediation is discussed as an alternative to cytoplasmic MT or membrane-bound MT heterologous expression systems.

A new insight into metallothionein (MT) classification and evolution. The in vivo and in vitro metal binding features of Homarus americanus recombinant MT.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a Homarus americanus MT-cDNA (MTH) through retrotranscription of MTH-mRNA from metal-injected lobsters. Heterologous Escherichia coli expression in zinc- and copper-supplemented medium was achieved for MTH, the two domains betabetaMTH and betaalphaMTH and three site-directed mutants, betabetaC9H, betaalphaC37H, and betaalphaE31C/T34C. The in vivo conformed metal complexes and the in vitro substituted cadmium aggregates were characterized. Major stoichiometries of M(II)6-MTH for the entire MTH and M(II)3-betabetaMTH and M(II)3-betaalphaMTH for the independent domains fully validated our expression system. A low affinity binding site for a seventh Zn(II) in the in vivo synthesized MTH was located in the betaalpha domain. Additionally, minor M(II)4 species were found for each domain. Both single Cys to His mutations exhibited a similar reduction of their in vivo zinc binding ability but differed in their cadmium binding behavior when compared with the wild-type forms. Conversely, the double mutant showed an enhanced zinc and cadmium binding capacity. In vivo synthesis of MTH and of its independent domains in the presence of copper only afforded heterometallic copper-zinc species. These findings allow consideration of MTH as a zinc thionein and question the view of all crustacea MT structures as copper thioneins. Furthermore, a new approach for the evolutionary and functional classification of MT is proposed, based on the stoichiometry of metal-MT species and molecular phylogenetic analysis.

In vivo copper- and cadmium-binding ability of mammalian metallothionein beta domain.

The beta domain of mouse metallothionein 1 (betaMT) was synthesized in Escherichia coli cells grown in the presence of copper or cadmium. Homogenous preparations of Cu-betaMT and Cd-betaMT were used to characterize the corresponding in vivo-conformed metal-clusters, and to compare them with the species obtained in vitro by metal replacement to a canonical Zn3-betaMT structure. The copper-containing betaMT clusters formed inside the cells were very stable. In contrast, the nascent beta peptide, although it showed cadmium binding ability, produced a highly unstable species, whose stoichiometry depended upon culture conditions. The absence of betaMT protein in E. coli protease-proficient hosts grown in cadmium-supplemented medium pointed to drastic proteolysis of a poorly folded beta peptide, somehow enhanced by the presence of cadmium. Possible functional and evolutionary implications of the bioactivity of mammalian betaMT in the presence of monovalent and divalent metal ions are discussed.