In vitro evaluation against Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania chagasi of medicinal plant species of interest to the Unified Health System.

Leishmaniasis is a disease of public health relevance that demands new therapeutic alternatives due to the toxicity of conventional treatments. In this study, 27 plants of interest to the Unified Health System (SUS) were evaluated for cytotoxicity in macrophages, leishmanicidal activity and production of nitric oxide (NO). None of the species demonstrated cytotoxicity to macrophages (CC50 >100 µg/mL). Extracts from Chenopodium ambrosioides, Equisetum arvense, Maytenus ilicifolia showed greater efficacy in inducing the death of Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes with IC50 of 68.4, 82.3, 75.7 µg/mL, respectively. The species Cynara scolymus, Punica granatum and Passiflora alata were the most effective in inducing an increase in the indirect concentration of NO (41.31, 29.30 and 28.86 µM, respectively) in cultures of macrophages infected with L. amazonensis. Furthermore, Punica granatum was also the most effective species in inducing an increase in NO in macrophages infected by Leishmania chagasi (19.90 µM). The results obtained so far support the continuation of studies, with the possibility of developing safer and more effective treatments for leishmaniasis, using natural products. The identification of plants that stimulate the production of NO in macrophages infected by Leishmania opens doors for more detailed investigations of the mechanism of action of these natural products.

Apocalipse pop: representações do fim do mundo em canções brasileiras da década de 1980 / Pop apocalypse: representations of the end of the world in Brazilian songs from the 1980s

Resumo Esta pesquisa, com o uso da metodologia sócio-histórica, aborda a relação entre a produção cultural e as visões sobre a ciência e a tecnologia na década de 1980. Analisa um repertório de canções lançadas nesse período que apresentam temática apocalítica por conta do contexto de Guerra Fria e das crises ambientais. A análise se fundamenta nas noções de horizonte de expectativas de Koselleck e nas expectativas decrescentes de Arantes. As canções estão agrupadas na temática nuclear e na temática ambiental. Observa que essas canções da década de 1980 representam uma mudança da expectativa nacional com relação ao futuro, apresentando um temor acerca de desastres nucleares ou ambientais.

Abstract This study utilized socio-historical methodology to investigate the relationship between cultural production and views on science and technology in the 1980s by analyzing a repertoire of songs released during this period containing apocalyptic themes due to the context of the Cold War and environmental crises. This exploration is based on Koselleck's notions of the horizon of expectations and on Arantes' concept of decreasing expectations. The songs centered around nuclear power and the environment. We observed that these songs from the 1980s represent a shift in national expectations about the future, exhibiting fears related to nuclear and environmental disasters.

A Potential SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Interest (VOI) Harboring Mutation E484K in the Spike Protein Was Identified within Lineage B 1 1 33 Circulating in Brazil

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Brazil was dominated by two lineages designated as B.1.1.28 and B.1.1.33. The two SARS-CoV-2 variants harboring mutations at the receptor-binding domain of the Spike (S) protein, designated as lineages P.1 and P.2, evolved from lineage B.1.1.28 and are rapidly spreading in Brazil. Lineage P.1 is considered a Variant of Concern (VOC) because of the presence of multiple mutations in the S protein (including K417T, E484K, N501Y), while lineage P.2 only harbors mutation S:E484K and is considered a Variant of Interest (VOI). On the other hand, epidemiologically relevant B.1.1.33 deriving lineages have not been described so far. Here we report the identification of a new SARS-CoV-2 VOI within lineage B.1.1.33 that also harbors mutation S:E484K and was detected in Brazil between November 2020 and February 2021. This VOI displayed four non-synonymous lineage-defining mutations (NSP3:A1711V, NSP6:F36L, S:E484K, and NS7b:E33A) and was designated as lineage N.9. The VOI N.9 probably emerged in August 2020 and has spread across different Brazilian states from the Southeast, South, North, and Northeast regions.

Citrus limon (L.) Burm f. Essential Oil Has Anxiolytic and Sedative Properties by Modulating GABAA-Receptors

Abstract The high prevalence of anxiety disorders associated with pharmacotherapy side effects have motivated the search for new pharmacological agents. Species from Citrus genus, such as Citrus limon (sicilian lemon), have been used in folk medicine as a potential therapy to minimize emotional disorders. In order to searching for new effective treatments with fewer side effects, the present study evaluated the anxiolytic mechanism of action and the hypnotic-sedative activity from the Citrus limon fruit's peels essential oil (CLEO). Adults male Swiss mice were submitted to barbiturate-induced sleep test; elevated plus-maze (EPM) and light-dark box (LDB) (evaluation of the mechanism of action); rotarod; and catalepsy tests. CLEO oral treatment decreased latency and increased the sleep total time; moreover it induced in animals an increased the number of entries and percentage of time spent into open arms of the EPM; an increased the number of transitions and the percentage of time into light compartment in the LDB; which were only antagonized by flumazenil pretreatment, with no injury at motor function. Thus, results suggest that CLEO treatment induced an anxiolytic behavior suggestively modulated by the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABAA receptor or by an increase of GABAergic neurotransmission, without cause impairment in the motor coordination.

Previdência Social: fatores que explicam os resultados financeiros / Social security: factors that explain the results

Este artigo apresenta uma análise desenvolvida para identificar fatores que exercem influência no resultado financeiro do Regime Geral de Previdência Social (RGPS), com destaque para os efeitos nos componentes de receitas, benefícios e saldos previdenciários. Para confirmar as afirmações encontradas na literatura, foram usadas séries de valores mensais dos fatores selecionados, além das receitas, benefícios e saldos previdenciários contendo observações no período de 1995 a 2006. Os resultados confirmaram a influência dos fatores demográficos, salário mínimo, rendimentos, trabalho informal e desemprego nas receitas, benefícios e no resultado financeiro do RGPS.

Prevalência de Síndrome metabólica em hipertensos de município da Zona da Mata alagoana / Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among hypertensive patients in a town in the rainforest zone, Alagoas State, Northwest Brazil

Fundamentos: Estudos em diferentes populações revelam prevalências elevadas da síndrome metabólica (SM), dependendo do critério utilizado e das características da população estudada. No Brasil, os dados são escassos, necessitando de estudos que caracterizam melhor a população, principalmente grupos vulneráveis à SM, como é o caso de indivíduos hipertensos. Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de SM em hipertensos cadastrados no programa HIPERDIA/MS, do município de Flexeiras (AL). Métodos: Estudo transversal de amostra aleatória simples de 300 hipertensos de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 21 anos e 92 anos, cadastrados no HIPERDIA/MS do município de Flexeiras (AL), avaliados no período de janeiro a março 2005. Estimou-se a prevalência de SM utilizando-se os critérios do NCEP-ATPIII. Resultados: A prevalência de SM foi 57,3 por cento (77,9 por cento das mulheres e 22,1 por cento dos homens). Analisando-se os portadores de SM por sexo, verificou-se que as mulheres apresentaram 2,34 vezes mais chances de desenvolver SM, comparadas aos homens. Quando estratificados por faixa etária, observou-se uma prevalência de SM maior entre os adultos jovens do que entre os idosos (p<0,05). Níveis séricos de HDL-c abaixo dos limites normais foi o componente da SM mais presente nos indivíduos estudados (53,3%), seguidode obesidade abdominal (52,3%), hipertrigliceridemia (41,3%), glicemia de jejum alterada e/ ou diabetes mellitus(19,3%). Conclusões: Observou-se uma elevada prevalência de SM na população estudada comparada a outros grupospopulacionais. Os resultados encontrados poderão direcionar os cuidados prioritários que devem serimplementados nesse grupo de pacientes e assim contribuir para melhor intervenção.

Background: Studies of different populations show high Metabolic Syndrome (MS) rates, depending onthe criteria used and population characteristics. As data is scarce, studies are needed in Brazil to characterize its population more effectively, especiallygroups vulnerable to MS, such as hypertensive people. Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of MS amonghypertensive patients registered with the HIPERDIA/MS program in the town of Flexeiras, Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil. Methods: Cross-section study of a simple random sample of 300 hypertensive male and female patientsbetween 21 and 92 years old, registered with the HIPERDIA/MS program in Flexeiras and evaluated from January to March 2005, estimating the prevalenceof MS through the NCEP-ATPIII criterion.Results: The prevalence of MS was 57.3% (77.9% of women and 22.1% of men). Analyzing MS patients by gender, women are 2.34 times more likely to develop MS, than men. When stratified by age group, MS was more prevalent among young adults than among theelderly (p<0.05). Serum levels of HDL-C below normal limits was the MS component found most frequently(53.3%) among the patients studied, followed by abdominal obesity (52.3%), hypertriglyceridemia (41.3%), modified fasting blood glucose and/or diabetes mellitus (19.3%). Conclusions: A high prevalence of MS was noted in the population studied, compared to other population groups. These findings could guide the priority care.

Assessment of family and neighbors of an individual infected with Wuchereria bancrofti from a non-endemic area in the city of Maceió, Brazil

The family and neighbors of a patient infected with W. bancrofti microfilariae were assessed aiming to evaluate the occurrence of cases of lymphatic filariasis in a non-endemic area in the city of Maceió, in the Brazilian state of Alagoas. The patient had previously lived in an endemic focus; however, he has been living in an area where the parasite has never been detected for the past ten years. Female ingurgitated Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes captured in the houses of the microfilaremic individual and of his neighbors in the non-endemic region were also examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The thick blood smear examination, blood membrane filtration, and rapid immunochromatography (antigen search) revealed no infected individuals in the family of the microfilaremic individual. All 334 neighbors undergoing the thick blood smear examination were negative for W. bancrofti microfilariae. In 478 ingurgitated C. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes examined by PCR, no W. bancrofti DNA was detected. The microfilaremic individual had a microfilaremia considered very low according to WHO standards (4 microfilariae/mL of blood). As the vectorial infection depends on microfilaremia, the patient's low parasite load did not determine the contamination of other individuals in the area. Our data have shown that the long-term residence of the microfilaremic individual in the non-endemic region was not sufficient to start a new transmission focus of lymphatic filariasis in Maceió.

Linfadenite granulomatosa em paciente renal crônica em hemodiálise e hipogamaglobulinemias: relato de caso / Granulomatous lymphadenitis in a patient on chronic hemodialysis and hypogammaglobulinemia: a case report

Imunodeficiência comum variável (IDCV) é a síndrome de imunodeficiência primária mais frequente em adultos1. É uma desordem imunológica caracterizada por defeito na síntese de anticorpos, infecções recorrentes, mais notavelmente no trato respiratório, fenômenos autoimunes e câncer2. Relata-se caso de paciente de 61 anos com história prévia de hepatite B e suspeita de tuberculose ganglionar e pleural, admitida com quadro de emagrecimento, febre, astenia, ascite e oligúria acentuada, iniciando tratamento dialítico com diagnóstico de doença renal crônica terminal secundária à nefroesclerose hipertensiva. Apresentava cirrose hepática, anemia grave não responsiva ao tratamento com eritropoetina, ascite refratária e desnutrição. A contagem de leucócitos encontrava-se dentro dos valores de referência. Ao longo do tratamento dialítico, apresentou linfadenomegalia cervical, supraclavicular e axilar direita, com linfonodos móveis, fibroelásticos, doloridos e alguns supurativos. Biopsia excisional de lesão cutânea cervical demonstrou dermoepidermite, fistulizada com granuloma e necrose de etiologia indeterminada, com PPD não reator (< 1 mm) e pesquisa de fungos e BAAR negativa. Ainda apresentou infecções recorrentes de cateter duplo lúmen para hemodiálise e artrite séptica, tendo seu quadro clínico agravado e evoluindo para óbito por choque séptico. Durante a maior parte da evolução do quadro, o diagnóstico mais provável assumido foi de tuberculose. A imunodeficiência comum variável foi diagnóstico questionado apenas após a morte da paciente. É muito importante que se pense em diversas afecções frente a quadros clínicos com tantos sinais e de etiologia indeterminada, como o da paciente, para que não se incorra num tratamento ineficiente e errôneo.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency Syndrome (CVIS) is the most frequent syndrome of primary immunodeficiency. It is an immunologic disorder characterized by a defect in antibodies synthesis, recurrent infections, especially in the respiratory tract, auto- immune manifestations and cancer. We describe a case of a 61-year-old patient with a previous history of hepatitis B and a suspicion of pleural and lymph node tuberculosis who was admitted showing weight loss, fever, weakness, ascites and oliguria. Dialytic treatment has been initiated and chronic terminal renal disease due to hypertensive nephrosclerosis was diagnosed. She had hepatic cirrhosis, severe anemia non-responsive to erythropoietin treatment, refractory ascites and and she was malnourished. The white blood cell count was normal. During the dialytic treatment, the patient presented cervical, supraclavicular and right axilla lymphadenosis. The lymph nodes were mobile, fibroelastic, painpful and some of them suppurative. Biopsy of the cutaneal cervical lesion showed dermoepidermitis fistulized with granuloma and necrosis of undetermined etiology, nonreactor PPD and negative findings for fungus as well as for alcohol-acid resistant bacilli. She also had recurrent infections of the hemodialysis central catheter and septic arthritis. Her clinical status deteriorated and she died from septic shock. For a long time during the treatment, it was hypothesized the patient had been affected by tuberculosis. The CVIS was inquired as a possible diagnostic just after the patientïs death. Facing uncommon diseases as well as unusual clinical presentations still remain a challenge for the clinician and should always be considered in unexpected clinical evolution in patients on chronic renal replacement therapy.

Crises epilépticas convulsivas e malformação de Dandy-Walker no adulto: relato de caso / Seizures and the Dandy-Walker malformation in adulthood: a case report

A síndrome de Dandy-Walker é uma malformação cerebral caracterizada por hipoplasia ou agenesia do vérmis cerebelar e dilatação do quarto ventrículo, com formação cística na fossa posterior. O diagnóstico é realizado, na maioria dos casos, no período prénatalou na primeira infância, decorrente de anormalidades no desenvolvimento fetal ou de sinais e/ou sintomas de hidrocefalia. Raros casos assintomáticos são descritos no adulto, quase sempre diagnosticados casualmente a partir de exames de imagem. O paciente descrito neste relato foi diagnosticado com a malformação de Dandy-Walker aos 16 anos de idade após apresentar crises epilépticas convulsivas generalizadas como possível manifestação clínica da doença.

Frequência de bactérias gram-negativas em uroculturas de paciente ambulatoriais, do sistema único de saúde (SUS) de Maceió (AL) e sua sensibilidade a antibióticos / Frequency of gram-negative in cultures of urine from ambulatorial patients of he unified health system (uhs) from Maceió (AL) and their sensitivity to antibiotics

Este trabalho visou determinar a frequência e sensibilidade a antibióticos de bactérias( Gram-negativas (BGN), isoladas de uroculturas de pacientes usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) em Maceió (AL) com infecção do trato urinário (ITU), no período de janeiro a julho/2005. Foram conduzidas 1900 uroculturas (inoculação quantitativa) com posterior identificação morto-bioquímica das bactérias. Constatou-se crescimento em 10,6% (201)das uroculturas, sendo que 169 delas (84,1%) apresentaram BGN's e 32 (15,9%) apresentaram cocos Gram-positivos. Das BGN's, 133 (78,6%) foram identificados como Escherichia coli, 18 (10,7%) como Klebsiella sp, 11 (6,5%) como Proteus sp, 3 (1,8%) como Enterobacter sp, 2 (1,2%0 como Citrobacter sp e 2 (1,2%) como Providência estéril), procedeu-se o método de difusão em disco para detectar a sensibilidade a antibióticos. O Imipenem foi o mais eficiente, porém dentre as drogas de primeira escolha recomendadas pelo CLSI/NCCLS (2005), a Gentamicina apresentou a melhor ação (86,4%), enquanto as menos efetivas foram a Sulfonamida (9,3%), a associação Sulfametoxazol + Trimetoprim (31,6%), a Ampicilina (32,0%) e a Amoxicilina (30,4%), justamente as disponíveis nas farmácias públicas de Maceió.