Exendin-4 Prevents Memory Loss and Neuronal Death in Rats with Sporadic Alzheimer-Like Disease.

This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of exendin-4 (EXE-4), an analog of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) on memory and on the neuronal populations that constitute the hippocampus of rats submitted to a sporadic dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT). Male Wistar rats received streptozotocin (STZ icv, 3 mg/kg diluted in aCFS, 5 µl/ventricle) and were treated for 21 days with EXE-4 (10 µg/kg, ip; saline as the vehicle). Four groups were formed: vehicle, EXE-4, STZ, and STZ + EXE-4. The groups were submitted to Y-Maze (YM), object recognition (ORT), and object displacement tasks (ODT) to assess learning and memory. The brains were used for immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent techniques with antibodies to NeuN, cleaved caspase-3 (CC3), PCNA, doublecortin (DCX), synaptophysin (SYP), and insulin receptor (IR). STZ worsened spatial memory in the YMT, as well as short-term (STM) and long-term (LTM) memories in the ORT and ODT, respectively. EXE-4 protected against memory impairment in STZ animals. STZ reduced mature neuron density (NeuN) and increased cell apoptosis (CC3) in the DG, CA1, and CA3. EXE-4 protected against neuronal death in all regions. EXE-4 increased PCNA+ cells in all regions of the hippocampus, and STZ attenuated this effect. STZ reduced neurogenesis in DG per se as well as synaptogenesis induced by EXE-4. EXE-4 increased immunoreactivity to IR in the CA1. From these findings, EXE-4 showed a beneficial effect on hippocampal pyramidal and granular neurons in the SDAT showing anti-apoptotic properties and promoting cell proliferation. In parallel, EXE-4 preserved the memory of SDAT rats. EXE-4 appears to enhance synapses at CA3 and DG. In conclusion, these data indicate that agonists to GLP-1R have a beneficial effect on hippocampal neurons in AD.

Neuroprotection elicited by taurine in sporadic Alzheimer-like disease: benefits on memory and control of neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of rats.

This study aimed to analyze whether taurine has a nootropic effect on short-term and long-term memory in a model of sporadic dementia of the Alzheimer's type (SDAT). Moreover, we evaluated the immunoreactivity and insulin receptor (IR) distribution and markers for neurons and glial cells in the hippocampus of rats with SDAT and treated with taurine. For this, Male Wistar rats received STZ (ICV, 3 mg/kg, bilateral, 5ul per site, aCFS vehicle) and were treated with taurine (100 mg/kg orally, 1 time per day, saline vehicle) for 25 days. The animals were divided into 4 groups: vehicle (VE), taurine (TAU), ICV-STZ (STZ) and ICV-STZ plus taurine (STZ + TAU). At the end of taurine treatment, short- and long-term memory were assessed by performance on object recognition and Y-maze tasks. Insulin receptor (IR) was evaluated by immunoperoxidase while mature neurons (NeuN), astrocytes (GFAP, S100B, SOX9), and microglia (Iba-1) were evaluated by immunofluorescence. STZ induced worse spatial and recognition memory (INDEX) in YM and ORT tasks. Taurine protected against STZ-induced memory impairment. SDAT reduced the population of mature neurons as well as increased astrocytic and microglial reactivity, and taurine protected against these STZ-induced effects, mainly in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Taurine increases IR expression in the hippocampus, and protects against the reduction in the density of this receptor in CA1 induced by STZ. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that taurine is able to enhance memory, up-regulates IR in the hippocampus, protects the neuron population, and reduces the astrogliosis found in SDAT.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Harpagophytum procumbens Prevents Oxidative Stress In Vitro and Amphetamine-Induced Alterations in Mice Behavior.

Microglial activation has been associated to the physiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases, such as schizophrenia, and can occur during inflammation and oxidative stress. Pharmacological treatment is associated with severe side effects, and studies for use of plant extracts may offer alternatives with lower toxicity. Harpagophytum procumbens (HP) is a plant known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we characterized the ethyl acetate fraction of HP (EAF HP) by ESI-ToF-MS and investigated the effects EAF HP in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation model on microglial cells (BV-2 lineage). MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), DCFH-DA (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate) and cell cycle flow cytometer analysis were performed. In vivo was investigated the amphetamine-induced psychosis model through behavioral (locomotor and exploratory activities, stereotypies and working memory) and biochemical (DCFH-DA oxidation and protein thiols) parameters in cortex and striatum of mice. EAF HP reduced activation and proliferation of microglial cells in 48 h (300 µg/mL) and in 72 h after treatments (50-500 µg/mL). Reactive oxygen species levels were lower at the concentration of 100 µg/mL EAF HP. We detected a modulatory effect on the cell cycle, with reduction of cells in S and G2/M phases. In mice, the pre-treatment with EAF HP, for 7 days, protected against positive and cognitive symptoms, as well as stereotypies induced by amphetamine. No oxidative stress was observed in this amphetamine-induced model of psychosis. Such findings suggest that EAF HP can modulate the dopaminergic neurotransmission and be a promising adjuvant in the treatment of locomotor alterations, cognitive deficits, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Pesticide exposure and risk of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review.

The increase in pesticide consumption has a negative health impact. Studies point to an association between exposure to pesticides and cardiovascular disease (CVD), one of the leading causes of world mortality. This review synthesize evidence on the association between occupational exposure and environmental contamination by pesticides with CVDs from 1750 references databases (EBSCO, Medline, Science Direct, Scielo, Lilacs and Ovid) without date or language restriction. Selected 24 articles by PRISMA and Downs & Black methodologies, were included from inclusion criteria: original studies (case-control, cohort or cross-sectional design); clear CVD definition and exposure to pesticides; representative sample of the target population. The results show the occupational exposure to pesticides chlorpyrifos, coumafos, carbofuran, ethylene bromide, mancozeb, ziram, metalaxyl, pendimethalin and trifluralin was associated a risk of 1.8 to 3.2 for acute myocardial infarction. Primaphos, fenitrothion, malathion and deltamethrin pesticides were associated with a blood pressure increase. Environmental contamination by tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was associated with CVD with risk of 1.09 to 2.78 and organochlorine, 1.19 to 4.54; heavy metals, arsenic, trimethylarsine and dimethylarsinic acid with atherosclerosis and systemic arterial hypertension. These findings point to the association between exposure to pesticides and CVD, signaling the importance of greater rigor in the public policy related to pesticides.

Investigating the Effect of Inosine on Brain Purinergic Receptors and Neurotrophic and Neuroinflammatory Parameters in an Experimental Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative pathology characterized by progressive impairment of memory, associated with neurochemical alterations and limited therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inosine on memory, neuroinflammatory cytokines, neurotrophic factors, expression of purinergic receptors, and morphological changes in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the rats with AD induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Male rats were divided into four groups: I, control; II, STZ; III, STZ plus inosine (50 mg/kg); and IV, STZ plus inosine (100 mg/kg). The animals received intracerebroventricular injections of STZ or buffer. Three days after the surgical procedure, animals were treated with inosine (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) for 25 days. Inosine was able to prevent memory deficits and decreased the immunoreactivity of the brain A2A adenosine receptor induced by STZ. Inosine also increased the levels of brain anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor. Changes induced by STZ in the molecular layer of the hippocampus were attenuated by treatment with inosine. Inosine also protected against the reduction of immunoreactivity for synaptophysin induced by STZ in CA3 hippocampus region. However, inosine did not prevent the increase in GFAP in animals exposed to STZ. In conclusion, our findings suggest that inosine has therapeutic potential for AD through the modulation of different brain mechanisms involved in neuroprotection.

Neuroprotective Effect of Taurine against Cell Death, Glial Changes, and Neuronal Loss in the Cerebellum of Rats Exposed to Chronic-Recurrent Neuroinflammation Induced by LPS.

The present study investigated the neuroprotective effect of taurine against the deleterious effects of chronic-recurrent neuroinflammation induced by LPS in the cerebellum of rats. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with taurine for 28 days. Taurine was administered at a dose of 30 or 100 mg/kg, by gavage. On days 7, 14, 21, and 28, the animals received LPS (250 µg/kg) intraperitoneally. The vehicle used was saline. The animals were divided into six groups: vehicle, taurine 30 mg/kg, taurine 100 mg/kg, LPS, LPS plus taurine 30 mg/kg, and LPS plus taurine 100 mg/kg. On day 29, the animals were euthanized, and the cerebellum was removed and prepared for immunofluorescence analysis using antibodies of GFAP, NeuN, CD11b, and cleaved caspase-3. LPS group showed a reduction in the immunoreactivity of GFAP in the arbor vitae and medullary center and of NeuN in the granular layer of the cerebellar cortex. LPS increased the immunoreactivity of CD11b in the arbor vitae and in the medullary center. Taurine protected against these effects induced by LPS in immunoreactivity of GFAP, NeuN, and CD11b, with the 100 mg/kg dose being the most effective. LPS induced an increase in the number of positive cleaved caspase-3 cells in the Purkinje cell layers, granular layer, arbor vitae, and medullary center. Taurine showed its antiapoptotic activity by reducing the cleaved caspase-3 cells in relation to the LPS group. Here, a potential neuroprotective role of taurine can be seen since this amino acid was effective in protecting the cerebellum of rats against cell death and changes in glial and neuronal cells in the face of chronic-recurrent neuroinflammation.

A phytochemical study of the Cuphea glutinosa from Southern Brazil: Na+,K+-ATPase activity inhibition and antioxidant properties.

This study investigated the antioxidant activity of Cuphea glutinosa (CG) and its effect on Na+, K+-ATPase from cardiac muscle. The ethanolic extract showed higher antioxidant capacity compared to aqueous and ethyl acetate fraction. Ethyl acetate fraction showed ß-sitosterol-3-O-ß-glucoside, kaempferol, quercetin, isoquercetin, gallic acid methyl ester, and gallic acid. The ethanolic extract also reduced the Na+,K+-ATPase activity. CG presented a promising antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on the Na+, K+-ATPase activity, supporting biochemical evidences the popular use of this plant in the treatment of heart failure.

Iron localization in the guinea pig choroid plexus: A light and transmission electron microscopy study.

The role of the choroid plexus (CP) in iron (Fe) homeostasis has been suggested as the main mechanism of Fe uptake and storage in the mammalian central nervous system. Thus, the CP of the lateral and fourth ventricles was studied in guinea pigs with light and electron microscopy using methods including Perls' Prussian blue and Gomori acid phosphatase staining, immunoreactivity for ferritin and transferrin, as well as energy dispersive spectrometry microanalysis. The present study reveals the presence of endogenous Fe in CP epithelial cells. Under light microscopy, Prussian blue staining revealed dark blue precipitates (i.e., Fe3+) with a preferentially perinuclear localization. The Fe was also positive for such granules with similar cellular localization. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated the presence of dense bodies and siderosomes with molecular ferritin. The spectra obtained by the microanalysis demonstrated emissions for Fe, both in dense bodies and siderosomes. This study suggests that guinea pig CP epithelial cells accumulate Fe in the form of ferritin, possibly in cytoplasmic organelles such as lysosomes.

Workplace Accident Prevalence and Associated Factors among Tobacco Farm in São Lourenço do Sul-RS, Brazil.

Agriculture has the highest risk of accidents. In Brazil the reality of this situation is unknown owing to scarcity of studies and underreporting of workplace accidents in rural areas. This article aims to evaluate workplace accident prevalence and associated factors among tobacco farm in Sao Lourenco do Sul-RS, Brazil. Cross-sectional study with 488 tobacco farmers, assessing sociodemographic, behavioural, labour characteristics and association with workplace accidents occurring in their lifetime. The injury prevalence was 24%. Being male (PR 1.62; 95%CI 1.04-2.52), and tenant farmer (PR 1.87; 95%CI 1.29-2.72), bundling tobacco leaves (PR 2.00; 95%CI 1.14-3.52) and having minor psychiatric disorders (PR 1.58; 95%CI 1.06-2.35) were positively associated with accidents. 46% of serious injuries caused superficial lesions and 26% caused fractures. Rural workplace accident prevention policies need to be established, particularly for tobacco farming. Larger studies are needed to understand work process-related aspects that increase the risk of accidents.

Workplace Accident Prevalence and Associated Factors among Tobacco Farm in São Lourenço do Sul-RS, Brazil / Prevalência e Fatores Associados à Acidente de Trabalho em Fumicultores do Município de São Lourenço do Sul, RS, Brasil

Abstract Agriculture has the highest risk of accidents. In Brazil the reality of this situation is unknown owing to scarcity of studies and underreporting of workplace accidents in rural areas. This article aims to evaluate workplace accident prevalence and associated factors among tobacco farm in Sao Lourenco do Sul-RS, Brazil. Cross-sectional study with 488 tobacco farmers, assessing sociodemographic, behavioural, labour characteristics and association with workplace accidents occurring in their lifetime. The injury prevalence was 24%. Being male (PR 1.62; 95%CI 1.04-2.52), and tenant farmer (PR 1.87; 95%CI 1.29-2.72), bundling tobacco leaves (PR 2.00; 95%CI 1.14-3.52) and having minor psychiatric disorders (PR 1.58; 95%CI 1.06-2.35) were positively associated with accidents. 46% of serious injuries caused superficial lesions and 26% caused fractures. Rural workplace accident prevention policies need to be established, particularly for tobacco farming. Larger studies are needed to understand work process-related aspects that increase the risk of accidents.

Resumo A Agricultura concentra maior risco de acidentes ocupacionais, entretanto sua dimensão é desconhecida pela escassez de estudos brasileiros e subnotificação na área rural. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a prevalência e os fatores associados aos acidentes de trabalho em fumicultores em São Lourenço Sul-RS. Estudo transversal com amostra representativa de 488 fumicultores, avaliando características sociodemográficas, comportamentais, atividades laborais e associação com acidentes de trabalho na vida. Prevalência de acidentes na vida foi de 24%, encontrada associação positiva com sexo masculino (RP1,62IC-95%1,04-2,52), ser arrendatário (RP1,87IC-95%1,29-2,72), realização manocas (RP2,00IC-95%1,14-3,52) e problemas psiquiátricos menores (RP 1,58 IC-95%1,06-2,35). Dentre os acidentes graves, 46% foram superficiais e 26%, fraturas. Necessário implementar políticas preventivas de acidentes laborais na área rural e, em particular, na fumicultura brasileira; avançar na busca da compreensão dos aspectos relacionados ao processo de trabalho impactantes ao risco de acidentes.

Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical characterization of Carya illinoensis.

Carya illinoensis is a widespread species, belonging to the Juglandaceae family, commonly known as Pecan. Popularly, the leaves have been used in the treatment of smoking as a hypoglycemic, cleansing, astringent, keratolytic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial agent. The following research aimed to identify for the first time the phytochemical compounds present in the leaves of C. illinoensis and carry out the determination of antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The antimicrobial activity was tested against 20 microorganisms by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Phenolic acids (gallic acid and ellagic acid), flavonoids (rutin), and tannins (catechins and epicatechins) were identified by HPLC-DAD and may be partially responsible for the antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and yeast. The results showed MIC values between 25 mg/mL and 0.78 mg/mL. The extracts were also able to inhibit the production of germ tubes by Candida albicans.

Anthocyanins control neuroinflammation and consequent memory dysfunction in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide.

Peripheral inflammatory stimuli may activate a brain neuroinflammatory processes with consequences in brain function. The present study investigated if anthocyanins (ANT) consumption was able to prevent the memory loss, the neuronal damage, and the neuroinflammatory processes triggered by the intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. C57BL6 male mice were treated with ANT (30-100 mg/kg by gavage). With a single dose or during 10 days, before be challenged with LPS (250 µg/kg intraperitoneally single administration), a classical inductor of inflammation. The data obtained showed that ANT was able to confer protection against the memory impairment after 10 days of ANT treatment (100 mg/kg). This phytonutrient also prevented the hypothermia episode induced by LPS. Moreover, ANT prevented the increase in protein carbonyl, NOx, and MDA levels in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex (4 and 24 h) in animal challenged with LPS. ANT showed a protective effect on the increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines content, especially Interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumoral necrosis factor-α and on the reduction of IL-10 induced by LPS. ANT 100 mg/kg prevented the infiltration of peripheral immune cells in the hippocampus at 24 h post-LPS administration. In parallel, LPS increased the activity of myeloperoxidase in cortex and hippocampus, and ANT prevented this effect, also reducing microglia (Iba-1) and astrocyte (GFAP) immunoreactivity. Thus, our data support that ANT are a promising therapeutic component against brain disorders associated with process of neuroinflammation. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Antinociceptive and antidepressant-like effects of the crude extract of Vitex megapotamica in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Vitex megapotamica (Spreng) Moldenke has been used in South American folk medicine to treat inflammatory diseases. However, the effects of V. megapotamica on animal models of nociception and depression have not been evaluated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated whether the crude leaf extract of V. megapotamica exhibits antinociceptive and antidepressant-like effects in a Freund's adjuvant-induced chronic inflammation and depression model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chronic inflammation was induced in rats by the intraplantar administration of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA; 100µl). The effect of oral crude extract of V. megapotamica (VmE; 3-30mg/kg, p.o.) on nociception (thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and arthritis score), inflammation (edema, myeloperoxidase activity), immobility (forced swimming test), locomotor activity (open field), gastrointestinal transit, hyperalgesia and naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal syndrome was evaluated. Naloxone (0.4mg/kg, i.p.) was used to investigate the involvement of opioid system in the currently described effects of VmE. RESULTS: Crude extract caused antinociceptive/antidepressant-like effects in the CFA-induced chronic inflammation model, which was prevented by naloxone. The VmE extract (10mg/kg, p.o.) did not alter the locomotor activity, gastrointestinal function and inflammatory parameters and did not cause hyperalgesia. CONCLUSION: V. megapotamica induces opioid-dependent antinociception and antidepressant-like effect, without anti-inflammatory activity. The results support the use of VmE as analgesic and antidepressant.

Recontorno gengival e reposicionamento labial cirúrgico para tratamento do sorriso gengival: resultados após um ano / Gummy smile treatment with gingival recontouring and surgical lip repositioning: 1-year follow-up results

O presente artigo teve como objetivo esclarecer as diferentes alternativas utilizadas para o reposicionamento labial e melhora da estética do sorriso, propondo uma nova classificação para o diagnóstico e tratamento do sorriso gengival. A técnica cirúrgica descrita no relato de caso associa o recontorno gengival e o reposicionamento labial com tratamento estético restaurador. A cirurgia realizada proporcionou a correção da erupção passiva alterada dos dentes anterossuperiores, combinada com o alongamento do feixe lateral do músculo levantador do lábio superior e da asa do nariz, e a contenção do mesmo com sutura mononylon, diminuindo o sorriso gengival. Notou-se, após a cirurgia, que a linha alta do sorriso foi corrigida sem comprometer a harmonia labial. A paciente manifestou alto grau de satisfação com o tratamento. O diagnóstico e a técnica cirúrgica proposta neste estudo podem ser uma opção terapêutica para o reposicionamento labial e harmonia do sorriso.

The present article aims to address the different alternatives used for lip repositioning and improved smile aesthetics, proposing a new classification for the diagnosis and treatment of the gummy smile. The surgical technique described this a case report associates gingival recontouring and lip repositioning with restorative aesthetic treatment. The surgery provided the correction of altered passive eruption of the anterior superior teeth combined with lengthening of the lateral bundle levator muscle of the upper lip and the ala of the nose, containing them with mononylon sutures, decreasing the gummy smile. It was noted that after surgery, the high smile line was corrected without compromising the labial harmony. The patient expressed high satisfaction with the treatment. The diagnosis and surgical technique proposed in the present study may be a therapeutic option for lip repositioning and smile harmony.

Anthocyanins suppress the secretion of proinflammatory mediators and oxidative stress, and restore ion pump activities in demyelination.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of anthocyanins (ANT) on oxidative and inflammatory parameters, as well as ion pump activities, in the pons of rats experimentally demyelinated with ethidium bromide (EB). Rats were divided in six groups: control, ANT 30 mg/kg, ANT 100 mg/kg, EB (0.1%), EB plus ANT 30 mg/kg and EB plus ANT 100 mg/kg. The EB cistern pons injection occurred on the first day. On day 7, there was a peak in the demyelination. During the 7 days, the animals were treated once per day with vehicle or ANT. It was observed that demyelination reduced Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities and increased 4-hydroxynonenal, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and NO2plus NO3 levels. In addition, a depletion of glutathione reduced level/nonprotein thiol content and a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity were also seen. The dose of 100 mg/kg showed a better dose-response to the protective effects. The demyelination did not affect the neuronal viability but did increase the inflammatory infiltrate (myeloperoxidase activity) followed by an elevation in interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ levels. ANT promoted a reduction in cellular infiltration and proinflammatory mediators. Furthermore, ANT restored the levels of IL-10. Luxol fast blue staining confirmed the loss of myelin in the EB group and the protective effect of ANT 100 mg/kg. In conclusion, this study was the first to show that ANT are able to restore ion pump activities and protect cellular components against the inflammatory and oxidative damages induced by demyelination.

Evolução da pesquisa epidemiológica em atividade física e comportamento sedentário no Brasil: atualização de uma revisão sistemática / Evolution of the epidemiologic physical activity and sedentary behavior research in Brazil: update of a systematic review

O objetivo desta revisão foi atualizar a evolução da produção científica em epidemiologia da atividade física no Brasil. Também buscamos verificar a distribuição geográfica das pesquisas e a evolução do conhecimento conforme os principais domínios que caracterizam a pesquisa em atividade física e saúde. Foi realizada uma busca sistemática da literatura nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS e SciELO, além de buscas manuais por autores e referências cruzadas. Artigos originais publicados entre 2005 e 2013 foram incluídos contendo um ou mais domínios da atividade física, conhecimento sobre atividade física e/ou comportamento sedentário, com amostra igual ou maior a 500 participantes. Após a síntese descritiva, os estudos foram estratificados conforme localização geográfica, delineamento e domínios de pesquisa na área da atividade física e saúde. A análise final foi feita com 276 estudos. Os dados obtidos demonstraram crescente publicação científica brasileira na área de epidemiologia da atividade física (de 7 para 49 artigos/ano), sendo 82,2% delineados para analisar os determinantes, níveis e tendências temporais e as consequências à saúde da prática regular da atividade física e/ou do prolongamento do comportamento sedentário. No plano regional, houve concentração das pesquisas nas regiões Sul (43,5%) e Sudeste (22,1%) do país e crescimento das publicações provindas da região Nordeste (18,5%), e dos trabalhos com representatividade nacional, ou que envolvem cidades de regiões distintas (12,3%). Foi evidenciada grande evolução no número de publicações brasileiras em epidemiologia da atividade física, apesar de importantes limitações regionais, tipo de delineamento utilizado e dos domínios de pesquisa desenvolvidos.

The aim of this review was to update the evolution of the epidemiological research on physical activity in Brazil. In addition, we seek to verify the geographic distribution of the publications and the evolution according to main topics that characterize the research in physical activity and health. Systematic searches were carried out in three databases: PubMed, LILACS and SciELO, and manual searches by authors (curriculum) and cross­references. Original articles published between 2005 and 2013 were retrieved if they contained one or more physical activity topics, evaluation of knowledge about physical activity and/or sedentary behavior, and sample size greater or equal to 500 individuals. After the description, the studies were stratified by: geographic location, study design and topics in the field of physical activity and health. The final analysis included 276 studies. The data obtained in this period showed an increase in the scientific Brazilian publication in the epidemiologic physical activity research (from 7 to 49 manuscripts/year), in which 82.5% were designed to evaluate the determinants, levels and temporal trends and the health consequences of physical activity and/or sedentary behavior. At the regional level, there was a cluster of publications in the South (43,5%) and Southeast (22,1%) regions and an increase of manuscripts from the Northeast (18,5%) and studies using national samples or more than one region of the Brazil (12,3%). It was found an expressive evolution in the number of published manuscripts in the epidemiologic physical activity, despite of important local limitations, studies design and research topics addressed.

Abandonment of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive patients attended at the reference center for HIV/AIDS in Vitória, Brazil.

This study evaluates the risk factors for the abandonment of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among patients receiving care in an AIDS clinic in Vitória, Brazil. We conducted a case-control study of patients with AIDS attending a reference center for sexually transmitted disease (STD)/AIDS. A total of 62 patients, who abandoned therapy in 2008, and 188 HIV-infected patients answered an interview including demographic, social, and clinical characteristics. Risk factors associated with abandon in univariate analysis were entered into logistic regression models. A total of 250 patients were included in the study. Groups were similar regarding age, gender, and monthly income. In the final multivariate model, illicit drug use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-5.07), previous abandon of medication (AOR 38.6; 95% CI 10.49-142.25), last CD4 count <200 cells/mm(3) (AOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.03-2.10), and viral load higher than 1000 copies/mL (AOR 2.0 (95% CI 1.34-3.09) were independent predictors of abandonment of ART. In addition to the clinical indicators, behavioral factors remained important throughout the multivariate analysis in our study.

Estudo morfoanatômico das folhas de Cuphea glutinosa Cham. & Schltdl., Lythraceae / Morpho-anatomical study of the leaves of Cuphea glutinosa Cham. et Schltdl. (Lythraceae)

Adeterminação de características macro e microscópicas das folhas de Cuphea glutinosa Cham. & Schltdl., Lythraceae, foi o objetivo deste trabalho. Esta planta é utilizada tradicionalmente como medicinal. As características macroscópicas das folhas como a forma, a textura e a consistência, bem como o ápice e a base da lâmina foliar são relevantes na determinação da autenticidade de insumos farmacêuticos desta espécie. Microscopicamente a presença de formações epicuticulares, cristais de oxalato de cálcio na forma de drusas, tricomas tectores e glandulares, estômatos do tipo diacítico, células mucilaginosas e floema interxilemático são características úteis no controle botânico de qualidade desta planta como insumo farmacêutico, quando analisados em conjunto.

The determination of macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of Cuphea glutinosa Cham. & Schltdl., Lythraceae, leaves were the aim of this work. This plant is traditionally used as medicinal. The macroscopic characteristics of the leaves as the shape, texture and consistency as well as the apex and the base of the leaf are relevant to determinate pharmaceutical insumes autenticity of this plant. In the leaves microscopy there are epicuticular formations, crystals of calcium oxalate in the form of druses, and glandular trichomes, xerophytytic stoma of the diacytic type, mucilaginous cells, and interxilematic phloem are important characteristics in the botanical quality control of this plant as pharmaceutical insume.

Morfonatomia do caule de Cuphea glutinosa Cham. & Schltdl. (Lythraceae) / Morpho-anatomy of the stem of Cuphea glutinosa Cham & Schltdl. (Lythraceae)

Foram determinados parâmetros morfo-anatômicos do caule de Cuphea glutinosa cham. & Schltdl, planta reconhecida tradicionalmente como medicinal, objetivando sua autenticidade como insumo farmacêutico. As características macroscópicas do caule são insuficientes para a determinação da autenticidade dos insumos farmacêuticos desta planta, havendo necessidade de verificar a presença de sementes não aladas e de vesículas infraestaminais nas flores. Microscopicamente a presença de formações epicuticulares, cristais de oxalato de cálcio na forma de drusas, tricomas tectores e glandulares, estômatos xerofíticos, células mucilaginosas e floema interxilemático, são características significativas no controle botânico de qualidade desta espécie para a indústria farmacêutica, quando analisadas em conjunto.

Morpho-anatomical parameters of Cuphea glutinosa cham. & Schltdl, stem were determined aiming its authenticity as a pharmaceutical drug. This plant is traditionally known as medicinal. The macroscopic characteristics of the stem are insuficient to determine the autenticity of this plant pharmaceutics input, it requires checking out the presence of not winged seeds and vesicles placed under the stamens of the flowers. Microscopically, the presence of epicuticular formations, crystals of calcium oxalato in druses form, glandular and non-glandular thricomes, xerophytic stomatas, mucilages cells and interxilematic phloem are meaningful characteristics in the botanical quality control of this plant for the pharmaceutical industry, when analyzed together.