Phytoscreening of Vochysiaceae species: Molecular identification by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and evaluating of their antioxidant activity and inhibitory potential against human α-amylase and protein glycation.

Scientific research based on medicinal plants has been highlighted as a complementary treatment to T2DM, stand out the Vochysiaceae family, which have been widely used in folk medicine by traditional South American communities to treat some diseases. Our study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antiglycation activities of ethanol extracts of leaves (LF) and stem barks (SB) of Vochysiaceae species, evaluated their capacities to inhibit glycoside and lipid hydrolases related to T2DM and molecular identification by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Our main findings indicate that the ethanolic extract of four of eight analyzed plants such as LF and SB of Q. grandiflora, Q. parviflora, V. elliptica and Calisthene major exhibited, respectively, potential of α-amylase inhibition (IC50 of LF: 5.7 ±â€¯0.6, 4.1 ±â€¯0.5, 5.8 ±â€¯0.5, 3.2 ±â€¯0.6 and IC50 of SB: 3.3 ±â€¯0.7, 6.2 ±â€¯2.0, 121.0 ±â€¯8.6 and 11.2 ±â€¯2.8 µg/mL), capacities of antioxidant (ORAC of LF: 516.2 ±â€¯0.1, 547.6 ±â€¯4.9, 544.3 ±â€¯6.1, 442.6 ±â€¯2.4 and ORAC of SB: 593.6 ±â€¯22.3, 497.7 ±â€¯0.8, 578 ±â€¯12.3, 593.6 ±â€¯19.5 µmol trolox eq/g; FRAP of LF: 796.1 ±â€¯0.9, 427.7 ±â€¯22.0, 81.0 ±â€¯1.9, 685 ±â€¯37.9 and FRAP of SB: 947.4 ±â€¯24.9, 738.6 ±â€¯24.3, 98.8 ±â€¯7.9, 970.8 ±â€¯13.9 µmol trolox eq/g; DPPH IC50 of LF: 14.2 ±â€¯1.8, 36.3 ±â€¯6.9, 11.8 ±â€¯1.9, 13.3 ±â€¯1.2 and DPPH IC50 of SB: 16.0 ±â€¯3.0, 15.5 ±â€¯1.9, 126.1 ±â€¯23. 6, 5.3 ±â€¯0.3 µg/mL, respectively) and antiglycation (BSA/Frutose IC50 of LF: 43.1 ±â€¯3.4, 52.1 ±â€¯6.0, 175.5 ±â€¯32, 8, 111.8 ±â€¯14.7 and BSA/Frutose IC50 of SB:, 40.1 ±â€¯11.9, 51.2 ±â€¯16. 7, 46.6 ±â€¯5.7, 53.5 ±â€¯13.6 µg/mL) and presence of polyphenols, such as flavonoids and condensed tannins. The extracts presented low ability to inhibit α-glycosidase and lipase enzymes in the initial assays, with values below 40% of inhibition. In BSA/methylglyoxal, only Q. grandiflora SB, V. eliptica LF and V. tucanorum LF showed activity (IC50: 655.5 ±â€¯208.5, 401.9 ±â€¯135.2 and 617.1 ±â€¯80.6 µg/mL, respectively) and only C. major LF and SB, in Arg/methylglyoxal (IC50: 485.1 ±â€¯130.8 and 468.0 ±â€¯150.5 µg/ml, respectively). This study presented new findings about the biological and pharmacological potential of some species of Vochysiaceae family, contributing to the understanding of the action and efficacy in use of these plants, in their management of postprandial hyperglycemia and in glycation and oxidative processes that contribute to managing diabetes mellitus.

Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV-positive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV-positive patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). The search was conducted in seven electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, Embase, Web of Science, and OpenGrey), without restriction on publication period or language. Studies that showed the prevalence of oral lesions manifested in adult HIV-positive patients, subjected or not to HAART, were selected. The meta-analysis estimate of relative risk was calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method and DerSimonian and Laird estimator to determine the variance between studies in the random-effects model. The meta-analysis showed significant results in favour of the group on HAART, with lower prevalence for angular cheilitis, erythematous candidiasis, oral herpes, pseudomembranous candidiasis, Kaposi sarcoma, and oral hairy leukoplakia. The prevalence of oral mucosal hyperpigmentation was higher in patients on HAART. These results suggest that the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV-positive patients is lower for those on HAART, which might occur because of the improvement in immunity provided by the therapy.

Stability of treatments for recurrent temporomandibular joint luxation: a systematic review.

Temporomandibular joint luxation (TMJ) is the excessive anterior translation of the mandibular condyle out of its normal range of movement and away from the glenoid fossa. Once dislocation occurs, the abnormal condylar position generates reflex contractions of the masticatory muscles, which in turn hinder movement of the condyle back to its resting position. Frequent luxation episodes characterize a condition referred to as recurrent TMJ luxation. While there are several surgical and conservative therapeutic options available for recurrent TMJ luxation, a robust, evidence-based rationale for choosing one technique over another is missing. Thus, a systematic review based on the PRISMA statement was proposed in an attempt to determine which therapeutic option results in the longest time to relapse. There is no good quality evidence on which treatment options guarantee the long-term elimination of recurrent TMJ luxation. In cases of post-surgical relapse, eminectomy has often been used as a 'rescue procedure', which may mean that surgeons empirically consider this treatment to be the 'gold standard' for addressing recurrent TMJ luxation.

Toxicidade de espécies vegetais / Toxicity of plant species

RESUMO As plantas produzem uma grande variedade de metabólitos secundários que frequentemente são relacionados a mecanismos de proteção da planta contra predadores e patógenos. As espécies tóxicas são aquelas capazes de produzirem compostos que podem causar alterações metabólicas prejudiciais ao homem e aos animais. A toxicidade apresentada por uma espécie vegetal pode estar relacionada a fatores associados ao indivíduo, à planta, ao modo de exposição e a questões ambientais. A intoxicação, aguda ou crônica, causada por plantas é difícil de ser diagnosticada assim como a associação entre os sintomas e o consumo e/ou contato com algumas espécies é difícil de ser estabelecida. No âmbito da saúde pública, as intoxicações causadas por plantas possuem impacto expressivo. No Brasil foram registrados 1026 casos em 2012, sendo que a maior parte deles ocorreu com crianças de 0 a 4 anos, de acordo com os dados do SINITOX. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento bibliográfico de espécies vegetais, brasileiras e exóticas aclimatadas, citadas como tóxicas apesar de serem utilizadas com fins ornamentais e medicinais.

ABSTRACT Plants produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites, which are frequently related to a plant’s protective mechanism against predators and pathogens. Toxic species are those capable of producing compounds that can cause metabolic changes harmful to humans and animals. The toxicity of plant species can be associated with aspects related to the individual, the plant, the manner of exposure, and to environmental issues. Acute or chronic intoxication caused by plants is difficult to diagnose and the association between the symptoms and the consumption of and/or contact with plants is hard to establish. In the public health sector, intoxications caused by plants have a wide impact. In Brazil, 1,026 cases were registered in 2012, most of which occurred with children between the ages of 0 to 4 years, according to data reported by SINITOX. The purpose of this study was to perform a bibliographic survey of Brazilian or acclimatized exotic plant species, which have been reported as toxic even though they are used for ornamental or medicinal purposes.

The zooplankton biodiversity of some freshwater environments in Parnaíba basin (Piauí, Northeastern Brazil).

The plankton fauna of the state of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil, especially in the Parnaíba basin, is still poorly known; the results of most studies of the subject have not been published and can only be found in grey literature (unpublished scientific works), such as course completion work and consulting reports. Thus, this paper presents data from samples taken recently from different water bodies in Piauí and represents the second study to be published on the region's zooplankton since the pioneering work of Spandl (1926). A total of 38 species were recorded, including 23 new occurrences of rotifers, 10 of cladocerans and 2 of copepods for the state of Piauí. The greatest richness was observed for the rotifers, of which the genus Brachionus must be highlighted, especially at the Joana reservoir. Among the crustaceans, the greatest richness was observed at the Bezerra reservoir, where cladocerans of the genus Bosmina were prominent. The rotifers Brachionus havanaensis Rousselet, 1911 and Filinia longiseta (Ehrenberg, 1834); the cladocerans Diaphanosoma spinulosum Herbst, 1967 and Moina micrura Kurz, 1874; and the copepods Notodiaptomus cearensis Wright, 1936 and Thermocyclops decipiens Kiefer, 1927 occurred in all or in most environments in which the respective groups were studied. The results presented here expand the taxonomic list of zooplankton for the state of Piauí, including a total fauna of 30 species of rotifers, 15 of cladocerans and 3 of copepods. The zooplankton richness was considered low in the studied reservoirs compared to other freshwater ecosystems from Northeastern Brazil; however, the few studies developed in the Parnaíba basin suggest that the diversity for these organisms should be higher.

Zooplanktonic community of six reservoirs in northeast Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the zooplankton community at six reservoirs in the state of Pernambuco (Brazil). Zooplankton assemblages were identified using current literature and quantitatively analysed under a microscope and stereomicroscope. Concurrently to the sampling of zooplanktonic and phytoplanktonic communities, in situ measurements of abiotic variables, such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH, were determined using field probes and transparency was determined with a Secchi disk. Total phosphorus concentrations were used for the determination of the Trophic State Index. The reservoirs were classified between eutrophic and hypertrophic, oxygenated, with pH varying from slightly acid to alkaline, high temperatures and low water transparency. A total of 27 zooplankton taxa were identified. Phytoplankton was represented by Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Baccilariophyta and phytoflagellates. The highest richness of species was observed for Rotifera (17), followed by Crustacea (8), Protozoa (1) and Insecta (1). Rotifers shared quantitative importance with Crustacea, which were mainly represented by juvenile forms. Jazigo Reservoir presented the highest diversity and equitability. Lowest diversity and equitability were recorded at the Poço da Cruz and Mundaú reservoirs, respectively. Dissimilarity was detected between the environments studied regarding zooplankton composition and structure.

Zooplanktonic community of six reservoirs in northeast Brazil / Comunidade zooplanctônica de seis reservatórios no nordeste do Brasil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the zooplankton community at six reservoirs in the state of Pernambuco (Brazil). Zooplankton assemblages were identified using current literature and quantitatively analysed under a microscope and stereomicroscope. Concurrently to the sampling of zooplanktonic and phytoplanktonic communities, in situ measurements of abiotic variables, such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH, were determined using field probes and transparency was determined with a Secchi disk. Total phosphorus concentrations were used for the determination of the Trophic State Index. The reservoirs were classified between eutrophic and hypertrophic, oxygenated, with pH varying from slightly acid to alkaline, high temperatures and low water transparency. A total of 27 zooplankton taxa were identified. Phytoplankton was represented by Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Baccilariophyta and phytoflagellates. The highest richness of species was observed for Rotifera (17), followed by Crustacea (8), Protozoa (1) and Insecta (1). Rotifers shared quantitative importance with Crustacea, which were mainly represented by juvenile forms. Jazigo Reservoir presented the highest diversity and equitability. Lowest diversity and equitability were recorded at the Poço da Cruz and Mundaú reservoirs, respectively. Dissimilarity was detected between the environments studied regarding zooplankton composition and structure.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a estrutura e dinâmica do zooplâncton em seis reservatórios do Estado de Pernambuco. A comunidade zooplanctônica foi identificada com literatura atualizada e a densidade analisada sob microscópio e estereomicroscópio. Concomitantemente às coletas das comunidades zooplanctônicas e fitoplanctônicas, foram medidas in situ algumas variáveis abióticas como temperaturas da água e do ar, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica, pH, turbidez, usando sondas de campo, transparência com disco de Secchi. As concentrações de fósforo total foram usadas para a determinação do Índice de Estado Trófico. Os reservatórios foram classificados entre eutróficos e hipertróficos, oxigenados, pH levemente ácido a alcalino, temperaturas altas e baixos valores de transparência da água. O zooplâncton esteve composto por 27 táxons. O fitoplâncton foi representado pelas Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Baccilariophyta e Fitoflagelados. A maior riqueza de espécies foi observada para Rotifera, (17), seguida por Crustacea (8), Protozoa (1) e Insecta (1). Rotifera compartilhou a importância quantitativa com os Crustacea, estes representados principalmente pelas formas jovens. No reservatório de Jazigo, foram obtidos os maiores valores para diversidade e equitabilidade. Os valores mais baixos foram registrados em Poço da Cruz e Mundaú, respectivamente. Foi detectada dissimilaridade entre os ambientes estudados quanto à composição e estrutura do zooplâncton.

Perfil hematologico e bioquimico de pacientes com tuberculose / Hematological and biochemical profile of patients carrying lung tuberculosis

Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 30 pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar comprovada atraves do encontro do B.A.A.R. em esfregaços de escarro corados pelo Ziehl-Neelsen.. As amostras de sangue foram empregadas, atraves de metodologia adequada, para a determinaçao do perfil hematologico e bioquimico dos tuberculosos em busca de alteraçoes que pudessem ser distribuidas a infeccao. Os resultados observados revelaram uma tendencia a leucocitose (23//dos casos com global acima de 10.000/mm3) e um elevado aumento da velocidade de hemossedimentaçao (86//apresentaram elevaçao com media de 72 a 44 mm para mulheres ehomens, respectivamente). A monocitose, referida por varios autores na tuberculose ativa, nao foi observada. Quanto ao perfil bioquimico, os resultados da determinaçao de fosfatase alcalina e valores obtidos de globulinas se mostraram elevados em 46//dos casos. Esses resultados representaram dados preliminares obtidos atraves das avaliaçoes hematologicas e bioquimicas de pacientes com tuberculose,realizadas antes do emprego da terapeutica recomendada. Estes pacientes representam uma amostragem adequadamente selecionada para a primeira etapa do projeto depesquisa sobre a avaliaçao da conduta farmacoterapeutica no setor publico, com aparticipaçao integrada dos Departamentos de Farmacia Social, Produtos Farmaceuticos e Analises Clinicas e Toxicologicas da Faculdade de Farmacia da UFMG.

Soro-controle de origem bovina e seu emprego no controle de qualidade em bioquímica clínica / Control serum of bovine origin and its usage in quality control in clinical biochemistry

Os autores apresentam estudo de um soro-controle preparadoa partir de material de origem bovina e seu desempenho no controle de qualidade em bioquimica clinica. Esse soro foi preparado na proporção de 6 partes de soro e 4 partes de glicerol adicionando-se 0,1g de azida sódica para cada 100ml. A análise estatística dos resultados obtidos ao longo de oito meses mostrou uma boa estabilidade dos constituintes bioquimicos quando comparados com os valores previamente estabelecidos. As vantagens do uso de soro-controle de origem bovina no laboratório de análises clínicas compreendem a facilidade de obtenção de grandes volumes e proporciona ao analista, segurança em sua manipulação, evitando maiores riscos de contaminação por agentes infecciosos especificamente quanto à hepatite B e AIDS.