Plantas do Gênero Xylopia: Composição Química e Potencial Farmacológico / Plants of the Xylopia Genus: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Potential

RESUMO A família Annonaceae possui representantes de grande interesse medicinal e o gênero Xylopia é um dos que merecem destaque. Composta por aproximadamente 160 espécies distribuídas na América do Sul, América central, África e Ásia, as espécies desse gênero podem ser arbustivas ou arbóreas. No Brasil são encontradas nas regiões Norte, Nordeste, Centro-Oeste e Centro Sul. Este gênero produz uma variedade de metabólitos incluindo alcalóides, amidas, lignóides, acetogeninas e terpenóides e têm sido investigados como fonte potencial de acetogeninas, compostos esses que apresentam uma ampla variedade de propriedades biológicas com destaque para: citotóxica, antitumoral, antiparasitária, antimicrobial, inseticida e antimalarial. Neste estudo, efetuou-se uma revisão das principais espécies de Xylopiaencontradas no Brasil, já estudadas e descritas na literatura, abordando os aspectos químico-farmacológicos, destacando os constituintes químicos isolados bem como a ação farmacológica evidenciada.

ABSTRACT The family Annonaceae has representatives of great medical interest, and the Xylopia species deserves attention. The Xylopia genus is composed by approximately 160 species, with geographic distribution in tropical and subtropical regions of America, Africa and Asia. This genus can present shrubs or trees. In Brazil, they can be found at the North, North-west, Central-West and Central-South Regions. The phytochemical investigations resulted mainly in the isolation of alkaloids, diterpenos, quinolines and acetogenins, with the latter presenting very interesting biological properties such as the cytotoxic, antiprotozoal and the insecticide activities.This study aimed to review the botanical, chemical and pharmacological aspects of the Xylopia genus found in Brazil, highlighting the chemical components, as the well-known pharmacological effect .

Desenvolvimento da camomila, rendimento e qualidade do óleo essencial em diferentes idades de colheita / Development of chamomile and essential oil yield and quality at different harvesting times

A camomila é uma planta herbácea, anual e aromática com várias propriedades medicinais. No Brasil, vem sendo cultivada em área representativa na região Sul devido, principalmente, às exigências climáticas da espécie, e por ter sido introduzida por imigrantes europeus nesta região. A colheita da camomila é realizada em várias colheitas, contudo, a idade adequada da planta para o início desta atividade, objetivado a maior produção de capítulos florais, bem como o rendimento e qualidade de óleos essenciais, ainda não foi determinada para a espécie. Neste trabalho, investigou-se o efeito de diferentes épocas de colheita no desenvolvimento de capítulos florais e no acúmulo e qualidade do óleo essencial da camomila. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Piraquara (PR). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos (85, 92, 99, 106 e 113 dias após a emergência das plântulas) e cinco repetições. Após cada colheita, avaliou-se o acúmulo de massa seca de capítulos, rendimento, produção e composição do óleo essencial. A extração de óleo foi realizada por hidrodestilação e as amostras analisadas por cromatografia gasosa. Concluiu-se que aos 85 dias após a emergência (DAE) os capítulos apresentaram maior rendimento de óleo. Porém, após três semanas ocorreu a maior produção de massa de capítulos, resultando em maiores médias de produtividade de óleo essencial. A partir de 113 DAE houve redução do rendimento de óleo essencial e no teor de alguns constituintes.

Chamomile is an aromatic herb with many medicinal properties. In Brazil, it is cultivated on an extensive area in the Southern region mainly because of its climatic conditions for this culture. Chamomile harvesting is done by several cuttings of the entire plant, but the ideal starting point of this activity to obtain high production of flower heads has not been determined. This work investigated the effect of the harvesting period of chamomile on flower head development and essential oil accumulation. The experiment was carried out at field conditions in Piraquara, Paraná, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments (85, 92, 99, 106 and 113 days after emergency) and five replications. After each harvest, dry mass accumulation and essential oil yield and quality were evaluated. Essential oil extraction was performed by hydrodistillation, and the sample was analyzed by gas chromatography. When harvested 85 days after emergency, the flower heads presented the highest essential oil content, but three weeks later the highest flower head dry mass was obtained, which resulted on great essential oil productivity. From 113 days after emergency, there is a reduction in essential oil yield and production.

Inflammatory vulnerability associated with the rh5-HTTLPR genotype in juvenile rhesus monkeys.

Individual variation in serotonergic function is associated with reactivity, risk for affective disorders, as well as an altered response to disease. Our study used a nonhuman primate model to further investigate whether a functional polymorphism in the promoter region for the serotonin transporter gene helps to explain differences in proinflammatory responses. Homology between the human and rhesus monkey polymorphisms provided the opportunity to determine how this genetic variation influences the relationship between a psychosocial stressor and immune responsiveness. Leukocyte numbers in blood and interleukin-6 (IL-6) responses are sensitive to stressful challenges and are indicative of immune status. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and cellular IL-6 responses to in vitro lipopolysaccharide stimulation were assessed in 27 juvenile male rhesus monkeys while housed in stable social groups (NLL = 16, NS = 11) and also in 18 animals after relocation to novel housing (NLL = 13, NS = 5). Short allele monkeys had significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios than homozygous Long allele carriers at baseline [t(25) = 2.18, P = 0.02], indicative of an aroused state even in the absence of disturbance. In addition, following the housing manipulation, IL-6 responses were more inhibited in short allele carriers (F1,16 = 8.59, P = 0.01). The findings confirm that the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphism is a distinctive marker of reactivity and inflammatory bias, perhaps in a more consistent manner in monkeys than found in many human studies.

PP175. Gestational hypertensive syndromes: Risk factors identification and complications in a primiparous population.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Brazil and worldwide. It is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder, with no clear etiology and pathophysiology. The identification of risk factors for its development may help in prevention and early diagnosis of disease clinical onset. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors and complications of pre-eclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH) in a population of primiparas, who had birth care at the Ceilandia Regional Hospital of Brasilia - Federal District. METHODS: Case-control study was conducted from November 2009 to December 2010 in a population of primiparas. We included all primiparas diagnosed with PE/GH, with random choice of normotensive primiparas in a ratio of 1:3. The variables studied as socio-demographic, obstetric, maternal and perinatal complications were collected using pre-tested questionnaire, after informed consent of the pregnant women. Chi-square and Fisher's multiple comparison were used in the data analysis, considering results significant when p <0.05. RESULTS: Among 1264 primiparas analyzed, 972 (76.9%) were normotensive and 292 (23.1%) hypertensive patients, being 64 (22%) with gestational hypertension and 228 (78%) with PE. Risk factors such as maternal age over 35years, women whose mother and/or sister with chronic hypertension history or who developed hypertension during pregnancy, use of male condom as a contraceptive method, obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy showed statistically significant correlation with development of the pathology. CONCLUSION: The development of gestational hypertensive syndrome in primiparous women is associated with family history and obesity, factors that can be used as screening for early identification of patients at risk of PE development.

Congenital toxoplasmosis: evaluation of serological methods for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgA antibodies.

A study was carried out to evaluate the presence of serological markers for the immunodiagnosis of the vertical transmission of toxoplasmosis. We tested the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values (positive and negative) of different serological methods for the early diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. In a prospective longitudinal study, 50 infants with suspected congenital toxoplasmosis were followed up in the ambulatory care centre of Congenital Infections at University Hospital in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, from 1 January 2004-30 September 2005. Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA), Enzyme-Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) and Immune-Fluorescent Antibody Technique (IFAT) were used to detect specific IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and a capture ELISA was used to detect specific IgA antibodies. The results showed that 28/50 infants were infected. During the neonatal period, IgM was detected in 39.3% (11/28) of those infected infants and IgA was detected in 21.4% (6/28). The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values (positive and negative) of each assay were, respectively: MEIA and ELFA: 60.9%, 100%, 100%, 55.0%; IFAT: 59.6%, 91.7%, 93.3%, 53.7%; IgA capture ELISA: 57.1%, 100%, 100%, 51.2%. The presence of specific IgM and IgA antibodies during the neonatal period was not frequent, although it was correlated with the most severe cases of congenital transmission. The results indicate that the absence of congenital disease markers (IgM and IgA) in newborns, even after confirming the absence with several techniques, does not constitute an exclusion criterion for toxoplasmosis.

Congenital toxoplasmosis: evaluation of serological methods for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgA antibodies

A study was carried out to evaluate the presence of serological markers for the immunodiagnosis of the vertical transmission of toxoplasmosis. We tested the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values (positive and negative) of different serological methods for the early diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. In a prospective longitudinal study, 50 infants with suspected congenital toxoplasmosis were followed up in the ambulatory care centre of Congenital Infections at University Hospital in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, from 1 January 2004-30 September 2005. Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA), Enzyme-Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) and Immune-Fluorescent Antibody Technique (IFAT) were used to detect specific IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and a capture ELISA was used to detect specific IgA antibodies. The results showed that 28/50 infants were infected. During the neonatal period, IgM was detected in 39.3 percent (11/28) of those infected infants and IgA was detected in 21.4 percent (6/28). The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values (positive and negative) of each assay were, respectively: MEIA and ELFA: 60.9 percent, 100 percent, 100 percent, 55.0 percent; IFAT: 59.6 percent, 91.7 percent, 93.3 percent, 53.7 percent; IgA capture ELISA: 57.1 percent, 100 percent, 100 percent, 51.2 percent. The presence of specific IgM and IgA antibodies during the neonatal period was not frequent, although it was correlated with the most severe cases of congenital transmission. The results indicate that the absence of congenital disease markers (IgM and IgA) in newborns, even after confirming the absence with several techniques, does not constitute an exclusion criterion for toxoplasmosis.

Y chromosome microdeletions in Brazilian fertility clinic patients.

Microdeletions in Yq are associated with defects in spermatogenesis, while those in the AZF region are considered critical for germ cell development. We examined microdeletions in the Y chromosomes of patients attended at the Laboratory of Human Reproduction of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Goiás as part of a screening of patients who plan to undergo assisted reproduction. Analysis was made of the AZF region of the Y chromosome in men who had altered spermograms to detect possible microdeletions in Yq. Twenty-three patients with azoospermia and 40 with severe oligozoospermia were analyzed by PCR for the detection of six sequence-tagged sites: sY84 and sY86 for AZFa, sY127 and sY134 for AZFb, and sY254 and sY255 for AZFc. Microdeletions were detected in 28 patients, including 10 azoospermics and 18 severe oligozoospermics. The patients with azoospermia had 43.4% of their microdeletions in the AZFa region, 8.6% in the AZFb region and 17.4% in the AZFc region. In the severe oligozoospermics, 40% were in the AZFa region, 5% in the AZFb region and 5% in the AZFc region. We conclude that microdeletions can be the cause of idiopathic male infertility, supporting conclusions from previous studies.

High titers of Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in Brazilian women with tubal occlusion or previous ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum chlamydia antibody titers (CATs) in tubal occlusion or previous ectopic pregnancy and the associated risk factors. METHODS: The study population consisted of 55 women wih tubal damage and 55 parous women. CAT was measured using the whole-cell inclusion immunofluorescence test and cervical chlamydial DNA detected by PCR. Odds ratios were calculated to assess variables associated with C. trachomatis infection. RESULTS: The prevalence of chlamydial antibodies and antibody titers in women with tubal occlusion or previous ectopic pregnancy was significantly higher (P < .01) than in parous women. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that chlamydia IgG antibodies were associated with tubal damage and with a larger number of lifetime sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia antibody titers were associated with tubal occlusion, prior ectopic pregnancy, and with sexual behavior, suggesting that a chlamydia infection was the major contributor to the tubal damage in these women.

Y chromosome microdeletions in Brazilian fertility clinic patients

Microdeletions in Yq are associated with defects in spermatogenesis, while those in the AZF region are considered critical for germ cell development. We examined microdeletions in the Y chromosomes of patients attended at the Laboratory of Human Reproduction of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Goiás as part of a screening of patients who plan to undergo assisted reproduction. Analysis was made of the AZF region of the Y chromosome in men who had altered spermograms to detect possible microdeletions in Yq. Twenty-three patients with azoospermia and 40 with severe oligozoospermia were analyzed by PCR for the detection of six sequence-tagged sites: sY84 and sY86 for AZFa, sY127 and sY134 for AZFb, and sY254 and sY255 for AZFc. Microdeletions were detected in 28 patients, including 10 azoospermics and 18 severe oligozoospermics. The patients with azoospermia had 43.4% of their microdeletions in the AZFa region, 8.6% in the AZFb region and 17.4% in the AZFc region. In the severe oligozoospermics, 40% were in the AZFa region, 5% in the AZFb region and 5% in the AZFc region. We conclude that microdeletions can be the cause of idiopathic male infertility, supporting conclusions from previous studies.

Seroprevalencia de Mycoplasma ssp. en mujeres con esterilidad / Serological prevalence of Mycoplasma ssp. in infertile women

Objetivo: Investigar la prevalencia serológica de Mycoplasmas genitalium, M. fermentans y M. penetrans en mujeres con esterilidad, y compararla con la de mujeres fértiles. Material y métodos: Estudiamos a 55 mujeres estériles por factor tuboperitoneal y a 55 mujeres clínicamente fértiles, evaluando la prevalencia serológica dentro de cada grupo y comparándolas. Resultados: La prevalencia, comparando grupo estéril y fértil fue, respectivamente: IgM: M. genitalium (27,27 y 30,91%; p = 0,152), M. fermentans (83,64 y 61,82%; p = 0,006), M. penetrans (38,18 y 49,09%; p = 0,079); IgA: M. genitalium (5,45 y 1,82%; p = 0,250), M. fermentans (0,00 y 12,73%; p = 0,006), M. penetrans (36,36 y 3,64%; p < 0,001), e IgG: M. genitalium (92,73 y 92,73%; p = 0,284), M. fermentans (65,45 y 40,00%; p = 0,004), M. penetrans (96,36 y 9,09%; p < 0,001). Conclusión: Para M. genitalium no hubo diferencia estadística entre ambos grupos. Las IgG están significativamente más elevadas en el grupo estéril que en el grupo fértil para M. fermentans y M. penetrans, lo que los relaciona con una mayor probabilidad etiológica o factores de riesgo de enfermedad inflamatoria pelviana y consecuentemente a esterilidad

Objectives: To investigate the serological prevalence of Mycoplasmas genitalium, M. fermentans and M. penetrans in infertile women compared with fertile women. Material and methods: We studied 55 women with infertility due to peritoneal-tubal factors and 55 fertile women. The serological prevalence in each group was evaluated and the results were compared. Results: The prevalence of IgM in the infertile and fertile groups was, respectively: M. genitalium (27.27% vs 30.91%; p = 0.152), M. fermentans (83.64% vs 61.82%; p = 0.006), M. penetrans (38.18% vs 49.09%; p = 0.079). IgA: M. genitalium (5.45% vs 1.82%; p = 0.250), M. fermentans (0.00% vs 12.73%; p = 0.006), M. penetrans (36.36% vs 3.64%; p < 0.001). IgG: M. genitalium (92.73% vs 92.73%; p = 0.284), M. fermentans (65.45% vs 40.00%; p = 0.004), M. penetrans (96.36% vs 9.09%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence of M. genitalium between the infertile and the fertile groups. IgG for M. fermentans and M. penetrans were significantly higher in the infertile group than in the fertile group, suggesting that these microorganisms could be the cause of, or risk factors for, pelvic inflammatory disease and female infertility

Results of 132 hepatectomies for living donor liver transplantation: report of one death.

AIMS: Liver transplant is the primary therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease. Its high success rates have lead to a broadening of the indications for liver transplantation, resulting in an increasing shortage of donors. Living donor liver transplantation has become an option to overcome waiting list mortality. We describe our experience with hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation and report a case of death. METHODS: Patients (n = 132) underwent hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation from June 2000 through June 2004. A 4-phase preoperative evaluation was performed on all patients, whose ages ranged from 13 to 54 years (mean = 29.7 +/- 8.1 years). Of the 132 patients, 76 patients (57.5%) underwent left lateral segmentectomy, 33 patients (25%) underwent left lobectomy, and 23 patients (16%) underwent right hepatectomy. In 2 other patients (1.5%), a monosegment (segment II) was obtained after left lateral segmentectomy. RESULTS: Twenty patients (15%) experienced a complication, the most common being incisional hernia, pneumonia, and biliary fistulae. On the seventh postoperative day, 1 patient developed a fatal cerebral hemorrhage while recovering from mild liver dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Although living donor liver transplantation is generally safe, serious and fatal complications may occur.

LEAFY and the evolution of rosette flowering in violet cress (Jonopsidium acaule, Brassicaceae).

Arabidopsis and most other Brassicaceae produce an elongated inflorescence of mainly ebracteate flowers. However, the early-flowering species violet cress (Jonopsidium acaule) and a handful of other species produce flowers singly in the axils of rosette leaves. In Arabidopsis the gene LEAFY (LFY) is implicated in both the determination of flower meristem identity and in the suppression of leaves (bracts) that would otherwise subtend the flowers. In this study we examined the role of LFY homologs in the evolution of rosette flowering in violet cress. We cloned two LFY homologs, vcLFY1 and vcLFY2, from violet cress. Their exon sequences show ∼90% nucleotide similarity with Arabidopsis LFY and 99% similarity to each other. We used in situ hybridization to study vcLFY expression in violet cress. The patterns were very similar to LFY in Arabidopsis except for stronger expression in the shoot apical meristem outside of the region of flower meristem initiation. It is possible that the relatively diffuse expression of vcLFY contributes to the lack of bract suppression in violet cress. Additionally, the earliest flowers produced by violet cress express vcLFY, suggesting that accelerated flowering in violet cress could also result from changes in the regulation of vcLFY.

Estado nutricional das crianças de 0 a 6 anos na Unidade Básica de Saúde do Jardim Uniäo da Vitória - Londrina, PR / Nutritional status of children from 0 to 6 years old in the Jardim Uniäo da Vitória, Health Basic Unit - Londrina, PR

Com o objetivo de determinar o estado nutricional das crianças de 0 a 6 anos do Jardim Uniäo da Vitória, Zona Sul de Londrina, analisou-se uma amostra de 241 crianças entre 0 a 6 anos de idade atendidas na Unidade Básica de Saúde Orlando Cestari, localizada no Jardim Uniäo da Vitória. Os dados antropométricos (peso e altura) e outros obtidos através de um questionário contendo informaçöes sobre o nível de escolaridade, renda familiar, realizaçäo de pré-natal pelas mäes, uso de drogas e tabaco na gravidez, baixo peso ao nascer, ocorrência de hospitalizaçäo por infecçäo nos últimos 12 meses, foram analisados estatisticamente pelo Teste do Qui- quadrado ou Teste Exato de Fisher. Os resultos obtidos demonstraram que 33 por cento das crianças apresentam desnutriçäo. Os fatores associados na determinaçäo da desnutriçäo da populaçäo estudada foram o baixo peso ao nascer em menores de 12 meses e maior número de hospitalizaçöes por infecçäo

Haramiyids and Triassic mammalian evolution.

Isolated teeth referred to the family Haramiyidae are among the earliest known fossil evidence of mammals. First discovered in European Late Triassic deposits a century and a half ago, haramiyids have been interpreted as related to multituberculates, a diverse and widespread lineage that occupied a rodent-like niche from the Late Jurassic to the Early Tertiary. Nonetheless, haramiyid relationships have remained enigmatic because the orientation and position of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw could not be determined with certainty; even their mammalian status has been questioned. The discovery of haramiyid dentaries, a maxilla and other skeletal remains in the Upper Triassic of East Greenland reveals haramiyids as highly specialized mammals with a novel pattern of puncture-crushing occlusion that differs dramatically from the grinding or shearing mechanisms of other Early Mesozoic mammals.

A devonian tetrapod from north america.

An early tetrapod fossil from the Upper Devonian of Pennsylvania (Catskill Formation) extends the temporal range of tetrapods in North America and suggests that they attained a virtually global equatorial distribution by the end of the Devonian. Derived features of the shoulder girdle indicate that appendicular mechanisms of support and propulsion were well developed even in the earliest phases of tetrapod history. The specialized morphology of the pectoral skeleton implies that the diversity of early tetrapods was great and is suggestive of innovative locomotor patterns in the first tetrapods.