p-Coumaric acid loaded into liquid crystalline systems as a novel strategy to the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an extremely common type of vaginal infection, which is mainly caused by Candida albicans. However, non-albicans Candida species are frequently more resistant to conventional antifungal agents and can represent up to 30% of cases. Due to side effects and increasing antifungal resistance presented by standard therapies, phenolic compounds, such as p-coumaric acid (p-CA), have been studied as molecules from natural sources with potential antifungal activity. p-CA is a poorly water-soluble compound, thus loading it into liquid crystals (LCs) may increase its solubility and effectiveness on the vaginal mucosa. Thereby, here we propose the development of mucoadhesive liquid crystalline systems with controlled release of p-CA, for the local treatment of VVC. Developed LCs consisted of fixed oily and aqueous phases (oleic acid and cholesterol (5:1) and poloxamer dispersion 16%, respectively), changing only the surfactant phase components (triethanolamine oleate (TEA-Oleate) or triethanolamine (TEA), the latter producing TEA-Oleate molecules when mixed with oleic acid). Systems were also diluted in artificial vaginal mucus (1:1 ratio) to mimic the vaginal environment and verify possible structural changes on formulations upon exposure to the mucosa. From the characterization assays, p-CA loaded TEA-Oleate systems presented mucoadhesive profile, liquid crystalline mesophases, well-organized structures and pseudoplastic behaviour, which are desirable parameters for topical formulations. Moreover, they were able to control the release of p-CA throughout the 12 h assay, as well as decrease its permeation into the vaginal mucosa. p-CA showed antifungal activity in vitro against reference strains of C. albicans (SC5314), C. glabrata (ATCC 2001) and C. krusei (ATCC 6258), and exhibited higher eradication of mature biofilms than amphotericin B and fluconazole. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the formulations reduced the presence of filamentous forms in the vaginal lavages and provided an improvement in swelling and redness present in the mice vaginal regions. Altogether, here we demonstrated the potential and feasibility of using p-CA loaded liquid crystalline systems as a mucoadhesive drug delivery system for topical treatment of VVC.

Low doses of eriocitrin attenuate metabolic impairment of glucose and lipids in ongoing obesogenic diet in mice.

Eriocitrin is a citrus flavonoid with a high capacity to reduce the oxidative stress related to metabolic disorders and obesity. We assessed the effects of low doses of eriocitrin on the oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism of glucose and lipids of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Fifty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into five groups (n 10). The mice were fed an HFD (45 % kcal from fat, i.e. lard) for 4 weeks for obesity induction. After this period, the mice continued receiving the same HFD, but supplemented with eriocitrin at 10, 25 or 100 mg/kg body weight (bw) for an additional 4 weeks. Control groups were fed with standard diet (10 % kcal of fat, i.e. soy oil) or with HFD without eriocitrin, for eight consecutive weeks. At the end of the study, mice supplemented with eriocitrin showed lower levels of blood serum glucose and blood and liver triacylglycerols (P < 0⋅05). There was also improved levels of insulin, HOMA-IR, total-cholesterol, resistin and lipid peroxidation in the supplemented mice. It was concluded that the 25 mg dose of eriocitrin improved all the parameters studied and had positive effects on oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and metabolism of lipids and glucose in general.

Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine in the cartilage and subchondral bone repair of dogs - Histological findings / Sulfato de condroitina e glucosamina na reparação da cartilagem e do osso subcondral de cães - Achados histológicos

Chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate nutraceuticals are commonly used in the management of degenerative articular disease in veterinary routine. However, there are controversies on the contribution of these substances to articular cartilage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate-based veterinary nutraceutical on the repair of an induced osteochondral defect in a dog femoral condyle, by macroscopic, histological and histomorphometric analyses. The nutraceutical was orally administered the day following injury induction, every 24 hours (treated group, TG, n=24), compared with animals that did not receive the product (control group, CG, n=24). Six animals per group were anaesthetized for sample collection at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery. At 15 days, defects were macroscopically filled with red-pinkish tissue. After 30 days, whitish color tissue was observed, both in TG and CG animals, with firmer consistency to touch at 60 and 90 postoperative days. Histological analysis demonstrated that, in both groups, there was initial blood clot formation, which was subsequently substituted by a fibrin net, with capillary proliferation from the adjacent bone marrow and infiltration of mesenchymal cells in clot periphery. As cellular differentiation developed, repair tissue presented a fibrocartilage aspect most of the time, and new subchondral bone formation occurred in the deepest area corresponding to the defect. Histomorphometry suggested that the nutraceutical did not favor the articular cartilage repair process. It was concluded that nutraceutical did not significantly influence chondrocytes proliferation or hyaline architecture restoration.(AU)

Os nutracêuticos compostos de sulfato de condroitina e glucosamina são comumente utilizados no manejo da doença articular degenerativa na rotina veterinária. Entretanto, existem controvérsias sobre a contribuição dessas substâncias à cartilagem articular. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de um nutracêutico veterinário à base de sulfato de condroitina e glucosamina na reparação de defeitos osteocondrais induzidos no côndilo femoral de cães, através de análises macroscópica, histológica e histomorfométrica. O nutracêutico foi administrado no dia seguinte à indução da lesão, pela via oral, a cada 24 horas (grupo tratado - GT, 24 animais), sendo comparado a animais que não receberam o produto (grupo controle - GC, de igual número de animais). Aos 15, 30, 60 e 90 dias após a cirurgia, seis animais por grupo foram anestesiados para ser realizada a coleta das amostras. Aos 15 dias, os defeitos eram macroscopicamente preenchidos por tecido de coloração rósea a avermelhada. Já a partir dos 30 dias, observou-se preenchimento por tecido de coloração esbranquiçada, tanto nos animais do GT quanto nos do GC, com consistência mais firme ao toque digital aos 60 e 90 dias de pós-operatório. A análise histológica revelou que, em ambos os grupos, houve inicialmente formação de coágulo sanguíneo que, posteriormente, foi substituído por uma rede de fibrina, com proliferação de capilares a partir da medula óssea adjacente e infiltração de células mesenquimais na periferia do coágulo. À medida que se processou a diferenciação celular, o tecido de reparação se apresentou na maioria das vezes com aspecto de fibrocartilagem e, na região mais profunda da área correspondente ao defeito, ocorreu formação de osso novo subcondral. A histomorfometria sugeriu que o nutracêutico não favoreceu o processo de reparação da cartilagem articular. Concluiu-se que o nutracêutico não influenciou consideravelmente na proliferação de condrócitos nem na restauração da arquitetura hialina.(AU)

Development and evaluation of a novel subunit vaccine for Mycoplasma gallisepticum / Desenvolvimento e avaliação de uma nova vacina para Mycoplasma gallisepticum

Adhesion proteins from Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) encoded by cytadhesion genes mgc1 and mgc2 were cloned into plasmid vectors and transformed into E. coli. Seventeen groups of specific-pathogen free (SPF), birds at four weeks of age were used to inoculate these two proteins (MGC1 and MGC2) mixed into an oil emulsion creating a novel MG vaccine. Six different protein concentrations (50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1000µg/bird) were tested with two equal concentration doses at four and seven weeks of age. In addition, many control groups were needed such as bacterin, membrane, no vaccine or challenge, oil emulsion alone, and no vaccine but challenged. Three weeks following the second vaccination, 50% of the birds in each treatment group were challenged with MG strain S6. The remaining birds were left as contacts to verify protection against horizontal transmission. All birds were bled before vaccinations, challenge and euthanasia. Birds were negative for MG at the first vaccination, as shown by serum plate agglutination test. At necropsy, tissue samples (trachea, lungs, and air sacs) were collected for histopathological examination. Swabs from trachea were used for PCR analysis. ELISA results showed a strong immune response to both protein preparations and almost the same response level for different doses tested, proving the immunogenic features of MGC1 and MGC2. However, humoral responses failed to prevent MG infection and disease when challenged as demonstrated by PCR and histopathology. MGC1 contact birds showed some degree of infection by PCR analysis. In addition, histopathological and ELISA results suggest that contact birds did not have enough time to develop lesions and to mount an immune response.

Os genes mgc1 e mgc2, codificadores de duas proteínas de adesão (MGC1 e MGC2) da bactéria Mycoplasma gallisepticum, foram clonados em E. coli. Dezessete grupos de aves livres de patógenos específicos (SPF), com quatro semanas de idade, foram inoculados com uma emulsão oleosa contendo as proteínas MGC1 e MGC2 purificadas. Seis concentrações (50, 100, 200, 400, 800, e 1000µg/ave) foram testadas com duas doses idênticas, às quatro e sete semanas de vida, respectivamente. Além disso, grupos controles foram avaliados com uma vacina comercial contra micoplasmose aviária, membrana de MG, grupo sem vacina/sem desafio, grupo vacina oleosa de MGC1 sem desafio, grupo com vacina oleosa de MGC2 sem desafio, grupo desafiado mas sem vacina. Três semanas após a segunda e a última vacinação, 50% dos animais dos grupos tratamentos foram desafiados com a cepa S6 de MG. O restante dos animais foi deixado como contato para averiguar proteção contra a transmissão horizontal da doença. Amostras de sangue de todas as aves foram coletadas antes das vacinações, do desafio e da eutanásia. As aves eram negativas para MG às quatro semanas de vida, conforme visto na aglutinação em placa. Na necropsia, tecidos (traqueia, pulmão e sacos aéreos) foram coletados para exame histopatológico. Suabes da traqueia foram utilizados para a PCR. Os resultados do ELISA demonstraram forte resposta imune contra as duas proteínas testadas e resposta similar independentemente do número de doses, provando a sua capacidade imunogênica. Porém, esta resposta humoral gerada foi incapaz de prevenir a infecção e a doença após desafio, conforme demonstrado pelos exames PCR e histopatológico. Aves-contato, inoculadas com MGC1, demonstraram estar infectadas nas análises de PCR. Além disso, os resultados do histopatológico e ELISA sugerem que os animais-contato não tiveram tempo suficiente para demonstrar lesões ou resposta imune.

Moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritidae), seus parasitoides e hospedeiros em Viçosa, zona da mata mineira / Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae), their parasitoids and hosts in Viçosa, a forest zone in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Este trabalho apresenta a diversidade de espécies de tefritídeos, seus parasitoides e hospedeiros em Viçosa-MG, localizada na Zona da Mata Mineira. Armadilhas tipo McPhail, contendo proteína hidrolisada, foram instaladas em pomares com espécies diversificadas e em uma reserva natural, remanescente da Mata Atlântica. Além disso foram feitas coletas periódicas de frutos cultivados na região. Foram obtidas 16 espécies de tefritídeos: Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Anastrepha bezzi Lima, A. bistrigata Bezzi, A. dissimilis Stone, A. distincta Greene, A. fraterculus (Wiedemann), A. furcata Lima, A. grandis (Macquart), A. manihoti Lima, A. minensis Lima, A. montei Lima, A. obliqua (Macquart), A. pseudoparallela (Loew), A. pickeli Lima, A. serpentina (Wiedemann) e A. sororcula Zucchi. Destas, apenas C. capitata, A. fraterculus e A. sororcula tinham sido constatadas em Viçosa. A. furcata é registrada pela primeira vez em Minas Gerais. Das 15 espécies frutíferas de seis famílias botânicas amostradas, obtiveram-se C. capitata, A. fraterculus, A. obliqua e A. sororcula e os parasitóides Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Opius bellus Gahan e Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) (Braconidae) e Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) (Figitidae), além de quatro espécimes da família Pteromalidae, tratando-se de registros inéditos de parasitóides em Viçosa e de O. bellus em Minas Gerais.

This paper presents the species diversity of fruit flies (Tephritidae), their parasitoids and hosts in the county of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State. Brazil. McPhail traps containing hydrolyzed protein were hung in three areas with several crop species, and in a natural reserve of the Atlantic Rain Forest. Ripe fruits on plants and fallen fruits were collected to obtain fruit fly and parasitoid adults. Sixteen fruit fly species were captured: Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Anastrepha bezzi Lima, A. bistrigata Bezzi, A. dissimilis Stone, A. distincta Greene, A. fraterculus (Wiedemann), A. furcata Lima, A. grandis (Macquart), A. manihoti Lima, A. minensis Lima, A. montei Lima, A. obliqua (Macquart), A. pseudoparallela (Loew), A. pickeli Lima, A. serpentina (Wiedemann) and A. sororcula Zucchi. A. furcata is reported for the first time in Minas Gerais state. Furthermore, the parasitoids Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Opius bellus Gahan, Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) (Braconidae) and Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) (Figitidae) were obtained, along with 4 specimens of Pteromalidae. This is the first report of these parasitoids in the region of Viçosa, and of O. bellus in Minas Gerais State.

Disturbios hidreletroliticos agudos em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Casuistica e protocolo terapeutico. / Acute water-electrolyte disorders in Intensive Care Unit. Case study and therapeutic record

Os autores apresentam a casuistica e o protocolo terapeutico adotado na UTI do Pronto-Socorro Infantil Sabara, frente aos disturbios hidreletroliticos agudos. Sao ressaltados os passos fundamentais da correcao desses disturbios e a importancia da utilizacao correta do protocolo terapeutico

Hipernatremia em terapia intensiva. / Hypernatremia in intensive therapy

Os autores apresentam a conduta terapeutica adotada na UTI do pronto-socorro infantil Sabara frente as criancas que apresentem desidratacao hipermatremica consequente balanco negativo de Na e agua.Os resultados sao comentados a luz dos trabalhos classicos da literatura

Cholera in Portugal, 1974.I. Modes of transmission.

In April-November 1974, Portugal had a cholera epidemic caused by Vibrio cholerae El Tor Inaba with 2467 bacteriologically confirmed hospitalized cases and 48 deaths. Most of the country was affected, with 17 of the 18 districts reporting cases. V. cholerae was isolated from 42 per cent of shellfish tested during the epidemic, and an epidemiologic study found that a history of consumption of raw or poorly cooked cockles was significantly more common among cholera patients than among paired controls. Water from a spring and a brand of commercially bottled water were also found to be vehicles of transmission of cholera. Although night soil was sometimes used on gardens, consumption of raw fruits and vegetables was not associated with illness.