Abietane Diterpenes from Medusantha martiusii and Their Anti-Neuroinflammatory Activity.

Seven new abietane diterpenoids, comprising medusanthol A-G (1-3, 5, 7-9) and two previously identified analogs (4 and 6), were isolated from the hexane extract of the aerial parts of Medusantha martiusii. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by HRESIMS, 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic data, IR spectroscopy, NMR calculations with DP4+ probability analysis, and ECD calculations. The anti-neuroinflammatory potential of compounds 1-7 was evaluated by determining their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in BV2 microglia stimulated with LPS and IFN-γ. Compounds 1-4 and 7 exhibited decreased NO levels at a concentration of 12.5 µM. Compound 1 demonstrated strong activity with an IC50 of 3.12 µM, and compound 2 had an IC50 of 15.53 µM; both compounds effectively reduced NO levels compared to the positive control quercetin (IC50 11.8 µM). Additionally, both compounds significantly decreased TNF-α levels, indicating their potential as promising anti-neuroinflammatory agents.

In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of a New Chromone Derivative against Candida spp.

Candida species are frequently implicated in the development of both superficial and invasive fungal infections, which can impact vital organs. In the quest for novel strategies to combat fungal infections, there has been growing interest in exploring synthetic and semi-synthetic products, particularly chromone derivatives, renowned for their antimicrobial properties. In the analysis of the antifungal activity of the compound (E)-benzylidene-chroman-4-one against Candida, in silico and laboratory tests were performed to predict possible mechanisms of action pathways, and in vitro tests were performed to determine antifungal activity (MIC and MFC), to verify potential modes of action on the fungal cell membrane and wall, and to assess cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes. The tested compound exhibited predicted affinity for all fungal targets, with the highest predicted affinity observed for thymidylate synthase (-102.589 kJ/mol). MIC and CFM values ranged from 264.52 µM (62.5 µg/mL) to 4232.44 µM (1000 µg/mL). The antifungal effect likely occurs due to the action of the compound on the plasma membrane. Therefore, (E)-benzylidene-chroman-4-one showed fungicidal-like activity against Candida spp., possibly targeting the plasma membrane.

Chemical Composition, In Vitro Antitumor Effect, and Toxicity in Zebrafish of the Essential Oil from Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist (Asteraceae).

The essential oil from Conyza bonariensis (Asteraceae) aerial parts (CBEO) was extracted by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antitumor potential was evaluated against human tumor cell lines (melanoma, cervical, colorectal, and leukemias), as well as non-tumor keratinocyte lines using the MTT assay. The effect of CBEO on the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was evaluated by DCFH-DA assay, and a protection assay using the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was also performed. Moreover, the CBEO toxicity in the zebrafish model was assessed. The majority of the CBEO compound was (Z)-2-lachnophyllum ester (57.24%). The CBEO exhibited selectivity towards SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 18.65 ± 1.16 µg/mL), and induced a significant increase in ROS production. In addition, the CBEO's cytotoxicity against SK-MEL-28 cells was reduced after pretreatment with NAC. Furthermore, after 96 h of exposure, 1.5 µg/mL CBEO induced death of all zebrafish embryos. Non-lethal effects were observed after exposure to 0.50-1.25 µg/mL CBEO. Additionally, significant alterations in the activity of enzymes associated with oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae were observed. These results provide evidence that CBEO has a significant in vitro antimelanoma effect by increasing ROS production and moderate embryotoxicity in zebrafish.

Quality of Life and Satisfaction in Patients Above and Under 65 Years Old Submitted to Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Objective To compare the level of quality of life and satisfaction after two years of total knee arthroplasties between individuals above and below 65 years of age and to identify predictor factors of poor clinical outcome and low level of satisfaction in patients undergoing arthroplasty. Methods This is a retrospective cohort with data from patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis submitted to primary total knee arthroplasty from 2014 to 2018 ( n = 190). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the following scores: visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, EQ-5D-3L and EUROQOL-VAS (quality of life scales), patient satisfaction level, and functional scale of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), collected through a questionnaire applied preoperatively, as well as 1, 3, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Results Patients < 65 years old presented significantly lower values (clinical worsening) in KOOS-pain and KOOS-symptoms. There are no differences in the principal clinical scores that assess pain, function, and quality of life after the procedure, as well as in the rate of satisfaction with the procedure, among patients < 65 years old when compared with patients ≥ 65 years old. It was also observed that patients who were not satisfied with the procedure in the 24-month evaluation presented clinical results in some analyzed scores (KOOS-pain and EQ-VAS) similar to patients who declared themselves satisfied. Conclusion Scores that assess pain, function, quality of life, as well as satisfaction rate are similar between patients < 65 years old and those ≥ 65 years old.

Quality of Life and Satisfaction in Patients Above and Under 65 Years Old Submitted to Total Knee Arthroplasty / Qualidade de vida e satisfação de pacientes com idade superior ou inferior a 65 anos submetidos a artroplastia total de joelho

Abstract Objective To compare the level of quality of life and satisfaction after two years of total knee arthroplasties between individuals above and below 65 years of age and to identify predictor factors of poor clinical outcome and low level of satisfaction in patients undergoing arthroplasty. Methods This is a retrospective cohort with data from patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis submitted to primary total knee arthroplasty from 2014 to 2018 (n= 190). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the following scores: visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, EQ-5D-3L and EUROQOL-VAS (quality of life scales), patient satisfaction level, and functional scale of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), collected through a questionnaire applied preoperatively, as well as 1, 3, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Results Patients < 65 years old presented significantly lower values (clinical worsening) in KOOS-pain and KOOS-symptoms. There are no differences in the principal clinical scores that assess pain, function, and quality of life after the procedure, as well as in the rate of satisfaction with the procedure, among patients < 65 years old when compared with patients ≥ 65 years old. It was also observed that patients who were not satisfied with the procedure in the 24-month evaluation presented clinical results in some analyzed scores (KOOS-pain and EQ-VAS) similar to patients who declared themselves satisfied. Conclusion Scores that assess pain, function, quality of life, as well as satisfaction rate are similar between patients < 65 years old and those ≥ 65 years old.

Resumo Objetivo Comparar a qualidade de vida e satisfação 2 anos após a artroplastia total de joelho em indivíduos com idade ≥ e < 65 anos e identificar fatores preditivos de pior evolução clínica e baixo nível de satisfação nestes pacientes. Métodos Trata-se de uma coorte retrospectiva de dados de pacientes com diagnóstico de osteoartrite de joelho submetidos a artroplastia total primária de joelho entre 2014 e 2018 (n= 190). Os resultados clínicos foram avaliados de acordo com os seguintes escores: escala visual analógica (EVA) de dor, EQ-5D-3L e EUROQOL-VAS (escalas de qualidade de vida), nível de satisfação do paciente e escala funcional do Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS, na sigla em inglês). Estes dados foram coletados por meio de questionário aplicado no período pré-operatório e 1, 3, 12 e 24 meses após a cirurgia. Resultados Os pacientes < 65 anos apresentaram valores significativamente menores (piora clínica) nas escalas KOOS-dor e KOOS-sintomas. Não houve diferenças nas principais pontuações clínicas de dor, função e qualidade de vida após o procedimento, nem no índice de satisfação com a cirurgia, entre pacientes < 65 anos em comparação com aqueles ≥ 65 anos. Observamos também que os pacientes não satisfeitos com o procedimento à avaliação de 24 meses apresentaram resultados clínicos em alguns escores analisados (KOOS-dor e EQ-VAS) semelhantes aos dos pacientes que se declararam satisfeitos. Conclusão Os escores que avaliam dor, função, qualidade de vida e índice de satisfação são semelhantes entre os pacientes < 65 anos e aqueles ≥ 65 anos.

Os Efeitos da mídia sobre o suicídio: uma análise empírica para os estados brasileiros / The effects of media on suicide: an empirical analysis for the Brazilian states

"Utilizando dados para os 27 estados brasileiros, no período 1980-2009, observa-se que o índice de mídia (Midia) é o terceiro motivador do suicídio, depois de desemprego e violência, para todos os grupos de pessoas. Discute os aspectos metodológicos e apresenta os resultados econométricos."

Atheroembolic renal disease with rapid progression and fatal outcome.

Atheroembolic renal disease is caused by foreign-body reaction to cholesterol crystals flushed from the atherosclerotic plaques into the small-vessel system of the kidneys. It is an underdiagnosed entity, mostly related to vascular procedures and/or anticoagulation, and prognosis is considered to be poor. Besides the benefit of aggressive medical prevention of further embolic events, use of steroid therapy has been associated with greater survival. Here we report a case of a patient with a multisystemic presentation of the disease days after performance of percutaneous coronary intervention and anticoagulation initiation due to an episode of myocardial infarction. Renal, cutaneous, ophthalmic, neurological, and possibly muscular and mesenteric involvement was diagnosed. Although medical treatment with corticosteroids and avoidance of further anticoagulation was applied, the patient rapidly progressed to end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis and died 6 months after diagnosis. This is a case of catastrophic progression of the disease resistant to therapeutic measures. Focus on diagnosis and more efficient preventive and therapeutic protocols are therefore needed.

Funçäo absortiva da mucosa do intestino delgado de esquistossomóticos hépato-esplênicos, antes e após esplenectomia associada à ligadura de varizes esofagianas / Absorptive function of the small bowel mucosa in patients with hepatosplenic shistosomiasis before and after splenectom associated with ligature of the e sopageal varices

Foram avaliados aspectos da funçao absortiva do intestino delgado de 22 pacientes com a forma hépato-esplênica da esquistossomose mansônica com hipertensäo portal, previamente à esplenectomia associada à ligadura de varizes esofagianas, e oitenta dias, em média, após a cirurgia. A análise dos dados clínicos e laboratóriais näo evidenciou alteraçöes importantes. Houve reduçäo da pressäo portal de 30 por cento, em média, após a retirada do baço. As alteraçöes funcionais intestinais, verificadas na primeira fase de investigaçäo, avaliadas pela prova de D-xylose, balanço de gordura fecal e dosagem do nitrogênio fecal, näo foram modificadas após a diminuiçäo da pressäo portal. O estudo estatístico mostrou tendência para valores menores ou iguais, para as três provas, após a cirurgia. Esse fato leva a supor que as alteraçöes na pressäo portal näo tem repercussäo na absorçäo, pelo menos a ponto de serem detectadas pelas provas de funçäo intestinal utilizadas

Níveis plasmáticos do fenobarbital em crianças convulsivas

Verificou-se a obediência `a prescriçäo médica, através da dosagem do fenobarbital plasmático, em 70 crianças que, segundo a informaçäo dos genitores, vinham usando regularmente esse medicamento. Em apenas 32,8% dos casos, o nível sérico do fenobarbital estava nos limites terapêuticos