Identification of compounds from Palicourea rigida leaves with topical anti-inflammatory potential using experimental models.

Palicourea rigida Kunth is traditionally used for the treatment of skin diseases, kidney pains and ovarian inflammation. Based on these traditional uses, this study evaluated the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract from P. rigida leaves (EEPR) and identified bioactive compounds. Ear edema was induced in Swiss mice by the topical application of Croton oil, arachidonic acid, phenol and capsaicin. Histopathological analysis and myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase activities were determined. EEPR was characterized by UHPLC-UV-MS HPLC and the isolated compound was identified through 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and mass fragmentation. Interaction profiles between quercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside and cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 were established by molecular docking. EEPR significantly inhibited ear edema induced by Croton oil (p < 0.001), arachidonic acid (p < 0.01), phenol (p < 0.001) and capsaicin (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001). Histopathological analysis showed a reduction of edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and vasodilation. Additionally, the myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase activities were decreased (p < 0.001). From spectroscopic data, quercetin 3-O-ß-D-glucoside was the identified compound. This compound can to interact with cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 through van der Waals interactions and dipole-dipole and hydrogen bonding's, demonstrating inhibition of these enzymes. The results indicate that EEPR is a source of active compounds with topical anti-inflammatory activity, justifying the traditional use of P. rigida and showing that this species has a therapeutic potential to treat skin inflammatory processes.

Validation of a liquid chromatography ultraviolet method for determination of herbicide diuron and its metabolites in soil samples.

Diuron is one of the most widely herbicide used worldwide, which can undergo degradation producing three primary metabolites: 3,4-dichlorophenylurea, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylurea, and 3,4-dichloroaniline. Since the persistence of diuron and its by-products in ecosystems involves risk of toxicity to environment and human health, a reliable quantitative method for simultaneous monitoring of these compounds is required. Hence, a simple method without preconcentration step was validated for quantitation of diuron and its main metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Separation was achieved in less than 11 minutes using a C18 column, mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and water (45:55 v/v) at 0.86 mL min-1 and detection at 254 nm. The validated method using solid-liquid extraction followed by an isocratic chromatographic elution proved to be specific, precise and linear (R2 ˃ 0.99), presenting more than 90% of recovery. The method was successfully applied to quantify diuron and their by-products in soil samples collected in a sugarcane cultivation area, focusing on the environmental control.

The fetal profile line: a proposal for a sonographic reference line to classify forehead and mandible anomalies in the second and third trimester.

OBJECTIVES: To test the fetal profile (FP) line, defined as the line that passes through the anterior border of the mandible and the nasion, as a reference line for forehead and mandible anomalies. METHODS: Volumes of 248 normal and 24 pathological fetuses (16-36 and 19-37 weeks' gestation, respectively) were analysed retrospectively. When the FP line passes anteriorly, across or posteriorly to the frontal bone, this was defined as 'negative', 'zero' or 'positive', respectively. When the FP line was positive the distance (F distance) between the FP line and the frontal bone was measured. RESULTS: No cases with a negative FP line were found in the normal fetuses. Before 27 weeks' gestation the FP line was always 'zero' except in one case. After 27 weeks' gestation the FP line was 'positive' in up to 25% (F distance (mean, range): 2.8, 2.1-3.6 mm). The FP line correctly identified 13 cases with retrognathia, 5 cases with frontal bossing and 3 cases with a sloping forehead. CONCLUSION: Although large prospective studies are needed, the FP line may be a useful tool to detect second trimester profile anomalies such as retrognathia, sloping forehead and frontal bossing with the possibility of quantifying the latter.

Salmonella pathogenicity island 2-dependent evasion of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase.

A type III protein secretion system encoded by Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI2) has been found to be required for virulence and survival within macrophages. Here, SPI2 was shown to allow Salmonella typhimurium to avoid NADPH oxidase-dependent killing by macrophages. The ability of SPI2-mutant bacteria to survive in macrophages and to cause lethal infection in mice was restored by abrogation of the NADPH oxidase-dependent respiratory burst. Ultrastructural and immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated efficient localization of the NADPH oxidase in the proximity of vacuoles containing SPI2-mutant but not wild-type bacteria, suggesting that SPI2 interferes with trafficking of oxidase-containing vesicles to the phagosome.