Antifungal activity of terpenes isolated from the Brazilian Caatinga: a review.

Terpenoids, also named terpenes or isoprenoids, are a family of natural products found in all living organisms. Many plants produce terpenoids as secondary metabolites, and these make up a large part of essential oils. One of most important characteristic is that the compounds are volatile, have odor and can be used in a variety of applications in different industrial segments and traditional medicine. Brazil has a rich and diverse flora that can be used as a source of research for obtaining new molecules. Within the Brazilian flora, it is worth mentioning the Caatinga as an exclusively Brazilian biome where plants adapt to a specific series of weather conditions and therefore become a great storehouse of the terpenoid compounds to be described herein. Fungal infections have become increasingly common, and a great demand for new agents with low toxicity and side effects has thus emerged. Scientists must search for new molecules exhibiting antifungal activity to develop new drugs. This review aims to analyze scientific data from the principal published studies describing the use of terpenes and their biological applications as antifungals.

Avaliação morfológica de plantas jovens de Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. desenvolvidas em diferentes temperaturas / Morphlogical evaluation of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. saplings grown in different temperatures

O principal objetivo da pesquisa foi a avaliação de aspectos da anatomia foliar, da morfologia dos órgãos vegetativos, bem como a produção de biomassa em plantas jovens de Copaifera langsdorffii desenvolvidas sob diferentes temperaturas. Foram coletadas sementes e colocadas para germinar em câmara BOD a 30ºC. Após trinta dias as plântulas, com o primeiro par de folhas completamente expandidas, foram transplantadas para copos contendo plantimax®, e aclimatizadas durante quinze dias em casa de vegetação, quando foram transferidas para BODs com temperaturas T1-15ºC, T2-25ºC, T3-35ºC, e a testemunha (T) que permaneceu em casa de vegetação (29ºC). O experimento foi conduzido por um período de 120 dias. Foram observadas diferenças significativas no tamanho e frequência dos estômatos, nas dimensões das cavidades secretoras de óleo, na espessura do mesofilo, nos aspectos morfológicos externos, e na produção de biomassa. A produção de mudas sob temperatura de 25ºC foi apropriada, sendo a condição onde as plantas tornaram-se mais vigorosas, com morfologia mais uniforme nos órgãos vegetativos e houve maior produção de biomassa seca.

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate aspects of leaf anatomy, morphology of vegetative organs and biomass production in Copaifera langsdorffii saplings developed under heat shock treatment. Seeds were collected and germinated in BOD chamber at 30 ºC. After thirty days, the seedlings with the first pair of fully expanded leaves were transplanted into cups containing Plantimax®, acclimatized for two weeks in a greenhouse and transferred to growth chamber with the temperatures T1-15 ºC, T2-25 ºC, T3- 35 ºC, and the control (T) remained in a greenhouse (29 ºC). The experiment was conducted over a period of 120 days. Significant differences were observed in size and frequency of stomata, size of the oil secretory cavities, thickness of the mesophyll in the external morphology and biomass production. The production of seedlings at 25 ºC is suitable, a condition in which the plants become more vigorous with a more uniform morphology in the vegetative organs and higher production of biomass.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the leaves and flowers of Aloysia gratissima / Composição química e atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de folhas e flores de Aloysia gratissima

Volatile oils from leaves and flowers of Aloysia gratissima were investigated for their chemical composition and antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Bacilus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae and the Candida albicans yeast. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the oils were determined by the micro-dilution method, while the chemical composition was determined by GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry). The fresh leaves and inflorescence were subjected to hydrodistillation for 120 min using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the essential oil was tested against microorganisms. High concentrations of sesquiterpenes were observed for the inflorescence, and monoterpenes were observed for the leaves. The main compounds of the inflorescence essential oil were E-caryophyllene, germacrene B, guaiol and bulnesol, while in the leaves the main compounds were trans-pinocamphone, trans-pinocarveyl acetate, and guaiol. The essential oil from the leaves showed an effect against P. aeruginosa and S. pneumonia, and the essential oil of the inflorescence showed an effect against P. aeruginosa, S. pneumonia, and Candida albicans.

O óleo essencial de folhas e de flores de Aloysia gratissima foi avaliado quanto à composição química e ação antimicrobiana contra as bactérias Bacilus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, e a levedura Candida albicans. A concentração mínima inibitória (MIC) dos óleos essenciais foi determinada pelo método da microdiluição e a composição química determinada por CG-EM (Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada a Espectrômetro de Massas). Folhas e inflorescências frescas foram hidrodestiladas por 120 minutos em aparelho Clevenger sendo o óleo essencial testado contra microorganismos. Para as flores foi observada maior concentração de sesquiterpenos, enquanto que as folhas apresentaram maior concentração de monoterpenos. Os principais constituintes do óleo essencial da flor foram: E-cariofileno, germacreno B, guaiol e bulnesol; e das folhas foram: trans-pinocamfona, acetato de trans-pinocarveol e guaiol. O óleo essencial da folha mostrou atividade contra P. aeruginosa e S. pneumoniae, e o óleo essencial da flor mostrou atividade contra P. aeruginosa, S. pneumoniae e Candida albicans.

Efeito do BAP no cultivo in vitro de Ocimum selloi Benth / Effect of BAP on in vitro culture of Ocimum selloi Benth

Visando promover a proliferação de brotações em segmentos apicais e nodais de Ocimum selloi em diferentes concentrações de BAP, plantas jovens de 60 dias serviram de doadoras de segmentos apicais e nodais. Os segmentos foram inoculados em meio MS preparado com a metade da concentração dos sais, e acrescido de 1,5% de sacarose e diferentes concentrações de BAP. O experimento foi conduzido no delineamento fatorial, 3 x 4, sendo 3 as posições dos segmentos de O. selloi (segmento apical, primeiro e segundo segmentos nodais) e 4 concentrações de BAP (0 - controle; 2; 4 e 6 mg L-1). Aos 30 dias, foram avaliados o número, comprimento e biomassa fresca e seca de brotos e raízes. Os primeiros e segundos segmentos apresentaram melhores resultados na indução de brotos de O. selloi, 7 e 8 brotos/explante, nas diferentes concentrações de BAP; porém, não houve formação de raízes na presença da citocinina. Nas condições testadas, recomenda-se o uso do primeiro e segundo segmento nodal suplementando o meio de cultivo com BAP para a proliferação in vitro de brotações de O. selloi.

The present study was undertaken to develop the proliferation of sprouts in apical and nodal segments of Ocimum selloi with different BAP levels. Young plants aged 60 days were used as donors of nodal and apical segments. The segments were inoculated in MS medium at half the concentration of salts supplemented with 1.5% of sucrose and different BAP levels. The experiment was in 3 x 4 factorial arrangement, 3 positions of O. selloi segments (apical segment; first and second nodal segment) and 3 BAP levels (0 - control; 2; 4 and 6 mg L-1). After 30 days, the number, the length, and the fresh and dry biomass of sprouts and roots were evaluated. The first and the second segments showed better results in inducing O. selloi sprouts, 7 and 8 sprouts/explant, at the different BAP levels, but there was not root formation in the presence of the cytokinin. Under the tested conditions, use of the first and the second nodal segments is recommended in addition to supplementing the culture medium with BAP for in vitro proliferation of O. selloi sprouts.

Adaptações fisiológicas e anatômicas de melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) cultivadas sob malhas termorrefletoras em diferentes intensidades luminosas / Physiological and morphological adaptations of melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) cultivated under thermo-reflector shading nets at different luminous intensities

Objetivou-se, com a realização da pesquisa, avaliar modificações fisiológicas e anatômicas em plantas de melissa, cultivadas sob malhas termorrefletoras (Aluminet®), em diferentes níveis de sombreamento, visando conhecer a plasticidade fenotípica em resposta de adaptação a diferentes quantidades de luz. Os tratamentos foram caracterizados por plantas submetidas a pleno sol e a 20 e 60 por cento de intensidade luminosa, e arranjados conforme o delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC). As quantificações de clorofila foram feitas em quatro repetições, as medições das epidermes e parênquimas foram repetidas 15 vezes e utilizou-se 10 repetições para as avaliações das características de cloroplastos e grãos de amido destes. Plantas submetidas a 20 por cento de intensidade luminosa apresentaram maior quantidade de clorofila a e, portanto, maior razão clorofila a/b. Comparativamente, as folhas de melissa a pleno sol e a 60 por cento de luz apresentaram células da epiderme adaxial mais espessas, mas as células da epiderme abaxial mostraram características encontradas em folhas de sombra, ou seja, mais finas. Quanto maior a intensidade luminosa, maior o número de cloroplastos, porém, a pleno sol mostraram-se mais finos e com menor área. Os grãos de amido de plantas cultivadas sob ambientes sombreados tiveram maior área e ocuparam maior parte nos cloroplastos de plantas a 60 por cento de intensidade luminosa. Assim, plantas de melissa, quando submetidas ao sombreamento, tiveram plasticidade fenotípica.

The aim of this study was to evaluate physiological and anatomical modifications in lemon balm plants, cultivated under thermo-reflector nets (Aluminet®) at different levels of shading, in order to understand the phenotypic plasticity in adaptation response to different light quantities. The treatments were characterized by plants subjected to full sun and 20 and 60 percent of luminous intensity, and arranged in completely randomized design (CRD). The quantifications of chlorophylls were done in four replicates, the measurements of epidermis and parenchymas were repeated 15 times and 10 replicates were used to evaluate characteristics of chloroplasts and their starch grains. Plants subjected to 20 percent of luminous intensity showed higher quantity of chlorophyll a and, therefore, higher chlorophyll a/b ratio. Lemon balm leaves under full sun and 60 percent of light showed thicker adaxial epidermis cells, but the abaxial epidermis cells showed characteristics found in shaded leaves, i.e., they were slender. The higher the light intensity, the larger the number of chloroplasts; however, under full sun, they were slender and had smaller area. The starch grains of leaves grown under shaded environments showed larger area and, at 60 percent of luminous intensity, occupied the largest part of chloroplasts. Thus, lemon balm plants, subjected to shading conditions, showed phenotypic plasticity.

Influência do processamento pós-colheita e armazenamento na composição química da droga vegetal e do óleo essencial de carqueja [Baccharis trimera (Less. ) DC. ] / Influence of post-harvest processing and storage on the chemical composition of drug and essential oil from "carqueja" [Baccharis trimera (Less. ) DC. ]

A carqueja-amarga [Baccharis trimera (Asteraceae)] é uma espécie originária do centro-sul da América do Sul. Análises qualitativas e quantitativas foram realizadas utilizando-se a técnica de CG-MS, para avaliar o efeito de diferentes formas de beneficiamento pós-colheita de drogas vegetais constituídas de partes aéreas de carqueja na composição química do óleo essencial, bem como verificar variações na composição quando conservado a -6ºC, durante 8 meses. O armazenamento da droga pulverizada reduziu significativamente o teor de óleo essencial, o que não aconteceu na droga fragmentada. Os teores dos constituintes majoritários espatulenol e ledol não foram influenciados pelo tratamento pós-colheita, embora tenham apresentado variações distintas redução nas concentrações de ledol e aumento nos teores de espatulenol. Verificou-se que as drogas fragmentadas podem ser armazenadas por até 12 meses e pulverizadas no momento da extração, não conferindo redução no teor de óleo essencial, nem dos constituintes químicos. O armazenamento a -6ºC por até oito meses, provocou variações quantitativas em alguns constituintes minoritários, tais como a-guaieno, b-selineno, germacreno B e espatulenol.

"Carqueja-amarga" [Baccharis trimera (Asteraceae)] is a species from the central south of South America. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed using the technique gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry to evaluate the effect of different post-harvest processing forms of drugs constituted of parts of "carqueja" on the chemical composition of its essential oil. The variation in the chemical composition of the essential oil stored at -6ºC for up to eight months was also evaluated. Storage of powdered drug significantly reduced the essential oil content, which was not observed for fragmented drug. The concentration of the major constituents of "carqueja" essential oil, spathulenol and ledol, was not affected by the post-harvest treatment, although they presented distinct variations, with ledol concentrations reducing and spathulenol concentrations increasing. We found that fragmented drugs can be stored for up to 12 months and powdered at the moment of extraction, without reducing the concentration of the essential oil or its chemical constituents. Storage at -6ºC for eight months caused quantitative variations in some minor constituents of the essential oil such as a-guaiene, b-selinene, germacrene B and espathulenol.

Acute carotid occlusion and stroke due to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: case report and literature review.

Neurologic events associated to antiphospholipoid syndrome (APLS) are not uncommon, but ischemic stroke due to acute carotid thrombosis, is a rare presentation of this syndrome. We report a case of a 48 years old female patient, without evidence of atherothrombosis or other vascular pathology, who presented an ischemic stroke due to acute thrombosis of the left internal carotid artery. The occlusion was diagnosed by Duplex scan and magnetic resonance angiography (Ds+MRA). The patient was anticoagulated and experienced total regression of her neurologic symptoms after a week. Ds+MRA were performed again and confirmed re-establishment of normal flow of internal carotid artery. A thorough clinical investigation confirmed the diagnosis of APLS (the association of a major thombotic event and high anticardiolipoid IgG antibody titers in three blood samples). The patient has been submitted to oral anticoagulation for three years and has not experienced new neurologic or thrombotic events.

Adubação orgânica na produção de biomassa de plantas, teor e qualidade de óleo essencial de orégano (Origanum vulgare L. ) em cultivo protegido / Organic fertilization on phytomass production and essential oil content and quality of oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ) under protected cultivation

Origanum vulgare L., conhecida como orégano, é considerada planta condimentar largamente usada na culinária. No Brasil poucas são as pesquisas com esta espécie visando maximização das técnicas de cultivo. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de diferentes doses dos adubos orgânicos bovino e aves no crescimento de plantas, teor de clorofila, teor, rendimento e qualidade do óleo essencial de orégano cultivado sob estufa. Foram conduzidos dois ensaios, sendo um com esterco bovino e o outro com esterco de aves (Poedeira). Plantas de orégano (Origanum vulgare L.) foram cultivadas em vasos de 10 L submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: Ensaio I: Esterco bovino: 1) Solo sem adubação (controle); 2) solo + 3,0 kg m-2 de esterco bovino; 3) solo + 6,0 kg m-2 de esterco bovino; 4) solo + 9,0 kg m-2 de esterco bovino; 5) solo + 12,0 kg m-2 de esterco bovino; Ensaio II - Esterco de aves: 1) solo sem adubação (Controle); 2) solo + 1,5 kg m-2 de esterco de galinha; 3) solo + 3,0 kg m-2 de esterco de galinha; 4) solo + 4,5 kg m-2 de esterco de galinha e 5) solo + 6,0 kg m-2 de esterco de galinha. Ambos os ensaios foram conduzidos em delineamento blocos ao acaso com 4 repetições e a parcela experimental composta de 4 vasos. Foi observado que as doses de adubos bovino e avícola influenciaram significativamente no crescimento das plantas, rendimento e composição química do óleo essencial de orégano.

Origanum vulgare L., known as oregano or wild marjoram, is an aromatic plant widely used in cookery. In Brazil, there are few studies with this species aimed at improving the cultivation techniques. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different levels of cattle and chicken organic manure on plant growth, chlorophyll content, besides essential oil content, yield and quality of oregano grown in a greenhouse. Two assays were carried out, one of them used cattle manure and the other, chicken manure (Hen). Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) plants were grown in 10L-pots and subjected to the following treatments: Assay I: Cattle manure: 1) Soil without fertilization (control); 2) Soil + 3.0 kg m-2 cattle manure; 3) Soil + 6.0 kg m-2 cattle manure; 4) Soil + 9.0 kg m-2 cattle manure; and 5) Soil + 12.0 kg m-2 cattle manure; Assay II: Chicken manure: 1) Soil without fertilization (control); 2) Soil + 1.5 kg m-2 chicken manure; 3) Soil + 3.0 kg m-2 chicken manure; 4) Soil + 4.5 kg m-2 chicken manure; and 5) Soil + 6.0 kg m-2 chicken manure. The experimental design for both assays was in randomized blocks with four replicates and four pots per plot. Cattle and chicken manure levels significantly influenced oregano plant growth besides essential oil yield and chemical composition.

Lung function and clinical risk factors for asthma in infants and young children with recurrent wheeze.

BACKGROUND: Although several risk factors for asthma have been identified in infants and young children with recurrent wheeze, the relevance of assessing lung function in this group remains unclear. Whether lung function is reduced during the first 2 years in recurrently wheezy children, with and without clinical risk factors for developing subsequent asthma (ie, parental asthma, personal history of allergic rhinitis, wheezing without colds and/or eosinophil level >4%) compared with healthy controls was assessed in this study. METHODS: Forced expiratory flows and volumes in steroid naïve young children with >or=3 episodes of physician confirmed wheeze and healthy controls, aged 8-20 months, were measured using the tidal and raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression manoeuvres. RESULTS: Technically acceptable results were obtained in 50 wheezy children and 30 controls using tidal rapid thoracoabdominal compression, and 44 wheezy children and 29 controls with the raised volume technique. After adjustment for sex, age, body length at test and maternal smoking, significant reductions in z scores for forced expiratory volume at 0.5 s (mean difference (95% CI) -1.0 (-1.5 to -0.5)), forced expired flow after 75% forced vital capacity (FVC) has been exhaled (FEF(25)) (-0.6 (-1.0 to -0.2)) and average forced expired flow over the mid 50% of FVC (FEF(25-75)) (-0.8 (-1.2 to -0.4)) were observed in those with recurrent wheeze compared with controls. Wheezy children with risk factors for asthma (n = 15) had significantly lower z scores for FVC (-0.7 (-1.4 to -0.04)) and FEF(25-75) (-0.6 (-1.2 to -0.1)) than those without such risk factors (n = 29). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with healthy controls, airway function is reduced in young children with recurrent wheeze, particularly those at risk for subsequent asthma. These findings provide further evidence for associations between clinical risk factors and impaired respiratory function in early life.

Produção de mudas de Aloysia gratissima (Gillies & Hook. ) Tronc. por meio da propagação sexuada e assexuada / Aloysia gratissima (Gillies & Hook. ) Tronc. seedling production through sexual and asexual propagation

A alfazema-do-Brasil é planta de importância medicinal, como produtora de terpenos. A principal descrição etnofarmaco-botânica aponta como sendo eficaz para infecções brônquicas, pulmonares e da bexiga. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a propagação de A. gratissima visando a obtenção de mudas. Na propagação sexuada estudou-se a influência da temperatura na presença e ausência de luz e três épocas de coleta das sementes (março, junho e setembro). Na propagação via semente foram testados três diferentes substratos (areia, palha de arroz carbonizada, Plantmax®). Na propagação vegetativa foram testados dois tipos de estacas (herbáceas e semi-lenhosas) e de dois substratos (areia e Plantmax®). Os resultados indicaram que na propagação sexuada, a germinação das sementes foi maior nas temperaturas constantes de 20 e 25°C, e a melhor época de coleta de sementes foi em março. O substrato comercial mostrou-se superior para o crescimento das plântulas, atingindo 93,25 por cento de emergência das sementes e 100 por cento de sobrevivência. Para a propagação assexuada, as estacas herbáceas em substrato comercial e areia apresentaram 96 e 95 por cento de enraizamento, respectivamente.

Brazilian-lavender is a medicinally important plant since it produces terpenes. As regards ethnopharmacology, it is mainly efficient against bronchial, lung and bladder infections. The aim of this work was to study Aloysia gratissima propagation for seedling production. In sexual propagation, temperature influence in the presence and absence of light and three seed harvesting times (March, June, and September) were studied. Three different substrates (sand, carbonized rice husk, Plantmax®) were also evaluated for seed germination. In vegetative propagation, two cutting types (herbaceous and semihardwood) and two substrates (sand, Plantmax®) were tested. Seed germination was higher under constant temperatures of 20 and 25ºC, and March was the best seed harvest time for sexual propagation. The commercial substrate was the best for seedling growth, peaking 93.25 percent seedling emergency and 100 percent survival. For asexual propagation, herbaceous cuttings in the commercial substrate and sand presented 96 percent and 95 percent rooting, respectively.

Teor e composição química do óleo essencial de Hyptis marrubioides Epling (Lamiaceae) em diferentes genótipos / Essential oil content and chemical composition in Hyptis marrubioides Epl. of different genotypes

Hyptis marrubioides Epling (hortelã-do-campo) é espécie de uso medicinal conhecida pelas suas atividades contra infecções gastrointestinais, infecções de pele, dores e câimbras. Objetivou-se com este trabalho, avaliar o teor e composição química do óleo essencial de H. marrubioides em diferentes genótipos (roxo e branco) e partes da planta fresca (folhas, inflorescências e caule). Os genótipos estudados foram identificados através das inflorescências das plantas que apresentam coloração roxa e branca. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, contendo as três partes da planta de ambos os genótipos, perfazendo um fatorial 3x2, com quatro repetições. O óleo essencial foi extraído por hidrodestilação por duas horas e analisado por Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada a Espectrometria de Massas (CG-EM). O maior teor de óleo essencial foi observado na inflorescência do genótipo roxo. A composição do óleo essencial de H. marrubioides variou quantitativamente entre as partes das plantas analisadas e entre os genótipos. O composto α-tujona apresentou a maior porcentagem de área do pico nas inflorescências de genótipo roxo. As porcentagens das plantas com genótipo roxo foram em média superiores às plantas com genótipo branco.

Hyptis marrubioides Epling ("hortelã-do-campo") is a medicinal species known for its activities against gastrointestinal and skin infections, pains and cramps. The aim of this work was to evaluate essential oil content and chemical composition in H. marrubioides of different genotypes (purple and white), as well as fresh plant parts (leaves, inflorescences and stem). The studied genotypes were identified based on the inflorescences, which are purple and white. The experimental design was completely randomized, including the three parts of both genotypes, in a 3X2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates. Essential oil was extracted through hydrodistillation for two hours and analyzed using Gas Chromatography attached to a Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The highest essential oil content was found for the inflorescence of purple genotype. Hyptis marrubioides essential oil composition quantitatively varied among the analyzed plant parts and between genotypes. The compound α-thujone had the highest percentage of apex area in inflorescences of purple genotype. The percentages of purple genotype were on average higher than those of white one.

Prevalence of asthma in a Portuguese countryside town: repercussions on absenteeism and self-concept.

BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma represents an increasing health problem and is the leading cause of hospital admission and absenteeism in children with chronic disease. It also compromises quality of life, eventually contributing to disturbances in self-concept. Self-concept is a recent and global perspective of "the self" and relates to skills, self-image and self-esteem. Little information is available on this topic and there are no data from Portuguese countryside towns. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asthma among all school children in the 5th and 6th grades in a Portuguese countryside town and to establish its possible correlation with absenteeism and self-concept. METHODS: In April 2002, two questionnaires were administered in the presence of the researcher to a group of 950 children attending different schools. The children completed the internationally renowned questionnaires: ISAAC and the Self-Concept Scale by Susan Harter. RESULTS: Our sample (n = 818) had a mean age of 11 years (10-15 years) and a male-to-female ratio of 1/1. The cumulative prevalence of asthma was 11.9 % and that of active asthma was 8.8 %; 63.9 % of asthmatics were male and 36.1 % were female. The mean age of asthmatics was 11.34 years and 74 % had active symptoms. Comparison of this group of 97 asthmatic children with the remaining children revealed a statistically significant correlation between the presence of asthma and school absenteeism (global: p = 0.04; gymnastics: 0.05). Regarding the Self-Concept Scale a statistically significant association was found between the presence of asthma and school achievement (p = 0.027), physical appearance (p = 0.015), behavior (p < 0.000) and self-esteem (p < 0.000). No statistically significant correlations were found in social acceptance (p = 0.289) or athletic competence (p = 0.085). Asthmatic boys had higher self-concept scores than girls, except in the domain of behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve percent of the population studied was asthmatic. In asthmatic children, absenteeism was higher and self-concept was lower for almost all domains, except social acceptance and athletic achievement, probably due to overprotection.

Soluble CD30, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone in atopic and non atopic children.

Elevated levels of soluble CD30-sCD30 (possibly related to Th2) are seen in atopy and other diseases. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may regulate Th1/Th2 balance. The aim was to study the relationship between the levels of sCD30, DHEAS and DHEA in atopic (A) and non atopic (B) children, to assess immune-endocrine interactions. We studied 36 children (8-15 years), 18 (A) monosensitised to Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus (Dpt.), and 18 (B) with isolate rhinitis (R) or asthma (BA) and R (33.3%) without differences in age and sex. They were all HIV negative and free from any medication. It was determined sCD30, DHEAS and DHEA. There was no statistically significant differences between A and B for the levels of DHEAS, DHEA suggesting that the role of this regulation in Th2 type is not important in patients with allergic disease in this age group. sCD30: A-mean 121.1U/ml; B-mean 53.9U/ml. This difference is statistically significant-p = 0.02. sCD30 in patients only with R showed also significant differences-p = 0.01. These results could reflect the Th2 profile. There is an overlap of the values (for R < 80 U/ml; for BA + R < 140 U/ml). Due to this only values > 80 U/ml for R and > 140 U/ml for BA + R could be considered discriminating for atopy.

Adverse reactions to acetaminophen, ASA, and NSAIDs in children: what alternatives?

ASA and NSAIDs are responsible for a large number of adverse reactions. The association of adverse reactions to acetaminophen and to ASA is uncommon, especially in children, and raises the problem of finding alternative treatments. We present a case report of a 7-year-old boy with combined adverse reaction to acetaminophen and ASA/NSAIDs. The child, who had no history of atopy, first displayed the condition at age 6, when he suffered two episodes of urticaria and angioedema, 2 hours after administration of 500 mg of acetaminophen, following two earlier doses of 500 mg (total 1500 mg). At age 7 he suffered a third episode 3 hours after administration of 180 mg of ASA. The patient submitted to oral challenges with acetaminophen (positive at a cumulative dose of 2,040 mg), ASA (positive at a cumulative dose of 204 mg) and nimesulide (negative at a cumulative dose of 119 mg). In conclusion, nimesulide (an NSAID not available in the United States) may be regarded as an alternative treatment in such patients, but more research is needed in pediatric age groups.

Methacholine dose-response slopes from maximal bronchial challenge tests in asthmatic children: methodological aspects.

To determine whether the slope of a maximal bronchial challenge test (in which FEV1 falls by over 50%) could be extrapolated from a standard bronchial challenge test (in which FEV1 falls up to 20%), 14 asthmatic children performed a single maximal bronchial challenge test with methacholine (dose range: 0.097-30.08 mumol) by the dosimeter method. Maximal dose-response curves were included according to the following criteria: (1) at least one more dose beyond a delta FEV1 > or = 20%; and (2) a MFEV1 > or = 50%. PD20 FEV1 was calculated, and the slopes of the early part of the dose-response curve (standard dose-response slopes) and of the entire curve (maximal dose-response slopes) were calculated by two methods: the two-point slope (DRR) and the least squares method (LSS) in % delta FEV1 x mumol-1. Maximal dose-response slopes were compared with the corresponding standard dose-response slopes by a paired Student's t test after logarithmic transformation of the data; the goodness of fit of the LSS was also determined. Maximal dose-response slopes were significantly different (p < 0.0001) from those calculated on the early part of the curve: DRR20% (91.2 +/- 2.7 delta FEV1%. mumol-1) was 2.88 times higher than DRR50% (31.6 +/- 3.4 delta FEV1%. mumol-1), and the LSS20% (89.1 +/- 2.8% delta FEV1. mumol-1) was 3.10 times higher than LSS50% (28.8 +/- 1.5% delta FEV1. mumol-1). The goodness of fit of LSS50% was significant in all cases, whereas LSS20% failed to be significant in one. These results suggest that maximal dose-response slopes cannot be predicted from the data of standard bronchial challenge tests.

ALATOP-RIA in the screening of atopy in a non Caucasian population.

UNLABELLED: ALATOP is an "in vitro" radioimmunoassay screening test for atopy, previously validated in a caucasian population. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of a screening test of atopy in a non caucasian population. We select a non caucasian population (n = 208), from hospital immunoallergy consultations, Cape Verde Republic (Africa). It was determined the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values comparing with skin prick tests (SPT) results for the 208 patients, and with clinical data (Clin) in 115 patients. It was also determined the levels of total IgE, done by IRMA. RESULTS: Using different corrections factors, 0.85 gives the best results: ALATOP/SPT-Sensitivity-88.5% +/- 4.34; Specificity-73.8% +/- 8.41; Positive predictive value-66.9%; Negative predictive value-91.4%; Efficiency of the test-79.3%. ALATOP/CLIN-Sensitivity-95.2% +/- 3.89; Specificity-71.2% +/- 12.07; Positive predictive value-65.6%; Negative predictive value-96.2%; Efficiency of the test-80.0%. The mean values of total IgE were-406 IU/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The mean value of total IgE was significantly increased even in the ALATOP-/SPT-not saw in caucasian populations. The use of a different correction factor (0.85) for ALATOP, optimize the test, showing a good negative predictive value, but raises the question of adapted compositions of screening tests for different populations.

Extracellular acidification related to the stimulation of catecholamines release by strontium in the bovine adrenal medulla.

The possible modifications of extracellular pH associated with the secretion of catecholamines evoked by the introduction of 2.2 mM Sr2+ to a Ca(2+)-free, buffer-free, Locke solution were investigated in decorticated perfused bovine adrenal glands. A progressive and reversible decrease of external pH accompanied the catecholamine release promoted by Sr(2+)-introduction into the perfusion fluid. This extracellular acid shift was practically undetected when the chromaffin tissue was stimulated by the addition of Sr2+ to a buffered medium. Both the secretory response as well as the extracellular pH drop mediated by Sr(2+)-introduction to a Ca(2+)-free, buffer-free, Locke solution were markedly inhibited by methoxyverapamil (0.3 mM), Mg2+ (20 mM) and hyperosmolarity (750 mOsm). The exposure of the adrenal medulla to a Ca(2+)-free, buffer-free, high-K+ solution containing 2.2 mM Sr2+ for 6 min promoted a significant enhancement of both the secretory response and the acidification of the perfusates compared with the responses evoked by Sr2+ in a 5.6 mM K+ medium. These results are consistent with the existence of a close relationship between extracellular acidification and the release of catecholamines triggered by the introduction of Sr2+ to the perfusion fluid.

Histopathological effects of androgen deprivation in prostatic cancer.

Thanks to earlier detection of clinically significant prostatic adenocarcinoma by measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, increasing numbers of patients are undergoing radical prostatectomy. However, the curative potential of this procedure is seriously limited by clinical understaging, which results in positive surgical margins and a marked increase in disease progression. In a multicenter study, histopathologic evaluation of radical prostatectomy specimens showed that presurgical androgen deprivation with leuprolide plus flutamide reduced the incidence of surgical margin involvement by 62%. In patients who received androgen deprivation therapy, characteristic and recognizable histopathologic changes in nontumor glands included atrophy, basal cell prominence, vacuolated luminal cell layers, and squamous and transitional cell metaplasia. Androgen deprivation markedly reduced the incidence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) to 35%. The effects of androgen deprivation on prostatic carcinoma included smaller tumor glands, pyknosis and empty glandular spaces, and vacuolization and degeneration of tumor cells with an inflammatory response. Similar but less pronounced changes with no decrease in PIN were observed in finasteride-treated patients. It is important for pathologists to be aware of these histological changes and process tissue appropriately, because the changes affect the recognition and histological grading of tumors in radical prostatectomy specimens.