Evaluation of tissue repair using phytotherapeutic gel from Plectranthus neochilus, Schlechter (boldo-gambá) and Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl (favela) in Wistar rats / [Avaliação da reparação tecidual do gel fitoterápico de Plectranthus neochilus, Schlechter (Boldo-gambá) e Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl (Favela) em ratos Wistar]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a gel formulation from the association of Plectranthus neochilus and Cnidoscolus quercifolius on tissue repair in cutaneous wounds in rats. A surgical wound was induced in 35 Wistar rats and treated according to group: G1 - commercial phytotherapeutic gel; G2 - Carbopol gel 1%; G3, 4, 5 - gel formulation from Boldo-gambá and Favela (FGBF) at 2.5%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. 1ml of the product was applied topically daily, for 14 days. Macroscopic evaluation of the wound showed inflammation, granulation, and epithelization in all groups. The FGBF 2.5% group showed greater angiogenic potential. There was a significant difference between the surgical area of the wounds treated with FGBF 2.5%, 5%, or 10% compared to the group with the commercial phytotherapeutic gel. On histomorphometry of the skin, there were reepithelization of the epidermis and superficial dermis, longitudinal collagen fibers, fibroblasts, and blood vessels, and in the deeper dermis, fibroblasts, transverse and longitudinal collagen fibers, blood vessels, and inflammatory cells. The 2.5% formulation had the greatest increase in fibroblast proliferation and most intense collagenization on day 14 of treatment.(AU)

Este trabalho objetivou investigar os efeitos de uma formulação em gel da associação da Plectranthus neochilus e da Cnidoscolus quercifolius no processo de reparação tecidual em feridas cutâneas de ratos. Foi induzida uma ferida cirúrgica em 35 ratos Wistar, sendo tratadas de acordo com os grupos: G1 - fitoterápico comercial; G2 - gel de carbopol 1%; G3, G4 e G5 - formulação gel boldo-gambá mais favela (FGBF) 2,5%, 5% e 10%, respectivamente. Aplicou-se 1mL do produto, via tópica, diariamente, durante 14 dias. Na avaliação macroscópica das feridas, verificou-se inflamação, granulação e epitelização em todos os grupos. O grupo FGBF 2,5% apresentou maior potencial angiogênico. Houve diferença significativa entre as áreas cirúrgicas das feridas tratadas com os FGBF 2,5%, 5% ou 10%, comparados ao grupo com o gel fitoterápico comercial. Na histomorfometria da pele, observou-se reepitelização da epiderme e da derme superficial, fibras colágenas longitudinais, fibroblastos e vasos sanguíneos e, na derme profunda, fibroblastos, fibras colágenas transversais e longitudinais, vasos sanguíneos e células inflamatórias. A formulação a 2,5% teve o maior aumento na proliferação de fibroblastos e mais intensa colagenização no dia 14 de tratamento.(AU)

Integrative approach to a patient following rumenotomy - case report / [Abordagem integrativa ao paciente submetido à ruminotomia - relato de caso]

Concern with antimicrobial resistance in animal production systems increases the interest toward integrative therapies. The objective of the present report was to report an integrative approach to a goat undergoing rumenotomy. A goat with ruminal acidosis underwent rumenotomy, corrective rumen suture, moxibustion, and treatment of the surgical wound (TFO) with sugar. In the first twenty days, acupuncture was performed on ST36, indirect moxibustion on Sp6 and CV8, and TFO with antibiotic ointment and sugar. The wound contracted 2cm, there was gradual return of ruminal dynamics, and moderate pain. Acupuncture continued from D21 to D50 on Yin tang, BL13, BL20, BL23, and BL22. Although there was drainage of ruminal fluid, the wound contracted 4cm during this period, pain was absent, and ruminal dynamics normal. During the last thirty days, the acupuncture technique surround the dragon was used and BL13 point needled, with complete closure of the wound. The TFO from D21 was performed solely with sugar. During treatment, there was modulation of the inflammatory response, with formation of granulation tissue and neovascularization. On D84, fibrinogen was 100mg/dL. The authors conclude that the use of sugar, acupuncture, and moxibustion contributed to return of normal ruminal motility, wound contraction, and complete tissue reepithelization.(AU)

A preocupação com a resistência antimicrobiana nos sistemas de produção animal aumenta o interesse pelas terapias integrativas. Objetiva-se relatar a abordagem integrativa ao paciente caprino submetido à ruminotomia. Uma cabra com acidose ruminal foi submetida à ruminotomia, ruminorrafia, moxabustão, acupuntura e tratamento da ferida operatória (TFO) com açúcar. Nos primeiros vinte dias realizou-se acupuntura em ST36, moxa indireta em Sp6 e CV8, TFO com pomada antibiótica e açúcar. A ferida contraiu 2cm, houve retorno gradual da dinâmica ruminal e dor moderada. A acupuntura continuou de D21 a D50 em Yin tang, BL13, BL20, BL23 e BL22. Apesar da ferida drenar fluido ruminal teve contração de 4cm nesse período, ausência de dor e retorno fisiológico da dinâmica ruminal. Nos últimos trinta dias foi realizada a técnica de acupuntura cercar o dragão e punturou-se o ponto BL13, com fechamento completo da ferida. O TFO a partir do D21 foi realizado somente com açúcar. Durante tratamento houve modulação da resposta inflamatória com formação de tecido de granulação e neoangiogênesse, o D84 revelou fibrinogênio 100mg/dL. Conclui-se que a utilização do açúcar, acupuntura e moxabustão contribuíram para o retorno fisiológico da motilidade ruminal, contração da ferida e completa reepitelização tecidual.(AU)

Human thyroid-stimulating hormone synthesis in human embryonic kidney cells and related N-glycoprofiling analysis for carbohydrate composition determination.

A strain of embryonic human kidney cells (HEK293) was transiently co-transfected with the expression vectors coding for the α- and ß-subunits of human thyroid-stimulating hormone (hTSH), and, for the first time, a human cell-derived recombinant hTSH was synthesized and extensively characterized. The purification strategy involving two steps provided an overall yield of 55% and a purity level > 90%. The purified material (hTSH-HEK) was analyzed and compared to a CHO-derived recombinant preparation (hTSH-CHO) and to a pituitary-derived (hTSH-Pit) preparation. The three preparations showed an equivalent purity (> 95%) with a hTSH-HEK molecular mass 2.1% lower than that of hTSH-CHO and 2.7% higher than that of hTSH-Pit. Remarkable differences were found in the carbohydrate moiety, the lowest sialic acid content and highest fucose content being observed in hTSH-HEK. In vivo biological activity was confirmed for the three preparations, the hTSH-HEK bioactivity being 39 and 16% lower than those of hTSH-CHO and hTSH-Pit, respectively. The hTSH-HEK circulatory half-life (t 1/2) was also shorter than those of hTSH-CHO (1.5-fold) and hTSH-Pit (1.2-fold). According to these findings, HEK-293-derived hTSH can be considered to be useful for clinical applications, in view as well of its human origin and particular carbohydrate composition.

Genetic diversity of Bacillus sp producers of amylase isolated from the soil.

The microorganisms are the best source of extracellular enzymes since they allow an economical technology with low-resource consumption compared to animals and plants. The amylases are among the most important enzymes being the genus Bacillus one of the most investigated due to its ability to produce this enzyme. The objective of this study was to isolate and analyze the genetic diversity among bacteria of the genus Bacillus sp producer of amylase originated from the soil. To this end, soil samples were collected and submitted to the condition of extreme temperature. The serial dilution procedure followed by seeding on solid medium containing starch was used for isolation of strains that produce amylase. The microorganisms isolated were subjected to standard morphological methods for presumptive identification of the genus Bacillus. The PCR assay with the universal genetic marker 16S rDNA was used for confirmation of bacterial strain. All the 10 isolates presumptively identified as bacteria amplified a fragment of 370 bp corresponding to the 16S rDNA gene. The enzymatic activity was expressed as an enzymatic index (EI), after 24 h of incubation. All isolate producers of amylase exhibited EI ≥ 2.0. The determination of the genetic profile and the clonal relationship among the isolates were performed by the method of ERIC-PCR polymorphism. The isolates of Bacillus spp were divided into 2 groups (I and II). Through this method, the discriminatory capacity of this analysis of polymorphisms was verified in differing producer strains from those not producing amylase.

Efficient Non-Invasive Plasmid-DNA Administration into Tibialis Cranialis Muscle of "Little" Mice.

BACKGROUND: An alternative treatment for growth hormone deficiency based on hGH-DNA administration, followed by electro gene transfer, was investigated by injecting the plasmid into surgically exposed or non-exposed quadriceps or tibialis muscle of immunodeficient "little" mice. METHODS: An optimization of electrotransfer conditions via a new combination of high/low voltage pulses is presented. After 3 days, serum hGH was determined and in a 28-day assay, the relative growth parameters were compared. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited similar results: 5.0 ± 2.2 (SD) and 3.5 ± 0.9 ng hGH/ml (P>0.05; n=7) for the exposed quadriceps and non-exposed tibialis treatments, respectively. The final body weight increases were 16.1% for the quadriceps and 18.9% for the tibialis group. The tail and nose-to-tail length increases were 4.5% and 7.1% for the quadriceps and 4.8 and 4.6% for the tibialis group. The right and left femur length increases, obtained from radiographic measurements, were 16.9% and 12.7% for the quadriceps and 19.4% and 12.3% for the tibialis, respectively. A non-significant difference between exposed quadriceps and non-exposed tibialis treatments (P=0.48) was confirmed via a completely integrated statistical analysis. Circulating mIGF-1 levels were 126 ± 47, 106 ± 93 (P>0.05) and 38 ± 15 ng/ml for the quadriceps, tibialis and saline treatments, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results show that hGH-DNA administration into non-exposed tibialis muscle followed by the new HV/LV electrotransfer protocol was an equally efficient, less traumatic treatment, much more suitable for pre-clinical testing than administration into exposed quadriceps.

Terapia floral em gatos domésticos (Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) portadores do complexo da doença respiratória felina: estudo clínico e hematológico / Flower therapy in domestic cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) with feline respiratory disease complex: clinical and hematological study

A terapia floral é considerada, atualmente, prática médica alternativa utilizada em diversas situações clínicas, constituindo possibilidade a mais de prevenção e cura de muitas doenças de natureza física e emocional. Este estudo objetivou pesquisar o efeito das essências do Sistema Brasileiro de Florais Compostos de Joel Aleixo num mesmo grupo de gatos domésticos com sinais clínicos sugestivos de Doença Respiratória Felina (DRF), tratados em diferentes momentos (M0, M1, M2, M3). Foram utilizados 20 gatos domésticos, de ambos os sexos, sem raça definida, com idade média de 5,63 ± 3,02 anos criados em gatil na UFRPE. Os animais foram submetidos ao tratamento com os florais por via oral em duas etapas. Na primeira etapa com os florais Desintus Total e Helminthus Total por 14 dias, e na segunda etapa com os florais Antibius e Regius por 28 dias. Os resultados observados, quanto aos aspectos clínicos, foram redução de secreção nasal, secreção ocular e estertores pulmonares; desaparecimento de sinais clínicos como fezes alteradas, úlceras na cavidade oral, pêlos eriçados e permanência da hipertrofia dos linfonodos. Quanto aos aspectos hematológicos houve interferência nas variáveis relacionadas ao hemograma (hemoglobina, VCM, CHCM, leucócitos, linfócitos e monócitos). Conclui-se que a terapia floral mostrou-se eficaz em gatos domésticos com sinais sugestivos de DRF criados nas mesmas condições de manejo.

Flower therapy is currently considered an alternative medical practice used in several clinical situations, providing another way to prevent and cure many diseases of physical and emotional nature. This study aimed to investigate the effect of essences of the Brazilian Compound Flower System of Joel Aleixo in one same group of domestic cats showing suggestive clinical signs of Feline Respiratory Disease (FRD), treated in different moments (M0, M1, M2, M3). Twenty domestic cats, males and females, of mixed breed, with average age 5.63 ± 3.02, raised in the UFRPE's cattery, were used. The animals were orally treated with flower essences in two steps. Firstly with Total Desintus and Total Helminthus flower for 14 days and in the second step with Antibius and Regius for 28 days. The obtained results related to clinical aspects were a decrease in nasal and ocular discharge, and lung stertors; disappearance of clinical signal such as altered stool, ulcers in the oral cavity, bristling and hypertrophy of lymph nodes. Regarding hematological aspects, there was interference in the variables related to the blood (hemoglobin, MCV, MCHC, leucocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes). It can be concluded that flower therapy was effective in cats with signs suggestive of FRD raised under the same management conditions.

Antibacterial activity, chemical composition, and cytotoxicity of leaf's essential oil from Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius, Raddi)

The antibacterial potential of leaf's essential oil (EO) from Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) against staphylococcal isolates from dogs with otitis externa was evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration of EO ranged from 78.1 to 1,250 fg/mL. The oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and cytotoxicity tests were carried out with laboratory animals.

Antibacterial activity, chemical composition, and cytotoxicity of leaf's essential oil from brazilian pepper tree (schinus terebinthifolius, raddi).

The antibacterial potential of leaf's essential oil (EO) from Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) against staphylococcal isolates from dogs with otitis externa was evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration of EO ranged from 78.1 to 1,250 µg/mL. The oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and cytotoxicity tests were carried out with laboratory animals.

Anion-specific partitioning in two-phase finite volume systems: possible implications for mechanisms of ion pumps.

In two-phase finite volume systems of electroneutral phospholipids, the electrolyte concentration is different in the two phases. The partitioning is highly anion-specific, a phenomenon not accounted for by classical electrolyte theories. It is explained if ionic dispersion forces that lead to specific ion binding are taken into account. The mechanism provides a contribution to active ion pumps not previously considered.

Effect of coffee alkaloids and phenolics on egg-laying by the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella.

The recognized importance of coffee alkaloids and phenolics mediating insect-plant interactions led to the present investigation aiming to test the hypothesis that the phenolics chlorogenic and caffeic acids and the alkaloid caffeine and some of its derivatives present in coffee leaves affect egg-laying by the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera (=Perileucoptera) coffeella (Guérin-Méneville & Perrottet) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), one of the main coffee pests in the Neotropical region. These phytochemicals were, therefore, quantified in leaves from 12 coffee genotypes and their effect on the egg-laying preference by the coffee leaf miner was assessed. Canonical variate analysis and partial canonical correlation provided evidence that increased leaf levels of caffeine favour egg-laying by the coffee leaf miner. An egg-laying preference bioassay was, therefore, carried out to specifically test this hypothesis using increasing caffeine concentrations sprayed on leaves of one of the coffee genotypes with the lowest level of this compound (i.e. Hybrid UFV 557-04 generated from a cross between Coffea racemosa Lour. and C. arabica L.). The results obtained allowed the recognition of a significant concentration-response relationship, providing support for the hypothesis that caffeine stimulates egg-laying by the coffee leaf miner in coffee leaves.

The influence of ion binding and ion specific potentials on the double layer pressure between charged bilayers at low salt concentrations.

Measurements of surface forces between double-chained cationic bilayers adsorbed onto molecularly smooth mica surfaces across different millimolar salt solutions have revealed a large degree of ion specificity [Pashley et al., J. Phys. Chem. 90, 1637 (1986)]. This has been interpreted in terms of highly specific anion binding to the adsorbed bilayers. We show here that inclusion in the double layer theory of nonspecific ion binding and ion specific nonelectrostatic potentials acting between ions and the two surfaces can account for the phenomenon. It also gives the right Hofmeister series for the double layer pressure.

Co-ion and ion competition effects: ion distributions close to a hydrophobic solid surface in mixed electrolyte solutions.

We consider within a modified Poisson-Boltzmann theory an electrolyte, with different mixtures of NaCl and NaI, near uncharged and charged solid hydrophobic surfaces. The parametrized potentials of mean force acting on Na+, Cl-, and I- near an uncharged self-assembled monolayer were deduced from molecular simulations with polarizable force fields. We study what happens when the surface presents negative charges. At moderately charged surfaces, we observe strong co-ion adsorption and clear specific ion effects at biological concentrations. At high surface charge densities, the co-ions are pushed away from the interface. We predict that Cl- ions can also be excluded from the surface by increasing the concentration of NaI. This ion competition effect (I- versus Cl-) may be relevant for ion-specific partitioning in multiphase systems where polarizable ions accumulate in phases with large surface areas.

Specific ion adsorption and surface forces in colloid science.

Mean-field theories that include nonelectrostatic interactions acting on ions near interfaces have been found to accommodate many experimentally observed ion specific effects. However, it is clear that this approach does not fully account for the liquid molecular structure and hydration effects. This is now improved by using parametrized ionic potentials deduced from recent nonprimitive model molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in a generalized Poisson-Boltzmann equation. We investigate how ion distributions and double layer forces depend on the choice of background salt. There is a strong ion specific double layer force set up due to unequal ion specific short-range potentials acting between ions and surfaces.

Ion-specific forces between a colloidal nanoprobe and a charged surface.

We investigate the effect of ion-specific potentials on the force between a nanoprobe attached to a cantilever tip, and a charged surface. The probe is treated as a spherical nanoparticle with constant charge. A modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation in bispherical coordinates is used to address this problem in a more quantitative way. We predict that the ion-specific series of measured forces depend on the sign and magnitude of surface charge densities.

Behavioural and chemical studies of discrimination processes in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex laticeps nigrosetosus (Forel, 1908).

Leaf-cutting ants live in symbiosis with a basidiomycete fungus that is exploited as a source of nutrients for ant larvae. Tests of brood transport revealed that Acromyrmex laticeps nigrosetosus workers did not discriminate a concolonial brood from an alien brood. The same result was observed with tests of fungus transport. Adult workers showed no aggressive behaviour to workers from other alien colonies (non-nestmates). There was no qualitative variation in the chemical profiles of larvae, pupae and adult workers from the different colonies. However, quantitative differences were observed between the different colonies. Hypotheses about the lack of intraspecific aggression in this subspecies of ants are discussed.

Behavioural and chemical studies of discrimination processes in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex laticeps nigrosetosus (Forel, 1908) / Estudos químico e comportamental dos processos discriminatórios na formiga cortadeira Acromyrmex laticeps nigrosetosus (Forel, 1908)

Leaf-cutting ants live in symbiosis with a basidiomycete fungus that is exploited as a source of nutrients for ant larvae. Tests of brood transport revealed that Acromyrmex laticeps nigrosetosus workers did not discriminate a concolonial brood from an alien brood. The same result was observed with tests of fungus transport. Adult workers showed no aggressive behaviour to workers from other alien colonies (non-nestmates). There was no qualitative variation in the chemical profiles of larvae, pupae and adult workers from the different colonies. However, quantitative differences were observed between the different colonies. Hypotheses about the lack of intraspecific aggression in this subspecies of ants are discussed.

As formigas cortadeiras vivem em simbiose com um fungo basidiomiceto que é utilizado como fonte de nutriente para suas larvas. Testes de transporte de prole revelaram que as operárias de Acromyrmex laticeps nigrosetosus não discriminaram a prole concolonial de prole estranha. O mesmo resultado foi verificado com testes de transporte do fungo. As operárias adultas não exibiram comportamento agressivo frente a operárias de outras colônias (não companheiras de ninho). Não houve variação qualitativa nos perfis químicos de larvas, pupas e operárias adultas de diferentes colônias. No entanto, diferenças quantitativas foram observadas entre as diferentes colônias. Hipóteses sobre a ausência de agressão intra-específica nesta subespécie de formiga são discutidas.