Spatial distribution of human visceral leishmaniasis cases in Cametá, Pará, Eastern Amazon, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Human visceral leishmaniasis is considered a major public health problem in the municipality of Cametá, Pará, Brazil. METHODS: This ecological study was conducted using data obtained from official Brazilian agencies. Spatial analysis of the variables was performed using the kernel interpolation technique and the bivariate Global Moran's Index. RESULTS: The spatial distribution of the disease was not homogeneous, and it was associated with socio-environmental risk factors and public policies. CONCLUSIONS: Different relationships were observed between the variables studied and disease occurrence.

Gastroprotective Activity of Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez. (Bromeliaceae) in Rats and Mice.

Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez (Bromeliaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly known as "caroá." The leaves are made up of highly resistant fibers, which is of great commercial value to the handicraft and textile industry. Some studies have demonstrated that ethanolic extract of N. variegata have gastroprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective activity and cytoprotective mechanisms of ethyl acetate (Nv-AcOEt), hexane (Nv-Hex), and chloroform (Nv-CHCl3) fractions of N. variegata leaves. The gastroprotective activity of Nv-AcOEt, Nv-Hex, and Nv-CHCl3 was evaluated using the ethanol and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric injury model. To elucidate the gastroprotective mechanisms, the functions of prostaglandins (PGs), nitric oxide (NO), and KATP channels were evaluated. In addition, the nonprotein sulfhydryl groups and the mucus content in the gastric tissues were analyzed. All fractions of N. variegata leaves at oral doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg significantly decreased ethanol and ethanol/HCl-induced gastric lesions, leading to gastroprotection, accompanied by an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) and gastric mucus. Gastroprotective activity of Nv-AcOEt was inhibited after pretreatment with ibuprofen and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG). Gastroprotective effect of Nv-Hex and Nv-CHCl3 was also inhibited after pretreatment with L-NOARG and with glibenclamide. The results indicate that N. variegata (Arruda) Mez exhibits promising gastroprotective activity with the possible participation of NO, PGs, mucus, sulfhydryl groups, and KATP.

Spatial distribution of human visceral leishmaniasis cases in Cametá, Pará, Eastern Amazon, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Human visceral leishmaniasis is considered a major public health problem in the municipality of Cametá, Pará, Brazil. METHODS: This ecological study was conducted using data obtained from official Brazilian agencies. Spatial analysis of the variables was performed using the kernel interpolation technique and the bivariate Global Moran's Index. RESULTS: The spatial distribution of the disease was not homogeneous, and it was associated with socio-environmental risk factors and public policies. CONCLUSIONS: Different relationships were observed between the variables studied and disease occurrence.

α-Phellandrene attenuates tissular damage, oxidative stress, and TNF-α levels on acute model ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in mice.

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is the major dose-limiting adverse effect of the clinical use ifosfamide (IFOS). The incidence of this side effect can be as high as 75%. Mesna has been used to reduce the risk of HC, although 5% of patients who get IFOS treatment may still suffer from HC. In previous studies, our group demonstrated that α-phellandrene (α-PHE) possesses anti-inflammatory activity, which opens the door for its study in the attenuation of HC. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential uroprotective effect of the α-PHE in the mouse model of IFOS-induced HC. In order to analyze the reduction of the urothelial damage, the bladder wet weight, hemoglobin content, and the Evans blue dye extravasation from the bladder matrix were evaluated. To investigate the involvement of neutrophil migration and lipid peroxidation and involvement of enzymatic and endogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants, the tissue markers myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde, nitrite/nitrate (NOx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were evaluated. TNF-α and IL-1ß were measured by ELISA immunoassay technique. The results show that pretreatment with α-PHE significantly reduced urothelial damage that was accompanied by a decrease in the activity of MPO, MDA, and NOx levels and prevention of the depletion of SOD and GSH in bladder tissues. In the assessment of cytokines, α-PHE was able to significantly reduce TNF-α level. However, it does not affect the activities of IL-1ß. These data confirm that α-PHE exerts potent anti-inflammatory properties and demonstrates that α-PHE represents a promising therapeutic option for this pathological condition.

Systematic review and technological prospection: ethyl ferulate, a phenylpropanoid with antioxidant and neuroprotective actions.

INTRODUCTION: Ethyl ferulate is a phenylpropanoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of natural and synthetic origin with potential uses in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the current scenario regarding patents and scientific articles available involving the substance in question, regarding aspects such as quantity, areas of knowledge and depositor countries. AREAS COVERED: To do so, we conducted technological and scientific prospecting on the WIPO, EPO, USPTO and INPI and scientific databases in PubMed, Web of Science and Lilacs databases using the keywords 'ferulic acid ethyl ester' and 'ethyl ferulate' in English and Portuguese. A total of 16 articles and 17 patents of which 10 were Chinese and 11 claimed the use of ethyl ferulate or for the synthesis of other substances or synthetic methods of the same. Five of the patents selected claimed therapeutic applications related to the treatment of mycobacterial infections, use as a cosmetic and neuroprotective activity. The systematic review of the literature revealed antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antiapoptotic, antimutagenic and antiproliferative activities. EXPERT OPINION: The technological and scientific prospection highlighted ethyl ferulate, despite its known pharmacological activities, is little explored by the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Inhibition of neutrophil migration and reduction of oxidative stress by ethyl p-coumarate in acute and chronic inflammatory models.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that medicinal plants and their products are relevant candidates for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Ethyl p-coumarate is a phenylpropanoid that has similar structure to others anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances. However, these activities have never been tested. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethyl p-coumarate on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters. STUDY DESIGN: This is an experimental study to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ethyl p-coumarate in acute and chronic models of inflammation. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl p-coumarate was evaluated in Swiss mice by carrageenan-induced paw edema model (1%, 50 µl), followed by histological analysis, and edema induced by compound 48/80 (12 µg/paw), histamine (100  µg/paw), serotonin (100 µg/paw) and prostaglandin E2 (3 nmol/paw) in comparison to indomethacin treatment (10 mg/kg, p.o.). In addition, peritonitis was induced by carrageenan (500 µg/cavity) to neutrophil and total leukocytes counting, myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), nitrite (NO2-), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) measurements. The arthritis model was induced with Freund's complete adjuvant (id. 0.1 ml) in female Wistar rats, with measurement of joint diameter and X-ray. Changes in gastric tissue of Swiss mice were analyzed in comparison to indomethacin (20  mg/kg, p.o.). RESULTS: After treatment with ethyl p-coumarate, the animals had no apparent toxic effects, and significantly inhibited paw edema induced by edematogenic agents, neutrophil (p < 0.001) and total leukocyte (p < 0.001) migration, MPO (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.05) and IL-8 (p < 0.5), MDA (p < 0.5), GSH (p < 0.5), NO2- (p < 0.001), joint thickness and bones changes. Furthermore, were not observed significant formation of gastric lesions. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that ethyl p-coumarate exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of inflammatory mediators and leukocyte migration without causing gastric lesions.

Ferulic acid ethyl ester diminished Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced incapacitation through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Ferulic acid ethyl ester (FAEE) is a derivate from ferulic acid which reportedly has antioxidant effect; however, its role on inflammation was unknown. In this study, we investigated the orally administered FAEE anti-inflammatory activity on experimental inflammation models and Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. CFA-induced arthritis has been evaluated by incapacitation model and radiographic knee joint records at different observation time. FAEE (po) reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema (p < 0.001) within the 1st to 5th hours at 50 and 100 mg/kg doses. FAEE 50 and 100 mg/kg, po inhibited leukocyte migration into air pouch model (p < 0.001), and myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities (p < 0.001) increased total thiol concentration and decreased the TNF-α and IL-1ß concentrations, NO, and thiobarbituric acid reactive species. In the CFA-induced arthritis, FAEE 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced the edema and the elevation paw time, a joint disability parameter, since second hour after arthritis induction (p < 0.001). FAEE presented rat joint protective activity in radiographic records (p < 0.001). The data suggest that the FAEE exerts anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting leukocyte migration, oxidative stress reduction, and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Anti-ulcer activity of essential oil constituents.

Essential oils have attracted considerable worldwide attention over the last few decades. These natural products have wide-ranging pharmacological activities and biotechnological applications. Faced with the need to find new anti-ulcer agents and the great effort on the development of drugs for the treatment of ulcers, in this review, the anti-ulcer activities of 21 bioactive compounds found in essential oils are discussed.

Fitoterapia na Atenção Básica: olhares dos gestores e profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família de Teresina (PI), Brasil / Phytotherapy in Primary Health Care: perspectives of managers and professionals in the Family Health Program of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil

Desde 2006, a fitoterapia destaca-se como uma prática integrativa e complementar no Sistema Único de Saúde, através de experiências e normatizações, apresentando-se para o fortalecimento da Atenção Básica. Este estudo quali-quantitativo objetivou conhecer a percepção de 8 gestores em saúde e 68 profissionais da estratégia saúde da família (36 enfermeiros, 18 médicos e 14 odontólogos) de Teresina, Piauí, sobre a inserção da fitoterapia na Atenção Básica. Nas entrevistas, utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado com questões relativas a dados pessoais do entrevistado, ao seu conhecimento sobre fitoterapia e a suas opiniões sobre o potencial de inserção desta na Atenção Básica. De uma forma geral, os entrevistados aceitam a institucionalização da fitoterapia; fazem uso pessoal deste recurso terapêutico e o conhecimento popular é a forma de conhecimento predominante. A formação técnica em fitoterapia dos profissionais de saúde, bem como o conhecimento das políticas que envolvem o tema é deficiente. Os gestores demonstraram plena abertura para a discussão do assunto, elencando justificativas, estratégias e dificuldades de ordem política e estrutural. Assim, reconheceu-se a importância da capilarização da discussão sobre a fitoterapia, para a ampliação das ofertas de cuidado na Atenção Básica.

Since 2006, thanks to experiments and the inclusion of norms, phytotherapy has become an integral and complementary practice in the Unified Health System, duly increasing the options in Primary Health Care. This study sought to identify the qualitative and quantitative perceptions of 8 managers and 68 health professionals in family health strategy (36 nurses, 18 physicians and 14 dentists) in Teresina in the State of Piauí, regarding the inclusion of phytotherapy in Primary Health Care. A semi-structured questionnaire was used In the interviews with questions regarding the interviewees' personal details, their knowledge about phytotherapy and their opinions about the potential of its inclusion in Primary Health Care. In general, the interviewees accept the institutionalization of phytotherapy, use this therapeutic measure personally and acknowledge that it is a popular form of medication. Technical training of phytotherapy health professionals, as well as knowledge of policies involving the issue is lacking. The managers revealed that they are open to discuss the issue, albeit listing justifications, strategies and difficulties of a political and structural nature. Thus, they acknowledged the importance of disseminating the discussion on phytotherapy to broaden the options in Primary Health Care.

[Phytotherapy in Primary Health Care: perspectives of managers and professionals in the Family Health Program of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil]. / Fitoterapia na Atenção Básica: olhares dos gestores e profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família de Teresina (PI), Brasil.

Since 2006, thanks to experiments and the inclusion of norms, phytotherapy has become an integral and complementary practice in the Unified Health System, duly increasing the options in Primary Health Care. This study sought to identify the qualitative and quantitative perceptions of 8 managers and 68 health professionals in family health strategy (36 nurses, 18 physicians and 14 dentists) in Teresina in the State of Piauí, regarding the inclusion of phytotherapy in Primary Health Care. A semi-structured questionnaire was used In the interviews with questions regarding the interviewees' personal details, their knowledge about phytotherapy and their opinions about the potential of its inclusion in Primary Health Care. In general, the interviewees accept the institutionalization of phytotherapy, use this therapeutic measure personally and acknowledge that it is a popular form of medication. Technical training of phytotherapy health professionals, as well as knowledge of policies involving the issue is lacking. The managers revealed that they are open to discuss the issue, albeit listing justifications, strategies and difficulties of a political and structural nature. Thus, they acknowledged the importance of disseminating the discussion on phytotherapy to broaden the options in Primary Health Care.

Fitossociologia e uso múltiplo de espécies arbóreas em floresta manejada, comunidade Santo Antônio, município de Santarém, estado do Pará / Phytosociology and multiple use of forest species in a logged forest in Santo Antonio community, municipality of Santarém, Pará state

Avaliou-se a fitossociologia de floresta manejada em lotes de comunitários da Comunidade Santo Antônio no Assentamento Moju I e II, município de Santarém, Amazônia brasileira. Foram instaladas 12 parcelas de 50 m x 200 m (1 por lote) anotando-se indivíduos com CAP ≥ 157,1 cm (nível 3 de inclusão); 12 sub-parcelas de 50 m x 50 m, para os indivíduos com 94,2 cm ≤ CAP < 157,1 cm (nível 2 de inclusão) e 12 sub-parcelas de 50 m x 25 m, para os indivíduos com 31,4cm ≤ CAP < 94,2 cm (nível 1 de inclusão). Foram amostrados 1.227 indivíduos, distribuídos em 175 espécies e 38 famílias botânicas. A família Fabaceae apresentou maior número de espécies e o gênero mais rico foi Inga. O Índice de Diversidade de Shannon (H') foi 4,39 e o Índice de Equabilidade de Pielou (J) de 0,85. A avaliação do Valor de Importância Ampliado (VIA) das espécies da amostra revelou o estoque de espécies com potencial madeireiro e não madeireiro. Carapa guianensis, Caryocar villosum, Brosimum parinarioides, Aniba canellila, Bowdichia virgilioides e Andira surinamensis podem ser aproveitadas como produtos florestais não madeireiros e serem removidas da lista de espécies de corte para fins madeireiros, melhorando assim o retorno econômico comunitário. Manilkara huberi e Carapa guianensis foram espécies com utilização madeireira e não madeireira mais expressivas, considerando o mercado atual e potencial de usos conhecidos; portanto, tais características devem ser consideradas no planejamento e execução do manejo da floresta.

The forest potential was evaluated in the logged area in the Moju I and II Settlement, located at a secondary road near km 124 of the BR 163 highway, in the municipality of Santarém, Brazilian Amazonia. Twelve 50 m x 200 m plots were established in a 12 ha sample area, in which all trees CPH (circumference 1.3 m above ground) > 157.5 cm were recorded; twelve 50 m x 50 m subplots in which individuals 94.2 cm ≤ CAP < 157.1 cm were recorded; and twelve 50 m x 25 m subplots for measuring individuals 31.4 cm ≤ CAP < 94.2 cm. A total of 1227 trees from 175 species and 38 families were recorded in the forest sample. Higher number of species was found in Fabaceae and genus Inga was the richest. Diversity Shannon index (H') was 4.39 and Evenness index (J) was 0,85. The analysis of VIA showed that remain forest keeps a stock of timber and non-timber potential species for using by the community. Carapa guianensis, Caryocar villosum, Brosimum parinarioides, Aniba canellila, Bowdichia virgilioides and Andira surinamensis can be suggested to be removed from the timber harvesting list, thus improving community economic return. Manilkara huberi and Carapa guianensis were the species with more expressive timber and non-timber uses, respectively, according to the present market and the potential of known uses; so it will be very interesting that these characteristics can be taking into consideration during the elaboration of plans and management of the forest.

Estudo das propriedades farmacológicas da resina de Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) March. e de seus principais constituintes, mistura de α - E ß - amirina / Study of the pharmacological properties of the resin Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl). March. and its main constituent, mixture α - and ß - amyrin

A espécie Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) March (Burseraceae) popularmente conhecida como almécega, é encontrada na região Amazônica, em vários Estados do Brasil e países da América do Sul. Esta espécie exsuda uma resina oleosa e amorfa, usada na medicina popular como analgésico, antiinflamtória, cicatrizante e expectorante. Estudos fitoquímicos demonstraram a presença de monoterpenos e triterpenos pentacíclicos, tais como α- amirina e β- amirina, maniladiol e breina. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos tóxicos e farmacológicos da resena e de seus constituintes majoritários, a mistura de triterpenos α- e β- amirina. Na avaliação dos efeitos tóxicos observamos a toxicidade aguda destes produtos em camundongos e Artemia sp.. Analisando os efeitos sistêmicos, avaliamos a atividade antiinflamatória da resina (edema de pata induzido por carragenina, granuloma induzido por "pellets" de algodão e permeabilidade vascular induzida por ácido acético) e da mistura de α- e β- amirina (edema induzido por histamina, serotonina, dextrana T40 e composto 48/80). Examinamos ainda as atividades gastroprotetora e antisecretória da resina (lesões gástricas induzidas pelo etanol absoluto e etanol acidificado e secreção ácida induzida pela ligação pilórica) e as atividades gastroprotetora (lesões gástricas induzidas pelo etanol absoluto, com animais dessensibilizados por capsaicina), antipruriginosa (prurido induzido pelo dextrana T40 e composto 448/80 e desgranulação de mastócitos ex vivo), antinociceptiva (nocicepção induzida pela administração subplantar e intracolônica de capsaicina, resposta hipotérmica induzida por capsaicina) e hepatoprotetora (lesões hepáticas induzidas por acetaminofeno e GalN/LPS) da mistura α- e β- amirinas...

Adenocarcinoma de cólon em paciente jovem / Adenocarcinoma of the colon in a young patient

Os autores relatam um caso de adenocarcinoma de cólon ascendente em pacientes do sexo masculino de 24 anos, discutindo os aspectos da baixa incidência desta patologia nesta faixa etária.

Criatividade verbal em redacoes de adolescentes de diferentes instituicoes de ensino: um estudo quase experimental

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a criatividade verbal em redacoes de adolescentes de diferentes niveis de desempenho academico e de diferentes instituicoes de ensino: particular, estatal e militar. Foram estudados 30 alunos (10 de cada escola) com idade entre 15 a 18 anos, do sexo masculino. O desempenho academico foi indicado pelos professores de Lingua Portuguesa e Literatura. Os criterios definidos operacionalmente para avaliacao da criatividade verbal foram: flexibilidade, fluencia, extensao media do enunciado e criatividade geral. Os resultados indicaram superioridade do grupo militar em algumas dimensoes. O grupo particular e o estadual nao apresentaram desempenho diferenciado. Todavia, algumas dificuldades sobre os criterios de avaliacao foram encontradas. Consideracoes a respeito sao discutidas.