RESUMO: Alelopatia é definida como a capacidade que determinadas plantas e microrganismos têm de interferir no metabolismo de outras espécies, por meio de substâncias liberadas no ambiente, podendo ser uma alternativa de combate às plantas daninhas e doenças. Nesse contexto, este estudo teve por objetivos avaliar o potencial alelopático e identificar os grupos de metabólitos secundários de Paspalum maritimum Trind. As espécies Lactuca sativa, Digitaria insularis, Emilia coccinea e Portulaca oleracea foram utilizadas como plantas receptoras. Para avaliar o potencial alelopático, foram obtidos o extrato etanólico da parte aérea e radicular da espécie doadora. Os efeitos potencialmente alelopáticos foram avaliados por meio de testes de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação e crescimento inicial de plântulas. Foi realizada também a análise fitoquímica do extrato, para identificar os metabólitos secundários. O extrato etanólico, de ambas as partes da planta, causaram efeito alelopático nas espécies receptoras. Foi detectada, na fração mais ativa da parte aérea de P. maritimum, a presença de taninos condensados, chalconas e auronas, flavononas, esteroides e saponinas.

ABSTRACT: Allelopathy is defined as the ability of certain plants and microorganisms to interfere with the metabolism of other species through substances released into the environment, being an alternative to control weeds and diseases. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential and identify groups of secondary metabolites of Paspalum maritimum Trind. The species Lactuca sativa, Digitaria insularis, Emilia coccinea, and Portulaca oleracea were used as recipient plants. The ethanolic extract was obtained from shoot and root of donor species to evaluate the allelopathic potential. Potentially allelopathic effects were evaluated by means of germination tests, germination speed index, and initial seedling growth. A phytochemical analysis of the extract was also performed to identify the secondary metabolites. The ethanolic extract from both plant parts had an allelopathic effect on recipient species. The presence of condensed tannins, chalcones and aurones, flavonones, steroids, and saponins were detected in the most active fraction of the shoot of P. maritimum.

Abstract:Avicennia schaueriana is found in Brazilian mangrove coast. The cytotoxicity in vitro of the Aqueous Extract of Leaves of Avicennia schaueriana (AELAs) and the healing activity of the plant in cream on mice skin wounds were evaluated in this study. The cytotoxic evaluation was performed on Vero cells. The healing activity was evaluated on mice treated during 5, 10 and 15 days with cream at 5%, solution of sodium chloride at 0.9% and dexpanthenol in cream at 5%. The extract did not show cytotoxicity, but showed mitogenic activity (100μg/ml). In morphometric analysis, the percentage of wound contraction after 10 days was higher in dexpanthenol group (93.41%). In 15 days, the lowest percentage of contraction was observed in the dexpanthenol group (94.41%) and the highest in the AELAs cream group (98.50%). In histomorphometry the dexpanthenol showed the lowest length of re-epithelialization in 10 days. In 15 days, the AELAs cream group showed 100% of re-epithelialization. The number of fibroblasts found in AELAs cream group was higher than the saline solution in 10 days. In 15 days, AELAs cream group maintained a higher amount of fibroblasts when compared to the others. A. schaueriana did not show cytotoxicity. Furthermore, topical application of AELAs cream decreased the wound area, stimulated the re-epithelialization and increased the number of fibroblasts. The species A. schaueriana could become a topical treatment in tissue repair process.

ABSTRACT Rhizophora mangle is an abundant plant in mangroves and tannic acid is a polyphenol produced by the secondary metabolism of plants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the embryotoxic and embriostatic effects of the aqueous extract of R. mangle and synthetic tannic acid on eggs and larvae of Aedes aegypti. A. aegypti eggs were exposed in duplicate at concentrations of 250, 500, 750 and 1000 µg/mL of extract and tannic acid for a period of 14 days. Mineral water was used as a negative control. The eggs were observed and counted in a stereomicroscope (1.2x). In all extract concentrations there was stimulation in hatching in relation to the control, but only in concentration of 750 mg/mL it was statistically significant. In tannic acid (250µg/ml) there was significant stimulus in hatching, but in 500, 750 and 1000 µg/mL there was significant inhibition. All concentrations of aqueous extract and tannic acid on larvae showed embryotoxic and embryostatic effects when compared to the control. The aqueous extract of R. mangle showed effect on hatching of A. aegypti eggs and synthetic tannic acid showed embryotoxic and embryostatic effects. On larvae, both the aqueous extract as tannic acid showed embryotoxic and embryostatic effects.

RESUMO Os manguezais representam zonas de elevada produtividade biológica sendo uma das regiões mais ricas em substâncias bioativas utilizadas na produção de medicamentos. Conocarpus erectus (Combretaceae) conhecida como mangue botão é uma das espécies encontrada nos manguezais e é utilizada na medicina popular no tratamento de anemia, catarro, conjuntivite, diabetes, diarréia, febre, gonorréia, dor de cabeça, hemorragia, orquite, brotoeja, inchaços e sífilis. O presente estudo objetivou investigar a toxicidade aguda de extrato aquoso de folhas de C. erectus em camundongos albinos suíços. O material vegetal foi coletado no manguezal de Vila Velha, localizado em Itamaracá (PE). O material foi submetido a um screening fitoquímico onde foram usados protocolos extrativos de identificação de moléculas majoritárias presentes nas folhas. A avaliação da toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de C. erectus seguiu o modelo da Toxicidade Aguda de Classe baseado no Guia da OECD 423, 2001. As moléculas majoritárias identificadas foram: flavonóides, taninos e saponinas. A DL50 foi estimada em 2.000 mg/Kg p.c. Portanto, o extrato apresentou baixa toxicidade aguda classificada na categoria 5.

ABSTRACT Mangroves represent areas of high biological productivity and it is a region rich in bioactive substances used in medicine production. Conocarpus erectus (Combretaceae) known as button mangrove is one of the species found in mangroves and it is used in folk medicine in the treatment of anemia, catarrh, conjunctivitis, diabetes, diarrhea, fever, gonorrhea, headache, hemorrhage, orchitis, rash, bumps and syphilis. The present study aimed to investigate the acute toxicity of aqueous extract of leaves of C. erectus in Swiss albino mice. The plant material was collected in Vila Velha mangroves, located in Itamaracá (PE). The material was subjected to a phytochemical screening where extractive protocols to identify majority molecules present in leaves were used. The evaluation of acute toxicity of aqueous extract of C. erectus followed the model of Acute Toxicity Class based on OECD 423 Guideline, 2001. The majority molecules were identified: flavonoids, tannins and saponins. The LD50 was estimated at 2,000 mg/kg bw. Therefore, the aqueous extract showed low acute toxicity classified in category 5.

RESUMO Spondias tuberosa Arruda, popularmente conhecida como umbu, é uma espécie nativa da Caatinga amplamente utilizada na medicina popular, cujo perfil toxicológico ainda não é conhecido. Deste modo, este estudo avaliou o perfil fitoquímico, a toxicidade aguda e a citotoxicidade do extrato etanólico da casca da Spondias tuberosa Arruda (EEStb) nos parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e histopatológicos. Foram utilizados ratos fêmeas Wistar (±210g) e divididos em: grupo controle (C) e tratados com uma dose única de 300mg/Kg (EEStb300) ou 2.000mg/kg do peso corporal (ESStb2.000) do EEStb. Após 24 horas e 14 dias da gavagem, os parâmetros comportamentais, hematológicos, bioquímicos e histopatológicos foram determinados. O efeito citotóxico foi avaliado em células HEp-2. Não foi observada mortalidade ou alterações de massa corporal durante os 14 dias de experimento nos grupos EEStb300 e EEStb2.000, mas EEStb2.000 provocou uma redução discreta no consumo hídrico e alimentar, assim como na atividade locomotora no 1º dia de tratamento. Não houve alterações nos parâmetros histopatológicos, macroscópicos, bioquímicos e hematológicos. EEStb2000 nas concentrações de 6.25-50μg.ml-1) não produziu efeito citotóxico. na célula HEp-2. Estes resultados sugerem que EEStb não promoveu toxicidade aguda ou citotóxica, sugerindo boa margem de segurança para uso da Spondias tuberosa Arruda.

ABSTRACT Spondias tuberosa Arruda, popularly named as umbu, is native from savanna-like vegetation and widely used for medicinal purposes, however, the toxicological profile is not available yet. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and acute toxicity and citoxicity of Ethanolic Extract of Spondias tuberosa Arruda Bark (EEStb) in hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters. Female Wistar rats were divided into: control (C) and animal treated single doses of 300mg/Kg (EEStb300) or 2.000mg/kg body weight (ESStb2.000) of the EEStb. After 24 hours and 14 days from gavage, the behavior, hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were assayed. Cytotoxicity effect was evaluated on HEp-2 cell lines. Neither EEStb300 nor EEStb2.000 produced mortality nor changes in body weight during the 14-days of observation, but EEStb2.000 reduced quietly the food and water intake as well as locomotor activity at first day. There were no changes in macroscopic, histopathological, biochemical and hematological parameters. EEStb in concentrations of 6.25- 50μg ml−1 on HEp-2 cell did not produce cytotoxic effect. These results suggest that EEStb did not cause acute toxicity and cytotoxic, suggesting a good safety rate for Spondias tuberosa Arruda.

Subjects with chronic liver disease are susceptible to hypovitaminosis A due to several factors. Therefore, identifying patients with vitamin deficiency and a requirement for vitamin supplementation is important. Most studies assessing vitamin A in the context of hepatic disorders are conducted using cirrhotic patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 43 non-cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis C to evaluate markers of vitamin A status represented by serum retinol, liver retinol, and serum retinol-binding protein levels. We also performed the relative dose-response test, which provides an indirect estimate of hepatic vitamin A reserves. These vitamin A indicators were assessed according to the stage of liver fibrosis using the METAVIR score and the body mass index. The sample study was predominantly composed of male subjects (63%) with mild liver fibrosis (F1). The relative dose-response test was <20% in all subjects, indicating vitamin A sufficiency. Overweight or obese patients had higher serum retinol levels than those with a normal body mass index (2.6 and 1.9 µmol/L, respectively; P<0.01). Subjects with moderate liver fibrosis (F2) showed lower levels of serum retinol (1.9 vs 2.5 µmol/L, P=0.01) and retinol-binding protein levels compared with those with mild fibrosis (F1) (46.3 vs 67.7 µg/mL, P<0.01). These results suggested an effect of being overweight on serum retinol levels. Furthermore, more advanced stages of liver fibrosis were related to a decrease in serum vitamin A levels.

The emergence of ganciclovir (GCV) resistance during the treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a serious clinical challenge, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this case report, we describe the emergence of two consecutive mutations (A594V and L595W) related to GCV resistance in a patient with HCMV retinitis and long-term HIV progression after approximately 240 days of GCV use. Following the diagnosis of retinitis, the introduction of GCV did not result in viral load reduction. The detected mutations appeared late in the treatment, and we propose that other factors (high initial HCMV load, previous GCV exposure, low CD4+ cell count), in addition to the presence of resistance mutations, may have contributed to the treatment failure of HCMV infection in this patient.

Diferenças na morfologia microscópica dos cascos dos membros pélvicos e torácicos dos equinos têm sido pouco relatadas na literatura, principalmente no tocante a distribuição de lâminas epidérmicas primárias e secundárias nas diversas regiões. O propósito deste estudo foi quantificar a densidade de lâminas epidérmicas primárias e secundárias no casco de equinos. Foram utilizados membros torácicos e pélvicos de oito equinos adultos e sem raça definida. Em uma secção transversal de aproximadamente 0,5cm de altura da sola dos cascos foi quantificada a densidade das lâminas epidérmicas primárias tanto na região da pinça quanto dos quartos lateral e medial. Fragmentos com aproximadamente 1cm³ foram retirados dos terços proximal, médio e distal do casco, nas diferentes regiões e submetidos a técnica histológica convencional, a densidade de lâminas epidérmicas secundárias foi quantificada com auxilio de microscópio óptico. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente em relação aos membros torácicos e pélvicos e entre suas diversas regiões. A densidade de lâminas epidérmicas primárias varia ao redor da circunferência do casco, sendo maior na região da pinça do casco e diminui gradualmente em direção ao bulbo do casco, não existindo diferença entre membros pélvicos e torácicos. A densidade média de lâminas epidérmicas secundárias por lâmina epidérmica primária não varia em torno da circunferência dos cascos, assim como, quando comparada entre os membros torácicos e pélvicos. A variação da densidade das lâminas epidérmicas primárias em torno do casco parece fazer parte de uma resposta adaptativa às diferentes tensões existentes em cada região. O melhor entendimento da morfologia das estruturas do casco contribui na melhor compreensão do diagnóstico, fisiopatologia e tratamento das afecções que as acometem.

Differences in the microscopic morphology of the hoof in forelimbs and hindlimbs of horses have been scarcely reported in the literature, especially concerning the distribution of primary and secondary epidermal laminae in the different regions. This study aimed to determine the density of primary and secondary epidermal laminae in the hoof of horses. For this, it was used fore and hindlimbs of 16 adult mixed breed horses. With a cross section 0.5 cm above the sole, it was quantified the primary epidermal laminae in the regions of the toe, and of lateral and medial quarters. Fragments with about 1cm ³ were taken from the proximal, middle and distal thirds of the hooves, in the different regions, subjected to conventional histological techniques and examined with an optical microscope. Data were statistically analyzed in relation to the fore and hindlimbs and between their various regions. The density of primary epidermal laminae varied around the hoof circumference, with greater values in the hoof toe, which gradually decreased towards the bulb of the hoof, without difference between thoracic and pelvic limbs. The average density of the secondary epidermal laminae per primary epidermal lamina does not change around the circumference of the hoof. Our findings indicated that the density of epidermal laminae is not different between fore and hindlimbs. The variation in the density of primary epidermal laminae around the hoof seems to be part of an adaptive response to different stresses in each region. A better understanding of the structural morphology contributes to a better understanding of the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of disorders that affect the hoof.

Since there are some concerns about the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy in developing countries, we compared the initial combination antiretroviral therapy with zidovudine and lamivudine plus either nelfinavir or efavirenz at a university-based outpatient service in Brazil. This was a retrospective comparative cohort study carried out in a tertiary level hospital. A total of 194 patients receiving either nelfinavir or efavirenz were identified through our electronic database search, but only 126 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were included if they were older than 18 years old, naive for antiretroviral therapy, and had at least 1 follow-up visit after starting the antiretroviral regimen. Fifty-one of the included patients were receiving a nelfinavir-based regimen and 75 an efavirenz-based regimen as outpatients. Antiretroviral therapy was prescribed to all patients according to current guidelines. By intention-to-treat (missing/switch = failure), after a 12-month period, 65% of the patients in the efavirenz group reached a viral load <400 copies/mL compared to 41% of the patients in the nelfinavir group (P = 0.01). The mean CD4 cell count increase after a 12-month period was also greater in the efavirenz group (195 x 10(6) cells/L) than in the nelfinavir group (119 x 10(6) cells/L; P = 0.002). The efavirenz-based regimen was superior compared to the nelfinavir-based regimen. The low response rate in the nelfinavir group might be partially explained by the difficulty of using a regimen requiring a higher patient compliance (12 vs 3 pills a day) in a developing country.

Injetou-se lidocaína (100mg 2%) na articulação do carpo para avaliar a resposta inflamatória induzida pela injeção (1,5ng) intra-articular de lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) de E. coli. Utilizaram-se 17 cavalos Mangalarga não castrados, entre dois e três anos, divididos em três grupos. No carpo esquerdo (CE) administrou-se solução fisiológica a 0,9% (SAL) e no carpo direito (CD) uma das seguintes combinações: grupo A (n=6) LPS mais SAL, grupo B (n=6) LPS mais lidocaína e grupo C (n=5) lidocaína mais SAL. Amostras do líquido sinovial e de sangue foram colhidas imediatamente antes da injeção de LPS (T0) e às 1,30 (T1), 3 (T2), 6 (T3), 12 (T4) e 36 horas (T5) após a injeção. Variáveis clínicas e físicas, e características bioquímicas e celulares do líquido sinovial foram avaliadas nos mesmos tempos. A resposta inflamatória local e sistêmica foi mensurada pela concentração do TNF-alfa no soro e líquido sinovial. Observou-se aumento da concentração do TNF-alfa nas articulações injetadas com LPS às 3h no grupo A e de 1,30 às 3h no grupo B. Concluiu-se que o LPS induziu o processo inflamatório e que a lidocaína não inibiu nem atenuou a sinovite induzida pelo LPS, nem a síntese e liberação de TNF-alfa .

Lidocaine (100mg 2%) injected into the carpal joint was used to evaluate the inflammatory response induced by injection (1.5ng) of intra-articular E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin. Seventeen male Mangalarga horses aged two to three years were divided into three groups and in all animals was injected 0.9% saline (SAL) in the left carpus (LC), and in the right carpus (RC) one of the following combinations were injected: group A (n=6) LPS plus SAL; group B (n=6) LPS plus lidocaine; group C (n=5) lidocaine plus SAL. Synovial fluid and blood samples were collected immediately before the injection of LPS (T0), and at 1.5 (T1), 3 (T2), 6 (T3), 12 (T4) and 36 hours (T5) after the injection. Clinical and physical variables and cellular and biochemical characteristics of the synovial fluid were evaluated at the same time. The local and systemic inflammatory response was evaluated by measurement of mean serum and synovial fluid TNF-alpha concentration. A rise in TNF-alpha concentration in LPS injected joints at 3h in group A and from 1.5h to 3h in group B was observed. It is concluded that LPS triggered an inflammatory process and that lidocaine did not inhibit or attenuate the LPS-induced synovitis nor the synthesis and release of TNF-alpha .

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: testar a adequação de diferentes índices de erosividade das chuvas, comparar duas equações propostas para cálculo da energia cinética das chuvas e estimar o fator K (erodibilidade) da equação universal de perdas de solo (EUPS) para um latossolo vermelho-escuro (LE) álico muito argiloso e um podzólico vermelho-amarelo (PV) álico muito argiloso da região de Sete Lagoas (MG). Não houve diferença significativa entre as duas equações testadas para cálculo da energia cinética das chuvas. O índice EI30 mostrou ser um bom estimador da erosividade da chuva e pode continuar sendo utilizado como fator R (erosividade) da EUPS para a região estudada. Os valores do fator K, para o LE e o PV da região de Sete Lagoas, foram, respectivamente, 0,002 e 0,033 t h (MJ mm)-1.

The objectives of this paper were: to verify the adequacy of different rainfall erosivity indices, to compare two equations to calculate the rainfall kinetic energy and to estimate the USLE K-factor (soil erodibility) of two soils (Dark - Red Latosol and Red - Yellow Podzolic soil) from the Sete Lagoas (MG) region. There was not a significant difference between the studied equations to calculate rainfall kinetic energy. The EI30 index showed to be a good rainfall erosivity predictor and can continue being used to determine the R-factor for the studied region. The K-factor values for the Dark - Red Latosol and Red - Yellow Podzolic soils from the Sete Lagoas region were 0.002 and 0.033 t h (MJ mm)-1, respectively.