Abstract Traditional kombucha tea was prepared by black tea leaves before fermentation with symbiotic microorganisms for 15 days. In this study, kombucha was prepared through a combination with medicinal plant extracts of T. catappa (KT) and A. marmelos (KA) to enhance a number of beneficial aspects. The results revealed that the phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidants and six organic acids, namely glucuronic, gluconic, D-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone (DSL), acetic, ascorbic, and succinic acids, in kombucha combined with the medicinal plant extracts resulted in the production of substances with greater beneficial properties than traditional kombucha tea. The viability of colorectal cancer cells (Caco-2) after treatment with KT and KA was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner, while DNA fragmentation in Caco-2 cells was induced via the apoptosis mechanism. This process involved the apoptosis pathways related to the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, which was activated by KT and KA through the mitochondrial-dependent pathways including cytochrome c release and Bcl-2 suppression, and activation of caspases-9 and caspases-3. The findings of this study support the enhanced beneficial properties of traditional kombucha tea through a combination with medicinal plants. This outcome would also support the consideration of natural supplementary kombucha beverages as medicinal food products in the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Resumo Objetivo: Relatar as características da tomografia computadorizada (TC) das complicações cerebrovasculares agudas em pacientes com doença do coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) grave, internados em unidade de terapia intensiva. Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizada análise retrospectiva de 29 pacientes com COVID-19 confirmada, internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, que realizaram TC de crânio. Descrevemos as alterações tomográficas das complicações cerebrovasculares, bem como as características demográficas, clínicas e exames laboratoriais, tais como hemograma completo, teste de coagulação, função renal e proteína C reativa desses pacientes. Resultados: Seis pacientes (três homens e três mulheres; faixa etária de 49-81 anos) apresentaram alterações cerebrovasculares reveladas por TC e 21 pacientes (15 homens e 6 mulheres; faixa etária de 36-82 anos) não apresentaram complicações cerebrovasculares agudas. Dois pacientes foram excluídos por morte encefálica. Conclusão: Os radiologistas devem estar cientes dos riscos de complicações cerebrovasculares da COVID-19 e das possíveis etiologias subjacentes. A coagulopatia relacionada à COVID-19 é provavelmente multifatorial e pode aumentar os riscos de infarto isquêmico e hemorrágico.

Abstract Objective: To report the computed tomography (CT) features of acute cerebrovascular complications in severely ill patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 29 intensive care unit patients with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent CT of the brain. We describe the CT features of the cerebrovascular complications of COVID-19, as well the demographic characteristics and clinical features, together with the results of laboratory tests, such as complete blood cell count, coagulation testing, renal function testing, and C-reactive protein assay. Results: Two patients were excluded because of brain death. Among the remaining 27 patients, CT revealed acute cerebrovascular complications in six (three men and three women; 49-81 years of age), whereas no such complications were seen in 21 (15 men and six women; 36-82 years of age). Conclusion: Radiologists should be aware of the risks of cerebrovascular complications of COVID-19 and the potential underlying etiologies. COVID-19-associated coagulopathy is likely multifactorial and may increase the risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic infarction.

Several species of Aspidosperma plants are used to treat diseases in the tropics, including Aspidosperma ramiflorum, which acts against leishmaniasis, an activity that is experimentally confirmed. The species, known as guatambu-yellow, yellowperoba, coffee-peroba andmatiambu, grows in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil in the South to the Southeast regions. Through a guided biofractionation of A. ramiflorum extracts, the plant activity against Plasmodium falciparum was evaluated in vitro for toxicity towards human hepatoma G2 cells, normal monkey kidney cells and nonimmortalised human monocytes isolated from peripheral blood. Six of the seven extracts tested were active at low doses (half-maximal drug inhibitory concentration < 3.8 µg/mL); the aqueous extract was inactive. Overall, the plant extracts and the purified compounds displayed low toxicity in vitro. A nonsoluble extract fraction and one purified alkaloid isositsirikine (compound 5) displayed high selectivity indexes (SI) (= 56 and 113, respectively), whereas compounds 2 and 3 were toxic (SI < 10). The structure, activity and low toxicity of isositsirikine in vitro are described here for the first time in A. ramiflorum, but only the neutral and precipitate plant fractions were tested for activity, which caused up to 53% parasitaemia inhibition of Plasmodium bergheiin mice with blood-induced malaria. This plant species is likely to be useful in the further development of an antimalarial drug, but its pharmacological evaluation is still required.

ContextoO tratamento padrão da hepatite C crônica consiste na administração de interferon peguilado α2a ou α2b associado à ribavirina. Contudo, podem ser observados efeitos adversos além do alto custo desta terapêutica. Por isso há interesse no conhecimento dos fatores preditivos de resposta virológica sustentada como a gama glutamiltransferase.ObjetivoAvaliar os níveis séricos da gama glutamiltransferase como fator preditivo de resposta terapêutica com interferon peguilado α e ribavirina na hepatite C crônica.MétodosTrata-se de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, conduzida através de consulta às bases eletrônicas de dados PUBMED, LILACS, MEDLINE, SCOPUS e COCHRANE, e busca ativa das referências dos artigos selecionados, no período de janeiro de 2000 a abril de 2013.ResultadosForam identificados 4.785 títulos. Destes, seguindo os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 273 resumos para a leitura por dois pesquisadores independentes. Após a leitura dos artigos, na íntegra e em consenso, os revisores incluíram dez estudos, para sistematização e qualificação, segundo os critérios da Escala de Oxford. Predominaram os estudos 1B A (Coorte prospectivo - seis estudos), publicações da Alemanha. A frequência de resposta virológica rápida foi identificada em três estudos e resposta virológica precoce em dois estudos, com um total de 392 e 413 pacientes respectivamente; a resposta virológica sustentada foi registrada em nove artigos correspondendo a 3.787 pacientes (76,5%).ConclusãoO nível sérico da gama glutamiltransferase é um fator preditivo de resposta virológica sustentada no tratamento da hepatite C crônica com interferon peguilado α2a ou α2b associado à ribavirina.

BackgroundThe standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C is the administration of pegylated interferon α2a or α2b in combination with ribavirin, but adverse effects can be observed, as well as the high cost of this therapy. Therefore, there is interest in understanding the predictors of sustained virologic response, as the gamma glutamyltransferase.ObjectiveTo evaluate the serum levels of gamma glutamyltransferase as a predictor of response to treatment with pegylated interferon α and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C.MethodsThis is a systematic review of literature, conducted by consulting PUBMED, LILACS, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane electronic databases, and active search of articles selected between January 2000 and April 2013.ResultsA total of 4,785 titles were iden tified. Out of those material, following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 273 abstracts were selected, by two independent researchers. After reading those texts, the reviewers consensually included ten studies for systematization and classification, according to the criteria of the Oxford Scale. 1B studies are predominant (prospective cohort study - six studies). Rapid virologic response and early virological response were considered as estimates for the sustained virological response. The frequency of virologic response was identified in three studies and early virological response in two, with a total of 392 and 413 patients, respectively; sustained virologic response was reported in nine articles corresponding to 3,787 patients (76.5 %).ConclusionGamma glutamyltransferase is a predictor of sustained virologic response in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon α2a or α2b associated with ribavirin.

A utilização do herbicida glyphosate para o controle químico das espécies de gramas-boiadeiras nas lavouras orizícolas não tem se mostrado eficiente. Nesse contexto, a investigação do controle dessas espécies com o glyphosate torna-se de fundamental importância, uma vez que não estão disponíveis no mercado herbicidas seletivos para o controle dessas em pós-emergência na cultura do arroz irrigado. Em vista do exposto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a suscetibilidade das gramas-boiadeiras a diferentes formulações de glyphosate. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos em casa de vegetação em esquema fatorial. No primeiro experimento, o fator A constituiu-se de duas formulações de glyphosate (sal potássico e isopropilamina) e o fator B de nove doses dos herbicidas (zero; 175; 350; 700; 1400; 2800; 5600; 11200; 22400g e.a. ha-1). No segundo experimento, o fator A constituiu-se de duas espécies de gramas-boiadeiras (Leersia hexandra e Luziola peruviana), o fator B de três formulações do glyphosate (sal amônio, potássico e isopropilamina) e o fator C de nove doses dos herbicidas (zero; 87,5; 175; 350; 700; 1400; 2800; 5600; 11200g e.a. ha-1). Com base nos resultados obtidos, foi possível observar que as espécies apresentaram diferença de suscetibilidade ao herbicida glyphosate. Além disso, Leersia hexandra foi mais sensível em comparação a Luziola peruviana. As formulações de glyphosate influenciaram na suscetibilidade das espécies ao controle, sendo que, Roundup Transorb R® e Roundup Ultra® proporcionam melhor controle das espécies de gramas-boiadeiras.

The use of glyphosate to chemical control of Cutgrass and Peruvian Watergrass with the use of non-selective herbicides has not been efficient. In this context, the investigation of chemical control of these species to glyphosate is very important, since there are not available commercially selective herbicides to control these species in post-emergence of irrigated rice. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of Cutgrass and Peruvian Watergrass to different formulations of glyphosate. Two factorial experiments were conducted in a greenhouse, in the first the A factor were two formulations of glyhposate (potassium and isopropylamine salt) and the B factor were nine doses of the herbicide (zero; 175; 350; 700; 1400; 2800; 5600; 11200; 22400g a.e. ha-1). In the second experiment, the A factor were two species (Leersia hexandra and Luziola peruviana), the B factor were three formulations of glyphosate (amoniun, potassium e isopropylamine salt) and the C factor were nine doses of herbicides (zero; 87,5; 175; 350; 700; 1400; 2800; 5600; 11200g a.e. ha-1). Based on the results obtained, it was observed that these species exhibit differential susceptibility to glyphosate. Moreover, Leersia hexandra was more sensitive when compared to Luziola peruviana. Glyphosate formulation influenced control efficiency, where Transorb Roundup R® and Roundup Ultra® provided the best control of the two species.

OBJETIVO: Relacionar o nível de atividade física e a incidência de quedas com as condições de saúde dos idosos de grupos de convivência. MÉTODO: Pesquisa descritiva transversal. Amostra de 256 idosos, 219 do sexo feminino e 37 do masculino, com média de idade de 70,85 anos. Para coleta dos dados foram utilizados um formulário com perguntas sobre as condições de saúde, quedas e o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). A análise se deu por meio de estatística descritiva e de teste não-paramétrico (qui-quadrado), adotando-se um nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: 201 idosos (79,13%) foram classificados como muito ativos. Desses, apenas 38 idosos haviam sofrido quedas nos últimos três meses. Houve relação estatisticamente significativa entre o nível de atividade física pouco ativo com o número de quedas e com a condição de saúde atual (p= 0,011). A condição de saúde se associou negativamente com a prática de atividade física (p= 0,016) e com a satisfação com a saúde (p= 0,05). Dos idosos pouco ativos que tiveram queda, 50% relataram que sua saúde atual é ruim. Todos os idosos pouco ativos que sofreram quedas disseram que sua condição de saúde atual dificulta a prática de atividade física, e apenas 20% deles estão satisfeitos com sua saúde. CONCLUSÃO: A prática regular de atividade física parece estar associada a uma melhor condição de saúde dos idosos e uma menor incidência de quedas.

OBJECTIVE: To relate the physical activity levels and incidence of falls among elderly people in social groups, to their health conditions. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study on a sample of 256 elderly people (219 females and 37 males) of mean age 70.85 years. A form containing questions about health conditions, falls and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used for data collection. The analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and a non-parametric test (chi-square), adopting a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: 201 of the elderly people (79.13%) were classified as very active. Of these, only 38 had suffered falls during the last three months. Low physical activity levels presented statistically significant association with falls and current health condition (p= 0.011). Health condition related negatively with the practicing of physical activity (p= 0.016) and satisfaction with health condition (p= 0.05). Among the elderly individuals with little activity who had suffered falls, 50% reported that their current health was poor. All the elderly people with little activity who had suffered falls said that their current health condition made it difficult to practice physical activity, and only 20% of them were satisfied with their health. CONCLUSION: Regular practicing of physical activity seems to be associated with better health conditions among elderly people and lower incidence of falls.