Abstract Microbial therapeutic enzymes are the protagonists in the pharmacological treatment of different human diseases. The intrinsic enzymatic characteristics, such as high affinity and specificity to the corresponding substrate, enable effective therapies, with minimal adverse effects and complete remission. However, immunogenicity, short half-life, low enzymatic yield, and low selectivity regarding available enzyme drugs are currently the main obstacles to their development and the broad adherence to therapeutic protocols. By harboring adapted and still unexplored microbial life, environments of extreme conditions, such as Antarctica, become especially important in the prospecting and development of new enzymatic compounds that present higher yields and the possibility of genetic improvement. Antarctic microorganisms have adaptation mechanisms, such as more fluid cell membranes, production of antifreeze proteins and enzymes with more malleable structures, more robust, stable, selective catalytic sites for their respective substrates, and high antioxidant capacity. In this context, this review aims to explore enzymes synthesized by bacteria and fungi from Antarctica as potential drug producers, capable of providing therapeutic efficacy, less adverse effects, and lower production costs with highlight to L-Asparaginase, collagenase, superoxide dismutase and ribonucleases. In addition, this review highlights the unique biotechnological profile of these Antarctic extremophile microorganisms.

Much is said and written regarding alchemy all across the world, in what could be called a renaissance of alchemical studies. However, relatively little is done in terms of actual alchemical laboratory work. The aim of the project described herein was to show how crucial the development of technical alchemical practice was along the centuries, in the discovery of an immense number of substances, processes and operations, which were of paramount importance in the establishment of modern chemistry. Alchemy is often derided in many circles. On the contrary, for two thousand years it constituted the basis of humankind’s understanding of the material world and the changes undergone by compounds and materials. Here we present an experimental reconstitution of several alchemical discoveries of great importance, using old descriptions followed by modern characterizations. The results were often startling and demonstrated how ancient wisdom bore fruit in different ways, even in the absence of our present-day means of analysis.

The synthesis, characterization, cytotoxicity and antitumor activity of platinum(II) complexes coordinated to O-glycoside and analogous is reported. Through the acute toxicity tests, it was possible to fit the complexes into categories according to the OECD protocol. The cis-[PtCl2(C6H14S2O2)-κ2S] complex was classified in category 3 and the cis-[PtCl2(C26H38O12S2)-κ2S] complex was classified in category 4. This result demonstrates the lower toxicity achieved by the glycoside in comparison with its analogous system. Evaluations of tumor masses extracted from mice inoculated with Ehrlich carcinoma demonstrated percent inhibition similar to cisplatin and synthesized platinum complexes. Cisplatin showed 59% inhibition, while cis-[PtCl2(C6H14S2O2)-κ2S] and cis-[PtCl2(C26H38O12S2)-κ2S] complexes presented 57% and 59%, respectively. Although the glycosidic compounds exhibit tumor activity, reported in the literature, the presence of platinum ion was shown to be determinant for antitumor action according with the compounds tested, since the glycosidic ligand presented tumor inhibition of only 38%, with a similar antitumor activity in relation to cisplatin.

Enquanto a mieloradiculite pelo CMV é complicação conhecida em pacientes com SIDA e imunossupressão grave, a mieloradiculite necrosante por HSV-2 é rara e muitas vezes associada a sequelas ou desfecho fatal. Descrevemos um paciente de 46 anos de idade, infectado pelo HIV com imunossupressão profunda e sustentada que apresentou paraparesia aguda ascendente e retenção urinária. A RM de coluna lombar mostrou o realce de contraste no cone medular e cauda equina e ambos PCR para CMV e HSV-2 no LCR foram positivos. Apesar do tratamento, o paciente morreu 20 dias depois. Revisamos os principais aspectos diagnósticos e terapêuticos da mieloradiculite associada aos herpesvírus e discutimos a abordagem em casos semelhantes.

While CMV myeloradiculitis is a known complication in AIDS patients with severe immunosuppression, HSV-2 necrotizing myeloradiculitis is rare and often associated with disabling a fatal outcome. We hereby describe a 46 year-old HIV infected patient with profound and sustained immunosuppression who presented with an acute ascending paraparesis and urinary retention. Lumbar spine MRI showed contrast enhancement at the conus medullaris and cauda equine, and both CMV and HSV-2 CSF PCR were positive. Despite treatment, the patient died 20 days later. We review the main diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of herpes virus associated myeloradiculitis and discuss the approach in similar cases.

Em sistema de sequeiro, o rendimento das culturas é altamente dependente das interações entre suas fases fenológicas e as variações climáticas provocadas principalmente pela irregularidade do regime pluviométrico. Nesse estudo foram utilizadas as anomalias de Temperatura da Superfície do Mar (TSM) dos oceanos Atlântico e Pacífico e os rendimentos anuais das culturas de feijão, milho, algodão herbáceo e mandioca, cultivadas em sistema de sequeiro no Nordeste do Brasil, nos anos agrícolas de 1974 a 1996. Obtiveram-se modelos de previsão de rendimento das culturas de sequeiro em função dos fenômenos oceânicos El Niño e Dipolo do Atlântico, utilizando-se apenas as anomalias significativas de TSM dos oceanos Atlântico e Pacífico, caracterizadas pelos picos superiores a 0,5 do desvio-padrão da série no período de novembro a março. Os resultados evidenciaram que esses modelos poderão ser utilizados com razoável precisão na identificação da tendência de rendimento das culturas de sequeiro e na elaboração de estratégias de combate aos impactos das secas na agricultura de subsistência do Nordeste do Brasil.

The crop yield in a semi-arid region is highly dependent on the interactions between their phenological phases and the climatic variations of the area. In this study sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and annual yield of crops bean corn, cotton and cassava cultivated in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil were used, corresponding to the agricultural period from 1974 to 1996. Considering only the statistically significant anomalies of SST of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in the period from November to March, models for forecasting yields of these crops in a semi-arid region as a function of the oceanic phenomena El Niño and Atlantic Dipolo were determined. The results suggested that such models could be used with reasonable accuracy in the identification of strategies for reduction of the impacts of the climatic variations on yields in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil.

O presente trabalho analisa a ocorrência de desvio radicular em 115 incisivos centrais e intermédios, 34 caninos e 19 quarto pré-molares superiores, totalizando 168 dentes. O desvio foi avaliado por imagens de vídeo VHS sobrepostas a um quadriculado. Os resultados mostram que 77,4% dos incisivos apresentam desvios, sendo 61,0% moderados, 28,5% pequenos e 10,5% severos (estes, apenas nas extremidades do terço apical), de acordo com adaptação da técnica proposta por SCHNEIDER6 para determinação e classificação do grau de curvatura dos canais. Para os caninos anotam-se 47,1% dos dentes com desvio, sendo 75,0% moderados e 25,0% pequenos. E para os quarto pré-molares superiores observam-se 89,4% dos dentes com desvio, sendo 75,0% moderados, 16,7% pequenos e 8,3% severos. Comparados aos desvios radiculares observados na Odontologia Humana, concluímos que a ocorrência dos mesmos é baixa para a espécie canina facilitando a instrumentação do canal radicular.

This paper studied the deviation of the root in 115 central or intermediate incisors teeth, 34 canine teeth and 19 upper fourth pre-molar teeth, totaling 168 teeth. The deviation was evaluated by means of images taken in VHS Systems of all teeth projected in a square-lined transparent sheet. The results showed 77,4% of deviation for the incisors, with 61,0% being moderate, 28,5% slight and 10,5% severe (the latter, only in the apical third of the root), according to SCHNEIDER’S6 classification of curvature of the root canals. For the canine teeth, 47,1% showed deviation, with 75,0% moderate and 25,0% slight. For the upper fourth pre-molar the there were 89,4% deviated roots, with 75,0 % moderate deviation, 16,7% slight and 8,3% severe ones. As compared to teeth of human beings, the deviation of the root in teeth of dogs is low, showing much less pitfalls for the root canal treatment, mainly its instrumentation.