Objective: To compare plasma concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) following oral administration of two formulations of the drug (powder and dissolved in oil), and to evaluate the effects of these distinct formulations on responses to emotional stimuli in healthy human volunteers. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design, 45 healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to three groups of 15 subjects that received either 150 mg of CBD powder; 150 mg of CBD dissolved in corn oil; or placebo. Blood samples were collected at different times after administration, and a facial emotion recognition task was completed after 150 min. Results: There were no significant differences across groups in the subjective and physiological measures, nor in the facial emotion recognition task. However, groups that received the drug showed statistically significant differences in baseline measures of plasma CBD, with a significantly greater difference in favor of the oil formulation. Conclusion: When administered as a single 150-mg dose, neither formulation of oral CBD altered responses to emotional stimuli in healthy subjects. The oil-based CBD formulation resulted in more rapid achievement of peak plasma level, with an approximate fourfold increase in oral bioavailability.

Current pharmacotherapy of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is palliative and unable to modify the progression of neurodegeneration. Treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life with fewer side effects are needed, but not yet available. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychotomimetic constituent of cannabis, has received considerable research attention in the last decade. In this context, we aimed to critically review the literature on potential therapeutic effects of CBD in PD and discuss clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the putative neuroprotective mechanisms of CBD. We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed) for indexed articles published in English from inception to 2019. The following keywords were used: cannabis; cannabidiol and neuroprotection; endocannabinoids and basal ganglia; Parkinson’s animal models; Parkinson’s history; Parkinson’s and cannabidiol. Few studies addressed the biological bases for the purported effects of CBD on PD. Six preclinical studies showed neuroprotective effects, while three targeted the antidyskinetic effects of CBD. Three human studies have tested CBD in patients with PD: an open-label study, a case series, and a randomized controlled trial. These studies reported therapeutic effects of CBD on non-motor symptoms. Additional research is needed to elucidate the potential effectiveness of CBD in PD and the underlying mechanisms involved.

Resumo: Objetivo Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya e Subba Raju, também chamada de Raphidiopsis raciborskii, é uma cianobactéria diazotrófica e filamentosa com heterócitos terminais, pertencente à ordem Nostocales, que tem sido foco de vários estudos por conta da sua toxicidade e ampla distribuição geográfica. Métodos Para compreender a sua autoecologia e identificar os fatores-chave que controlam sua dominância, a presente revisão discute, com base em publicações recentes, se a expansão dessa espécie é resultado de uma elevada plasticidade metabólica ou a existência de ecótipos distintos. Resultados Dentre os principais fatores ambientais sobre o crescimento de C. raciborskii estão sua capacidade de sobreviver em um amplo intervalo de temperatura, intensidade luminosa e pH, dominar tanto em ambientes estratificados quanto misturados, preferir condições oligohalinas, produzir e secretar substâncias alelopáticas, sofrer pequena pressão de herbivoria, e, apesar de associada a ambiente eutróficos, tolerar baixa concentração de fósforo e de nitrogênio com alta afinidade a amônio Conclusões Devido a estas diferenças significativas relacionadas às condições ambientais de crescimento e desenvolvimento apontadas nos diversos estudos, sugerimos como hipótese mais apropriada a existência de diferentes ecótipos que predominarão em condições ambientais específicas.

Abstract: Aim Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya and Subba Raju, also called Raphidiopsis raciborskii, is a diazotrophic and filamentous cyanobacterium with terminal heterocytes, belonging to the order Nostocales. It has been the focus of several studies due to its toxicity and wide geographic distribution. Methods To understand its autecology and to identify the key factors that control its dominance, the present review discusses, based on recent publications, whether the expansion of this species is a result of a high metabolic plasticity or the existence of distinct ecotypes. Results Among the factors influencing C. raciborskii growth are its ability to survive in wide temperature, light intensity and pH ranges; to dominate in both stratified and mixed environments; to tolerate oligohaline conditions; to produce and secrete allelopathic substances; suffer little herbivore pressure; and although associated with a eutrophic environment, to tolerate low concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen with a high affinity for ammonia. Conclusions Due to these differences in the environmental conditions of growth and development found in various studies, we suggest the existence of different ecotypes that will predominate under specific environmental conditions as the most appropriate hypothesis.

Resumo Este estudo apresenta o tratamento florístico das espécies de Vitaceae que ocorrem na Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Amazonas, Brasil. Coletas provenientes da Reserva Ducke foram analisadas a partir de exsicatas depositadas no herbário INPA. Foram registradas duas espécies do gênero Cissus para a reserva, Cissus erosa e C. verticillata subsp. verticillata. Apresentamos descrições das espécies, comentários taxonômicos, ilustrações, informação sobre hábitat, distribuição geográfica e uma chave de identificação para as espécies.

Abstract This study presents the floristic treatment for the species of Vitaceae occurring in the Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Amazonas, Brazil. Collections from the Reserva Ducke were analyzed from specimens deposited at the INPA herbarium. Two species of the genus Cissus were recorded, Cissus erosa and C. verticillata subsp. verticillata. We present species descriptions, taxonomic comments, illustrations, habitat information, geographic distribution, and an identification key for the species.

O controlo vetorial continua preponderante no combate às doenças transmitidas por mosquitos, tais como malária e dengue. Anopheles spp. são responsáveis pela vasta distribuição de malária, sobretudo em áreas tropicais, causa de elevada morbilidade e mortalidade infantil. Aedes aegypti, o principal vetor da dengue, tem ampla distribuição geográfica, tendo sido encontrado na Ilha da Madeira, Portugal, em 2005 e em 2012 ocorreu o primeiro surto. Em Cabo Verde, a primeira epidemia de dengue ocorreu em 2009 demonstrando que o vírus da dengue continua em expansão. Fitoquímicos são potenciais alternativas aos pesticidas orgânicos sintéticos, sendo eficazes no controlo de mosquitos. Produtos químicos, obtidos a partir de fontes naturais, são agentes de controlo com elevado grau de biodegradabilidade, comportando menos riscos ambientais. Neste estudo, os óleos essenciais (OEs) de Mentha pulegium foram testados em larvas de terceiro estádio de Anopheles atroparvus, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles stephensi e Aedes aegypti (da Madeira e Cabo Verde). A composição química dos OEs de M. pulegium de Portugal e Cabo Verde foi determinada por análise RMN de 13C, por CG e CG-EM. O efeito larvicida foi observado em todas as espécies, sendo maior nas larvas de Ae. aegypti de Cabo Verde.

Vector control remains an important strategy to fight mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria and dengue. Anopheles species are responsible for vast distribution of malaria, mainly in tropical areas, with dramatic infant morbidity and mortality. Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue, has a wide and expanding geographical distribution. It was found in Madeira Island, Portugal, in 2005, and in 2012 the first local dengue outbreak occurred. Also, in the African archipelago of Cape Verde, the first dengue epidemic in 2009, demonstrated that dengue virus is expanding. Phytochemicals offer not only effective mosquito control products, but are also biorational alternatives to organic synthetic pesticides. These chemicals from natural sources, with a high degree of biodegradation, are environmentally sound control agents. In the present study, Mentha pulegium essential oils (EOs) were assessed for larvicidal effects on third instar larvae of Anopheles atroparvus, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti (from Madeira and Cape Verde). The EOs chemical composition of M. pulegium from Portugal and Cape Verde was determined by 13C NRM and GC, GC-MS analysis. Larvicidal effect was observed on all species assayed with the strongest effect on Ae. aegypti from Cape Verde Islands.

Background: self-expanding metal stents are currently being used as a definitive palliative treatment for malignant colorectal obstruction in patients with incurable disease. Few studies have followed large numbers of patients from stent placement until death, and those few have reported conflicting results in the long-term clinical outcome data. Aims: this study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of stent placement for malignant colorectal obstruction throughout the patients' lives and related factors affecting stent patency, clinical success and complications. Methods: this was a multicentre, retrospective study of 89 consecutive patients who had undergone attempted expandable stent placement for symptomatic malignant colorectal obstruction during a 10-year period. Data were collected to analyse the sustained relief of obstructive symptoms throughout the patients' lives, as well as the technical success, immediate clinical success, stent patency, complications, reinterventions, survival, prognostic factors associated with stent patency and long-term clinical efficacy and risk factors for complications. Results: technical and immediate clinical success were achieved in 95.5% and 91.0% of patients, respectively. A total of 68 out of 89 patients (76.4%) maintained relief of obstruction from stent implantation until death without reintervention. Twenty patients (22.5%) had complications including perforation (n = 4; 4.5%), stent obstruction (n = 8; 9.0%), migration (n = 5; 5.6%) and haemorrhage (n = 3; 3.4%). Stent-related mortality was seen in 1 patient (1.1%). The estimated median survival and estimated mean stent patency were 87.0 and 322.7 days, respectively. In total, 12 of the initial 89 patients (13.5%) needed a colostomy for long-term relief of the obstructive symptoms. Univariate and multivariate analysis detected no significant prognostic factors associated with stent patency, long-term clinical efficacy and risk factors for complications; however, the multivariate logistic model revealed a non-significant trend by which the use of chemotherapy was a risk factor for migration (OR = 11.89; p = 0.06). Conclusions: for palliation of incurable malignant colorectal obstruction, expandable stents can provide sustained relief of obstruction in approximately 75% of patients. The procedure is associated with acceptable morbidity, need for reintervention and minimal mortality.

A presença de aditivos incorporadores de ar (AIA) em suspensões cimentícias torna esses materiais sensíveis às etapas de processamento e às condições ambientais de preparo das composições. Diversos estudos têm sido reportados em literatura avaliando o efeito de incorporadores de ar nas propriedades de materiais cimentícios, sobretudo no estado endurecido. Porém o efeito da temperatura na incorporação de ar e nas propriedades reológicas dessas composições tem sido menos investigado, sendo este o objetivo do presente trabalho. Para tanto, foram avaliadas as características de pastas cimentícias, compostas por cimentos CPIIF ou CPIIE e dois tipos de AIA, em função da variação da temperatura. O conceito de viscosidade cinemática foi adotado na análise dos resultados para compensar diferenças de inércia das pastas com densidades distintas. Os resultados mostraram que o tipo de cimento, a presença do aditivo e a temperatura influenciaram significativamente na incorporação de ar e nas propriedades reológicas.

Air-entrained admixtures (AEA) makes the cementitious pastes very sensitive to the mix process, environmental conditions and, consequently modifies the final properties. Many studies have been found in literature evaluating the AEA effect on the material properties, mainly in the hardened state. However, the temperature effect in the air incorporation and rheological properties have been less investigated, and this has been the objective of our work. The properties of cementitious pastes formulated with CPIIE or CPIIF and different air-entrained admixtures were evaluated in distinct temperatures. Furthermore, the concept of kinematic viscosity was used in the analysis of the results to compensate the differences in the inertia of cement pastes with different densities. The results shown that the cement type, the additive presence and the temperature significantly affects the air incorporation and the rheological properties.