Abstract This study evaluated some biological activities of extracts from Abuta selloana. The gastroprotective potential was determined against ethanol/HCl- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, whereas the antinociceptive effect was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions in mice. The cytotoxicity activity was measured against human cancer cell lines: U251 (glioma), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and NCI-H460 (lung cancer). The radical scavenger potential was verified; and preliminary phytochemical analyses were performed. The phytochemical screening revealed higher levels of phenolic compounds in all extracts. Moreover, the methanolic extract from pulp fruit (MEPu), peel fruit (MEPe), branches (MEB) and leaves (MEL) scavenged the DPPH radical at 100 µg/mL. Besides, only MEL presented GI50 < 30 µg/mL in all tested cells. Besides, MEPu, MEPe, MEB or MEL at 10 mg/kg (i.p) reduced the abdominal contortions at 47.22%, 63.31%, 84.59% and 37.76%, respectively. The MEPu, MEPe, MEB and MEL reduced the ethanol/HCl- and indomethacin- induced ulcer at 250 mg/kg (p.o). In conclusion, A. selloana had interesting biological activities; presenting the leaves as a promising source for compounds with cytotoxic potential, however, further studies should be performed to confirm its antitumoral activity. Besides, the whole plant can be an important source of bioactive compounds associated with gastroprotective and antinociceptive properties.

INTRODUCTION: Studies comparing high frequency oscillatory and conventional ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome have used low values of positive end-expiratory pressure and identified a need for better recruitment and pulmonary stability with high frequency. OBJECTIVE: To compare conventional and high frequency ventilation using the lower inflection point of the pressure-volume curve as the determinant of positive end-expiratory pressure to obtain similar levels of recruitment and alveolar stability. METHODS: After lung lavage of adult rabbits and lower inflection point determination, two groups were randomized: conventional (positive end-expiratory pressure = lower inflection point; tidal volume=6 ml/kg) and high frequency ventilation (mean airway pressures= lower inflection point +4 cmH2O). Blood gas and hemodynamic data were recorded over 4 h. After sacrifice, protein analysis from lung lavage and histologic evaluation were performed. RESULTS: The oxygenation parameters, protein and histological data were similar, except for the fact that significantly more normal alveoli were observed upon protective ventilation. High frequency ventilation led to lower PaCO2 levels. DISCUSSION: Determination of the lower inflection point of the pressure-volume curve is important for setting the minimum end expiratory pressure needed to keep the airways opened. This is useful when comparing different strategies to treat severe respiratory insufficiency, optimizing conventional ventilation, improving oxygenation and reducing lung injury. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of the lower inflection point of the pressure-volume curve in the ventilation strategies considered in this study resulted in comparable efficacy with regards to oxygenation and hemodynamics, a high PaCO2 level and a lower pH. In addition, a greater number of normal alveoli were found after protective conventional ventilation in an animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Foram examinadas neste estudo as relações hídricas das espécies Myrsine umbellata Mart. ex A. DC., Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. e Erythroxylum argentinum O. E. Schulz, ocorrentes em um afloramento rochoso no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, RS. Parâmetros ambientais (precipitação, temperatura, água no solo) e das plantas (potencial hídrico, déficit de pressão de vapor, condutância estomática, transpiração, condutância hidráulica, potencial osmótico e elasticidade da parede celular) foram coletados em cinco períodos e agrupados em dois conjuntos de dados: períodos úmido e seco. Myrsine umbellata mostrou grande estabilidade dos parâmetros vegetais, incluindo a manutenção de altos potenciais hídricos de base (psiwpd) e de meio-dia (psiwmd), mesmo no período seco (-0,48 e -1,12 MPa, respectivamente), sugerindo a presença de um sistema radicular profundo. Dodonaea viscosa e E. argentinum apresentaram menores psiwpd (-1,41 and -1,97 MPa, respectivamente) e maior fechamento estomático no período seco, sugerindo um sistema radicular mais superficial. Exposição diferenciada à seca do solo foi também corroborada pelos efeitos diferenciados da seca na condutância hidráulica folha-específica da planta. Análises de correlação indicaram fracas correlações entre psiwpd e g s. Erythroxylum argentinum foi a única espécie a mostrar ajuste osmótico em resposta à seca. Sugere-se que M. umbellata seja pouco tolerante a déficits hídricos, adotando uma estratégia de evitação. Os menores psiw alcançados por D. viscosa e E. argentinum sugerem maior tolerância destas espécies à seca.

Water relations of the tree species Myrsine umbellata Mart. ex A. DC., Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. and Erythroxylum argentinum O. E. Schulz, growing on a rock outcrop in the "Parque Estadual de Itapuã" (RS), were studied. Environmental (precipitation, temperature, soil water) and plant (water potential, vapor pressure deficit, stomatal conductance, transpiration, leaf specific hydraulic conductance, osmotic potential and cell wall elasticity) parameters were collected in five periods and pooled into two sets of data: wet and dry periods. Myrsine umbellata showed great stability of the plant parameters, including the maintenance of high pre-dawn (psiwpd) and mid-day (psiwmd) water potentials in the dry period (-0.48 and -1.12 MPa, respectively), suggesting the presence of a deep root system. Dodonaea viscosa and E. argentinum reached lower psiwpd (-1.41 and -1.97 MPa, respectively) and a greater degree of stomatal closure in the dry period, suggesting a shallower root system. Differential exposure to soil drought was also corroborated by differential drought effects on the whole-plant leaf specific hydraulic conductance (Gt). Correlation analysis pointed to weak correlations between psiwpd and g s. Erythroxylum argentinum was the only species to show osmotic adjustment in response to drought. It is suggested that M. umbellata has low tolerance to water deficits, adopting an avoidance behavior. The much lower values of psiw reached by D. viscosa and E. argentinum suggest a greater tolerance to drought by these species.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o pico de pressão inspiratória, o volume corrente e a freqüência respiratória obtidos durante ventilação manual de carneiros prematuros, utilizando balão auto-inflável. MÉTODOS: Estudo experimental descritivo em que cinco duplas de médicos selecionados aleatoriamente entre 35 neonatologistas que trabalham em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal e experientes em reanimação de recém-nascidos ventilaram cinco carneiros prematuros intubados, utilizando balão auto-inflável. Os sinais de pressão e fluxo eram captados, convertidos por meio de transdutores e digitalizados para armazenamento e análise. Foram avaliadas curvas de pressão e de volume corrente, este a partir da integral do fluxo, em suas medidas de pico, nos 50 segundos finais de cada 5 minutos. RESULTADOS: A mediana da pressão foi de 39,8 (IQ25-75% 30,2-47,2) cmH2O; foi menor que 20 em 1,1% das vezes e maior que 40 em 49,1%. Sete em 10 médicos propiciaram mais de seis picos de pressão maiores que 40 cmH2O. A mediana do volume corrente/kg foi de 17,8 (IQ25-75% 14,1-22,4) mL, sendo menor que 5 mL em 0,1% das vezes e igual ou maior que 20 mL em 37,7%. Todos os médicos impuseram cinco ou mais ciclos ventilatórios com volume corrente/kg de 20 mL ou mais. A freqüência situou-se entre 30 e 60 ciclos/minuto em 65,9% das vezes, sendo menor que 30 em 6,8% e maior que 60 em 27,3% das vezes. CONCLUSÃO: Ocorreu grande variabilidade nos valores do pico de pressão inspiratória e do volume corrente/kg, sendo muitas vezes elevados e alcançando níveis indutores de biotrauma; para a freqüência respiratória, os valores foram adequados na maioria das vezes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the peak inspiratory pressure, tidal volume and respiratory rate achieved during manual ventilation of premature lambs, using a self-inflating bag. METHODS: In this descriptive, experimental study, five pairs of physicians, selected at random among 35 neonatologists working at a neonatal intensive care unit and with experience in the resuscitation of newborn infants, ventilated five intubated premature lambs using a self-inflating bag. Pressure and flow monitor signals were passed through a transducer and digitized for recording and analysis. Tidal volume and pressure curves were obtained from the integral of flow rate, at peak, during the last 50 seconds of every fifth minute, and analyzed. RESULTS: Median pressure was 39.8 (IQ25-75% 30.2-47.2) cmH2O; being below 20 in 1.1% of cases and above 40 in 49.1%. Seven out of 10 physicians produced more than six pressure peaks of over 40 cmH2O. Median tidal volume/kg was 17.8 (IQ25-75% 14.1-22.4) mL, being below 5 mL in 0.1% of cases and greater than or equal to 20 mL in 37.7%. All of the physicians propelled five or more ventilation cycles with tidal volume/kg of 20 mL or more. Respiratory rate was between 30 and 60 cycles/minute in 65.9% of cases, being below 30 in 6.8% of cases and over 60 in 27.3% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: There was major variation in peak inspiratory pressure and tidal volume/kg values, which were in many cases elevated, attaining levels that habitually cause biotrauma, while respiratory rates were adequate in the majority of cases.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da histocompatibilidade genética materno-fetal e sua associação com a desnutrição materna em relação ao crescimento fetal e número de fetos. MÉTODOS: Fetos singênicos ou alogênicos em relação às respectivas mães foram obtidos através de cruzamentos de camundongos com linhagens genéticas bem definidas (A/J e Balb/c). As fêmeas grávidas foram alimentadas ad libitum com dieta normal contendo 22% de proteínas ou dieta com restrição, contendo 14% de proteína e aporte máximo de 70% do total consumido pelo grupo em dieta livre. No final da gestação, o número de unidades feto-placentárias e de perdas fetais, o peso da placenta e do feto, assim como o peso do cérebro e do fígado foram anotados. RESULTADOS: Os fetos das mães submetidas à desnutrição mostraram redução no peso corpóreo, placentário e cerebral (p<0.01), sendo que a associação entre a compatibilidade genética materno-fetal resultou em maior restrição ao crescimento fetal (p<0.01). Foi observada uma redução no número de fetos viáveis por fêmea entre os animais do grupo de restrição nutricional (p<0.01). Embora a ocorrência de compatibilidade genética materno-fetal tenha resultado na redução do número de fetos viáveis e numa tendência ao aumento de perdas fetais, esta diferença não foi significante. CONCLUSÕES: Em camundongos, a ocorrência de histocompatibilidade genética materno-fetal não modificou o crescimento fetal; a desnutrição materna durante a gestação resultou em retardo de crescimento fetal com menor tamanho da ninhada, e a associação dos dois fatores aumentou a redução do peso fetal.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal-fetal genetic histocompatibility and the association of that condition with maternal undernutrition regarding fetal growth and litter size. STUDY DESIGN: Fetuses that were either syngeneic or allogeneic with the mothers were bred, using mice of well-defined syngeneic strains (A/J and Balb/c). Pregnant mice were fed using either unrestricted normal diet with 22% protein, consumed ad libitum, or a diet containing 14% protein, with intake restricted to 70% of that consumed by the unrestricted group. At the end of gestation, the number of fetoplacental units and fetal losses, the fetal and placental weight, and the weights of fetal brain and liver were recorded. RESULTS: Fetuses from undernourished mothers showed a reduction in body, placental, and brain weight (P < 0.01); the association of undernourishment with maternal-fetal genetic compatibility resulted in a greater impairment of fetal growth (P < 0.01). A reduction in the number of viable fetuses per female in the dietary-restricted groups was observed. (P < 0.01). Although the concurrence of maternal-fetal genetic compatibility resulted in a trend towards a greater reduction in the number of viable fetuses as well as in a higher rate of fetal loss, these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In mice, the occurrence of maternal-fetal genetic histocompatibility alone did not change fetal growth; maternal undernutrition during pregnancy resulted in growth stunting of progenies with reduction of litter size; and the association of these 2 factors produced greater reduction of fetal weight.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a imunogenicidade e a estabilidade do surfactante de origem porcina produzido pelo Instituto Butantan. MÉTODO: Experimento imunogenicidade: 16 coelhos da raça New-Zealand-White (Peso de 1000g) foram divididos em grupos de 4 animais. Cada grupo foi designado para receber: a) Surfactante do Butantan, b) Survanta® (Abbott Laboratories), c) Curosurf (Farmalab Chiesi) e d) nenhum tratamento com surfactante. Os surfactantes foram administrados via intratraqueal e o sangue dos animais foi coletado antes, 60 e 180 dias após a administração do surfactante. O soro obtido foi analisado quanto a presença de anticorpos anti-surfactante pelo método ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Experimento estabilidade: O surfactante do Butantan usado neste experimento tinha sido armazenado por um ano em refrigerador (4 a 8°C) e sua estabilidade foi analisada em condições distintas de experimentação, usando o modelo de coelho prematuro. RESULTADOS: Experimento imunogenicidade: Nenhum dos surfactantes analisados determinou a produção de anticorpos contra seus constituintes. Experimento estabilidade: Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que o surfactante do Instituto Butantan mostrou eficácia semelhante a do Curosurf após ter sido submetido à condições adversas ao longo do tempo. A eficácia foi demonstrada através da complacência pulmonar dinâmica, pressão ventilatória e da curva pressão-volume. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que o surfactante do Instituto Butantan pode representar um tratamento alternativo de reposição de surfactante.

PURPOSE: To study the immunogenicity and the stability of the porcine pulmonary surfactant preparation produced by the Instituto Butantan. METHOD: Immunogenicity assay: Sixteen New-Zealand-White rabbits (1000 g body weight) were divided into 4 study groups. Each group was assigned to receive either a) Butantan surfactant, b) Survanta® (Abbott Laboratories), c) Curosurf® (Farmalab Chiesi), or d) no surfactant. The surfactants were administered intratracheally, and the animals were collected immediately before and 60 and 180 days after surfactant administration. Sera were assayed for the presence of antisurfactant antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Stability assay: The Butantan surfactant used in this assay had been stored for one year in the refrigerator (4 to 8ºC) and its stability was evaluated in distinct assay conditions using a premature rabbit model. RESULTS: Immunogenicity assay: None of the surfactants analyzed triggered antibody immune responses against their components in any of the animals. Stability assay: The results of this study demonstrate that Butantan surfactant was as effective as Curosurf when both were submitted to the adverse circumstance of short- and long-term storage at room temperature. A similar level of efficacy for the Butantan surfactant, as compared to Curosurf was demonstrated by the pulmonary dynamic compliance, ventilatory pressure, and pressure-volume curve results. CONCLUSION: The results of our study demonstrate that Butantan surfactant may be a suitable alternative for surfactant replacement therapy.

The present work evaluates the application of artificial neural networks for pattern recognition of ultrasonic signals using pulse-echo and TOFD (Time of Flight Diffraction) techniques in weld beads. In this study pattern classifiers are implemented by artificial neural network of backpropagation type using MATLAB®. The ultrasonic signals acquired from pulse-echo and TOFD were introduced, separately, in the artificial neural network with and without preprocessing. The preprocessing was only used to smoothen the signal improving the classification. Four conditions of weld bead were evaluated: lack of fusion (LF), lack of penetration (LP), porosity (PO) and non-defect (ND). The defects were intentionally inserted in a weld bead of AISI 1020 steel plates of 20 mm thickness and were confirmed using radiographic tests. The results obtained show that it is possible to classify ultrasonic signals of weld joints by the pulse-echo and TOFD techniques using artificial neural networks. The results showed a performance superior a 72% of success for test. Although the preprocessing of the signal improved the classification performance of the signals acquired by the TOFD technique considerably, the same didn't happen with the signals acquired by the pulse-echo technique.

Mayaro virus grown in interferon treated infected cells has been characterized with regard to its ability to replicate in vertebrate (TC7) and invertebrate (Aedes albopictus) cells. Virus purified from interferon treated TC7 cells adsorbs and penetrates to the same extent as the control virus. During infection, these virus particles caused inhibition of host protein synthesis and synthesized the same spectrum of viral proteins as normal virus. This population however, was apparently more sensitive to interferon treatment. Electron microscopy of TC7 cells showed the presence of numerous aberrant virus particles budding from the plasma membrane.

Mayaro virus was grown in BHK-21 cells and purified by centrifugation in a potassium-tartrate gradient (5-50%). The electron microscopy analyses of the purified virus showed an homogeneous population of enveloped particles with 69 ñ 2.3 nm in diameter. Three structural virus proteins were identified and designated pl, p2 and p3. Their average molecular weight were p1, 54 KDa; p2, 50 KDa and p3, 34 KDa. In Mayaro virus infected. Aedes albopictus cells and in BHK-21 infected cells we detected six viral proteins, in wich three of them are the structural virus proteins and the other three were products from processing of precursors of viral proteins, whose molecular weights are 62 KDa, 64 KDa and 110 KDa. The 34 KDa protein was the first viral protein sinthesized at 5 hours post-infection in both cell lines studied.