Abstract Background: Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a regional block that may be used for several surgeries. However, the evidence regarding obstetrical procedures is not pooled in the literature. Objectives: To assess whether ESPB improves the postoperative pain after cesarean section by a systematic review and meta-analysis. Method: The protocol of this review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020192760). We included randomized controlled trials from databases until August 2020. The primary outcome was pain measured on a visual analogic scale; secondary outcomes were analgesic duration, postoperative opioid dose within the 24 hours, nausea/vomiting. The risk of bias and the GRADE criteria to assess quality of evidence were analyzed. Results: From 436 retrieved studies, three were selected. There was no difference in the pain scores between ESPB and controls at rest after surgery at 4 h (mean difference [MD] = 0.00; 95% CI: -0.72 to 0.72; I2 = 0%; very low certainty), 12 h (MD = -1.00; 95% CI: -2.00 to -0.00; I2 = 0%, low certainty) and 24 h (MD = -0.68; 95% CI: -1.56 to 0.20; I2 = 50%; very low certainty). There was a smaller consumption of tramadol with ESPB compared with controls (MD = -47.66; 95% CI: -77.24 to -18.08; I2 = 59%; very low certainty). The analgesic duration of ESPB was longer than the controls (MD = 6.97; 95% CI: 6.30 to 7.65; I2 = 58%; very low certainty). Conclusion: ESPB did not decrease the postoperative pain scores when compared to other comparators. However, ESPB showed a lower consumption of tramadol and a longer blockade duration, although the quality of evidence of these outcomes were very low.

Abstract Candida spp. are naturally opportunistic and can promote infections. These yeasts can form biofilm, after penetration and adhesion to the biotic or abiotic surfaces. Preexisting diseases, treatments with drugs and radiation therapy, medical procedures, and parafunctional habits favor the installation of a fungal infection. Increased resistance to the available antifungals has become a concern. Therefore, alternative methods to control them have been evaluated, including the use of plant substances. In this study, the antibiofilm effect of R. officinalis L. extract was analyzed on C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis. A phytochemical analysis of the extract was performed. Biofilms were formed for 48 h and exposed to the different concentrations of the extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/mL) for 5 min or 24 h. The effect of the plant extract was compared to the antifungal nystatin. Rosmarinus officinalis L. extract was constituted of phenols and flavonoids, highlighting the presence of chlorogenic acid derivatives in its composition. Biofilm reductions were observed after exposure to the plant extract for both periods. The plant extract provided a reduction similar to the antifungal. Thus, R. officinalis L. extract showed antibiofilm effect on Candida spp. comparable to the nystatin.

Abstract We present an improved method of direct transesterification suitable for the quantitative analysis of multiple dry samples for its fatty acid content, using a minimal amount of biomass and reactants. The method features an acid-catalyzed direct alcoholysis of microgram samples of dry biomass; the rationale behind the solvent and reagent proportions chosen is discussed. The method was validated using seven microbial strains with diverse lipid content (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces boulardii, Candida tropicalis, Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina platensis and Schizochytrium limacinum), and compared with a macroscale direct transesterification method, and with gravimetric analysis of lipids extracted with solvents. The microscale method showed a conversion of 98.06 ± 0.87% of the lipids, using approximately 3 mg of dry biomass, 1mL of 0.2M H2SO4 dissolved in anhydrous ethanol (the acid is the catalyzer and ethanol the reactant)). The mixture was maintained at 70 °C for 20 h with periodic mixing, and then extracted with 2mL n-heptane and analyzed by GC-FID. The lipid content was then calculated considering dilution and sample mass. This method is effective, reliable, and technically attractive for analytical and comparative purposes.

RESUMO: Os nematoides entomopatogênicos (NEPs) são eficazes contra insetos de solo e têm sido usados em sistemas agrícolas. A ação de NEPs sobre grilos (Gryllus L.) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) foi avaliada em condições de laboratório e campo, a fim de selecionar populações para aplicação em área de cultivo. Foram realizados testes de virulência com Heterorhabditis amazonensis RSC05, H. amazonensis MC01, Steinernema carpocapsae All (Weiser) e H. amazonensis GL, assim como verificadas a adequação da concentração de juvenis infectantes (100, 200, 400 e 600 juvenis infectantes por inseto) e a preferência alimentar sem chance de escolha e com chance de escolha, além do teste de campo utilizando armadilhas para amostragem dos insetos. Verificou-se que todos os isolados causaram mortalidade em Gryllus sp. selecionando-se H. amazonensis MC01 e S. carpocapsae All e que o aumento na concentração de juvenis infectantes resultou em mortalidade crescente dos insetos. Com relação aos testes de preferência alimentar, observou-se que, após 16 horas, não houve alimentação em nenhum dos tratamentos. Nos tratamentos com chance de escolha, constatou-se que houve alimentação dos grilos, independentemente da presença ou não de nematoides. Nos testes de campo, antes da aplicação de juvenis infectantes, foram encontrados 19 grilos vivos nas armadilhas, e após a aplicação dos NEPs em suspensão aquosa foram encontrados 2 grilos vivos. Dessa forma, concluiu-se que H. amazonensis MC01 foi promissor no controle de Gryllus sp. nas condições testadas.

ABSTRACT: Entomopathogenic nematodes are effective in controlling soil insects and they are used in agricultural systems. The virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes on crickets (Gryllus L.) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) was evaluated under different conditions in order to select populations for application in the field. Virulence tests with Heterorhabditis amazonensis RSC05, H. amazonensis MC01, Steinernema carpocapsae All (Weiser) and H. amazonensis GL were performed. Evaluations were then made of the concentrations of infective juveniles (100, 200, 400 and 600 infective juveniles per insect); feeding preference with or without choice; and field tests using traps to evaluate insect sampling. All isolates were found to cause mortality in Gryllus sp., and H. amazonensis MC01 and S. carpocapsae All were selected; an increase in concentration resulted in increased insect mortality. Regarding the feeding preference tests, after 16 h there was no feeding in any of the treatments. In treatments with a chance of choice, it was verified that the crickets fed, independently of the presence of the nematodes. In the field tests, 19 live crickets were found in the traps, and, after application of entomopathogenic nematodes in aqueous suspension, 2 live crickets were found. Results suggested that H. amazonensis MC01 was promising in the control of Gryllus sp. under the tested conditions.

Resumo: A redução no tempo de execução do teste de tetrazólio é importante, pois esse teste muito utilizado para tomada de decisão em pré-colheita, consome aproximadamente 24 h. Dessa forma, objetivou-se nesta pesquisa estudar períodos de pré-condicionamento e de coloração e concentração do sal de tetrazólio visando reduzir o tempo de avaliação da viabilidade de sementes de arroz pelo teste de tetrazólio. Foram conduzidos três experimentos independentes, nos experimentos I e II foram utilizados seis lotes de sementes de arroz da cultivar BR Irga 424. No experimento I foram avaliadas diferentes concentrações do sal de tetrazólio (0,1; 0,25; 0,5 e 1%) e períodos de coloração (0,5; 1,0; e 2,0 h). No experimento II foram testados diferentes períodos de hidratação (0,5; 1,0; 2,0 e 4,0 h) em duas temperaturas (35 e 40 °C). No experimento III foram utilizados oito lotes de sementes da mesma cultivar e foi avaliada a eficiência do teste de tetrazólio modificado na avaliação da viabilidade de sementes de arroz. É possível realizar o teste de tetrazólio em arroz utilizando hidratação de sementes descascadas por 1 h a 40 °C e coloração por 1 h com concentração do sal a 0,25%.

Abstract: Reducing the execution time of the tetrazolium test is important because it is used for making decisions during the preharvest and this test takes approximately 24 h. Thus, the goal of this research was to study preconditioning and staining periods and concentration of tetrazolium salt, in order to reduce the evaluation time of rice seed viability by tetrazolium test. Three independent experiments were conducted. In the first and second experiments, six rice seed lots from the BR Irga 424 cultivar were used. In the first experiment, different concentrations of tetrazolium salt (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 %) and staining times (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 h) were evaluated. In the second one, different hydration periods (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 h) at two temperatures (35 and 40 °C) were tested. In the third one, eight seed lots from the same cultivar were used, and the effectiveness of the modified tetrazolium test in the evaluation of rice seed viability was assesed. It is possible to carried out the tetrazolium test on rice using the hydration of peeled seeds for 1 h at 40 °C and staining for 1 h with a 0.25% salt concentration.

Fibrocytes are important for understanding the progression of many diseases because they are present in areas where pathogenic lesions are generated. However, the morphology of fibrocytes and their interactions with parasites are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the morphology of peripheral blood fibrocytes and their interactions with Leishmania (L.) amazonensis . Through ultrastructural analysis, we describe the details of fibrocyte morphology and how fibrocytes rapidly internaliseLeishmania promastigotes. The parasites differentiated into amastigotes after 2 h in phagolysosomes and the infection was completely resolved after 72 h. Early in the infection, we found increased nitric oxide production and large lysosomes with electron-dense material. These factors may regulate the proliferation and death of the parasites. Because fibrocytes are present at the infection site and are directly involved in developing cutaneous leishmaniasis, they are targets for effective, non-toxic cell-based therapies that control and treat leishmaniasis.

A composição química do óleo essencial de Lippia sidoides obtido por hidrodestilação foi caracterizada e quantificada por GC/MS, bem como sua atividade inseticida por teste de fumigação foi avaliada sobre Tenebrio molitor. Além disso, a toxicidade dos monoterpenos carvacrol, 1,8-cineol e timol, também foi avaliada quando esses compostos foram aplicados isoladamente, ou em misturas binárias (1:1), ou terciárias (1:1:1). O óleo essencial de L. sidoides tem como principais constituintes o carvacrol (31,68%), ρ-cimeno (19,58%), 1,8-cineol (9,26%) e ϒ-terpineno (9,21%), em 21 compostos identificados, sendo 92,53% do total. Ambos os compostos possuem atividade inseticida contra T. molitor, seguindo a ordem de toxicidade: carvacrol > 1,8-cineol > óleo essencial de L. sidoides > timol; sendo suas respectivas CL50 à 24 h de 5,53; 5,71; 8,04 e 14,71 µL/L ar. Quando as diferentes misturas de carvacrol, 1,8-cineol e timol foram avaliadas contra T. molitor, verificou-se o efeito sinérgico. Para a mistura de carvacrol:1,8-cineol a CL50 foi de 5,34 µL/L ar; carvacrol:timol de 7,67 µL/L ar; 1,8-cineol:timol de 7,51 µL/L ar e carvacrol:1,8-cineol:timol de 6,34 µL/L ar. Principalmente o monoterpeno timol teve efeito sinérgico, aumentando a toxicidade de carvacrol e 1,8-cineol quando em misturas binárias, tais como carvacrol:timol e 1,8-cineol:timol.

The chemical composition of Lippia sidoides essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation was characterized and quantified by GC/MS and their insecticidal activity by fumigation test was assayed against Tenebrio molitor. Moreover, the toxicity of monoterpenes carvacrol, 1,8-cineol and thymol were also evaluated when applied alone or in binary (1:1) or tertiary (1:1:1) mixture. The essential oil of L. sidoides has as major constituents carvacrol (31.68%), ρ-cymene (19.58%), 1,8-cineole (9.26%) and ϒ-terpinene (9.21%), from a 21 compounds identified, being 92.53% of total. Both compounds have insecticidal activity against T. molitor, being the degree of toxicity of carvacrol > 1,8-cineole > L. sidoides essential oil > thymol, and its respectively LC50 at 24h were 5.53; 5.71; 8.04 and 14.71 µL/L air. When the different mixture of carvacrol, 1,8-cineole and thymol was assayed against T. molitor, the synergism among them was observed. For the mixture of carvacrol:1,8-cineole LC50 was 5.34 µL/L air; carvacrol:thymol 7.67 µL/L air; 1,8-cineole:thymol 7.51 µL/L air and carvacrol:1,8-cineole:thymol 6.34 µL/L air. Mainly, the monoterpene thymol had a synergic effect, which increased the toxicity of carvacrol and 1,8-cineole, both in binary mixture like carvacrol:thymol and 1,8-cineole:thymol.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a toxicidade dos extratos aquosos de sementes de 15 espécies de leguminosas contra larvas de Aedes aegypti. Foi realizada uma caracterização química e bioquímica parcial dos extratos aquosos e a avaliação da toxicidade aguda em camundongos. Os extratos de Amburana cearensis, Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Dioclea megacarpa, Enterolobium contortisiliquum e Piptadenia moniliformis causaram 100% de mortalidade depois de 1 a 3 h de exposição e mostraram valores de CL50 e CL90 entre 0,43 = 0,01 e 9,06 ± 0,12 e entre 0,71 = 0,02 e 13,03 = 0,15 mg/mL, respectivamente. Dentre os constituintes do metabolismo secundário, os extratos das sementes apresentaram taninos, fenóis, flavonas, flavonóis, xantonas, saponinas e alcalóides. Os extratos apresentaram alto teor de proteínas solúveis (0,98 to 7,71 mg/mL), lectina (32 to 256 UH/mL) e inibidor de tripsina (3,64 ± 0,43 to 26,19 = 0,05 gIT/kg de farinha). O perfil eletroforéticomostrou uma grande diversidade de proteínas, muitas dasquais já descritas como inseticidas. Os extratos mostraram baixa toxicidade ao camundongo (DL50 > 0,15 = 0,01 g/kg peso corporal), porém apesar desses resultados promissores, estudos posteriores são necessários para compreender a toxicidade desses extratos e de seus constituintes do metabolismo primário e secundário sobre Ae. aegypti.

This study assessed the toxicity of seed water extracts of 15 leguminous species upon Aedes aegypti larvae. A partial chemical and biochemical characterization of water extracts, as well as the assessment of their acute toxicity in mice, were performed. The extracts of Amburana cearensis, Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Dioclea megacarpa, Enterolobium contortisiliquum and Piptadenia moniliformis caused 100% of mortalit y after 1 to 3 h of exposure. They showed LC50 and LC90 values ranging from 0.43 ± 0.01 to 9.06 ± 0.12 mg/mL and from 0.71 ± 0.02 to 13.03 ± 0.15 mg/mL, respectively. Among the secondary metabolite constituents, the seed water extracts showed tannins, phenols, flavones, favonols, xanthones, saponins and alkaloids. The extracts also showed high soluble proteins content (0.98 to 7.71 mg/mL), lectin (32 to 256 HU/mL) and trypsin inhibitory activity (3.64 = 0.43 to 26.19 = 0.05 gIT/kg of flour) The electrophoretic profiles showed a great diversity of protein bands, many of which already described as insecticide proteins. The extracts showed low toxicity to mice (LD50 > 0.15 = 0.01 g/kg body weight), but despite these promising results, further studies are necessary to understand the toxicity of these extracts and their constituentsfrom primary and secondary metabolism upon Ae. aegypti.

A Artemisia vulgaris (AV) é uma planta com atividades antihelmíntica e antimalárica. Aloe vera (babosa) tem ação antidiabética, laxante e anti-inflamatória. Benzonidazol (BZ) é uma droga tripanosomicida contra o Trypanosoma cruzi (TC), agente da doença de Chagas. Tecnécio-99m (99mTc) tem sido usado na medicina nuclear para obtenção de imagens diagnósticas. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de plantas na parasitemia do TC e na biodistribuição do 99mTc em camundongos. Vinte camundongos foram infectados por TC. No pico da parasitemia, 5 camundongos receberam babosa; 5 receberam AV e 5 receberam BZ. A parasitemia foi determinada durante os tempos 0, 2, 4 e 6 horas após administração das drogas. Cinco camundongos infectados e não tratados, 5 camundongos não infectados e o grupo tratado com AV receberam 99mTc, na forma de pertecnetato de sódio. A radioatividade foi calculada. Os animais infectados que receberam babosa reduziram significativamente (p<0.05) a parasitemia. A porcentagem da radioatividade por grama (%ATI/g) diminuiu significativamente no grupo tratado com AV. Estes resultados indicam que a babosa possivelmente é uma droga anti-TC e a AV reduz a %ATI/g provavelmente devido seus efeitos biológicos e/ou metabólicos.

Artemisia vulgaris (AV) is an antihelmintic and antimalarial drug; Aloe vera(babosa) acts as antidiabetic, laxative and anti-inflammatory;Benznidazole (BZ) is a trypanocidal of Trypanosoma cruzi (TC). Technetium-99m (99mTc) has been used in nuclear medicine to obtain diagnostic images. This study evaluated the plant effects in TC parasitemia and on the biodistribution of 99mTc in mice. Twenty mice were infected by TC. At the peak of parasitemia, 5 mice received babosa; 5 received AV and 5 received BZ. The parasitemia was determined at 0, 2, 4 and 6 h of drugs administration. Five infected mice without drugs, 5 mice without TC and the group treated with AV, received 99mTc. The radioactivity was calculated. Infected mice that received babosa reduced significantly (p<0.05) the TC parasitemia. The percentage of activity per gram (%ATI/g) decreased significantly on the AV group. These results indicate that babosa possibly is an anti-TC drug and AV reduces the %ATI/g probably due to its biological effects.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A técnica da dose preparatória é uma alternativa para encurtar o tempo de latência dos bloqueadores neuromusculares adespolarizantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o tempo para instalação do bloqueio neuromuscular máximo, as condições de intubação traqueal e as alterações cardiocirculatórias ocasionadas por diferentes doses de cisatracúrio em injeção única e em doses fracionadas. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 80 pacientes, estado físico ASA I e II, distribuídos em dois grupos de acordo com a dose de cisatracúrio: Grupo I (0,1 mg.kg-1) e Grupo II (0,2 mg.kg-1). Formaram-se subgrupos de acordo com a técnica de curarização usada: Subgrupos P1 e P2 (dose preparatória) - 0,02 mg.kg-1ou 0,04 mg.kg-1 de cisatracúrio, respectivamente, seguido após um minuto de 0,08 mg.kg-1 ou 0,16 mg.kg-1 do mesmo bloqueador neuromuscular, respectivamente; Subgrupos U1 e U2 - injeção única de dose total de 0,1 mg.kg-1 ou 0,2 mg.kg-1 de cisatracúrio, respectivamente. A Indução anestésica foi feita com etomidato precedido de alfentanil. A função neuromuscular foi monitorizada empregando-se a SQE a cada 12 segundos. Foram avaliados: o tempo para instalação do bloqueio neuromuscular máximo; as alterações de pressão arterial média e de freqüência cardíaca, e as condições de intubação traqueal. RESULTADOS: Os tempos para instalação do bloqueio neuromuscular máximo foram: Grupo I (3,90 ± 0,60 min e 3,88 ± 0,74 min, nos subgrupos P1 e U1, respectivamente) e Grupo II (1,40 ± 0,40 min e 2 ± 0,30 min, nos subgrupos P2 e U2, respectivamente) sem diferença significativa. A comparação entre os subgrupos P1 e P2 e os subgrupos U1 e U2, mostrou diferença significativa. As condições de intubação traqueal foram aceitáveis em todos os pacientes sem alterações cardiocirculatórias. CONCLUSÕES: As doses empregadas de cisatracúrio não encurtou o tempo para a instalação do bloqueio neuromuscular máximo, em relação ao seu emprego em injeção única, porém proporcionaram condições aceitáveis de intubação traqueal, sem alterações cardiocirculatórias.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The priming technique is an alternative to shorten nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers onset time. This study aimed at evaluating maximum neuromuscular block onset, tracheal intubation conditions and cardiocirculatory changes determined by different cisatracurium single or fractional doses. METHODS: Participated in this study 80 patients physical status ASA I and II, who were distributed into two groups according to cisatracurium doses: Group I (0.1 mg.kg-1) and Group II (0.2 mg.kg-1). Subgroups were constituted according to the curarization technique employed: subgroups P1 and P2 (priming-dose) - 0.02 mg.kg-1 or 0.04 mg.kg-1cisatracurium, respectively, followed one minute later, by 0.08 mg.kg-1 or 0.16 mg.kg-1 of the same neuromuscular blocker, respectively; subgroups U1 and U2 - total bolus injection of 0.1 mg.kg-1 or 0.2 mg.kg-1 cisatracurium, respectively. Anesthesia was induced with etomidate, preceded by alfentanil. Train of Four (TOF) stimulation was applied at 12-second intervals to monitor neuromuscular function. Maximum neuromuscular blockade onset time, tracheal intubation conditions and changes in hemodynamic parameters (arterial mean blood pressure and heart rate) were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean times for maximum neuromuscular block onset were: Group I (3.90 ± 0.60 min and 3.88 ± 0.74 min, for subgroups P1 and U1, respectively) and Group II (1.40 ± 0.40 min and 2 ± 0.30 min, for subgroups P2 and U2, respectively) with no significant differences. Comparison between subgroups P1 and P2 and between subgroups U1 and U2, has shown statistically significant differences. Tracheal intubation conditions were acceptable in all patients and there were no cardiovascular changes. CONCLUSIONS: Fractional cisatracurium doses have not shortened maximum neuromuscular block onset as compared to bolus injections. They have however produced acceptable tracheal intubation conditions without cardiovascular changes.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: La técnica de la dosis preparatoria es una alternativa para disminuir el tiempo de latencia de los bloqueadores neuromusculares adespolarizantes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el tiempo para instalación del bloqueo neuromuscular máximo, las condiciones de intubación traqueal y las alteraciones cardiocirculatorias ocasionadas por diferentes dosis de cisatracúrio en inyección única y en dosis fraccionadas. MÉTODO: Fueron estudiados 80 pacientes, estado físico ASA I y II, distribuidos en dos grupos de acuerdo con la dosis de cisatracúrio: Grupo I (0,1 mg.kg-1) y Grupo II (0,2 mg.kg-1). Se formaron subgrupos de acuerdo con la técnica de curarización usada: Subgrupos P1 y P2 (dosis preparatoria) - 0,02 mg.kg-1ó 0,04 mg.kg-1 de cisatracúrio, respectivamente, seguido después de un minuto de 0,08 mg.kg-1ó 0,16 mg.kg-1 del mismo bloqueador neuromuscular, respectivamente; Subgrupos U1 y U2 - inyección única de dosis total de 0,1 mg.kg-1ó 0,2mg.kg-1 de cisatracúrio, respectivamente. La inducción anestésica fue hecha con etomidato precedido de alfentanil. La función neuromuscular fue monitorizada empleándose la SQE a cada 12 segundos. Fueron evaluados: el tiempo para instalación del bloqueo neuromuscular máximo; las alteraciones de presión arterial media y de frecuencia cardíaca, y las condiciones de intubación traqueal. RESULTADOS: Los tiempos para instalación del bloqueo neuromuscular máximo fueron: Grupo I (3,90 ± 0,60 min y 3,88 ± 0,74 min, en los subgrupos P1 y U1, respectivamente) y Grupo II (1,40 ± 0,40 min y 2 ± 0,30 min, en los subgrupos P2 y U2, respectivamente) sin diferencia significativa. La comparación entre los subgrupos P1 y P2 y los subgrupos U1 y U2, mostró diferencia significativa. Las condiciones de intubación traqueal fueron aceptables en todos los pacientes sin alteraciones cardiocirculatorias. CONCLUSIONES: Las dosis empleadas de cisatracúrio no disminuyó el tiempo para la instalación del bloqueo neuromuscular máximo, en relación a su empleo en inyección única, sin embargo proporcionaron condiciones aceptables de intubación traqueal, sin alteraciones cardiocirculatorias.