Acaricidal properties of the formulations based on essential oils from Cymbopogon winterianus and Syzygium aromaticum plants

The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, has caused serious harm to livestock raising in Brazil, considering the costs of controlling it, loss of revenue due to smaller production of milk and meat, and damage to leather, in addition to transmitting diseases. The use of medicinal plants is considered an alternative to the recurring resistance to chemicals. Due to the need for efficient alternatives with less environmental impact, this study aimed to develop contact formulations with essential oils from the Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) plants and to assess in vitro the effects in different stages of the tick cycle. In the present study, concentrations from 0.5–15.0 % of the essential oils incorporated in the formulations were used. The ticks from different geographical areas were treated with those formulations, and their effects on the production levels of eggs, on the larvae hatching, and their efficiency on ticks were assessed. The obtained results were compared with other commercial acaricidal products. After the 20th day of treatment, the formulations with citronella essential oil had 2.09–55.51 % efficiency, depending on the concentration of the oil incorporated. The efficiency of the treatment with formulations containing clove essential oil was higher, from 92.47–100 %. The results showed the acaricidal effects of the formulations tested when compared to commercial chemical products. In vivo studies should be performed in order to assess the efficiency of those formulations in the fields, aiming to use these products as an alternative for controlling cattle ticks.     

Resistance Exercise Restores Endothelial Function and Reduces Blood Pressure in Type 1 Diabetic Rats

Background

Resistance exercise effects on cardiovascular parameters are not consistent.

Objectives

The effects of resistance exercise on changes in blood glucose, blood pressure and vascular reactivity were evaluated in diabetic rats.

Methods

Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group (n = 8); sedentary diabetic (n = 8); and trained diabetic (n = 8). Resistance exercise was carried out in a squat device for rats and consisted of three sets of ten repetitions with an intensity of 50%, three times per week, for eight weeks. Changes in vascular reactivity were evaluated in superior mesenteric artery rings.

Results

A significant reduction in the maximum response of acetylcholine-induced relaxation was observed in the sedentary diabetic group (78.1 ± 2%) and an increase in the trained diabetic group (95 ± 3%) without changing potency. In the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, the acetylcholine-induced relaxation was significantly reduced in the control and trained diabetic groups, but not in the sedentary diabetic group. Furthermore, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mean arterial blood pressure was observed in the sedentary diabetic group (104.9 ± 5 to 126.7 ± 5 mmHg) as compared to that in the control group. However, the trained diabetic group showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean arterial blood pressure levels (126.7 ± 5 to 105.1 ± 4 mmHg) as compared to the sedentary diabetic group.

Conclusions

Resistance exercise could restore endothelial function and prevent an increase in arterial blood pressure in type 1 diabetic rats.     

Colorectal carcinoma in different age groups

Purpose  

Although colorectal cancer is typical in the older population, tumor onset before age 40 is not infrequent. However, the behavior, characteristics, and prognosis of this disease in young patients are unclear when compared to the older population. It is believed that young patients have a poor prognosis. We hypothesized that young patients have a poor prognosis because they have advanced-stage cancer with more aggressive pathologic features.     

Human papillomavirus prevalence, cervical abnormalities and risk factors among female sex workers in Lima, Peru

Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Questionnaires were administered to 200 FSWs aged 18-26 years in Lima, Peru, to gather risk behaviours, and cervical swab samples were collected for Pap smears and HPV DNA testing as part of a longitudinal study. Participants reported a median of 120 clients in the past month, and 99.2% reported using condoms with clients. The prevalence of any HPV in cervical samples was 66.8%; 34 (17.1%) participants had prevalent HPV 16 or 18, and 92 (46.2%) had one or more oncogenic types. Fifteen women had abnormal Pap smears, 13 of which were HPV DNA positive. Fewer years since first sex was associated with oncogenic HPV prevalence in a model adjusted for previous sexually transmitted infection (STI) status and condom use with partners (prevalence ratio = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.60-0.97). Our data confirm the high rates of HPV transmission among FSWs in Peru, highlighting the need for early and effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer.     

Gallbladder-associated ectopic liver: A rare finding during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTIONEctopic hepatic tissue is due to an uncommon failure of embryological liver development that is rarely described in the world medical literature. The incidence of ectopic liver (EL) has been reported to be anywhere from 0.24% to 0.47% as diagnosed at laparotomy or laparoscopy. We describe a case of EL adherent to the gallbladder, removed at laparoscopic cholecystectomy.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 37-year-old female was admitted for elective cholecystectomy having had an episode of acute cholecystitis provoked by gallstones. During the procedure, a 30 mm × 10 mm × 5 mm section of EL tissue attached to the anterior wall of the gallbladder was identified and removed by en-bloc excision during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Histological examination confirmed the absence of malignant degeneration of the hepatic tissue. The patient recovered well postoperatively and was discharged the day after the operation. She was well when seen six months later.DISCUSSIONEL has been reported in several sites, such as the gallbladder, gastrohepatic ligament, adrenal glands, esophagus, and thoracic cavity. EL is often clinically silent and discovered incidentally during abdominal surgical procedures or autopsies. Because patients with ectopic liver may suffer complications such as torsion, peritoneal bleeding, fatty change, and evolution to cirrhosis or malignant degeneration to hepatocellular carcinoma, any ectopic liver tissue needs to be correctly identified and removed.CONCLUSIONDespite the rare occurrence of EL, it should be recognized and removed by the surgeon to prevent a higher risk of complications and malignant transformation.     

The presence of periodontopathogens associated with the tumour necrosis factor-alpha expression in patients with different periodontal status

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between P gingivalis, T forsythia, T denticola, P intermedia, and A. actinomycetemcomitans in the sulci or pockets of patients with gingivitis (G), mild chronic periodontitis (MiCP), moderate chronic periodontitis (MoCP) and severe periodontitis (SP), and the expression of TNF-alpha in gingival tissue associated with clinical parameters. Six patients with G, 7 with MiCP, 23 with MoCP and 7 with SP were recruited. Pathogens obtained from the sulci or pockets were identified by PCR, and expression of TNF-alpha from gingival tissue was analysed Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and loss of bone were recorded. P gingivalis was detected at the following rates: 16.6% in subjects with G 57.1% in MiCP 57.8 % in MoCP and 58.1% in SP (p < 0.05). P intermedia was not identified in subjects with G A. actinomycetemcomitans was only identified in subjects with MoCP (31.5%) and SP (42.8%). T denticola and T forsythia were identified in all subject groups. Bacterial combinations were identified as follows: P denticola + P intermedia and PR intermedia + T forsythia were associated (p = 0.04, p = 0.02) with the presence of TNF-alpha mRNA in 20% and 25% of subjects, respectively. P gingivalis + A. Actinomycetemcomitans andA. actinomycetemcomitans + T forsythia were associated with severe PD and CAL, respectively. The association between the presence of P intermedia and expression levels of TNF-alpha was significant (p = 0.05). These results indicate that the proportion of patients with P gingivalis increases with the progression of disease. We observed that the presence of P intermedia may trigger the expression of TNF-alpha and cause a worsening of the patient's clinical status.