Effect of Brazilian green propolis on the production of reactive oxygen species by stimulated neutrophils

The activity of a crude ethanol extract of green propolis and its fractions obtained by partition with hexane, chloroform and n-butanol was assessed on luminol- and lucigenin- enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) produced by rabbit neutrophils (PMNs) stimulated with particles of serum-opsonized zymosan (OZ). The total production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by PMNs was measured by the luminol-enhanced CL (LumCL) assay and the production of the superoxide anion (O2*-) by the lucigenin-enhanced CL (LucCL) assay. All evaluated propolis samples had inhibitory effect on the LumCL and LucCL, which was concentration dependent. The n-butanol and chloroform fractions displayed the highest inhibitory effect on the LumCL produced by PMNs stimulated with OZ, in comparison with both the ethanol extract and the hexane fraction. Besides, the hexane fraction was the one which presented the highest effect for the LucCL assay. Some isolated compounds from both n-butanol and chloroform fractions were also assessed, including kaempferide, isosakuranetin, aromadendrine-4'-methyl-ether and 3-prenyl-p-coumaric acid. Kaempferide presented the highest inhibitory effect on the LumCL in comparison with the other compounds. Moreover, under the conditions assessed, the studied green propolis samples and isolated compounds were not toxic to the rabbit PMNs.     

Challenges and rewards of research in marine natural products chemistry in Brazil

Brazil is blessed with a great biodiversity, which constitutes one of the most important sources of biologically active compounds, even if it has been largely underexplored. As is the case of the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, the Brazilian marine fauna remains practically unexplored in the search for new biologically active natural products. Considering that marine organisms have been shown to be one of the most promising sources of new bioactive compounds for the treatment of different human diseases, the 8000 km of the Brazilian coastline represents a great potential for finding new pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. This review presents the status of marine natural products chemistry in Brazil, including results reported by different research groups with emphasis on the isolation, structure elucidation, and evaluation of biological activities of natural products isolated from sponges, ascidians, octocorals, and Opistobranch mollusks. A brief overview of the first Brazilian program on the isolation of marine bacteria and fungi, directed toward the production of biologically active compounds, is also discussed. The current multidisciplinary collaborative program under development at the Universidade de S?o Paulo proposes to establish a new paradigm toward the management of the Brazilian marine biodiversity, integrating research on the species diversity, ecology, taxonomy, and biogeography of marine invertebrates and microorganisms. This program also includes a broad screening program of Brazilian marine bioresources, to search for active compounds that may be of interest for the development of new drug leads.     

Baccharis trimera: effect on hematological and biochemical parameters and hepatorenal evaluation in pregnant rats

AIM OF THE STUDY: This investigation evaluated the effect of a hydroethanolic extract of Baccharis trimera on pregnant Wistar rats, once the plant is well-known consumed in pregnancy and little is known on its potentially toxic effects on pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five female rats were distributed into three groups. Those in treatments 1 and 2 were given 8.4 mg/kg of the extract orally from gestational day (GD) 1 to 19 and from GD 6 to 15, respectively, whereas those in the control group received distilled water orally from GD 1 to 19. Body weights were recorded on GD 1, 6, 15, and 20. On GD 20 animals were anesthetized, blood samples were collected and maternal livers, kidneys, and spleens were weighed and processed for histological studies. RESULTS: No clinical signs of maternal toxicity and no changes in hematological parameters were observed. Urea levels and kidney weights differed significantly between animals receiving treatment 1 and controls. Histopathological alterations were found in kidneys and livers in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The hydroethanolic extract of Baccharis trimera administered to pregnant rats at 8.4 mg/kg was toxic to maternal kidney and liver cells, although such alterations are reversible once administration is discontinued.     

Frequency of infectious agents for vaginitis in patients with a cytological diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance

AIM: To evaluate the presence of infectious agents for vaginitis in patients with ASCUS. METHODS: 33,388 patients who underwent cervical-vaginal cytology from 08/1993 to 05/2002 were included in the study, and 1,104 (3.4%) presented positive ASCUS. The appraised infectious agents were Coccobacilli, Candida sp, Trichomonas vaginalis, and clue cells (Gardnerella vaginalis). RESULTS: In the group with ASCUS a larger frequency of Coccobacilli (22.37%) and Trichomonas vaginalis (5.25%) was found when compared with the group with negative ASCUS (17.79% and 3.98%, respectively; p < 0.05). Cytolysis occurred more frequently in patients with ASCUS (3.8 vs 6.3%, first phase and 4.5 vs 10%, second phase). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that some diagnoses of ASCUS can be induced by the presence of infectious agents for vaginitis, mainly cocci and coccoides. ASCUS occurs more frequently in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, therefore in less acid vaginal pH.     

Research on severe maternal morbidities and near-misses in Brazil: what we have learned

The occurrence of complications during pregnancy depends less on the degree of human development than differences in the way complications in pregnancy are detected and managed. It is the quick diagnosis and correct management that really contribute to the enormous differences in maternal mortality ratios between countries and regions. Understanding of the determinants of maternal mortality may be improved by studying cases of severe maternal morbidity. In this paper, various approaches to the concept of severe maternal morbidity and near-misses are discussed, and the relationship between these and maternal deaths. Although no consensus has been reached on a strict definition of near-miss or severe maternal morbidity, we show that the definitions used may be tailored to support diverse objectives, including monitoring progress, epidemiological surveillance and auditing of health care. We conclude that the versatility of the concept, the greater frequency of cases available for study and the possibility of interviewing the survivors of severe complications all support the value of studying severe maternal morbidity to help guide local efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Although this may almost be a reality in developed countries, it continues to represent an important and difficult challenge to overcome in places where its benefits would be most evident.     

Letrozole versus testosterone. a single-center pilot study of HIV-infected men who have sex with men on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) with hypoactive sexual desire disorder and raised estradiol levels

IntroductionSince the advent of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART), men with HIV experience good quality of life and expect to have normal sexual function. However, it appears that men infected with HIV commonly complain of sexual problems. There is evidence that men on HAART develop low sexual desire that is associated with raised estradiol levels. It has been postulated that abnormal metabolism seen in this group of men increases the aromatization of testosterone to estradiol. We hypothesized that letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor that inhibits the conversion of testosterone to estradiol, would be beneficial in these men.AimThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of testosterone vs. an aromatase inhibitor, letrazole, in HIV-infected men with raised estradiol and low sexual desire.MethodsThirteen men who have sex with men on HAART with low sexual desire as well as raised estradiol levels (>120 pmol/L) were randomly allocated to receive either parenteral testosterone (Sustanon 250 intramuscular injection) (N = 6) or letrozole 2.5 mg orally daily (N = 7) for 6 weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresSex steroid hormone assays, sex hormone-binding globulin, virological, hematological, and biochemical parameters were measured before and after treatment. Each subject was given the Spector Sexual Desire Inventory and the Depression/Anxiety Stress Scale before and immediately after treatment. Subjects were also asked to estimate the number of actual sexual acts before and after treatment.ResultsInventory data showed a rise in dyadic desire in both treatment arms. Mean actual sexual acts rose from 0.33 to 1.5 in the testosterone group and from 0.43 to 1.29 for the letrozole group. Luteinizing hormone increased in seven of seven men on letrozole. Serum testosterone increased in seven of seven men on letrozole. There were no adverse events from either medication.ConclusionLetrozole may be useful in the management of men on HAART who have low sexual desire. Richardson D, Goldmeier D, Frize G, Lamba H, De Souza C, Kocsis A, and Scullard G. Letrozole versus testosterone. A single-center pilot study of HIV-infected men who have sex with men on Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) with hypoactive sexual desire disorder and raised estradiol levels.     

Baixa Concordância entre a Classificação da NYHA e as Variáveis do Teste de Exercício Cardiopulmonar em Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca e Fração de Ejeção Reduzida

BackgroundThe New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification is the most commonly used classification system for heart failure (HF), whereas cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard for functional status evaluation in HF.ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze correlation and concordance between NYHA classes and CPET variables.MethodsHF patients with clinical indication for CPET and ejection fraction (EF) < 50% were selected. Correlation (Spearman coefficient) and concordance (kappa) between NYHA classification and CPET-based classifications were analyzed. A p < 0.05 was accepted as significant.ResultsIn total, 244 patients were included. Mean age was 56 ± 14 years, and mean EF was 35.5% ± 10%. Distribution of patients according to NYHA classification was 31.2%% class I, 48.3% class II, 19.2% class III, and 1.3% class IV. Correlation (r) between NYHA and Weber classes was 0.489 (p < 0.001), and concordance was 0.231 (p < 0.001). Correlation (r) between NYHA and ventilatory classes (minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production [VE/VCO₂] slope) was 0.218 (p < 0.001), and concordance was 0.002 (p = 0.959). Spearman correlation between NYHA and CPET score classes was 0.223 (p = 0.004), and kappa concordance was 0.027 (p = 0.606).ConclusionThere was a moderate association between NYHA and Weber classes, although concordance was low. Ventilatory (VE/VCO₂slope) and CPET score classes had a weak association and a low concordance with NYHA classes.     

Rational design of large flat nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots with green-luminescence suitable for biomedical applications

Rational synthesis and simple methodology for the purification of large (35–45 nm in lateral size) and flat (1.0–1.5 nm of height) nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) are presented. The methodology allows robust metal-free and acid-free preparation of N-GOQDs with a yield of about 100% and includes hydrothermal treatment of graphene oxide with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. It was demonstrated that macroscopic impurities can be separated from N-GOQD suspension by their coagulation with 0.9% NaCl solution. Redispersible in water and saline solutions, particles of N-GOQDs were characterized using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), photoluminescent, XPS, and UV-VIS spectroscopies. The size and morphology of N-GOQDs were studied by dynamic light scattering, AFM, SEM, and TEM. The procedure proposed allows nitrogen-doped GOQDs to be obtained, having 60–51% of carbon, 34–45% of oxygen, and up to 7.2% of nitrogen. The N-GOQD particles obtained in two hours of synthesis contain only pyrrolic defects of the graphene core. The fraction of pyridine moieties grows with the time of synthesis, while the fraction of quaternary nitrogen declines. Application of TERS allows demonstration that the N-GOQDs consist of a graphene core with an average crystallite size of 9 nm and an average distance between nearest defects smaller than 3 nm. The cytotoxicity tests reveal high viability of the monkey epithelial kidney cells Vero in the presence of N-GOQDs in a concentration below 60 mg L⁻¹. The N-GOQDs demonstrate green luminescence with an emission maximum at 505 nm and sedimentation stability in the cell culture medium.

This paper reveals the methodology for robust preparation of purified nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots with non-cytotoxic activity against monkey epithelial kidney cells (Vero ATCC® CCL-81™).