Angiotensin-(1-7) and its receptor as a potential targets for new cardiovascular drugs

The identification of novel biochemical components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has added a further layer of complexity to the classical concept of this cardiovascular regulatory system. It is now clear that there is a counter-regulatory arm within the RAS that is mainly formed by the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin (1-7)-receptor Mas axis. The functions of this axis are often opposite to those attributed to the major component of the RAS, angiotensin II. This review will highlight the current knowledge concerning the cardiovascular effects of angiotensin-(1-7) through a direct interaction with its receptor Mas or through an indirect interplay with the kallikrein-kinin system. In addition, there will be a discussion of its role in the beneficial effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angio-tensin receptor type 1 (AT1) antagonists, and the potential of this peptide and its receptor as a novel targets for new cardiovascular drugs.     

Geographic information system method for assessing chemo-diversity in medicinal plants

The spatial distribution of wild germplasm of Podophyllum peltatum L. (American mayapple) has been analyzed using the Geographic Information System (GIS) with the objective to develop a method and a database for evaluation of biotic and abiotic factors influencing drug yield, and to map elite genotypes for propagation and improvement. The field assessment followed a standard procedure including geographical coordinates of each accession, leaf biomass randomly harvested, identification of associate species, collection of herbarium specimen, soil sample and digital pictures of the site. By overlaying morphological and chemical data with geomorphic information, a thematic map was created locating the podophyllotoxin-rich accessions and the uniqueness of each site was recorded for post-collection analysis. This work has enabled the establishment of a database of P. peltatum germplasm in Mississippi with drug yield linked to spatial locations for rational utilization of our natural resources. While this method integrates information of well-characterized diverse in situ P. peltatum germplasm, it might become a strategy for curators to reduce cost for establishing and maintaining ex situ collections since the genetic material is geo-referenced.     

The use of sudden darkness in mice: a behavioural and pharmacological approach

Sudden darkness is a non-invasive behavioural analysis tool which increases motor activity and decreases anxiety in rats. It has been shown in previous studies that in rats, dark test conditions can also modify behavioural responses to drugs acting on the dopaminergic system. The increasing use of transgenic mice in behavioural research has raised interest in developing new tests for phenotyping mice. Hence, the aim of the present study was to adapt the sudden darkness paradigm for mice. In the first part of this study, effects of sudden darkness on the performance of mice in the elevated plus maze test were evaluated. Both genders of two mouse strains (Swiss and Balb/c) were tested either in high light intensity conditions or were exposed to sudden darkness. In the second part, responses to the 5-HT_1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) and 5-HT_2C receptor agonist mCPP (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg) were investigated in male Swiss mice. Sudden darkness induced a clear anxiolytic effect in male and female Swiss mice. In Balb/c mice, anxiety-related behaviour was only decreased in females, whereas in males the anxiety state remained unchanged. An increase in motor activity was only observed in male Swiss mice; in the other groups, sudden darkness did not affect locomotion. Depending on the light conditions used, the behavioural response to receptor agonists was more evident: 8-OH-DPAT (1.0 mg/kg) only significantly decreased the anxiety state when mice were tested under high levels of illumination, whereas the anxiogenic effect of mCPP (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg) was only evident in the dark. This study suggests that the sudden darkness paradigm is also a useful tool for the analysis of mice and can be used to modulate the anxiety level without administering drugs. Depending on the mouse strain tested, the same effects on anxiety and motor activity were observed as have been shown for rats.     

Toxocara sp. eggs and Ancylostoma sp. larva in public parks, Brazil

Visceral and cutaneous larva migrans are parasitic zoonoses caused by the infection of larval nematodes Toxocara sp. and Ancylostoma sp. respectively. The objective of this study was to investigate the contamination by Toxocara sp. eggs and Ancylostoma sp. eggs and larva of soil samples collected from public parks and children's playground areas in state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, using both Baermann's method and centrifugal flotation technique. Toxocara sp. and Ancylostoma sp. eggs were observed in soil samples collected from public squares in 17.4% (4/23) and 69.6 (16/23) respectively. In schools and child day care settings the contamination by Ancylostoma sp. larva in sand samples was 11.1% (2/18). Public parks are settings of more potential risk of Toxocara sp. eggs and Ancylostoma sp. infection. Stool parasitology testing of 174 stool samples showed 58% and 23% of Ancylostoma sp and Toxocara sp eggs infection respectively.     

Quality of life and measure of disease in elderly people with end-stage renal disease

The purpose of this research was to identify, in an elderly population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing ambulatory hemodialysis, the correlation between a generic index of quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and the severity index of the ESRD-SI. The work consisted of a correlational cross-section study conducted at two clinics providing replacement of renal therapy and involved 100 elderly patients suffering from ESRD, who had already been in hemodialytic treatment for at least six months. The WHOQOL-BREF showed a negative correlation with the severity of the ESRD-SI and the technique employed allowed for a distinction to be made between patients with greater and lesser severity of ERSD-SI.     

Heart failure: old syndrome, new concepts and nurse's role

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) has been cause of increasing concern in the world, face its progressive prevalence and incidence and its social and economic repercussion, pointing to the need of revision of the syndrome concept and adoption of measures to reduce its economical and social costs. The objective of this study is to contextualize the comprehension of the physiopathology and the treatment of CHF and the nursing interventions to patients with this syndrome.     

Pyogenic liver abscess in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni

Schistosomiasis mansoni has been described as a predisposing factor for pyogenic liver abscess formation. Previous experimental studies have shown that acute schistosomiasis concurrent with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia favors the colonization of the liver by the bacteria, and subsequent pyogenic liver abscess formation. In addition, clinical studies and case reports have demonstrated the association of schistosomiasis mansoni with pyogenic liver abscesses. We describe a Brazilian patient with chronic schistosomiasis mansoni who developed recurrent pyogenic liver abscesses due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The authors review the clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects of patients with schistosomiasis and pyogenic liver abscess reported in the medical literature.     

Intestinal parasite analysis in organic sediments collected from a 16th-century Belgian archeological site

Parasite eggs found in organic remains collected from medieval structures in Raversijde (medieval name: Walraversijde), a village on the northern coast of Belgium, are discussed. The eggs were identified as Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, both human parasites. Species identification allowed elucidating the origin of the organic sediments and the structures, in this case latrines used by humans. Capillaria sp. and free-living nematode larvae were also found in the latrine. Although neither parasite burden nor prevalence rates could be measured, the abundance of human intestinal parasite eggs indicated a high infection rate in the village residents, reflecting very poor sanitation.     

Clinical, hematological, and molecular characterization of sickle cell anemia pediatric patients from two different cities in Brazil

This study focused on clinical, hematological, and molecular aspects of sickle cell anemia pediatric patients from two different cites in Brazil. Seventy-one patients from S?o Paulo and Salvador, aged 3 to 18 years, were evaluated. Hematological analyses, betaS globin gene haplotypes, and alpha2 3.7kb-thalassemia were performed. Numbers of hospitalizations due to vaso-occlusive crises, infections, stroke, and cholelithiasis were investigated. S?o Paulo had more hospitalizations from vaso-occlusion, cholelithiasis, and stroke than Salvador. The Ben/CAR genotype predominated in both cities. Alpha2 3.7kb-thalassemia had a frequency of 28.2% in Salvador, mostly with Ben/CAR genotype (45.0%), while S?o Paulo had 22.5% with similar frequencies of the Ben/ CAR and CAR/CAR genotypes. Sickle cell anemia patients from S?o Paulo also had more episodes of stroke, which was observed among CAR/CAR, atypical, and BEN/CAR haplotypes. In Salvador stroke was only observed in the Ben/CAR genotype. Cholelithiasis had similar frequencies in the two cities. These data suggest a milder phenotype among patients in Salvador, possibly due to genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. Further studies are needed to elucidate modulating factors and phenotype association.