Avaliação bioquímica da isquemia cerebral focal, não associada à reperfusão, por oclusão da artéria cerebral média em ratos

Cerebral ischemia is an important event in clinical and surgical neurological practice since it is one of the diseases that most compromise the human species. In the present study 40 adult rats were submitted to periods of focal ischemia of 30, 60 and 90 min without reperfusion and animals submitted to a sham procedure were used as controls. We analyzed the levels of ATP, malondialdehyde and caspase-3. No significant differences in the biochemical measurements were observed between the right and left brain hemispheres of the same animal in each experimental group. Reduced ATP levels were observed after the three periods of ischemia compared to the sham group. No significant increase in malondialdehyde or caspase-3 levels was observed. Despite significant changes in ATP levels, the results indicated cell viability in the ischemic region as shown by the low rates of lipid peroxidation and apoptosis, findings probably related to the lack of reperfusion.Isquemia cerebral é um acontecimento importante na prática neurológica clínica e cirúrgica, uma vez que é uma das doenças que mais comprometem a espécie humana. No presente estudo 40 ratos adultos foram submetidos a períodos de isquemia focal de 30, 60 e 90 min e como controle foram utilizados animais do grupo sham. Foram analisados os níveis de ATP, malondialdeído e caspase-3. Nenhuma diferença significativa nas dosagens bioquímicas foram observadas entre os hemisférios cerebrais direito e esquerdo do mesmo animal em cada grupo experimental. Foi observada redução nos níveis de ATP após os três períodos de isquemia, em comparação com o grupo sham. Nenhum aumento significativo dos níveis de malondialdeído ou caspase-3 foi observado. Apesar das alterações significativas nos níveis ATP, os resultados indicaram viabilidade celular na região isquêmica como demonstrado pela baixa taxa de peroxidação lipídica e apoptose, achados que provavelmente estão relacionados com a falta de reperfusão

Antimicrobial synergism against different lineages of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carrying SCCmec IV

Aim To evaluate the synergistic activity of antimicrobial drugs against lineages of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carrying SCCmec IV. The biofilm production and related genes were also detected. Methods and Results Forty two MRSA isolates were tested for biofilm production and related genes. Biofilm/biomass susceptibility to gentamicin (G), linezolid (L), rifampicin (R) and vancomycin (V) was determined for six isolates from three lineages prevalent in Rio de Janeiro hospitals in concentrations ranging from 0·25 to 64 μg ml−1. Biomass was evaluated by microtitre plate test and number of viable cells (CFU cm−2) and inspected by epifluorescence microscopy. All isolates presented the icaA and sasG genes, but only 38% were biofilm producers. There were 50 and 45% biomass reductions when concentrations ≥4 μg ml−1 of R or L and ≥16 μg ml−1 of G or V, respectively, were used. Synergism tests produced a 55% biomass reduction with R2lg ml1 + G16lg ml1 , R2lg ml1 + L2lg ml1 , R2lg ml1 + V4lg ml1 , and L2lg ml1 + V4lg ml1 . Number of viable cells was reduced from 2 to 3 logs with R2lg ml1 + L2lg ml1 and R2lg ml1 + V4lg ml1 . Conclusions Synergisms involving R plus L and R plus V caused important reductions in biofilm/biomass and the number of viable cells. Drug combinations should be considered in the chemotherapies of MRSA-SCCmec IV infections. Significance and Impact of the Study Biofilms in MRSA infections restrict the clinical choice of antimicrobials. Thus, knowledge of the best options for monotherapy and drug synergisms could improve clinical results.This study was supported by grants from Fundacao Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES), Fundacao Universitaria Jose Bonifacio (FUJB) and Programa de Nucleos de Excelencia (PRONEX). The financial support through the projects: PTDC/SAUSAP/113196/2009/ FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-016012; PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013; 'BioHealth-Biotechnology and Bioengineering approaches to improve health quality', NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000027, co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte, QREN; RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012/FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462

Cost-effectiveness of non-invasive methods for assessment and monitoring of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease: systematic review and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND: Liver biopsy is the reference standard for diagnosing the extent of fibrosis in chronic liver disease; however, it is invasive, with the potential for serious complications. Alternatives to biopsy include non-invasive liver tests (NILTs); however, the cost-effectiveness of these needs to be established. OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness of NILTs in patients with chronic liver disease. DATA SOURCES: We searched various databases from 1998 to April 2012, recent conference proceedings and reference lists. METHODS: We included studies that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of NILTs using liver biopsy as the reference standard. Diagnostic studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using the bivariate random-effects model with correlation between sensitivity and specificity (whenever possible). Decision models were used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the NILTs. Expected costs were estimated using a NHS perspective and health outcomes were measured as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Markov models were developed to estimate long-term costs and QALYs following testing, and antiviral treatment where indicated, for chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis C (HCV). NILTs were compared with each other, sequential testing strategies, biopsy and strategies including no testing. For alcoholic liver disease (ALD), we assessed the cost-effectiveness of NILTs in the context of potentially increasing abstinence from alcohol. Owing to a lack of data and treatments specifically for fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the analysis was limited to an incremental cost per correct diagnosis. An analysis of NILTs to identify patients with cirrhosis for increased monitoring was also conducted. RESULTS: Given a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 per QALY, treating everyone with HCV without prior testing was cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £9204. This was robust in most sensitivity analyses but sensitive to the extent of treatment benefit for patients with mild fibrosis. For HBV [hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative)] this strategy had an ICER of £28,137, which was cost-effective only if the upper bound of the standard UK cost-effectiveness threshold range (£30,000) is acceptable. For HBeAg-positive disease, two NILTs applied sequentially (hyaluronic acid and magnetic resonance elastography) were cost-effective at a £20,000 threshold (ICER: £19,612); however, the results were highly uncertain, with several test strategies having similar expected outcomes and costs. For patients with ALD, liver biopsy was the cost-effective strategy, with an ICER of £822. LIMITATIONS: A substantial number of tests had only one study from which diagnostic accuracy was derived; therefore, there is a high risk of bias. Most NILTs did not have validated cut-offs for diagnosis of specific fibrosis stages. The findings of the ALD model were dependent on assuptions about abstinence rates assumptions and the modelling approach for NAFLD was hindered by the lack of evidence on clinically effective treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Treating everyone without NILTs is cost-effective for patients with HCV, but only for HBeAg-negative if the higher cost-effectiveness threshold is appropriate. For HBeAg-positive, two NILTs applied sequentially were cost-effective but highly uncertain. Further evidence for treatment effectiveness is required for ALD and NAFLD. STUDY REGISTRATION: This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42011001561. FUNDING: The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme

Highlights of the São Paulo ISEV workshop on extracellular vesicles in cross-kingdom communication

In the past years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become an important field of research since EVs have been found to play a central role in biological processes. In pathogens, EVs are involved in several events during the host–pathogen interaction, including invasion, immunomodulation, and pathology as well as parasite–parasite communication. In this report, we summarised the role of EVs in infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths based on the talks and discussions carried out during the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) workshop held in São Paulo (November, 2016), Brazil, entitled Cross-organism Communication by Extracellular Vesicles: Hosts, Microbes and Parasites. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.11Ysciescopu

A INTERRUPÇÃO DO PRAZO PARA A PROGRESSÃO DE REGIME NA UNIFICAÇÃO DE PENAS: interpretação e aplicação do art. 111 da Lei de Execução Penal pelos Tribunais Superiores

Este artigo se propõe analisar os entendimentos do STF e do STJ na interpretação do art. 111 da Lei de Execução Penal- Lei nº 7.210/1984, quando da determinação do regime de cumprimento de pena privativa de liberdade por condenação em mais de um crime, no mesmo processo ou em processos distintos. Afirma-se que o art. 111 da Lei de Execução Penal (LEP) foi omisso ao não fixar o termo inicial para o deferimento de novos benefícios após a soma ou unificação de penas, a que os Tribunais Superiores dão interpretações diversas, que ora serão analisadas à luz dos princípios da legalidade e da individualização da pena, previstos no art. 5º, XLVI da CF/88

CACAU PARA QUÊ? LEVANTAMENTO BIBLIOGRÁFICO SOBRE OS USOS MATERIAIS E SIMBÓLICOS DAS ESPÉCIES DE CACAUS DO BRASIL

Esforços contínuos têm documentado o uso de ca. 40 “espécies de cacaus nativas” gêneros Theobroma L. e Herrania Goudot, Malvaceae, dezesseis delas ocorrentes no Brasil. Nesse contexto, este estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão bibliográfica com caráter de síntese sobre os usos conhecidos, nomes populares e histórico das espécies que ocorrem no Brasil. Uma ampla busca nos repositórios de artigos científicos produziu um compilado de trabalhos que descrevem usos, nomes populares e demais informações relevantes sobre o uso dessas espécies em diferentes contextos (urbano, rural ou indígena). Estas, juntamente a uma análise criteriosa dos materiais depositados nos herbários, subsidiaram uma sistematização dos usos materiais e simbólicos das espécies de cacaus nativas do país. Ao todo, foram analisados 31 artigos científicos e livros, e exatos 100 registros etnobotânicos constantes nas etiquetas de espécimes preservados em herbários. Foram encontrados registros etnobotânicos sobre oito espécies de Theobroma e duas de Herrania, com destaque para o uso do fruto para fins alimentícios. No Brasil, os registros alimentícios são encontrados por toda a área de distribuição das espécies em contexto rural e urbano, enquanto que registros de outra natureza (espiritual, artesanal, medicinal) são mais pontuais e característicos de comunidades indígenas, com destaque para aquelas do Médio-Alto Rio Negro. Os resultados são discutidos em função da diversidade e categorias de uso das espécies, bem como considerando o padrão de distribuição espacial de usos no território brasileiro

Flora of the Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais: Byttnerioideae, Helicterioideae and Sterculioideae (Malvaceae)

Este trabalho é uma contribuição ao projeto “Flora da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, Brasil” para Malvaceae sensu lato. Com base no material coletado e analisado ao longo das últimas décadas, foram registradas nesta Serra onze espécies de Byttnerioideae de cinco gêneros (Ayenia, Byttneria, Guazuma, Melochia, Waltheria), uma espécie de Sterculia em Sterculioideae e duas espécies de Helicteres em Helicterioideae, totalizando treze espécies em sete gêneros nas três subfamílias. São apresentadas chaves para identificação das subfamílias, gêneros e espécies, assim como descrições diagnósticas, ilustrações selecionadas e comentários atualizados sobre a distribuição e ecologia dos táxonsThis paper is a contribution to the Project “Flora of the Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, Brazil” for the Malvaceae sensu lato. Based on all collected and analyzed material through the last few decades and on the analysis of the vouchers, there are eleven species of Byttnerioideae in five genera (Ayenia, Byttneria, Guazuma, Melochia, Waltheria), one species of Sterculia (Sterculioideae) and two species of Helicteres (Helicterioideae) in this range, totalizing thirteen species of seven genera in the three subfamilies. Identification keys to subfamilies, genera and species, as well as diagnostic descriptions, illustrations and updated comments on the geographic distribution and ecology of the taxa are presented

New occurrence and expanded geographic distribution of Byttneria irwinii (Malvaceae, Byttnerioideae) in Central Brazil

Abstract Byttneria irwinii (Malvaceae, Byttnerioideae) is a species primarily restricted to Cerrado vegetations in Central Brazil, yet it remains poorly represented in herbarium collections. The first descriptions, derived solely from specimens originating from Nova Xavantina in the Eastern region of Mato Grosso state, Central-West Brazil, are supplemented by limited subsequent collections, predominantly from the same area. Our recent discovery of a specimen in an undocumented region for the species, at the south from the type locality, within Parque Nacional das Emas, Southwestern Goiás state, expands the known distribution of this species toward the southern reaches. This study presents an updated illustration depicting B. irwinii in its natural habitat, with a revised distribution map reflecting this expanded range. Furthermore, we conduct a preliminary conservation assessment, comparing standard geographic range metrics before and after including these newly collected specimens. Our findings underscore the imperative of ongoing field expeditions to validate and augment our comprehension of species with narrow distribution

PTERIDÓFITAS DO PARQUE ESTADUAL DE PORTO FERREIRA (SP), BRASIL

Neste trabalho foi realizado um levantamento de pteridóf itas no Parque Estadual de Porto Ferreira. As coletas foram realizadas em cinco pontos,denominados Trilha de Pesquisa, Trilha elas Arvores Gigantes, Area da Lagoa, Area do Rio e Cachoeira. Foram reconhecidas 48 espécies de ptericlófitas pertencentes a 10 famílias: Aspleniaceae, Blechnaceae, Cyatheaceae, Diyopteridaceae, Polypocliaceae, Pteridaceae, Schizaeaceae, Tectariaccae, Thelypteridaceae e Woodsiaceae. Destas, as mais representativas foram Ptericlaceae com 10 espécies, distribuídas em seis gêneros e Polypodiaceae e Thelypteridaceae que apresentaram 9 espécies cada, distribuídas em quatro e um gêneros, respectivamente. Das 48 espécies registradas 16 apresentam distribuição ,bastante restrita, ocorrendo apenas na Trilha das Arvores Gigantes e Campyloneurum repens C. Presl., Adiantum diogoanwn Glaziou ex Baker, Blechmum glandulosum Link e B. lanceola Sw são as espécies ele ocorrência mais ampla. Em todos os pontos de coletas há ptericlófitas, sendo que a Trilha das Arvores Gigantes é a mais rica e a Area ela Lagoa a mais pobre em número de espécies. As pteridófitas ocorrem nos ambientes de matas estacionais semideciduais, matas ciliares, brejos e no cerradão. A maior diversidade de espécies foi encontrada na mata estacionai semidecidual

Principais características biológicas e sociais do recém-nascido de baixo peso

A study was made on the main biological and social characteristics of low birth-weight (;£; 2500 g) as compared to normal weight (>; 2500 g) based on a sample of newborn admited to the nursery and born at the "Clínica Obstétrica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo" during the period of one year. The individual characteristics of the new-born were evaluated according to the variables sex, color, anthropometric measures and clinical conditions. Medical care given to new-born was studied not only as to the aspect of quantity but also of quality. Social-economic conditions were analyzed based on the characterization of family size, legal conditions of marriage, man-power qualification, schooling and income. Behavior and attitudes of mothers of the newborn were also analyzed as regards the utilization of health facilities, ideal age of delivery and ideal number of children. The main biological and social characteristics identified and analyzed in this study put forth elements that will help to establish comprehensive care to the pregnant woman, thus allowing a decrease in the occurrence of low birth-weight.Estudou-se as principais características biológicas e sociais do recém-nascido de baixo peso (;£; 2.500 g) comparado com o de peso normal (>; 2.500) através de uma amostra de recém-nascidos admitidos no berçário e nascidos na Clínica Obstétrica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP durante o período de 1 ano. As características individuais do recém-nascido foram avaliadas através das variáveis sexo, cor, medidas antropométricas e condições clínicas. A assistência dispensada ao recém-nascido foi estudada quer sob o ponto de vista quantitativo como qualitativo. As condições sócio-econômicas foram analisadas através da caracterização ao tamanho da família, tipo de união, qualificação da mão de obra, escolaridade e renda. Também foram analisados o comportamento e a atitude das mães dos recém-nascidos quanto à utilização dos recursos de saúde, idade ideal para ter filhos e número ideal de filhos. As principais características médico-sociais identificadas e analisadas neste estudo fornecem elementos para subsidiar o estabelecimento de uma assistência global à gestante