Abstract Background: Melittin has shown antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. Therefore, it comprises a valuable compound for studies on cancer treatment. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have reported melittin effects on bone metastasis. Herein, we propose an approach based on intrametastatic melittin injection to treat bone metastases in colorectal cancer. Methods: Following the characterization of melittin and antiproliferative tests in vitro, a single dose was injected through intrametastatic route into the mouse bone metastasis model. Following treatment, metastasis growth was evaluated. Results: A single dose of melittin was able to inhibit metastasis growth. Histological analysis showed necrosis and inflammatory processes in melittin-treated metastasis. Except by mild weight loss, no other systemic effects were observed. Conclusion: Our data suggest that melittin might be a promising agent for the future development of treatment strategies aiming to reduce the bone metastasis skeletal-related impact in colorectal cancer patients with bone metastasis.

Abstract The innovation timeline is expensive, risky, competitive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. In order to overcome such challenges and optimize financial resources, pharmaceutical companies nowadays hire contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMO) to help them. Based on the experience acquired first from the development of two biopharmaceuticals, the Heterologous Fibrin Sealant and the Apilic Antivenom, and more recently, during their respective clinical trials; the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP) proposed to the Ministry of Health the creation of the first Brazilian CDMO. This groundbreaking venture will assist in converting a candidate molecule - from its discovery, proof of concept, product development, up to pilot batch production - into a product. The CDMO impact and legacy will be immense, offering service provision to the public and private sector by producing validated samples for clinical trials and academic training on translational research for those seeking a position in pharmaceutical industries and manufacturing platforms.

Biomaterials are used as a promising alternative to bone grafts, including bioceramics whose composition resembles that of bone and fibrin sealants due to their hemostatic properties. The objective was to evaluate the repair of cranial defects in 40 rats, grafted with hydroxyapatite and a new fibrin sealant derived from snake venom. The animals were divided into four groups: C (control, no graft); Ha (hydroxyapatite); FS (fibrin sealant), and HaFS (hydroxyapatite and fibrin sealant). The animals were euthanized 2 and 6 weeks after surgery and wound area were submitted to analysis. After 2 weeks, immature bone was formed from the borders of the defect and in groups Ha and HaFS, few hydroxyapatite particles were surrounded by new bone. After 6 weeks, the new bone was mature and surrounded several hydroxyapatite particles, without connective tissue interposition and the volume of new bone was higher in HaFS group. The hydroxyapatite in combination with the new fibrin sealant accelerates bone repair.

INTRODUÇÃO: As abelhas africanizadas (AHBs) migraram do Brasil em 1956 para todo o continente Americano. Apesar de produtivas, são agressivas causando acidentes fatais. O objetivo foi avaliar pacientes atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (HC-FMB) e propor um roteiro de tratamento. MÉTODOS: Entre 2005 e 2006, foram analisados os aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais de 11 pacientes e anatomopatológicos de um que foi a óbito em 2003. RESULTADOS: A idade dos pacientes variou entre 5 e 87 com média de 42,5 anos. Sete eram do sexo masculino e quatro do feminino. O número de picadas variou entre 20 e 500. Nove deles receberam mais de 50 picadas. Os principais sinais e sintomas foram dor local, náuseas, taquicardia e vômitos. Os exames hematológicos mostraram leucocitose, neutrofilia, anemia e desvio à esquerda escalonado. Os exames bioquímicos revelaram níveis elevados de creatinofosfoquinase, desidrogenase lática e aspartato/alanina aminotransferase. O paciente que foi a óbito 24h após o atendimento tinha 11 anos, era do sexo masculino e foi atacado ao adentrar um edifício de dois andares recebendo mais de 1.000 picadas. O exame anatomopatológico mostrou lesões eritemato-purpúricas, além de necrose nos locais das picadas. Apresentou também rabdomiólise, necroses focais do miocárdio, degeneração hidrópica acompanhada de necrose tubular renal aguda, mioglobinúria e necrose centrolobular no fígado. CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes acometidos por múltiplas picadas necessitam de tratamento imediato e por não dispormos de um soro específico desenvolvemos um roteiro que inclui os primeiros socorros, as drogas a serem empregadas e a retirada dos ferrões corretamente.

INTRODUCTION: In 1956, Africanized honeybees (AHB) migrated from Brazil to other regions of the Western Hemisphere, including South, Central, and North America, except for Canada. Despite being productive, they are highly aggressive and cause fatal accidents. This study aimed to evaluate patients at the Clinical Hospital of Botucatu Medical School (HC-FMB) and to propose treatment guidelines. METHODS: From 2005 to 2006, the clinical and laboratorial aspects of 11 patients (7 male and 4 female) and the anatomopathological aspects of one patient who had died in 2003 were analyzed. RESULTS: The age of the surviving patients varied from 5 to 87 years, with a mean of 42.5 years. The majority of accidents occurred in the afternoon, and the number of stings ranged from 20 to 500. The principal signs and symptoms were pain and local inflammatory signs, nausea, tachycardia, and vomiting. Biochemical findings presented increased levels of creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate/alanine aminotransferase. An 11-year-old male patient died upon entering the attic of a two-storey building where he was attacked by a swarm, receiving more than 1,000 stings. He was sent to HC-FMB where he was treated, but he died 24h later. Observed at the autopsy were erythematous-purpuric skin lesions besides necrosis at the sting locations, rhabdomyolysis, focal myocardial necrosis, tubular hydropic degeneration and focal tubular acute necrosis of the kidneys, myoglobinuria, and centrolobular necrosis in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: Accidents caused by multiple AHB stings always constitute a medical emergency. As there is no specific antivenom, we have developed guidelines, including first aid, drugs, and the proper removal of stingers.

A colaboração docente on-line permite a criação de comunidades virtuais. As ferramentas virtuais de uma equipe em rede permitem criar aulas virtuais em diferentes localizações geográficas. Estes ambientes permitem na educação a transferência do conhecimento entre alunos e docentes, incluindo atividades síncronas e assíncronas. Neste trabalho descrevemos nossa experiência em colaboração docente on-line, utilizando ferramentas virtuais na educação universitária. Os softwares utilizados foram 1-Skype: Software de aplicação para chamadas na Internet (VoIP). 2- LAN: Aula virtual digital disponibilizado em http://www.cevap.unesp.br/abertura.htm. Estas mídias foram utilizadas em dias e locais de transmissão e recepção diferentes. Os temas foram: 1-"Como preparar uma videoconferência", 2-"Importância das TICs na docência Universitária", 3-"Plataformas virtuais com bases de dados automatizadas na busca bibliográfica", 4-"Uso do laboratório virtual no ensino de Biologia Celular, Histologia e Embriologia". As ferramentas virtuais permitem a colaboração on-line de docentes localizados em diferentes localizações geográficas, além de formar recursos humanos que as usarão para melhorar o desempenho da educação universitária.

Online teaching collaboration allows the creation of virtual communities. Virtual tools in a networked team allow creating virtual classes in different geographic locations. These environments allow knowledge transfer between students and faculty, including synchronous and asynchronous activities. In this article, we describe our experience with online teaching collaboration using virtual tools in university education. The software packages were Skype, an application for voice over Internet (VoIP) and LAN, a virtual digital class available at http://www.cevap.unesp.br/abertura.htm. These media were used on different days and at different locations for webcasting and receiving. The themes were: 1) "How to prepare a videoconference", 2) "The importance of ICTs in university teaching", 3) "Virtual platforms such as automated databases in literature searches", and 4) "Using the virtual laboratory in teaching Cell Biology, Histology, and Embryology". Virtual tools allow online collaboration among teachers at different geographic locations, in addition to training human resources to use such tools in order to improve performance in university education.

La colaboración docente on-line permite la creación de comunidades virtuales. Las herramientas virtuales de un equipo en red permiten crear clases virtuales en diferentes localizaciones geográficas. Estos ambientes permiten, en la Educación, diseñar transferencia de conocimientos entre alumnos y docentes incluyendo actividades sincrónicas y asincrónicas. En el presente trabajo describimos nuestra experiencia en colaboración docente on-line usando herramientas virtuales en educación universitaria. Los programas de conexión utilizados fueron 1- Skype: software de aplicación para llamadas en Internet (VoIP). 2- LAN. Aula virtual digital usando la URL: http://www.cevap.unesp.br/abertura. htm. Con los diferentes medios de comunicación disertó el docente colaborador a distancia en diferentes días y sitios de emisión y recepción. Los temas fueron: 1-"Cómo preparar una videoconferencia", 2-"Importancia de las TIC en docencia universitaria", 3-"Plataformas virtuales como bases de datos automatizadas en la búsqueda bibliográfica". 4- "Uso del laboratorio virtual en la docencia de Biología Celular, Histología y Embriología". Las herramientas virtuales permiten la colaboración on-line de docentes situados en diferentes lugares geográficos y la formación de recursos humanos que usarán los entornos virtuales en el desempeño de la docencia universitaria.