O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a eficácia de dois protocolos de tratamento de ceratoconjuntivite seca (CCS) experimentalmente induzida em coelhos: uma formulação oftálmica tópica composta por álcool polivinílico 1,4%, adicionado com acetilcisteína 10% e pilocarpina 1% (AAP), e outro protocolo com o uso do óleo de semente de linhaça (OL) tópico em forma de colírio, durante 12 semanas. Foram utilizados 15 coelhos machos, adultos, da raça Nova Zelândia, alocados aleatoriamente em três grupos: grupo C (controle), grupo AAP (formulação oftálmica) e grupo L (OL tópica). Os animais foram avaliados semanalmente pelo teste lacrimal de Schirmer, teste de fluoresceína e teste de Rosa Bengala; uma vez por mês, pelo exame de citologia esfoliativa ocular; ao final do experimento, pela análise histopatológica da córnea e conjuntiva. Os resultados demonstraram que houve um aumento maior na produção lacrimal quando utilizada a formulação oftálmica, e uma resolução mais rápida das úlceras de córnea, bem como diminuição no número de células desvitalizadas quando utilizado o óleo de semente de linhaça, além de aumento no número de células caliciformes em ambos os grupos de tratamento. A associação desses dois protocolos pode ser no futuro uma alternativa no tratamento da CCS.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two treatment protocol of experimentally induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in rabbits, a topical ophthalmic formulation composed by 1.4% povinilic alcohol added with 10% acetylcysteine and 1% pilocarpine (AAP) and another protocol with the topical use of the linseed seed oil (LO) in eye drop form f or 12 weeks. Fifteen male New Zealand white rabbits were aleatory allocated in 3 groups: Group C (Control), Group AAP (ophthalmic formulation) and Group L (LO topical). The animals were evaluated weekly using the Schirmer's tear test, fluorescein test and Rose Bengal test monthly for ocular cytology, and at the end of the experiment for histopathological analysis of cornea and conjunctive. The results demonstrated that there was a larger increase in the tear production when the ophthalmic formulation was us ed and a faster rapid resolution of corneal ulcers and decrease in the number of devitalized cells when linseed seed oil was used, besides an increase in the number of caliciform cells in both treatment groups. The association of those two protocols can be a future alternative in the treatment of KCS.

The intracellular As-protein binding in cytosol and methanol-water extract of the auricle and saphene tissues of As impacted people was evaluated by bidimensional size exclusion FPLC-UV-ICP-MS. The fractionation of cytosol using Superdex, Phenomenex and MonoQ HR 5/5 columns, shows that As was distributed in a wide range of contiguous fractions of each column, being 8, 25, 50 % the percentages of As in the collected fractions, respectively. Arsenic a sulphur coelute when FPLC-UV-ICP-MS was applied, which could implicate that As is bound to bio-compounds of different molecular mass through vicinal sulphur groups. The monitoring of S, Cu and P. In the methanol: water extracts a similar study than performed with the cytosol using preparative gel chromatography on Sephadex G-75 and Shephadex G-100 columns. A very low As and protein contain were found in the different fractions of both SEC fractionating series. A similar As-protein association to that found in the cytosol after fractionating with MonoQ HR 5/5 was observed for auricle and saphene. Inorganic and methylated As speciation in the 20 - 26 cytosol fractions obtained within the Phenomenex column was performed by HPLC-ICP-MS using the Hamilton PRP-X100 column. Only As(III) and As(V) were present and the results obtained shows that the As(III)/As(V) ratio is constant in most cases. Direct evidence of the existence of As-binding peptides in auricle and saphene vein from arsenic impacted human beings has have been obtained which was previously reported by means of novo peptide synthesis.

The frequency of envenoming in Northwest counties of the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, from 1995 to 2000 was evaluated. Reports from the Municipal Secretariat of Health of these counties were used. The results demonstrated that, from 1997 to 1999, there was a shortage of notification, and 40 cases of envenomations caused by Bothrops snakes were registered. These cases were more common from February to October, and the lower limbs of male peasants were the mainly affected areas.