Abstract Exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by Klebsiella oxytoca are of environmental, pharmaceutical, and medicinal interest. However, studies about the anti-inflammatory activity of EPS produced by this microorganism still remain limited. The aim of this study was to produce, characterize, and evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of EPS from K. oxytoca in a pleurisy model. Colorimetric analysis revealed that precipitated crude exopolysaccharides (KEPSC) and deproteinated exopolysaccharides (KEPS) present high levels of total carbohydrates (65.57% and 62.82%, respectively). Analyses of uronic acid (7.90% in KEPSC and 6.21% in KEPS) and pyruvic acid (3.01% in KEPSC and 1.68% in KEPS) confirm that the EPS are acidic. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated that the EPS consisted of rhamnose (29.83%), glucose (11.21%), galactose (52.45%), and mannose (6.50%). The treatment of an experimental pleurisy model in rats through subcutaneous administration of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of KEPS decreased both the volume of inflammatory exudate and the number of leukocytes recruited to the pleural cavity. The present data showed that EPS production by K. oxytoca using the method described is easy to perform and results in a good yield. In addition, we show that KEPS exhibit anti-inflammatory activity when administered subcutaneously in rats.

Introdução e Objetivos: Apesar do uso crescente de métodos não invasivos para a avaliação da fibrose hepática e da esteatose, ainda não está claro o efeito do jejum e da ingestão alimentar na determinação destes parâmetros. Os nossos objetivos foram avaliar o efeito da ingestão de alimentos sobre a rigidez hepática (LS) (medida por elastografia transitória) e o parâmetro de atenuação controlada (CAP) em doentes com diferentes graus de doença hepática e voluntários saudáveis e, secundariamente, avaliar possíveis fatores associados às variações de LS e CAP. Métodos: Realizámos um estudo prospetivo, num único centro, incluindo doentes com doença hepática crónica e voluntários saudáveis. A LS e o CAP foram determinados com a utilização de FibroScan®, antes (jejum ≥8 h) e 30 minutos após a ingestão de um pequeno-almoço padronizado. Foram usados pontos de corte comuns para a elastografia: > 7 kPa para fibrose significativa (F2 a F4) e > 11-14 kPa (média 12.5 kPa) para cirrose. Resultados: Cinquenta e nove (72%) doentes com doença hepática crónica e 22 (28%) voluntários saudáveis foram incluídos. A LS aumentou significativamente 30 minutos após a ingestão de alimentos (pré-refeição 6.1 kPa [IQR: 4.7-9.8] versus após a refeição 6.8 kPa [IQR: 5.5-10.6], p < 0.001). Essa diferença foi significativa em doentes com doença hepática crónica (p = 0.02) mas não nos voluntários saudáveis (p = 0.106). Os valores da CAP não variaram significativamente após a ingestão de alimentos. O género, o IMC, a massa de gordura corporal, a massa corporal magra e a percentagem de gordura corporal não se associaram a variações significativas dos valores de LS e CAP após a ingestão da refeição. Conclusões: Verificaram-se variações significativas da LS após a ingestão de uma refeição padrão, o que pode ter consequências na avaliação dos doentes. Os valores da CAP não foram significativamente afetados pela ingestão de alimentos. Por isso, consideramos que perante a avaliação isolada de CAP não é necessário a realização de qualquer período de jejum.

Background and Aims: Despite the increasing use of noninvasive methods for the assessment of liver fibrosis and steatosis, the effect of fasting and food intake on these parameters is not yet clear. Our aims were to evaluate the effect of food intake on liver stiffness (LS) (measured by transient elastography) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in patients with different degrees of liver disease and healthyvolunteers, and secondarily, to assess possible factors associated with variations of LS and CAP. Methods: We performed a prospective single-center study including patients with liver disease and healthy volunteers. LS and CAP were evaluated using FibroScan® (Echosens, Paris, France), before (fasting ≥8 h) and 30 min after intake of a standardized breakfast. We used common cutoffs for LS: > 7 kPa for significant fibrosis (F2 to F4) and > 11 to 14 kPa (mean 12.5 kPa) for cirrhosis. Results: Fifty-nine (72%) patients with liver disease and 22 (28%) healthy volunteers were included. LS significantly increased 30 min after food intake (pre-meal 6.1 kPa [IQR: 4.7-9.8] vs. after-meal 6.8 kPa [IQR: 5.5-10.6]; p < 0.001). This difference was only significant in patients with chronic liver disease (p = 0.02) and not in healthy volunteers (p = 0.106). CAP values did not increase significantly after food intake. Gender, body mass index, mass of body fat, lean body mass, and percent of body fat were not related with significant variations of LS and CAP values after meal intake. Conclusions: Significant variations of LS were observed after ingestion of a standard meal, which may have consequences for patient management. CAP values were not significantly affected by food intake. Therefore, we consider that before the isolated evaluation of CAP, it is not necessary to perform any fasting period.

ABSTRACT Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni, Asteraceae, is used as a food additive because its leaves are a source of steviol glycosides. There are examples of tissue culture based on micropropagation and phytochemical production of S. rebaudiana leaves but there are few studies on adventitious root culture of S. rebaudiana. More than 90% of the plants used in industry are harvested indiscriminately. In order to overcome this situation, the development of methodologies that employ biotechnology, such as root culture, provides suitable alternatives for the sustainable use of plants. The aim of this study was to compare morpho-anatomical transverse sections of S. rebaudiana roots grown in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro system used to maintain root cultures consisted of a gyratory shaker under dark and light conditions and a roller bottle system. Transverse sections of S. rebaudiana roots grown in vitro were structurally and morphologically different when compared to the control plant; roots artificially maintained in culture media can have their development affected by the degree of media aeration, sugar concentration, and light. GC–MS and TLC confirmed that S. rebaudiana roots grown in vitro have the ability to produce metabolites, which can be similar to those produced by wild plants.

Several species of Aspidosperma plants are used to treat diseases in the tropics, including Aspidosperma ramiflorum, which acts against leishmaniasis, an activity that is experimentally confirmed. The species, known as guatambu-yellow, yellowperoba, coffee-peroba andmatiambu, grows in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil in the South to the Southeast regions. Through a guided biofractionation of A. ramiflorum extracts, the plant activity against Plasmodium falciparum was evaluated in vitro for toxicity towards human hepatoma G2 cells, normal monkey kidney cells and nonimmortalised human monocytes isolated from peripheral blood. Six of the seven extracts tested were active at low doses (half-maximal drug inhibitory concentration < 3.8 µg/mL); the aqueous extract was inactive. Overall, the plant extracts and the purified compounds displayed low toxicity in vitro. A nonsoluble extract fraction and one purified alkaloid isositsirikine (compound 5) displayed high selectivity indexes (SI) (= 56 and 113, respectively), whereas compounds 2 and 3 were toxic (SI < 10). The structure, activity and low toxicity of isositsirikine in vitro are described here for the first time in A. ramiflorum, but only the neutral and precipitate plant fractions were tested for activity, which caused up to 53% parasitaemia inhibition of Plasmodium bergheiin mice with blood-induced malaria. This plant species is likely to be useful in the further development of an antimalarial drug, but its pharmacological evaluation is still required.

ABSTRACTThe use of cell and plant tissue culture techniques to produce economically important active metabolites has been growing. Among these substances are total limonoid aglycones, which are produced by "pera" orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, Rutaceae) and have received considerable attention because of their anticancer actions. The main objective of the present study was to analyze and compare the levels of limonoid aglycones in seeds, callus cultures (originating from seeds), callus cultures (originating from hypocotyls), cell suspensions from hypocotyls cells, and cell suspensions from cotyledons. The cell cultures or C. sinensis were obtained by inoculating two strains of callus in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 7.0 µM benzyl aminopurine, and 3% (w/v) sucrose in the dark. The highest concentrations of limonoid aglycone that were obtained were observed in cotyledon cell lines (240 mg/100 g dry weight) that were produced on day 21 of culture and hypocotyl cell lines on day 7 (210 mg/100 g dry weight). Explants of different origins under the same culture conditions had different limonoid aglycone content. The present results may suggest strategies for enhancing the productivity of biologically important limonoid aglycones and investigating the complex pathways of these secondary metabolites in plant tissue cultures.

INTRODUÇÃO: A mucosa gástrica ectópica pode encontrar-se em qualquer segmento do tubo digestivo, na vesícula ou vias biliares. CASO CLÍNICO: Apresenta-se o caso de uma doente, com episódio de dor no hipocôndrio direito associado a dilatação da via biliar principal. A ecoendoscopia identificou vegetação intraluminal justa-papilar podendo condicionar algum grau de obstrução da via biliar. A colangiopancreatografia retrógrada endoscópica confirmou ectasia da via biliar principal e vegetação imediatamente adjacente à papila. O estudo histológico permitiu diagnóstico de mucosa gástrica ectópica, confirmado com cintigrama. Após esfincterotomia ampla, a doente apresentou remissão das queixas álgicas e redução do diâmetro da via biliar. CONCLUSÃO: A mucosa gástrica ectópica é, essencialmente, um diagnóstico histológico. Sendo, geralmente, um achado incidental é também uma entidade subdiagnosticada.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic gastric mucosa can be found in any segment of the digestive tract as well as in the gallbladder and bile ducts. CASE REPORT: A patient with episodes of pain in right hypochondrium associated with common bile duct ectasia. Ultrasound endoscopy identified an intraluminal juxta-papillary vegetation which was associated with some degree of obstruction in the bile duct. ERCP confirmed common bile duct ectasia and the vegetation immediately adjacent to the papilla. Histologic examination allowed the diagnosis of ectopic gastric mucosa, confirmed with scintigraphy. A wide sphincterotomy was performed, with remission of pain and reduction of the biliary duct dimension. CONCLUSION: Ectopic gastric mucosa is essentially a histological diagnosis. It is usually an incidental finding and so it represents an underdiagnosed entity.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar mudanças na prevalência de lesões intra-epiteliais escamosas cervicais entre mulheres HIV-1 positivas após a introdução da terapia antiretroviral altamente eficaz e avaliar modificações na prevalência de fatores de risco para lesões intra-epiteliais escamosas cervicais. Foram estudadas 50 pacientes em 1995-1999 e 120 pacientes em 2006-2007. Coletaram-se dados demográficos, comportamentais, laboratoriais. Calculou-se a prevalência de lesões intra-epiteliais escamosas cervicais entre os dois períodos, assim como as prevalências dos outros fatores de risco. No primeiro período, encontrou-se uma prevalência de lesões intra-epiteliais escamosas cervicais de 66% e no segundo de 43% (p=0,007). A média do CD4 em 1995-1999 foi de 275,71 (DP 283,23); a média do CD4 em 2006-2007 foi de 463,32 (DP 231.90), (p=0,001). Houve mudanças significativas nos fatores idade, cor, estado conjugal e fumo entre os dois períodos. A diminuição da prevalência de lesões intra-epiteliais escamosas cervicais pode estar relacionada ao uso da estratégia de terapia antiretroviral altamente eficaz assim como à mudança de fatores de risco para lesões intra-epiteliais escamosas cervicais ao longo do tempo.

TThe aim of this work was to study changes to the prevalence of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (CSIL) among HIV1-positive women following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and to evaluate changes to the prevalence of risk factors for CSIL. Fifty patients were studied in 1995-1999 and 120 patients in 2006-2007. Demographic, behavioral and laboratorial data were collected. The prevalences of CSIL and other risk factors were calculated for the two periods. The prevalence of CSIL was 66% in the first period and 43% in the second period (p = 0.007). The mean CD4 in 1995-1999 was 275.71 (SD 283.23) and in 2006-2007 it was 463.32 (SD 231.90; p=0.001). There were significant changes to the factors of age, skin color, marital status and smoking between the two periods. The decrease in the prevalence of CSIL may be related to the use of the HAART strategy and to changes to the risk factors for CSIL over time.

Os estudos dos metabólitos secundários de plantas se desenvolveram aceleradamente nos últimos 50 anos. Estes compostos são conhecidos por desempenharem um papel importante na adaptação das plantas aos seus ambientes e também representam uma fonte importante de substâncias farmacologicamente ativas. As técnicas de cultura de células de plantas iniciaramse na década de 1960 como uma possível ferramenta para estudar e produzir os metabólitos secundários de plantas. O uso de cultura de células de planta para a produção de substâncias de interesse contribuiu grandemente para avanços em diversas áreas da fisiologia e bioquímica vegetal. Diferentes estratégias, usando sistemas de cultura in vitro, foram estudadas com o objetivo de aumentar a produção de metabólitos secundários. As plantas dos gêneros Aspidosperma e Tabernaemontana são importantes fontes de alcalóides indólicos biologicamente ativos, sendo que no Brasil existe um número considerável de espécies destes gêneros. As culturas de células de Aspidosperma e Tabernaemontana foram iniciadas há pelo menos 16 anos, as quais produzem um grande número de alcalóides, o que estimulou o desenvolvimento de diversas técnicas para sua produção, extração e identificação.

Studies on plant secondary metabolites have been increasing over the last 50 years. These compounds are known to play a major role in the adaptation of plants to their environment and an important source of active pharmaceuticals. Plant cell culture technologies were introduced at the end of the 1960s as a possible tool for both studying and producing plant secondary metabolites. Different strategies, using in vitro systems, have been extensively studied with the objective of improving the production of secondary plant compounds. The Aspidosperma and Tabernaemontana genera are an important source of biologically active alkaloids and in Brazil there is a considerable number of species of these genera. About 16 years ago cell cultures of Tabernemontana and Aspidosperma were initiated. These cell cultures did produce a number of alkaloids of pharmaceutical interest that stimulated the development of several techniques to production, extraction and identification.

A despeito da relativa freqüência de infecções fúngicas oportunísticas em pacientes sob hemodiálise, os reservatórios ambientais destes permanecem desconhecidos, embora alguns estudos recentes tenham correlacionado o suprimento de água como fonte desses microrganismos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi monitorar a qualidade micológica do sistema hídrico de uma Unidade de Hemodiálise, do interior do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, no período entre abril e julho de 2006. Foram coletadas amostras (15), de 1000mL em 7 pontos de distribuição de água empregando-se técnica da membrana filtrante (0,45µm). Foram isolados 116 fungos filamentosos, dos quais 47 (40,5%) Trichoderma sp, 29 (25%) Cladosporium sp, 16 (13,8%) Aspergillus sp e 11 (9,5%) Fusarium sp. Mediante os resultados, sugerimos que suprimentos de água para Unidades de Hemodiálise devam ser monitorados também quanto ao aspecto micológico, adotando-se medidas profiláticas eficazes que minimizem a exposição destes pacientes imunodeficientes a fontes aquáticas ambientais contaminadas.

Despite the relative frequency of opportunistic fungal infections among hemodialysis patients, the reservoirs for these microorganisms in the environment remain unknown, although some recent studies have made correlations with the water supply as their source. The objective of the present study was to monitor the mycological quality of the water system of a hemodialysis unit in the interior of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, over the period from April to July 2006. Fifteen samples of 1000 ml were collected from seven water distribution points using the membrane filtration technique (0.45 µm). A total of 116 filamentous fungus specimens were isolated, including 47 Trichoderma sp (40.5%), 29 Cladosporium sp (25%), 16 Aspergillus sp (13.8%) and 11 Fusarium sp (9.5%). The results suggest that the water supply for hemodialysis units should also be monitored for mycological contamination, and that effective prophylactic measures should be adopted for minimizing the exposure of these immunodeficient patients to contaminated water sources in the environment.

INTRODUÇÃO: Em 2002 a Nomenclatura Brasileira para Laudos de Citopatologia Cervical Uterina foi revisada, sendo criada uma categoria para atipias de significado indeterminado (ASI) e elaborada uma categoria de origem indefinida (ASIOI). Assim como as células atípicas de significado indeterminado de origem escamosa (ASCUS) e as células atípicas de significado indeterminado de origem glandular (AGUS), a categoria diagnóstica ASIOI é controversa. Apesar disso, nenhum estudo nacional anterior a este investigou sua validade. OBJETIVO: Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal investigar a importância da categoria ASIOI. Secundariamente, visa ainda contribuir com a divulgação da Nomenclatura Brasileira para Laudos de Citopatologia Cervical Uterina, através de sua publicação na íntegra. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Este estudo resultou da colaboração de dois laboratórios privados de anatomia patológica e citopatologia. Os casos foram selecionados a partir de arquivos de exames citopatológicos, realizados entre 2000 e 2004, com diagnóstico de ASCUS ou AGUS e seguidos por exame histológico. Foram selecionados e revisados 30 casos, sendo identificados campos citológicos diagnósticos de ASIOI, ASCUS e AGUS. RESULTADOS: Dos 30 casos, 26 foram selecionados para o estudo após revisão citopatológica. Desses, 19 apresentavam apenas campos citológicos com diagnóstico de ASCUS e/ou AGUS, sendo utilizados como grupo-controle. Apenas sete casos continham campos compatíveis com ASIOI, dos quais 4 (57,1%) estavam associados a AGUS; 1 (14,3%) a ASCUS; 1 (14,3%) estava associado a ambos; e 1 (14,3%) não possuía alterações compatíveis com ASCUS e/ou AGUS. DISCUSSÃO: Os casos de ASIOI encontrados mostraram forte associação com a categoria AGUS e com alterações glandulares na histologia. A maior parte dessas correspondeu a alterações reacionais e benignas, exceto por um caso de displasia e um de adenocarcinoma in situ. O diagnóstico de ASIOI é um achado raro e uma cuidadosa revisão da lâmina, na maioria dos casos, resultará no encontro de campos de AGUS. Vale ainda salientar a forte associação desse diagnóstico com áreas de má fixação nos esfregaços. Novos estudos sobre o assunto serão necessários. Com base nos achados do presente estudo, sugerimos que a persistência desse termo deva ser questionada em futuras revisões da nomenclatura nacional para laudos citopatológicos.

BACKGROUND: In 2002, the Brazilian Nomenclature for Reporting Cervical Cytological Diagnosis was revised. A category of atypical epithelial cells of undetermined significance (AUS) and another (sub-classification) of atypical epithelial cells of undetermined significance and undetermined origin (AUSUO) were introduced. Like atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS), the diagnostic category AUSUO is controversial. Despite controversies, no previous national study had investigated its importance. OBJECTIVES: This study has the main objective of investigate the importance of the diagnostic category AUSUO. Another purpose is to contribute to spread the Brazilian Nomenclature for Reporting Cervical Cytological Diagnosis, by publishing it entirely. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study resulted from the contribution of two private pathology and cytopathology laboratories. Cases diagnosed as ASCUS or AGUS with follow-up were selected from archives of cytopathology exams, collected from the period between 2000 and 2004. In total, 30 cases were selected and revised, being identified cytological diagnostic fields of ASIOI, ASCUS and AGUS. RESULTS: After revision, from the 30 cases, 26 were selected for the study. Among these, 19 presented cytological fields with diagnosis of only ASCUS and/or AGUS and were used as a control group. Only seven cases contained fields compatible with AUSUO, 4 (57,1%) were associated with AGUS; 1 (14.3%) with ASCUS; 1 (14.3%) with both; and 1 (14.3%) had no alterations compatible with ASCUS and/or AGUS. CONCLUSIONS: The AUSUO cases showed a strong association with AGUS and glandular alterations in histology. Most of these cases corresponded to reactive and benign alterations, except for one case of endocervical dysplasia and one case of in situ adenocarcinoma. The AUSUO diagnosis is a rare finding, and after a careful revision of the pap smears, in the majority of the cases, fields of AGUS are found. It’s worthwhile to emphasize the strong association between this diagnosis and poor fixed areas in the pap smears. New studies will be necessary to confirm our findings. Based in this first approach to this issue, we suggest that the persistence of this term should be questioned in the forthcoming revisions of our national nomenclature for reporting cervical cytological diagnosis.

OBJETIVO: avaliar cefalometricamente os efeitos da expansão rápida da sutura palatina mediana sobre o posicionamento vertical e sagital da maxila, comparando os aparelhos de Haas e Hyrax. METODOLOGIA: a amostra consistiu de 93 telerradiografias obtidas de 31 pacientes jovens, brasileiros, de ambos os gêneros, na faixa etária inicial média de 13 anos e 2 meses. As radiografias foram tomadas ao início do tratamento (pré-disjunção), imediatamente após a disjunção (pós-disjunção) e ao final do nivelamento. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: constatou-se que os dois aparelhos disjuntores apresentaram resultados semelhantes, com a ocorrência de deslocamento da maxila em direção inferior, sem rotação, que se manteve ao final do nivelamento e ocorrência de um deslocamento anterior logo após a disjunção, que retornou aos valores pré-disjunção ao final do nivelamento.

AIM: the purpose of this cephalometric study was to evaluate, by lateral cephalograms, the changes in maxilar positioning after rapid disjunction of the midpalatal suture, following the use of two types of maxillary disjunction appliances, checked in different phases, and the likely differences between the two appliances Haas and Hyrax. METHODS: the sample comprised of 93 lateral cephalograms, taken before treatment (pre-disjunction), immediately after disjunction and at the end of levelling, obtained from 31 brazilian youths with both genres and average age of 13 years and 2 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: both types of appliances showed similar results, with anterior and lower displacement of maxila right after disjunction. Lower displacement was without rotation, and mainttened stable until the end of levelling. Anterior displacement, however, was not stable and cephalometric measurements like SNA and Nperp-A tended to returned to initial values at the end of levelling.