Compared to other species, components of Combretum lanceolatum are still with few data reported in the literature. This work describes the compounds identification, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of C. lanceolatum twigs. Ethanolic extract (EECLT) from C. lanceolatum twigs was submitted to partition obtaining: hexane (HF), diethyl ether (EEF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and hydromethanolic (HMF) fractions. They were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and direct insertion mass spectrometry and evaluated for antioxidant assay (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method) and antimicrobial assay. Fifty-seven compounds were identified in the fractions. In antioxidant assay, EECLT and EAF demonstrated good antioxidant potential (half maximal effective concentration (EC50): 57.9 and 45.4 µg mL–1, respectively), better than the positive control butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (EC50: 69.34 µg mL–1). For antimicrobial assay, all fractions presented promising minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). EECLT presented the best values against Staphylococcus aureus (125 µg mL–1) and Escherichia coli (62.5 µg mL–1) and better than the positive control fluconazole (8 and 16 µg mL–1) against Candida albicans (3.9 µg mL–1) and Candida krusei (15.6 µg mL–1) strains. This study presents relevant chemical and biological information about C. lanceloatum expanding the knowledge of Brazilian flora. species literature identification C (EECLT obtaining HF, HF , (HF) EEF, EEF (EEF) (EAF HMF (HMF chromatographymass 2,2diphenyl1picrylhydrazyl 22diphenyl1picrylhydrazyl diphenylpicrylhydrazyl 2,2 diphenyl 1 picrylhydrazyl 2 DPPH (DPPH method Fiftyseven Fifty seven half EC50 EC (EC50) 579 57 9 57. 454 45 4 45. mL1 mL mL–1 respectively, respectively respectively) BHT (BHT (EC50 6934 69 34 69.3 mL–1. . MIC. MIC (MIC) 125 (12 62.5 625 62 5 (62. 8 ( 3.9 39 3 (3. 15.6 156 15 6 (15. strains flora (HF (EEF 2diphenyl1picrylhydrazyl 22 2, EC5 mL– (EC5 693 69. (MIC 12 (1 62. (62 3. (3 15. (15 (EC (6

This study compares the techniques cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV-AFS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of Hg in biological samples (hepatic tissue from marine tetrapods). Acid digestions were performed for the samples and aliquots of them were analysed by ICP-MS and CV-AFS. To minimize the Hg memory effect in its determination by ICP-MS, gold (200 µg L-1 in 5% v v-1 HCl) was added to the sample digests. The detection limits were 0.02 mg kg-1 for ICP-MS and 0.01 mg kg-1 for CV-AFS. Accuracy was assessed by the calculation of the recovery obtained from TORT-3 (lobster hepatopancreas) certified reference material analysis. Accurate results were obtained for both CV-AFS and ICP-MS. The comparison of the results obtained for hepatic tissue with and without lyophilization showed a significant difference among them (at 95% of confidence level), evidencing losses of Hg in the lyophilization process.

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos anteriores sobre doença de Chagas tratam da perspectiva da ocorrência endêmica da parasitose na região Amazônica, que se correlaciona diretamente com o aumento populacional e a invasão do ecótopo pelos triatomíneos. O Estado de Rondônia possui um imenso manancial de vetores e reservatórios de Trypanosoma cruzi. As modificações ambientais ocasionadas pelo desmatamento na região podem gerar mudanças nos hábitos dos vetores, trazendo-os para um contato mais próximo do homem, aumentando as possibilidades de infecção vetorial. MÉTODOS: Este estudo foi realizado para verificar a ocorrência da doença de Chagas em Monte Negro, Rondônia, equivalente à amostragem aleatória das propriedades rurais e de pessoas residentes no município, onde foram realizadas coletas sanguíneas dos moradores e coleta de triatomíneos. As amostras sanguíneas foram submetidas a testes sorológicos para detecção de anticorpos da classe IgG contra T. cruzi e os triatomíneos coletados foram analisados para verificar a presença de tripanosomatídeos em seu trato digestivo. RESULTADOS: A população estudada, randomicamente selecionada, é em sua maioria advinda de outros estados. Dos 322 barbeiros avaliados microscopicamente, 50% apresentavam flagelados com morfologia compatível com Trypanosoma cruzi. A sorologia das 344 amostras de sangue humano coletadas randomicamente apresentou 1,2% de positividade para T. cruzi, 6,1% de resultados inconclusivos e 92,8% negativos. CONCLUSÕES: Monte Negro apresenta baixa prevalência de infecção por T. cruzi em humanos, em torno de 1,2% e sem transmissão vetorial ativa, porém há a necessidade de medidas preventivas de vigilância, não existentes atualmente, devido à abundância do vetor, e a presença de vetores infectados por tripanosomatídeos.

INTRODUCTION: Studies on Chagas disease deal with the perspective of its occurrence in the Amazon region, which is directly correlated to the population growth and the spread of the bug biotope. The state of Rondônia has an immense source of vectors (Triatomine) and reservoirs of Trypanosoma cruzi. Environmental changes brought forth by the deforestation in the region may cause vector behavior changes and bring these vectors to a closer contact with humans, increasing the probability of vector infection. METHODS: This study was carried out to check the occurrence of Chagas disease in the municipality of Monte Negro, Rondônia, Brazil, based on a random sampling of the farms and people wherein blood collection from the population and capturing triatomines were done. The blood samples were submitted to serologic tests to detect antibodies of the IgG class against T. cruzi. The triatomines that were collected had their digestive tract checked for the presence of trypanosomatidae with morphology resembling that of the T. cruzi. RESULTS: The population examined was mostly from other states. From the 322 bugs examined on the microscope, 50% showed parasites with morphology compatible with T. cruzi. From the serology of 344 random samples of human blood, 1.2% was found positive, 6% showed inconclusive results, and 92.8% were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Monte Negro shows low prevalence of human infection by T. cruzi and none active vector transmission; however, preventive and surveying measures, which are not performed until now, shall be taken due to the abundance of vectors infected by trypanosomatidae.

Com os objetivos de conhecer a ocorrência de anticorpos e identificar fatores de risco para a infecção por Toxoplasmagondii em cães, nas cidades de Lages e Balneário Camboriú, SC, amostras de sangue de 400 cães domiciliados foram processadas para a detecção de anticorpos contra T. gondii pela técnica da imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). Dados referentes à raça, idade, sexo, tipo de dieta, ambiente, presença de gatos e acesso à rua foram obtidos por meio de questionário. Análise estatística foi realizada (teste de χ²). Dos 400 cães, 89 (22,3%) apresentaram anticorpos contra T. gondii. Dos cães de Lages, 52 (26%) foram positivos para T. gondii, enquanto os de Balneário Camboriú, 37 (18,5%)foram sororreagentes. Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas entre as prevalências de T. gondii nos dois municípios. Maior ocorrência de sororreagentes para toxoplasmose foi verificada entre os cães sem raça definida (P = 0,002), que tinham acesso à rua (P = 0,003) e que recebiam dieta caseira (P = 0,028). Forte tendência para reagentes ao T. gondii foi observada entre os animais adultos, indicando exposição pós-natal ao agente, e entre os cães em contato com felinos.

The aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of antibodies and risk factors for infection for Toxoplasma gondii in dogs in the cities of Lages and Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Blood samples from 400 domiciliated dogs were processed for antibody detection against T. gondii by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The following variables were obtained by questionnaire: breed, age, sex, diet, environment, presence of cats and street access. A Chi-Square test was performed to verify the association between the seroprevalence with the studied variables. From all evaluated dogs, 89 (22.3%) had antibodies against T. gondii. A total of 52 (26%) and 37 (18.5%) dogs were positive for T. gondii in Lages and Balneário Camboriú, respectively. No statistical differences were observed on the prevalences of T. gondii between both cities. Greater occurrences of seropositives for toxoplasmosis were observed in mixed-breed dogs (P = 0.002), who had access to the street (P = 0.003) and received homemade diet (P = 0.028). A strong trend for seropositivity against T. gondii was observed among adult dogs, indicating post-natal exposure, and among those that have previous contact with cats.

Neste estudo, tentamos identificar a atividade antinociceptiva do extrato metanólico bruto e das fases n-butanólica, clorofórmica e acetato de etila provenientes da alga Caulerpa racemosa. Esta alga é cosmopolita no mundo, principalmente em regiões tropicais. O extrato metanólico bruto e as fases n-butanólica, clorofórmica e acetato de etila foram administrados por via oral, na concentração de 100 mg/kg. Estes foram capazes de reduzir a nocicepção produzida pelo ácido acético, sendo 47,39%, 70,51%, 76,11% e 72,24%, respectivamente. No ensaio da placa quente as fases clorofórmica e acetato de etila foram ativas neste modelo. Na fase neurogênica do teste de formalina, foi observado que o extrato metanólico bruto (51,77%), fase n-butanólica (35,12%), fase clorofórmica (32,70%) e indometacina (32,06%) foram eficazes em inibir a resposta nociceptiva. Na fase inflamatória, apenas a fase acetato de etila (75,43%) e indometacina (47,83%) foram capazes de inibir significativamente a resposta nociceptiva. Com base nestes dados, podemos sugerir que o a fase acetato de etila apresenta um significativo efeito anti-inflamatório, cuja potência ainda não foi determinada. No entanto, estudos farmacológicos e químicos serão necessários, a fim de caracterizar o mecanismo responsável pela ação antinociceptiva e também para identificar outros princípios ativos presentes na alga Caulerpa racemosa.

In this study, we attempted to identify the possible antinociceptive actions of n-butanolic phase, chloroformic phase, ethyl acetate phase and crude methanolic extract obtained from Caulerpa racemosa. This seaweed is cosmopolitan in world, mainly in tropical regions. The n-butanolic, chloroformic, ethyl acetate phases and crude methanolic extract, all administered orally in the concentration of 100 mg/kg, reduced the nociception produced by acetic acid by 47.39%, 70.51%, 76.11% and 72.24%, respectively. In the hotplate test the chloroformic and ethyl acetate phase were activite in this models. In the neurogenic phase on formalin test, were observed that crude methanolic extract (51.77%), n-butanolic phase (35.12%), chloroformic phase (32.70%) and indomethacin (32.06%) were effective in inhibit the nociceptive response. In the inflammatory phase, only the ethyl acetate phase (75.43%) and indomethacin (47.83%) inhibited significantly the nociceptive response. Based on these data, we can infer that the ethyl acetate phase shows a significant anti-inflammatory profile, whose power has not yet been determined. However, pharmacological and chemical studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism(s) responsible for the antinociceptive action and also to identify other active principles present in Caulerpa racemosa.