Abstract Sedimentation rate is an indirect inflammation measure, it rises when increase proteins (acute phase reactants) during inflammatory disorders, extreme high value (≥100mm / hour) has a high specificity for the diagnosis of infectious, neoplastic, and autoimmune diseases. Objective: To characterize inpatients with an extreme elevation of the sedimentation rate, and to establish the correlation between determinant factors and extreme sedimentation. Methods: Observational and cross-sectional study, including patients older than 18 years, with an extremely sedimentation rate, hospitalized in Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe in Medellin city, during November of 2016 to June of 2018. Results: We selected 1007 patients from the data base, Infections were the most common diagnosis (743, 73.8%), and the main type were urinary tract infections (133, 13%). We evidence a negative correlation with the hemoglobin -0.092(0.155 a -0.029) and with the hematocrit -0.087(0.150 a -0.024), and a positive and weak significant correlation with the C-reactive protein 0.080 (0.014 a 0.146) p 0.02. Discussion: The infections, as in other studies, represent the main etiology associated with an extreme sedimentation. Different to other analyzed investigations, we observed a direct, weak and statistically significant correlation between the PCR and the extreme VSG. Conclusions: Infections were the main cause of extreme sedimentation rate. We evidence an inverse correlation between the blood sedimentation and the hemoglobin and the hematocrit, and a weak correlation with the C-reactive protein. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(3): 39-45.

Resumen Introducción: La eritrosedimentación es una medida indirecta de inflamación, se eleva ante un aumento de proteínas (reactantes de fase aguda) durante trastornos inflamatorios, un valor extremadamente elevado ≥100mm/hora) tiene una alta especificidad para el diagnóstico de enfermedades infecciosas, neoplásicas y autoinmunes. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes hospitalizados con una elevación extrema de la eritrosedimentación, y explorar su asociación con otros factores determinantes. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años, con eritrosedimentación extrema, internados en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe de la ciudad de Medellín, desde Noviembre de 2016 hasta Junio de 2018. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 1007 pacientes de la base de datos del hospital, las infecciones, con 743 (73,8%) afectados, fueron el principal diagnóstico relacionado. Se evidenció una correlación negativa de la eritrosedimentación con la hemoglobina -0.092(-0.155 a -0.029) P <0.01 y con el hematocrito -0.087(-0.150 a -0.024) P 0.01, y una positiva significativa débil con la PCR 0.080 (0.014 a 0.146) p 0.02. Discusión: Acorde a otros estudios, las infecciones representaron el primer grupo de elevación extrema, contrario a otro estudio se evidenció una correlación directa, débil y estadísticamente significativa entre la Proteina C reactiva y la eritrosedimentación extremadamente elevada. Conclusión: Las infecciones fueron el principal grupo de enfermedades con eritrosedimentación extrema, se evidenció una correlación inversa entre la eritrosedimentación con la hemoglobina y el hematocrito, y una correlación positiva débil con la proteína C reactiva. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(3): 39-45.

Expensive and complex methodologies are available to determine the ethanol concentration in alcohol gel samples. The aim of this article was to demonstrate that alcoholmeter could be used as an alternative method to determine ethanol in gel formulations. Alcohol gel samples were produced using: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and Carbopol 940© (CBP). A factorial design was performed to evaluate the interaction between the ethanol concentration, glycerin and polymer contents in the samples in the recovery data of the ethanol content. Rheological analyses were also performed to identify the limiting factors to ethanol quantification. All the results were compared to high resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS NMR) as a reference methodology. The results demonstrated that the alcoholmeter could be used to determine alcohol concentration, moreover the level of polymer HEC or HPMC, glycerin and ethanol has no effect in the determination. Yield stress, and not viscosity or flow index, appeared as the limiting factor to the use of alcoholmeter in non-acidified CBP samples. Acidification appears to be mandatory to determination of ethanol concentration in CBP samples. It was possible to achieve an inexpensive, handy and fast methodology to quantify alcohol in gelled samples, in the range of concentrations used in this article.

Resumo Trata-se de um estudo teórico que aborda a avaliação psicológica no contexto de avaliações compulsórias, tanto em concurso público quanto para posse ou porte de arma de fogo. São apresentados os maiores desafios da área, a partir do histórico e da exposição de alguns dos problemas enfrentados na prática, diante das diferentes normativas que regulam este contexto. Na avaliação psicológica em concursos, ressalta-se como um dos maiores desafios a forte influência do poder judiciário nos últimos 60 anos, que inclui a definição ou restrição de procedimentos na atuação do profissional. Quanto à avaliação para porte de arma de fogo, discutem-se as diversas mudanças que ocorreram nos últimos anos e suas implicações. O texto incentiva os profissionais que atuam na área a refletir sobre as consequências sociais que o resultado dessa avaliação pode trazer. No Brasil, as pesquisas realizadas no contexto de avaliação psicológica compulsória ainda são escassas, o que mostra a necessidade de estudos que contribuam para melhoria nesse campo de atuação. É necessário compreender, inclusive, os impactos que a publicação de normativas e a qualidade da atuação dos profissionais podem provocar, bem como seus efeitos sobre a sociedade como um todo.

Abstract This theoretical study addresses psychological assessment in the context of compulsory exams for civil service entrance examination and firearms licenses. By presenting the history and some issues related to regulations, this article presents the greatest challenges in the area of compulsory exams. When it comes to procurement exams, a major challenge accounts for the strong influence of the judiciary over the past 60 years, defining or restricting procedures in professional performance. As for firearms license exams, the article expatiates on several changes that have occurred in recent years, as well as their implications. The text encourages professionals working in the field to reflect upon the social consequences of this assessment results. Studies on compulsory psychological assessment are still scarce in the Brazilian literature, indicating the need for research to improve this field of action. Moreover, one should also consider the impacts of regulations and quality professionals on these assessments and on society as a whole.

Resumen Este estudio teórico aborda la evaluación psicológica en el contexto de las evaluaciones obligatorias tanto en concurso público como por posesión o portación de armas de fuego. Se presentan los mayores desafíos del área a partir de la historia y de algunos de los problemas que se enfrentan en la práctica, dadas las diferentes normativas que regulan este contexto. En el contexto de la evaluación psicológica en los concursos públicos, uno de los mayores desafíos es la fuerte influencia del Poder Judicial en los últimos 60 años, que incluye la definición o restricción de procedimientos en el desempeño del profesional. En cuanto a la evaluación para portación de arma de fuego, se discuten los distintos cambios que se han producido en los últimos años y sus implicaciones. El texto anima a los profesionales que trabajan en el área a reflexionar sobre las consecuencias sociales que puede traer el resultado de esta evaluación. En Brasil, la investigación realizada en el contexto de la evaluación psicológica obligatoria es aún escasa, lo que muestra la necesidad de estudios que contribuyan a la mejora en este campo de acción. Incluso es necesario comprender los impactos que puede causar la publicación de normativas y la calidad del desempeño de los profesionales, así como sus efectos en la sociedad en su conjunto.

The phytochemical investigation of the hexane extract which was obtained from the leaves of Xylopia laevigata (Annonaceae) produced six terpenes. Among these, five diterpenes named abieta-7,13-dien-3-one, ent-7β-acetoxy-16β-hydroxy-kaurane, 4-epi-cupressic acid, powerol, and labdorffianic acid B, and one oxygenated sesquiterpene, spathulenol. This is the first time these isolated diterpenes from X. laevigata have been described. The different structures belong to the abietane, kaurane, and labdane diterpenoids, and are indicative of the chemical diversity found in X. laevigata. Moreover, the diterpene ent-7β-acetoxy-16β-hydroxy-kaurane is reported herein for the first time as a natural product, and 4-epi-cupressic acid, powerol, and labdorffianic acid B are reported for the first time in the Annonaceae family. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by extensive analyses using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy in combination with MS. The cytotoxic activities of compounds abieta-7,13-dien-3-one, spathulenol, 4-epi-cupressic acid, and powerol were evaluated against tumor and non-tumor cell lines, in which spathulenol was found to be the most active, mainly against K562 with an IC50 value of 17.20 μmol L-1.

Onychopetalum is an Amazonian botanical genus close-related with Bocageopsis and Unonopsis, whose species are used in traditional medicine. Although these genera are widely investigated from the phytochemical viewpoint, the knowledge about Onychopetalum remains almost unexplored. In order to perform a comprehensive characterization of isoquinoline-derived alkaloids from Onychopetalum amazonicum, an integrative approach based on the alkaloid profile analysis by leaf spray mass spectrometry (LS-MS), followed by a robust dereplication through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry, (HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis was adopted. LS-MS allowed the tentative identification of reticuline, norjuziphine, nornuciferine, O-methylisopiline, nuciferine, N-methyl-O-methylisopiline, anonaine, and N-methylanonaine. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis supported the tentative identification of N-methylasimilobine, asimilobine, norushinsunine, N-methylisopiline, isopiline, liriodenine, and lysicamine. Moreover, the integration of MS and NMR data allowed the additional identification of stepholidine and isocorypalmine. The applied integrative approach proposed herein enabled a comprehensive analysis of the alkaloid content from the O. amazonicum, showing to be a useful strategy for the dereplication of isoquinoline-derived alkaloids.

ABSTRACT Plants are considered among the main sources of biologically active chemicals. The species Solidago chilensis Meyen, Asteraceae, is native to the southern parts of South America, where the aerial parts of the plant are commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. However, the effects of S. chilensis on human cancer cells remain to be elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative effects of the hydroalcoholic and dichloromethane extracts of S. chilensis, as well as their chemical constituents quercitrin and solidagenone against the five human tumor cell lines in vitro. The dichloromethane extract showed a promisor antiproliferative effects in vitro, especially against glioma cell line. Besides, the hydroalcoholic extract and quercitrin were inactive. The diterpene solidagenone showed highly potent antiproliferative effects against breast (MCF-7), kidney (786-0), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cells (total growth inhibition: TGI < 6.25 µg/ml). Solidagenone meets the theoretical physico-chemical criteria for bioavailability of drugs, according to the "Rule of Five" and, by theorical studies, the observed biological effects were probably related to the interaction of the molecule with nuclear receptors and as an enzymatic inhibitor. This study contributes to chemical study and to the identification of antiproliferative molecules in S. chilensis.

The phytochemical investigation of the alkaloid-rich fraction obtained from the leaves of Guatteria pogonopus Mart. (Annonaceae) allowed the isolation and identification for the first time in this species of: (+)-nornuciferine (1), a mixture of 1 and (+)-anonaine (2), (+)-isocorydine (3), (+)-nuciferine (4), (+)-roemerine (5), (-)-tetrahydropseudocolumbamine (6), a mixture of 6, liriodenine (9) and lysicamine (10), a mixture of 1,2,9-trimethoxy-10-hydroxyaporphine (7) and bulbocapnine (8), 9, 10, and (+)-N-methyllindicarpine (11). Compounds 6, 7, 8, and 11 have not been previously reported in the family Annonaceae. Furthermore, the formerly synthetic 1,2,9-trimethoxyaporfin-10-ol (7) is described for the first time as a natural aporphine alkaloid herein. The chemical structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR as well as in comparison with data previously reported in the literature. The cytotoxic activity of the alkaloids was evaluated against tumor (B16-F10, HepG2, HL-60, and K562) and non-tumor (PBMC) cell lines. Alkaloid 1 presented significant activity against HepG2 cell lines with IC50 of 9.60 µmol L-1 while the mixture of 6, 9 and 10 displayed strong cytotoxic activity against HL-60 and K562 cell lines with IC50 values of 3.41 an 8.50 µmol L-1, respectively.

ABSTRACT Background Ovarian cancer displays the highest death rates amongst all gynaecologic cancers. Most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease and the treatment of choice is generally the combination therapy of intraperitoneal (IP) and intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. While this approach has been shown to prolong survival, multiple associated toxicities have been reported. Objective To identify the side effects and complications resulting from IP+IV chemotherapy treatment in stage III and stage IV ovarian cancer patients during the 2007-2015 period. Methods A descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study was performed. A group of 17 women diagnosed with stage III and stage IV ovarian cancer were treated with IP+IV chemotherapy in Hospital Clínic de Barcelona during the period 2007-2015. Results Of the 17 patients who were treated with IP+IV chemotherapy, only 5 (29,41%) completed the 6 cycles of treatment. Notably, 12 (70,58%) patients discontinued the treatment due to a series of complications, which were frequently associated with IP reservoir and psychological disorders. The most commonly reported side effects were asthenia, neurotoxicity and abdominal pain. Conclusions The majority of patients discontinued their prescribed therapy due to complications associated with IP reservoir and psychological disorders. We believe that the nurse plays a key role, not only in managing the technical aspects of the therapy but also in providing patients with emotional support throughout their journey.

RESUMEN Antecedentes El cáncer de ovario causa más muertes que cualquier otro tipo de cáncer ginecológico. La mayoría de casos se diagnostican en una etapa avanzada de la enfermedad y el tratamiento de elección es generalmente la terapia combinada de quimioterapia intraperitoneal (IP) y endovenosa (EV). A pesar de que esta opción farmacológica ha demostrado alargar la supervivencia, se han reportado múltiples efectos adversos asociados a dicho tratamiento. Objetivo Identificar los efectos adversos y las complicaciones derivadas del tratamiento con quimioterapia IP+EV en pacientes con carcinoma de ovario avanzado a partir de estadio IIIC, durante el periodo 2007-2015. Metodología Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo. Un grupo de 17 mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de ovario a partir de estadio III fueron tratadas con quimioterapia IP+EV en el Hospital Clínic de Barcelona durante el periodo 2007-2015. Resultados De las 17 pacientes que recibieron tratamiento con quimioterapia IP+EV, sólo 5 (29,41%) finalizaron los 6 ciclos de tratamiento. De forma notable, 12 (70,58%) pacientes no completaron el tratamiento debido a una serie de complicaciones, que fueron frecuentemente asociadas al reservorio IP y a trastornos psicológicos. Los principales efectos adversos reportados fueron astenia, neurotoxicidad y dolor abdominal. Conclusiones La mayoría de pacientes interrumpieron la terapia debido a complicaciones relacionadas con el reservorio IP y trastornos psicológicos. Creemos que la enfermera juega un papel importante, no sólo en el manejo de los aspectos técnicos de la terapia, sino también en el soporte emocional a dichas pacientes durante esta etapa.

The chemical composition of the essential oil and hydrolates of Campomanesia viatoris Landrum were investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and a GC flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The major constituents were tasmanone (70.50, essential oil; 74.73%, hydrolate), flavesone (12.77, essential oil; 12.24%, hydrolate) and agglomerone (6.79, essential oil; 10.84%, hydrolate). Tasmonone was isolated and its structure was characterized by spectrometric analysis, specifically 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). These findings supports the quimiotaxonomic relationship with Campomanesia and Eucalyptus genera.

AbstractAtemoya is an interspecific annonaceous hybrid between Annona cherimola Mill. and Annona squamosa L. Its phytochemical investigation led to seven alkaloids, including two aporphine (anonaine and asimilobine), three oxoaporphine (lanuginosine, liriodenine and lysicamine) and two proaporphine (pronuciferine and stepharine). These alkaloids were identified by a series of spectrometric methods, mainly MS and NMR (1D and 2D), as well as by comparison with literature data. Our findings showed that this species is an important source of aporphine alkaloids and have high relationship with other Annona species.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi o de investigar se pistas visuais sobre o tópico discursivo podem servir como auxiliares para a manutenção da coerência e da informatividade em narrativas autobiográficas de pessoas com doença de Alzheimer (DA).MÉTODOS: O experimento apresentou três condições: uma conversa tendo à vista uma tela de computador em branco; uma condição de conversação com pista dentro do tópico, em que a tela do computador mostrava uma foto e uma frase sobre o evento tema; e uma condição fora de tópico, em que a tela mostrava uma foto e uma frase que não apresentavam relação com o tema da conversa. O discurso foi gravado enquanto a atenção visual foi examinada através de rastreamento ocular para medir a atenção dos participantes para as pistas apresentadas na tela e para o rosto do ouvinte.RESULTADOS: Os resultados sugerem que as intervenções por meio de pistas visuais na forma de imagens e informações escritas são úteis para melhorar a informatividade discursiva na AD.CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou o potencial do uso de imagens e mensagens escritas curtas como meios de compensação para aumentar a informatividade do discurso em pacientes com DA. Estudos futuros devem investigar a eficácia de intervenções de linguagem baseadas no uso dessas estratégias de compensação para a comunicação de pacientes com DA com seus familiares e amigos.

OBJECTIVE:The goal of this study was to investigate whether on-topic visual cues can serve as aids for the maintenance of discourse coherence and informativeness in autobiographical narratives of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD).METHODS:The experiment consisted of three randomized conversation conditions: one without prompts, showing a blank computer screen; an on-topic condition, showing a picture and a sentence about the conversation; and an off-topic condition, showing a picture and a sentence which were unrelated to the conversation. Speech was recorded while visual attention was examined using eye tracking to measure how long participants looked at cues and the face of the listener.RESULTS:Results suggest that interventions using visual cues in the form of images and written information are useful to improve discourse informativeness in AD.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the potential of using images and short written messages as means of compensating for the cognitive deficits which underlie uninformative discourse in AD. Future studies should further investigate the efficacy of language interventions based in the use of these compensation strategies for AD patients and their family members and friends.

O sucesso no tratamento do câncer está intrinsicamente relacionado à sua prévia detecção, até mesmo antes dos sintomas surgirem. Neste contexto, estratégias metabonômicas baseadas na espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear de ¹H (¹H NMR) foram empregadas para identificar as alterações metabólicas ocorridas na composição química de biofluidos de camundongos como consequência do surgimento de tumores. Através da análise discriminante por mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-DA) dos espectros de ¹H NMR foi possível diagnosticar a presença dos tumores de Ehrlich e Sarcoma 180 após cinco e dez dias da indução dos tumores, respectivamente. Lipídeos, lipoproteínas e lactato foram os biomarcadores mais importantes indicativos do processo carcinogênico. Portanto, estratégias metabonômicas baseadas na espectroscopia de NMR podem ser valiosas ferramentas para investigar os efeitos do surgimento de anomalias celulares na composição química dos biofluidos.

The success of cancer treatment is directly related to early detection before symptoms emerge, although nowadays few cancers can be detected early. In this sense, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR)-based metabonomics was used to identify metabolic changes in biofluid as a consequence of tumours growing in mice. Through partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) analysis of ¹H NMR spectra from serum samples it was possible to diagnose Ehrlich ascites and Sarcoma 180 tumours five and ten days after cell inoculation, respectively. Lipids, lipoproteins and lactate were the main biomarkers at onset as well as in the progress of carcinogenic process. Thus, NMR-based metabonomics can be a valuable tool to study the effects of tumour establishment on the chemical composition of biofluids.

Phytochemical investigations of the stem bark, leaves and twigs of Guatteria citriodora resulted in the isolation of eight alkaloids: liriodenine, lysicamine, O-methylmoschatoline, 3-methoxyoxoputerine, palmatine, 3-methoxyguadiscidine, guattescidine and oxoputerine. The structures of the isolated substances were established by extensive spectroscopic techniques (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), as well as by comparison with data reported in the literature. The in vitro antimalarial activity of the alkaloidal fractions of the leaves and twigs against Plasmodium falciparum FCR3 showed significant results, with IC50 = 1.07 and 0.33 mg mL-1, respectively. The alkaloidal fraction of the leaves showed moderate activity against Enterococcus faecalis, with IC50 = 125.0 mg mL-1. Antiplasmodial and antibacterial activities are attributed to alkaloidal constituents.

A investigação fitoquímica das folhas de Guatteria friesiana (Annonaceae) levou à obtenção de três novos alcaloides isoquinolínicos, 13-hidroxi-discretinina, 6,6a-desidroguateriopsiscina e 9-desidroxi-1-metoxi-diidroguattouregidina, juntamente com oito alcaloides conhecidos, 13-hidroxi-2,3,9,10-tetrametoxiprotoberberina, guateriopsiscina, lisicamina, liriodenina, aterospermidina, lanuginosina, 7,8-diidro-8-hidroxipalmatina e palmatina. 13-Hidroxi-2,3,9,10-tetrametoxiprotoberberina, obtido somente através de síntese, é relatada pela primeira vez como produto natural. As estruturas dos alcaloides isolados foram elucidadas por extensivas análises de ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN 1D e 2D), espectrometria de massas (MS) e comparação com os dados descritos na literatura. A atividade citotóxica in vitro dos alcaloides majoritários foi avaliada frente a linhagens de células tumorais e não tumorais. Considerando a atividade média, de acordo com os critérios do National Cancer Institute (NCI/EUA), todos os alcaloides avaliados foram inativos. Entretanto, o alcaloide palmatina apresentou efeito citostático para as linhagens MCF-7 (mama) e U251 (glioma) com valores de GI50 abaixo de 20,0 µmol L-1 (10,5 e 16,2 µmol L-1, respectivamente), sugerindo uma ação citotóxica seletiva.

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Guatteria friesiana (Annonaceae) afforded three new isoquinoline alkaloids, 13-hydroxy-discretinine, 6,6a-dehydroguatteriopsiscine and 9-dehydroxy-1-methoxy-dihydroguattouregidine. Eight known alkaloids were also isolated, 13-hydroxy-2,3,9,10-tetramethoxyprotoberberine, guatteriopsiscine, lysicamine, liriodenine, atherospermidine, lanuginosine, 7,8-dihydro-8-hydroxypalmatine and palmatine. 13-Hydroxy-2,3,9,10-tetramethoxyprotoberberine was only obtained by synthesis and is being reported as a natural product for the first time. The structures of the isolated alkaloids were established by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometric (MS) data, as well as by comparison with data reported in the literature. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the major alkaloids was evaluated against tumor and non-tumor cell lines. All of the alkaloids evaluated were determined to be inactive based on National Cancer Institute (NCI/USA) criteria. However, the alkaloid palmatine exhibited a cytostatic effect on MCF-7 (breast) and U251 (glioma) human tumor cell lines, with GI50 values lower than 20.0 µmol L-1 (10.5 and 16.2 µmol L-1, respectively), suggesting a selective cytotoxic action.

Activity guided fractionation of Sinningia allagophylla (Mart.) Wiehler ethanolic extract yielded a new benzochromene 8-methoxylapachenol, besides seven known compounds: lapachenol, sitosteryl oleate, sitosteryl linoleate, stigmasteryl oleate, stigmasteryl linoleate, dunniol and tectoquinone. Extract, fractions, and compounds lapachenol, 8-methoxylapachenol, and dunniol were tested in vitro against human cancer cell lines U251 (glioma, CNS), MCF-7 (breast), NCI-ADR/RES (drug-resistant ovarian), 786-0 (kidney), NCI-H460 (lung, no small cells), PC-3 (prostate), OVCAR-3 (ovarian), HT-29 (colon), K562 (leukemia) and against VERO, a normal cell line. The most active compound was dunniol, which inhibited the growth of U251, MCF-7, NCI-ADR/RES, OVCAR-3 and K562 cell lines.