In vitro antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds and protective effect against DNA damage provided by leaves, stems and flowers of Portulaca oleracea (Purslane)

This study analyzed the antioxidant properties of Portulaca oleracea L., known as purslane. The samples (leaves, flowers and stems) were collected at two different locations in Portugal: Tavira (L1) and Vendas Novas (L2). Assays for total antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and ferric-reducing antioxidant power were conducted and, for both locations, significantly higher values (P < 0.05) were observed for stems (508.8 and 982.3 mg AAE/100 g DW, 1008.6 and 2285.5 mg GAE/100 g DW, 121.0 and 166.3 mg TE/100 g DW, respectively for each location), than in leaves or flowers. In the DPPH assay, the three-plant parts from L2 reached the 50% inhibition rate in lower concentrations than plants from L1. On the other hand, higher concentrations of total monomeric anthocyanins were found in samples from L1 (95.5, 88.8 and 86.0 mg/L) than in samples from L2 (81.7, 70.5 and 59.8 mg/L). The same was true for phenolic acids, estimated by liquid-chromatography, where methanol extracts were used. Phenolic extracts from all three-plant parts from both locations showed protective effects on DNA against hydroxyl radicals. This work suggests the possibility of benefit to human health from its consumption, related to the high antioxidant activity of purslane, even the stems, usually discarded in daily consumption.

O gene rbcL como barcode para identificação forense de Cannabis sativa

<em>Cannabis sativa</em> é uma das espécies mais antigas de plantas domesticadas e permanece como uma das culturas mais amplamente difundida e a droga ilícita mais consumida no mundo. Há uma grande difi culdade em identifi car e individualizar as amostras de Cannabis sp, difi cultando a correlação a prováveis locais de plantações ilegais, o que permitiria revelar rotas de tráfi co, relacionar grupos criminosos e distinguir amostras legais daquelas comercializadas como droga, onde o cultivo é permitido. A principal fi nalidade do DNA Barcode é o de proporcionar uma rápida e precisa identifi cação de organismos a partir de uma pequena região padronizada do genoma que ajuda a caracterizar e distinguir espécies e indivíduos não identifi cados para atribuir à espécie. Um dos genes candidatos é o ribulose-1,5-bisfosfato carboxilase/oxigenase (rbcL), utilizado como um sistema de DNA Barcode e presente no DNA dos cloroplastos das plantas, sendo o responsável pela produção subunidade maior da que converte dióxido de carbono e água em carboidratos.Nosso objetivo é o desenvolvimento de um protocolo efi ciente de extração de DNA e de sequenciamento do gene rbcL para análise forense de amostras apreendidas da Polícia Judiciária. DNA de amostras de Cannabis sativa,caracterizadas no ICCE/DGPTC/PCERJ, foi extraído utilizandoo Mini DNeasy Plant (Qiagen)no IPPGF/DGPTC/PCERJ. O material foi transferido para o LabFor/UFRJe um fragmento de 735 pb do gene rbcL foi amplifi cado através de um par de iniciadores descritos na literatura como universais para plantas.O fragmento foi sequenciado, com o protocolo do BigDye v3.1, usando ABI 3500 (Life Technologies). As comparações das sequências foram realizadas no software Geneious (Biomatters). A nossa sequência consenso de 559 pb foi comparada às seqüências que correspondem às regiões rbcL em <em>Cannabis sativa</em> depositadas no GenBank, e observamos a ocorrência de polimorfi smos (SNPs) entre as amostras dos Estados unidos, Reino Unido e China, sugerindo que se trata de uma assinatura genética para análise forense.

Effectiveness of two intracanal dressings in adult Portuguese patients: a qPCR and anaerobic culture assessment

AIM

To quantify bacterial equivalents before and after chemomechanical preparation using 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and intracanal dressing with calcium hydroxide paste (Ca(OH)2 ) or 2% Chlorhexidine digluconate gel (CHX) in necrotic pulps associated or not with apical periodontitis and to further compare this quantification with counts of anaerobic microorganisms.

METHODOLOGY

Prospective clinical trial in 69 single-rooted adult teeth (strict inclusion criteria); CHX group: 34; Ca(OH)2 group: 35. Bacteria samples were taken at baseline (S1), after chemomechanical preparation (S2) and after 14 days of intracanal dressing (S3). Bacterial equivalents were assessed by broad-range real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and live viable bacteria measured with conventional anaerobic culture (CFU/mL). Descriptive/inferential analysis was performed with spss vs. 20.0 (α = 0.05) using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and chi-squared tests and Spearman's correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Both groups showed a significant decrease between S1 and S2 (Mann-Whitney U-test; P < 0.001) both in qPCR and in culture. In the Ca(OH)2 -group, no variation was observed between S2 and S3 by qPCR and culture. In contrast, the CHX group showed a significant increase from S2 to S3 by both techniques. The two groups were only significantly different in S3 (Mann-Whitney U-test; P ≤ 0.001), with a worse performance in the CHX group. Again, these results were congruent by both approaches. Data from both approaches correlate reasonably (rS < 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Infected root canals contained a high bacterial load, and the chemomechanical root canal preparation reduced bacterial equivalents by 99.1% and anaerobic counts by 98.5%. Intracanal dressings were not efficient at reducing bacterial load, but the 14-day intracanal dressing with Ca(OH)2 performed significantly better than CHX, particularly in cases with apical periodontitis.

Enantiomeric HPLC resolution and absolute stereochemistry assignment of a new poligamain derivative

A new aryltetralin lignan derivative, 1, was obtained by reacting dimethyl succinate and piperonal, furnishing the lactone 4-(3',4'-methylenedioxybenzyl)-4,5-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone, which was reacted once again with piperonal and LDA to give the dibenzylbutirolactone 7-hydroxyhinokinin. The cyclization of 7-hydroxyhinokinin into polygamain occurred in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. The reduction of the furanic ring of polygamain was done by its reaction with DIBAL in THF, furnishing the diol functionalized lignin derivative 1 as single diastereomer. The enantiomeric fractions of 1 were obtained by preparative enantioselective HPLC. The absolute stereochemistry was assigned by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. An all-trans relative configuration was determined by NMR on the bases of ¹H coupling constants and nuclear Overhauser effect (n.O.e.) experiments. The absolute configuration at C1 was assigned on the basis of the ECD sign at 296 nm by comparison to the ECD spectra of structural analogues with defined stereochemistry. The assignment of the absolute configuration was confirmed by applying the exciton chirality method to the well-defined ECD couplets at 285 and 200 nm allied to the two electronic transitions L(b) and B(b) of the aromatic moieties, respectively. Rac-1 and its enantiomeric isomers were evaluated against important bacteria responsible for dental caries. The best results obtained for the (1R,2S,3S) isomer were against Streptococcus mutans (250 μM), Streptococcus salivarius (250 μM), Streptococcus sobrinus (280 μM) and Streptococcus mitis (280 μM). The (1S,2R,3R) isomer was active only against Streptococcus sanguinis (280 μM). The enantiomeric mixture was less active than the (1R,2S,3S) isomer.

The Neuroid: A novel and simplified neuron-model

In this paper we introduce a novel computational neuron-model, the Neuroid, which is based on three basic operations that are carried out by nerve cells to process the incoming information, such as comparison, and frequency pulse modulation-demodulation. The model was implemented using LabVIEW 10.0, in order to assign to each of these operations, an execution block (Virtual Instrument). The results of its implementation showed a very similar behavior to that exhibited by real neurons. Furthermore, due to its simplicity and low computational requirements, it is expected that the Neuroid can be used to create several software models of biological neural systems, either for research or teaching purposes.

Morphopathological features of a severe ulcerative disease outbreak associated with Tenacibaculum maritimum in cultivated sole, Solea senegalensis (L.)

This study describes morphopathologic changes in naturally infected farmed Senegalese sole affected by tenacibaculosis caused by Tenacibaculum maritimum. Macroscopic observation, in addition to light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, was used to study the lesions. Main lesions were characterized by complete loss of epidermis and dermis, as well as extensive necrosis of muscle layers. Mild-to-moderate inflammatory response with the presence of macrophages was noted around hyaline degenerated muscle cells. Gram-negative filamentous bacteria could be detected only at the dermis. Under scanning electron microscopy, filamentous bacteria located over the scales without epithelium could be observed. These findings together with the isolation and PCR detection of the bacteria in kidney and skin tissues suggest that once the bacteria reach the dermis, probably through eroded epidermis, they are able to proliferate and produce enzymes that are responsible for the damage in the underlying tissues.

Anaphylaxis in children: a nine years retrospective study (2001-2009)

BACKGROUND

Anaphylaxis is an acute multisystemic and potentially fatal reaction, resulting from the rapid release of inflammatory mediators. Its exact prevalence is unknown. In children, foods are the most significant triggers for IgE-mediated anaphylaxis.

OBJECTIVES

To characterise the cases of anaphylaxis evaluated in an Allergy Division of a Central Paediatric Hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A review of all cases of anaphylaxis evaluated from 2001 to 2009. Anaphylaxis was defined according to Sampson's 2006 criteria.

RESULTS

Seventy-three children had anaphylactic reactions (47 male), of which 64% had history of atopy. Age at time of reaction ranged between 17 days and 15 years old (median: four years). Food was the most frequently identified cause (n=57), followed by drugs (n=8), hymenoptera venom (n=2), and cold (n=1). In five cases there was no identifiable cause. Among foods, cow's milk was the culprit agent in 27 children. The most severe reaction was a cardiorespiratory arrest. The most frequent symptoms were respiratory and cutaneous in 51 cases. Hypotension was present in nine cases. There were no fatalities. Most acute reactions were treated with corticosteroids and/or antihistamines. Adrenaline was used in only about one quarter of children.

CONCLUSIONS

The most important causes of anaphylaxis in our study were foods, and the most common symptoms were respiratory and cutaneous. The prevalence of anaphylaxis was higher in males and, in two thirds of patients there was a history of atopy. Despite being the primary and most important treatment for anaphylaxis, adrenaline is still used in only a minority of these cases.

Analysis of HER-3, insulin growth factor-1, nuclear factor-kB and epidermal growth factor receptor gene copy number in the prediction of clinical outcome for K-RAS wild-type colorectal cancer patients receiving irinotecan-cetuximab

BACKGROUND

A large proportion of colorectal cancer patients does not benefit from the use of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) treatment although in the absence of a mutation of the K-RAS gene. Preliminary observations suggested that HER-3, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and EGFR gene copy number (GCN) might identify patients not likely to benefit from anti-EGFR therapy. We tested the interaction between HER-3, IGF-1, NF-kB, EGFR GCN and K-RAS mutational analysis to verify the relative ability of these variables to identify a subgroup of patients more likely to benefit from EGFR-targeted treatment among those harbouring a K-RAS wild-type status.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively collected tumours from 168 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan-cetuximab. K-RAS was assessed with direct sequencing, EGFR amplification was assessed by chromogenic in situ hybridisation (CISH) and HER-3, IGF-1 and NF-kB were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In patients with K-RAS wild-type tumours, the following molecular factors resulted independently associated with response rate: HER-3 [odds ratio (OR)=4.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-13.6, P=0.02], IGF-1 (OR=4.2, 95% CI 2-10.2, P=0.003) and EGFR GCN (OR=4.1, 95% CI 1.9-26.2, P=0.04). These factors also independently correlated with overall survival as follows: HER-3 [hazard ratio (HR)=0.4, 95% CI 0.28-0.85, P=0.008], IGF-1 (HR=0.47, 95% CI 0.24-0.76, P<0.0001) and EGFR GCN (HR=0.59, 95% CI 0.22-0.89, P=0.04).

DISCUSSION

We believe that our data may help further composing the molecular mosaic of EGFR-resistant tumours. The role of HER-3, IGF-1 and CISH EGFR GCN should be prospectively validated in clinical trials investigating anti-EGFR treatment strategies in colorectal cancer patients.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis in an immunocompromised infant: a case report and review of the literature

Purpose

To describe a case of bilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) in an immunocompromised infant.

Methods

A 4-month-old male infant with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome was examined for the presence of CMVR. Ocular involvement was recorded and monitored by digital imaging.

Results

The child had bilateral CMVR, with a fine granular pattern, present both in the peripheral retina and posterior pole. There was no vitritis. The active areas of retinitis progressively resolved with intravenous ganciclovir treatment. At the 3-month follow-up examination, no recurrence was observed.

Conclusion

Ganciclovir treatment was effective in this case. The prognosis depends on rapid institution of effective antiviral therapy and on a patient's systemic immunocompetence.