Ethnodirigid study of Medicinal plants used by the population assisted by the “Programa de Saúde da Família” (Family Health Program) in Marechal Deodoro - AL, Brazil

Abstract This study aimed to assess diagnosis of Unique Health System (SUS) users profile with regard to herbal medicine. This is a cross-sectional study with observational data collection conducted in the city of Marechal Deodoro, through a semi-structured questionnaire with questions related to socioeconomic data, use, and knowledge of medicinal plants and herbal medicines and satisfaction with the use of medicinal herbs (MH) and interactions of phytotherapeutic drugs (PD). Among the topics, 86.89% of users used herbal medicines often, especially lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). It was also observed that the plants are generally used as a sedative (21.74%) and as tea (87.84%). 82.32% of respondents claim to have acquired the knowledge of herbal medicine through a family member and 85.36% make use of medicinal plants without having received any information on the use of MH and PD. 61% of the plants described that coincided with the form of use and therapeutic properties found in the literature. With regard to satisfaction by treatment with MH and PD, it was found that 56.67% are satisfied. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to this aspect of usage, in order to avoid possible drug interactions or adverse reactions resulting from the incorrect use.

Chromosome number variation and evolution in Neotropical Leguminoseae (Mimosoideae) from northeastern Brazil

Most members of the subfamily Mimosoideae have pantropical distributions, variable habits, and a basic chromosome number x = 13. We examined karyotypic evolution of 27 species of this subfamily occurring principally in northeastern Brazil by examining chromosomes stained with Giemsa. All of the species had semi-reticulated interphase nuclei and early condensing segments in the proximal region of both chromosome arms. The basic number x = 13 was the most frequent, with 2n = 2x = 26 in 19 of the species, followed by 2n = 4x = 52 and 2n = 6x = 78. However, the three species of the genus Calliandra had the basic number x = 8, with 2n = 2x = 16, while Mimosa cordistipula had 2n = 4x = 32. The karyotypes were relatively symmetrical, although bimodality was accentuated in some species, some with one or two acrocentric pairs. As a whole, our data support earlier hypotheses that the Mimosoideae subfamily has a basic number of x = 13 and underwent karyotypic evolution by polyploidy. However, x = 13 seems to be a secondary basic number that originated from an ancestral stock with x₁ = 7, in which polyploidy followed by descending disploidy gave rise to the current lineages with x = 13. Another lineage, including current representatives of Calliandra with x = 8, may have arisen by ascending disploidy directly from an ancestral monoploid stock with x₁ = 7.

Potential bird dispersers of Psychotria in a area of Atlantic forest on Ilha Grande, RJ, Southeastern Brazil: a biochemical analysis of the fruits

The present study assessed the fruiting pattern, bird foraging behavior, and sugar content of ripe fruits of two sympatric species of Rubiaceae (Psychotria brasiliensis and P. nuda). This study was carried out in an Atlantic forest area on Ilha Grande, RJ, between August 1998 and July 1999. Fruit production occurred year round, with a peak of mature P. brasiliensis fruits in December 1998 and another of P. nuda in February of 1999. Lipaugus lanioides (Cotingidae), Baryphtengus ruficapillus (Momotidae) and Saltator similis (Emberizidae) made the most frequent foraging visits to fruiting P. brasiliensis, so that L. lanioides and B. ruficapillus removed the fruits with sallying maneuvers while S. similis gleaned the fruits. Lipaugus lanioides was by far the most important consumer, and potentially the main disperser of P. brasiliensis. Birds of this genus are heavy frugivores in the tropical forests and are widely assumed to be important seed dispersers. The fruits were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively in relation to the amounts of sucrose and starch. Psychotria brasiliensis (the visited species) showed the smallest quantity of sucrose and the highest amount of starch. These findings suggest that what may influence the birds' choice of fruit is the proportion of starch in the Psychotria species studied here rather than the carbohydrate composition.

[Health education for 1st grade students. Evaluation of teaching materials and prevention of schistosomiasis]

Considerando a importância da informação sobre a esquistossomose para alunos de 7 a 15 anos, faixa etária apontada como de alta prevalência em regiões endêmicas e cujos hábitos colaboram para a disseminação da doença, foi elaborado um material de ensino baseado em um texto de conotação literária, o qual foi aplicado em escolas de região considerada foco isolado da doença no Município do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil). Desenvolveu-se uma metodologia de uso do material a ser empregada pelos professores, que resultou eficaz em promover aprendizagem de conceitos e cuidados básicos em relação à esquistossomose. Propõe-se o uso deste processo para outras doenças parasitárias a serem testadas em áreas caracteristicamente endêmicas.