ABSTRACT The aim of the present study is to assess the antibacterial potential of plants from the Caatinga biome of the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, against Staphylococcus spp. isolates from cases ...of subclinical mastitis in small ruminants, such as goats and ewes. Ethanolic extracts of the following plants from the Caatinga biome were used: Encholirium spectabile Mart., Bromelia laciniosa Mart., Neoglaziovia variegata Mez., Amburana cearensis (Fr. Allem.) A. C. Smith, Hymenaea martiana Hayne, and Selaginella convoluta Spring. The presence of phenolic components, flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids was verified for all the tested extracts. The mean minimal bactericide concentrations of the extracts of E. spectabile, B. laciniosa, and N. variegate were 11,379, 11,405, and 11,995 µg/mL, respectively. The highest inhibitory activities were observed for A. cearensis and H. martiana, which inhibited 88.1 and 99.4% of the isolates, respectively. Other studies focusing on in vitro and in vivo activities should be undertaken.
RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o potencial antibacteriano de plantas do bioma Caatinga do semi-árido pernambucano contra Staphylococcus spp. isolados de casos de mastite subclínica em pequenos ruminantes. Foram utilizados seis extratos etanólicos de plantas existentes no bioma Caatinga do semiárido Pernambucano, como Encholirium spectabile Mart., Bromelia laciniosa Mart., Neoglaziovia variegata Mez., Amburana cearensis (Fr. Allem.) A.C.Smith, Hymenaea martiana Hayne. e Selaginella convoluta Spring. Observou-se a presença de compostos fenólicos, flavonoides, esteroides e terpenoides em todos os extratos avaliados neste estudo. Observou-se que os extratos da E. spectabile, B. laciniosa e N. variegata apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana, com as seguintes médias para a concentração bactericida mínima: 11.379, 11.405 e 11.995 µg/ mL, respectivamente. Observou-se maior atividade inibitória para as espécies A. cearensis e H. martiana, que inibiram 88,1 e 99,4 % dos isolados, respectivamente. O extrato etanólico da S. convoluta apresentou o menor percentual de inibição, sendo igual a 15% (n=24/160). Considerando o potencial antibacteriano destas plantas do bioma Caatinga frente à Staphylococcus isolados de casos de mastite subclínica em caprinos e ovinos, outros estudos sobre a atividade in vivo devem ser realizados.
Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis Baldini, V; Mastropasqua, M; Francucci, C M ...
Journal of endocrinological investigation,
2005, Volume:
28, Issue:
10 Suppl
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis (OP) are public health problems with numerous epidemiological links and important economic consequences. Recent studies have demonstrated that CVD and ...cardiovascular mortality are associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and bone fractures. These two conditions may be sustained by similar or common pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors. There are several matrix proteins, such as type 1 collagen, proteoglycan, osteopontin, and osteonectin, which are found in bone and vascular matrix components. Matrix proteins play an important role both in bone formation and in the development of atherosclerosis. Estrogens also play a role in both CVD and OP through their effects on cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha and osteoprotegerin (OPG). The lack of estrogens induces an increase in these cytokines and a decrease in OPG, both implicated in the mechanisms of bone loss and atherogenesis. An additional link between CVD and OP seems to be related to the action of some drugs, such as bisphosphonates, statins and raloxifene. Several studies suggest that the mechanism of action of these drugs at cellular level may not be mutually exclusive, acting either in bone or in atherosclerotic plaque. However, further studies are necessary to define the relationship between CVD and OP more specifically and to understand the complex interaction of similar or common risk factors and genetic or molecular determinants.
Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da deriva simulada do herbicida glyphosate no crescimento inicial de plantas de pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas) em casa de vegetação. Para simulação da deriva de ...glyphosate, utilizaram-se as seguintes doses: 0,0; 1,4; 2,8; 5,6; 11,3; 22,5; 45,0; 90,0; 180,0; e 360,0 g ha-1 de glyphosate, distribuídas em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. O glyphosate foi aplicado 51 dias após a semeadura, quando as plantas de pinhão-manso apresentavam entre 16 e 18 folhas completamente desenvolvidas e altura média de 45 cm. As aplicações das doses foram feitas com pulverizador costal pressurizado a CO 2, regulado para proporcionar 200 L ha-1. Os resultados indicam que a altura, o diâmetro do caule, a área foliar, bem como a massa seca de folha, caule e raiz das plantas de pinhão-manso, apresentaram reduções após a simulação da deriva de glyphosate, em relação à testemunha. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que o desenvolvimento inicial das plantas de pinhão-manso foi influenciado pela deriva simulada de glyphosate; a deriva de doses superiores a 45,0 g ha-1 pode ser severamente prejudicial às plantas no período de 41 dias após a aplicação.
Background
: Adipose tissue has been suggested to influence bone density and metabolism through the effect of some adipokines. However, whether adiponectin and visfatin may correlate with bone ...metabolism is still unclear.
Aim
: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of adiponectin and visfatin with bone density in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).
Subjects
: We enroled 72 consecutive patients with MS (25 males, 47 females; mean age 58.14±11 yr) and 40 control subjects.
Methods
: Plasma adiponectin and visfatin levels were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the level of lumbar spine L2–L4 (BMD L
2
–L
4
) and femoral neck (BMD-Fn).
Results
: MS patients had higher plasma visfatin and lower adiponectin levels than controls, (
p
<0.01 for both). Adiponectin was negatively correlated with BMD-Fn and BMD L
2
–L
4
(r=−0.20, r=−0.24, respectively;
p
<0.05 for both) whereas plasma visfatin levels were positively correlated to BMD L
2
–L
4
only in men (r=0.44;
p
<0.05).
Conclusions
: Our study shows that adiponectin and visfatin are oppositely associated with BMD. Although the mechanisms behind these correlations are unclear, a modulation of bone metabolism by these adipokines can be suggested.
Background
: Chronic alcohol abuse is a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures, whose pathogenesis is still unclear. We investigated the influence of alcoholism and other risk factors on calcium ...and skeletal metabolism, bone mineral density (BMD), and fractures.
Materials and methods
: In 51 chronic male alcoholics without liver failure and 31 healthy controls, serum total and ionised calcium, phosphate, creatinine, 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), PTH, total (ALP) and bone-specific (BALP) alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin (BGP), carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTx), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) were assessed. In patients only, we also measured serum testosterone, 17-β estradiol, LH, and IGF-I. BMD was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine (LS-) and femur neck (FN-) and total hip (TF-). Vertebral fractures were identified by a semiquantitative method on thoraco-lumbar spine x-ray, non-vertebral fractures (as life-style factors) by history.
Results
: Alcoholics were leaner, had significantly higher ALP and BALP, and lower BGP and 25OHD levels than controls. No significant difference in other calcium and bone metabolism parameters was found. OPG/RANKL ratio was significantly higher in alcoholics. Beta-CTx negatively correlated with abuse duration. OPG positively correlated with daily alcohol assumption and with indexes of liver cytolysis. Though LS-, FN-and TF-BMD of alcoholics and controls did not significantly differ, patients had a much higher prevalence of vertebral fractures. The same was found considering both vertebral and non-vertebral fractures.
Conclusions
: Ethanol-induced skeletal damage seems mainly dependent on negative effects on bone formation. Lifestyle factors and traumas likely contribute to the high fracture incidence of alcohol abusers, independently of BMD.
ABSTRACT Objectives: To compare the measurement of the Cobb angle on printed radiographs and on scanned radiographs viewed through the software "PixViewer". Methods: Preoperative radiographs of 23 ...patients were evaluated on printed films and through the software "PixViewer". The same evaluator, a spine surgeon, chose the proximal and distal limiting vertebrae of the main curve on printed radiographs, without identification of patients, and measured the Cobb angle based on these parameters. The same parameters and measurements were applied to scanned radiographs. The measurements were compared, as well as the choice of limiting vertebrae. Results: The average variation of the Cobb angle between methods was 1.48 ± 1.73°. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.99, demonstrating excellent reproducibility. Conclusion: The Cobb method can be used to evaluate scoliosis through the "PixViewer" tool with the same reliability as the classic method on printed radiographs.
RESUMEN Objetivo: Comparar la medición del ángulo de Cobb en radiografías impresas y en radiografías digitalizadas vistas a través de la herramienta "PixViewer" . Métodos: Se evaluaron las radiografías preoperatorias de 23 pacientes en películas impresas y a través del software "PixViewer". El mismo evaluador, cirujano de columna, eligió las vértebras proximal y distal límites de la curva principal en las radiografías impresas, sin identificación de los pacientes, y realizó la medición del ángulo de Cobb en base a estos parámetros. Los mismos parámetros y mediciones se aplicaron a las radiografías digitalizadas. Las mediciones fueron comparadas, así como la elección de las vértebras límites. Resultados: La variación promedio del ángulo de Cobb entre los métodos fue de 1,48 ± 1,73°. El coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI) fue de 0,99, demostrando reproducibilidad excelente. Conclusión: El método de Cobb puede ser utilizado para la evaluación de la escoliosis a través de la herramienta "PixViewer" con la misma fiabilidad que el método clásico en radiografías impresas.
RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar a aferição do ângulo de Cobb em radiografias impressas e em radiografias digitalizadas, visualizadas por meio da ferramenta "PixViewer". Métodos: Foram avaliadas as radiografias pré-operatórias de 23 pacientes em filmes impressos e pelo software "PixViewer". O mesmo avaliador, cirurgião de coluna, elegeu as vértebras limites proximal e distal da curva principal nas radiografias impressas, sem identificação dos pacientes, e realizou a aferição do ângulo de Cobb baseado nesses parâmetros. Os mesmos parâmetros e aferições foram aplicados às radiografias digitalizadas. As aferições foram comparadas, assim como a escolha das vértebras limites. Resultados: A variação média do ângulo de Cobb entre os métodos foi de 1,48 ± 1,73°. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) foi de 0,99, demonstrando replicabilidade excelente.. Conclusão: O método de Cobb pode ser utilizado para avaliação da escoliose por meio da ferramenta "PixViewer" com a mesma confiabilidade que pelo método clássico em radiografias impressas.
Chronic constipation (C), among gastrointestinal symptoms, is commonly associated with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and probably attributable to hypercalcemia.
To evaluate in patients affected ...with PHPT the prevalence of C utilizing a validated questionnaire and the current prevalence of C compared to that observed in the past and to evaluate the relationship between C and the severity of PHPT.
55 outpatients affected with PHPT, admitted to our Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities in the years (2006-2009) were studied (group 1: 50 postmenopausal women and 5 men, mean age 61.9 +/- 9.4 years), together with 55 sex and age matched controls (group 2). Also considered were a group of PHPT patients observed, in the same ambulatory, during the years '70-'80 (group 3). A questionnaire, Rome II criteria, was administered and used to define C, whereas only anamneses were used to define C in group 3.
The prevalence of C in patients with PHPT was 21.8% in group 1 vs 12.7% in group 2 (n.s.) and 32.7% in group 3. There is a decreasing trend in the prevalence of C in patients with PHPT as observed from 1970-89 to 2006-2009 (p < 0.05). The reduction of C was associated together with a significant reduction in the serum calcium level (p < 0.001). The presence of C vs its absence in patients with PHPT is characterized by higher values of calcemia (p < 0.001), ionized calcium (p < 0.001), and parathyroid hormone (p = 0.019).
The actual prevalence of C in patients with PHPT is not significantly different from that found in the control group and is decreasing with respect to the past years. Moreover, C seems to be associated with the severity of the disease rather than with the diagnosis of PHPT per se.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield of soybean cultivar M-8766 in consortium with Brachiaria brizantha. BRS Piata and Brachiaria ruziziensis at different densities and sowing ...dates. The experimental design was randomized blocks with treatments arranged in a factorial 2 x 2 x 3 with four replications. Used as factors grass species (Brachiaria brizantha Piata and Brachiaria ruziziensis BRS) intercropped with soybean M-8766, sowing dates (12 and 24 days after soybean emergence) and three seeding rates (0, 5, 10 kg ha-1 of seed). At 71 days after soybean emergence were evaluated plant height, stem diameter, dry mass of leaves, stems and shoots, and 4 months after sowing determined the weight of 100 grains and soybean yield. The results showed that when seeded at a density of 10 kg ha-1 at 12 and 24 DAE soy, Brachiaria brizantha. BRS Piata caused reduction in yield in the order of 6.71% and 3.03% respectively, while the Brachiaria ruziziensis was one that caused a greater reduction in productivity in the order of 13.42 and 16.23%, respectively, of these values expression when considering the price of soybean sack. B. ruziziensis expressed less competitive with soybean. However, the large biomass production of this grass provides deployment system till the next harvest.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e a produtividade do cultivar de soja M-8766 em consórcio com Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã e Brachiaria ruziziensis, em diferentes densidades e épocas de semeadura. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com os tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 3, com quatro repetições. Utilizaram-se como fatores espécies de capim-braquiária (Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã e Brachiaria ruziziensis) consorciada com a cultura da soja M-8766, épocas de semeadura (12 e 24 dias após a emergência da soja) e três densidades de semeadura (0, 5 e 10 kg de semente ha‑1). Aos 71 dias após a emergência da soja, foram avaliados a altura das plantas, o diâmetro do caule e a massa seca de folhas, caule e parte aérea; quatro meses após a semeadura, determinou-se o peso de 100 grãos e a produtividade da soja. Os resultados evidenciaram que, quando semeada na densidade de 10 kg ha-1 aos 12 e 24 DAE da soja, Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã ocasionou redução na produtividade na ordem de 6,71 e 3,03% respectivamente, enquanto Brachiaria ruziziensis foi a que mais reduziu a produtividade: na ordem de 13,42 e 16,23%, respectivamente - valores estes de expressão quando se considera o preço da saca de soja. B. ruziziensis expressou menor competitividade com a cultura da soja; contudo, a grande produção de biomassa dessa gramínea propiciou a implantação do sistema de plantio direto na safra seguinte.
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