Effects of Andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis) on wound healing in alloxan-diabetic rats

Purpose: To evaluate wound healing in diabetic rats by using topic Andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis). Methods: Six male, adult, Wistar rats were distributed into three groups: Sham group (wound treatment with distilled water); Collagenase group (treatment with collagenase ointment); and Andiroba group (wound treatment with Andiroba oil). The wound was evaluated considering the macroscopic and microscopic parameters. Results: The results indicated differences in the healing of incisional wounds between treatments when compared to control group. Accelerated wound healing was observed in the group treated with Andiroba oil and Collagenase in comparison to control group, especially after the 14th day. Morphometric data confirmed the structural findings. Conclusion: There was significant effect in topical application of Andiroba oil on wound healing in rats with induced diabetes.   Keywords: Medicinal plants. Diabetes Mellitus. Wound healing. Rats

Matrix Microparticles Of Copaiba Oil (Copaifera Langsdorffii) On Renal Physiology: Patent Review

PURPOSE: to demonstrate the effect of matrix microparticles of Copaifera langsdorffii (aerial parts of copaiba), aiming to evaluate the discussions and results of the works that demonstrate Its function on the kidneys as well as its effectiveness. METHODS: A bibliographic study was carried out by consulting public online databases of patents, such as the United States Patent and Trademark office, World Intellectual Property Organization and the National Intellectual Property Institute; The following keywords were used: copaiba oil, renal function, kidney, kidney stones, matrix microparticles Copaifera langsdorffii and lithiasis. In this study were included patents of invention, innovations and utility models in the period from January 2007 to May 2016. RESULTS: One patent register was included regarding a method for obtaining microparticles and compounds, having antilithiasic, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antiseptic activity. CONCLUSION: The patent registry survey demonstrates the possibility of beneficial action of matrix microparticles Copaifera langsdorffii on renal physiology, acting as antilithiasis and even with diuretic properties, thus opening up new possibilities of research of this substance on renal physiology

Consistent patterns of common species across tropical tree communities

Trees structure the Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystem, tropical forests. The vast number of tree species presents a formidable challenge to understanding these forests, including their response to environmental change, as very little is known about most tropical tree species. A focus on the common species may circumvent this challenge. Here we investigate abundance patterns of common tree species using inventory data on 1,003,805 trees with trunk diameters of at least 10 cm across 1,568 locations1,2,3,4,5,6 in closed-canopy, structurally intact old-growth tropical forests in Africa, Amazonia and Southeast Asia. We estimate that 2.2%, 2.2% and 2.3% of species comprise 50% of the tropical trees in these regions, respectively. Extrapolating across all closed-canopy tropical forests, we estimate that just 1,053 species comprise half of Earth’s 800 billion tropical trees with trunk diameters of at least 10 cm. Despite differing biogeographic, climatic and anthropogenic histories7, we find notably consistent patterns of common species and species abundance distributions across the continents. This suggests that fundamental mechanisms of tree community assembly may apply to all tropical forests. Resampling analyses show that the most common species are likely to belong to a manageable list of known species, enabling targeted efforts to understand their ecology. Although they do not detract from the importance of rare species, our results open new opportunities to understand the world’s most diverse forests, including modelling their response to environmental change, by focusing on the common species that constitute the majority of their trees.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Effects of Veronica officinalis extract in the kidney of rats with induced sepsis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of Veronica officinalis extract as a anti-inflammatory substance on the kidney function of rats subjected to cecal ligation and puncture, describing histopathological and biochemical findings. METHODS: Twenty rats (Rattus norvegicus) were distributed into four groups (N=5): Sham group (GS), normal standard animals; Sepsis group (GSep), submitted a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); Veronica group (GV), administered only Veronica officinalis extract once daily by gavage from the first day until the seventh day, without sepsis induction; Sepsis-Veronica group (GSep-V), administered Veronica officinalis extract once daily by gavage from the first day of CLP until the seventh day procedure. After the euthanasia, blood was collected for assessment of kidney biochemical and histological analysis were performed. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that there was statistically significant in serum levels of creatinine between GS and GSep (p=0.0029); and GSep and GSep-V (p=0.0184). In addition, there was statistically significant of histopathological parameters observed between GS and GSep (p=0.0001); GSep and GV (p=0.0415); also between GSep and GSep-V (p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: Veronica officinalis extract promoted a significant anti-inflammatory effect on kidney function and reduction of tissue damage in rats with sepsis

Development of a laparoscopic training model using a smartphone

ABSTRACT Objective: to develop a model of training in video-surgery, of low cost and that uses a smartphone as an image-generating source. Methods: We developed a 38cm high, 40cm wide, 40cm long hexagonal-shaped training box, with a front opening of 12x8 cm for coupling the smartphone. The internal illumination is made with LED lamps and for the support of the smartphone, we used a selfie stick, fixed in the upper part of the box, that allows control of height, distance, angulation, and the coupling of devices with different formats. We selected 20 undergraduate students without previous training in video-surgery, who performed four exercises in the box, with assessment of the time and amount of errors in the execution of the tasks. Each student completed the training for three consecutive weeks. We collected the data in spreadsheets for later analysis. Results: Nineteen students completed the training program, with significant improvement in the times and in the number of errors. Conclusion: the developed model was feasible and promoted the acquisition of skills in this group of students. In addition, it presents low cost, is portable and uses common equipment, such as smartphones

Efeito do microagulhamento na cicatriz de ferida cutânea induzida em ratos

Introdução: A saúde representa estado de completo bem-estar.As cicatrizes são exemplos de afecções que colocam em risco a integridade emocional do paciente, comprometendo sua qualidade de vida. Existem diversas alternativas terapêuticas visando amenizar distúrbios estéticos. O microagulhamento estimula a produção de colágeno, melhorando o efeito cicatricial da lesão provocada. Objetivo: avaliar o efeito do microagulhamento na cicatriz de ferida cutânea induzida cirurgicamente em ratos. Métodos: Foram utilizados 24 ratos, machos, distribuídos em cinco grupos de estudo. Em todos os grupos realizou-se a incisão cutânea induzida cirurgicamente no dorso do ani- mal, aguardando-se a cicatrização completa. Os grupos GC-14 e GC-30 foram controles para os grupos GCM-14 e GCM-30. Resultados: Foi identificada reepitelização e ausência de tecido de granulação em 100% dos grupos. Com relação à proporção de fibrose, observou-se redução média de 19% no grupo GCM-14 e de 4% no grupo GCM-30. Houve estímulo à produção de colágeno tipo I e III nos grupos submetidos ao microagulhamento, observando maior quantificação de colágeno tipo I no grupo GCM-14 (62,1%) em relação a seu controle (37,8%). Conclusões: o microagulhamento mostrou-se eficaz ao estimular maior produção de fibras colágenas em 14 dias, sugerindo tendência à melhora da cicatriz

Effects of hypertonic saline solution associated to remote ischemic perconditioning in kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

To evaluate the effects of hypertonic saline solution associated to remote ischemic perconditioning in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Methods: Twenty five male rats (Wistar) underwent right nephrectomy and were distributed into five groups: Sham group (S); Ischemia/Reperfusion group (I/R) with 30 minutes of renal ischemia; Remote ischemic perconditioning group (Per) with three cycles of 10 minutes of I/R performed during kidney ischemia; Hypertonic saline solution group (HSS) treated with hypertonic saline solution (4ml/kg); remote ischemic perconditioning + Hypertonic saline solution group (Per+HSS) with both treatments. After reperfusion, blood samples were collected for BUN and creatinine serum levels analyzes. TBARS were evaluated in plasma and renal tissue to assess oxidative stress. Kidney histopathological examination were performed. Results: Per+HSS group showed a lower degree of renal dysfunction in relation to I/R group, whereas the technique of remote ischemic perconditioning isolated or associated with saline solution significantly reduced oxidative stress and histological damage. Conclusion:Remote ischemic perconditioning associated or not to saline solution promoted reduction of acute renal injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion.PERCÁRIO, S. Universidade Federal do Par