Database Survey of Anti-Inflammatory Plants in South America: A Review

Inflammation is a complex event linked to tissue damage whether by bacteria, physical trauma, chemical, heat or any other phenomenon. This physiological response is coordinated largely by a variety of chemical mediators that are released from the epithelium, the immunocytes and nerves of the lamina propria. However, if the factor that triggers the inflammation persists, the inflammation can become relentless, leading to an intensification of the lesion. The present work is a literature survey of plant extracts from the South American continent that have been reported to show anti-inflammatory activity. This review refers to 63 bacterial families of which the following stood out: Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae and Celastraceae, with their countries, parts used, types of extract used, model bioassays, organisms tested and their activity

Baseline characteristics of patients in the reduction of events with darbepoetin alfa in heart failure trial (RED-HF)

<p>Aims: This report describes the baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF) which is testing the hypothesis that anaemia correction with darbepoetin alfa will reduce the composite endpoint of death from any cause or hospital admission for worsening heart failure, and improve other outcomes.</p> <p>Methods and results: Key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, along with baseline treatment, are reported and compared with those of patients in other recent clinical trials in heart failure. Compared with other recent trials, RED-HF enrolled more elderly [mean age 70 (SD 11.4) years], female (41%), and black (9%) patients. RED-HF patients more often had diabetes (46%) and renal impairment (72% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients in RED-HF had heart failure of longer duration [5.3 (5.4) years], worse NYHA class (35% II, 63% III, and 2% IV), and more signs of congestion. Mean EF was 30% (6.8%). RED-HF patients were well treated at randomization, and pharmacological therapy at baseline was broadly similar to that of other recent trials, taking account of study-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median (interquartile range) haemoglobin at baseline was 112 (106–117) g/L.</p> <p>Conclusion: The anaemic patients enrolled in RED-HF were older, moderately to markedly symptomatic, and had extensive co-morbidity.</p&gt

Cause of Death and Predictors of All-Cause Mortality in Anticoagulated Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation : Data From ROCKET AF

M. Kaste on työryhmän ROCKET AF Steering Comm jäsen.Background-Atrial fibrillation is associated with higher mortality. Identification of causes of death and contemporary risk factors for all-cause mortality may guide interventions. Methods and Results-In the Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (ROCKET AF) study, patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were randomized to rivaroxaban or dose-adjusted warfarin. Cox proportional hazards regression with backward elimination identified factors at randomization that were independently associated with all-cause mortality in the 14 171 participants in the intention-to-treat population. The median age was 73 years, and the mean CHADS(2) score was 3.5. Over 1.9 years of median follow-up, 1214 (8.6%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier mortality rates were 4.2% at 1 year and 8.9% at 2 years. The majority of classified deaths (1081) were cardiovascular (72%), whereas only 6% were nonhemorrhagic stroke or systemic embolism. No significant difference in all-cause mortality was observed between the rivaroxaban and warfarin arms (P=0.15). Heart failure (hazard ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.33-1.70, P= 75 years (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.51-1.90, P Conclusions-In a large population of patients anticoagulated for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, approximate to 7 in 10 deaths were cardiovascular, whereasPeer reviewe

First assessment of the avifauna of Araucaria forests and other habitats from extreme southern Minas Gerais, Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil, with notes on biogeography and conservation

The avifauna of the Araucaria forests in the higher reaches of the Serra da Mantiqueira massif is little known and poorly documented. This region is recognized as an important area of differentiation of birds in southeastern Brazil. Here, we present the first ornithological survey of the Araucaria forests and associated habitats in the mountains of extreme southern Minas Gerais state, near the southern tip of the Serra da Mantiqueira. The study area comprises the Serra do Juncal region and several adjacent sites, located in the municipalities of Gonçalves and Camanducaia. We recorded 206 bird species, of which 57 (27.7%) are endemic to the Atlantic forest. Several records represent the first specimens for Minas Gerais, in the hinterlands of Serra da Mantiqueira, proving that many Atlantic species also occur in the intern most slope of this mountain range. Examples are: Dysithamnus xanthopterus, Chamaeza ruficauda, Leptasthenura setaria, Heliobletus contaminatus, Hemitriccus obsoletus, Phylloscartes difficilis, Piprites pileata, Poospiza thoracica, and Cacicus chrysopterus. The region is also a previously unknown area of sympatry of other closely related species: Scytalopus notorius and S. speluncae, Lepidocolaptes squamatus and L. falcinellus, and Basileuterus culicivorus and B. hypoleucus. Both species of Lepidocolaptes and Basileuterus hybridize in the region. We also comment on the avifauna conservation, which have been threatened by eco-tourism, building of new styles of houses, domestic animals, forest fragmentation, and plantations.<br>A avifauna das florestas de Araucaria das partes mais elevadas da Serra da Mantiqueira é pouco conhecida e documentada. Esta região é reconhecida como uma importante área de diferenciação de aves no sudeste do Brasil. Apresentamos o primeiro levantamento ornitológico das florestas de Araucaria e ambientes associados nas montanhas do extremo sul de Minas Gerais, Serra da Mantiqueira. A área de estudo compreende a região da Serra do Juncal e diversas localidades adjacentes nos municípios de Gonçalves e Camanducaia. Foram registradas 206 espécies de aves, das quais 57 (27,7%) são endêmicas da Mata Atlântica. Diversos registros representam os primeiros espécimes para Minas Gerais, provando que muitas espécies Atlânticas também ocorrem na vertente interiorana da Mantiqueira. Exemplos são: Dysithamnus xanthopterus, Chamaeza ruficauda, Leptasthenura setaria, Heliobletus contaminatus, Hemitriccus obsoletus, Phylloscartes difficilis, Piprites pileata, Poospiza thoracica e Cacicus chrysopterus. A região também é uma área de simpatria, anteriormente desconhecida, para algumas espécies, tais como: Scytalopus notorius e S. speluncae, Lepidocolaptes squamatus e L. falcinellus, Basileuterus culicivorus e B. hypoleucus. As espécies de Lepidocolaptes e de Basileuterus hibridam na região. Também comentamos sobre a conservação da avifauna, ameaçada pelo ecoturismo, construção de um novo estilo de edificações, animais domésticos, fragmentação florestal e plantações

Estádios de desenvolvimento embrionário e localização do embrião zigótico em sementes de citros Embryo development stage and the location of embryo zygotic in the seed of citrine

Objetivou-se estudar o comportamento de embriões zigóticos e nucelares aos 120, 130, 140 e 150 dias após serem efetuadas hibridações controladas entre a laranjeira 'Natal' (Citrus sinensis Osb.) e o parental masculino Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. Em cada data, as sementes foram removidas, e os embriões excisados foram caracterizados em estádios de desenvolvimento (globular, cordiforme, torpedo e cotiledonar); coloração (clorofilado ou não); e localização na semente (próximo à micrópila ou mais interiormente). A partir dessas características, foram construídas tabelas de contingência para testar hipóteses de independência entre elas, mediante o teste exato de Fisher e chi² (qui-quadrado). Relações de dependência foram verificadas entre as características: estádios de desenvolvimento embrionário com a localização na semente; estádios de desenvolvimento embrionário com a natureza da plântula (zigótica ou nucelar); e entre natureza da plântula com a localização do embrião na semente. Verificou-se que os embriões zigóticos excisados de frutos com 130 a 150 dias da hibridação controlada, localizam-se, em grande maioria, próximos à região micropilar da semente, em estádio globular e cordiforme de desenvolvimento.Controlled hybridizations between 'Natal' orange variety (Citrus sinensis Osb.) and male parent Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. were performed in order to study zygotic and nucellar embryos behaviour at 120, 130, 140 and 150 days. At very date the seeds were removed and the embryos excised to characterize: development stage (globular, cordiform, torpedo and cotyledonal); colour (with or without chlorophyll); and location in the seed (close to the micropyle or more internal in the seed). From these characteristics contingency tables were evaluated to test independency hypothesis through Fisher test and chi² (chi-square). Dependence relationships were observed between the following characteristics: stages of the embryo development with location in the seed; stages of the embryo development with the seedling nature (zygotic or nucellar); between the plant nature with embryo location in the seed. It was observed that the most of the zygotic embryos at globular and cordiform stages were located close to the micropyle in the seed, behaviour at 130 to 150 days after pollination

Notas sobre a nidificação de aves brasileiras raras e/ou pouco conhecidas

We describe the nests and nesting behaviour of six little-known birds from south-central Minas Gerais, Brazil: Red-and-white Crake Laterallus leucopyrrhus (closed/ovoid/base nest with shells of white eggs), White-throated Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes albicollis (cavity/without-tunnel/simple/platform nest with two immaculate white eggs), Southern Bristle Tyrant Phylloscartes eximius (closed/globular/lateral nest), Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta (high cup/lateral nest with three cream-coloured eggs), White-rumped Monjita Xolmis velatus (low cup/base nest with two immaculate white eggs) and Hellmayr's Pipit Anthus hellmayri (low cup/base nest with three pale brown eggs spotted dark brown)