The lichen family Cladoniaceae in Paraiba, Pernambuco and Sergipe, Northeast Brazil

Field and herbarium studies of the lichen family Cladoniaceae in the states of Paraíba, Pernambuco and Sergipe, Northeast Brazil, yielded 22 species, many of them being new reports for the region. The phenolic compounds identified in each species are reported. Cladonia clathrata Ahti & Xavier Filho, Cladonia polita Ahti, Cladonia polyscypha Ahti & Xavier Filho, and Cladonia rugicaulis Ahti are described as new. C. clathrata, C. rhodoleuca Vainio, C. rugicaulis, C. salzmannii Nyl., and C. subminiata Stenroos appear to represent an element confined to northeastern Brazil

Influence of Cladonia substellata Vainio extracts and usnic acid on germination and growth of Allium cepa L. seedlings

The effect of lichen extracts obtained from Cladonia substellata and its main constituent, on the germination and growth of onion (Allium cepa L.) seedlings was investigated. No significant inhibitory effect of the lichen extracts and usnic acid on germination was found, except of usnic acid at the concentration of 726.7 mM. Growth inhibition of the radicle and of the hypocotyl of the seedlings was found for the total extract and for usnic acid in concentrations of 290.6 mM and 726.7 mM

Secalonic acid A from Pseudoparmelia sphaerospora (Nyl.) Hale and P. hypomilta (Fée) Hale (Parmeliaceae)

Secalonic acid A, a yellow pigment from fungal metabolism, was isolated from the lichens Pseudoparmelia sphaerospora and P. hypomilta. From P. sphaerospora was also isolated the depsidone hypostictic acid. The structure of these compounds was determined by spectroscopic methods and comparison with literature data

Brazilian solar saltworks - ancient uses and future possibilities

Coastal solar saltworks of Brazil are exploited for sea salt, which becomes progressively concentrated by evaporation. This study aimed to review the current and new potential uses of these systems, in order to provide more dynamic for this activity. The first evaporation ponds are also used for artisanal fisheries, ensuring the livelihood of many families. All the brine rich in secondary salts (bittern) can be widely used by the chemical industry, while the Brazil shows an incipient production of "flower of salt", a salt with distinct characteristics with higher market value than sodium chloride. On the other hand, the saltponds have a high potential for management and obtaining of large populations of Artemia spp., purifying the brine through the action as biological filter. This microcrustacean occurs naturally in intermediate salinity ponds, being commonly used in aquaculture. Species of microalgae and halobacteria found in the saltworks are employed for extraction of beta-carotene and glycerol, used in an extensive list of products with high commercial value. These ecosystems represent refuge zones for many species of migratory birds, becoming imperative to promote the conservation of these hypersaline wetlands

Avaliação histológica da biocompatibilidade de otólitos Cynoscion acoupa em ratos

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of Cynoscion acoupa´s otoliths by in vivo assays performed in Wistar rats. The material was prepared using 2g of powded Cynoscion acoupa’s otoliths and 0.5g of hydrolyzed collagen diluted in distilled water. The biological tests consisted of the use of 24 Wistar rats, which were implanted in polyethylene tubes containing otoliths (HI) on the right side of the back, empty tubes (IC) on the left. The animals were euthanized 3, 7 and 30 days after the surgical procedures. After each period the tubes were removed with surrounding tissue and the subjected classic histological processing. The inflammatory changes were assessed on a 0-4 scale and submitted to statistical analysis (significance level of 5%). IC groups presented moderate to severe inflammatory infiltrate after the 3rd day. On the 7th day there was formation of mature granulation tissue, and 30 days a well-organized fibrous tissue was observed surrounding the implant area. Regarding HI, moderate leukocyte infiltration without necrosis or chronic granulomatous reaction was observed on 3rd day. On the 7th day, the severity of the inflammatory response was attenuated and a well-developed granulation tissue was observed. On day 30, the tissue surrounding the implants was composed of fibroblasts and new collagen fibers wavy. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the intensity of the inflammatory response in no time trial (p>0.05). In conclusion, the otoliths preparation was considered biocompatible with the dermal tissues, since there were no significant differences of tissue reaction between the experimental groups.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la biocompatibilidad de los otolitos de Cynoscion acoupa por ensayos in vivo realizados en ratones Wistar. El material se preparó usando 2 g de polvo de otolito de Cynoscion acoupa y 0,5 g de colágeno hidrolizado diluido en agua destilada. Para el ensayo biológico se utilizaron 24 ratones en el cual fueron implantados tubos de polietileno que contienen los otolitos (OI) en el lado derecho de la espalda del animal y tubos vacíos (CI) en el lado izquierdo. Después de la cirugía, los ratones fueron medicados y sacrificados después de 3, 7 y 30 dias. Después de cada período los tubos fueron retirados con el tejido circundante y sometidos al procesamiento histológico clásico. Los cambios inflamatorios se evaluaron en una escala de 0 a 4 y se sometieron a análisis estadístico (nivel de significación del 5%). En los CI se observó después del tercer  día, un infiltrado inflamatorio de moderado a severo. En el séptimo día, la formación de tejido de granulación maduro y a los 30 días la presencia de un tejido más organizado. En cuanto a los OI, moderada infiltración leucocitaria sin necrosis o reacción granulomatosa crónica se observó a los 3 días. En el séptimo día, la gravedad de la respuesta inflamatoria fue atenuada, y un tejido de granulación bien desarrollado tambien fue observado y a los 30 dias, el tejido que rodeaba los implantes era compuesto de fibroblastos y nuevas fibras de colágeno onduladas. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos con respecto a la intensidad de la respuesta inflamatoria en ningún tiempo experimental  (p> 0,05).En conclusión, la preparación de los otolitos se considera biocompatible, ya que no hay diferencias significativas en la reacción del tejido entre los grupos experimentales.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a biocompatibilidade de otólitos de Cynoscion acoupa por ensaios in vivo realizados em ratos Wistar. O material utilizado foi preparado com 2 g de pó de otólitos de Cynoscion acoupa e 0,5 g de colágeno hidrolisado, diluídos em água destilada. O ensaio biológico consistiu na utilização de 24 ratos wistar nos quais foram implantados tubos de polietileno contendo otólitos (OI) no lado direito do dorso e tubos vazios (CI) no lado esquerdo. Após a cirurgia, os ratos foram medicados e sacrificados após 3, 7 e 30 dias. Após cada período os tubos foram removidos com o tecido circundante e submetido a processamento histológico clássico. As alterações inflamatórias foram avaliadas em uma escala de 0 a 4 e submetidas a análise estatística (nível de significância 5%). No CI após o 3º dia, foi observado um infiltrado inflamatório de moderado a severo. No 7º dia, formação de tecido de granulação maduro e com 30 dias presença de um tecido conjuntivo mais organizado. Em relação à OI, moderados leucócitos, infiltrado crônico sem necrose ou reação granulomatosa foi observada no dia 3. No 7º dia, a severidade da reação inflamatória foi atenuada, e um tecido de granulação bem desenvolvido foi observado. No dia 30, o tecido conjuntivo ao redor dos implantes era composto de novos fibroblastos e fibras colágenas onduladas. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos com relação à intensidade da resposta inflamatória em nenhum tempo experimental (p>0,05). Como conclusão, a preparação otólitos foi considerada biocompatível, pois não houve diferenças significativas de reação tecidual entre os grupos experimentais.

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Gabriel Molina de Olyveira Novel Natural Transdermal Otoliths/Collagen/Bacterial Cellulose Patch for Osteoporosis Treatment

In the present work, we report the novel natural transdermal otoliths/collagen/bacterial cellulose patch for osteoporosis treatment. This biomaterial is an osteoinductor, or be, stimulates the bone regeneration, enabling bigger migration of the cells for formation of the bone fabric. Otolith is a typical biomaterial that is composed of calcium carbonate and organic matrix. Otoliths are calcareous concrescences present in the inner ear of fishes. Since they are rich in minerals, they are considered essential to the bone mineralization process on a protein matrix (otolin). The objective in this study was to analyze the regeneration capacity of bone defects treated with otoliths network preparation. Collagen and nano-otoliths influences in bacterial cellulose was analyzed using transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In vivo analysis shows bone surface tissue with high regularity, higher osteoblast activity, and osteo-reabsorption activities areas. These results indicated that the transdermal permeation of otollith using this patch system was sufficient for the treatment of bone diseases. These findings indicate that our novel transdermal delivery system for otolith/collagen/bacterial cellulose is a promising approach to improve compliance and quality of life of patients in the treatment of bone diseases

Determinação da produção de metalo-beta-lactamases em amostras de Pseudomonas aeruginosa isoladas em João Pessoa, Paraíba

Bactérias produtoras de metalo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) são em grande parte resistentes aos betalactâmicos de largo espectro, incluindo oximino-aminotiazol cefalosporinas e também aos carbapenens. O objetivo deste trabalho foi detectar cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistentes ao imipenem e à ceftazidima, assim como identificar aquelas produtoras de MBLs. Foram estudadas 198 linhagens não-repetitivas isoladas de diversas amostras clínicas, hospitalares e comunitárias, identificadas bioquimicamente por técnicas de rotina. A triagem para a detecção de amostras produtoras de MBLs foi realizada pelo método de dupla difusão proposto por Arakawa et al. (2000) e modificado por Nakajima et al. (2001), utilizando discos contendo mercaptoacetato de sódio. Foi detectado um percentual de resistência de 19,7% (39/198) ao imipenem e de 15,2% (30/198) à ceftazidima, com 10,1% (20/198) de resistência cruzada aos dois antimicrobianos. Entre estas amostras, 2% (4/198) demonstraram produção de MBLs e padrão de multirresistência. A detecção destas amostras configura um problema emergente, com importantes implicações na terapêutica antimicrobiana, necessitando, portanto, de maior investigação através de metodologia molecular, para melhor caracterizar a extensão do problema.<br>Producers of metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) have been shown to confer resistance to carbapenems. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of resistance to imipenem and oxymino cephalosporins, as well as MBLs production among clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in João Pessoa-PB, Brazil. A total of 198 non-repetitive strains of P. aeruginosa identified by routine techniques were studied. These strains were screened for MBL production, using the double disk diffusion test previously described by Arakawa et al. (2000), as modified by Nakajima et al. (2001), using disks containing sodium mercaptoacetate as inhibitor of MBL. Strains were considered to be MBL producer when they demonstrated a typical expansion in the inhibitory zone by the presence of thiol compound. A total of four strains (2%) showed positive results among the isolates tested. Our findings indicate that the appearance of metallo-beta-lactamase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains is an emerging problem, with important therapeutic implications, and this fact needs further investigation including the use of molecular methodologies to fully characterize the extent of the problem