Studies on the antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of Zeyheria tuberculosa (Vell.) Bur. (Bignoniaceae) extracts and their main constituents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Due to the indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs, the emergence of human pathogenic microorganisms resistant to major classes of antibiotics has been increased and has caused many clinical problems in the treatment of infectious diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate for the first time the <it>in vitro </it>antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp lethality of extracts and isolated compounds from <it>Zeyheria tuberculosa </it>(Vell.) Bur., a species used in Brazilian folk medicine for treatment of cancer and skin diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using the disc diffusion method, bioautography assay and brine shrimp toxicity test (<it>Artemia salina </it>Leach), we studied the antimicrobial activity and lethality of extracts and isolated compounds against three microorganisms strains, including Gram-positive (<it>Staphylococcus aureus</it>) and Gram-negative (<it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</it>) bacteria and yeasts (<it>Candida albicans</it>).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, the extracts inhibited <it>S. aureus </it>(8.0 ± 0.0 to 14.0 ± 0.0 mm) and <it>C. albicans </it>(15.3 ± 0.68 to 25.6 ± 0.4 mm) growth. In the brine shrimp test, only two of them showed toxic effects (LC₅₀29.55 to 398.05 μg/mL) and some extracts were non-toxic or showed weak lethality (LC₅₀705.02 to > 1000 μg/mL). From these extracts, four flavones [5,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone (1), 5,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (2), 4'-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone (3), and 4'-hydroxy-5,6,7-trimethoxyflavone (4)] were isolated through bioassay-guided fractionation and identified based on the 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. By bioautography assays, compounds 1 [<it>S. aureus </it>(16.0 ± 0.0 mm) and <it>C. albicans </it>(20.0 ± 0.0 mm)] and 3 [<it>S. aureus </it>(10.3 ± 0.6 mm) and <it>C. albicans </it>(19.7 ± 0.6 mm)] inhibited both microorganisms while 2 inhibited only <it>S. aureus </it>(11.7 ± 0.6 mm). Compound 4 did not restrain the growth of any tested microorganism.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results showed that extracts and isolated flavones from <it>Z. tuberculosa </it>may be particularly useful against two pathogenic microorganisms, <it>S. aureus </it>and <it>C. albicans</it>. These results may justify the popular use this species since some fractions tested had antimicrobial activity and others showed significant toxic effects on brine shrimps. However, in order to evaluate possible clinical application in therapy of infectious diseases, further studies about the safety and toxicity of isolated compounds are needed.</p

Effects of external nutrient sources and extreme weather events on the nutrient budget of a Southern European coastal lagoon

The seasonal and annual nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) budgets of the mesotidal Ria Formosa lagoon, southern Portugal, were estimated to reveal the main inputs and outputs, the seasonal patterns, and how they may influence the ecological functioning of the system. The effects of extreme weather events such as long-lasting strong winds causing upwelling and strong rainfall were assessed. External nutrient inputs were quantified; ocean exchange was assessed in 24-h sampling campaigns, and final calculations were made using a hydrodynamic model of the lagoon. Rain and stream inputs were the main freshwater sources to the lagoon. However, wastewater treatment plant and groundwater discharges dominated nutrient input, together accounting for 98, 96, and 88 % of total C, N, and P input, respectively. Organic matter and nutrients were continuously exported to the ocean. This pattern was reversed following extreme events, such as strong winds in early summer that caused upwelling and after a period of heavy rainfall in late autumn. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that ammonium and organic N and C exchange were positively associated with temperature as opposed to pH and nitrate. These variables reflected mostly the benthic lagoon metabolism, whereas particulate P exchange was correlated to Chl a, indicating that this was more related to phytoplankton dynamics. The increase of stochastic events, as expected in climate change scenarios, may have strong effects on the ecological functioning of coastal lagoons, altering the C and nutrient budgets.Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) [POCI/MAR/58427/2004, PPCDT/MAR/58427/2004]; Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT

Budget impact analysis of medicines : updated systematic review and implications

This evaluation determines whether published studies to date meet the key characteristics identified for budget impact analyses (BIA) for medicines, accomplished through a systematic review and assessment against identified key characteristics. Studies from 2001 to 2015 on "budget impact analysis" with "drug" interventions were assessed, selected based on their titles/abstracts and full texts, with their characteristics checked according to key criteria. Out of 1984 studies, 92 were identified. Of these, 95% were published in Europe and the USA. 2012 saw the largest number of publications (16%) with a decline thereafter. 48% met up to 6 or 7 out of the 9 key characteristics. Only 22% stated no conflict of interest. The results indicate low adherence to the key characteristics that should be considered for BIAs and strong conflict of interest. This is an issue since BIAs can be of fundamental importance in managing the entry of new medicines including reimbursement decisions

Os guardados da viscondessa: fotografia e memória na coleção Ribeiro de Avellar

This paper discusses the theme of family life when Brazil was an empire, using the\ud methodological approach of microhistory and by analyzing personal documents that belonged\ud to the Ribeiro de Avellar family, who were wealthy landowners and proprietors of coffee\ud plantations and slaves in Paty do Alferes, located in the Paraíba River Valley of the Province of\ud Rio de Janeiro. The author focused on the analysis of photographic portraits in order to reflect\ud upon the different means of circulation of images and the prevailing family ideal at the tim