Ecological phytochemistry of Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) plants

The Cerrado (the Brazilian savanna) is one of the vegetation formations of great biodiversity in Brazil and it has experienced strong deforestation and fragmentation. The Cerrado must contain at least 12,000 higher plant species.We discuss the ecological relevance of phytochemical studies carried out on plants from the Cerrado, including examples of phytotoxicity, antifungal, insecticidal and antibacterial activities. The results have been classified according to activity and plant family. The most active compounds have been highlighted and other activities are discussed. A large number of complex biochemical interactions occur in this system. However, only a small fraction of the species has been studied from the phytochemical viewpoint to identify the metabolites responsible for these interactions

Antibacterial effect of calcium hydroxide combined with chlorhexidine on Enterococcus faecalis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is the most frequently isolated strain in failed endodontic therapy cases since it is resistant to calcium hydroxide (CH). Whether a combination of CH and chlorhexidine (CHX) is more effective than CH alone against E. faecalis is a matter of controversy. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Material and Methods: A comprehensive search in PubMed, EMbase, EBSCOhost, The Cochrane Library, SciELO, and BBO databases, Clinical trials registers, Open Grey, and conference proceedings from the earliest available date to February 1, 2013 was carried out and the relevant articles were identified by two independent reviewers. Backward and forward search was performed and then inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The included studies were divided into "comparisons" according to the depth of sampling and dressing period of each medicament. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata software 10.0. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: Eighty-five studies were retrieved from databases and backward/forward searches. Fortyfive studies were considered as relevant (5 in vivo, 18 in vitro, 18 ex vivo, and 4 review articles). Nine studies were included for meta-analysis. Inter-observer agreement (Cohen kappa) was 0.93. The included studies were divided into 21 comparisons for meta-analysis. Chi-square test showed the comparisons were heterogeneous (p<0.001). Random effect model demonstrated no significant difference between CH/CHX mixture and CH alone in their effect on E. faecalis (p=0.115). Conclusions: According to the evidence available now, mixing CH with CHX does not significantly increase the antimicrobial activity of CH against E. faecalis. It appears that mixing CH with CHX does not improve its ex vivo antibacterial property as an intracanal medicament against E. faecalis. Further in vivo studies are necessary to confirm and correlate the findings of this study with the clinical outcomes

Efeito da época sobre a emergência de Sida rhombifolia e Solanum viarum em diferentes profundidades de semeadura

O conhecimento da profundidade ideal de germinação de sementes de plantas daninhas é importante para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de manejo eficientes, seguras e econômicas. Com o objetivo de estudar a emergência de plântulas de Sida rhombifolia L. e Solanum viarum Dunal, em resposta à época (setembro de 2008 e janeiro de 2009) e às profundidades de semeadura (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 cm), foram realizados dois experimentos em casa de vegetação. Sida rhombifolia mostrou-se sensível às variações de temperatura, em decorrência das épocas de semeadura, e os maiores percentuais de emergência ocorreram nas profundidades entre 1 e 4 cm. Para S. viarum, observou-se forte influência da temperatura sobre a sua emergência, sendo, observado o máximo de emergência, nas profundidades de 1 a 5 cm e sua redução para as sementes locadas na superfície do solo

Evaluation of the allelopathic, genotoxic, and antiproliferative effect of the medicinal species Psychotria brachypoda and Psychotria birotula (Rubiaceae) on the germination and cell division of Eruca sativa (Brassicaceae)

peer reviewe

Atendimento pré-hospitalar móvel em Fortaleza, Ceará: a visão dos profissionais envolvidos Mobile pre-hospital care in Fortaleza, Ceará: the vision of professionals involved

Com o objetivo de descrever variáveis sociodemográficas, profissionais e operacionais das diferentes categorias envolvidas no Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência, bem como a percepção destas quanto à adequação do serviço oferecido às diretrizes da Política Nacional de Atenção às Urgências, foi realizado um estudo transversal, mediante um questionário autoaplicável, em 2007/2008. Os 89 pesquisados apontaram comprometimento da estrutura física (60,7%); escassez de materiais (82,0%); incipiência de recursos humanos (37,1%); mau estado de conservação e número insuficiente de ambulâncias (67,4%). 98,9% admitiram que há integração com outros serviços, com diferença estatística entre as categorias profissionais (p = 0,037). A terceirização predominou entre 71,4% dos médicos e 84,2% dos enfermeiros (p < 0,001). A capacitação específica foi confirmada por 79,8% e a atualização por 88,8% dos profissionais. A média de tempo de resposta total foi de 29 minutos (dp ± 14,8) e 65,2% afirmaram conhecer a política. Este estudo evidenciou que o pré-hospitalar é um serviço com problemas estruturais e de planejamento, nos quais se destacaram a precariedade das condições de trabalho e a fragilidade dos vínculos.<br>A cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire was performed in 2007/2008, with the objective of describing sociodemographic, professional, and operating variables of the various professional categories involved in the Mobile Emergency Care Service, and the perception of the compliance of the service offered with the guidelines of the National Emergency Care Policy. All 89 participants indicated deficient physical structure (60.7%); shortage of materials (82.0%); unskilled human resources (37.1%); poor conservation conditions and insufficient number of ambulances (67.4%); 98.9% admitted the existence of integration with other services, with some statistical differences among professional categories (p = 0.037). Outsourcing prevailed among 71.4% of physicians and 84.2% of nurses (p < 0.001). Specific capacity building was confirmed by 79.8%, and update by 88.8% of professionals. Total average response time was 29 minutes (SD ± 14.8), and 65.2% acknowledged knowing the policy. This study showed that pre-hospital care services have structural and planning problems, among which poor working conditions and fragile ties stand out