In vitro leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities of the glycoalkaloids from Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) fruits.

Leishmaniasis is an infection caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania and is the second most prevalent parasitic protozoal disease after malaria in the world. We report the in vitro leishmanicidal activity on promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis and cytotoxicity, using LLCMK2 cells, of the glycoalkaloids from the fruits of Solanum lycocarpum, determined by colorimetric methods. The alkaloidic extract was obtained by acid-base extraction; solamargine and solasonine were isolated by silica-gel chromatography, followed by reversed-phase HPLC final purification.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury after continuous or intermittent hepatic pedicle clamping in rabbits.

Background: The control of bleeding in hepatectomy is a challenge for surgeons. The hepatic pedicle clamping is a surgical maneuver that can provide reduction in bleeding, but it provokes a hepatocellular suffering. This, along with reperfusion after the clamping finishes, leads to an injury known as ischemia/reperfusion injury.

The impact of colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Prevention of this neoplasm should be achievable by screening programs in asymptomatic patients. The objective of the present paper is to assess colonoscopic findings in asymptomatic people submitted to screening.

[Evaluation of patients submitted to surgical treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis with regard to the quality of life and to the appearance of compensatory hyperhidrosis].

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life and the presence of compensatory hyperhidrosis of patients submitted to sympathectomy as a treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients submitted to surgical treatment for hand hyperhidrosis at the Santa Casa Hospital of Belo Horizonte were included in this investigation, according to their age, gender and skin color. These patients were studied according to the indication of surgical treatment, previous clinical therapeutics, their complaints related to hyperhydrosis, incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis and its relation with personality and local of hyperhidrosis.

[Colonoscopic findings in asymptomatic people].

Context: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Prevention of colorectal cancer should be achievable by screening programs in asymptomatic patients.

Objective: To assess the colonoscopic findings in asymptomatic people submitted to screening.

Ethanol production from sugarcane bagasse by Zymomonas mobilis using simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process.

Considerable efforts have been made to utilize agricultural and forest residues as biomass feedstock for the production of second-generation bioethanol as an alternative fuel. Fermentation utilizing strains of Zymomonas mobilis and the use of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process has been proposed. Statistical experimental design was used to optimize the conditions of SSF, evaluating solid content, enzymatic load, and cell concentration.

[Effect of cholestasis on renal morphological and functional aspects after nephrectomy].

Objective: The removal of one kidney results in a compensatory growth of the remnant kidney. However, the mechanism that underlies this hypertrophic response is not understood. In this study we assessed the influence of obstructive jaundice on renal morphology and function after unilateral nephrectomy.

Isolation of two plant proteinases in latex from Carica candamarcensis acting as mitogens for mammalian cells.

In a prior study we showed evidence that latex from Carica candamarcensis contains a protein fraction that stimulates mammalian cell proliferation. In this report we describe the isolation of two proteinases responsible for this effect. Both proteinases (P1, P2) display a relative mass of 23 kDa and following chromatographic purification stimulate proliferation of fibroblastic and epithelial cells.