Cinnamaldehyde for the Treatment of Microbial Infections: Evidence Obtained from Experimental Models.

Cinnamaldehyde (CNM) is a cyclic terpene alcohol found as the major compound of essential oils from some plants of the genus Cinnamomum (Lauraceae). CNM has several reported pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, antivirulence, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. These properties make CNM an attractive lead molecule for the development of anti-infective agents.

Antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of stingless bee Melipona scutellaris geopropolis.

Background: Geopropolis is a type of propolis containing resin, wax, and soil, collected by threatened stingless bee species native to tropical countries and used in folk medicine. However, studies concerning the biological activity and chemical composition of geopropolis are scarce. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity of the ethanolic extract of geopropolis (EEGP) collected by Melipona scutellaris and its bioactive fraction against important clinical microorganisms as well as their in vitro cytotoxicity and chemical profile.

Impairment of bone mass development in children with chronic cholestatic liver disease.

Objective: To analyse aspects of mineral metabolism, bone mineral density (BMD), bone remodelling activity and serum IGF-1 levels in children with chronic cholestatic disease (CCLD).

Patients And Measurements: A total of 13 children with chronic cholestatic liver disease (CCLD; mean age 7.2 +/- 4.

Prevalence and demographic characteristics of celiac disease among blood donors in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Celiac disease (CD) is an underdiagnosed disease occurring in different clinical forms. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CD among blood donors from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, and to study some demographic characteristics of celiac patients. Blood samples from 3000 blood donors were tested for the presence of tissue transglutaminase antibody and positive samples were tested for endomysial antibody.

Anorectal manometry in children with chronic functional constipation.

Background: The anorectal manometry is a very utilized and well recognized examination in children with chronic functional constipation. The major manometric findings in these children are: anal hypotonia, anal hypertonia, paradoxal contraction of the external anal sphincter, decreased ability of internal anal sphincter to relax during rectal distension and alterations in rectal contractility, sensibility and compliance.

Aims: To evaluate the anal basal pressure and the relaxation reflex before and after standard treatment for a better understanding of the physiopathologic mechanisms involved in pediatric chronic functional constipation.

[Clinical presentation of children with celiac disease attended at a Brazilian specialized university service, over two periods of time].

Background: Several studies have demonstrated changes in the forms of clinical presentation of celiac disease in children and adults, with an increased occurrence of atypical forms.

Aim: To determine this fact in Clinical Hospital, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Methods: Celiac patients were studied over two different periods of time, from January 1978 to December 1987 (group 1 = G1) and from January 1988 to December 1997 (group 2 = G2).

Adult-type hypolactasia: clinical, morphologic and functional characteristics in Brazilian patients at a university hospital.

Background: Adult-type hypolactasia (AH) is the most common form of disaccharidase deficiency in humans, with a prevalence that varies among ethnic groups. In Brazil, the few available studies suggest a high prevalence of this condition. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of AH in Brazilian patients at the Ribeirão Preto University Hospital, and to study its morphologic and functional expression.

[Prevalence of chronic constipation in children at a primary health care unit].

Objective: To study the frequency of chronic constipation in childhood at a Primary Health Care Unit and to observe its characteristics in this population.

Methods: The sample consisted of 313 children aged between one and 10 years treated at the Centro de Saúde Escola, in the district of Tibério, in the town of Ribeirão Preto. Among these, 84 children with chronic constipation were selected.