A-type proanthocyanidin antioxidant from Dioclea lasiophylla

The A-type proanthocyanidin, epigallocatechin-(2beta-->7,4beta-->8)-epicatechin, together with the known epicatechin, luteolin 3'beta-D-glucopyranoside, chrysoeriol 7beta-D-glucopyranoside and 2-methylpentan-2,4-diol, were isolated from leaves of Dioclea lasiophilla. The structures were established on the basis of their spectral data. Antioxidant activities of isolates were measured using the autooxidation of beta-carotene in a linolenic acid suspension method.

[HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis: report of 2 cases diagnosed in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil]

We describe two cases of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I associated myelopathy, according to the criteria of World Health Organization-1989. These are the first cases diagnosed in Florianópolis (Santa Catarina State-Brazil). One of them had a good response with the treatment with methylprednisolone.

[Clinical characteristics of migraine without aura]

A detailed study of the clinical characteristics of migraine without aura (MOA) reveals some interesting data. A questionnaire was returned by 200 patients who met the International Headache Society criteria for MOA. The peak of onset of migraine was between 10 and 19 years of age. The headache was side-locked in 19%. It was exclusively bilateral in 9%. The majority (86.2%) of the patients who described headaches in only one site located them in the fronto-temporal area. Neck pain was associated with migraine attacks in 70.5% and face pain in 73.5%. A pounding quality was noted by 81%. Every patient described the headache as moderate to severe. Only 55% stated that it was aggravated by routine physical activity. Nausea occurred in 91%, photo and phonophobia in 77%, and vomiting in 50%. This close look at MOA uncovers a great complexity of symptoms.

[Comparative study of the use of nifedipine and captopril in hypertensive emergencies]

Forty patients with hypertensive crises, whose pressure levels had not satisfactorily decreased after intravenous furosemide 20 mg, were selected in the Emergency Ward. These patients were divided in two groups. The ones in group A received sublingual nifedipine 10 mg and the others in group B received oral captopril 50 mg. These drugs were repeated after 30 minutes to the maximum of three doses or until obtaining diastolic blood pressure less than 115 mmHg. Most patients (77.5%) had their blood pressure reduced to the proposed values after the first dose, and the remaining ones (22.5%) reacted to the therapy only after the administration of the subsequent doses. No side effects were observed. All patients were discharged from the emergency unit and were sent for follow-up in the outpatient service. The use of nifedipine and captopril has proved to be an effective treatment for hypertensive crises.