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Seaweeds have attracted special interest as good sources of sulphated polysaccharides (SP) for use in pharmaceutical industries and biotechnology. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SP from the red seaweed Gracilaria cornea (Gc-TSP) in nociceptive and inflammatory models. In mice, Gc-TSP (3, 9 or 27 mg ⁄ kg) significantly reduced nociceptive responses, as measured by the number of writhes, at all tested doses. In a formalin test, Gc-TSP significantly reduced licking time in both phases of the test at a dose of 27 mg ⁄ kg. In a hot-plate test, the antinociceptive effect was observed only in animals treated with 27 mg ⁄ kg of Gc-TSP, suggesting that the analgesic effect occurs through a central action mechanism at the highest dose. Gc-TSP (3, 9 or 27 mg ⁄ kg) caused only a slight reduction in neutrophil migration in the rat peritoneal cavity. However, lower doses of Gc-TSP (3 and 9 mg ⁄ kg) significantly inhibited paw oedema induced by carrageenan, especially at 3 hr after treatment. Reduction in oedema was confirmed by myeloperoxidase activity in the affected paw tissue. In addition, treatment (s.c.) of animals with different doses of Gc-TSP inhibited paw oedema induced by dextran within the first hour in all doses tested. After 14 consecutive days of intraperitoneal administration of Gc-TSP (9 mg ⁄ kg), we measured the wet weight of the liver, kidney, heart, spleen and thymus and performed biochemical, haematological and histopathological evaluations. No systemic damage was found. These results indicate that Gc-TSP possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and is a potentially important tool worthy of further study.Inflammation is a protective response initiated after injury through physical damage or infection by microorganisms. Consisting of both systemic and local responses, inflammation is an essential biological process with the conserved functions of eliminating the noxious factors, promoting tissue repair and wound healing and establishing memory, which enables the host to mount a faster and more specific response upon a future encounter with the relevant stimulus [1]. Tissue damage, inflammation or injury to the nervous system may result in chronic neuropathic pain characterized by increased sensitivity to painful stimuli, the perception of innocuous stimuli as painful and spontaneous pain [2].A wide variety of noxious mechanical, thermal and chemical stimuli induce a marked inhibition in the activity of spinal dorsal horn convergent neurons, and it has been suggested that supra spinal neural system mediates this inhibition control through descending pathways. The sensitization of primary afferent nociceptors is common for all inflammatory pain types, leads to a state of hyperalgesia and ⁄ or allodynia in human beings and is well described as nociception in animal models [3].The administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is an important tool in the suppression of the inflammatory response in a clinical context and has the ability to inhibit initial or later manifest...

The results indicate that the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Cc-SP2 could be of biomedical applicability as a new, natural tool in pain and acute inflammatory conditions.

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AmII has important antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties and represents an important therapeutic agent warranting future studies.

Exame Papanicolaou: sentimentos relatados por profissionais de enfermagem ao se submeterem a esse exame Pap smear screening: sensations reported by nursing professionals when submitted to this testResumo Objetivou-se conhecer os sentimentos de auxiliares e técnicas de enfermagem ao se submeterem ao exame Papanicolaou. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa realizado nos meses de setembro a outubro de 2006, com 35 servidoras de uma instituição governamental referência em ginecologia na cidade de Fortaleza (CE). Os dados foram coletados através de entrevista semiestruturada, contendo uma questão norteadora gravada e analisada de acordo com referencial teórico metodológico da fenomenologia social. Os relatos foram agrupados em três temáticas: um exame que causa incômodo, medo e vergonha; um exame que gera ansiedade quanto aos resultados; e um exame que "me deixa calma e tranquila". Apesar de as entrevistadas pertencerem a uma instituição que cuida de mulheres na prevenção do câncer cérvico-uterino, elas não deixaram de emitir sentimentos negativos relacionados ao exame. Concluiu-se a importância de realizar projetos educativos, enfatizando a importân-cia do empoderamento das usuárias a fim de minimizar essas questões. Palavras-chave Sentimentos, Papanicolaou, Saú-de da Mulher, Neoplasias do colo do útero Abstract This work sought to record the impressions of nursing assistants and technicians after submitting to Pap smear screening. This is a descriptive study using a qualitative approach conducted in September and October of 2006 with 35 employees of a public institution, which is a benchmark in gynecology in Fortaleza in the State of Ceará (Brazil). The data was collected through semi-structured interviews containing a recorded leading question and analyzed according to the methodological-theoretical reference of social phenomenology. The testimonials were separated in three groups: an exam that causes discomfort, fear and shame; an exam that causes anxiety about the results; and an exam that "makes me calm and relaxed". Despite the interviewees being part of an institution that cares for the prevention of cervical-uterine cancer in women, negative feelings about the Pap smear test were nonetheless reported. The conclusion reached is that it is important to stage educational campaigns emphasizing the importance of empowerment of patients in order to minimize these aspects.

CrII did not produce any signs of toxicity and effectively decreased nociception and inflammation. Also, the anti-inflammatory effect of Crll is at least in part dependent on the integrity of the HO-1 pathway.