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Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.), whose common name is "pracaxi," is naturally found in the Amazon region. The present study is aimed at analyzing the anatomy, seed histochemistry, and chemical composition in fatty acid profile of P. macroloba seed oils. Seeds were collected in the cities of Belém, Marituba, and São Domingos do Capim-PA. For the study in light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and histochemistry, seeds were sectioned in cross and longitudinal sections of the embryonic axis and fixed in formaldehyde, acetic acid, and 50% ethyl alcohol; neutral-buffered formalin; and formaldehyde and ferrous sulfate and stored in 70% ethyl alcohol. For the anatomical study, the seeds were subjected to the usual techniques of plant anatomy. Histochemical tests were performed on plant material, freehand sectioned, and embedded in histological paraffin with DMSO. The fatty acid profile was determined for gas chromatography (GC-FID). Integument is divided into three strata, monoseriate exotesta, mesotesta formed by several layers of parenchyma cells, and monoseriate endotesta, formed by compressed cells. Cotyledons are composed of thin-walled parenchyma cells with several secretory cavities and secretory idioblasts. The main metabolic classes are lipids, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, proteins, and alkaloids. The main fatty acids found in P. macroloba oil are oleic, behenic, lignoceric, and linoleic. P. macroloba seeds have important anatomical characteristics for their circumscription in Leguminosae and also in Caesalpinioideae, and their oil is rich in fatty acids essential to the human diet, providing many benefits to the human health, such as fatty acids belonging to the omega family (linoleic, oleic)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest for the publication of this article., (Copyright © 2023 Zelina Ataíde Correia et al.)

Plectranthus ornatus is a medicinal and aromatic plant used in traditional and alternative medicine. In this study, leaves of P. ornatus were collected in two cities of the state of Pará, "Quatipuru" and "Barcarena", and were used with the objective of analyzing, through morphoanatomical data and histochemical and phytochemical studies of essential oil, the samples present structural differences and differences in their chemical composition. Anatomical and histochemical analyses were performed by transverse, using longitudinal sections of 8 μm to 10 μm to perform epidermal dissociation, diaphonization, and tests to identify classes of secondary metabolites. The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation, and the identification of the chemical composition was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The anatomical study shows that there is no difference between specimens collected in different locations, and stellate trichomes were identified. The histochemical study detected total lipids and acids, terpenes, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, tannins, alkaloids, and calcium oxalate. The low essential oil yield may be related to the low density of secretory cells (glandular trichomes), the unidentified compounds in the highest concentration in the essential oil were in relation to the chemical composition of the essential oils, and the major compounds were α-pinene, sabinene, ( E )-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and oct-1-en-3-ol. The results provide new information about the anatomy and histochemistry of P. ornatus .

The Portuguese Medical Association, through its Colleges of Specialistes, has decided to establish working groups to establish Therapeutic Guidelines in pathologies of great interest and current relevance in order to improve and rationalize health care. The group in charge of establishing the Therapeutic Recommendations in Depression, whose work I had the responsability and pleasure of coordinating during part of 1998 and 1999, is comprised of colleagues selected by the Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos). In the last few years, there has been rapidly increasing clinical and scientific interest in the study and treatment of depression throughout the life cycle, in different contexts and levels of medical practice. The rapid progress made in the neurosciences and psychopharmacology, new research in the field of psychotherapies and improved knowledge of relevant psychosocial aspects has not only broadened our knowledge of the aetiology and pathogenesis of depression, but also improved our criteria of diagnosis and classification. This has allowed the development of new therapeutic approaches and new drugs of proven efficacy. These Recommendations are aimed at systematizing and disseminating a consensus on interventions in depression, supported by evidence and the most recent scientific developments, in a way that will optimise therapeutic treatment. Due to some delay in the publication of these Recommendations (through no fault of the working group), and the rapid evolution of knowledge in this area, some of the contents may shortly need to be revised and updated. The writers and publishers of this document are fully aware of this and in accordance.