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Baccharis triptera Mart, is a widespread Compositae used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal disturbances, rheumatic disease, mild fever, diabetes and as an anti-helminthic. Water extract of small branches of the plant (WE) administered to mice and rats (0.1 to 2 g/kg, p.o.) did not alter spontaneous motor activity, sleeping time induced by barbiturates or the tail-flick response in mice. The extract decreased by 40% the number of writhings induced by 0.8% acetic acid, i.p., but did not influence paw edema induced by carrageenan or dextran in rats. WE (2 g/kg, p.o.) decreased the intestinal transit of charcoal in mice by 20%. Gastric secretion in pylorus ligated rats was reduced after treatment with WE (1 and 2 g/kg, i.p. or intraduodenal) and the gastric pH was raised. The extract (1 g/kg, p.o.) prevented gastric ulcers induced in rats by immobilization at 4 degrees C, but not those induced by indomethacin (10 mg/kg, s.c.). The results indicate that WE may relieve gastrointestinal disorders by reducing acid secretion and gastrointestinal hiperactivity. Neither analgesic nor anti-inflammatory activities were detectable.

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Invasive disease due to group B streptococcal (GBS) infection results in a wide spectrum of clinical disease in neonates. Maternal colonization by GBS is the primary risk factor for disease.

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