Evaluation of the in vitro activity of cefepime compared to other broad-spectrum cephalosporins against clinical isolates from eighteen Brazilian hospitals by using the Etest

The in vitro activity of cefepime was compared to that of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime in a multicenter study involving 10 clinical microbiology laboratories and clinical isolates from 18 Brazilian hospitals from 7 cities (4 states). A total of 982 isolates consecutively collected between December 1995 and March 1996 were susceptibility tested by using Etest and following the NCCLS procedures for agar diffusion tests. The cefepime spectrum was broader than that of the other broad-spectrum cephalosporins against both Gram-negative rods and Gram-positive cocci. Cefepime tons particularly move active against Enterobacter sp. (MIC90, 2 mu g/ml), Serratia sp. (MIC90, 2 mu g/ml) and oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90, 3 mu g/ml). Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cefepime (MIC90 16 mu g/ml) was slightly more active than ceftazidime (MIC90 32 mu g/ml) and 8- to 16-fold more active than ceftriaxone or cefotaxime (MIC90 >256 mu g/ml). Our results show that nosocomial bacteria, especially Gram-negative rods, have a high rate of cephalosporin resistance in Brazil. However, part of these resistant bacteria remains susceptible to cefepime. The Etest was shown to be an excellent method for multicenter studies of the in vitro evaluation of new antimicrobial agents. (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V.

Streptococcus Mutans Photoinactivation by Combination of Short Exposure of a Broad-Spectrum Visible Light and Low Concentrations of Photosensitizers

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Broad Escovopsis-inhibition activity of Pseudonocardia associated with Trachymyrmex ants

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella serotypes isolated from slaughter-age pigs and environmental samples

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella strains isolated from slaughter-age pigs and environmental samples collected at modern swine raising facilities in Brazil. Seventeen isolates of six serotypes of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica were isolated out of 1,026 collected samples: Salmonella Typhimurium (1), Salmonella Agona (5), Salmonella Sandiego (5), Salmonella Rissen (1), Salmonella Senftenberg (4), and Salmonella Javiana (1). Resistance patterns were determined to extended-spectrum penicillin (ampicillin), broad-spectrum cephalosporins (cefotaxime and ceftriaxone), aminoglycosides (streptomycin, neomycin, gentamicin, amikacin, and tobramycin), narrow-spectrum quinolone (nalidixic acid), broad-spectrum quinolone (ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin), tetracycline, trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol. Antimicrobial resistance patterns varied among serotypes, but isolates from a single serotype consistently showed the same resistance profile. All isolates were resistant to tetracycline, streptomycin, and nalidixic acid. One isolate, Salmonella Rissen, was also resistant to cefotaxime and tobramycin. All serotypes were susceptible to ceftriaxone, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol. The high resistance to tetracycline and streptomycin may be linked to their common use as therapeutic drugs on the tested farms. No relation was seen between nalidixic acid and fluoroquinolone resistance.

Novo registro de Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu, 1942 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), como parasitóide de Spodoptera cosmioides Walker, 1858 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) no Brasil

Spodoptera cosmioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)é uma espécie polífaga e alimenta-se de grande número de plantas cultivadas e espontâneas. No Brasil, as culturas do abacaxi, algodoeiro, arroz, berinjela, cebola, eucalipto, pimentão e tomateiro, entre outras hortaliças, são consideradas hospedeiras da praga. Entretanto, apesar da ampla gama de hospedeiros, sua ocorrência como praga é relatada relacionada a desequilíbrios provocados pelo uso excessivo de inseticidas de amplo espectro, o que vem causando a resistência da praga a inseticidas. Devido a essa complexidade, métodos alternativos de controle têm sido propostos, por exemplo, o controle biológico através da utilização de parasitóides. Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenptera: Eulophidae) é um parasitóide gregário pupal preferencialmente de espécies da ordem Lepidoptera. Este é o primeiro relato de T. diatraeae parasitando pupas de S. cosmioides, parasitóide que oferece novas perspectivas para os programas de controle biológico.

Zidovudine-Loaded PLA and PLA-PEG Blend Nanoparticles: Influence of Polymer Type on Phagocytic Uptake by Polymorphonuclear Cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New antimicrobial therapies used against fungi present in subgingival sites-A brief review

Although the main reservoir of Candida spp. is believed to be the buccal mucosa, these microorganisms can coaggregate with bacteria in subgingival biofilm and adhere to epithelial cells. The treatment of periodontal disease includes scaling and root planning (SR?) associated with proper oral hygiene. However, some patients may have negative responses to different therapeutic procedures, with a continuous loss of insertion, so the use of antimicrobials is needed as an adjuvant to SRP treatment. The use of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, such as tetracycline and metronidazole, as an aid in periodontal treatment has also been a factor for the development of superinfections by resistant bacteria and Candida species, even in patients with HIV. In the dental practice, the most commonly used antifungals are nystatin and fluconazole. However, the introduction of new drugs like the next generation of azoles is essential before the onset of emergent species in periodontal disease. Plants are good options for obtaining a wide variety of drugs. This alternative could benefit a large population that uses plants as a first treatment option. Plants have been used in medicine for a long time and are extensively used in folk medicine, because they represent an economic alternative, are easily accessible and are applicable to various diseases. Herein, we briefly review the literature pertaining the presence of Candida sp. in periodontal pockets, the conventional antifungal resistance and new therapies that include natural antifungal agents are reviewed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tigecycline: A Review of Properties, Applications, and Analytical Methods

Tigecycline is a new glycylcycline with an expanded broad-spectrum antibiotic, including inhibition of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, atypical, anaerobic, and antibiotic-resistant organisms. Trials have demonstrated that tigecycline is noninferior to the comparators for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections as well as complicated intra-abdominal infections. Tigecycline is only available as an intravenous preparation and analytical methods to its quantitation in pharmaceutical products has not been published to date. This review examined tigecycline characteristics, the spectrum and mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, applications, and, mainly, the instrumental conditions of published chromatographic methods used to measure tigecycline, its metabolites, and some analogs in clinical and biologic research.

Methacycline: A Review of Analytical Methods

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Absence of chemopreventive influence of propolis on the rat liver altered foci development

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Steatosis of indeterminate cause in a pediatric group: is it a primary mitochondrial hepatopathy?

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: em crianças, a esteatose hepática pode se relacionar a erros inatos do metabolismo (EIMs) ou à doença hepática gordurosa não-alcoólica (DHGNA). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e caracterizar esteatose de causa indeterminada por meio de análises morfológica e morfométrica em tecido hepático. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal nos Departamentos de Patologia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM-Unicamp) e Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu da Universidade Estadual Paulista (FMB-Unesp). MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas 18 biópsias hepáticas consecutivas obtidas de 16 pacientes com idade variando de 3 meses a 12 anos e 9 meses, inseridas num banco de dados no período do estudo, que foram analisadas por microscopia óptica e eletrônica. Na microscopia eletrônica, foi realizada determinação da densidade mitocondrial e da área superficial média das mitocôndrias nos hepatócitos. Dez pacientes com idade variando de 1 a 14 anos foram usados como grupo controle. RESULTADOS: Foi detectada esteatose pura, não acompanhada por fibrose ou outra alteração histológica. Foi verificado que, na predominância de esteatose microvesicular, houve aumento significativo da área mitocondrial média. CONCLUSÃO: A esteatose microvesicular pode estar relacionada à hepatopatia mitocondrial primária, principalmente devido à redução na β-oxidação ou parcial estagnação da fosforilação oxidativa. Por essas razões, esta forma de esteatose (que não pode ser chamada de pura) possivelmente represente uma fase inicial no amplo espectro da DHGNA. Chamamos a atenção para casos de esteatose no grupo pediátrico com predomínio da forma microvesicular, uma vez que pode haver associação com desordens mitocondriais.

The association between prune belly syndrome and dental anomalies: a case report

Background: Prune belly syndrome is a rare condition produced by an early mesodermal defect that causes abdominal abnormalities. However, the literature indicates that disturbances related to ectodermal development may also be present. This is the first case report in the literature to suggest that dental abnormalities are part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of prune belly syndrome. Because the syndrome causes many serious medical problems, early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions are encouraged.Case presentation: The authors report the clinical case of a 4-year-old Caucasian boy with prune belly syndrome. In addition to the triad of abdominal muscle deficiency, abnormalities of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, and cryptorchidism, a geminated mandibular right central incisor, agenesis of a mandibular permanent left incisor, and congenitally missing primary teeth (namely, the mandibular right and left lateral incisors) were noted.Conclusion: This original case report about prune belly syndrome highlights the possibility that dental abnormalities are a part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of the syndrome. Therefore, an accurate intra-oral clinical examination and radiographic evaluation are required for patients with this syndrome in order to provide an early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions.

A Role of Oral Bacteria in Bisphosphonate-induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

No consensus has yet been reached to associate oral bacteria conclusively with the etio-pathogenesis of bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ). Therefore, the present study examined the effects of oral bacteria on the development of BONJ-like lesions in a mouse model. In the pamidronate (Pam)-treated mice, but not control non-drug-treated mice, tooth extraction followed by oral infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum caused BONJ-like lesions and delayed epithelial healing, both of which were completely suppressed by a broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail. Furthermore, in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, the combination of Pam and Fusobacterium nucleatum caused the death of gingival fibroblasts (GFs) and down-regulated their production of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), which induces epithelial cell growth and migration. Therefore, in periodontal tissues pre-exposed to bisphosphonate, bacterial infection at tooth extraction sites caused diminished KGF expression in GFs, leading to a delay in the epithelial wound-healing process that was mitigated by antibiotics.

Cytotoxic constituents of propolis inducing anticancer effects: a review

Objectives Propolis is a honeybee product used extensively in traditional medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anticancer effects. Propolis exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities because it is a complex mixture of natural substances. In this review, the antitumour effects of propolis extracts and its constituents (e. g. flavonoids, terpenes and caffeic acid phenethyl ester) are discussed.Key findings The effect of propolis on experimental carcinogenesis is discussed, as well as its possible mechanisms of action against tumours, involving apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and interference on metabolic pathways. Propolis seems to be efficient against different tumour cells both in vitro and in vivo, which suggests its potential in the development of new anticancer drugs.Summary Propolis extracts may be important economically and would allow a relatively inexpensive cancer treatment. Preclinical investigations are needed to further elucidate the benefits of propolis and its antitumour properties.

Potencial bioterapêutico dos probióticos nas parasitoses intestinais

Probióticos são microrganismos vivos que, se administrados em quantidades adequadas, promovem benefícios à saúde do homem e dos animais. O crescente interesse nos probióticos fundamenta-se em estudos clínicos nos quais a administração desses organismos foi avaliada na prevenção e no tratamento de desordens intestinais e sistêmicas. Os potenciais mecanismos de ação desses microrganismos incluem a exclusão competitiva, a produção de metabólitos com atividade antimicrobiana e a modulação da resposta imune. em algumas circunstâncias clínicas específicas, os benefícios produzidos por esses microrganismos foram amplamente documentados, enquanto que em outras os resultados são contraditórios. No presente artigo de revisão, os probióticos foram abordados considerando-se o potencial bioterapêutico desses microrganismos nas parasitoses intestinais.