Efeito da aplicação de filmes de carbono tipo diamante por plasma no destorque de pilares de implantes com conexões cônicas internas

Pós-graduação em Odontologia Restauradora - ICT

Measurement of diffractive dissociation cross sections in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of high concentrations of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine and tacrolimus in MRC-5 cells

Immunosuppressive drugs are used to suppress immune system activity in transplant patients and reduce the risk of organ rejection. The present study evaluated the potential cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK-506) on normal human fibroblasts (MRC-5 cells). Based on plasma concentrations of the immunosuppressive drugs, which were obtained from the records of kidney transplant patients at the Kidney Institute of Londrina, Brazil, 11 concentrations of each immunosuppressive were chosen to evaluate cell viability using the MIT assay. From these results, CsA and FK-506 concentrations of 135, 300, 675, and 1520 ng/ml and 8, 16, 24, and 32 ng/ml, respectively, were evaluated using (i) the comet assay, (ii) the nuclear division index (NDI), (iii) the micronucleus test (CBMN) and (iv) cell proliferation curves generated by quantifying cell numbers and protein levels. In this study, 1520 to 3420 ng/ml CsA decreased cell viability after 48 h of exposure. Genotoxic effects were observed only with a concentration of 1520 ng/ml after 3 h of exposure and with concentrations of 675 and 1520 ng/ml after 24 h of exposure. Mutagenic effects were observed only for the concentration of 1520 ng/ml. FK-506 decreased cell viability after 72 h of exposure for concentrations up to 20 ng/ml; genotoxic effects were observed with concentrations up to 8 ng/ml for both treatment times (3 and 24 h) and mutagenic effects were observed with concentrations of 24 and 32 ng/ml after 24 h of treatment. The cell proliferation curves demonstrated the absence of cytostatic effects of these drugs, and these data were confirmed by the NDI analysis. Our results suggest that concentrations lower than 300 ng/ml of CsA and 16 ng/ml of FK-506 are safe for use, as they did not induce genotoxic and mutagenic damage or affect MRC-5 cell viability and proliferation. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Nutritional status of the cauliflower cultivar ‘verona’ grown with omission of out added macronutrients

Knowledge of plant nutritional status allows an understanding of the physiological responses of plants to crop fertilization. A hydroponic experiment evaluated the symptoms of macronutrient deficiency in cauliflower 'Verona'and determined: a) the macronutrient contents of foliar tissues when visual symptoms were observed, b) macronutrients content of foliar and inflorescence tissues at harvest. The effect of nutrient deficiency on inflorescence mass was also evaluated. Nitrogen deficiency caused chlorosis followed by purple color in the old leaves, while P deficiency caused only chlorosis in old leaves. Chlorosis at the edge of old leaves progressing to the center of the leaves was observed with the omission of K, and after was observed necrosis in the chlorotic areas. Ca deficiency caused tip burn in new leaves, while Mg deficiency caused internerval chlorosis in old leaves. The omission of eachmacronutrient reduced inflorescence dry matter. This deleterious effect was larger for N, P, and K deficiencies, reducing inflorescence dry matter by 87, 49, and 42%, respectively. When the nutrient solutions without N, P, K, Ca, or Mg were supplied to cauliflower plants, the macronutrient contents at harvest were 8.8, 0.6, 3.5, 13.0, and 0.8 g kg(-1) in the foliar tissues and 27.3, 2.2, 21.6, 1.1, and 0.7 g kg(-1) in the inflorescence tissues, respectively.

Prenatal zinc prevents communication impairments and BDNF disturbance in a rat model of autism induced by prenatal lipopolysaccharide exposure

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

Pharmacology of the glucagon-like peptide-1 analog exenatide extended-release in healthy cats

Exenatide extended-release (ER) is a microencapsulated formulation of the glucagon-like peptide 1-receptor agonist exenatide: It has a protracted pharmacokinetic profile that allows a once-weekly injection with comparable efficacy to insulin with an improved safety profile in type II diabetic people. Here, we studied the pharmacology of exenatide ER in 6 healthy cats. A single subcutaneous injection of exenatide ER (0.13 mg/kg) was administered on day 0. Exenatide concentrations were measured for 12 wk. A hyperglycemic clamp (target = 225 mg/dL) was performed on days 7 (clamp I) and 21 (clamp II) with measurements of insulin and glucagon concentrations. Glucose tolerance was defined as the amount of glucose required to maintain hyperglycemia during the clamp. Continuous glucose monitoring was performed on weeks 0, 2, and 6 after injection. Plasma concentrations of exenatide peaked at 1 h and 4 wk after injection. Comparing clamp I with clamp II, fasting blood glucose decreased (mean standard deviation = 11 8 mg/dL, P = 0.02), glucose tolerance improved (median [range] +33% 14%-138%], P = 0.04), insulin concentrations increased (+36.5% [-9.9% to 274.1%], P = 0.02), and glucagon concentrations decreased (-4.7% [0%-12.1%], P = 0.005). Compared with preinjection values on continuous glucose monitoring, glucose concentrations decreased and the frequency of readings <50 mg/dL increased at 2 and 6 wk after injection of exenatide ER. This did not correspond to clinical hypoglycemia. No other side effects were observed throughout the study. Exenatide ER was safe and effective in improving glucose tolerance 3 wk after a single injection. Further evaluation is needed to determine its safety, efficacy, and duration of action in diabetic cats. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Plasma Steroid Dynamics in Late- and Near-term Naturally and Artificially Conceived Bovine Pregnancies as Elucidated by Multihormone High-resolution LC-MS/MS

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

Metabolism and ruminal parameters of Holstein × Gir heifers fed sugarcane and increasing levels of crude protein

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

Activation of monocytes and cytokine production in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis obliterans

Background: Arterial peripheral disease is a condition caused by the blocked blood flow resulting from arterial cholesterol deposits within the arms, legs and aorta. Studies have shown that macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque are highly activated, which makes these cells important antigen-presenting cells that develop a specific immune response, in which LDLox is the inducing antigen. As functional changes of cells which participate in the atherogenesis process may occur in the peripheral blood, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate plasma levels of anti-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and TGF-beta in patients with peripheral arteriosclerosis obliterans, to assess the monocyte activation level in peripheral blood through the ability of these cells to release hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and to develop fungicidal activity against Candida albicans (C. albicans) in vitro.Methods: TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta from plasma of patients were detected by ELISA. Monocyte cultures activated in vitro with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were evaluated by fungicidal activity against C. albicans by culture plating and Colony Forming Unit (CFU) recovery, and by H(2)O(2) production.Results: Plasma levels of all cytokines were significantly higher in patients compared to those detected in control subjects. Control group monocytes did not release substantial levels of H(2)O(2) in vitro, but these levels were significantly increased after activation with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Monocytes of patients, before and after activation, responded less than those of control subjects. Similar results were found when fungicidal activity was evaluated. The results seen in patients were always significantly smaller than among control subjects. Conclusions: The results revealed an unresponsiveness of patient monocytes in vitro probably due to the high activation process occurring in vivo as corroborated by high plasma cytokine levels.

Evaluation of DNA damage and lipoperoxidation of propofol in patients undergoing elective surgery

Inhaled anaesthetics have been studied regarding their genotoxic and mutagenic potential in vivo. Propofol differs from volatile anaesthetics because it does not show mutagenic effects and it has been reported to be an antioxidant. However, there are no studies with propofol and genotoxicity in vivo. The study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that propofol is not genotoxic and it inhibits lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)] in patients undergoing propofol anaesthesia. ASA physical status I patients scheduled for elective surgery, lasting at least 90 min, were enrolled in this study. Initially, the estimated plasma concentration of propofol was targeted at 4 microg ml(-1) and then maintained at 2-4 microg ml(-1) until the end of surgery. Haemodynamic data were determined at baseline (before premedication) and in conjunction with target-controlled infusion of propofol: after tracheal intubation, 30, 60 and 90 min after anaesthesia induction and at the end of the surgery. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline, after tracheal intubation, at the end of the surgery and on the postoperative first day for evaluating DNA damage in white blood cells (WBCs), by comet assay, and MDA levels. Haemodynamic data did not differ among times. No statistically significant differences were observed for the levels of DNA damage in WBCs, nor in plasma MDA, among the four times. Propofol does not induce DNA damage in WBCs and does not alter MDA in plasma of patients.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation alone on muscle function in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

The present study investigates the effects of vitamin D on muscle function in postmenopausal women. It has been shown that vitamin D supplementation in postmenopausal women with hypovitaminosis D provides significant protective factor against sarcopenia, with significant increases in muscle strength and control of progressive loss of lean mass. We aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of vitamin D (VITD) alone on muscle function in younger postmenopausal women. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 160 Brazilian postmenopausal women were randomized into two groups: VITD group consisting of patients receiving vitamin D3 1000 IU/day orally (n = 80) or placebo group (n = 80). Women with amenorrhea for more than 12 months and age 50-65 years, with a history of falls (previous 12 months), were included. The intervention time was 9 months, with assessments at two points, start and end. Lean mass was estimated by total-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and muscle strength by handgrip strength and chair rising test. The plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical analysis was by intention to treat (ITT), using ANOVA, Student's t test, and Tukey's test. After 9 months, average values of 25(OH)D increased from 15.0 ± 7.5 to 27.5 ± 10.4 ng/ml (+45.4 %) in the VITD group and decreased from 16.9 ± 6.7 to 13.8 ± 6.0 ng/ml (-18.5 %) in the placebo group (p < 0.001). In the VITD group, there was significant increase in muscle strength (+25.3 %) of the lower limbs by chair rising test (p = 0.036). In women in the placebo group, there was considerable loss (-6.8 %) in the lean mass (p = 0.030). The supplementation of vitamin D alone in postmenopausal women provided significant protective factor against the occurrence of sarcopenia, with significant increases in muscle strength and control of progressive loss of lean mass.

Activity of neurons in the preoptic area and their participation in reproductive senescence: preliminary findings

Alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in females determine the transition from regular to irregular reproductive cycles, with loss of fertility. Stimulation of noradrenergic neurons of the anteroventral periventricular neurons (AVPV) is essential for regular reproductive cycles. Therefore, we examined the activity of neurons of the AVPV and measure the noradrenaline (NE) of acyclic rats, in constant estrus, and compared it with that of cyclic rats in estrus. Female cyclic (4-5months) and acyclic (17-18months) rats were euthanized at 10, 14, and 18h in estrus. Brains were processed for immunoreactivity to antigens related to Fos (FRA) in AVPV, and the NE was determined by HPLC-ED. Plasma concentrations of LH, FSH, E2 and P4 were determined. In the acyclic animals, plasma LH was higher but the FSH was lower. There was decreasing P4 at different times, while the E2 was constant and lower in acyclic rats. FRA-ir expression in AVPV neurons of acyclic rats as well as turnover of NE was higher when compared with cyclic group. The preliminary findings showed increased activity in AVPV neurons in aging contribute to changes in the temporal pattern of neuroendocrine signaling, compromising the accuracy of inhibitory and stimulatory effects, causing irregularity in the estrous cycle and determining reproductive senescence.

Adrenomedullin induces pulmonary vasodilation but does not attenuate pulmonary hypertension in a sheep model of acute pulmonary embolism

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

Raloxifene modulates regulators of osteoclastogenesis and angiogenesis in an oestrogen deficiency periapical lesion model

Aim To analyse the local regulatory mechanisms of osteoclastogenesis and angiogenesis during the progression of periapical lesions in female rats with oestrogen deficiency and treatment with raloxifene (RLX). Methodology Female Wistar rats were distributed into groups: SHAM-veh, subjected to sham surgery and treated with a vehicle; OVX-veh, subjected to ovary removal and treated with a vehicle; and OVX-RLX, subjected to ovary removal and treated with RLX. Vehicle or RLX was administered orally for 90 days. During treatment, the dental pulp of mandibular first molars was exposed to the oral environment for induction of periapical lesions, which were analysed after 7 and 30 days. After the experimental periods, blood samples were collected for measurement of oestradiol, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. The rats were euthanized and the mandibles removed and processed for immunohistochemical detection of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP). Data were compared using Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn test (nonparametric values) and anova followed by the Tukey's test (parametric values). Results The plasma concentration of oestradiol showed hypo-oestrogenism in the rats subjected to ovary removal. On day 7, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium and phosphorus were higher in the OVX-RLX group than in the OVX-veh group (P < 0.001), but immunolabelling for RANKL and HIF-1α was lower in OVX-RLX group (P < 0.001). On day 30, the OVX-veh group had higher immunolabelling for RANKL than the OVX-RLX group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the immunoreactivity of OPG and BALP between any groups at either time-point (P > 0.05). Conclusion RLX therapy reversed the increased levels of the local regulators of both osteoclastogenesis and angiogenesis induced by oestrogen deficiency.

Expression of α6 integrin subunit in bovine oocyte and its potential role during fertilization

Fertilization in mammals requires the successful completion of a sequence of steps, starting with the transport of gametes in the reproductive tract and ending with sperm-egg membrane fusion to produce a zygote. Although some integrin subunits are known to be associated with the plasma membrane of some mammalian oocytes and spermatozoa, the presence of α6 integrin on bovine oocytes with intact zona pellucida has not been reported. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the expression of α6 integrin subunit in bovine oocyte and to determine if in vitro binding to the zona pellucida and fertilization were affected by treating oocytes with α6 integrin subunit antibody. The α6 integrin subunit was identified on the bovine oocyte by immunocytochemistry. In vitro fertilization was significantly decreased when in vitro matured bovine oocytes were pre-incubated with α6 integrin subunit antibody at concentration 5 and 20 μg/mL, and spermoocyte binding increased. These studies demonstrated the presence of α6 integrin subunit on bovine oocyte, and its importance in fertilization and polyspermy.