Genetic evaluation and activity of antifungal against clinical isolate Candida albicans biofilms

Candida yeasts are common in the oral cavity and can cause candidosis in the presence of predisposing factors, especially diabetes. The manifestation of the disease is related to this set of local factors such as the presence of dental prostheses, salivary pH, salivary flow and tobacco and the ability to form biofilms. Biofilms are specific and organized communities of cells under the control of signaling molecules rather than random accumulations of cells resulting from cell division and frequently are drugs resistance. Aim: The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic patterns of these C. albicans isolates and to evaluate the in vitro activity amphotericin B and caspofungin against C. albicans biofilms. Methods: Microbial samples were collected from subgingival sites and seeded in CHROMagar for subsequent identification of C. albicans by PCR. Genotypes were defined based on the identification of the transposable introns in the 25S rDNA by PCR. Results: In this study, 6 strains were identified as C. albicans and of these, 3 strains were genotype A and 3 were genotype B. The results showed that both amphotericin B and caspofungin exhibited strong antifungal activities against C. albicans biofilm formation and inhibiting the biofilm formation ranging from 70.8 – 95.3% and 77.7 - 88.7%, respectively. The antifungals studied had low inhibitory effect on preformed biofims, ranging from 39.5 - 50.8% for amphotericin B and from 23.1 - 36.9% for caspofungin at the same concentration. The activity of the two drugs was most effective in inhibit biofilm formation.

In vitro antifungal susceptibility of candida albicans isolates from patients with chronic periodontitis and diabetes

Alterations that lead to deficiency of the immune system, such as diabetes mellitus, may promote proliferation of Candida albicans and selection of strains which have greater ability to adhere and to penetrate the host tissues. Recent studies indicate an increase of the antifungal resistance of C. albicans isolates in periodontal pockets, suggesting that the oral cavity could be a reservoir of resistant yeast to antifungal agents. Moreover, oral cavity can act as a reservoir of certain pathogens that may cause systemic infections. The periodontal pocket is an ecological niche suitable to host microorganisms that could act as opportunistic pathogens. The aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of resistance to conventional antifungal against C. albicans isolates from patients with periodontitis and diabetes. The determination of the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) was evaluated according to M27S3 of the CLSI (2008), with modifications. The results showed that 48.8% of the studied strains were resistant to one or more antifungals and 6.6% were resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole. These results suggest an increasing resistance to conventional antifungal agents among Candida species, suggesting that the oral cavity could host pathogen fungi.

Raman Lidar monitors emissions from sugar cane fires in the State of São Paulo: a pilot-project integrating radar, sodar, aerosol and gas observations

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

Análise da incorporação de resíduos de pás eólicas em cimento portland atrvés de imagens de raios-X

Introdução: Os processos industriais geram grandes quantidades de resíduos, representando um grande desperdício de matéria prima e causando impactos negativos ao meio ambiente. No caso dos resíduos gerados pelas fábricas de pás eólicas para aerogeradores de Sorocaba-S.P., eles podem ser reaproveitados na incorporação em cimento Portland. O interesse é utilizá-los na construção civil como blocos sem fins estruturais para construção de muros, guias, calçadas, pisos, etc. Os corpos confeccionados devem obedecer às normas técnicas brasileiras e as suas propriedades relativas à resistência, compressão, absorção de água e distribuição espacial dos resíduos nestes corpos devem ser avaliadas. Objetivos: Devido à importância de se conhecer as propriedades dos corpos produzidos com a incorporação de resíduos de pás eólicas, este trabalho faz uma avaliação através de imagens de raios X de sua distribuição espacial para verificar a viabilidade do emprego desta técnica no estudo da incorporação de resíduos para, futuramente, em conjunto com outras pesquisas que estão sendo realizadas, verificar a relação desta distribuição com as propriedades mecânicas dos corpos produzidos. Métodos: Objetivando a incorporação desse resíduo como substituto parcial dos agregados miúdos em argamassa, foram fabricados corpos de prova (CPs) seguindo as normas da ABNT-NBR 5738. Todos os corpos foram desmoldados após 24 horas de sua confecção e imersos em água por 28 dias para a cura. Utilizou-se o traço 3:1, areia e cimento, em relação a massa dos componentes, ou seja, para cada 300 g de areia adicionou-se 100 g de cimento. Na confecção de argamassa com resíduo utilizou-se o mesmo traço, porém com a substituição de parte da areia pelo resíduo. Foram fabricados CPs com 5%, 15%, 50% e 0% de resíduo para que este sirva de referência. Como os corpos possuem um formato cilíndrico, foram obtidas imagens em duas projeções: frontal e superior utilizando um equipamento digital com os seguintes parâmetros: 83 kVp e 16 mAs e, 85 kVp e 30 mAs, respectivamente. Resultados: As imagens mostram que na projeção frontal é possível verificar que a distribuição do resíduo nos corpos é homogênea, o que pode proporcionar uniformidade nos resultados de testes de resistência à compressão que serão realizados futuramente. Porém, na projeção superior ainda será necessário um estudo dos parâmetros que deverão ser utilizados no equipamento de raios X para melhorar a sua qualidade. Além disso, métodos de processamento digital de imagens poderão ser aplicados nas imagens para auxiliar na visualização dos resíduos incorporados. Também pode ser visto nas imagens que a forma utilizada para a incorporação do resíduo resulta na sua distribuição uniforme, compatível com o que se deseja neste tipo de incorporação.

Novas formas de comunicação no século XXI: o fenômeno da cultura participativa

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

Rainwater chemical composition and annual atmosphere depositon in Sorocaba (SP)

This work evaluated the rainwater chemical composition and the annual atmospheric deposition in Sorocaba, (Sao Paulo State), Brazil. One sampling ˜ point was chosen and forty samples were collected between January and December 2006. The analyses were performed for pH, electrical conductivity, sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity and chloride. The rainwater pH varied from 5.20 to 6.40, being Ca2+ the main ion responsible for controlling the rainwater pH. The ionic concentration decreases in the following order: Ca2+>Na+> K+>Mg2+ for cations and SO2− 4 >HCO− 3 >NO− 3 >Cl−>PO3− 4 for anions. The annual atmospheric deposition appears to be controlled by the following sources: mining activities and cement factories (Ca2+ and HCO− 3 ), agricultural activities (K+, NO− 3 and PO3− 4 ), soil dust (Na+, Mg2+ and HCO− 3 ) and fossil fuel burning (SO2− 4 )

Estudo da utilização de serragem de madeira como adsorvente para o tratamento de efluentes têxteis

The Brazilian textile industry has been a highlight in the global economy. Connected with this high economic performance there is the water consumption and the generation of great volumes of wastewater which present high concentrations of dyes and chemical substances. One of the main techniques used in the treatment of textile effluents is adsorption, which has the activated carbon as the main adsorbent. Recently, studies have been developed to find alternative materials to activated carbon and exhibiting good adsorption capacity of dyes. The aim of this work is to study the potential of sawdust as adsorbent of low cost to remove the dye Direct Green 26. The results of this type of dye removal were obtained through the study of adsorption isotherms obtained by spectrophotometry in the UV-visible region analyzed by the Langmuir model. Finally, a comparison was made of these results with those of other adsorbents. Results showed that the average removal of dye, using sawdust, was 78.8% for an initial concentration of 500mg / L and the maximum adsorption capacity of 119mg / g. These results demonstrate the great potential of sawdust as an adsorbent for the dye Direct Green 26.

Doença cerebelar em cães e gatos

Diseases of the cerebellar system are common in small animals, and result in a clinical syndrome characterized by hypermetria, base-wide stance and intentional tremors of the head and body. All movements of the limbs are spastic and awkward. The neurological examination assists in the localization of lesions restricted to the cerebellum or in the detection of disorders relating to other parts of the nervous system, which characterizes a multifocal disease process. Neurological disorders in dogs and cats may suggest a very extensive list of differential diagnoses, since they may be caused by infectious, degenerative and traumatic processes, among others. The possible etiologies for cerebellar syndrome include: aplasia and hypoplasia, abiotrophy, cancer, vascular stroke and inflammatory disorders. The aim of this paper is to review the clinical signs that aid in the location of the cerebellar lesion and discuss the possible causes of this syndrome in dogs and cats.

Meningite supurativa secundária a otite média e interna em um gato: relato de caso

Suppurative meningitis are rarely reported in dogs and cats. The present study aims to report the occurrence of suppurative meningitis secondary to otitis media and interna in a five-year-old female Persian cat examined at the Veterinary School of Unesp-Botucatu with acute progressive multifocal neurological alterations. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) demonstrated predominance of neutrophils (90%) and the presence of bacteria. Therapy with antibiotics was initiated, but the animal came to die. beta-hemolytic Staphylococcus, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus and Proteus mirabilis were detected in fragments sent to culture. The present report demonstrates the importance of performing more specific exams such as complete CSF analysis in cases of otitis media and interna. This way, central nervous infections can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, as those are acute diseases with poor prognosis.

Hipotireoidismo em cães: revisão

Hypothyroidism is one of the most frequent endocrinopathies in dogs, affecting preferentially middle-aged, pure breed animals. Associated clinical signs are variable and often non-specific, including metabolic, dermatological or cardiovascular alterations. The main laboratorial findings are non-regenerative anemia and hypercholesterolemia. Hyponatremia and an increase in alanine transferase and alkaline phosphatase activities can also be observed with lower frequency. There are specific diagnostic tests that can be used to help diagnose hypothyroidism, and those should be interpreted in the light of the animal´s clinical symptoms. The levels of thyroxine stimulating hormone (TSH) and both free and total thyroxine (T4) are the most used hormonal tests. It is important to differentiate between hypothyroidism and the euthyroid sick syndrome, a condition that may be caused by severe diseases such as hyperadrenocorticism and lead to decreased TSH and T4 levels as well. Levothyroxine sodium is the standard treatment. The main objective of this paper is to review hypothyroidism in dogs, since this is a very common disease in small animal clinics, but with difficult diagnosis.

Avaliação de colesterol e triglicerídeos séricos em cães saudáveis suplementados com ômega n-3

The analysis of serum cholesterol and triglycerides was performed in 20 healthy mongrel dogs, 10 male and 10 female, before and after supplementation for 30 days with fatty acids of long chain polyunsaturated derived from omega-3 n (497mg docosahexaenoic acid and 780mg eicosapentaenoic acid). The serum cholesterol presented a significant reduction after supplementation in both sexes (271.6±79.8mg/dL; 236,2±67,6mg/dL, before and after supplementation respectively). Regarding serum triglycerides, there was a reduction only in females (57.8±12,1mg/dL; 45.2±7,8mg/dL, before and after supplementation respectively), with no effect of supplementation in males.

Quimiodectoma de corpo aórtico em cão

Chemodectomas are neoplasms originated from chemoreceptors mainly present on the aortic and carotid bodies. The etiology of this kind of tumor is related to genetic factors and chronic hypoxia. Brachycephalic breeds such as Boxer and Boston Terrier are predisposed to develop this neoplasia. This article reports the case of a 10-year-old female Boxer presented to the Veterinary Hospital of the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science School in Botucatu with a two-day history of fatigue, exercise intolerance and dyspnea. Clinical signs, in association with radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, suggested a heart-base tumor. The worsening of the case led the owner to choose for euthanasia. Necropsy revealed a mass at the heart base adhered to the aortic body, and microscopic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of chemodectoma.

Fasceíte necrotizante: relato de dois casos

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare dermatopathy that promotes subcutaneous tissue damage, associated to substantial morbidity and mortality if treatment is not initiated at the beginning of the condition. The objective of the present study is to report the occurrence of two cases of necrotizing fasciitis, one in a miniature female Pinscher and the other one in a female Poodle, both attended at the Veterinary Hospital of FMVZ/Unesp-Botucatu. The animals presented ulcerated, erythematous lesions with secretion and points of necrosis along fascial planes. Bacterial culture was positive for Streptococcus spp. The animals were treated with enrofloxacin, associated to topical cleaning of the lesions with saline solution and triclosan-based soap and rifampicin spray. Both animals presented total remission of lesions after approximately 15 days of treatment. The present report aims to alert veterinary clinicians to the severity of Streptococcus spp infections.

Hiperadrenocorticismo em cães: revisão

Hyperadrenocorticism is a relatively common endocrinopathy in dogs, which is associated to an excessive production or administration of cortisol. The most affected breeds are Poodles, Teckels, Boxers, Boston Terriers and Beagles. The clinical signs most commonly observed are polyuria, polydipsia, polyfagia, panting, distended abdomen, endocrine alopecia, muscular weakness and lethargy. Laboratorial abnormalities include stress leukogram, increase in alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities, hypercholesterolemia, lipemia, hyperglycemia and hyposthenuria. The preferred essay to evaluate adrenal gland function is the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, whereas the most used treatments include mitotane and trilostane. The objective of this paper is to review hyperadrenocorticism in dogs, because this disease is relatively common in small animal clinics and has many long-term complications.

The chemical composition and pharmacological activities of geopropolis produced by Melipona fasciculata Smith in northeast Brazil

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