Adesão de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis e outros fungos anemófilos a teias de aranhas: implicações para a identificação de nichos microbianos no ambiente

The dimorphic pathogenic fungus, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), is the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America. While the yeast phase can be isolated from patients affected by paracoccidioidomycosis, dogs and naturally infected armadillos; several elements related to the ecology of the saprophytic phase of the pathogen, which is responsible for the production of infective propagules, are poorly understood, hampering the adoption of preventive measures. The demonstration of the high incidence of Pb infection in the 9- banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, has opened new perspectives for the identification of the pathogen’s habitat. At the opening of the armadillos’ burrows, spider webs are commonly found. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of Pb in spider webs samples related to the habitat of armadillos. Spider web samples were collected at Lageado Farm, Botucatu/SP and prepared for microscopic, molecular and mycological analyses. Microscopic analysis showed that different fungi were closely attached to spider web samples. Nested-PCR reaction showed positive amplification for Pb in 4 samples, with identity confirmed by amplicon sequencing. Fungal colonies also included members of Aspergillus, Blastobotrys, Penicillium, Candida, and Sporothrix genera, which are related to opportunistic disease and primary infections of great medical importance. In vitro adhesion tests of mycelia and yeast form of Pb to the spider webs were also performed, in order to analyze the possible physical attraction between fungal cells and the spider web protein network. The results showed a clear adherence of fungal particles to spider webs. In the current literature, there are no studies reporting adhesive properties of microorganisms to spider webs... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Proliferação e Morte Celular (Apoptose) avaliadas em ratos Lewis após tratamento com mistura de praguicidas em baixas doses

The use of pesticides in Brazil has intensified over the years. And since 2009 it was ranked as the largest market for pesticides worldwide. The consequential diffuse contamination of the environment is therefore due to the increasing number of chemicals of different classes, origins and modes of action. Little is known about the action of pesticides on human health in situations of co-exposure. Possible toxic effects are not restricted to agricultural and industrial workers, but also the general population that may be exposed continuously to its residues in food and water. Although these pesticides are mostly present in the environment at low doses, it must be considered that possible cumulative or synergistic effects may occur when there are concurrent or sustained exposure for two or more of these agents, which can lead to late manifestation of subclinical damages, sometimes irreversible. Thus, the specific objective of this study was to assess the effect of carcinogenesis promotion of a mixture of pesticides at low doses and analyze the phenomena of cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat liver. A total of 50 male Lewis rats was separated into 5 groups for 8 weeks in a medium term hepatocarcinogenesis model. The three different classes of pesticides (dieldrin, dicofol, endosulfan, dichlorvos and permethrin), whose residues were detected by ANVISA during the period from 2001 to 2005 in tomatoes cultures, were added to the feed of rats initiated to hepatocarcinogenesis with diethylnitrosamine (DEN- 200mg/kg ip). We used two different mixtures, one with no toxic effects at doses (MEX1) referring to the NOEL (no-observed-effect level) and another at doses LOEL / LEL / LOAEL (Lowest-observed-effect level / Lowest-effect level / Lowest -observed-adverse-effect level), to the installation of adverse effects (MEX2), derived from chronic studies. All animals ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Dança de salão: perspectivas de satisfação e motivos de adesão

The need to practice physical activity of any kind grows day by day. People look for studios, clubs, parks, either to practice some kind of sport, gymnastics classes, workout or a good walk. Over the last few years, another option has arived arose, which is a little different from what we are used to see. We are talking about Ballroom Dance, a new alternative for thoses who wants or needs to practice some physical activity but is looking for a different environment. Ballroom Dance is growing, thanks to the media, it has been an effective option for whom seeks to fill her free time and gains benefits such as leisure, satisfaction, health and quality of live, etc. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: investigating the reasons that lead the people to look for classes like Ballroom Dance and identify the degree of satisfaction of these students regarding Ballroom Dance classes. Thirty eight students participated in this study: some came from a dance studio from Rio Claro (SP), some from a gym academy with Ballroom Dance classes from Campo Grande (MS) and some from a Ballroom Dance Program of Unesp, Rio Claro in the community. The participants of both genders, ageing between 18 to 60 years, were enpaped on Ballroom program for at least one month. They answered a questionnaire related to the issue. After analyzing the data it was confirmed that people seeks for Ballroom Dance because they like to dance, they feel pleasure to dance, besides feeling relaxed in the activity and because dancing brought them fun. Regarding the Degree of satisfaction, all of them stated being satisfied with Ballroom Dance.

Efeito do tratamento da superfície dental com os lasers Nd:YAG e Er: Yag na adesão da resina composta à dentina recém clareada

To evaluate the effect of surface treatment with Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser on resin composite bond strength to recently bleached dentin. Material and Methods: In this study 120 bovine incisors were used and distributed into two groups: Group C: without bleaching treatment; Group B: with bleaching treatment (35% hydrogen peroxide). Each group was divided into three subgroups: Subgroup N: without laser treatment; Subgroup Nd: irradiation with Nd:YAG laser; Subgroup Er: irradiation with Er:YAG laser. Next, the adhesive system (Adper Single Bond 2) was applied and composite buildups were constructed with Z350 composite. The teeth were sectioned to obtain dentin-resin sticks (1x1mm) and analyzed by microtensile bond testing. The data were statistically analyzed by the ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The results showed that the bond strength values in the bleached control group (16.17 MPa) presented no significant difference in comparison with the group bleached and irradiated with Er:YAG laser (14.69 MPa). The non bleached control group (26.79 MPa) presented significant difference in bond strength when compared with the non bleached group irradiated with Er:YAG laser (22.82 MPa) and with the group treated by bleaching and irradiation with Nd:YAG laser (28,792 MPa). The group without bleaching treatment and irradiated with Nd:YAG (36.1 MPa) presented a significant increase in bond strength in comparison with the other groups. Conclusion: The use of Nd:YAG laser on bleached specimens was able of completely reversing the immediate effects of bleaching, obtaining bond strength values similar to those of the control group

Propriedades de adesão e invasão de cepas de Escherichia coli isoladas de pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal

A Doença Inflamatória Intestinal (DII) engloba um grupo de processos inflamatórios crônicos de causas não conhecidas. Duas formas clínicas da DII são reconhecidas atualmente: a Retocolite Ulcerativa (RU) e a Doença de Crohn (DC). Foram isoladas de 348 amostras, dos quais 17 foram diagnosticados com com DC, e 40 com RU. Os 41 restantes apresentavam outras patologias e compreenderam o grupo controle. Entre as amostras que apresentaram adesão positiva, 110 delas apresentaram padrão de Adesão Agregativa (AA) e 19 apresentaram padrão de Adesão Difusa (AD). A cepa, DII/013, apresentou o padrão de adesão agregativo e invisibilidade média 18 vezes superior à cepa da EIEC. Quando observada ao microscópio eletrônico, bactérias intracelulares foram detectadas na amostra. Assim, a maioria das amostras apresentaram padrão de adesão agregativo, indicando juntamente com estudos anteriores, que esse padrão teria uma possível relação com a patogenicidade da bactéria em relação a DII

Produção e avaliação da estabilidade de enzimas fúngicas

As enzimas estão presentes em todas as células vivas, onde exercem a função de catalisadores das reações que compõem as vias catabólicas e anabólicas do metabolismo celular. Esses biocatalisadores são moléculas de proteínas e seu poder catalítico está associado à conformação nativa, que depende de condições específicas de pH, temperatura e força iônica do meio. Os micro-organismos são bastante atrativos para a indústria, pois possibilitam a produção de enzimas por processos fermentativos em larga escala com regularidade necessária e simplicidade na requisição nutricional. Assim, embora alguns biocatalisadores sejam extraídos de tecidos animais e vegetais, as enzimas industriais são, em sua maior parte, obtidas a partir de micro-organismos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a produção das enzimas lipase e β-glucanase a partir dos fungos Aspergillus niger e Trichoderma reesei, respectivamente, em diferentes meios de cultura, para determinar as condições de maior produção da enzima em questão. As enzimas produzidas em agitador orbital foram obtidas a partir da filtração do produto da fermentação, precipitação com sulfato de amônio e liofilização. Após a produção e precipitação a atividade das enzimas e a concentração de proteínas foram quantificadas, os parâmetros cinéticos foram determinados frente a diferentes pHs, temperaturas e força iônica do meio. A lipase apresentou melhor atividade a 30°C e em pH 6,0. A presença dos íons Mg2+ e Zn2+ levaram a um aumento na atividade da enzima. A β-glucanase apresentou maiores atividades quando submetidas a 37°C e pH 5,0. Os íons Mg2+, Cu2+ e Ca2+ induziram melhor a atividade enzimática.

Motivação e adesão no esporte infanto-juvenil

O esporte infanto-juvenil vem sendo apontado como um importante aliado na promoção de uma vida mais ativa, bem como um forte instrumento de inclusão social. Por isso, é fundamental investigar quais fatores mais contribuem para a adesão no esporte infanto-juvenil. Pensando nisso foram investigados 15 adolescentes com idades entre 13 e 15 anos, participantes de um programa de iniciação esportiva; duas vezes por semana; com duração média de uma hora/dia. Para a coleta dos dados foi aplicado um questionário fechado, composto por 8 categorias, no qual, foram citados como motivos para a adesão os seguintes fatores, dispostos do maior para o menor motivo: Para competir; Ficar em forma; Fazer algo em que sou bom; Ficar mais habilidoso; Diversão; Amigos; Poder vir a ganhar dinheiro; e Outros. O conhecimento dos principais motivos para a adesão no esporte infanto-juvenil pode facilitar a adoção de uma conduta mais apropriada de: pais, técnicos e dirigentes, e servir como forma de incentivar a prática esportiva destes jovens, diminuindo assim, a grande rotatividade e abandono precoce das modalidades esportivas destes indivíduos.

Expansão ex vivo de células uroteliais em scaffolds 3D

Malformations and possible damages to the urogenital system can be originated in the embryonic period. Moreover, fire guns, knives and accidents, where there is the disruption of the urethra, also cause these lesions. The objective was to analyze the contribution of tissue engineering in the construction of neo-urethra, developed by bioengineering. We performed an urothelial ex vivo expansion of cells in 3D scaffolds (platelet gel matrix and acellular porcine aorta) to assess the contribution of this technique in the construction of a neo-urethra. Mechanical dissociation was made of the inner wall of 10 North Folk rabbit’s bladder, weighing 2.5 to 3.0 kg. After dissociation the cell content was centrifuged and obtained a pellet of urothelial cells. The pellet was ressuspended in culture medium DMEM F12 and cells were maintained in culture for 15 days. Immunohistochemical analysis characterized the urothelial culture. The cells were then implanted in the scaffold - platelet gel. In a second experiment using aortic porcine acellular matrix were implanted urothelial cells alone and urothelial cells on platelet gel, on the inner wall of the scaffold - aorta, with space for setting bordered by a urethral probe. The complex probe - cells - aorta and probe - cells in platelet gel - aorta, were sealed with suture material and culture were maintained in a humidified 37ºC incubator with 5% CO2 in air for 12 days to subsequent histological analysis of urothelium cell adhesion to the scaffolds. By observation under an optical microscope, we could see the growth of cells in the scaffold platelet gel, from a monolayer in to a three-dimensional structure. In the acellular porcine aortic matrix containing the platelet gel, we could observe a few quantity of urothelial cells adhered. However with the acellular porcine aortic matrix in which was implanted only the urothelial cells, we have obtained adhesion to the wall

Biomateriais e terapia celular na reparação da cartilagem articular em equinos

Articular cartilage is the structure that coats the bone ends in regions where two bones are articulated, allowing movement. It has inefficient intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of repair, usually resulting in fibrocartilage formation after injury. Such repair have lower strength, stiffness and usability features when compared to hyaline cartilage. The mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to regenerate tissue without the production of scar, and because of this feature it is well studied. But to have its maximum chondrogenic potential, it is necessary to use scaffolds and growth factors. Biomaterials play the role of scaffold for the cells allowing them to become attached, grow and produce extracellular matrix, leading to formation of repair with hyaline cartilage. In this sense, the purpose of this study is to provide information on the various studies using cell therapy and / or biomaterials to produce hyaline cartilage

Células-Tronco e Terapia Celular: Suporte didático para o ensino fundamental e médio

Nos últimos anos, as pesquisas com células-tronco têm despertado um grande interesse nos meios de comunicação, levando a população a encarar esse novo conhecimento científico como sendo um método promissor para a cura de inúmeras doenças até agora, tidas como incuráveis. Deste modo, mostra-se fundamental que o ensino de Biologia se volte para o desenvolvimento de competências que permitam ao aluno entender, discutir, questionar, analisar, adquirir um posicionamento crítico diante das informações postas e fazendo uso dos conhecimentos adquiridos, servir como multiplicadores do conhecimento científico. Este trabalho tem como objetivo central a produção de um material didático contendo informações a respeito das células-tronco, quanto aos tipos, características, classificações, métodos de coleta e as terapias desenvolvidas no Brasil. Informações estas que servem como auxílio para professores de Ciências e Biologia, na compreensão e atualização perante as inovações científicas relacionadas às células-tronco. O capítulo 6 vem como uma sugestão de atividades possíveis a serem desenvolvidas a partir desse tema. Apresenta ainda um CD-ROM contendo uma síntese do assunto proposto a servir como suporte no preparo de aulas didáticas relacionadas ao tema

Potencial biotecnológico de rizóbios como bioemulsificante e biossorvente de cobre e cromo

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária - FCAV

Mediadores da via intrínseca da morte celular programada relacionados à infecção in vitro pelo herpesvirus bovino tipo 5

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

Aspectos clínicos, histopatológicos e expressão gênica do endométrio de cadelas acometidas por hiperplasia endometrial cística, mucometra e piometra

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV

Efeitos da adição de mananoproteínas derivadas da parede celular de leveduras sobre parâmetros imunológicos de cães adultos e idosos

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Avaliação do envolvimento do receptor dectina-1 na atividade fungicida e na produção de metabólitos do oxigênio por neutrófilos e monócitos humanos desafiados com Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

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