Control of microorganisms of oral health interest with Arctium lappa L. (burdock) extract non-cytotoxic to cell culture of macrophages (RAW 264.7)

Objectives: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Arctium lappa L. extract on Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. In addition, the cytotoxicity of this extract was analyzed on macrophages (RAW 264.7).Design: By broth microdilution method, different concentrations of the extract (250-0.4 mg/mL) were used in order to determine the minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) in planktonic cultures and the most effective concentration was used on biofilms on discs made of acrylic resin. The cytotoxicity A. lappa L. extract MMC was evaluated on RAW 264.7 by MTT assay and the quantification of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha by ELISA.Results: The most effective concentration was 250 mg/mL and also promoted significant reduction (log(10)) in the biofilms of S. aureus (0.438 +/- 0.269), S. epiderrnidis (0.377 +/- 0.298), S. mutans (0.244 +/- 0.161) and C. albicans (0.746 +/- 0.209). Cell viability was similar to 100%. The production of IL-beta was similar to the control group (p > 0.05) and there was inhibition of TNF-alpha (p < 0.01).Conclusions: A. lappa L. extract was microbicidal for all the evaluated strains in planktonic cultures, microbiostatic for biofilms and not cytotoxic to the macrophages. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of beta(S) allele in the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity parameters

Introduction: The oxidative process plays a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia (SCA), and population and environmental characteristics may influence redox balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in Brazilian Hb S carriers undergoing different therapies.MethodsBlood samples from 270 individuals were analyzed (Hb SS, n=68; Hb AS, n=53, and Hb AA, n=149). Hemoglobin genotypes were assessed through cytological, electrophoretic, chromatographic, and molecular methods. Plasma lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity were measured by spectrophotometric methods.ResultsPatients with SCA who used iron-chelating drugs combined with hydroxyurea, associated with regular transfusions, showed lower levels of TBARS (P <= 0.05), higher levels of TEAC (P <= 0.01), and lower TBARS/TEAC ratio (R=255.8). The redox profile of Hb AS subjects was not statistically different (P>0.05) from that of Hb AA subjects.ConclusionThe data suggest that oxidative stress is lower in the patients with SCA who received regular blood transfusions associated with the combined use of HU and iron chelators than the group received only HU. The redox system of the Hb AS carriers is compatible with the control group.

Characterization of a Hexameric Exo-Acting GH51 alpha-l-Arabinofuranosidase from the Mesophilic Bacillus subtilis

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

Macrophage Cell Activation with Acute Apical Abscess Contents Determined by Interleukin-1 Beta and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Production

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

Complexes of platinum and palladium with beta-diketones and DMSO: Synthesis, characterization, molecular modeling, and biological studies

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of an L-amino-acid oxidase from Lachesis muta venom

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

Green tea extract and its major constituent, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, induce epithelial beta-defensin secretion and prevent beta-defensin degradation by Porphyromonas gingivalis

Background and Objective: Antimicrobial peptides, such as beta-defensins, secreted by gingival epithelial cells, are thought to play a major role in preventing periodontal diseases. In the present study, we investigated the ability of green tea polyphenols to induce human beta-defensin (hBD) secretion in gingival epithelial cells and to protect hBDs from proteolytic degradation by Porphyromonas gingivalis.Material and Methods: Gingival epithelial cells were treated with various amounts (25-200 mu g/mL) of green tea extract or epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The secretion of hBD1 and hBD2 was measured using ELISAs, and gene expression was quantified by real-time PCR. The treatments were also carried out in the presence of specific kinase inhibitors to identify the signaling pathways involved in hBD secretion. The ability of green tea extract and EGCG to prevent hBD degradation by proteases of P. gingivalis present in a bacterial culture supernatant was evaluated by ELISA.Results: The secretion of hBD1 and hBD2 was up-regulated, in a dose-dependent manner, following the stimulation of gingival epithelial cells with a green tea extract or EGCG. Expression of the hBD gene in gingival epithelial cells treated with green tea polyphenols was also increased. EGCG-induced secretion of hBD1 and hBD2 appeared to involve extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Lastly, green tea extract and EGCG prevented the degradation of recombinant hBD1 and hBD2 by a culture supernatant of P. gingivalis.Conclusion: Green tea extract and EGCG, through their ability to induce hBD secretion by epithelial cells and to protect hBDs from proteolytic degradation by P. gingivalis, have the potential to strengthen the epithelial antimicrobial barrier. Future clinical studies will indicate whether these polyphenols represent a valuable therapeutic agent for treating/preventing periodontal diseases.

PROD and BROD modulation in Nile tilapia after exposure to 17 beta-estradiol

The activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deetylase (EROD), 7-benzyloxyresorufin-O-debenzylase (BROD), 7-pentoxyresorufin-O-depentilase (PROD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured in Nile tilapias exposed for 7 days of 5 and 15 μg/L 17 β-estradiol. EROD and GST activities were unchanged. PROD activity increased in animals exposed to the higher dose of the hormone, while BROD was increased after 7 exposure days to both doses of the compound. These results indicate the usefulness of these enzymes as biomarkers for 17 β-estradiol exposure.

Desenvolvimento de parafuso de interferência bioabsorvível para cirurgia de joelho em PLDL (poli ácido lático) e compósito PLDL + βTCP (beta trifosfato de cálcio)

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEB

Beta talassemia menor: aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais

As alterações que afetam as hemoglobinas estão relacionadas à síntese estrutural ou quantitativa dos aminoácidos que compõem as diferentes cadeias globínicas (α/β). Existem inúmeras causas que podem resultar nessas alterações, dentre elas as mutações. A talassemia é um dos distúrbios genéticos mais frequentes do homem e mais difundidos no mundo. Fatos históricos, como imigração e colonização populacionais de diferentes partes do mundo, contribuíram para a difusão da patologia em outras localidades, incluindo o Brasil. A forma de manifestação clínica e laboratorial da talassemia do tipo beta menor (BTT), foi objeto de estudo nesta revisão bibliográfica, pois embora seja uma patologia que não mostra claramente manifestações sintomáticas, seus aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais são muito relevantes. A importância do diagnóstico laboratorial das anemias microcíticas e hipocrômicas presentes, tanto em indivíduos portadores de deficiência de ferro como em beta talassêmicos menor, é um ponto chave quando nos referimos a esses parâmetros, pois os índices HCM e VCM apresentam-se com valores extremamente reduzidos (<24 pg e <70 fL) e a quantidade de glóbulos vermelhos muito aumentados (> 5,0 milhões/μL), na beta talassemia menor em comparação à deficiência de ferro. Portanto os valores contidos no hemograma bem como a presença da inclusão citoplasmática ponteado basófilo e morfologia das hemácias observadas em análise de extensões sanguíneas coradas, é de grande valia na suspeita da beta talassemia menor, tornando-se ponto importante na sugestão da realização de eletroforese de hemoglobina para confirmação do diagnóstico da beta talassemia menor, devido ao aumento quantitativo da Hb A2.

Gene and protein expression of oestrogen-beta and progesterone receptors in facial melasma and adjacent healthy skin in women

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

Antiageing mechanisms of a standardized supercritical CO2 preparation of Black Jack (Bidens pilosa L.) in human fibroblasts and skin fragments

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

A comparative analysis reveals weak relationships between ecological factors and beta diversity of stream insect metacommunities at two spatial levels

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A combined experimental and theoretical study on the formation of ag filaments on beta-Ag2MoO4 induced by electron irradiation

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