Early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1) decreases in macrophages infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, endemic in Latin America. P. brasiliensis has been observed in epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro, as well as within the macrophages. The identification of the mechanism by which it survives within the host cell is fertile ground for the discovery of its pathogenesis since this organism has the ability to induce its own endocytosis in epithelial cells and most likely in macrophages. The study of the expression of endocytic proteins pathway and co-localization of microorganisms enable detection of the mechanism by which microorganisms survive within the host cell. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of the endocytic protein EEA1 (early endosome antigen 1) in macrophages infected with P. brasiliensis. For detection of EEA1, three different techniques were employed: immunofluorescence, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoblotting. In the present study, decreased expression of EEA1 as well as the rearrangement of the actin was observed when the fungus was internalized, confirming that the input mechanism of the fungus in macrophages occurs through phagocytosis. © 2013 ISHAM.

Evaluation of Syngonanthus nitens (Bong.) Ruhl. extract as antifungal and in treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anticandidal activity of a methanolic extract of Syngonanthus nitens scapes against different Candida species and clinical isolates from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), and its effect in vivo in the treatment of vaginal infection. Chemical characterization of the extract was performed by HPLC-UV analyses and showed the presence of flavones derivatives. The extract was effective against several Candida strains from our collection and species recovered from VVC patients, and was able to inhibit the yeast-hyphal transition. No cytotoxic activity against human female reproductive tract epithelial cells and no hemolytic activity against human red blood cells were observed. In the in vivo model of VVC, we evaluated the efficacy of the intravaginal treatment with a cream containing the extract at doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%. The treatment eradicated the vaginal fungal burden in infected rats after 8 days of treatment. S. nitens extract could be considered as an effective and non-toxic natural antifungal agent in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. © 2013 ISHAM.

Influência do tratamento de superfície na resistência à flexão e na transformação de fase de zircônia tetragonal policristalina estabilizada por óxido de ítrio (y-tzp)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Storage moduli, loss moduli and damping factor of GaAs and Ga1-xMnxAs thin films using DMA 2980

The spin injector part of spintronic FET and diodes suffers from fatigue due to rising heat on the depletion layer. In this study the stiffness of Ga1-xMnxAs spin injector in terms of storage modulus with respect to a varying temperature, 45 degrees C <= T <= 70 degrees C was determined. It was observed that the storage modulus for MDLs (Manganese Doping Levels) of 0%, 1% and 10% decreased with increase in temperature while that with MDLs of 20% and 50% increase with increase in temperature. MDLs of 20% and 50% appear not to allow for damping but MDLs <= 20% allow damping at temperature range of 45 degrees C <= T <= 70 degrees C. The magnitude of storage moduli of GaAs is smaller than that for ferromagnetic Ga1-xMnxAs systems. The loss moduli for GaAs were found to reduce with increase in temperature. Its magnitude of reducing gradient is smaller than Ga1-xMnxAs systems. The two temperature extremes show a general reduction in loss moduli for different MDLs at the study temperature range. From damping factor analysis, damping factors for ferromagnetic Ga1-xMnxAs was found to increase with decrease in MDLs contrary to GaAs which recorded the largest damping factor at 45 degrees C <= T <= 70 degrees C Hence, MDL of 20% shows little damping followed by 50% while MDL of 0% has the most damping in an increasing trend with temperature. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Validation of an HPLC Method for the Determination of Dibucaine Encapsulated in Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers

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

Hydrogen sulphide removal from air by biotrickling filter using open-pore polyurethane foam as a carrier

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Silver colloidal nanoparticle stability: influence on Candida biofilms formed on denture acrylic

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

Paracoccidioides lutzii sp nov.: biological and clinical implications

Paracoccidioides lutzii, formerly known as 'Pb01-like' strains in the P. brasiliensis complex, is proposed as a new species based on phylogenetic and comparative genomics data, recombination analysis, and morphological characteristics. Conidia of P. lutzii are elongated, different from those of P. brasiliensis. P. lutzii occurs in the central and northern regions of Brazil. Studies comparing P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii may have significant clinical consequences for the diagnosis and treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis.

Phylogenetic relationships of Malassezia species based on multilocus sequence analysis

Members of the genus Malassezia are lipophilic basidiomycetous yeasts, which are part of the normal cutaneous microbiota of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Currently, this genus consists of 14 species that have been characterized by phenetic and molecular methods. Although several molecular methods have been used to identify and/or differentiate Malassezia species, the sequencing of the rRNA genes and the chitin synthase-2 gene (CHS2) are the most widely employed. There is little information about the beta-tubulin gene in the genus Malassezia, a gene has been used for the analysis of complex species groups. The aim of the present study was to sequence a fragment of the beta-tubulin gene of Malassezia species and analyze their phylogenetic relationship using a multilocus sequence approach based on two rRNA genes (ITS including 5.8S rRNA and D1/D2 region of 26S rRNA) together with two protein encoding genes (CHS2 and beta-tubulin). The phylogenetic study of the partial beta-tubulin gene sequences indicated that this molecular marker can be used to assess diversity and identify new species. The multilocus sequence analysis of the four loci provides robust support to delineate species at the terminal nodes and could help to estimate divergence times for the origin and diversification of Malassezia species.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its associated risk factors in Brazilian postmenopausal women

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in postmenopausal women.Methods A cross-sectional study was carried involving 188 women (age >= 45 years and amenorrhea >= 12 months) attending the outpatient unit in south-eastern Brazil. Exclusion criteria were liver disease (hepatitis B and C, cholestatic disease, liver insufficiency), use of drugs that affect liver metabolism; alcoholics; AIDS or cancer history; and morbid obesity. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound. Clinical, anthropometric (body mass index, waist circumference) and biochemical variables were measured.Results Of the 188 women, 73 (38.8%) had NAFLD. Blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were significantly higher in NAFLD patients when compared with women without NAFLD (control group) (p < 0.05). HOMA-IR values indicated insulin resistance only in the NAFLD group (6.1 +/- 4.6 vs. 2.4 +/- 1.4 in control group, p < 0.05). Metabolic syndrome was detected in 93.1% of the women affected by NAFLD, and 46.1% of the control group (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and weight, the variables considered at risk for the development of NAFLD, were: high waist circumference (odds ratio (OR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.13), insulin resistance (OR 3.81, 95% CI 2.01-7.13), and presence of metabolic syndrome (OR 8.68, 95% CI 3.3-24.1).Conclusion NAFLD showed a high prevalence among postmenopausal women. The presence of metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity and IR were indicators of risk for the development of NAFLD.

Modulation of the activity and selectivity of the immobilized lipases by surfactants and solvents

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

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): methodological aspects and clinical applications

The clinical use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is based on the increase in the concentration of growth factors and in the secretion of proteins which are able to maximize the healing process at the cellular level. Since PRP is an autologous biologic material, it involves a minimum risk of immune reactions and transmission of infectious and contagious diseases, and it has been widely used for the recovery of musculoskeletal lesions. Despite the great potential for applicability, the implementation of the therapeutic employment of PRP as a clinical alternative has become difficult, due to the lack of studies related to the standardization of the techniques and/or insufficient description of the adopted procedures. Therefore, it is required establish standard criteria to be followed for obtaining a PRP of high quality, as well as a larger number of studies which should establish the proper concentration of platelets for the different clinical conditions. In this context, the purpose of this review is to discuss some methodological aspects used for achieving the PRP, as well as to discuss the bioactive properties of PRP, and to point out its therapeutic use in different fields of regenerative medicine.

Effects of omega-3 on metabolic markers in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

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

Hypertension modifies OPG, RANK, and RANKL expression during the dental socket bone healing process in spontaneously hypertensive rats

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

Adjuvants and delivery systems for antifungal vaccines: Current state and future developments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)