Comparison of different methods of measuring albumin concentration in ring-necked pheasants

The purpose of this study was to compare albumin concentrations in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) using two different dye-binding methods: the bromocresol green (BCG) and bromocresol purple (BCP). High positive correlation was observed for albumin in BCG and BCP methods. Compared to BCP, the BCG-binding method yielded significantly higher (p < 0. 0001) albumin values for adult female ring-necked pheasants. © 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited.

Comparative study of the behavior of p53 immunoexpression in smoking associated lesions: Reinke's edema and laryngeal carcinoma

Objective: To assess the behavior of the immunoexpression of protein p53 in Reinke's edema and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Study design: retrospective. Methods: we recovered the histological paraffin blocks of patients who were subjected to Reinke's edema and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma surgery in 2000-2011. The paraffin blocks were cut into 3-μm sections; the specimens were prepared in silanized slides (one slide for each paraffin block) and subjected to immunohistochemical reaction according to the Avidin Biotin Peroxidase method. Monoclonal primary anti-p53 antibodies were used at 1:50 dilution. Slides were examined under a light microscope at different magnitudes and results were interpreted based on the degree of brown staining in the nuclei of epithelial cells and in the extent of the fragment by using a semi-quantitative score from 0 to 3. Results: 67 slides of Reinke's edema and 60 slides of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were included. Scores 2 and 3 for staining of the nuclei of epithelial cells were recorded for 46 slides of Reinke's edema (68.65%) and for 57 slides of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (95%). As to the extent of the fragment, scores 2 and 3 were recorded for 74% slides of Reinke's edema and for 95% slides of carcinomas. Conclusion: the positive immunoexpression for protein p53, positive in 95% carcinomas and 74% Reinke's edemas, makes us aware of the possible preneoplastic condition of the latter lesion. Further studies are needed to identify and reveal the genetic changes that lead to these results. © 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Comparative analysis of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation on different substrates

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation on different substrates. Methods: Cell culture plates containing growth medium and E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) were used to grow biofilm on bovine dentin, gutta-percha, hydroxyapatite, or bovine bone. Substrates were incubated at 37°C for 14 or 21 days, and the medium was changed every 48 hours. After the growth induction periods, specimens (n = 5 per group and per induction period) were stained by using Live/Dead, and the images were analyzed under a confocal microscope. The total biovolume (μm3), live bacteria biovolume (μm3), and substrate coverage (%) were quantified by using the BioImage-L software. Results obtained were analyzed by nonparametric tests (P =.05). Results: Biofilm formation was observed in all groups. Gutta-percha had the lowest total biovolume at 14 days (P <.05) and hydroxyapatite the highest at 21 days (P <.05). No significant difference was observed in green biovolume at 14 days. At 21 days, however, hydroxyapatite had the highest volume (P <.05). The percentages of coverage were similar among all substrates at 21 days (P >.05), but at 14 days, bovine bone presented the highest coverage (P <.05). Conclusions: E. faecalis was capable of forming biofilm on all substrates during both growth periods; hydroxyapatite presented the highest rates of biofilm formation. The type of substrate influenced the biofilm characteristics, according to the parameters evaluated. © 2013 American Association of Endodontists.

Comparison of methods in oral health education from the perspective of adolescents.

To investigate whether teenagers' knowledge about oral health is influenced by educational methods and to verify the most effective method according to their perception. The study was performed in Araçatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil, with 127 teenagers from a vocational school. It was realised in 3 steps: 1. An evaluation of knowledge about oral health using a self-applied questionnaire. 2. An application of educational methods, where the students were divided into two groups (A and B). Group A participated in three educational activities that involved lectures, individual demonstration, and participatory activity. Group B was divided into three subgroups (B1, B2, B3) and each of them participated in only one of the methods. 3. The acquired knowledge was evaluated. Group A created a focus group to give their opinion about strategies. With regards to knowledge after the application of the different methods in all groups, there was a statistically significant difference concerning periodontitis, gingivitis and herpes. In group A, after the three activities, and in group B2 after the individual demonstration, an association was found between 'healthy teeth' and 'general health' (P = 0.004 and P = 0.022, respectively). After the individual demonstration, an association was shown between variables of acquired knowledge about 'harmful diet' and 'dental caries' (P = 0.002) as well as 'good diet' and 'prevention of oral diseases' (P = 0.032). The favourite method was individual demonstration, due to the contact with educational materials, followed by participatory activity because it encouraged learning in a more dynamic way. Educational methods influenced knowledge about oral health, with individual demonstration proving to be the most effective method for acquiring knowledge. In the adolescents' view, the participatory activity was the preferred method.

Comparative cytogenetics in Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) with focus on the cytotaxonomy of the group

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Dynamics of cell and tissue genesis in the male reproductive system of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Amblyomma cajennese (Fabricius, 1787) and Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772): a comparative analysis

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

Comparative Analysis of Approaches for Assessing Energy Intake Underreporting by Female Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Objective: To test six variations in the Goldberg equation for evaluating the underreporting of energy intake (EI) among obese women on the waiting list for bariatric surgery, considering variations in resting metabolic rate (RMR), physical activity, and food intake levels in group and individual approaches.Methods: One hundred obese women aged 20 to 45years (33.3 6.08) recruited from a bariatric surgery waiting list participated in the study. Underreporting assessment was based on the difference between reported energy intake, indirect calorimetry measurements and RMR (rEI:RMR), which is compatible with the predicted physical activity level (PAL). Six approaches were used for defining the cutoff points. The approaches took into account variances in the components of the rEI:RMR = PAL equation as a function of the assumed PAL, sample size (n), and measured or estimated RMR.Results: The underreporting percentage varied from 55% to 97%, depending on the approach used for generating the cutoff points. The ratio rEI:RMR and estimated PAL of the sample were significantly different (p = 0.001). Sixty-one percent of the women reported an EI lower than their RMR. The PAL variable significantly affected the cutoff point, leading to different proportions of underreporting. The RMR measured or estimated in the equation did not result in differences in the proportion of underreporting. The individual approach was less sensitive than the group approach.Conclusion: RMR did not interfere in underreporting estimates. However, PAL variations were responsible for significant differences in cutoff point. Thus, PAL should be considered when estimating underreporting, and even though the individual approach is less sensitive than the group approach, it may be a useful tool for clinical practice.

Five Percent 5-Fluorouracil in a Cream or for Superficial Peels in the Treatment of Advanced Photoaging of the Forearms: A Randomized Comparative Study

BACKGROUND The antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is used for topical treatment of actinic keratosis. Overall improvement in the skin is also observed. Additionally, 5-FU was reported to be used for superficial peels.OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5% 5-FU cream compared with peels for photodamaged forearms.METHODS This interventional, randomized, comparative, evaluator-blind study included 32 patients with severe photoaging of forearms. The regimens comprised either application of 5% 5-FU cream everyday for 4 weeks on 1 forearm and 4 weekly peels on the other. Efficacy assessment included: clinical photodamage scores, opinion of patients and investigators, and blind photographic evaluation by independent observers. Skin biopsies were performed for histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. Safety evaluation comprised observation of adverse events.RESULTS Clinical and histologic findings confirmed the benefits of topical 5% 5-FU, in cream or peels, which improved skin appearance and decreased the dermal elastotic material. Immunohistochemistry showed reduced levels of epidermal p53 and increase in the level of procollagen I. Results were maintained after 6 months. Predictable adverse events occurred, with no differences between treatments. Patients reported better tolerability to peels.CONCLUSION Five percent 5-FU cream or peels was safe and effective for the treatment of photodamaged forearms. Decreased epidermal p53 levels and new dermal collagen were confirmed.

Comparative analysis of tandem repeats from hundreds of species reveals unique insights into centromere evolution

Background: Centromeres are essential for chromosome segregation, yet their DNA sequences evolve rapidly. In most animals and plants that have been studied, centromeres contain megabase-scale arrays of tandem repeats. Despite their importance, very little is known about the degree to which centromere tandem repeats share common properties between different species across different phyla. We used bioinformatic methods to identify high-copy tandem repeats from 282 species using publicly available genomic sequence and our own data.Results: Our methods are compatible with all current sequencing technologies. Long Pacific Biosciences sequence reads allowed us to find tandem repeat monomers up to 1,419 bp. We assumed that the most abundant tandem repeat is the centromere DNA, which was true for most species whose centromeres have been previously characterized, suggesting this is a general property of genomes. High-copy centromere tandem repeats were found in almost all animal and plant genomes, but repeat monomers were highly variable in sequence composition and length. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of sequence homology showed little evidence of sequence conservation beyond approximately 50 million years of divergence. We find that despite an overall lack of sequence conservation, centromere tandem repeats from diverse species showed similar modes of evolution.Conclusions: While centromere position in most eukaryotes is epigenetically determined, our results indicate that tandem repeats are highly prevalent at centromeres of both animal and plant genomes. This suggests a functional role for such repeats, perhaps in promoting concerted evolution of centromere DNA across chromosomes.

Comparative Analysis of Azo Dye Biodegradation by Aspergillus oryzae and Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparative effects of photodynamic therapy mediated by curcumin on standard and clinical isolate of Streptococcus mutans

Aim: The aim of this study was investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using curcumin (C) as a photosensitizing agent irradiated with an LED (L) in the blue wavelength as a light source on a standard and clinical isolate of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in a planktonic suspension model. Materials and methods: Suspensions of both strains were divided into 4 groups as follows: absence of C and L (control group: C–L–), with C and without L (C group: C+L–), absence of C with L (L group: C–L+) and presence of C and L (PDT group: C+L+). Three different concentrations of curcumin (0.75 mg/ml, 1.5 mg/ml and 3 mg/ml) and three light fluences of studied light source (24, 48 and 72 J cm–2) were tested. Aliquots of each studied group was plated in BHI agar and submitted to colony forming units counting (CFU/ml) and the data transformed into logarithmical scale. Results: A high photoinactivation rate of more than 70% was verified to standard S. mutans strain submitted to PDT whereas the clinical isolate showed a lower sensitivity to all the associations of curcumin and LED. A slight bacterial reduction was verified to C+L– and C–L+, demonstrating no toxic effects to the isolated application of light and photosensitizer to both S. mutans strains tested. Conclusion: Photodynamic therapy using a combination of curcumin and blue LED presented a substantial antimicrobial effect on S. mutans standard strain in a planktonic suspension model with a less pronounced effect on its clinical isolate counterparts due to resistance to this alternative approach. Clinical significance: Alternative antimicrobial approaches, as photodynamic therapy, should be encouraged due to optimal results against cariogenic bacteria aiming to prevent or treat dental caries.

Comparative analysis of three rotary instruments used for coronal pre-enlargement in radicular dentin thickness and root canal area of mandibular molars

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the increase of the cervical area and dentin thickness in mesial and distal walls of the mesial canals from mandibular molars after the use of LA Axxess (LA), CP Drill (CP) and Gates-Glidden (GG) rotary instruments. Material and Methods: Sixty root canals from thirty mandibular first molar were sectioned 3 mm below the cement-enamel junction, divided in 3 groups (n = 20 root canals, each) according to rotary instrument used, and the cervical images were captured before and after pre-enlargement instrumentation. The increase of the instrumented cervical area (mm2) and the dentin removal thickness (mm), at mesial and distal walls were calculated using Image tools software, by comparison of images. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (p=0.05). Results: All rotary instruments promoted thickness reduction in dentin walls. In mesial wall, all rotary instruments promoted similar thickness reduction of dentinal wall and did not differ from each other (p>0.05). In distal wall, LA Axxess instrument promoted higher dentin thickness reduction than other groups (p<0.05). The three rotary instruments promoted different increase at the instrumented cervical area (p<0.05), LA promoted the highest increase area and GG and CP presented similar results. Conclusion: LA 20/0.06 promoted the highest thickness reduction in distal wall and increase of cervical area of root canal. On the other hand, CP was the safest instrument, with lower dentin removal of distal wall and similar increased area to GG.

Comparative study on direct and indirect bracket bonding techniques regarding time length and bracket detachment

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the time spent for direct (DBB - direct bracket bonding) and indirect (IBB - indirect bracket bonding) bracket bonding techniques. The time length of laboratorial (IBB) and clinical steps (DBB and IBB) as well as the prevalence of loose bracket after a 24-week follow-up were evaluated. METHODS: Seventeen patients (7 men and 10 women) with a mean age of 21 years, requiring orthodontic treatment were selected for this study. A total of 304 brackets were used (151 DBB and 153 IBB). The same bracket type and bonding material were used in both groups. Data were submitted to statistical analysis by Wilcoxon non-parametric test at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: Considering the total time length, the IBB technique was more time-consuming than the DBB (p < 0.001). However, considering only the clinical phase, the IBB took less time than the DBB (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference (p = 0.910) for the time spent during laboratorial positioning of the brackets and clinical session for IBB in comparison to the clinical procedure for DBB. Additionally, no difference was found as for the prevalence of loose bracket between both groups. CONCLUSION: the IBB can be suggested as a valid clinical procedure since the clinical session was faster and the total time spent for laboratorial positioning of the brackets and clinical procedure was similar to that of DBB. In addition, both approaches resulted in similar frequency of loose bracket.

Comparative study between photodynamic and antibiotic therapies for treatment of footpad dermatitis (bumblefoot) in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus)

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

Bioanalytical methods for the metalloproteomics study of bovine longissimus thoracis muscle tissue with different grades of meat tenderness in the Nellore breed (Bos indicus)

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