Proinflammatory profile of in vitro monocytes in the ageing is affected by lymphocytes presence

Background: Aging is associated with complex and constant remodeling of the immune function, resulting in an increasing susceptibility to infection and others diseases. The infections caused by Gram-negative microorganisms, present in nursing homes and hospitals, constitute one of the most common infections in the elderly, and are mainly combated by innate immune cells. Although the functions of innate immunity seem more preserved during aging than of adaptive immune mechanisms, two systems operate in an integrated way in the body, so that injury in one part of the immune system inevitably affects the other as they are part of a defensive network. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro production of proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL-8 and MCP-1) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β and IL-10) cytokines by monocytes, stimulated or not (basal) with lipopolysaccharide, from healthy young and elderly subjects. By means of PBMCs, we also studied if cytokine profile is altered in these different patient groups, in the presence of lymphocytes, under the same experimental conditions.Results: The monocytes from elderly presented higher basal production of TNF-α, MCP-1 and lower of TGF-β than young monocytes. PBMC showed similar cytokines production, irrespective age or stimulation presence. In the presence of lymphocytes, the spontaneous production of IL-10 was higher and of TGF-β was lower than monocytes, regardless of age. After LPS-stimulation, the presence of lymphocytes resulted in increased IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1 and IL-10 and decreased CXCL-8 and TGF-β in comparison to pure culture of monocytes from young patients. With age, the same differences were observed, except for CXCL-8 and TGF-β which production was the same between monocytes and PBMC stimulated with LPS.Conclusion: These findings reinforce the systemic state of inflamm-aging frequently reported in elderly and considered a factor of susceptibility to numerous diseases. Still, the cytokine production from just monocytes of the elderly showed alterations, while in the lymphocyte presence not, suggesting an immunomodulator role of lymphocytes on monocytes. In addition, the differences between the production patterns by LPS-stimulated PBMC between young and elderly volunteers can be related with an imbalance in response against Gram-negative bacteria in throughout life. © 2013 Pinke et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Acute toxicity and environmental risk of teflubenzuron to Daphnia magna, Poecilia reticulata and Lemna minor in the absence and presence of sediment

This study aimed to estimate the acute toxicity of teflubenzuron (1-(3,5-dichloro-2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea) (TFB) for Daphnia magna, Lemna minor and Poecilia reticulata, in the absence and presence of sediment; evaluate the effect of sediment on the TFB bioavailability; and to classify this insecticide according to its environmental poisoning risk for agricultural and aquaculture uses. The tests of TFB acute toxicity were conducted in static system in a completely randomized design with increasing TFB concentrations, and a control group. The TFB has been classified according to the estimated values of EC50 and LC50 by its acute toxicity and environmental risk. The sediment significantly reduced toxicity and bioavailability of TFB in water column. Therefore, the insecticide can be classified as being highly toxic to Daphnia magna, which means the agricultural and aquacultural uses of TFB pose a high risk of environmental toxicity to non-target organisms. However, it was practically non-toxic to L. minor and P. reticulata. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Influence of presence or absence of keratinized mucosa on the alveolar bony crest level as it relates to different buccal marginal bone thicknesses. an experimental study in dogs

Objective: To investigate the influence of the presence or absence of keratinized mucosa on the alveolar bony crest level as it relates to different buccal marginal bone thicknesses. Material and methods: In six beagle dogs, the mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted bilaterally. In the right side of the mandible (test), flaps were elevated, and the buccal as well as part of the lingual masticatory mucosa was removed. The flap was released coronally to allow a primary wound closure. In the left side, the wounds were left unsutured with the keratinized mucosa remaining (control). After 3 months of healing, a complete absence of keratinized mucosa was found at the test sites. Two recipient sites were prepared at each side of the mandible, one in the premolar and one in the molar region. A buccal bony ridge width of approximately 1 and 2 mm was obtained at the premolar and molar region, respectively. Implants were installed with the shoulder flush with the buccal alveolar bony crest, and abutments were connected to allow a nonsubmerged healing. At least 2 mm of keratinized mucosa was surrounding the control sites, while at the test sites, the implants were bordered by alveolar mucosa. After 3 months, the animals were euthanized and ground sections obtained. Results: A higher vertical bony crest resorption was observed at the test compared with the control sites both at the premolar and molar regions, the differences being statistically significant. The top of the peri-implant mucosa was located more coronally at the control compared with the test sites. The horizontal resorption measured 1 mm below the implant shoulder was similar at the test and control sites. Only limited differences were found between premolar and molar sites, with the exclusion of the horizontal resorption that was higher at the test compared with the control sites. Conclusions: A higher alveolar buccal bony crest resorption and a more apical soft tissue marginal position should be expected, when implants are surrounded with thin alveolar mucosa at the time of installation, independently of the thickness of the buccal bony crest. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Evaluation of the presence of VEGF, BMP2 and CBFA1 proteins in autogenous bone graft: Histometric and immunohistochemical analysis

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins that participate in the osteoinduction stage (VEGF, BMP2 and CBFA1) of the process of bone regeneration of defects created in rat calvariae and filled with autogenous bone block grafts. Materials and methods: 10 adult male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar) were used, who received two bone defects measuring 5 mm each in the calvariae. The bone defects constituted two experimental groups (n = 10): Control Group (CONT) (defects filled with a coagulum); Graft Group (GR) (defects filled with autogenous bone removed from the contralateral defect). The animals were submitted to euthanasia at 7 and 30 days post-operatively. Results: Quantitative analysis demonstrated significantly greater bone formation in Group GR, but the presence of the studied proteins was significantly greater in the CONT Group in both time intervals of observation. Conclusion: It was not possible in this study in cortical bone block groups to detect the osteoinductive proteins in a significant amount during the repair process. © 2013 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

Presence of antibodies against H5, H7 and H9 influenza a virus in wild birds in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Although the natural reservoirs of the avian influenza (AI) virus have been extensively studied in many countries, there is a clear lack of information on this subject in South America, particularly in Brazil. The objective of this study was to conduct a serological survey for H5, H7 and H9 antibodies to AI-subtype viruses in wild birds in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Serum samples were tested using the hemagglutination-inhibition assay. Out of the 31 wild birds sampled between January and December of 2006, seven (22.58%), were seropositive for H5, H7 and H9; four (12.90%) were seropositive for H5 and H7; 13 (41.94%), were seropositive only for H7; three (9.7%), were seropositive only for H9; and four (12.90%) were negative for all three hemagglutinin subtypes. These results indicate that AI viruses belonging to H5, H7 and H9 subtypes circulate among wild birds in the state of São Paulo in the form of either concurrent or consecutive infections. This study contributes to the knowledge of AI epidemiology in Brazil, and stresses the need of further detailed and long-term epidemiological and ecological investigation to determine the current status of this virus.

Extracellular β-fructofuranosidase from Fusarium graminearum: Stability of the spray-dried enzyme in the presence of different carbohydrates

Microbial enzymes have been used for various biotechnological applications; however, enzyme stabilization remains a challenge for industries and needs to be considered. This study describes the effects of spray-drying conditions on the activity and stability of β-fructofuranosidase from Fusarium graminearum. The extracellular enzyme β-fructofuranosidase was spray dried in the presence of stabilizers, including starch (Capsul) (SC), microcrystalline cellulose (MC), trehalose (TR), lactose (LC) and β-cyclodextrin (CD). In the presence of TR (2% w/v), the enzymatic activity was fully retained. After 1 year of storage, 74% of the enzymatic activity was maintained with the CD stabilizer (10% w/v). The residual activity was maintained as high as 80% for 1 h at 70°C when MC, SC and CD (5% w/v) stabilizers were used. Spray drying with carbohydrates was effective in stabilizing the F. graminearum β-fructofuranosidase, improved enzymatic properties compared to the soluble enzyme and demonstrated a potential use in future biotechnology applications. © 2013 Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

Risk factors and presence of antibodies to Brucella canis and smooth Brucella in dogs from the municipality of Araguaina, Tocantins, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of the electrochemical behavior of carbon paste electrode (CPE) with chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) in the presence of ferrous ions

In this work we present an electrochemical study using carbon paste electrode (CPE) with CuFeS2 in solutions with different concentrations of Fe2+ ions in order to evaluate the possible interaction between these ions and mineral sulfide in the absence and presence of the bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferroxidans.

Textured macro- and mesoporous alumina samples designed in the presence of different surfactant types

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Behavior of Triton X-114 cloud point in the presence of inorganic electrolytes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Phytase production by Rhizopus microsporus var. microsporus biofilm: characterization of enzymatic activity after spray drying in presence of carbohydrates and nonconventional adjuvants

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

Wolf presence in the ranch of origin: Impacts on temperament and physiological responses of beef cattle following a simulated wolf encounter

This experiment evaluated temperament, vaginal temperature, and plasma cortisol in beef cows from wolf-naive and wolf-experienced origins that were subjected to a simulated wolf encounter. Multiparous, pregnant, nonlactating Angus-crossbreed cows from the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center located near Burns, OR (CON; n = 50), and from a commercial operation near Council, ID (WLF; n = 50), were used. To date, grey wolves are not present around Burns, OR, and thus CON were naive to wolves. Conversely, wolves are present around Council, ID, and WLF cows were selected from a herd that had experienced multiple confirmed wolf-predation episodes from 2008 to 2012. Following a 50-d commingling and adaptation period, CON and WLF cows were ranked by temperament, BW, and BCS and allocated to 5 groups (d 0; 10 CON and 10 WLF cows/group). Groups were individually subjected to the experimental procedures on d 2 (n = 3) and d 3 (n = 2). Before the simulated wolf encounter, cow temperament was assessed and blood samples and vaginal temperatures (using intravaginal data loggers) were collected (presimulation assessments). Cows were then sorted by origin, moved to 2 adjacent drylot pens (10 WLF and 10 CON cows/pen), and subjected to a simulated wolf encounter event for 20 min, which consisted of 1) cotton plugs saturated with wolf urine attached to the drylot fence, 2) continuous reproduction of wolf howls, and 3) 3 leashed dogs that were walked along the fence perimeter. Thereafter, WLF and CON cows were commingled and returned to the handling facility for postsimulation assessments, which were conducted immediately after exposure to wolf-urine-saturated cotton plugs, wolf howl reproduction, and 20-s exposure to the 3 dogs while being restrained in a squeeze chute. Chute score, temperament score, and plasma cortisol concentration increased (P <= 0.01) from pre- to postsimulation assessment in WLF but did not change in CON cows (P >= 0.19). Exit velocity decreased (P = 0.01) from pre-to postsimulation assessment in CON but did not change (P = 0.79) in WLF cows. In addition, WLF cows had a greater (P = 0.03) increase in temperature from pre-to postsimulation assessments compared with CON cows. In conclusion, the simulated wolf encounter increased excitability and fear-related physiological stress responses in cows that originated from a wolf-experienced herd but not in cows that originated from a wolf-naive herd.

Forskolin effect on the cryosurvival of in vitro-produced bovine embryos in the presence or absence of fetal calf serum

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