Effects of acetylsalicylic acid and acetic acid solutions in VX2 carcinoma cells. In vitro analysis

Purpose: To analyze, in vitro, the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and acetic acid solutions on VX2 carcinoma cells in suspension and to examine the correlation between these effects and neoplastic cell death. Methods: The VX2 tumor cells (107 cells/ml) were incubated in solutions containing differing concentrations (2.5% and 5%) of either acetylsalicylic acid or acetic acid, or in saline solution (controls). Every five minutes, cell viability was tested (using the trypan blue test) and analyzed under light microscopy. Results: Tumor cell viability (in %) decreased progressively and, by 30 minutes, neoplastic cell death had occurred in all solutions. Conclusion: Based on this experimental model and the methodology employed, we conclude that these solutions cause neoplastic cell death in vitro.

Influence of concentration, time and method of application of citric acid and sodium citrate in root conditioning.

The aim of this study was to establish the parameters of concentration, time and mode of application of citric acid and sodium citrate in relation to root conditioning. A total of 495 samples were obtained and equally distributed among 11 groups (5 for testing different concentrations of citric acid, 5 for testing different concentrations of sodium citrate and 1 control group). After laboratorial processing, the samples were analyzed under scanning electron microscopy. A previously calibrated and blind examiner evaluated micrographs of the samples. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data obtained. Brushing 25% citric acid for 3 min, promoted greater exposure of collagen fibers in comparison with the brushing of 1% citric acid for 1 minute and its topical application at 1% for 3 min. Sodium citrate exposed collagen fibers in a few number of samples. Despite the lack of statistical significance, better results for collagen exposure were obtained with brushing application of 25% citric acid for 3 min than with other application parameter. Sodium citrate produced a few number of samples with collagen exposure, so it is not indicated for root conditioning.

Blood parameters of chicks from eggs injected with ascorbic acid and subjected to thermal stress

This study was aimed to verify if chicks from eggs injected with ascorbic acid and subjected to thermal stress would have higher immunity than chicks from incubation at thermoneutrality without injection of ascorbic acid. The parameters evaluated were temperature on oxygen saturation in hemoglobin, glucose, number of erythrocytes, hematocrit rate and number of hemoglobins of newly hatched male chicks, hatched from eggs injected with ascorbic acid (AA) and subjected to thermal stress during incubation. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 5 (application levels of ascorbic acid) x 2 (incubation temperatures). The data were subjected to analysis of variance using the General Linear Model procedure (GLM) of SAS ®. For the parameters (number of erythrocytes, rate of hematrocit and values of hemoglobin), there was significant interaction (p <0.05) between treatments in egg and incubation temperatures. Analyzing the interactions for these parameters, it was observed that the application of 0% ascorbic acid in egg minimized the effect of heat stress when compared with treatment without injection. The application of ascorbic acid levels in eggs incubated under heat stress failed to maximize the immunity of newly hatched chicks. It is assumed that the increased liquid in the amniotic fluid, in those embryos injected with water, favored the lower heat conductance for these embryos, thus helping in their development in relation to immunity. Considering that hemoglobin is related to the transport of gases, these data suggest that increasing the concentration of AA solution inoculated may influence the respiratory rates of eggs.

Balance of pH of chicks from eggs injected with ascorbic acid and subjected to thermal stress

This study aimed to verify that chicks from eggs injected with ascorbic acid and subjected to heat stress would have changes in acid-base balance, compared to chicks incubated at thermoneutral without injection of ascorbic acid. The parameters evaluated were blood pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen, base excess, total carbon dioxide, concentration of sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, bicarbonate and pH of newly hatched male chicks, hatched from eggs injected with acid ascorbic acid (AA) and subjected to heat stress during incubation. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 5 (application levels of ascorbic acid) x 2 (incubation temperatures). The data were subjected to analysis of variance using the General Linear Model procedure (GLM) of SAS ®. For the blood pH was observed significant interaction (p <0.05) between treatments with application in eggs and incubation temperatures. For the other parameters were not significant effects (p< 0.05) of AA level and neither temperature of incubation. Analyzing the unfolding of the interaction to pH was observed that chicks from eggs injected with 6% ascorbic acid and subjected to heat stress during incubation had a higher pH value compared with the thermoneutral temperature incubated (p <0.05). Therefore, it is suggested that the incubation of eggs in high temperature (39°C) can alter the metabolic rate of these embryos.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of a ruthenium nitrosyl nitric oxide donor with isonicotinic acid and a cell penetrating peptide

The syntheses and properties of trans-[Ru(NH3) 4(L)(NO)](BF4)3 (L = isonicotinic acid (inaH) (I) or ina-Tat48-60 (II)) are described. Tat48-60, a cell penetrating peptide fragment of the Tat regulatory protein of the HIV virus, was linked to the ruthenium nitrosyl through inaH. I and II release NO after reduction forming trans-[Ru(NH3)4(L)(H2O)]3 +. The IC50 values against B16-F10 melanoma cells of I and II (21 μmol L- 1 and 23 μmol L- 1, respectively) are close to that of the commercially available cisplatin (33 μmol L- 1) and smaller than similar complexes. The cytotoxicity is assigned to the NO released from I and II. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Thermal denaturation and aggregation of hemoglobin of Glossoscolex paulistus in acid and neutral media

The thermal denaturation and aggregation of the HbGp, in the oxy- and cyanomet-forms, was investigated by DSC, AUC, DLS, optical absorption and CD, in the pH range from 5.0 to 7.0. Oxy-HbGp has a denaturation process partially reversible and dependent on the temperature. DSC melting curve is characterized by a single peak with Tc value of 333.4±0.2K for oxy-HbGp, while two peaks with Tc values of 332.2±0.1 and 338.4±0.2K are observed for cyanomet-HbGp, at pH 7.0. In acidic pH oxy- and cyanomet-HbGp are more stable showing higher Tc values and aggregation. AUC data show that, HbGp, at pH 7.0, upon denaturation, remains undissociated at 323K, presenting oligomeric dissociation at 333 (12±3% of tetramer and 88±5% of whole HbGp) and 343K (70±5% of monomer and 30±2% of trimer). DLS data show that the lag period before aggregation is dependent on the temperature and HbGp concentration. Optical absorption and CD results show that the increase of temperature leads to the oxy-HbGp oxidation and aggregation, above 331K, in acidic pH. CD data, for HbGp, present a greater thermal stability in acid medium than at neutral pH, with similar Tc values for both oxidation forms. Our data are consistent with previous studies and represents an advance in understanding the thermal stability of oligomeric HbGp structure. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in broiler chicks fed with different levels of phytase and non-phytate phosphorus

Tartrate-resistant acid (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were evaluated in the serum and bone of broiler chicks fed with various amounts of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) or phytase. Data were analysed using a 4×3 factorial design containing four NPP levels per period. Analyses were performed in chicks aged 1-21 days (0.21; 0.29; 0.37; 0.45 ppm) and 36-42 days (0.13; 0.21; 0.29; 0.37 ppm) and under three different phytase level treatments (0, 500 and 1000 FTU/kg) for each period. In 42-day-old animals, the serum ACP and ALP activities did not differ in response to NPP and phytase levels and bone ACP activity decreased with increased phosphorus levels. We observed effects on ALP activity by approximately 70% in lower phosphorus (0.13 and 0.21) levels without phytase. The phytase addition decreased (P<0.05) ALP values in lower phosphorus levels. The bone ALP and ACP levels of 21-day-old animals were not affected by phosphorus or phytase. Pi depletion induces a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase synthesis, suggesting that the function of this enzyme is downregulated by phosphorus. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Effects of dietary clinoptilolite and calcium levels on uric acid and calcium blood concentrations and bone quality of commercial layers

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

Carbon paste electrode modified with ascorbic acid and carbon nanotubes for determination copper in sugar cane spirit

This work has been carried out in order to determine the copper content in sugar cane spirit samples from the south of Minas Gerais, using a carbon paste electrode modified with ascorbic acid and carbon nanotubes using the square wave voltammetry technique. The following parameters were studied: Ed (deposit potencial). Td (deposit time), f (frequency), A (amplitude) and ΔEs (increment scanning). The analytical curve was built in an interval from 0.5 to 12 mg L-1 and a coefficient of linear correlation of 0.997 Three sugar cane spirit samples were analysed, which presented copper content ranging from 0.29 to 1.59 mg L-1.

Nutritional composition, fatty acid and tocopherol contents of buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) and patawa (Oenocarpus bataua) fruit pulp from the amazon region

O buriti e o patauá são duas palmeiras endêmicas da região Amazônica. As polpas destes frutos são tradicionalmente consumidas pela população local, mas ainda não ganharam os mercados nacional e internacional. A composição nutricional em ácidos graxos e tocoferol foi determinada com metodologias analíticas modernas de cromatografia gasosa (CG) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) baseadas nos padrões da AOCS (AMERICAN..., 2002) e AOAC (ASSOCIATION..., 1997), respectivamente. As duas polpas se mostraram bastante energéticas, com uma alta concentração em ácidos graxos, respectivamente 38,4% e 29,1% em massa seca (MS), em proteínas, 7,8% e 7,4% MS e em fibras dietéticas, 46% e 44,7%. A polpa de buriti pode ser considerada uma ótima fonte de vitamina E devido ao seu alto teor de tocoferol (1169 µg.g^-1 MS). O perfil de ácidos graxos encontrados para a polpa de patauá foi muito semelhante ao de azeite de oliva.

Sol-gel thin-film based mesoporous silica and carbon nanotubes for the determination of dopamine, uric acid and paracetamol in urine

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

Oral acetylsalicylic acid and prevalence of actinic keratosis

Objective: To investigate the influence of a regular oral use of acetylsalicylic acid in the prevalence of actinic keratosis.Methods: A case-control study with dermatologic outpatients above 50 years of age assessed between 2009 and 2011. Cases were defined as those who had been under regular use of oral acetylsalicylic acid for more than six consecutive months. The assessment focused on: age, sex, skin-type, tobacco smoking, use of medication, occurrence of individual or family skin cancer, and sunscreen and sun exposure habits. Actinic keratoses were counted in the medial region of the face and upper limbs. Counts were adjusted by co-variables based on a generalized linear model.Results: A total of 74 cases and 216 controls were assessed. The median time of acetylsalicylic acid use was 36 months. Cases differed from controls as to the highest age, highest prevalence of use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and fewer keratosis on the face and on the upper limbs (p < 0.05). The multivariate model showed that the use of acetylsalicylic acid was associated to lower counts of face actinic keratosis and upper-limb erythematous actinic keratosis (p < 0.05), regardless of other risk factors.Conclusion: The regular use of oral acetylsalicylic acid for more than six months was associated to a lower prevalence of actinic keratosis, especially facial and erythematous ones.

Effect of the association between citric acid and EDTA on root surface etching

Objective: This study aims to compare the clot stabilization on root surfaces conditioned with citric acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Materials and methods: Scaled root samples (n = 100) were set in five groups: group I?control group (saline solution); group II (24% EDTA); group III (25% citric acid); group IV (EDTA + citric acid); group V (citric acid + EDTA). Fifty samples were assessed using the root surface modification index (RSMI). The other 50 received a blood drop after conditioning. Clot formation was assessed using blood elements adhesion index (BEAI). A blind examiner evaluated photomicrographs. Statistical analysis considered p < 0.05. Results: Groups-III and G-V attained the best results for RSMI and BEAI in comparison to control. The worst results for clot stabilization were seen in group-II. EDTA employment before citric acid (group-IV) reduced clot formation in comparison to citric acid use alone (group-III). Conclusion: Root conditioning with citric acid alone and before EDTA had the best results for smear layer removal and clot stabilization. EDTA inhibited clot stabilization on root surface and must have a residual activity once it has diminished clot adhesion to root even after citric acid conditioning. Thus, EDTA can be used to neutralize citric acid effects on periodontal cells without affecting clot stabilization. Clinical significance: To demonstrate that citric acid use on root surfaces previously affected by periodontal disease may favor clot stabilization and may have a beneficial effect on surgical outcomes. Also, EDTA can be used to neutralize citric acid effects on periodontal cells.

Surface roughness analysis of dental ceramics treated with hydrofl uoric acid and aluminum oxide jet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness of 5 indirect restorative materials treated with hydrofluoric acid to 10%, with aluminum oxide jet and a combination of both. The specimens was prepared with 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm thickness, divided into fi ve groups: (1) Ceromer (CeseadII-Kuraray), (2) Leucite crystals ceramics (IPS EmpressIIIvoclarforcasket), (3) glass ceramic with fluorapatite (IPS D. Sign-Ivoclar), (4) lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS Empress II-Ivoclar restorations), (5) ceramics (Cergogold-Degussa). For all groups were performed the controls, and the surfaces with the 3 types of treatment. For testing roughness used the rugosimeter Taylor/Hobson-Precision, model form tracerSV-C525 high sensitivity. After confi rmation of variance analysis with a signifi cance level of 1% (p < 0.01), there was equality between the average roughness of materials from groups 1, 3 and 5, and the group 2 was different from the others. It was also found that the ceramics of the group 5 behaved similar to group 4. However the lowest average roughness was observed in group 2 ceramic. In the evaluation between the types of treatment, the aluminum oxide jet and associations and blasting with hydrofl uoric acid were similar, and different isolated hydrofl uoric acid, and 3 types of treatment signifi cantly higher than the control group. All treatments promoted superfi cial alterations in all tested materials.

Surface degradation of lithium disilicate ceramic after immersion in acid and fluoride solutions

Purpose: To analyze whether immersion in sodium fluoride (NaF) solutions and/or common acidic beverages (test solutions) would affect the surface roughness or topography of lithium disilicate ceramic. Methods: 220 ceramic discs were divided into four groups, each of which was subdivided into five subgroups (n = 11). Control group discs were immersed in one of four test beverages for 4 hours daily or in artificial saliva for 21 days. Discs in the experimental groups were continuously immersed in 0.05% NaF, 0.2% NaF, or 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel for 12, 73, and 48 hours, respectively, followed by immersion in one of the four test beverages or artificial saliva. Vickers microhardness, surface roughness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) associated with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) assessments were made. Data were analyzed by nested analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). Results: Immersion in the test solutions diminished the microhardness and increased the surface roughness of the discs. The test beverages promoted a significant reduction in the Vickers microhardness in the 0.05% and 0.2% NaF groups. The highest surface roughness results were observed in the 0.2% NaF and 1.23% APF groups, with similar findings by SEM and AFM. Acidic beverages affected the surface topography of lithium disilicate ceramic. Fluoride treatments may render the ceramic surface more susceptible to the chelating effect of acidic solutions.