Protective effect of gamma-tocopherol-enriched diet on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced epithelial dysplasia in rat ventral prostate

Despite recent advances in understanding the biological basis ofprostate cancer (PCa), the management of this disease remains a challenge. Chemoprotective agents have been usedto protect against or eradicateprostatemalignancies. Here, we investigated the protective effect of -tocopherol on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced epithelial dysplasia in the rat ventral prostate (VP). Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=8): control (CT): healthy control animals fed a standard diet; control+-tocopherol (CT+T): healthy control animals without intervention fed a -tocopherol-enriched diet (20mg/kg); N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU): rats that received a single dose of MNU (30mg/kg) plus testosterone propionate (100mg/kg) and were fed a standard diet; and MNU+-tocopherol (MNU+T): rats that received the same treatment of MNU plus testosterone and were fed with a -tocopherol-enriched diet (20mg/kg). After 4months, the VPs were excised to evaluate morphology, cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GST-pi) and androgen receptor (AR) protein expression, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity. An increase in the incidence of epithelial dysplasias, such as stratified epithelial hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia, in the MNU group was accompanied by augmented cell proliferation, GST-pi and Cox-2 immunoexpression and pro-MMP-9 activity. Stromal thickening and inflammatory foci were also observed. The administration of a -tocopherol-enriched diet significantly attenuated the adverse effects of MNU in the VP. The incidence of epithelial dysplasia decreased, along with the cell proliferation index, GST-pi and Cox-2 immunoexpression. The gelatinolytic activity of pro-MMP-9 returned to the levels observed for the CT group. These results suggest that -tocopherol acts as a protective agent against MNU-induced prostatic disorders in the rat ventral prostate.

Home Cooking and Phenolics: Effect of Thermal Treatment and Addition of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on the Phenolic Profile of Tomato Sauces

Tomato products are a key component of the Mediterranean diet, which is strongly related to a reduced risk of cardiovascular events. The effect of cooking time (15, 30, 45, and 60 min) and the addition of extra virgin olive oil (5 and 10%) on the phenolic content of tomato sauces was monitored using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Concentration of phenolics in the tomato sauces decreased during the cooking process, with the exception of caffeic acid and tyrosol. The main degradation observed was the oxidation of quercetin, since the hydroxy-function at the C-ring of this flavonoid is not blocked by a sugar moiety, unlike rutin. Higher levels of virgin olive oil in tomato sauce seemed to enhance the extraction of phenolic compounds from the tomato, leading to higher phenolic contents in the sauces. Thus, the food matrix containing the phenolic compounds plays a crucial role in determining their accessibility.

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles in a Hydroxyapatite Coating applied by Atmospheric Plasma Spray

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

Effect of colloidal silica on the mechanical properties of fiber-cement reinforced with cellulosic fibers

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

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanocapsules carrying the herbicide atrazine: effect of chitosan-coating agent on physico-chemical stability and herbicide release profile

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

Synergistic electrocatalytic effect of nanostructured mixed films formed by functionalised gold nanoparticles and bisphthalocyanines

A synergistic electrocatalytic effect was observed in sensors where two electrocatalytic materials (functionalized gold nanoparticles and lutetium bisphthalocyanine) were co-deposited using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Films were prepared using a novel method where water soluble functionalised gold nanoparticles [(11-mercaptoundecyl)tetra(ethylene glycol)] (SAuNPs) were inserted in floating films of lutetium bisphthalocyanine (LuPc2) and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODAB) as the amphiphilic matrix. The formation of stable and homogeneous mixed films was confirmed by pi-A isotherms, BAM, UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy, as well as by SEM and TEM microscopy. The synergistic effect towards hydroquinone of the electrodes modified with LuPc2:DODAB/SAuNP was characterised by an increase in the intensity of the redox peaks and a reduction of the overpotential. This synergistic electrocatalytic effect arose from the interaction between the SAuNPs and the phthalocyanines that occur in the Langmuir-Blodgett films and from the high surface area provided by the nanostructured films. The sensitivity increased with the amount of LuPc2 and SAuNPs inserted in the films and limits of detection in the range of 10(-7) mol L-1 were attained. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Short-term effect of alginate-biochar microbeads in corn germination

Biochar is the solid by-product of biomass pyrolysis. It is a promising soil conditioner and can be a material with high aggregate economic value, since its performance can improve plant’s nutrient utilization and reduce the usage of conventional fertilizers. Biochar can be used in the formulation of new types of fertilizers as polymeric microbeads. These microbeads can be enriched with biochar and nutrients in its matrix to form fertilizers of slow release of nutrients. Thus, as a promising agricultural material, it is important to assess the environmental hazards caused by the implementation of these microbeads. In this context, seeds were sown in a soil-less Petri dish with microbeads produced with biochar from sugarcane enriched with or without phosphate. The seeds germination and its vitality were evaluated by the first germination count (FGC) and the germination speed index (GSI). The short-term effects showed that the microbeads, in general, assessed by the means of FGC, GSI and mass gain showed the best performance, suggesting that the environment created by these materials provided the best chemical and physical interaction with the embryonic axes.

Effect of time between adhesive application and photoactivation on adhesion and collagen exposure

Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de sao Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of the association between the tray and impression techniques on angulated implants using the All-on-Four system

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

Effect of IGF1, GH, and PIT1 markers on the genetic parameters of growth and reproduction traits in Canchim cattle

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

Effect of thermocycling on roughness of nanofill, microfill and microhybrid composites

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the surface roughness of composite resins subjected to thermal cycles procedure. Materials and methods. Two microfill, four microhybrid and four nanofill composites were used. The surface roughness (Ra) was initially measured in a profilometer using a cut-off 0f 0.25 mm, after 3000 and 10,000 thermal cycles. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Fischer's test (alpha = 0.05). Results. Overall, 3000 thermal cycles increased the surface roughness values for all materials and there was a trend in all groups to decrease the roughness after 10,000 thermal cycles. Conclusions. The composition of material, including the type of organic matrix, could be more relevant to roughness maintenance over time than the general behavior of composites based on particles fillers. The maintenance of smooth surface in resin-based composite restorations is totally dependent of organic composition of the material.

High final energy of low-level gallium arsenide laser therapy enhances skeletal muscle recovery without a positive effect on collagen remodeling

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) laser, using a high final energy of 4.8J, during muscle regeneration after cryoinjury. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control (C, n=10); Injured (I, n=10) and Injured and laser treated (Injured/LLLT, n=10). The cryoinjury was induced in the central region of the tibialis anterior muscle (TA). The applications of the laser (904nm, 50mW average power) were initiated 24h after injury, at energy density of 69Jcm(-1) for 48s, for 5days, to two points of the lesion. Twenty-four hours after the final application, the TA muscle was removed and frozen in liquid nitrogen to assess the general muscle morphology and the gene expression of TNF-, TGF-, MyoD, and Myogenin. The Injured/LLLT group presented a higher number of regenerating fibers and fewer degenerating fibers (P<0.05) without changes in the collagen remodeling. In addition, the Injured/LLLT group presented a significant decrease in the expression of TNF- and myogenin compared to the injured group (P<0.05). The results suggest that the GaAs laser, using a high final energy after cryoinjury, promotes muscle recovery without changing the collagen remodeling in the muscle extracellular matrix.

PWA-diureasils organic-inorganic hybrids: photochromism and effect of the organic chain length

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

Effect of inulin and oligofructose on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of symbiotic dairy beverages

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of inulin and oligofructose on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of symbiotic dairy beverages. Four formulations were made: 1) a control (C); 2) a sample with added Lactobacillus paracasei (P); 3) a sample with added L. paracasei and inulin (PI); and 4) a sample with added L. paracasei and oligofructose (PO). The probiotic population, pH, and acidity of the products were evaluated once a week for 21 days while refrigerated (5 +/- 1 degrees C). Possible contaminating microorganisms (coliforms, E. coli, and Salmonella spp.) were investigated after three days of storage. Sensorial acceptance and purchase intention were evaluated seven days after manufacture. Dairy beverages presented with L. paracasei populations above 8.50 log CFU/mL during the whole storage period. Significantly (p<0.05) lower pH values were observed in P and PI, and higher acidity values were found in all formulations throughout storage. The dairy beverages were considered to be a promising matrix for the probiotic microorganism L. paracasei. The prebiotic additions (inulin and oligofructose) did not interfere with the overall acceptance and intention to purchase the beverages.

Exenatide and sitagliptin decrease interleukin 1β, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and nitric oxide synthase 2 gene expression but does not reduce alveolar bone loss in rats with periodontitis

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