Interface of drug use

Packaging and labeling play a crucial role awhile protecting medicaments and transmitting a range of crucial information to the users. Taking into account the scarcity of specific studies in this area, it was considered great the need for a comprehensive survey about customers' satisfaction when handling these containers.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization with rDNA probes on chromosomes of two nucleolus organizer region phenotypes of a species of Eigenmannia (Pisces, Gymnotoidei, Sternopygidae)

Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were analysed in two related and geographically close populations of Eigenmannia sp.1 (Pisces, Gymnotoidei, Sternopygidae) using silver staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The two populations differed in their AS-NOR phenotypes, displaying fixed differences in the NOR-bearing chromosome pairs. FISH with rDNA probes showed that these differences were due to the location of rDNA cistrons. This finding, showing fixed NOR differences between two populations belonging to the same species in a connected river system, is highly significant in terms of evolutionary change, possibly indicating an initial step of genetic differentiation. This result also has important implications from the cytosystematic point of view, as NORs usually have a very constant karyotypic location in fish species and have been used as species-specific chromosome markers.

Surface finishing of glass ionomer

Purpose: To evaluate the surface roughness and staining of a glass ionomer cement when subjected to different finishing procedures. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four discs of Chem-Fil II glass ionomer cement were submitted to staining test with methylene blue by spectrophotometry and roughness test by profilometry. Four groups were evaluated: Mylar matrix (control), Sof-Lex discs, Enhance points, and diamond bur. Results: Staining and roughness test, analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test, showed that the best surface was obtained when the material cured in contact with the Mylar matrix strip or when treated with Sof-Lex discs. The poorest results were obtained after using the diamond bur.

Anatomia foliar com ênfase nos tricomas secretores e análise cromatográfica do óleo essencial de Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae)

Adult leaves of Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) harvested during the time of budding had been used in the study of the leaf anatomy in the identification of the secretory structures. The material was fixed in FAA 50%, dehydrated in alcoholic series (ethyl), infiltrated in paraffin, sectioned at 13 mm, staining and later analyzed through optic microscopy. Also it was carried through a study in gaseous chromatography for attainment of the rude essential oil. Analyses of transversal sections of the leaf of Melissa officinalis, has identified the presence of two types of trichomes secretory: peltate and capitate, beyond the presence of trichome tector. Trichome capitate, identified in literature as (type I), presents variations in its morphology in relation to the cells number stalk and the head secretory cells number. The chromatographic analysis of the essential oil identified the presence of monoterpenes, in two major components, responsible for more than 87.8% of the relative composition in the rude oil, beyond sesquiterpenes in smaller proportions.

Cytogenetic characterization of the silverside fish Odontesthes regia (Humboldt, 1833) (Teleostei: Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae) from Iquique, Chile

This paper describes the karyotype of Odontesthes regia by means of Giemsa staining, C-banding, to reveal the distribution of the constitutive heterochromatin, and by Ag-staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), to locate ribosomal genes (rDNA). The chromosome diploid modal count in the species was 2n = 48. The karyotype is composed of one submetacentric pair (pair 1), 16 subtelocentric pairs (pairs 2 to 17), and 7 acrocentric pairs (pairs 18 to 24). With the exception of pair 1 it was not possible to classify the homologous chromosomes accurately because differences in chromosome size were too slight between adjacent pairs. The distribution of C-banded heterochromatin allowed for a more accurate matching of the majority of chromosomes of the subtelocentric series. Silver staining of metaphase spreads allowed for the identification of Nucleolus Organizer Regions (Ag-NOR) on pair 1. FISH experiments showed that 18S rDNA sequences were located, as expected, in the same chromosome pair identified as the Ag-NOR-bearing one.

Cytogenetic analysis in the spermatogenesis of Triatoma melanosoma (Reduviidae; Heteroptera)

Triatomines are of great concern in public health because they are vectors of Chagas' disease. This study presents an analysis of the species Triatoma melanosoma. The cytogenetic characteristics of triatomines include holocentric chromosomes, post-reductional meiosis in the sex chromosomes and nucleolar fragmentation in the meiotic cycle. The methodology utilized consisted of the techniques of lacto-acetic orcein staining and silver ion impregnation. The organs analyzed were adult testicles. The results enabled to classify the chromosomes by number and size, being three large, eight medium and one small heterochromosome. The three largest chromosomes and the heterochromosomes showed heteropyknotic chromatin in meiosis. The heterochromosomes in 8.05% of the cells in metaphase I behaved as pseudobivalents, contrasting with 91.95% of the cells with individualized sex chromosomes, confirming the achiasmatic nature of these chromosomes. However, the pseudobivalents occurred prominently in metaphase II (78.38%), this fact probably is related to the post-reductional nature of the sex chromosomes. The nucleolus in T. melanosoma persisted until the diplotene phase after which it began to fragment. Nucleolar corpuscles were observed in metaphases I and II and during anaphases I and II, these characteristics being related to the phenomenon of nucleolar persistence. In the initial spermatids, peripheral silver ion impregnation occurred, which could be analogous to the pre-nucleolar corpuscles observed after fragmentation. Thus, this study extends our knowledge of the characteristics of triatomines, in particular, heteropyknotic degree, kinetic activity, formation of sex chromosome achiasmatic pseudobivalency, confirmation of the fragmentation phenomenon, and post-meiotic nucleolar reactivation. ©FUNPEC-RP.

Antimicrobial activity of the synthetic peptide Lys-a1 against oral streptococci

The peptide LYS-[TRP6]-Hy-A1 (Lys-a1) is a synthetic derivative of the peptide Hy-A1, initially isolated from the frog species Hypsiboas albopunctatus. According to previous research, it is a molecule with broad antimicrobial activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the synthetic peptide Lys-a1 (KIFGAIWPLALGALKNLIK- NH2) on the planktonic and biofilm growth of oral bacteria. The methods used to evaluate antimicrobial activity include the following: determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) in microtiter plates for growth in suspension and quantification of biomass by crystal violet staining and counting of colony forming units for biofilm growth. The microorganisms Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus parasanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were grown in Brain Heart Infusion broth at 37 °C under atmospheric pressure with 10% CO2. The peptide was solubilized in 0.1% acetic acid (v/v) at various concentrations (500-1.9 μg mL-1). Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% was used as the positive control, and BHI culture medium was used as the negative control. The tested peptide demonstrated a remarkable antimicrobial effect, inhibiting the planktonic and biofilm growth of all strains tested, even at low concentrations. Thus, the peptide Lys-a1 is an important source for potential antimicrobial agents, especially for the control and prevention of microbial biofilms, which is one of the most important factors in cariogenic processes. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Susceptibility of multispecies biofilm to photodynamic therapy using Photodithazine®

This in vitro study evaluated the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the multispecies biofilm of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Streptococcus mutans. Standardized fungal and bacterial suspensions were cultivated appropriately for each species and inoculated in 96-well microtiter plates for mix-biofilm formation. After 48 h of incubation, the biofilms were submitted to PDT (P + L+) using Photodithazine® (PDZ) at 100, 150, 175, 200, or 250 mg/mL for 20 min and 37.5 J/cm2 of light-emitting diode (LED) (660 nm). Additional samples were treated only with PDZ (P + L-) or LED (P-L+), or neither (control, P-L-). Afterwards, the biofilms were evaluated by quantification of colonies (CFU/mL), metabolic activity (XTT reduction assay), total biomass (crystal violet staining), and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, PDT promoted a significant reduction in colonies viability of the three species evaluated with 175 and 200 mg/mL of PDZ. PDT also significantly reduced the metabolic activity of the biofilms compared with the control, despite the PDZ concentration. However, no significant difference was found in the total biomass of samples submitted or not to PDT. For all analysis, no significant difference was verified among P-L-, P + L-, and P-L+. CSLM showed a visual increase of dead cells after PDT. PDT-mediated PDZ was effective in reducing the cell viability of multispecies biofilm. © 2013 Springer-Verlag London.

Similaridade cariotípica entre Barycholos ternetzi e cinco espécies do gênero Eleutherodactylus do Sudoeste do Brasil (Anura, Leptodactylidae, Eleutherodactylinae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Interpretação do consumidor, avaliação da intenção de compra e das características físico-químicas do néctar e do suco de laranja pronto para beber

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da dinâmica do processo de reparo alveolar utilizando fluorocromos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo dacriocistográfico e tomográfico da via lacrimal excretora de cães portadores de epífora

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação do efeito da fumaça do cigarro na translucidez da resina composta: influência do selante da superfície e da escovação

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparação cariotípica entre Mazama gouazoubira e Mazama nemorivaga (Artiodactyla; Cervidae) por meio de marcadores citogenéticos clássicos, fish telomérica e pintura cromossômica

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

Identificação e caracterização da microbiota lática isolada de queijo mussarela de búfala

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