Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 inhibits biofilm formation by C. albicans and attenuates the experimental candidiasis in Galleria mellonella

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

Different tools to trace geographic origin and seasonality of croaker (Micropogonias furnieri)

The aim of this study was to use proximate chemical composition, macro and trace elements, fatty acid profile and stable isotopes as traceability tools to assess geographic origin and seasonality of croaker (Micropogonicts fumieri). Croaker from Parnaiba contained higher ash in July and lower fat content than croaker from Santos. In contrast, croaker from Santos had statistically higher proportion of 16:1n-9+16:1n-7, 20:1n-11, 20:1n-9, MUFA and n-3/n-6 ratio than croaker from Parnaiba. Concerning seasonality, croaker caught in July had significantly higher amounts of 14:0, 15:0, 16:1n-9+16:1n-7 and saturated fatty acids than fish caught in December. Concerning elements, significant differences were also detected between seasons for Cl, Ca, Fe, Sr and S, whereas differences between geographic origins were only observed with K. delta C-13 and delta N-15 were statistically different between geographic origins, whereas differences between seasons were only detected in delta N-15 ratio of croaker from Santos. Fatty acids, minerals and stable isotope are effective methods to trace geographic origin and seasonality of croaker. Nonetheless, further investigation is still required with larger samples of croaker to enable the implementation of fatty acids, elements or stable isotope as authenticity tools by food control agencies. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hepatitis C virus and dental health workers: an update

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Gestational protein malnutrition impairs c-myc and p63 protein expression, increases prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia incidence and prostatitis aggressiveness in adult male offspring subjected to hormonal handling

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men; however its etiology remains unknown. Previous studies have shown that environmental adverse factors, such as maternal nutritional status during pregnancy, can influence fetal development and predispose people to diseases in adult life. The feeding of low-protein diets to pregnant rats result in fetal growth disturbance, androgen/estrogen unbalance and changes in the expression and sensibility of hormone receptors in male offspring. These alterations can promote permanent changes in androgen dependent organs, such as in the prostate. In this sense, we hypothesized that the hormonal unbalance that occurs during aging can lead to an increase in the susceptibility to prostatic disorders. Aim: To evaluate our hypothesis, malnourished male rat offspring were submitted to simultaneous estrogen and testosterone exposure in adulthood, to drive lesions in the rat ventral prostate gland (VP). Methods: 17 week-old Wistar rats (n=48) that received in utero normal protein diet (NP group, AIN93G=17% protein) or low protein diet (RP group, AIN93G modified=6% protein) were given implants with 17β-estradiol plus testosterone administration (NPH and RPH groups) for 17 weeks. The animals were killed at the age of 34 weeks and the VP were excised, weighted and processed for histopathological, immunohistochemical (Ki67, AR, p63, e-caderin, laminin, c-myc and GSTP), biochemical and ultrastructural analysis. Results: Both absolute and relative VP weight from NPH animals were about 30% higher than RPH. Serological data showed that estradiol levels were similar in both groups, but testosterone levels were lower in the RPH male offspring. The steroid hormone exposure in adult life promoted prostate lesions in both RPH and NPH offspring associated with reactive stroma. VP from RPH group exhibited heightened susceptibility to prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mainly cribriform and signet ring-cell patterns) and increased the incidence and aggressiveness of prostatitis. In this group, a higher proportion of basal cells, increased proliferation index, lower expression ofthe androgen receptor and increased focus of collagenous micronodules closely associated to epithelial neoplasias were also observed. Conclusion:These observations suggest that maternal protein restriction alters adult prostate response to androgen/estrogen handling and increases susceptibility to prostate diseases. Ethical protocol:CEEA,476/2013 IBB-UNESP; Funding Support: 2009/50204-6 and 2013/09649-0.

Competitive interactions between C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. krusei during biofilm formation and development of experimental Candidiasis

In this study, we evaluated the interactions between Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Candida glabrata in mixed infections. Initially, these interactions were studied in biofilms formed in vitro. CFU/mL values of C. albicans were lower in mixed biofilms when compared to the single biofilms, verifying 77% and 89% of C. albicans reduction when this species was associated with C. glabrata and C. krusei, respectively. After that, we expanded this study for in vivo host models of experimental candidiasis. G. mellonella larvae were inoculated with monotypic and heterotypic Candida suspensions for analysis of survival rate and quantification of fungal cells in the haemolymph. In the groups with single infections, 100% of the larvae died within 18 h after infection with C. albicans. However, interaction groups achieved 100% mortality after 72 h of infection by C. albicans-C. glabrata and 96 h of infection by C. albicans-C. krusei. C. albicans CFU/mL values from larvae hemolymph were lower in the interacting groups compared with the monoespecies group after 12 h of infection. In addition, immunosuppressed mice were also inoculated with monotypic and heterotypic microbial suspensions to induce oral candidiasis. C. albicans CFU/mL values recovered from oral cavity of mice were higher in the group with single infection by C. albicans than the groups with mixed infections by C. albicans-C. glabrata and C. albicans-C. krusei. Moreover, the group with single infection by C. albicans had a higher degree of hyphae and epithelial changes in the tongue dorsum than the groups with mixed infections. We concluded that single infections by C. albicans were more harmful for animal models than mixed infections with non-albicans species, suggesting that C. albicans establish competitive interactions with C. krusei and C. glabrata during biofilm formation and development of experimental candidiasis.

The azo dye Disperse Red 13 and its oxidation and reduction products showed mutagenic potential

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

Book Review of Plains Earthlodges: Ethnographic and Archaeological Perspectives Edited by Donna C. Roper and Elizabeth P. Pauls

Nomadic Plains peoples such as the Cheyenne and Sioux have become the stereotypical image of North American Indians in general. In contrast to the hunting and gathering lifestyle of these groups, however, many Plains tribes lived in settled villages and grew extensive garden crops through much of the past millennium. These groups developed a habitation distinctly characteristic of the Plains village way of life-sturdy, earth-covered timber structures known as earth lodges. The remains of thousands of these structures dot the landscape of the Central and Northern Plains. Lodges of various forms persisted from about 1000 CE into the twentieth century. Particularly characteristic of the Pawnee, Arikara, Mandan, and Hidatsa, earthlodges were also adopted by several other Plains tribes. In this well-illustrated volume eight authors offer nine essays that explore the earth lodge as a subject warranting archaeological and anthropological research in its own right and from numerous perspectives.

From pyridoxalrhodanine to a novel 7-azacoumarin complex of dimethylthallium(III) in a one-pot synthesis

The hydrolysis of pyridoxalrhodanine in a basic medium containing the dimethylthallium(III) cation afforded the compound [TlMe2(L)]center dot H2O (1.H2O) [HL = 5-(hydroxymethyl)-8-methyl-3-thiol-7-azacoumarin]. This compound was characterized in solid state by IR spectroscopy and in solution by H-1 and C-13{H-1} NMR spectrometry. X-ray diffraction showed that the crystal consists of associated TlMe2(L) units and hydrogen bonded water molecules. The L- anion is bound to the metal mainly by a bridging S atom [Tl-S = 2.9458(18) angstrom; 2.9616(16) angstrom], although secondary interactions through O atoms (Tl-O: 2.861(5); 2.900(5) angstrom)] are also present. The longer Tl-O interaction and the hydrogen bonds of the water molecules give rise to a tridimensional polymeric structure. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The influence of "C-factor" and light activation technique on polymerization contraction forces of resin composite

Objectives: This study evaluated the influence of the cavity configuration factor ("C-Factor") and light activation technique on polymerization contraction forces of a Bis-GMA-based composite resin (Charisma, Heraeus Kulzer). Material and Methods: Three different pairs of steel moving bases were connected to a universal testing machine (Emic DL 500): groups A and B - 2x2 mm (CF=0.33), groups C and D - 3x2 mm (CF=0.66), groups E and F - 6x2 mm (CF=1.5). After adjustment of the height between the pair of bases so that the resin had a volume of 12 mm(3) in all groups, the material was inserted and polymerized by two different methods: pulse delay (100 mW/cm(2) for 5 s, 40 s interval, 600 mW/cm(2) for 20 s) and continuous pulse (600 mW/cm(2) for 20 s). Each configuration was light cured with both techniques. Tensions generated during polymerization were recorded by 120 s. The values were expressed in curves (Force(N) x Time(s)) and averages compared by statistical analysis (ANOVA and Tukey's test, p<0.05). Results: For the 2x2 and 3x2 bases, with a reduced C-Factor, significant differences were found between the light curing methods. For 6x2 base, with high C-Factor, the light curing method did not influence the contraction forces of the composite resin. Conclusions: Pulse delay technique can determine less stress on tooth/restoration interface of adhesive restorations only when a reduced C-Factor is present.

Influence of Molecular Dynamics on the Dielectric Properties of Poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) -Based Devices

This paper uses Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) techniques to study the molecular relaxations and phase transitions in poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT), which has been extensively studied as the active thin film in organic devices. Besides the identification of the glass transition, beta relaxation and crystal-to-crystal phase transition, we correlate such phenomena with dielectric and transport mechanisms in diodes with F8BT as the active layer. The beta relaxation has been assigned to a transition at about 210 K measured by H-1 and C-13 solid state NMR, and can be attributed to local motions in the side chains. The glass transition has been detected by DSC and H-1 NMR. Dielectric spectroscopy (DS) carried out at low frequencies on diodes made from F8BT show two peaks which are coincident with the above transitions. This allowed us to correlate the electrical changes in the film with the onset of specific molecular motions. In addition, DS indicates a third peak related with a crystal-to-crystal phase transition. Finally, these transitions were correlated with changes in the carrier mobility recorded in thin films and published recently.

Novel sesquiterpene lactones from Eremanthus seidelii

Two novel sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from crude extract of the Eremanthus seidelii leaves. Reliable structural elucidations to these lactones were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques and high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry data. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A trophic study of the sympatric Amazonian freshwater turtles Podocnemis unifilis and Podocnemis expansa (Testudines, Podocnemidae) using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses

The Yellow-spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848) and the South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa (Schweigger, 1812)) are two turtles species that are widely distributed and have ecological, economic, and cultural importance in the Amazon basin. Although sympatric regarding most of their distribution, few studies have addressed the coexistence of these two species. To examine this, we analyzed the trophic level and the primary carbon source from the diets of both species in Baixo Araguaia, Tocantins, Brazil, using stable isotope analyses of carbon (delta C-13) and nitrogen (delta N-15). We also verified possible intraspecific variations (related to sex and body mass) in the trophic levels and primary carbon sources of their diets. Podocnemis unifilis had higher values of delta N-15 than P. expansa, averaging 7.59 parts per thousand and 5.06 parts per thousand, respectively, a difference which may indicate a possible trophic change owing to exploiting different food resources. No differences were found between the two species in relation to delta C-13 (mean values of -26.2 parts per thousand and -26.1 parts per thousand, respectively). The similarity between delta C-13 values suggests that the sources of their basal feeding are the same, consisting mainly of C-3 plants. There was no intraspecific variation in the values of delta C-13 and delta N-15.

Influence of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery on Vitamin C, Myeloperoxidase, and Oral Clinical Manifestations: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: Bariatric surgery influences the intake and absorption of nutrients. The serum concentrations of vitamin C, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and oral clinical manifestations were examined in patients two years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Methods: Clinical prospective-study with control-group (CG; n = 26), assessed only once, and the bariatric-group (BG; n = 26), assessed in the basal period and at 12 and 24 months after surgery. The mean ages in the CG and BG were 37.8 +/- 1.51 and 39.6 +/- 1.93 years, respectively, and their body mass indices were 22.07 +/- 0.29 and 45.62 +/- 1.46 kg/m2, respectively. Results: At 12 months after surgery, increased episodes of vomiting (P < .001) and dental hypersensitivity (P=.012) were observed, with a reduction in the saliva buffering capacity of 21.3 2.9% (P=.004). At 24 months after RYGB, we detected a significant reduction in serum vitamin C (32.9 +/- 5.3%, P < .001) and MPO values were higher than in the basal period (P = .032). With regard to oral hygiene habits, 92.3% of patients reported frequent tooth brushing and 96.1% used fluoride, which were similar across the two years. However, dental hypersensitivity (P = .048) was significantly increased than baseline. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that vitamin C deficiency and increased vomiting after RYGB for morbid obesity may contribute to increased periodontal disease. The fact it is impossible to determine which factors (diet, poor compliance with supplementation, vomiting, poor oral hygiene) contributed to the dental problems in these patients is a shortcoming of the report. (Nutr Clin Pract. 2012; 27: 114-121)

Complete ¹H and 13C NMR structural assignments for a group of four goyazensolide-type furanoheliangolides

Four goyazensolide-type sesquiterpene lactones - lychnofolide, centratherin, goyazensolide and goyazensolide acetate - were thoroughly studied by NMR experimental techniques. ¹H NMR, 13C NMR {¹H}, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, J-res. and NOE experiments were performed to provide the needed structural information. Complete and unequivocal assignment, including the determination of all multiplicities, was obtained for each structure and the data collections are presented in tables.

Habitat shifts: an experimental study on disappearing canopies of Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C. Agard and the habitat replacing them

Cambiamenti di habitat in ambienti marini: uno studio sperimentale sulla perdita di foreste a Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C. Agardh e sui popolamenti che le sostituiscono La presente tesi affronta il tema scientifico generale di come prevedere e mitigare la perdita di habitat marini naturali causata dalle attività umane. La tesi si è focalizzata sugli habitat subtidali a “canopy” formati da macroalghe brune a tallo eretto dell’ordine Fucales, che per morfologia, ruolo ed importanza ecologica possono essere paragonate alle “foreste” in ambienti terrestri temperati. Questi sistemi sono tra i più produttivi in ambienti marini, e sono coinvolti in importanti processi ecologici, offrendo cibo, protezione, riparo ed ancoraggio a diverse altre specie animali e vegetali, modificando i gradienti naturali di luce, sedimentazione e idrodinamismo, e partecipando al ciclo dei nutrienti. Sulle coste temperate di tutto il mondo, le foreste di macroalghe a canopy sono in forte regressione su scala locale, regionale e globale. Questo fenomeno, che sta accelerando a un ritmo sempre più allarmante, sta sollevando interesse e preoccupazione. Infatti, data la loro importanza, la perdita di questi habitat può avere importanti conseguenze ecologiche ed economiche, tra cui anche il possibile declino della pesca che è stato osservato in alcune aree in seguito alla conseguente riduzione della produttività complessiva dei sistemi marini costieri. Nel Mar Mediterraneo questi tipi di habitat sono originati prevalentemente da alghe appartenenti al genere Cystoseira, che sono segnalate in forte regressione in molte regioni. Gli habitat a Cystoseira che ancora persistono continuano ad essere minacciati da una sineregia di impatti antropici, ed i benefici complessivi delle misure di protezione fin ora attuate sono relativamente scarsi. Scopo della presente tesi era quello di documentare la perdita di habitat a Cystoseira (prevalentemente Cystoseira barbata (Stackhouse) C. Agardh) lungo le coste del Monte Conero (Mar Adriatico centrale, Italia), e chiarire alcuni dei possibili meccanismi alla base di tale perdita. Studi precedentemente condotti nell’area di studio avevano evidenziato importanti cambiamenti nella composizione floristica e della distribuzione di habitat a Cystoseira in quest’area, e avevano suggerito che la scarsa capacità di recupero di questi sistemi potesse essere regolata da interazioni tra Cystoseira e le nuove specie dominanti sui substrati lasciati liberi dalla perdita di Cystoseira. Attraverso ripetute mappature dell’habitat condotte a partire da Luglio 2008 fino a Giugno 2010, ho documentato la perdita progressiva delle poche, e sempre più frammentate, patch di habitat originate da questa specie in due siti chiamati La Vela e Due Sorelle. Attraverso successivi esperimenti, ho poi evidenziato le interazioni ecologiche tra le specie dominanti coinvolte in questi cambiamenti di habitat, al fine di identificare possibili meccanismi di feedback che possano facilitare la persistenza di ciascun habitat o, viceversa, l’insediamento di habitat alternativi. La mappatura dell’habitat ha mostrato un chiaro declino della copertura, della densità e della dimensione degli habitat a Cystoseira (rappresentati soprattutto dalla specie C. barbata e occasionalmente C. compressa che però non è stata inclusa nei successivi esperimenti, d’ora in avanti per semplicità verrà utilizzato unicamente il termine Cystoseira per indicare questo habitat) durante il periodo di studio. Nel sito Due Sorelle le canopy a Cystoseira sono virtualmente scomparse, mentre a La Vela sono rimaste poche, sporadiche ed isolate chiazze di Cystoseira. Questi habitat a canopy sono stati sostituiti da nuovi habitat più semplici, tra cui soprattutto letti di mitili, feltri algali e stand monospecifici di Gracilaira spp.. La mappatura dell’habitat ha inoltre sottolineato una diminuzione del potenziale di recupero del sistema con un chiaro declino del reclutamento di Cystoseira durante tutto il periodo di studio. Successivamente ho testato se: 1) una volta perse, il recupero di Cystoseira (reclutamento) possa essere influenzato dalle interazioni con le nuove specie dominanti, quali mitili e feltri algali; 2) il reclutamento di mitili direttamente sulle fronde di Cystoseira (sia talli allo stadio adulto che giovanili) possa influenzare la sopravvivenza e la crescita della macroalga; 3) la sopravvivenza e la crescita delle nuove specie dominanti, in particolare mitili, possa essere rallentata dalla presenza di canopy di Cystoseira. I risultati dimostrano che le nuove specie dominanti insediatesi (feltri algali e mitili), possono inibire il reclutamento di Cystoseira, accelerandone il conseguente declino. L’effetto diretto dei mitili sulle fronde non è risultato particolarmente significativo né per la sopravvivenza di Cystoseira che finora non è risultata preclusa in nessun stadio di sviluppo, né per la crescita, che nel caso di individui adulti è risultata leggermente, ma non significativamente, più elevata per le fronde pulite dai mitili, mentre è stato osservato il contrario per i giovanili. La presenza di canopy a Cystoseira, anche se di piccole dimensioni, ha limitato la sopravvivenza di mitili. Questi risultati complessivamente suggeriscono che una foresta di macroalghe in buone condizioni può avere un meccanismo di autoregolazione in grado di facilitare la propria persistenza. Quando però il sistema inizia a degradarsi e a frammentarsi progressivamente, i cambiamenti delle condizioni biotiche determinati dall’aumento di nuove specie dominanti contribuiscono alla mancanza di capacità di recupero del sistema. Pertanto le strategie per una gestione sostenibile di questi sistemi dovrebbero focalizzarsi sui primi segnali di cambiamenti in questo habitat e sui possibili fattori che ne mantengono la resilienza.