Lack of papillomavirus (HPV) in pterygia of a Brazilian sample

OBJETIVO: Existem controvérsias a respeito da influência do papilomavirus (HPV) no desenvolvimento do pterígio. Assim, este estudo foi elaborado com o objetivo de verificar se o papilomavirus está presente na lesão. MÉTODOS: Trinta e seis portadores de pterígio unilateral foram operados, preparando-se o tecido removido e uma amostra de conjuntiva normal para exame de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) para detecção de DNA. RESULTADOS: em todas as amostras do pterígio e da conjuntiva normal a pesquisa do DNA-papilomavirus por PCR resultou negativa. CONCLUSÃO: Segundo nossos resultados, o papilomavirus não é importante para o desenvolvimento do pterígio.

In vivo genotoxicity evaluation of a treated urban sewage sludge sample

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

Morphological changes of the intestinal mucosa of broilers and layers as affected by fasting before sample collection

The present study aimed at evaluating the histo-morphological changes resulting from different fasting periods before the collection of tissue samples in different segments of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) of 7-d-old male chicks of a broiler and a layer strain. A completely randomized experimental design in in a 2x7 factorial arrangement, being two strains with different growth rates (Ross 308 and HyLine® W36) and seven fasting periods (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours ), with six replicates, totaling 84 birds. The comparison of the morphometrics of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of broiler and layer chicks demonstrated faster digestive tract development in broilers relative to layers. The fasting period caused morphological changes in the liver and small and large intestines in both strains. Therefore, it must be highlighted that in studies involving organ weights and intestinal morphometrics, birds must not be submitted to fasting before tissue collection.

Influence of sample type and collection method on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. counts in the oral cavity

Objectives: This study compared three methods of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. detection in the oral cavity: saliva swab (SS)-sample of stimulated saliva collected with swab; whole saliva (WS)-sample of 2 ml of stimulated saliva; and the dental plaque method (DP)-plaque sample of all dental surfaces.Methods: Thirty children were included in this study. In the first 15 children, the SS and WS methods were carried out before the dental plaque collection, and in the following 15, the sequence was inverted to evaluate possible interference of the methods sequence. The samples were diluted and inoculated in SB20 and Rogosa agar, respectively for S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp., at 37 degrees C for 48 h.Results: the results (cfu/mL) of S. mutans were analysed by the statistical Friedman's test. The levels of Lactobacillus spp. were analysed by descriptive statistics due to the high proportion of zero counts in the culture. In the first sequence of methods, the number of S. mutans counted for the SS method was inferior to DP and WS (P < 0.05), and the results for the WS and DP methods were similar. The detection of Lactobacillus spp. was observed just by the WS (100 %) and SS (14.3 %) methods. However, in the second experimental set the number of S. mutans detected by the DP method was similar to those of the SS and WS, however, the WS method showed higher values than SS (P < 0.05). A greater number of Lactobacillus spp. was detected by the WS method (100 %), followed by SS (55.5 %) and DP (33.3 %).Conclusions: the dental plaque collection and the sample of stimulated whole saliva presented similar results in the S. mutans count. The most suitable method to detect the Lactobacillus spp. level in the oral cavity is the stimulated whole saliva method. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Maximum inhibitory dilution of mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine and polyhexamethylene biguanide against salivary Staphylococcus aureus

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro maximum inhibitory dilution (MID) of two chlorhexidine-based oral mouthwashes (CHX): Noplak (R), Periogard (R), and one polyhexamethylene biguanide-based mouthwash (PHMB): Sanifill Premium (R) against 28 field Staphylococcus aureus strains using the agar dilution method. Materials and Methods: For each product, decimal dilutions ranging from 1/10 to 1/655,360 were prepared in distilled water and added to Mueller Hinton Agar culture medium. After homogenization, the culture medium was poured onto Petri dishes. Strains were inoculated using a Steers multipoint inoculator and dishes were incubated at 37 degrees C for 24hours. For reading, MID was considered as the maximum dilution of the mouthwash still capable of inhibiting microbial growth. Results: Sanifill Premium (R) inhibited the growth of all strains at 1/40 dilution and of 1 strain at 1/80 dilution. Noplak (R) inhibited the growth of 23 strains at 1/640 dilution and of all 28 strains at 1/320 dilution. Periogard (R) showed inhibited growth of 7 strains at 1/640 dilution and of all 28 strains at 1/320 dilution. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis statistical test, showing significant differences between the mouthwashes evaluated (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between Noplak (R) and Periogard (R) (p>0.05). Sanifill Premium (R) was the least effective (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that CHX-based mouthwashes present better antimicrobial activity against S. Aureus than the PHMB-based mouthwash.

Determination of the maximum inhibitory dilution of cetylpyridinium chloride-based mouthwashes against Staphylococcus aureus: an in vitro study

The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the maximum inhibitory dilution (MID) of four cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)based mouthwashes: CPC+Propolis, CPC+Malva, CPC+Eucaliptol+Jua+Roma+Propolis (Natural Honey (R)) and CPC (Cepacol (R)), against 28 Staphylococcus aureus field strains, using the agar dilution method. Decimal dilutions ranging from 1/10 to 1/655,360 were prepared and added to Mueller Hinton Agar. Strains were inoculated using Steers multipoint inoculator. The inocula were seeded onto the surface of the culture medium in Petri dishes containing different dilutions of the mouthwashes. The dishes were incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. For readings, the MID was considered as the maximum dilution of mouthwash still capable of inhibiting microbial growth. The obtained data showed that CPC+Propolis had antimicrobial activity against 27 strains at 1/320 dilution and against all 28 strains at 1/160 dilution, CPC+Malva inhibited the growth of all 28 strains at 1/320 dilution, CPC+Eucaliptol+Jua+Roma+Propolis inhibited the growth of 2 strains at 1/640 dilution and all 28 strains at 1/320 dilution, and Cepacol (R) showed antimicrobial activity against 3 strains at 1/320 dilution and against all 28 strains at 1/160 dilution. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis test, showing that the MID of Cepacol (R) was lower than that determined for the other products (p<0.05). In conclusion, CPC-mouthwashes showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and the addition of other substances to CPC improved its antimicrobial effect.

Quantitative estimation of Br, Cl, K and Na in sample blood by NAA

Neutron activation analysis, using Au as flux monitor, was applied to determine the concentrations of Br, Cl, K and Na in blood of healthy male and female blood donors, selected from blood banks and hematological laboratories from different regions of Brazil. The aims of this study were to collect more reference values of the Brazilian population as well as to perform hematological investigations. The advantages as well as the limitations of using this nuclear procedure are discussed.

Deuterium Equilibrium Time in Saliva of Newborn Infants

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A solid paraffin-based carbon paste electrode modified with 2-aminothiazole organofunctionalized silica for differential pulse adsorptive stripping analysis of nickel in ethanol fuel

A solid paraffin-based carbon paste electrode modified with 2-aminothiazole organofunctionalized silica (SiAt-SPCPE) was applied to Ni2+ determination in commercial ethanol fuel samples. The proposed method comprised four steps: (1) Ni2+ preconcentration at open circuit potential directly in the ethanol fuel sample, (2) transference of the electrode to an electrochemical cell containing DMG, (3) differential pulse voltammogram registering and (4) surface regeneration by polishing the electrode. The proposed method combines the high Ni2+ adsorption capacity presented by 2-aminothiazole organofunctionalized silica with the electrochemical properties of the Ni(DMG)2 complex, whose electrochemical reduction provides the analytical signal.All experimental parameters involved in the proposed method were optimized. Using a preconcentration time of 20 min, it was obtained a linear range from 7.5 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-6) mol L-1 with detection limit of 2.0 x 10(-9) mol L-1. Recovery values between 96.5 and 102.4% were obtained for commercial samples spiked with 1.0 mu mol L-1 Ni2+ and the developed electrode was totally stable in ethanolic solutions. The contents of Ni2+ found in the commercial samples using the proposed method were compared to those obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy by using the F- and t-test. Neither the F- nor t-values exceeded the critical values at 95% confidence level, confirming that there are not statistical differences between the results obtained by both methods. These results indicate that the developed electrode can be successfully employed to reliable Ni2+ determination in commercial ethanol fuel samples without any sample pretreatment or dilution step. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of Medicines Among a Brazilian Elderly Sample: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The use of multiple medicines is very frequent among the elderly, allowing them to perceive more often adverse side effects from drugs and present undesirable drug interactions.Methods: This article presents a cross-sectional survey about the use of medicines among 300 elderly Brazilians, equally divided into institutionalized and community-dwelling groups.Results: The average daily intake of medicines is 3.2 among institutionalized elderly, a higher (p < 0.001) number when compared with community-dwelling elderly, who takes an average of 1.8 medicines daily. The most commonly used medications are antihypertensives (58.0%), diuretics (23.0%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (22.7%), supplements (21.7%), antidiabetics (16.3%), and antiulcerants (14.0%). Antiulcerants, diuretics, supplements, and central nervous system drugs are more frequently used by institutionalized than by community-dwelling elderly.Conclusion: In this Brazilian elderly sample, the most widely used medicines were antihypertensives, diuretics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and institutionalized used more medications than community-dwelling elderly. Copyright (C) 2011, Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency & Critical Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.

Development of an HPLC-UV/Vis method for the determination of dyes in a gasoline sample employing different pre-treatments

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

Determination of macro- and micronutrients in plant leaves by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry combining instrumental and sample preparation strategies

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

Different lubricating oil treatments for the determination of Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Sb, Pb, and Zn by HR-CS FAAS

Microwave-assisted acid decomposition, direct dilution in kerosene, and oil-in-water emulsion were evaluated as lubricating oil pretreatment procedures for Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn determination by High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR-CS FAAS). For wet digestion, results were compared with those obtained by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). The ultrasound probe used in emulsions sonication contaminated samples with Cr, although better results have been observed for the other six elements in this condition. In general, recovery percentages ranging from 81-106%(Cu), 80-107%(Cr), 85-114%(Fe), 82-116%(Ni), 86-117%(Pb), 85-115%(Sb), and 81-114%(Zn) were obtained. The HR-CS FAAS showed to be faster and more sensitive than FAAS.