Vectorial Competence of Larvae and Adults of Alphitobius diaperinus in the Transmission of Salmonella Enteritidis in Poultry

Introduction: The ingestion of food products originating from poultry infected with Salmonella spp. is one of the major causes of food poisoning in humans. The control of poultry salmonellosis is particularly difficult since birds are asymptomatic and numerous factors may expedite the maintenance of bacteria in poultry production facilities. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the vectorial capacity of adults and larvae of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in the experimental transmission of Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4 to 1-day-old specific pathogen-free White Leghorn chicks. Methods: Adult insects and larvae were starved for 1 day, fed for 24 h or 7 days on sterile ration that had been treated with Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4, and the levels of bacterial infection were determined. Infected adult insects and larvae were fed to groups of day-old chicks, after which bacteria were recovered from cecum, liver, and spleen samples over a 7-day period. Results: Infected larvae were more efficient than adult insects in transmitting Salmonella Enteritidis to chicks. Higher concentrations of bacteria could be reisolated from the cecum, liver, and spleen of chicks that had ingested infected larvae compared with those that had ingested infected adults. Conclusions: The control of A. diaperinus, and particularly of the larvae, represents a critical factor in the reduction of Salmonella spp. in poultry farms.

Effects of Er:YAG Laser Irradiation on the Microtensile Bond Strength to Bleached Enamel

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different Er:YAG laser (lambda = 2.94 mu m) energy parameters on the microtensile bond strength (mu TBS) and superficial morphology of bovine enamel bleached with 16% carbamide peroxide. Background: Laser irradiation could improve adhesion to bleached enamel surfaces. Methods: Sixty bovine enamel blocks (7x3x3 mm(3)) were randomly assigned to six groups according to enamel preparation procedures (n = 10): G1-bleaching and Er:YAG laser irradiation with 25.52 J/cm(2) (laser A, LA); G2-bleaching and Er:YAG laser irradiation with 4.42J/cm(2) (laser B, LB); G3-bleaching; G4-Er:YAG laser irradiation with 25.52 J/cm(2); G5-Er:YAG laser irradiation with 4.42J/cm(2); G6-control, no treatment. G1 to G3 were bleached for 6 h during 21 days. Afterwards, enamel surfaces in all groups were slightly abraded with 600-grit SiC papers and G1, G2, G4 and G5 were irradiated according to each protocol. Enamel blocks were then restored with an etch-and-rinse adhesive system and a 4-mm thick composite buildup was made in two increments (n = 9). After 24 h, restored blocks were serially sectioned with a cross-section area of similar to 1 mm(2) at the bonded interface and tested in tension in a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). Failure mode was determined at a magnification of x100 using a stereomicroscope. One treated block of each group was selected for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. mu TBS data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and no statistical differences were observed among groups. Results: Mean bond strengths (SD) in MPa were: G1-30.4(6.2); G2-27.9(8.5); G3-32.3(3.9); G4-23.7(5.8); G5-29.3(6.0); G6-29.1(6.1). A large number of adhesive failures was recorded for bleached and irradiated enamel surfaces. Conclusions: Bleached enamel surfaces mu TBS values were not significantly different from those of unbleached enamel. Even though Er:YAG laser irradiation with both parameters had no influence on mu TBS for bleached and unbleached enamel, SEM analysis revealed that Er:YAG laser irradiation with 25.52J/cm(2) should not be recommended, as enamel ablation was observed, whereas irradiation with 4.42J/cm(2) did not promote any remarkable changes on enamel surface.

Influence of Aluminum Oxide Sandblasting Associated with Nd:YAG or Er:YAG Lasers on Shear Bond Strength of a Feldspathic Ceramic to Resin Cements

Objective: This in vitro study evaluated the influence of the surface pretreatment of a feldspathic ceramic on the shear bond strength of two different resin cements. Background Data: Although several conventional surface treatments have been used on feldspathic ceramic, few studies have investigated the effects of an alternative surface treatment, the association of aluminum oxide sandblasting with Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers. Methods: Sixty samples made of a feldspathic ceramic were divided into three groups (n = 20) and treated with (1) controlled-air abrasion with Al(2)O(3) + 10% hydrofluoric acid (HF), (2) Al(2)O(3) + Er:YAG laser, and (3) Al(2)O(3) + Nd:YAG laser. Afterward, silane (Dentsply) was applied on each treated surface. Each of the three main groups was divided into two subgroups (n = 10), where a different resin cement was employed for each subgroup. It was built a cylinder with resin cement (RelyX Arc) in subgroup (A) and with self-adhesive cement (RelyX U100) in subgroup (B). After 24 h at 37 degrees C, the prepared specimens were submitted to shear bond strength test and stereoscopic evaluation to determine the type of failure. Results: Bond strength mean values were not statistically significant for the surface treatment methods or resin cements. Conclusion: The null surface treatment proposed with aluminum oxide sandblasting associated with the Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser and using cementation with self-adhesive cement can be an alternative bonding technique for feldspathic ceramic, since it was as effective as the conventional treatment with aluminum oxide sandblasting and hydrofluoric acid using the conventional resin cement.

Venous Lake of the Lips Treated Using Photocoagulation with High-Intensity Diode Laser

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of photocoagulation with high-intensity diode laser in the treatment of venous lake (VL) lesions. Background Data: VL is a common vascular lesion characterized by elevated, usually dome-shaped papules, ranging in color from dark blue to dark purple, seen more frequently in elderly patients. They often occur as single lesions on the ears, face, lips, or neck. Once formed, lesions persist throughout life. Although these lesions are usually asymptomatic, they can bleed if injured. Methods: Seventeen patients (7 men and 10 women) with VL on the lip were treated using a noncontact diode laser (wavelength 808 nm, power output 2-3 W in continuous wave). Results: After only one irradiation exposure, all lesions were successfully treated. Healing was completed in approximately 2 to 3 weeks, and none of the patients experienced complications. Postoperative discomfort and scarring were not present or were minimal. Conclusion: Photocoagulation with high-intensity diode laser is an effective, bloodless procedure for the treatment of VL.

Effect of a Single Application of TiF(4) and NaF Varnishes and Solutions Combined with Nd:YAG Laser Irradiation on Enamel Erosion in Vitro

Objective: This in vitro study aimed to analyze the influence of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser irradiation on the efficacy of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF(4)) and sodium fluoride (NaF) varnishes and solutions to protect enamel against erosion. Background data: The effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on NaF and AmF was analyzed; however, there is no available data on the interaction between Nd:YAG laser irradiation and TiF(4). Methods: Bovine enamel specimens were pre-treated with NaF varnish, TiF(4) varnish, NaF solution, TiF(4) solution, placebo varnish, Nd:YAG (84.9 J/cm(2)), Nd:YAG prior to or through NaF varnish, Nd:YAG prior to or through TiF(4) varnish, Nd:YAG prior to or through NaF solution, Nd:YAG prior to or through TiF(4) solution, and Nd:YAG prior to or through placebo varnish. Controls remained untreated. Ten specimens in each group were then subjected to an erosive demineralization (Sprite Zero, 4x90 s/day) and remineralization (artificial saliva, between the erosive cycles) cycling for 5 days. Enamel loss was measured profilometrically (mu m). Additionally, treated but non-eroded specimens were additionally analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) (each group n-2). The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: Only TiF(4) varnish (1.8 +/- 0.6 mu m), laser prior to TiF(4) varnish (1.7 +/- 0.3 mu m) and laser prior to TiF(4) solution (1.4 +/- 0.3 mu m) significantly reduced enamel erosion compared to the control (4.1 +/- 0.6 mu m). SEM pictures showed that specimens treated with TiF(4) varnish presented a surface coating. Conclusions: Nd:YAG laser irradiation was not effective against enamel erosion and it did not have any influence on the efficacy of F, except for TiF(4) solution. On the other hand, TiF(4) varnish protected against enamel erosion, without the influence of laser irradiation.

In Vivo Effects on the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A(165) Messenger Ribonucleic Acid of an Infrared Diode Laser Associated or Not with a Visible Red Diode Laser

Objective: This study investigated and correlated the kinetic expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A(165) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) with the associated use or not of an infrared laser and a visible red laser during the wound healing in rats. Background Data: There is a lack of scientific evidence demonstrating the influence of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the expression of VEGF mRNA in vivo. Materials and Methods: Forty-five Wistar rats were randomly allocated to one of three groups: I (n = 5, nonoperated animals), II (n = 25, operated animals), and III (n = 25, animals operated and subjected to laser irradiation). A surgical wound was performed using a scalpel in the right side of the tongue of operated animals. In group III, two sessions of laser irradiation were performed, one right after the surgical procedure (infrared laser, 780 nm, 70mW, 35 J/cm(2)) and the other 48 h later (visible red laser, 660 nm, 40mW, 5J/cm(2)). Five animals each were sacrificed 1, 3, 5, and 7 days postoperatively in groups II and III, and samples of tongue tissue were obtained. The animals of group I were sacrificed on day 7. Total RNA was extracted using guanidine-isothiocyanate-phenol-chloroform method. The results of horizontal electrophoresis after reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction permitted the ratio of VEGF-A(165) mRNA and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA expression for groups I, II, and III to be assessed (two-way analysis of variance and Tukey test, p<0.05). Results: The expression of VEGF-A(165) mRNA in group II (0.770 +/- 0.098) was statistically greater than that observed in groups I (0.523 +/- 0.164) and III (0.504 +/- 0.069) in the first day after surgery (p<0.05). Significant differences between the groups were not observed in other time periods. Conclusion: LLLT influenced the expression of VEGF-A(165) mRNA during wound healing after a surgical procedure on the tongue of Wistar rats.

PAR evaluation of treated Class I extraction patients

Objective: To evaluate treatment changes and quality of finishing occlusion in Class I patients treated with four premolar extractions. Material and Methods: Dental casts of 94 subjects (50 males and 44 females) were evaluated. Mean pretreatment age was 13.46 years, and mean treatment time was 2.09 years. The peer assessment rating (PAR) index was obtained from pretreatment and posttreatment dental casts. Results: The mean pretreatment PAR index of 29.46 was reduced to 6.32 at posttreatment stage, achieving a reduction of 78.54% with treatment. There was correlation between the initial PAR and correction during treatment, that is, the more severe the malocclusion the greater the treatment changes. Conclusion: The cases evaluated showed a high-standard orthodontic finishing.

Influence of palm fatty acid distillate on rumen degradability and protozoa population in buffaloes

Oil and fat as energy sources at low cost are relevant in ruminant nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) on the degradability and ciliate protozoa population in buffalo. Four rumen fistulated buffaloes were fed a basal diet in a Latin square (4x4) design trial. Treatments were designed with four of different levels of PFAD added directly into the rumen: 0; 200; 420 and 500 g/animal/d. High levels of PFAD (420 and 500 g/d) promoted higher degradation of the soluble fraction and lower in potentially degradable fraction of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) with lower values of potential and effective degradability in two evaluated grasses, bermudagrass and brachiariagrass. Significant decreases in the total number of protozoa/mL of rumen content, Entodinium and ciliates belonging to subfamily Diplodiniinae were observed at higher level of PFDA addition in the rumen. Also, Epidinium and Holotrich ciliates disappeared from the rumen. Significant correlations were observed of the ciliate concentration and composition as a function of dietary lipids content. Entodinium composition increased from 68.0% to 99.6% and Diplodiniinae reduced from 30.4% to 0.4% with increasing PFAD level indicating higher fat toxicity effect on the Diplodiniinae ciliates than Entodinium species and direct action of the larger ciliates on the fibre degradation.

High Iodine Concentration Attenuates RET/PTC3 Oncogene Activation in Thyroid Follicular Cells

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is frequently associated with a RET gene rearrangement that generates a RET/PTC oncogene. RET/PTC is a fusion of the tyrosine kinase domain of RET to the 50 portion of a different gene. This fusion results in a constitutively active MAPK pathway, which plays a key role in PTC development. The RET/PTC3 fusion is primarily associated with radiation-related PTC. Epidemiological studies show a lower incidence of PTC in radiation-exposed regions that are associated with an iodine-rich diet. Since the influence of excess iodine on the development of thyroid cancer is still unclear, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of high iodine concentrations on RET/PTC3-activated thyroid cells. Methods: PTC3-5 cells, a rat thyroid cell lineage harboring doxycycline-inducible RET/PTC3, were treated with 10(-3) M NaI. Cell growth was analyzed by cell counting and the MTT assay. The expression and phosphorylation state of MAPK pathway-related (Braf, Erk, pErk, and pRet) and thyroid-specific (natrium-iodide symporter [Nis] and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor [Tshr]) proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Thyroid-specific gene expression was further analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction. Results: A significant inhibition of proliferation was observed, along with no significant variation in cell death rate, in the iodine-treated cells. Further, iodine treatment attenuated the loss of Nis and Tshr gene and protein expression induced by RET/PTC3 oncogene induction. Finally, iodine treatment reduced Ret and Erk phosphorylation, without altering Braf and Erk expression. Conclusion: Our results indicate an antioncogenic role for excess iodine during thyroid oncogenic activation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the effect of iodine on thyroid follicular cells, particularly how it may play a protective role during RET/PTC3 oncogene activation.

Comparison Between Single-Diode Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and LED Multi-Diode (Cluster) Therapy (LEDT) Applications Before High-Intensity Exercise

Background Data and Objective: There is anecdotal evidence that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may affect the development of muscular fatigue, minor muscle damage, and recovery after heavy exercises. Although manufacturers claim that cluster probes (LEDT) maybe more effective than single-diode lasers in clinical settings, there is a lack of head-to-head comparisons in controlled trials. This study was designed to compare the effect of single-diode LLLT and cluster LEDT before heavy exercise. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over study. Young male volleyball players (n = 8) were enrolled and asked to perform three Wingate cycle tests after 4 x 30 sec LLLT or LEDT pretreatment of the rectus femoris muscle with either (1) an active LEDT cluster-probe (660/850 nm, 10/30mW), (2) a placebo cluster-probe with no output, and (3) a single-diode 810-nm 200-mW laser. Results: The active LEDT group had significantly decreased post-exercise creatine kinase (CK) levels (-18.88 +/- 41.48U/L), compared to the placebo cluster group (26.88 +/- 15.18U/L) (p < 0.05) and the active single-diode laser group (43.38 +/- 32.90U/L) (p<0.01). None of the pre-exercise LLLT or LEDT protocols enhanced performance on the Wingate tests or reduced post-exercise blood lactate levels. However, a non-significant tendency toward lower post-exercise blood lactate levels in the treated groups should be explored further. Conclusion: In this experimental set-up, only the active LEDT probe decreased post-exercise CK levels after the Wingate cycle test. Neither performance nor blood lactate levels were significantly affected by this protocol of pre-exercise LEDT or LLLT.

Positive Selection Results in Frequent Reversible Amino Acid Replacements in the G Protein Gene of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children under 5 years of age and the elderly, causing annual disease outbreaks during the fall and winter. Multiple lineages of the HRSVA and HRSVB serotypes co-circulate within a single outbreak and display a strongly temporal pattern of genetic variation, with a replacement of dominant genotypes occurring during consecutive years. In the present study we utilized phylogenetic methods to detect and map sites subject to adaptive evolution in the G protein of HRSVA and HRSVB. A total of 29 and 23 amino acid sites were found to be putatively positively selected in HRSVA and HRSVB, respectively. Several of these sites defined genotypes and lineages within genotypes in both groups, and correlated well with epitopes previously described in group A. Remarkably, 18 of these positively selected tended to revert in time to a previous codon state, producing a ""flipflop'' phylogenetic pattern. Such frequent evolutionary reversals in HRSV are indicative of a combination of frequent positive selection, reflecting the changing immune status of the human population, and a limited repertoire of functionally viable amino acids at specific amino acid sites.

Evaluation of Sphingolipids in Wistar Rats Treated to Prolonged and Single Oral Doses of Fumonisin B(1)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate sphingolipid levels (sphingosine-So and sphinganine-Sa) and to compare the Sa/So ratio in liver, serum and urine of Wistar rats after prolonged administration (21 days) of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)). In parallel, the kinetics of sphingolipid elimination in urine was studied in animals receiving a single dose of FB(1). Prolonged exposure to FB(1) caused an increase in Sa levels in urine, serum and liver. The most marked effect on sphingolipid biosynthesis was observed in animals treated with the highest dose of FB(1). Animals receiving a single dose of FB(1) presented variations in Sa and So levels and in the Sa/So ratio.

Comparative study of the adsorption and dissociation of vinylacetic acid and acrylic acid on silicon (001)

In this work, we employ the state of the art pseudopotential method, within a generalized gradient approximation to the density functional theory, to investigate the adsorption process of acrylic acid (AAc) and vinylacetic acid (VAA) on the silicon surface. Our total energy calculations support the proposed experimental process, as it indicates that the chemisorption of the molecule is as follows: The gas phase VAA (AAc) adsorbs molecularly to the electrophilic surface Si atom and then dissociates into H(2)C = CH - COO and H, bonded to the electrophilic and nucleophilic surface silicon dimer atoms, respectively. The activation energy for both processes correspond to thermal activations that are smaller than the usual growth temperature. In addition, the electronic structure, calculated vibrational modes, and theoretical scanning tunneling microscopy images are discussed, with a view to contribute to further experimental investigations.

4-(2,5-Dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzoic acid: X-ray and DFT-calculated structure

In the title compound, C(11)H(7)NO(4), there is a dihedral angle of 45.80 (7)degrees between the planes of the benzene and maleimide rings. The presence of O-H...O hydrogen bonding and weak C-H...O interactions allows the formation of R (3) 3(19) edge-connected rings parallel to the (010) plane. Structural, spectroscopic and theoretical studies were carried out. Density functional theory (DFT) optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) and 6-31++G(d,p) levels are compared with the experimentally determined molecular structure in the solid state. Additional IR and UV theoretical studies allowed the presence of functional groups and the transition bands of the system to be identified.

Development and validation of a fast RP-HPLC method to determine the analogue of the thyroid hormone, 3,5,3 '-triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC), in polymeric nanoparticles

The objective of this work was to develop and validate a rapid Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography method for the quantification of 3,5,3 '-triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) in nanoparticles delivery system prepared in different polymeric matrices. Special attention was given to developing a reliable reproductive technique for the pretreatment of the samples. Chromatographic runs were performed on an Agilent 1200 Series HPLC with a RP Phenomenex (R) Gemini C18 (150 x 4, 6 mm i.d., 5 mu m) column using acetonitrile and triethylamine buffer 0.1% (TEA) (40 : 60 v/v) as a mobile phase in an isocratic elution, pH 5.6 at a flow rate of 1 ml min(-1). TRIAC was detected at a wavelength of 220 nm. The injection volume was 20 mu l and the column temperature was maintained at 35 degrees C. The validation characteristics included accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, recovery, and robustness. The standard curve was found to have a linear relationship (r(2) - 0.9996) over the analytical range of 5-100 mu g ml(-1) . The detection and quantitation limits were 1.3 and 3.8 mu g ml(-1), respectively. The recovery and loaded TRIAC in colloidal system delivery was nearly 100% and 98%, respectively. The method was successfully applied in polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, and polymethylmethacrylate nanoparticles.