Starmerella aceti f.a., sp nova, an ascomycetous yeast species isolated from fungus garden of the leafcutter ant Acromyrmex balzani

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A utilização de glicerina em dietas para bovinos altera a microbiota ruminal

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

Remoção do ácido mefenâmico em água utilizando carvão ativado em pó, lama vermelha e oxidação com cloro

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

Reproductive toxicology and clastogenic evaluation in mice of a phytotherapeutic formulation obtained from Cinchona calisaya Weddel (Rubiaceae) used in Brazilian folk medicine as female fertility stimulant

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In Brazil, a phytotherapeutic preparation produced from a standardized tincture of Cinchona calisaya Weddel such that each mL of product contains 400 mu g of quinine, known in Portuguese as Agua Inglesa (R) (English water), is indicated by the manufacturer as a tonic, appetite stimulant, and digestive. However, this preparation has long been used in folk medicine as a female fertility stimulant. Despite its widespread use in folk medicine to stimulate female fertility, no study has been undertaken to assess the potential teratogenic and genotoxic effects of this phytotherapeutic preparation. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible toxic reproductive effects in mice caused by exposure to Agua Inglesa (R), either before mating or during the pre- and post-embryo implantation periods. The genotoxic potential was evaluated using the micronucleus assay.Material, Methods, and Results: Virgin female mice, with at least one estrous cycle evidenced by vaginal cytology, were divided into five groups of 15 individuals each (Group I - control, Group II - treated with ethanol solution at 16%, Groups III, IV and V treated with phytotherapeutic preparation at 1.5 mL/kg/day, 3.0 mL/kg/day and 4.5 mL/kg/day, respectively). After the first 28 days of treatment, females were caged individually with adult fertile males. Pregnant females continued to receive treatment for seven days (preimplantation period). Body weight was recorded weekly during treatment. Signs of toxicity (weight loss, food intake, piloerection, apathy, prostration, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and locomotion) were also observed. The females were sacrificed on the 15th day of pregnancy, uterine horns were evaluated for implantation, and the placental index was recorded. In the micronucleus test, 2000 polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) per animal, obtained from bone marrow, were scored. Results The results showed that exposure of the females during the pre- and post-implantation periods did not significantly alter the reproductive capacity (p < 0.05); however, in higher dose (three times human dose)reduction of fetal weight was observed. There was no difference between the control and phytotherapeutic preparation (p > 0.05) in terms of the average number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes.Conclusions: Although folk medicine suggests that the Agua Inglesa (R) preparation is useful as a female fertility stimulant, no such effect was confirmed in mice. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A clinical report of an oral lichen planus associated to epidermoid carcinoma in contact with metallic restorations

The aim of this study was to relate the clinical case of a patient with oral lichen planus (OLP) and a history of epidermoid carcinoma associated with metallic restorations. The etiology of OLP is a mucocutaneous disease, which is poorly understood. Studies point to the potential of malignant transformation of OLP and its association with metallic restorations. The metallic restorations were replaced by crowns with a ceramic covering associated and osseointegrated implants in the edentulous areas. About 1 year later, it was observed a bilateral regression of the tongue lesions. The replacement of metallic restorations can contribute to improvement of OLP.

Fracture resistance of teeth submitted to several internal bleaching protocols

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of teeth submitted to several internal bleaching protocols using 35% hydrogen peroxide (35HP), 37% carbamide peroxide (37CP), 15% hydrogen peroxide with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (15HPTiO2) photoactivated by LED-laser or sodium perborate (SP). Materials and methods: After endodontic treatment, fifty bovine extracted teeth were divided into five groups (n = 10): G1-unbleached; G2-35HP; G3-37CP; G4-15HPTiO2 photoactivated by LED-laser and G5-SP. In the G2 and G4, the bleaching protocol was applied in 4 sessions, with 7 days intervals between each session. In the G3 and G5, the materials were kept in the pulp teeth for 21 days, but replaced every 7 days. After 21 days, the teeth were subjected to compressive load at a cross head speed of 0.5 mm/min, applied at 135° to the long axis of the root using an eletromechanical testing machine, until teeth fracture. The data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests (α = 5%). Results: The 35HP, 37CP, 15HPTiO2 and SP showed similar fracture resistance teeth reduction (p > 0.05). All bleaching treatments reduced the fracture resistance compared to unbleached teeth (p < 0.05). Conclusion: All bleaching protocols reduced the fracture resistance of endodontically-treated teeth, but there were no differences between each other. Clinical significance: There are several internal bleaching protocols using hydrogen peroxide in different concentrations and activation methods. This study evaluated its effects on fracture resistance in endodontically-treated teeth.

Evaluation of different periods of estrogen replacement onset in the tibia of ovariectomized rats

Background and aims Estrogen deficiency results in increased bone turnover and can lead to osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) seems to be the most effective means of reducing bone loss and fractures. However, the effects of the period of HRT onset on bone tissue require further elucidation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different periods of HRT onset on the trabecular bone of ovariectomized rats.Methods Seventy-five ovariectomized Wistar rats were divided into five groups according to the onset of treatment. Each group was subdivided into experimental (E; n = 10) and control (C; n = 5), according to treatment with 17-beta-estradiol or vehicle alone (soybean oil), respectively, administered subcutaneously. The first group received treatment immediately post-surgery, while treatment in the remaining groups was initiated 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks post-surgery. Euthanasia occurred at 9 weeks post-surgery. The left tibias were removed and prepared for histomorphometric analyses. The histomorphometric results were statistically analyzed by the Student's t test (p < 0.05).Results The percentage of trabecular bone was significantly greater in the first (p = 0.002) and second (p = 0.039) experimental subgroups compared with the control for the same period. In the experimental subgroups, the percentage of trabecular bone decreased according to the delay in HRT onset and was statistically significant (t = 3.367; p = 0.0023).Conclusion These findings indicate an increase in trabecular bone loss in tibia at 9 weeks post-ovariectomy. The period of HRT/E onset is important for preventing bone loss; however, despite its preventive effects, HRT/E does not restore lost bone.

Alimentos funcionais: uma nova fronteira para o desenvolvimento de bebidas protéicas a base de soro de leite

Functional foods are defined as those that provide additional benefits to consumers. The market for foods with functional properties is expanding, supported by scientific evidences, which leads the developing of different special foods. This market segment is related to the innovations, as well as the traditional functional dairy and non dairy products, gain traction in the marketplace for innovative products like based whey sports beverage. Besides the functionality of muscle protein synthesis, these beverages are entering into areas such as clinical nutrition and satiety. Thus, it can be supposed that the composition and technological versatility of the whey support the use asinnovative ingredient for foods and beverages. This review aim to supply an overview about functional foods, mainly the segment of whey based beverages. The success of this new nutritional approach is close related to the requirement to identify, to characterize and to develop methodologies to measure and to validate more precisely the relevant functional markers, making them open for a public domain.

Jornalismo e sociedade: a (in) visibilidade do idoso na imprensa

This article intends to inventory the medias that also cover Third Age in Brazil, in view of that all the demographic pointers reveal the accented process of aging of the world-wide population, and therefore of our country. A time that the journalists cannot ignore the changes that occur in the interior of the society, in which it is the main area of performance of the journalism, we want to understand why the Brazilian media still dedicates so little space to this phenomenon of the elderly, in contrast of what occurs in other countries. We ask ourselves, then, if the change in the way of looking at the elderly one would not have to be born inside of the University, through the young who prepare for the exercise of the profession, with citizenship and social concern. In the Course of Journalism of the UNESP/Bauru a group of future journalists is searching this subject, for this they sign this article.

A divulgação da informação científica no rádio

No mundo, a fase atual pode ser caracterizada de sociedade do conhecimento na era da informação. A prática científica está associada a um ordenamento socio-politico-econômico, logo é justificável o porquê dos questionamentos na prática científica ser uma constante, em virtude das alterações ou modificações dos meios de controles científicos. A comunicação social por meio dos programas radiofônicos sobre divulgação de informações científicas pode ser funcionar como um instrumento de instrução ou de educação, algo que possivelmente estimule o gosto do público pela cultura científica. A evolução da tecnologia radiofônica, em sintonia com a informática e a microeletrônica, proporcionou as condições de produção direcionadas para a criação tanto de programas de caráter cultural educativo e científico como também para a criação de programas populares visando lazer diversão. O presente trabalho discorre sobre re-organização da emissora de rádio enquanto empresa que, atualmente, deve planejar técnica e administrativamente sempre que necessário visando melhorar as condições de produções de programas radiofônicos para a transmissão da informação científica.

Perspectivas e desafios para o rádio na era digital

O rádio é o veículo de comunicação que as pessoas mais usam para receber informação e entretenimento diário. A portabilidade, a proximidade das emissoras com seus públicos e os receptores de baixo preço sustentam há várias décadas, a popularidade radiofônica. Mais recentemente, o rádio se beneficiou do crescimento da frota automotora e da enorme quantidade de celulares, que embutem gratuitamente receptores de rádio. Uma pesquisa realizada em 2010, pelo GPR (Grupos dos Profissionais do Rádio) sobre consumo radiofônico pelos brasileiros, apontou que 74% deles ouvem Rádio em receptores tradicionais, 63% ouvem pela internet, 61% pelo rádio do carro, 37% sintoniza rádio pelo celular, 21% por meio de dispositivos como MP3, MP4 e iPhone; 12% por meio de canais de áudio da TV a cabo e 3% via internet do celular. A pesquisa GPR apresenta números significativos de ouvintes em cada modalidade de dispositivo para recepção radiofônica. São indicadores claros de que um mesmo ouvinte está sintonizando regularmente suas emissoras prediletas em mais de um tipo de receptor de rádio. A nova variável demonstra que a digitalização da produção, da transmissão e da recepção, além de transformar o rádio em um veículo com linguagem multimídia, também lhe agregou a possibilidade de multi-sintonia. Ou seja, as mensagens radiofônicas passaram a ser recebidas pelos ouvintes em diversos terminais, todos dotados de ferramentas multimídia e de recursos para interatividade. É a evidência de que o rádio ingressou definitivamente no território binário e convergente do ciberespaço. De agora em diante, a formação das várias carreiras profissionais para a produção radiofônica terão que atentar para as transformações do veículo na era digital.

A informação no rádio como estímulo à produção do conhecimento

The information is centralized on the oligopolistic control of large media conglomerates. Due to the oligopoly of the sources and agencies, can be seen by reviewing the programs for the transmission of information from different stations, there is a minimum difference maintained only for the sources of information of local character. The purpose of this article refers to present concepts and communication proccess for the transmission of information may serve as a stimulus for the generation of knowledge.

Observations on a Cyclic Decline of Lemmings (Lemmus) on the Arctic Coast of Alaska during the Spring of 1949

The importance to the biotic community of various species of lemmings in arctic and subarctic regions has long been recognized, but there is little known about the ecology of these mammals. of the two species that occur on the Arctic Slope of Alaska, namely, the collared lemming, Dicrostonyx groenlandicus rubricatus (Richardson), and the brown lemming, Lemmus trimucronatus alascensis Merriam, during the spring of 1949 the writer had the good fortune to observe a cyclic decline in the population of the brown lemming on the Arctic Coast of Alaska. Observations were made during the peak density preceding this decline and were continued for more than a year subsequent to it. It is the purpose of this paper to present the results of these studies.

Cytocompatibility of Porous Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Granules With Human Mesenchymal Cells by a Multiparametric Assay

This work aims to evaluate the cytocompatibility of injectable and moldable restorative biomaterials based on granules of dense or porous biphasic calcium phosphates (BCPs) with human primary mesenchymal cells, in order to validate them as tools for stem cell-induced bone regeneration. Porous hydroxyapatite (HA) and HA/beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) (60: 40) granules were obtained by the addition of wax spheres and pressing at 20 MPa, while dense materials were compacted by pressing at 100 MPa, followed by thermal treatment (1100 degrees C), grinding, and sieving. Extracts were prepared by 24-h incubation of granules on culture media, with subsequent exposition of human primary mesenchymal cells. Three different cell viability parameters were evaluated on the same samples. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the granules revealed distinct dense and porous surfaces. After cell exposition to extracts, no significant differences on mitochondrial activity (2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenly)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide) or cell density (Crystal Violet Dye Elution) were observed among groups. However, Neutral Red assay revealed that dense materials extracts induced lower levels of total viable cells to porous HA/beta-TCP (P < 0.01). Calcium ion content was also significantly lower on the extracts of dense samples. Porogenic treatments on BCP composites do not affect cytocompatibility, as measured by three different parameters, indicating that these ceramics are well suited for further studies on future bioengineering applications.