Efeito da temperatura de estocagem de leveduras de panificação sobre a atividade da glicerol-3-fosfato desidrogenase

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

Expressão imuno-histoquímica das integrinas α2ß1, α3ß, e α5ß1, em carcinoma epidermóide de lábio inferior e língua

The unpredictable biologic behavior of the oral squamous cells carcinoma has determined extensive research on the evolution of such tumor. Due to the existing relation between the outer cell matrix and the tumor cells, the integrins have been used as markers in the predictive study of the cell behavior. This study aims to analyze immunohistochemically the expression of the integrin α2β1, α3β1, and α5β1 connections for the collagen, the laminin and the fibronectin respectively in 15 cases of squamous cells carcinoma from the lower lip and 15 from the tongue, with different scores of malignance grading. A predominantly diffuse, cytoplasm and granular immunological marking was observed in the majority of the analyzed cases. According to the marking intensity, integrin α2β1 appeared positive in 80% of the lip and in 93,3% of the tongue cases. The immunological reactivity of integrin α3β1 was classified as positive in 60% of both the tongue and lip cases. For this integrin, 20% and 33.3% of the tongue and lip cases, respectively, were negative. In relation to integrin α5β1 the intensity was classified as positive in 53,3% of the cases and strongly positive in 46,7% of those located in the lip. In the tongue carcinomas, the intensity was positive in 46,7% of the cases and strongly positive in 53,3%. The statistic analysis did not show any significant differences or correlation of expression between these integrins nor between the anatomical sites or between different scores of malignancy grading. The expressive immunological marking of the integrins, α2β1, α3β1, and α5β1 in the studied cases of squamous cell carcinomas leads us to think of a great participation of these proteins in oral carcinogenesis; however, our results do not allow us to correlate its expression as an indicator of variations in the biological behavior of this neoplasia

Microstructural Characterization of Ti-6Al-7Nb Alloy After Severe Plastic Deformation

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

The role of virulence factors in the outcome of staphylococcal peritonitis in CAPD patients

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

Cytokines released from blood monocytes and expressed in mucocutaneous lesions of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis evaluated before and during trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment

Background Mucocutaneous lesions in paracoccidioidomycosis are granulomatous and result from tissue responses to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the aetiological agent.Objectives and methods In this study we investigate the expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 by immunohistochemistry in skin and mucosa lesions from patients with the chronic form of paracoccidioidomycosis, evaluated before and at day 20 of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment. Cytokine production by peripheral blood monocytes was also studied by enzyme immunoassay.Results Intense immunostaining for TNF-alpha was detected in mononuclear cells that infiltrated granulomas in all skin and mucosa lesions before treatment simultaneously with low IL-10 granular deposits in these cells. At day 20 of treatment, there was reduced TNF-alpha and IL-10 deposition. Immunoreactive TGF-beta 1 was observed diffusely in the dermis and generally in the cytoplasm of macrophages and giant cells, before treatment, and as increased TGF-beta 1 deposits in the fibrosis area at day 20 of treatment. Peripheral blood monocytes from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, evaluated before treatment, produced high endogenous levels of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta 1 and IL-10 in relation to healthy controls. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes from patients secreted lower levels of TNF-alpha in both periods of evaluation while no impairment in capacity of IL-10 and TGF-beta production was observed.Conclusions Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy was effective in decreasing fungal load in the lesions, allowing patient immune response to control the infection leading to the healing of the lesions.

Comparison of progesterone-based protocols with gonadotropin-releasing hormone or estradiol benzoate for timed artificial insemination or embryo transfer in lactating dairy cows

The objective was to compare two protocols for synchronizing ovulation in lactating Holstein cows submitted to timed AI (TAI) or timed ET (TET). Within each farm (n = 8), cows (n = 883; mean +/- SEM 166.24 +/- 3.27 d postpartum, yielding 36.8 +/- 0.34 kg of milk/d) were randomly assigned to receive either: 1) an intravaginal progesterone insert (CIDR (R)) with 1.9 g of progesterone + GnRH on Day -10, CIDR (R) withdrawal + PGF2 alpha on Day -3, and 1 mg estradiol cypionate on Day -2 (treatment GP-P-E; n(TAI) = 180; n(TET) = 260); or 2) a CIDR (R) insert + 2 mg estradiol benzoate on Day -10, PGF2 alpha on Day -3, CIDR (R) withdrawal + 1 mg estradiol cypionate on Day -2 (treatment EP-P-E; n(TAI) = 174; n(TET) = 269). Cows were subsequently randomly assigned to receive either TAT on Day 0 or TET on Day 7. Serum progesterone concentration on Day -3 was greater in GP-P-E than in EP-P-E (2.89 +/- 0.15 vs 2.29 +/- 0.15 ng/mL; P < 0.01), with no significant effect of group on serum progesterone on Day 7. Compared to cows submitted to TAI, those submitted to TET had greater pregnancy rates on Day 28 (44.0% [233/5291 vs 29.7% [105/354]; p < 0.001) and on Day 60 (37.6% [199/529] vs 26.5 [94/354]; P < 0.001). However, there were no effects of treatments (GP-P-E vs EP-P-E; P > 0.10) on synchronization (87.0% [383/440] vs 85.3% [378/443]), conception (TAI: 35.3% [55/156] vs 33.8% [50/148]; TET: 50.7% [115/227] vs 51.3% [118/230]) and pregnancy rates on Days 28 (TAT: 30.5% [55/180] vs 28.7% 150/174]; TET: 44.2% [115/260] vs 43.9% [118/2691) and 60 (TAI: 27.2% [49/80] vs 25.9% [45/174]; TET: 38.8% [101/260] vs 36.4% [98/269]). In conclusion, GP-P-E increased serum progesterone concentrations on Day -3, but rates of synchronization, conception, and pregnancy were not significantly different between cows submitted to GP-P-E and EP-P-E protocols, regardless of whether they were inseminated or received an embryo. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efeito da gordura protegida sobre a produção e composição do leite em ovelhas da raça Bergamácia

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da gordura protegida sobre a produção e composição do leite em ovelhas da raça Bergamácia. Utilizaram-se 77 ovelhas distribuídas, por ordem de parição e idade, em duas dietas: uma composta de silagem de milho e concentrado; e outra com gordura protegida (35 g/ovelha/dia) no concentrado. As dietas foram isoenergéticas e isoproteicas e continham 70% NDT e 16% PB com base na matéria seca. Os cordeiros permaneceram com suas mães até os 45 dias de idade, quando foram desmamados. Quarenta e oito horas após o parto, deu-se início a ordenha realizada uma vez ao dia, às 7 h, para mensuração diária da produção de leite durante 60 dias. Amostras de leite foram coletadas semanalmente para análise da composição centesimal e do teor de caseína. A dieta com gordura protegida promoveu maior produção média diária de leite após a desmama (0,531 vs 0,489 kg/dia), entretanto, a produção total do período não diferiu entre controle e com gordura protegida (0,453 vs 0,468 kg/dia, respectivamente). Não foi observada influência das dietas sobre os teores de gordura do leite até a sexta semana de lactação. As diferenças ocorreram apenas após a desmama. Os teores de alfa e beta caseínas diferiram entre os grupos controle e gordura protegida (31,73 vs 18,56 Kda para alfa-caseína e 32,67 vs 26,44 Kda para beta-caseína, respectivamente). A adição de gordura protegida na dieta não altera a produção nem a composição centesimal do leite até a desmama.

Expressão gênica dos REα, REβ e PR em tumores mamários de cadelas por meio do q-PCR

A expressão de receptores de estrógeno (ER) e progesterona (PR) por meio da técnica de q-PCR foi avaliada em 26 cadelas portadoras de neoplasias mamárias e cinco cadelas sem afecções mamárias (grupo controle). Os resultados mostraram que os três grupos de animais estudados - com tumor maligno ou benigno e controle - expressaram receptores de estrógeno alfa, beta e progesterona. A quantificação relativa mostrou tendência para uma expressão maior de receptores no grupo controle e menor no grupo de animais com neoplasias malignas. Além disso, observou-se expressão maior de ERα em relação ao ERβ, e as neoplasias malignas de origem mista apresentaram maiores concentrações dos receptores PR, ERα e ERβ que as neoplasias de origem epitelial.

Diagnóstico de falha de transferência de imunidade passiva em bezerros através da determinação de proteína total e de suas frações eletroforéticas, imunoglobulinas g e m e da atividade da gama glutamil transferase no soro sangüíneo

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

Toxicity of chlorhexidine on odontoblast-like cells

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cytotoxicity of two novel formulations of calcium phosphate cements: A comparative in vitro study

The purpose was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of two novel formulations (alpha and beta) of calcium phosphate cements. Positive control, represented by a commercial hydroxyapatite cement, and negative control were included for comparative purposes. A continuous lineage of fibroblastic cells was used, and the effect of the tested materials on both cell proliferation and viability was assessed by counting cell number on hemocytometer and by the trypan blue exclusion test, respectively. Study design attempted to simulate clinical use by allowing direct and indirect contact of cells and cements. Results were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and indicated that the beta formulation was extremely cytotoxic (P < 0.001), because this material induced the greatest reduction on cell proliferation and viability. The alpha formulation behaved similarly to the positive control regarding its effect on cell proliferation and viability. Thus, it is concluded that alpha formulation has promise for further evaluation of its behavior in vivo.

Effects of subtypes of adrenergic and angiotensinergic antagonists on the water and sodium intake induced by adrenaline injected into the paraventricular nucleus

The present experiments were conducted to investigate die role of the alpha(1A)-, alpha(1B)-, beta(1)-, beta(2)-adrenoceptors, and the effects of losartan and CGP42112A (selective ligands of the AT(1) and AT(2) angiotensin receptors, respectively) on the water and sodium intake elicited by paraventricular nucleus (PVN) injection of adrenaline. Male Holtzman rats with a stainless steel cannula implanted into the PVN were used. The ingestion of water and sodium was determined in separate groups submitted to water deprivation or sodium depletion with the diuretic furosemide (20 mg/rat). 5-Methylurapidil (an alpha(1A)-adrenergic antagonist) and ICI-118,551 (a beta(2)-adrenergic antagonist) injected into the PVN produced a dose-dependent increase, whereas cyclazosin (an alpha(1B)-adrenergic antagonist) and atenolol (a beta(1)-adrenergic antagonist) do not affect the inhibitory effect of water intake induced by adrenaline. on the other hand, the PVN administration of adrenaline increased the sodium intake in a dose-dependent manner. Previous injection of the alpha(1A) and beta(1) antagonists decreased, whereas injection of the alpha(1B) and beta(2) antagonists increased the salt intake induced by adrenaline. In rats with several doses of adrenaline into PVN, the previous administration of losartan increased in a dose-dependent manner the inhibitory effect of adrenaline and decreased the salt intake induced by adrenaline, while PVN CGP42112A was without effect. These results indicate that both appetites are mediated primarily by brain AT(1) receptors. However, the doses of losartan were more effective when combined with the doses of CGP42112A than given alone p < 0.05, suggesting that the water and salt intake effects of PVN adrenaline may involve activation of multiple angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors subtypes. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Periacinar Retraction Clefting in Nonneoplastic and Neoplastic Prostatic Glands: Artifact or Molecular Involvement

A space between neoplastic acini and prostatic stroma is not rare and studies have interpreted this as an artifact, considering the absence of endothelial cells indicating vascular invasion. Thus, the aims of this work were to characterize and correlate the occurrence and extent of retraction clefting with the reactivities of alpha and beta dystroglycan (alpha DG, beta DG), laminin, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), p63, insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1), vimentin, and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). The study was based on nonneoplastic and neoplastic prostatic tissues obtained from necropsies and retropubic radical prostatectomies. The results showed that periacinar retraction clefting was significantly more frequent in prostatic carcinoma samples than in normal prostatic acini. Most of the neoplastic acini (72.0%) showed retraction clefting of more than 50% of circumference, which were significantly more frequent in Gleason score 7 and 6. Decreased collagen and reticular and elastic fibers were verified in the stroma around neoplastic acini. Weak and discontinuous alpha DG, beta DG, and laminin immunoreactivities and intensified MMP-2, vimentin, IGF-1 and FGF-2 immunoreactivities were verified in the neoplastic acini; p63 immunoreactivity was negative in all carcinomas. Thus, these findings showed that the lack of epithelial basal cells, DGs, and laminin and increased MMP-2, IGF-1, and FGF-7 could be considered important pathways in periacinar retraction occurrence. This study demonstrated the origin of and the biological mechanisms responsible for periacinar retraction clefting in prostatic carcinoma.

Studies on anti-allergic constituents in the leaves and stems of Anchietia salutaris var. martiana (Violaceae)

The anti-allergic active fractionation of hexane extracts of the leaves and stems of Anchietia salutaris,ar. martiana (family Violaceae) nas performed by monitoring their activities with an in vitro bioassay system measuring the inhibitory effects on induced histamine release from guinea pig lung cells. Three known pentacyclic triterpenes (friedelin, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin) were isolated, but these compounds were inactive. Aliphatic hydrocarbons and methyl esters of fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic acids) were detected in active fractions. All compounds isolated were detected for the first time in this medicinal plant.

The importance of androgen on noradrenergic responses of vas deferens isolated from acutely stressed rats

This study investigated the importance of androgen on responses to alpha and beta (norepinephrine) and alpha(1) (phenylephrine and methoxamine) agonists in vasa deferentia isolated from adult, immature, cryptorchid, and castrated rats submitted to swimming-induced acute stress. The participation of adrenergic nervous terminals was also investigated. Acute stress was shown to induce a significant subsensitivity to norepinephrine only in vas deferens from adult rats with normal levels of androgens. In addition, sympathetic denervation of the vas deferens prevented the appearance of subsensitivity. Subsensitivity was not seen when the experiments were carried out using phenylephrine and methoxamine. This shows that subsensitivity to norepinephrine in this acute stress situation may depend on other factors such as neuronal uptake, but not on alpha(1)-adrenoceptor response. Thus, when animals are exposed to acute stressogenic situations, this subsensitivity requires physiological levels of androgens to establish, and may also be involved in body homeostasis. (C) 1999 Academic Press.