Angiotensin II modulates CD40 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

The signalling pathway CD40/CD40L (CD40 ligand) plays an important role in atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture. AngII (angiotensin II), which induces oxidative stress and inflammation, is also implicated in the progression of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that AngII increases CD40/CD40L activity in vascular cells and that ROS (reactive oxygen species) are part of the signalling cascade that controls CD40/CD40L expression. Human CASMCs (coronary artery smooth muscle cells) in culture exposed to IL (interleukin)-1 beta or TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-a) had increased superoxide generation and enhanced CD40 expression, detected by EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) and immunoblotting respectively. Both phenomena were abolished by previous incubation with membrane-permeant antioxidants or cell transfection with P22(phox) antisense. AngII (50-200 nmol/l) induced an early and sustained increase in CD40 mRNA and protein expression in CASMCs, which was blocked by treatment with antioxidants. Increased CD40 expression led to enhanced activity of the pathway, as AngII-treated cells stimulated with recombinant CD40L released higher amounts of IL-8 and had increased COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase-2) expression. We conclude that AngII stimulation of vascular cells leads to a ROS-dependent increase in CD40/CD40L signalling pathway activity. This phenomenon may be an important mechanism modulating the arterial injury observed in atherosclerosis-related vasculopathy.

New York Trade School Administration [5]

This New York Trade School administrator is posed in front of a wall plaque dedicated to the founder of the school. Photograph is black and white.

The development of a Defense System against Coxsackievirus B5 Infection in Suckling Mice

There are many viruses that are able to infect the alimentary tract of man. Little is known, however, about the mechanism of infection itself or the pathophysiology of the gut during infection. 'The research reported here is concerned with the differences in susceptibility among suckling mice of various ages inoculated by the intraperitoneal and intragastric routes. Since the normal mode of entry of many viruses to the gut is via the oral route, Coxsackievirus B5, a human enterovirus which does attack this way, was utilized. It is a non-tumor producing RNA virus that has been shown to act similarly in the mouse and human. The virus was pooled in HeLa cell cultures and titered by a plaquing assay in the same cell cultures. CD-l mice, 10, 14, 18, and 22 days old , were infected either orally or intraperitoneally with 5.0 x 10^10 (10 day old animals) and 1.0 x10^9 plaque forming units per animal. Dissections were done at 1 and 3 days post infection with samples of the blood, heart, liver, and gut being taken from each animal. Each sample was titered individually and the data presented as an average of six samples. As a result of previous work, it is known that the gut of a newborn mouse isn't able to decrease the concentration of the infecting dose and therefore provides no defense against an enteric infection with Coxsackievirus B5. In contrat, mature mice are able to reduce the amount of viral dissemination across the gut as well as inhibit replication after absorption has occurred. The results of this study indicate that there is a double barrier system developing in suckling mice that is involved with and directly related to the gastrointestinal tract The first part of this defense is the inhibition of penetration of virus across the gut when the primary site of' infection is the intestinal mucosa. This mechanism develops sometime around 20 to 22 days after birth. At about 16-18 days of age, suckling mice that were challenged intragastrically are able to stop active replication and initiate clearance of virus from the systemic circulation. There are many factors that might contribute to the marked decrease in susceptibility with age of suckling mice. Some of these or possibly a combination of these factors might explain the defense mechanisms described above, but to date, the chemistry or mechanical functioning of the gastrointestinal barrier to enteric viral infection is unknown.

Estudo dos fatores genéticos de risco para o infarto agudo do miocárdio em idade precoce

O mecanismo patogênico mais importante no IAM é a oclusão trombótica de uma artéria coronariária no local de ruptura de uma placa aterosclerótica. Recentemente, diversos estudos têm investigado a associação entre o IAM e fatores genéticos protrombóticos. O presentetrabalho é um estudo tipo caso-controle a fim de avaliar o efeito de diversos polimorfismos genéticos em um grupo de pacientes com IAM antes dos 60 anos de idade. Foram investigados 283 pacientes e 93 indivíduos controles, todos caucasóides e sem diferenças quanto à proporção sexual e idade média entre os grupos.

Avaliação da saúde bucal e anomalias dentárias em pacientes tratados com leucemia na infância e adolescência

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as condições de saúde bucal e a ocorrência de anomalias dentárias em crianças tratadas para leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) no Serviço de Oncologia Pediátrica (SOP) do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), comparadas com um grupo crianças saudáveis. Amostra: foram selecionadas 56 crianças com diagnóstico de LLA e analisadas as presenças de anomalias dentárias e os índices CPO-D (cariado, perdido, obturado-dente), IPV (índice de placa visível), ISG (índice de sangramento gengival) e fluxo salivar. As crianças tratadas apresentaram uma média de idade, na época do diagnóstico da LLA, de 5,3 ± 2,6, e 11,8 ± 4,2 na avaliação, sendo 32 masculinos e 24 femininos. Os pacientes tratados para LLA foram divididos em três grupos: crianças tratadas somente com quimioterapia, com quimio e radioterapia, e com quimio, radio e transplante de medula óssea. Resultados: os resultados revelaram 80,4% de anomalias dentárias nas crianças tratadas, ou seja, 45 destas apresentaram pelo menos uma alteração, e o grupo de pacientes tratados com quimio, radio e submetidos ao transplante de medula óssea foi o que revelou a maior média de anormalidades dentárias por indivíduo (15,37 ± 15,03), não ocorrendo diferença estatística entre os gêneros. As crianças tratadas para LLA obtiveram CPO-D de 1,9 ± 4,0, ISG de 26,5%, IPV de 72,0%, e índice de fluxo salivar médio de 0,19 mL/min criança. Já o grupo de crianças sadias apresentou CPO-D de 1,52 ± 3,5, ISG de 11,1%, IPV de 53,8% e índice de fluxo salivar médio de 0,27 mL/min. Conclusão: o tratamento para a cura da LLA provoca um aumento significativo no número de anomalias dentárias, sendo mais freqüente nos pacientes menores de cinco anos de idade, principalmente nos pacientes submetidos a quimio e radioterapia associadas ao transplante de medula óssea, o que requer, por parte do cirurgião-dentista, intervenções clínicas diferenciadas e cuidadosas nestes pacientes, tendo-se em vista também os índices aumentados de ISG e IPV. As alterações sofridas pelas glândulas salivares durante o tratamento não são permanentes sob o aspecto do fluxo salivar, que retorna à normalidade. A orientação e o acompanhamento adequados destes pacientes por parte da equipe de saúde bucal podem mantê-los com o índice de CPO-D dentro dos padrões preconizados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde.

Avaliação in vitro da atividade antimicrobiana de diferentes soluções a base de hidróxido de cálcio

The science of Dentistry wishes obtains the ideal solution for the dental plaque chemical control. This research evaluated antimicrobial action capacity in calcium hydroxide and tergentol various solutions starting for the CHD 20, a root canals irrigating solution with a reason of 80% calcium hydroxide saturated solution and 20% tergentol detergent with the aim of evaluate this drug mouth rinse indication with prevention or combat objective for dental caries and periodontal diseases. Antibiogram disks and biofilm tests were accomplished for the microorganisms: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus casei. Different reasons of detergent for the calcium hydroxide saturated solution, tergentol and distillated water solution, 0,12% clorhexydine digluconate solution was positive control and distillated water was negative control. The results showed better performance of clorhexydine in relation to calcium hydroxide directing to not accept this (CHD20) as mouth rinse solution

In vitro and in vivo studies of the Interferon-alpha action on distinct Orthobunyavirus

Oropouche, Caraparu, Guama, Guaroa and Tacaiuma viruses (Orthobunyavirus genus) cause human febrile illnesses and/or encephalitis. To achieve a therapeutical agent to prevent and/or treat these diseases we evaluated the antiviral action of Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on these orthobunyaviruses. In vitro results showed that all the studied orthobunyaviruses are susceptible to antiviral action of IFN-alpha, but this susceptibility is limited and dependent on both concentration of drug and treatment period. In vivo results demonstrated that IFN-alpha present antiviral action on Oropouche and Guaroa viruses when used as a prophylactic treatment. Moreover, a treatment initiated 3 It after infection prevented the death of Guaroa virus infected-mice. Additionally, mortality of mice was related to the migration and replication of viruses in their brains. Our results suggest that IFN-alpha could be potentially useful in the prevention of diseases caused by Oropouche virus and in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by Guaroa virus. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tipo e freqüência de alterações dentárias e periodontais em cães na região de Jaboticabal, SP

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

Microbiota saprófita associada à doença periodontal em cães

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

UTILIZAÇÃO da PRÓPOLIS E ÁLCOOL ETÍLICO NO CONTROLE DE Salmonella em RAÇÕES AVÍCOLAS

Em quatro experimentos foram avaliados como agentes antibacterianos os produtos própolis em solução alcoólica e álcool etílico, adicionados às rações artificialmente contaminadas com os respectivos sorotipos: Salmonella typhimurium Nalr - Specr, (resistentes ao ácido Nalidíxico e a Spectinomicina) nos três primeiros experimentos e Salmonella agona Nalr - Specr, Salmonella infantis Nalr - Specr e Salmonella enteritidis Nalr - Specr no quarto experimento. As rações foram fornecidas a grupos de 10-16 pintos de corte de um dia. em todos os experimentos os produtos testados foram adicionados na base de 2% da ração. Quando se utilizou solução hidroalcóolica de própolis (exp. 1), seguidas 120 horas após o desafio, detectou-se a presença da bactéria nos cecos. No segundo experimento, testou-se a solução de própolis e seu diluente, o álcool etílico; seguidas 96 horas após o desafio, não foi observada a presença da bactéria nos cecos (< 2,0 log10). Avaliou-se, no terceiro experimento, a ação da solução de própolis e do álcool etílico no tempo, adicionados na ração 14 dias e 28 dias antes do fornecimento às aves. Após 72 horas do desafio, a leitura nas placas acusou a presença da bactéria nos cecos. Dentro deste último período, também se avaliou a ação da própolis em pó (extrato seco) e esse mesmo extrato em uma solução aquosa, adicionados à ração 48 horas antes do fornecimento às aves sendo que os resultados confirmaram a presença da bactéria nos cecos. No quarto experimento avaliou-se somente o álcool etílico nas rações artificialmente contaminadas com os sorotipos S. agona, S. enteritidis e S. infantis, registrando-se contagem zero (<2,0 log10) apenas com o último sorotipo. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que o tratamento com a solução de própolis apresentou ação sobre a S. typhimurium somente quando em solução alcóolica, dentro de um período de 48 horas, indicando que o efeito bactericida se deveu ao álcool etílico presente na solução. A ação do tratamento com o álcool etílico sobre os demais sorotipos demonstrou resultado parcial sendo observado efeito bactericida nos sorotipos S. typhimurium e S. enteritidis artificialmente inoculados na ração.

A new method to quantify macroalgae and a practical sampler for experimentation in lotic habitats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The role of obesity as a modifying factor in patients undergoing non-surgical periodontal therapy

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Antiviral effect of Guazuma ulmifolia and Stryphnodendron adstringens on poliovirus and bovine herpesvirus

Crude extract (CE) and aqueous (AqF) and ethyl acetate (EtOAcF) fractions of Guazuma ulmifolia LAM., Sterculiaceae and the corresponding AqF, EtOAcF of Stryphnodendron adstringens (MART.) COVILLE, Leguminosae were tested for their antiviral activity against poliovirus 1 (P-1) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) in HEp2 cultured cells. The antiviral activity was monitored by plaque assay and immunolluorescence assay (IFA) under virucidal and therapeutic protocols. The therapeutic protocol demonstrated statistically significant positive results with both plants and for both virus strains. The highest percentages of viral inhibition were found for G. ulmifolia EtOAcF which inhibited BHV-1 and P-1 replication by 100% and 99%, respectively (p < 0.05, Student's t-test). For S. adstringens, AqF was the most efficient, inhibiting BHV-1 and P-1 by 97% and 93%, respectively (p < 0.05). In the virucidal protocol, G. ulmifolia CE inhibited the replication of BHV-1 and P-1 by 60% and 26%, respectively (p < 0.05), while, for S. adstringens, inhibition of 62% (p < 0.05) was demonstrated only with EtOAcF for P-1. IFA demonstrated that the greatest reduction in fluorescent cell number occurred with G. ulmifolia, under the therapeutic protocol for both virus strains. However, AqF and EtOAcF of S. adstringens were most efficient with the virucidal protocol for P-1 In conclusion, we demonstrated that G. ulmifolia and S. adstringens inhibited BHV-1 and P-1 replication, as well as, blocked the synthesis of viral antigens in infected cell cultures.

Serological detection of West Nile virus in horses and chicken from Pantanal, Brazil

In an effort to detect West Nile virus (WNV) in Brazil, we sampled serum from horses and chickens from the Pantanal region of the state of Mato Grosso and tested for flavivirus-reactive antibodies by blocking ELISA. The positive samples were further confirmed for serological evidence of WNV infection in three (8%) of the 38 horses and one (3.2%) of the 31 chickens using an 80% plaque-reduction neutralisation test (PRNT80). These results provide evidence of the circulation of WNV in chickens and horses in Pantanal.

Controle profissional de biofilme dentário como estratégia para manutenção da saúde periodontal de pacientes com aparelho ortodôntico fixo: análise comparativa entre diferentes períodos

The presence of fixed orthodontics appliances interfere on sanitation, allowing periodontal diseases to appear, despite the fact patients keep on visiting the dentist every month. This research aims to determine a protocol for the mechanical control of the dental biofilm performed by the professional. A protocol that was able to maintain the periodontal health of the patients under orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances, and in order to do so, it used a non-controlled, randomized and blind clinical essay. The sample involved 40 adolescents who were under the installation of fixed orthodontics appliances and it was divided in three groups, as follows: monthly controlled group (group 1) composed of 11 patients, the quarterly controlled group (group 2) with 16 patients and the semestrial controlled group (group 3) with 13 patients. For data collection, an interview and clinical exams with probing depth measurement, quantity of keratinized mucosa, Gingival Index and the Plaque Index were used. On the initial exam all patients received brushing guidelines as well as the professional control of dental biofilm, with periodontal scaler, Robinson s brush and prophylactic paste. However, Group 1 returned every month for control procedures; Group 2 every three months and Group 3 after six months. The intervention had a six-month duration (for all the three groups), when all the exams were repeated by another examiner who did not know which group each patient was inserted in. Finally, the research concluded that despite the fact there is no statistically significant difference among the three groups, clinically the patients from the monthly group presented a better response to professional control, with less accumulation of dental biofilm and less rate of gingival inflammation. Thus, the mechanical control of the dental biofilm performed by the professional could not avoid gingival increase, characterized by the raise of probing depth measurement, neither the quantity of keratinized mucosa