Green Brazilian propolis action on macrophages and lymphoid organs of chronically stressed mice

Stress is a generic term that summarizes how psychosocial and environmental factors influence physical and mental well-being. The interaction between stress and immunity has been widely investigated, involving the neuroendocrine system and several organs. Assays using natural products in stress models deserve further investigation. Propolis immunomodulatory action has been mentioned and it has been the subject of scientific investigation in our laboratory. The aim of this study was to evaluate if and how propolis activated macrophages in BALB/c mice submitted to immobilization stress, as well as the histopathological analysis of the thymus, bone marrow, spleen and adrenal glands. Stressed mice showed a higher hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation by peritoneal macrophages, and propolis treatment potentiated H2O2 generation and inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production by these cells. Histopathological analysis showed no alterations in the thymus, bone marrow and adrenal glands, but increased germinal centers in the spleen. Propolis treatment counteracted the alterations found in the spleen of stressed mice. New research is being carried out in order to elucidate propolis immunomodulatory action during stress.

Peroxidase activity in Malpighian tubules of Triatoma infestans Klug

Benzidine and diamino benzidine (DAB) oxidation, typically performed by peroxidases, was demonstrated by light and electron microscopy in peroxisomes, mitochondria and membranous structures which occurred in close contact with urate crystals in Malpighian tubules of nymphs and adults of Triatoma infestans. Peroxisomes were predominantly identified in cells of the distal region of the tubules, which is engaged in excretory mechanisms. DAB oxidation in mitochondria, even in the absence of hydrogen peroxide, may indicate the existence of a mitochondrial peroxidase and possibly a cytochrome c peroxidase. The localization of the extracellular membranous structures appeared restricted to the lumen of the proximal region of the tubules and they were assumed to be remnants of endoplasmic reticulum containing peroxidases.

Atividade peroxidásica em basófilos de Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines Chelidae)

As peroxidases, presentes nos peroxissomos e lisossomos, pertencem às oxidases e atuam como catalítico para o peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), posteriormente decomposto pela oxidação de cossubstratos, evitando danos celulares.(¹) Foi aplicada a técnica da peroxidase(2) em esfregaços sanguíneos de Phrynops geoffroanus, comparando com sangue humano, para avaliação da atividade e controle da reação. O esfregaço sanguíneo humano apresentou marcações em neutrófilos, fagócitos com muitos lisossomos e peroxissomos (Figura 1). Nos esfregaços sanguíneos de Phrynops geoffroanus, as marcações apresentaram-se nos basófilos (Figura 2), que representam de 10% a 25% dos leucócitos de quelônios e possuem grande número de granulações citoplasmáticas,(3) sugerindo a presença de grande quantidade de enzimas e organelas como lisossomos e peroxissomos, possivelmente associadas a sua participação em reações imunes. A atividade peroxidásica representa resposta do organismo a ações ambientais danosas, servindo como marcador biológico.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Antimicrobial Compounds: Characteristics and Applications

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Characterization of native and oxidized starches of two varieties of Peruvian carrot (Arracacia xanthorrhiza, B.) from two production areas of Paraná state, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Características físico-químicas e utilização em alimentos de amidos modificados por tratamento oxidativo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The Water Effect on the Kinetics of the Bovine Liver Catalase

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Mercury Redox Chemistry in the Negro River Basin, Amazon: The Role of Organic Matter and Solar Light

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

Co-stressors chilling and high light increase photooxidative stress in diuron-treated red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii but with lower involvement of H2O2

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

Influence of Remineralizing Gels on Bleached Enamel Microhardness In Different Time Intervals

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

Analysis of Tooth Enamel After Excessive Bleaching: A Study Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy

This study assessed alterations on bovine enamel after excessive bleaching. Coronal portions of bovine teeth (n = 30) were sectioned and divided into three groups (n = 10 per group). The coronal parts were further cut incisocervically into two halves. While one half received no bleaching (control), the other half was subjected to either one (group 1), three (group 2), or five bleaching sessions (group 3) with 35% hydrogen peroxide. The enamel surfaces were then analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Fxcessive bleaching affected the surface morphology and chemistry of the bovine enamel. EDS analysis showed the highest decrease in calcium ion percentages in groups 2 and 3 when compared to their nonbleached halves. Oxygen and phosphorus percentages were comparable on both the control and bleached enamel, regardless of the number of bleaching sessions. Consecutive bleaching sessions with 35% hydrogen peroxide may lead to morphologic and specific elemental changes when performed in a short period of time. Calcium ion percentages may decrease when this bleaching agent is used for more than one session. Int J Prosthodontics 2010;23:29-32.

INTRAPULPAL TEMPERATURE VARIATION DURING BLEACHING WITH VARIOUS ACTIVATION MECHANISMS

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intrapulpal temperature variation after bleaching treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide using different sources of activation. Material and Methods: Twenty-four human teeth were sectioned in the mesiodistal direction providing 48 specimens, and were divided into 4 groups (n=12): (G1) Control - Bleaching gel without light activation, (G2) Bleaching gel + halogen light, (G3) Bleaching gel + LED, (G4) Bleaching gel + Nd: YAG Laser. The temperatures were recorded using a digital thermometer at 4 time points: before bleaching gel application, 1 min after bleaching gel application, during activation of the bleaching gel, and after the bleaching agent turned from a dark-red into a clear gel. Data were analyzed statistically by the Dunnet's test, ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). Results: The mean intrapulpal temperature values (degrees C) in the groups were: G1: 0.617 +/- 0.41; G2: 1.800 +/- 0.68; G3: 0.975 +/- 0.51; and G4: 4.325 +/- 1.09. The mean maximum temperature variation (MTV) values were: 1.5 degrees C (G1), 2.9 degrees C (G2), 1.7 degrees C (G3) and 6.9 degrees C (G4). When comparing the experimental groups to the control group, G3 was not statistically different from G1 (p>0.05), but G2 and G4 presented significantly higher (p<0.05) intrapulpal temperatures and MTV. The three experimental groups differed significantly (p<0.05) from each other. Conclusions: The Nd: YAG laser was the activation method that presented the highest values of intrapulpal temperature variation when compared with LED and halogen light. The group activated by LED light presented the lowest values of temperature variation, which were similar to that of the control group.

Influence of Potentially Remineralizing Agents on Bleached Enamel Microhardness

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

In vitro evaluation of dental bleaching effectiveness using hybrid lights activation

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se fontes de luz aumentam a eficácia do peróxido de hidrogênio na técnica de clareamento profissional. METODOLOGIA: Foram empregados 60 dentes incisivos bovinos, com dimensões coronárias e radiculares padronizadas a partir do limite amelo-cementário, sendo descartada a porção lingual. Os corpos-de-prova (cp) foram limpos em ultra-som por 20 min e a dentina condicionada com H3PO4 a 38% por 15 s, sendo os (cp) imersos em solução de café solúvel a 25% por duas semanas. A dentina foi impermeabilizada com esmalte e os (cp) divididos em 5 grupos, sendo a cor inicial mensurada através do espectofotômetro-EasyShade (VITA). Todos os (cp) receberam três aplicações por 10 min do gel clareador Opalescence Xtra-Boost (Ultradent) conforme segue: Grupo 1 - controle, não recebeu fotoativação, Grupo 2 - ativado com luz halôgena, Grupo 3 - ativado com LED azul/LASER, Grupo 4 - ativado com LED verde/LASER e Grupo 5 - ativado com LED vermelho. Após o clareamento foi mensurada a variação de cor E, a*, b*e L* e as referentes à escala de cor Vita Clássico. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, teste de Tukey e de Dunn (α=5%). RESULTADOS: A diferença geral da cor foi reduzida quando se empregou LED Azul e Luz Halógena, sendo que o desempenho do peróxido de hidrogênio a 38% foi intensificado dependendo da fonte de luz utilizada. A avaliação quantitativa de cor, obtida por espectrofotômetro e pela escala de cor Vita Clássico, foram coincidentes. CONCLUSÃO: O tipo de fonte de luz empregada interfere na eficácia do agente clareador.

Effect of dental surface treatment with Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers on bond strength of resin composite to recently bleached enamel

The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of surface treatment with Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers on resin composite bond strength to recently bleached enamel. In this study, 120 bovine incisors were distributed into two groups: group C: without bleaching treatment; group B: bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide. Each group was divided into three subgroups: subgroup N: without laser treatment; subgroup Nd: irradiation with Nd:YAG laser; subgroup Er: irradiation with Er:YAG laser. The adhesive system (Adper Single Bond 2) was then applied and composite buildups were constructed with Filtek Supreme composite. The teeth were sectioned to obtain enamel-resin sticks (1 x 1 mm) and submitted to microtensile bond testing. The data were statistically analyzed by the ANOVA and Tukey tests. The bond strength values in the bleached control group (5.57 MPa) presented a significant difference in comparison to the group bleached and irradiated with Er:YAG laser (13.18 MPa) or Nd:YAG (25.67 MPa). The non-bleached control group presented mean values of 30.92 MPa, with statistical difference of all the others groups. The use of Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers on bleached specimens was able to improve the bond strengths of them.