Effect of vaccination and the immunomodulators bacillus of Calmette-Guerin, Avridine and Propionibacterium acnes on rabies in mice

Responses: of vaccination and treatment to immunomodulators against rabies in mice were evaluated through macrophage inhibition factor (MIF), intra-pad inoculation (IPI) and serum neutralization (SN) tests and by the detection of gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma). Onco-BCG, Avridine and Propionibacterium acnes were administered to groups of mice. Higher survival rates were found in animals treated with P. acnes. Lower levels of IFN-gamma were observed in the groups of infected and vaccinated mice. The IPI was not effective on detecting the response of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Vaccine induced in the infected animals a more intense response to MIF reaction. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Distribution of rabies virus in infected mice, vaccinated and submitted to P-acnes as immunomodulator

The lethality and distribution of rabies virus were evaluated in swiss mice experimentally infected with street rabies virus, vaccinated and submitted to immunomodulation by P. acnes (formerly Corynebacterium parvum). The animals were sacrificed at different times,when the different tissues were collected and submitted to fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and mouse inoculation test (MIT). The group submitted to vaccination and P. acnes treatment presented a percentage of survival superior to that observed in infected mice only treated with P. acnes. Control infected animals had the lowest survival rates. The distribution of rabies virus in spleen of infected mice, vaccinated and submitted to P. acnes was superior to that verified in infected mice not treated with P. acnes. The increased survival correlated with the distribution of rabies virus in lymphoid tissues, could be interpreted as the consequence of P. acnes activity on macrophages. The results suggest the role of macrophages against rabies virus infection in mice and the importance of vaccination in the post expositive treatment of rabies. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier B.V. Ltd.

Effect of progesterone and/or estradiol treatments prior to induction of ovulation on subsequent luteal lifespan in anestrous Nelore cows

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

Effect of Progesterone and Ionomycin on Domestic Cat Sperm Motility Patterns and Acrosome Reaction

This study was aimed at assessing the changes in sperm motion patterns and the percentage of acrosome reaction (AR) in domestic cat semen after treatment with either ionomycin or progesterone (P(4)). Ten ejaculates were collected from five tomcats using an artificial vagina, and were diluted, centrifuged and resuspended in a capacitation medium. Samples were evaluated and divided into seven equal aliquots and, after 2 h at 25 degrees C, were incubated for 30 min at 38 degrees C in 5% CO(2) and then analyzed. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and a combination of three fluorescent probes were used to assess sperm plasma, acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Thirty minutes after the start of incubation, P(4) was added (10 mu g/ml) to the P1 group. Groups P2 and P3 were supplemented with P(4) (10 and 20 mu g/ml, respectively) only after 2 h of incubation, and groups I1 and I2 were supplemented with ionomycin (4 and 8 mu M, respectively) 2 h after incubation. Group E was supplemented with ethanol (0.6%) at 2 h after incubation and group C received no supplementation. Ionomycin and P(4) treatments led to a hyperactivation-like sperm motion and an increase (p < 0.05) in the percentage of AR. Although a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of AR was obtained in group I2 when compared with all P(4) groups, a decrease (p < 0.05) in total and progressive motility was observed in I2 group. As I1 group was similar to I2 to induce AR without diminishing sperm motility, we can conclude that ionomycin at 4 mu M seems to be more suitable to trigger AR in domestic cat sperm.

Effect of platelet-rich plasma on bone healing of autogenous bone grafts in critical-size defects

AimThis study histologically analysed the effect of autogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), prepared according to a new semiautomatic system, on healing of autogenous bone (AB) grafts placed in surgically created critical-size defects (CSD) in rabbit calvaria.Material and MethodsSixty rabbits were divided into three groups: C, AB and AB/PRP. A CSD was created in the calvarium of each animal. In Group C (control), the defect was filled by blood clot only. In Group AB (autogenous bone graft), the defect was filled with particulate autogenous bone. In Group AB/PRP (autogenous bone graft with platelet-rich plasma), it was filled with particulate autogenous bone combined with PRP. All groups were divided into subgroups (n=10) and euthanized at 4 or 12 weeks post-operatively. Histometric and histologic analyses were performed. Data were statistically analysed (anova, t-test, p < 0.05).ResultsGroup C presented significantly less bone formation compared with Group AB and AB/PRP in both periods of analysis (p < 0.001). At 4 weeks, Group AB/PRP showed a statistically greater amount of bone formation than Group AB (64.44 +/- 15.0% versus 46.88 +/- 14.15%; p=0.0181). At 12 weeks, no statistically significant differences were observed between Groups AB and AB/PRP (75.0 +/- 8.11% versus 77.90 +/- 8.13%; p > 0.05). It is notable that the amount of new bone formation in Group AB/PRP at 4 weeks was similar to that of Group AB at 12 weeks (p > 0.05).ConclusionWithin its limitation, the present study has indicated that (i) AB and AB/PRP significantly improved bone formation and (ii) a beneficial effect of PRP was limited to an initial healing period of 4 weeks.

Preload Evaluation of Different Screws in External Hexagon Joint

Purpose: This study compared the maintenance of tightening torque in different retention screw types of implant-supported crowns.Materials and Methods: Twelve metallic crowns in UCLA abutments cast with cobalt-chromium alloy were attached to external hexagon osseointegrated implants with different retention screws: group A: titanium alloy retention screw; group B: gold alloy retention screw with gold coating; group C: titanium alloy retention screw with diamond-like carbon film coating; and group D: titanium alloy retention screw with aluminum titanium nitride coating. Three detorque measurements were obtained after torque insertion in each replica. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's test (P < 0.05), and t test (P < 0.05).Results: Detorque value reduced in all groups (P < 0.05). Group A retained the highest percentage of torque in comparison with the other groups (P < 0.05). Groups B and D retained the lowest percentage of torque without statistically significant difference between them (P < 0.05).Conclusions: All screw types exhibited reduction in the detorque value. The titanium screw maintained the highest percentage of torque whereas the gold-coated screw and the titanium screw with aluminum titanium nitride coating retained the lowest percentage. (Implant Dent 2012;21:46-50)

Morphological characterization of rat incisor fluorotic lesions

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

The effect of oestrogen and alendronate therapies on postmenopausal bone loss around osseointegrated titanium implants

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

Effect of water-bath post-polymerization on the mechanical properties, degree of conversion, and leaching of residual compounds of hard chairside reline resins

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

Apical Sealing Quality of In Vitro Apicectomy Procedures After Using Both Er:YAG and Nd:YAG

The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical sealing of dentinal tubules after root-end surface cutting by using Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers. After root-canal instrumentation and filling, apices of 50 extracted maxillary canine human teeth were resected by Er: YAG with 400 mJ, 10 Hz, for 30 sec. The samples were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10): (GI) treated without root-end cavity, but with Nd: YAG (1.0W, 10 Hz, 20 sec) for dentinal tubules sealing; (GII) treated with root-end cavity without the use of Nd: YAG; (GIII) treated with root-end cavity and Nd: YAG application; (GIV) treated with root-end cavity made by Er: YAG with no focus and without Nd: YAG application; and (GV) treated without root-end cavity and without Nd: YAG application. The root-end cavities were performed by using Er: YAG at 300 mJ, 10 Hz, for 20 sec. Subsequently, all teeth were waterproofed and immersed in 2% methylene blue for 48 h in a vacuum environment. The samples were longitudinally sectioned, and microleakage was measured. ANOVA and the Fisher LSD test showed that GIV was less susceptible to microleakage than were the other groups (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the use of the Er: YAG with no focus showed superior dentinal tubule sealing in comparison with the other groups, even with or without root-end cavity and Nd: YAG application.

Avaliações sensoriais, bioquímicas e microbiológicas do guacamole, um produto à base de abacate, sob armazenamento a frio e com adição de ácido ascórbico

The elaboration of avocado products for commercialization keeping their characteristics of fresh product has been limited. The cut avocado darkens quickly and their sensorial characteristics are modified with the storage. In the present research, the sensorial parameters, microbiological stability, and peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activity were evaluated in guacamole added with ascorbic acid and conserved under low temperature, by using avocado variety Hass. Products were conditioned in polyethylene+nylon packages with and without vacuum application; then, they were subjected to the slow and fast freezing (-18 degrees C) and stored in freezer (-18 degrees C). Evaluations were performed at the moment of elaboration of the product (t0) and at 3, 7 and 30 days post-storage. At t30, samples were kept under refrigeration (4 +/- 1 degrees C) and evaluated at 3, 5 and 7 days. After the 30 days of storage, -18 degrees C under freezing, followed by thawing and keeping at 4 +/- 1 degrees C for 7 days, the notes for the sensorial parameters decreased. The peroxidase activity was totally inhibited in the elaborated product and the polifenol oxidase activity considerably decreased in the guacamole (20.07 mM catechol/g fresh matter) relative to those in the fruit (58.31 mM catechol/g fresh matter), however with no significant variation during storage (at -18 degrees C). The samples were microbiologically stable under the conditions of the present study. The addition of ascorbic acid contributed to the conservation of the frozen avocado product by decreasing the enzymatic activity. However, the sensorial parameters are prejudiced under thawing and storage at 4 +/- 1 degrees C.

The shielding effect of glycerol against protein ionization in electrospray mass spectrometry

Most commercial recombinant proteins used as molecular biology tools, as well as many academically made preparations, are generally maintained in the presence of high glycerol concentrations after purification to maintain their biological activity. The present study shows that larger proteins containing high concentrations of glycerol are not amenable to analysis using conventional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) interfaces. In this investigation the presence of 25% (v/v) glycerol suppressed the signals of Taq DNA polymerase molecules, while 1% (v/v) glycerol suppressed the signal of horse heart myoglobin. The signal suppression was probably caused by the interaction of glycerol molecules with the proteins to create a shielding effect that prevents the ionization of the basic and/or acidic groups in the amino acid side chains. To overcome this difficulty the glycerol concentration was decreased to 5% (v/v) by dialyzing the Taq polymerase solution against water, and the cone voltage in the ESI triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was set at 80-130 V. This permitted observation of a mass spectrum that contained ions corresponding to protonation of up to 50% of the ionizable basic groups. In the absence of glycerol up to 85% of the basic groups of Taq polymerase became ionized, as observed in the mass spectrum at relatively low cone voltages. An explanation of these and other observations is proposed, based on strong interactions between the protein molecules and glycerol. For purposes of comparison similar experiments were performed on myoglobin, a small protein with 21 basic groups, whose ionization was apparently suppressed in the presence of 1% (v/v) glycerol, since no mass spectrum could be obtained even at high cone voltages. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Avaliação e progressão continuada: o que a realidade desvela

Este artigo aborda a compreensão da avaliação no interior da implantação do Regime de Progressão Continuada no Estado de São Paulo. Ao penetrar nos intrincados caminhos da realidade escolar, por meio da pesquisa qualitativa, acompanharam-se sistematicamente durante um ano escolar 4 turmas de alunos (uma de cada ano do ciclo I, ainda do Ensino Fundamental de 8 anos), nos momentos coletivos da escola: horário de trabalho pedagógico coletivo, reuniões de pais e mestres, conselhos de classe/série, eventos; e, ainda, realizaram-se entrevistas com 7 profissionais envolvidos com as turmas (5 professores, coordenadora pedagógica e diretora escolar) e com 124 alunos. Observou-se que a avaliação informal ganha forte expressão nessa nova forma de organização escolar, revelando, também, novas formas de manutenção da seletividade e da exclusão escolar. Por meio da análise das práticas avaliativas e das contribuições dos diversos atores da escola, evidencia-se a presença da seletividade escolar, mas com configuração diferenciada: a exclusão branda e/ou a eliminação adiada.

Effects of swimming training on bone mass and the GH/IGF-1 axis in diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of moderate swimming training on the GH/IGF-1 growth axis and tibial mass in diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated to one of four groups: sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD) and trained diabetic (TD). Diabetes was induced with alloxan (35 mg/kg b.w.). The training program consisted of a 1 h swimming session/day with a load corresponding to 5% of the b.w., five days/week for six weeks. At the end of the training period, the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for quantification of the serum glucose, insulin, GH, and IGF-1 concentrations. Samples of skeletal muscle were used to quantify the IGF-1 pepticle content. The tibias were collected to determine their total area, length and bone mineral content. The results were analyzed by ANOVA with P < 0.05 indicating significance. Diabetes decreased the serum levels of GH and IGF-1, as well as the tibial length, total area and bone mineral content in the SD group (P < 0.05). Physical training increased the serum IGF-1 level in the TC and TD groups when compared to the sedentary groups (SC and SD), and the tibial length, total area and bone mineral content were higher in the TD group than in the SD group (P < 0.05). Exercise did not alter the level of IGF-1 in gastrocnemius muscle in nondiabetic rats, but the muscle IGF-1 content was higher in the TD group than in the SD group. These results indicate that swimming training stimulates bone mass and the GH/IGF-1 axis in diabetic rats. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exercise counteracts fatty liver disease in rats fed on fructose-rich diet

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