Synthesis, characterization and initial biological studies of a new platinum(II) complex with deoxyalliin

A new platinum(II) complex with deoxyalliin was synthesized and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic techniques. Elemental and mass spectrometry analyses of the solid complex fit to the composition [Pt(C6H11NO2S)Cl-2] center dot H2O. C-13 NMR, N-15 NMR and infrared spectra of the complex are consistent with coordination of deoxyalliin to Pt( II) through the nitrogen and sulfur atoms forming a square-planar geometry. The complex is soluble in dimethylsulfoxide. Biological analysis for evaluation of a potential cytotoxic effect of the complex was performed using HeLa cells, a human cervix adenocarcinoma-derived cell line. The results were compared with those of a palladium( II) complex previously described.

Evaluation of the thermal shrinkage of titanium and the setting and thermal expansion of phosphate-boded investments

Statement of problem. There are few studies on titanium casting shrinkage, and phosphate-bonded investments for titanium casting have not produced appropriate marginal fit.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the thermal shrinkage of titanium and the setting and thermal expansion of 3 phosphate-bonded investments.Material and methods. The thermal shrinkage between the melting temperature and room temperature was calculated using a titanium thermal expansion coefficient. The thermal and setting expansion were measured for 3 phosphate bonded investments: Rematitan Plus (RP) specific for titanium, Rema Exakt (RE), and Castorit Super C (CA), using different special liquid concentrations (100%, 75%, and 50%). Setting expansion was measured for cylindrical specimens 50 mm long x 8 mm in diameter with a transducer. The heating and cooling curves were obtained with a dilatometer (DIL 402 PC). The total expansion curve was drawn using software, and temperatures to obtain expansion equivalent to titanium casting shrinkage were determined (n=5). In addition, the total expansion of the control group (RP at 430 degrees C) was measured, as well as the temperatures at which the other groups achieved equivalent total expansion (n=5). Data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (alpha=.05).Results. Titanium casting shrinkage was estimated as 1.55%. RP did not achieve this expansion. RE achieved expansion of 1.55% only with a special liquid concentration of 100% at 594 degrees C. CA with all special liquid concentrations attained this expansion (351 degrees C to 572 degrees C). Total expansion of the control group was 0.86%, and the other groups reached that expansion within the range of 70 degrees C to 360 degrees C.Conclusions. Only RE and CA demonstrated sufficient expansion to compensate for titanium casting shrinkage. All groups reached total expansion equivalent to that of the control group at significantly lower temperatures.

P elements in the saltans group of Drosophila: a new evaluation of their distribution and number of genomic insertion sites

Few are studies on P elements that have addressed the saltans group. These studies had shown that species from the cordata and elliptica subgroups were devoid of any discernible P homologous sequences, while species from the parasaltans, sturtevanti, and saltans subgroups all contain P element sequences. Our analyses showed the presence of one to 15 P element insertion sites in species of the saltans group, including Drosophila neocordata and Drosophila emarginata (cordata and elliptica subgroups, respectively). From these species, only those from the parasaltans, sturtevanti, and saltans subgroups harbor canonical P elements and, only those of the last two subgroups seem to harbor putative full-sized elements. Due to the low similarity of the sequences found in D. neocordata and D. emarginata to those earlier described, we suggest that these sequences might be rudimental P element derivatives that were present in the ancestral of the subgenus Sophophora. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recommended Guidelines for Submission, Trimming, Margin Evaluation, and Reporting of Tumor Biopsy Specimens in Veterinary Surgical Pathology

Neoplastic diseases are typically diagnosed by biopsy and histopathological evaluation. The pathology report is key in determining prognosis, therapeutic decisions, and overall case management and therefore requires diagnostic accuracy, completeness, and clarity. Successful management relies on collaboration between clinical veterinarians, oncologists, and pathologists. To date there has been no standardized approach or guideline for the submission, trimming, margin evaluation, or reporting of neoplastic biopsy specimens in veterinary medicine. To address this issue, a committee consisting of veterinary pathologists and oncologists was established under the auspices of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists Oncology Committee. These consensus guidelines were subsequently reviewed and endorsed by a large international group of veterinary pathologists. These recommended guidelines are not mandated but rather exist to help clinicians and veterinary pathologists optimally handle neoplastic biopsy samples. Many of these guidelines represent the collective experience of the committee members and consensus group when assessing neoplastic lesions from veterinary patients but have not met the rigors of definitive scientific study and investigation. These questions of technique, analysis, and evaluation should be put through formal scrutiny in rigorous clinical studies in the near future so that more definitive guidelines can be derived.

Cauda equina syndrome after spinal tetracaine: Electromyographic evaluation-20 years follow-up

CAUDA equina syndrome (CES) has long been recognized as a rare complication of spinal anesthesia.(1) CES has been described after administration of spinal anesthetics with lidocaine(2) and bupivacaine.(3) In 1991,(4) CES was reported after continuous spinal anesthesia with 1% tetracaine. In 1980, at our university hospital, six adult female patients underwent perineal gynecologic surgery using a spinal anesthetic of 2 ml tetracaine, 1.2%, in 10% glucose. The concentration of the injected tetracaine was unknown by the anesthetists. In all cases, lumbar puncture was performed at the L3-L4 interspace with a disposable spinal needle while the patients were in the sitting position. CES was first diagnosed 72 h or later postoperatively; previous diagnosis was not possible because patients had an indwelling urethral catheter. The diagnosis of CES was confirmed in all patients. During the past year, after institutional approval and informed consent, clinical, magnetic resonance imaging, electromyographic examinations, and conduction studies were performed in three of the above patients. Examinations were not possible on the other three patients because one had recently died, another could not be located, and the third refused to participate. T1 and T2 magnetic resonance image readings were obtained with Gadolinium contrast from a 0.5 Tesla General Electric apparatus (General Electric, Tokyo, Japan). Bilateral sensory and motor conduction studies of the sciatic nerve branches were obtained using a two-channel Nihon-Kohden Neuropack 2 (Nihom-Kohden Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Electromyography was performed in accordance with conventional techniques.(5,6)

Use of homeopathic preparations in experimental studies with healthy plants

Background. The last comprehensive review of experimental research on effects of homeopathic treatments on plants was published in 1984, and lacked formal predefined criteria to assess study quality. Since then several new studies with more advanced methods have been published.Objectives: To compile a review of the literature on basic research in homeopathy with healthy plants with particular reference to studies investigating specific effects of homeopathic remedies.Methods: The literature search included English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish publications from 1920 to April 2009, using predefined selection criteria. We included experiments with healthy whole plants, seeds, plant parts and cells. The outcomes had to be measured by established procedures and statistically evaluated. We developed a Manuscript Information Score (MIS) and included only publications which provided enough information for proper interpretation (MIS >= 5). A formallised Study Methods Evaluation Procedure (SMEP) was used to evaluate these studies, and the subgroup of studies with adequate controls to identify specific effects.Results: A total of 86 studies in 79 publications was identified, 43 studies included statistics, 29 had MIS >= 5, and 15 studies investigated the specificity of homeopathic preparations. Specific effects of decimal, centesimal and fifty millesimal potencies were found including dilution levels far beyond the Avogadro number. In consecutive series of potencies only some of the tested potencies showed effects. There were many individual studies with diverse methods and very few reproduction trials.Conclusions: Healthy plant models seem an useful approach to investigate basic research questions about the specificity of homeopathic preparations. More investigations with more advanced methods are recommended, especially in the sectors of potentisation techniques, effective potency levels and conditions for reproducibility. Systematic negative control experiments should become a routine procedure to control the stability of the experimental systems. Homeopathy (2009) 98, 228-243.

Use of radiographic measurements in the evaluation of dogs with medial patellar luxation

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

Evaluation of the microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to pyrazinamide

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of survey methods for sampling anuran species richness in the neotropics.

Species richness is central to ecological theory, with practical applications in conservation, environmental management and monitoring. Several techniques are available for measuring species richness and composition of amphibians in breeding pools, but the relative efficacy of these methods for sampling high-diversity Neotropical amphibian fauna is poorly understood. I evaluated seven studies from south and south-eastern Brazil to compare the relative and combined effectiveness of two methods for measuring species richness at anuran breeding pools: acoustic surveys with visual encounter of adults and dipnet surveys of larvae. I also compared the relative efficacy of each survey method in detecting species with different reproductive modes. Results showed that both survey methods underestimated the number of species when used separately; however, a close approximation of the actual number of species in each breeding pool was obtained when the methods were combined. There was no difference between survey methods in detecting species with different reproductive modes. These results indicate that researchers should employ multiple survey methods that target both adult and larval life history stages in order to accurately assess anuran species richness at breeding pools in the Neotropics.

Evaluation by Free Vibration Method of Moisture Absorption Effects in Polyamide/Carbon Fiber Laminates

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

Evaluation of Salmonella-Lytic Properties of Bacteriophages Isolated from Commercial Broiler Houses

Because of recent interest in bacteriophage therapy in poultry, information regarding the interaction of bacteriophages and potential host bacteria in the environment should be collected. The present studies were initiated with a rather typical commercial broiler integrator within the south-central United States to examine environmental Salmonella levels in two broiler complexes, attempt to isolate Salmonella-lytic bacteriophages, and elucidate a possible reason for differing apparent Salmonella prevalence. Significantly ( P<0.05) less Salmonella was isolated from houses in complex 1 ( 15/44 [ 34%] Salmonella-positive drag swabs) as compared to houses in complex 2 ( 22/24 [ 92%]). A total of seven Salmonella-lytic bacteriophages were isolated from Salmonella-positive environments, and two bacteriophages were isolated from a single Salmonella-negative house. During the initial bacteriophage isolation, individual bacteriophages did not replicate in the Salmonella host isolated from the same environment, and lysis of additional Salmonella hosts relied on high numbers of bacteriophage to be present. This suggests that the presence of these bacteriophages in the environment of a commercial broiler house had little to no effect on the presence of Salmonella. This study highlights the need to find additional bacteriophage sources, more effective isolation methods, and more innovative approaches to using bacteriophages to treat enteric disease.

Characterization and biological studies of a new platinum(II) complex with the amino acid L-alliin

Synthesis and characterization of a new Pt(II) complex with the amino acid L-alliin (S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, C(6)H(11)NO(3)S) are described. Elemental and mass spectrometric analyses of the solid complex are consistent with [PtCl(2)(alliin)], or [PtCl(2)(C(6)H(11)NO(3)S)]. (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), [(1)H-(15)N] two dimensional (2D) NMR and infrared spectroscopy indicate coordination of the ligand to Pt(II) through the N and S atoms. The complex is very soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide. Biological analysis for evaluation of a potential cytotoxic effect of the complex was performed using HeLa cells derived from human cervical adenocarcinoma. The complex presented moderate cytotoxic activity, inducing about 40% cell death at a concentration of 400 mol L(-1).

In Vitro Evaluation of the Genotoxic Activity and Apoptosis Induction of the Extracts of Roots and Leaves from the Medicinal Plant Coccoloba mollis (Polygonaceae)

Coccoloba mollis (Family Polygonaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly used in cases of memory loss, stress, insomnia, anemia, impaired vision, and sexual impotence, but the scientific literature, to date, lacks studies on the biological effects of this species, particularly with regard to cytotoxicity and induction of DNA damage. The aim of the present study was to assess in vitro (in hepatic HTC cells) ethanolic extracts of the roots and leaves of C. mollis for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis. For these evaluations the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay, comet assay, micronucleus test with cytokinesis block, and an in situ test for detection of apoptotic cells with acridine orange staining were used. The results showed that the extract obtained from the roots of C. mollis is more cytotoxic than that obtained from the leaves and that the reduction in cell viability observed in the MTT assay was a result, at least in part, from the induction of apoptosis. Both extracts induced DNA damage at a concentration of 20 mu g/mL in the comet assay, but no genotoxicity was detected with any of the treatments carried out in the micronucleus test.

A 2-year clinical evaluation of fluoride-containing pit and fissure sealants placed with an invasive technique

The aim of this study was to clinically evaluate fluoride-containing sealants in teeth subjected to minimal enamel reduction (preventive resin restorations). Two hundred fourteen sealants (109 Fluro Shield and 105 Delton Fluor) were applied in 153 teeth of 32 subjects. The sealants were evaluated for superficial irregularities, marginal adaptation, retention, and caries after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. After 6, 12, and 18 months, the attendance at recall was 100.00%. After 24 months, 93.75% of subjects returned for reevaluation. Although total or partial loss of sealant occurred in a few instances, no occlusal caries was found in any tooth at any recall. No statistically significant differences in the results of the clinical evaluation were found between sealant in the maxillary and mandibular dentitions.

Evaluation of microsatellite markers in cultivars of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck)

Sweet orange is considered a very important species in the citrus world market and presents wide morphological variability. However, its characterization at the molecular level by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and isozyme markers is not appropriate. Microsatellite or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have been suggested as ideal for studies in cultures of vegetative propagation and as value markers for mapping in several species. However, information on microsatellite polymorphism in citrus species is scarce. In this work, microsatellite markers (AG-repeats) were developed from an enrichment library of genomic DNA of sweet orange cv. Pera (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck), and 31 cultivars of sweet orange were evaluated. Evaluation of 18 microsatellite primers did not permit differentiation of the varieties studied. New microsatellite primers are being evaluated with the aim of detecting polymorphisms among the cultivars and closely related species to be used in genetic mapping programs.