Oral manifestations during chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A case report

A 14-year-old, male patient was referred for the treatment of mucositis, idiopathic facial asymmetry, and candidiasis. The patient had been undergoing chemotherapy for 5 years for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He presented with a swollen face, fever, and generalized symptomatology in the mouth with burning. On physical examination, general signs of poor health, paleness, malnutrition, and jaundice were observed. The extraoral clinical examination showed edema on the right side of the face and cutaneous erythema. On intraoral clinical examination, generalized ulcers with extensive necrosis on the hard palate mucosa were observed, extending to the posterior region. Both free and attached gingivae were ulcerated and edematous with exudation and spontaneous bleeding, mainly in the superior and inferior anterior teeth region. The tongue had no papillae and was coated, due to poor oral hygiene. The patient also presented with carious white lesions and enamel hypoplasia, mouth opening limitation, and foul odor. After exfoliative cytology of the affected areas, the diagnosis was mixed infection by Candida albicans and bacteria. Recommended treatment was antibiotics and antifungal administration, periodontal prophylaxis, topical application of fluor 1.23%, and orientation on and control of proper oral hygiene and diet during the remission phase of the disease.

A new imidazole alkaloid and other constituents from Pilocarpus grandiflorus and their antifungal activity

The stems of Pilocarpus grandiflorus have afforded the new imidazole alkaloid 4,6-dehydro-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2,5-dioxopilocarpine in addition to the 17 known compounds germanicol, β-amiryn, ocotillone, stigmast-4-en-3-one, 3β-hydroxy-stigmast-5-en-7-one, 6β-hydroxy-stigmast-4-en-3-one, β-sitosterol, scopoletin, 3-(1′,1′-dimethylallyl)-scopoletin, elisin, dictamine, 4-methoxy-2-quinolone, platydesmine, syringaresinol, syringaldehyde, syringic acid and vanillic acid. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. The phenolic compounds vanillic acid and syringaldehyde and the furoquinoline alkaloid platydesmine exhibited antifungal activity against Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the symbiotic fungus of leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens rubropilosa). © 2005 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung.

Leaf-cutting ants toxicity of limonexic acid and degraded limonoids from Raulinoa echinata. X-ray structure of epoxy-fraxinellone

Phytochemical survey of roots extracts of the South Brazilian endemic plant Raulinoa echinata Cowan, Rutaceae led to the isolation of known degraded limonoids: fraxinellone, fraxinellonone and epoxy-fraxinellone. The latter was previously isolated also from the stems, but the relative configuration could not be solved by NMR experiments. This paper deals with the X-ray diffraction analysis of epoxy-fraxinellone and its toxicity to leaf-cutting ants, describes the isolation of fraxinellonone and fraxinellone for the first time in Raulinoa. Epoxy-fraxinellone showed no toxicity to the leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens rubropilosa). The limonoid limonexic acid, isolated from stems, presented high toxicity to the leaf-cutting ants, diminishing considerably their longevity. ©2005 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Identification and frequency of transposable elements in Eucalyptus

Transposable elements (TE) are major components of eukaryotic genomes and involved in cell regulation and organism evolution. We have analyzed 123,889 expressed sequence tags of the Eucalyptus Genome Project database and found 124 sequences representing 76 TE in 9 groups, of which copia, MuDR and FAR1 groups were the most abundant. The low amount of sequences of TE may reflect the high efficiency of repression of these elements, a process that is called TE silencing. Frequency of groups of TE in Eucalyptus libraries which were prepared with different tissues or physiologic conditions from seedlings or adult plants indicated that developing plants experience the expression of a much wider spectrum of TE groups than that seen in adult plants. These are preliminary results that identify the most relevant TE groups involved with Eucalyptus development, which is important for industrial wood production. Copyright by the Brazilian Society of Genetics.

Toxicity of straight-chain fatty acids to leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus

This work determined toxicity and attractiveness of straight-chain fatty acids (C 5 to C 12) to Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Forel) workers. The effect to the symbiotic fungus, Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Singer) Möller, was also tested with the fatty acids C 6 to C 12. A strong mortality of leaf-cutting ants that were fed with an artificial diet containing fatty acids C to C at concentrations above 1.0 mg.ml -1 was observed. Rice flakes impregnated with solutions of these fatty acids were repellent to leaf-cutting ants. Contact experiments showed that treatments with C 6 and C 7 at concentration of 100 mg.ml -1 significantly reduced the survival rate of leaf-cutting ants. The fatty acids C 8 to C 11 were toxic to leaf-cutting ants when topically tested at concentration of 200 mg.ml -1. In relation to the fungus' bioassays, the fatty acids C 6 to C 12 at concentration of 0.1 mg.ml -1 inhibited 100% of the fungal development. Although when the concentration was reduced by half no inhibition effects were observed. The results showed that straight-chain fatty acids have desirable properties for controlling leaf-cutting ants since they directly interfere with both organisms of the symbiotic relationship. The potential of fatty acids as well as ways to control leaf-cutting ants with these compounds are discussed in this article.

Electrophysiological responses of Atta sexdens rubropilosa workers to essential oils of Eucalyptus and its chemical composition

The leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 is the most harmful of the Eucalyptus pests, causing severe losses in wood production through defoliation. Various strategies have been tried and effort spent on the development of methods to control this pest, however no practical and environmentally acceptable one currently exists. In this work the chemical composition of the essential oil of seven Eucalyptus species was identified and the selectivity and sensitivity of antennal receptors of A. sexdens rubropilosa workers to the volatile compounds were determined using the electroantennographic technique (EAG and GC-EAD). Analysis by GC-EAD showed in E. cloesiana and E. maculata, respectively, seventeen and sixteen terpenes that elicited responses in ant workers' antennae, indicating the potential role of the essential oils as allelochemicals that determine the choice of the foraging material. © 2006 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung.

Avaliação das respostas fisiológicas de bezerros Zebuínos puros e cruzados nascidos em clima subtropical

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Propriedades físicas e indicador de qualidade de um latossolo vermelho submetido a diferentes sistemas de uso e manejo

The conventional system for soil management and preparation has the intensive mechanization as its basic principle and that changes soil properties, especially physical ones, faster and significantly. This study aimed to obtain and compare physical properties such as distribution of particle sizes, density, distribution of pore sizes, curves of water retention and degradation index of a Red Latosol, under intensive cultivation and no-cultivation for six years. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 m. There was a clay increment as a result of cultivated soil increase. The no-till soil density decreased as depth increased; however, in the arable layer (0.3 m) of the cultivated soil, the opposite was verified. The largest volume of pores was verified in the cultivated soil, especially in the superficial layers. In the smallest applied tension (0.001 MPa), the cultivated soil retained more water; however, starting from 0.033 MPa, the highest humidity values occurred in the no-till soil. The highest degradation index was observed at a depth of 0.1 m in no-till soil. However, that value was superior (0.020) to what is physically considered very poor soil.

The effect of pH on horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of melatonin: Production of N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5- methoxykynuramine versus radical-mediated degradation

There is a growing body of evidence that melatonin and its oxidation product, N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK), have anti-inflammatory properties. From a nutritional point of view, the discovery of melatonin in plant tissues emphasizes the importance of its relationship with plant peroxidases. Here we found that the pH of the reaction mixture has a profound influence in the reaction rate and products distribution when melatonin is oxidized by the plant enzyme horseradish peroxidase. At pH 5.5, 1 mm of melatonin was almost completely oxidized within 2 min, whereas only about 3% was consumed at pH 7.4. However, the relative yield of AFMK was higher in physiological pH. Radical-mediated oxidation products, including 2-hydroxymelatonin, a dimer of 2-hydroxymelatonin and O-demethylated dimer of melatonin account for the fast consumption of melatonin at pH 5.5. The higher production of AFMK at pH 7.4 was explained by the involvement of compound III of peroxidases as evidenced by spectral studies. On the other hand, the fast oxidative degradation at pH 5.5 was explained by the classic peroxidase cycle. © 2007 The Authors.

Estudo do calo sensível e latente obtidos por intermédio da razão de Bowen em uma cultura de soja irrigada

The goal of this experiment was to study the latent and sensible heat variation determined by Bowen ratio from an irrigated soybean crop. A micrometeorological station with vertical displacement was constructed to maintain the same level of all measures over the canopy. The station was installed in the center of the crop, and it was over 130 m away from the main edge of the predominant wind direction. Fluxes were calculated by vertical temperature gradient determined at 0.15 and 1.15 m over the canopy. The latent heat flux was the mean energy consumer when the canopy covered the soil totally, and there were good soil water conditions. The sensible heat flux was greater when the soil was not totally covered by the canopy. The canopy was essential on the amount of latent heat dissipated by the crop.

Biological activity of limonoids from meliaceae against a subterranean termite (Heterotermes tenuis) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Recent studies, proposed to obtain active compounds against termites (Heterotermes tenuis Hagen, as a model) have showed that attention could be driven to the limonoids, because they present high insecticidal activity against several insects. In this work, the limonoids nimbolin-A, 1,2- hydroxyamoorastatone, mexicanolide, cedrelone and 1,2-dihydrocedrelone were tested in order to verify their potential for the control of H. tenuis workers. The results indicated that cedrelone and 1,2-dihydrocedrelone are the limonoids with higher antifeeding activity, followed by 12-hydroxyamoorastatone, mexicanolide and nimbolin-A.

Comparação entre trȩs métodos para estimar lâminas de irrigação

An experiment with four treatments was carried out on the experimental area of ADEI to compare three methods of water use requirement: ETc (T1) - irrigation based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc); Tensiometers (T2 and T3) - irrigations were made through reading of tensiometers installed at 40 cm deep and, Control (T4) - only one irrigation to promote the seedlings emergence. Both Class A pan and soil water depletion methods presented good results when the crop was developed without restraint of water. The Katerji method can be utilized in conditions of water restriction. Irrigation frequency was more important than amount of applied water for higher yield.

Economic evaluation of nile tilapia juvenile production, feed with commercial ration and with primary production come from organic and inorganic fertilization

Study objective was to evaluate economically a Nile tilapia juvenile production, employing different feeding techniques. Tilapia fingerlings of 8g were stocked at 5 fish m-2 stocking in 50 and 150 m2 ponds, during 75 days. Treatments were: inorganic fertilization (P205 and N); organic fertilization (poultry manure) and commercial ration (32% CP). Water quality results were considered adequate for fish rearing. In juvenile production there were significant differences among treatments for individual final weight, medians were: for inorganic fertilization 12.92g (13.35g in 50 m2 and 12.49g in 150 m2); for organic fertilization 30.55g (33.69g in 50 m2 and 27.40g in 150 m2) and for commercial ration 51.23g (52.90g in 50 m2 and 50.15g in 150 m2). Survival rate ranged from 63 to 71%, with no statistic difference. Commercial ration was effective to bigger juvenile production, with a better market value. Costs considered in economic analyses were tilapia fingerlings, fertilizer, ration, labor and installation depreciation. Obtained information showed that juvenile production in 50 m2 ponds is not viable economically and, in 150 m2, production is viable only when commercial ration is used.

Avaliação das condutas de biossegurança em laboratórios de prótese dentária de João Pessoa, PB, Brasil

Objective: To evaluate the biosecurity measures adopted in dental prosthesis laboratories of the city of João Pessoa, PB, Brazil with respect to prosthetic works sent by dentists. Method: Twenty-five dental prosthesis technicians (DPT) of the city of João Pessoa, PB, filled out a questionnaire referring to their knowledge of the biosecurity principles, disinfection of impressions and other prosthetic items, and the use of individual protection equipment (IPE). Results: Although 92% of the interviewees believed in the possible occurrence of cross-infection between dental prosthesis laboratories and dental offices, 64% declared that the prosthetic works received in their laboratories do not undergo any disinfection procedure. It was also observed that, for disinfection of impressions and stone casts, the chemical substances are not used as recommended by the manufacturers or are innocuous to microorganisms. Regarding the use of IPE, 60% of the DPT used mask, but only 4% used gowns. With respect to the measures taken regarding the impressions received from dental offices, 56% of the interviewees only wash them in running tap water, and 56% of the stone casts that arrive at the laboratory are not disinfected in any way. Conclusion: There is a need for more motivation and instructions to DPT regarding the prevention of cross-contamination during sending and receiving of prosthetic works between dental prosthesis laboratories and dental offices because the DPT evaluated in this study were found negligent with respect to disinfection procedures.

Structural studies of Helicase NS3 variants from Hepatitis C virus genotype 3 in virological sustained responder and non-responder patients

Background. About 130 million people are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide, but effective treatment options are not yet available. One of the most promising targets for antiviral therapy is nonstructural protein 3 (NS3). To identify possible changes in the structure of NS3 associated with virological sustained response or non-response of patients, a model was constructed for each helicase NS3 protein coding sequence. From this, the goal was to verify the interaction between helicases variants and their ligands. Findings. Evidence was found that the NS3 helicase portion of non-responder patients contained substitutions in its ATP and RNA binding sites. K210E substitution can cause an imbalance in the distribution of loads, leading to a decrease in the number of ligations between the essential amino acids required for the hydrolysis of ATP. W501R substitution causes an imbalance in the distribution of loads, leading and forcing the RNA to interact with the amino acid Thr269, but not preventing binding of ribavirin inhibitor. Conclusions. Useful information is provided on the genetic profiling of the HCV genotype 3, specifically the coding region of the NS3 protein, improving our understanding of the viral genome and the regions of its protein catalytic site. © 2010 Rahal et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.