Apocinina versus diapocinina como inibidor da produção de peróxido de hidrogênio e ácido hipocloroso por neutrófilos ativados

Apocynin has been used as an efficient inhibitor of the multi-enzymatic complex NADPH oxidase in many experimental models involving phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells. The mechanism of inhibition has been linked with the previous activation of apocynin through the action of cellular peroxidases leading to the formation of a dimeric oxidation product, diapocynin. In this study we compared apocynin with pure diapocynin regarding their effects as scavenger of hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous generated by glucose/glucose oxidase and myeloperoxidase respectively, and as inhibitors of the production of hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid by activated neutrophils. The production of hydrogen peroxide was measured by the oxidation of the fluorescent substance Amplex Red and the production of hypochlorous acid by was measured as taurine-chloramine derivative using the chromogenic substrate 3,3’,5,5’- tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Neutrophils (1 x106 cells/mL) were pre-incubated in PBS buffer supplemented with 1 mM calcium chloride, 0.5 mM magnesium chloride, 1 mg/mL glucose and 5 mM taurine in the presence or absence of inhibitors. The reactions were triggered by adding the soluble stimulus Forbol Miristate Acetate PMA or zymosan and incubated by additional 30 minutes. We found that pure diapocynin was not better than apocynin regarding its scavenger and inhibitory properties. These results suggest that the formation of diapocynin is not essential for the action of apocynin as inhibitor of NADPH oxidase activation

Percepção dos portadores de hanseníase acerca do auto cuidado

This study aimed at evaluating the perception of leprosy patients, the disease, with regard to its concept and self-care practice, as well as their knowledge concerning drug therapy. Fifteen patients participated in the study, of whom 11 were classified as multibacillary and 04 as paucibacillary. Semi-structure interviews containing six guiding questions were used for data collection, and the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) was utilized as a theoretical framework. Analysis was performed based on the Theory of Complexity. It showed that patients suffer pain, a fact that is reflected on the need to change habits and prevent disability. It also showed that patients have doubts and feel insecure about treatment and prognosis, and that they are also the target of social prejudice even thought the term leprosy has been replaced by Hansen‟s disease. As regards self-care, the subjects showed lack of autonomy, limitations and subjection to instructions from health care professionals, who, according to the discourse that emerged, are mostly responsible for transmitting the knowledge concerning self-care practice. This fact can be explained by evidence of self-knowledge deficit by the the subjects. Concerning polychemotherapy treatment, which is recommended by the Ministry of Health, it was observed that the knowledge concerning its action and adverse effects is precarious. This information is provided during consultation; however, CSD showed that the subjects do not apprehend it. Therefore, health care professionals must instruct their clients not only as regards conventional treatment practices, but they must also help them to know themselves and to improve their critical judgment so that they can choose the best form of living after being diagnosed with the disease, thus guiding self-care by taking such choice into account

Efeito do ácido tânico purificado (tanino) sobre o crescimento in vitro de isolados de Pythium insidiosum

Pythiosis is caused by the oomycetous Pythium insidiosum and affect domestic and wild animals and man. The presence of water and vegetal material is fundamental for its life cycle in nature. The biflagellate zoospore are the infective form of this pathogen. The lesions are generally of granulomatous aspect, which frequently may be contaminated by secondary bacterial infection in skin and subcutaneous tissue. Dissemination to systemic tissues may also occur and it may be due to the spread of the pathogen from cutaneous lesions, as well as a primary source of infection. Clinical signs depend on the affected tissue. Diagnosis of pythiosis is based on the clinical manifestations, histopathological sections and culture of the pathogen. Serological tests may also be employed and more recently molecular biology has been introduced as a sensitive, specific and a rapid method for conclusive diagnosis. Treatment is often difficult and extensive surgery procedures are required, however, depending on the anatomic region and size of the lesion, such procedure is unfeasible and relapses are frequent. Due to the climate changes, which has contributed to increase the incidence of pythiosis, it is necessary the search for new therapeutic protocols

Hidrogéis do ácido acrílico: correlação das propriedades bioadesivas e lereação in vitro do metronidazol

Este trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver hidrogéis do ácido acrílico e correlacionar as propriedades bioadesivas e a liberação in vitro empregando metronidazol. Para tanto, inicialmente foram preparadas dispersões dos polímeros Carbopol 974 ® e Policarbofil ® nas concentrações de 0,5%, 1,0% e 1,5%, que foram submetidas a testes para avaliação das propriedades bioadesivas, mecânicas e reológicas. As amostras com maior concentração de polímeros (Carbopol 974 ® 1,5%, e Policarbofil ® 1,0% e 1,5%,) foram as que apresentaram melhores resultados nos testes de bioadesão, e portanto selecionadas para prosseguimento dos estudos, que envolveu a incorporação de metronidazol (MTZ) na concentração de 0,5% para estudo de liberação in vitro por 12 horas. O experimento foi realizado por meio do sistema automático com célula de difusão vertical de Franz e solução tampão fosfato pH 7,4 como solução receptora. A temperatura utilizada foi 32,5 o C. Os resultados demonstraram que o tipo e a concentração do polímero influenciou diretamente na liberação do fármaco. Os melhores resultados em termos de controle de liberação foram apresentados pelo polímero Policarbofil ® na concentração de 1,5%

Alterações no equilíbrio ácido-base em equinos submetidos à prova de três tambores ou à competição de enduro de 160 Km

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Nucleotídeos e ácido glutâmico em dietas de leitões desmamados

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

Modificação superficial de nanopartículas de óxido de ferro por poli(ácido aspártico) reticulado

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Efeito do ácido linoleico e catalese sobre o desenvolvimento e criotolerãncia de embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro na ausência de soro e baixa tensão de oxigênio: Mônica Ferreira Accorsi. -

Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal - FMVA

Sistemas cerámicos puros parte 1: una evolución basada en la composicíon

The continuing advances in technology, dental materials and equipment have contributed significantly to improve the level of esthetic dentistry today. Among these innovations, development of pure ceramic restorations has evolved to give different alternatives. Dental ceramics have presented a rapidly technological changing to improve mechanical and optical properties. Currently there are several systems of metal free ceramics with excellent mechanical and optical properties, for making crowns and plurals. These modern systems are presented with various compositions and different preparation techniques, making these more versatile. Within this perspective, the dental market offers a huge range of new indirect and metal-free materials for prostheses, providing new options, plus also new questions to decide among the available alternatives. The aim of this review is take a view of the different ceramic systems in terms of its composition and different techniques of production.

Efeitos do ácido ascórbico intracameral sobre o endotélio corneal e sobre o fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-a) em cães submetidos à facoemulsificação

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV

Artificial neural network associated to UV/Vis spectroscopy for monitoring bioreactions in biopharmaceutical processes

Currently, mammalian cells are the most utilized hosts for biopharmaceutical production. The culture media for these cell lines include commonly in their composition a pH indicator. Spectroscopic techniques are used for biopharmaceutical process monitoring, among them, UV–Vis spectroscopy has found scarce applications. This work aimed to define artificial neural networks architecture and fit its parameters to predict some nutrients and metabolites, as well as viable cell concentration based on UV–Vis spectral data of mammalian cell bioprocess using phenol red in culture medium. The BHK-21 cell line was used as a mammalian cell model. Off-line spectra of supernatant samples taken from batches performed at different dissolved oxygen concentrations in two bioreactor configurations and with two pH control strategies were used to define two artificial neural networks. According to absolute errors, glutamine (0.13 ± 0.14 mM), glutamate (0.02 ± 0.02 mM), glucose (1.11 ± 1.70 mM), lactate (0.84 ± 0.68 mM) and viable cell concentrations (1.89 105 ± 1.90 105 cell/mL) were suitably predicted. The prediction error averages for monitored variables were lower than those previously reported using different spectroscopic techniques in combination with partial least squares or artificial neural network. The present work allows for UV–VIS sensor development, and decreases cost related to nutrients and metabolite quantifications.

A method using artificial neural networks to morphologically assess mouse blastocyst quality

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

Use of uniform designs in combination with neural networks for viral infection process development

This work aimed to compare the predictive capacity of empirical models, based on the uniform design utilization combined to artificial neural networks with respect to classical factorial designs in bioprocess, using as example the rabies virus replication in BHK-21 cells. The viral infection process parameters under study were temperature (34°C, 37°C), multiplicity of infection (0.04, 0.07, 0.1), times of infection, and harvest (24, 48, 72 hours) and the monitored output parameter was viral production. A multilevel factorial experimental design was performed for the study of this system. Fractions of this experimental approach (18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 runs), defined according uniform designs, were used as alternative for modelling through artificial neural network and thereafter an output variable optimization was carried out by means of genetic algorithm methodology. Model prediction capacities for all uniform design approaches under study were better than that found for classical factorial design approach. It was demonstrated that uniform design in combination with artificial neural network could be an efficient experimental approach for modelling complex bioprocess like viral production. For the present study case, 67% of experimental resources were saved when compared to a classical factorial design approach. In the near future, this strategy could replace the established factorial designs used in the bioprocess development activities performed within biopharmaceutical organizations because of the improvements gained in the economics of experimentation that do not sacrifice the quality of decisions.