Antigenicity of Primary Endodontic Infection against Macrophages by the Levels of PGE(2) Production

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

Efficacy of Endodontic Treatment for Endotoxin Reduction in Primarily Infected Root Canals and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effects

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

Efeitos in vitro de extratos naturais sobre Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e endotoxinas em canais radiculares

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Clinical Comparison of the Effectiveness of Single-file Reciprocating Systems and Rotary Systems for Removal of Endotoxins and Cultivable Bacteria from Primarily Infected Root Canals

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

One-Visit Versus Two-Visit Root Canal Treatment: Effectiveness in the Removal of Endotoxins and Cultivable Bacteria

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

Quantification of Endotoxins in Infected Root Canals and Acute Apical Abscess Exudates: Monitoring the Effectiveness of Root Canal Procedures in the Reduction of Endotoxins

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Signaling Pathways Activation by Primary Endodontic Infectious Contents and Production of Inflammatory Mediators

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

Clinical investigation of bacterial species and endotoxin in endodontic infection and evaluation of root canal content activity against macrophages by cytokine production

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

Endodontic retreatment: clinical comparison of reciprocating systems versus rotary system in disinfecting root canals

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

Correlation between volume of apical periodontitis determined by cone-beam computed tomography analysis and endotoxin levels found in primary root canal infection

This clinical study was conducted to correlate the levels of endotoxins and bacterial counts found in primary endodontic infection with the volume of periapical bone destruction determined by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis. Moreover, the levels of bacteria and endotoxins were correlated with the development of clinical features. Twenty-four root canals with primary endodontic disease and apical periodontitis were selected. Clinical features such as pain on palpation, pain on percussion, and previous episode of pain were recorded. The volume (cubic millimeters) of periapical bone destruction was determined by CBCT analysis. Endotoxins and bacterial samplings were collected by using sterile/apyrogenic paper points. Endotoxins were quantified by using limulus amebocyte lysate assay (KQCL test), and bacterial count (colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) was determined by using anaerobic culture techniques. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and multiple logistic regression (P < .05). Endotoxins and bacteria were detected in 100% of the root canal samples (24 of 24), with median values of 10.92 endotoxin units (EU)/mL (1.75-128 EU/mL) and 7.5 × 10(5) CFU/mL (3.20 × 10(5)-8.16 × 10(6) CFU/mL), respectively. The median volume of bone destruction determined by CBCT analysis was 100 mm(3) (10-450 mm(3)). The multiple regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between higher levels of endotoxins present in root canal infection and larger volume of bone destruction (P < .05). Moreover, higher levels of endotoxins were also correlated with the presence of previous pain (P < .05). Our findings revealed that the levels of endotoxins found in root canal infection are related to the volume of periapical bone destruction determined by CBCT analysis. Moreover, the levels of endotoxin are related to the presence of previous pain.

Cytoplasmic and extracellular expression of pharmaceutical-grade mycobacterial 65-kDa heat shock protein in Lactococcus lactis

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are an attractive and safe alternative for the expression of heterologous proteins, as they are nonpathogenic and endotoxin-free organisms. Lactococcus lactis, the LAB model organism, has been extensively employed in the biotechnology field for large-scale production of heterologous proteins, and its use as a "cell factory" has been widely studied. We have been particularly interested in the use of L. lactis for production of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which reportedly play important roles in the initiation of innate and adaptive immune responses. However, this activity has been questioned, as LPS contamination appears to be responsible for most, if not all, immunostimulatory activity of HSPs. In order to study the effect of pure HSPs on the immune system, we constructed recombinant L. lactis strains able to produce and properly address the Mycobacterium leprae 65-kDa HSP (Hsp65) to the cytoplasm or to the extracellular medium, using a xylose-induced expression system. Approximately 7 mg/L recombinant Hsp65 was secreted. Degradation products related to lactococcal HtrA activity were not observed, and the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay demonstrated that the amount of LPS in the recombinant Hsp65 preparations was 10-100 times lower than the permitted levels established by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. These new L. lactis strains will allow investigation of the effects of M. leprae Hsp65 without the interference of LPS; consequently, they have potential for a variety of biotechnological, medical and therapeutic applications.

Potential causes of mortality for horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) during the biomedical bleeding process

Biomedical companies catch and bleed horseshoe crabs for the production of Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), a product used for protecting public health (Berkson and Shuster, 1999). LAL is a clotting agent, derived solely from horseshoe crab blood cells, which is used to detect the presence of pathogenic gramnegative bacteria in injectable drugs and implantable medical and dental devices (Mikkelsen, 1988; Novitsky, 1991). In addition, LAL is used in many diagnostic tests for such illnesses as gram-negative bacterial meningitis and typhoid fever (Ding and Ho, 2001). Because the LAL test allows one to detect femtogram levels of endotoxin (Ding and Ho, 2001), it is the most effective test for detecting endotoxin contamination, and its increasing use in medical and pharmaceutical laboratories makes it a highly valued product.

Antigenic Activity of Bacterial Endodontic Contents from Primary Root Canal Infection with Periapical Lesions against Macrophage in the Release of Interleukin-1 beta and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha

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

Correlation between Clinical/Radiographic Features and Inflammatory Cytokine Networks Produced by Macrophages Stimulated with Endodontic Content

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

Effectiveness of ozonated water on Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, and endotoxins in root canals

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ozonated water in the elimination of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, and endotoxins from root canals. Twenty-four single-rooted human teeth were inoculated with C. albicans and E. faecalis, and 24 specimens were inoculated with Escherichia coli endotoxin. Ozonated water (experimental group) or physiologic solution (control group) was used as irrigant agent. Antimicrobial effectiveness was evaluated by the reduction of microbial counts. Lipopolissacharide complex presence was assessed by limulus amebocyte lysate test and B-lymphocyte stimulation. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests (5%). Ozonated water significantly reduced the number of C. albicans and E. faecalis at the immediate sampling, but increased values were detected after 7 days. Ozonated water did not neutralize endotoxin. It could be concluded that ozonated water was effective against C. albicans and E. faecalis but showed no residual effect. No activity on endotoxin was observed.