Effect of γ-lactones and γ-lactams compounds on Streptococcus mutans biofilms

Abstract Considering oral diseases, antibiofilm compounds can decrease the accumulation of pathogenic species such as Streptococcus mutans at micro-areas of teeth, dental restorations or implant-supported prostheses. Objective To assess the effect of thirteen different novel lactam-based compounds on the inhibition of S. mutans biofilm formation. Material and methods We synthesized compounds based on γ-lactones analogues from rubrolides by a mucochloric acid process and converted them into their corresponding γ-hydroxy-γ-lactams by a reaction with isobutylamine and propylamine. Compounds concentrations ranging from 0.17 up to 87.5 μg mL-1 were tested against S. mutans. We diluted the exponential cultures in TSB and incubated them (37°C) in the presence of different γ-lactones or γ-lactams dilutions. Afterwards, we measured the planktonic growth by optical density at 630 nm and therefore assessed the biofilm density by the crystal violet staining method. Results Twelve compounds were active against biofilm formation, showing no effect on bacterial viability. Only one compound was inactive against both planktonic and biofilm growth. The highest biofilm inhibition (inhibition rate above 60%) was obtained for two compounds while three other compounds revealed an inhibition rate above 40%. Conclusions Twelve of the thirteen compounds revealed effective inhibition of S. mutans biofilm formation, with eight of them showing a specific antibiofilm effect.

Perfil dos pacientes portadores de câncer colorretal operados em um hospital geral: necessitamos de um programa de rastreamento acessível e efetivo / Profile of patients with colorectal cancer operated in a general hospital: we need an accessible and effective screening program

O objetivo do presente trabalho é demonstrar o panorama atual do câncer colorretal em um hospital geral no estado do Rio de Janeiro, enfocando aspectos relacionados à apresentação clínica e ao diagnóstico tardio. Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo que incluiu os pacientes em acompanhamento no ambulatório de seguimento de câncer colorretal da II Clínica Cirúrgica do Hospital Federal de Bonsucesso nos últimos 5 anos (2004-2009). Os sintomas mais comuns foram dor abdominal (60,1 por cento), obstrução intestinal (41,1 por cento), emagrecimento (36,7 por cento), sangramento (33.5 por cento), anemia (14,5 por cento), perfuração (6,3 por cento) e fístula (1,2 por cento). Em relação aos pacientes com tumores de cólon direito, os sintomas mais prevalentes foram emagrecimento (54,5 por cento), dor (45,4 por cento), obstrução (45,4 por cento) e anemia (27,2 por cento). Nos pacientes com tumores de cólon esquerdo e sigmóide foram dor (60,5 por cento), obstrução (42,9 por cento), emagrecimento (38,5 por cento), sangramento (32,4 por cento) e anemia (16,6 por cento). Enquanto nos pacientes com tumores de reto foram sangramento (70 por cento), obstrução (60 por cento), dor (60 por cento), emagrecimento (20 por cento) e perfuração (10 por cento). No momento da cirurgia, 53 pacientes apresentavam metástases à distância (33,5 por cento), sendo o fígado o órgão mais acometido, em 36 pacientes (67,9 por cento), seguido pelo peritônio com 11 casos (20,7 por cento) e pelos anexos (ovários) com 4 casos (7,5 por cento). Oitenta e oito pacientes (55,6 por cento) apresentavam metástase linfonodal.Quanto ao estadiamento, observamos que os pacientes operados na emergência apresentavam a seguinte distribuição: 0 por cento Estádio I, 28,2 por cento Estádio II, 30,4 por cento Estádio III e 41,3 por cento Estádio IV. Os pacientes operados eletivamente foram estratificados como Estádio I 2,7 por cento, Estádio II 27,7 por cento, Estádio III 25 por cento e Estádio IV 44 por cento. Conclusã...

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the current panorama of colorectal cancer in a general hospital in Rio de Janeiro, focusing on aspects related to the clinical presentation and delayed diagnosis. This is a retrospective study that included patients followed at the outpatient section of colorectal cancer follow-up of the Segunda Clínica Cirúrgica do Hospital Federal Bonsucesso in the past five years (2004-2009). The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (60.1 percent), intestinal obstruction (41.1 percent), weight loss (36.7 percent), bleeding (33.5 percent), anemia (14.5 percent), perforation (6.3 percent) and fistula (1.2 percent). Patients with right colon tumors presented with weight loss (54.5 percent), pain (45.4 percent), obstruction (45.4 percent) and anemia (27.2 percent). In patients with tumors of the left colon and sigmoid, the most common symptoms were pain (60.5 percent), obstruction (42.9 percent), weight loss (38.5 percent), bleeding (32.4 percent) and anemia (16.6 percent). Patients with rectal tumors presented with bleeding (70 percent), obstruction (60 percent), pain (60 percent), weight loss (20 percent) and perforation (10 percent). At surgery, 53 patients had distant metastases (33.5 percent), the liver being the organ most affected in 36 patients (67.9 percent), followed by the peritoneum in 11 cases (20.7 percent) and ovaries with 4 cases (7.5 percent). Eighty-eight patients (55.6 percent) had nodal metastasis. Regarding TNM staging, we found that the emergency group distribution was as follows: Stage I 0 percent, 28.2 percent Stage II, Stage III 30.4 percent and 41 3 percent Stage IV, whereas the elective group staging distribution was: 2.7 percent Stage I, Stage II 27.7 percent, 25 percent Stage III and Stage IV 44 percent. Conclusion: The profile of patients operated in our institution (which reflects the national reality) is composed mainly with patients with advanced cancer stages. Based on the data presented, it is nece...