Role of Candida species from HIV infected children in enamel caries lesions: an in vitro study

Abstract Objectives This study analyzed the capacity of Candida spp. from dental biofilm of HIV infected (HIV+) children to demineralize primary molar enamel in vitro by Transversal Microhardness (TMH), Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and the quantity of calcium ions (Ca2+) released from the enamel. Material and Methods Candida spp. samples were isolated from the supragingival biofilm of HIV+ children. A hundred and forty (140) enamel blocks were randomly assigned to six groups: biofilm formed by C. albicans (Group 1); mixed biofilm formed by C. albicans and C. tropicalis (Group 2); mixed biofilm formed by C. albicans and C. parapsilosis (Group 3); mixed biofilm formed by C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata (Group 4); biofilm formed by C. albicans ATCC (Group 5) and medium without Candida (Group 6). Enamel blocks from each group were removed on days 3, 5, 8 and 15 after biofilm formation to evaluate the TMH and images of enamel were analyzed by PLM. The quantity of Ca2+ released, from Groups 1 and 6, was determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The SPSS program was used for statistical analysis and the significance level was 5%. Results TMH showed a gradual reduction in enamel hardness (p<0.05) from the 1st to 15th day, but mainly five days after biofilm formation in all groups. The PLM showed superficial lesions indicating an increase in porosity. C. albicans caused the release of Ca2+ into suspension during biofilm formation. Conclusion Candida species from dental biofilm of HIV+ children can cause demineralization of primary enamel in vitro.

Decreased plasma ADAMTS-13 activity as a predictor of postoperative bleeding in cyanotic congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the preoperative plasma antigenic concentration and activity of von Willebrand factor and its main cleaving protease ADAMTS-13 in pediatric patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease undergoing surgical treatment and investigate possible correlations with postoperative bleeding. METHODS: Plasma antigenic concentrations (von Willebrand factor:Ag and ADAMTS-13:Ag) were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Collagen-binding assays were developed to measure biological activities (von Willebrand factor:collagen binding and ADAMTS-13 activity). The multimeric structure of von Willebrand factor was analyzed using Western immunoblotting. Demographic, diagnostic, and general and specific laboratory data and surgery-related variables were subjected to univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis for the prediction of postoperative bleeding. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled, with ages ranging from 9 months to 7.6 years (median 2.5 years). The plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor:Ag and ADAMTS-13:Ag were decreased by 65 and 82%, respectively, in the patients compared with the controls (p<0.001). An increased density of low-molecular-weight fractions of von Willebrand factor, which are suggestive of proteolytic degradation (p = 0.0081), was associated with decreased ADAMTS-13 activity, which was likely due to ADAMTS-13 consumption (71% of controls, p = 0.0029) and decreased von Willebrand factor:collagen binding (76% of controls, p = 0.0004). Significant postoperative bleeding occurred in 13 patients. The preoperative ADAMTS-13 activity of <64.6% (mean level for the group), preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time, and the need for cardiopulmonary bypass were characterized as independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding, with respective hazard ratios of 22.35 (95% CI 1.69 to 294.79), 1.096 (95% CI 1.016 to 1.183), and 37.43 (95% ...

Antileishmanial activity of nerolidol-rich essential oil from Piper claussenianum

Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases, representing a group of parasitic diseases worldwide spread, occurring in 88 tropical and subtropical countries. Approximately 350 million people live in areas of active transmission of leishmaniasis, with about 1-2 million estimated new cases occurring every year. More than 90 percent of the cutaneous cases appear in developing countries. Efforts to improve the therapeutic arsenal against leishmaniasis have led to the search for new and cheap range of drugs. In this study, the nerolidol-rich essential oil from Piper claussenianum (Miq.) C. DC., Piperaceae, was assayed on arginase activity of Leishmania amazonensis. The effect of this essential oil on arginase activity levels showed an enzyme inhibition of 62.2 percent. This result stimulates the scientific interest about the potential value of this plant species on neglected diseases as potential new natural product source of pharmacological interest for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Inhibitory activity of root canal irrigants against Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus

The present study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of three root canal irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus. These microorganisms were incubated in the presence of citric acid (6 and 10 percent), EDTA (17 percent), and NaOCl (0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.25 percent). Agar diffusion tests were performed and redox indicator resazurin was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the irrigants on the metabolic activity of these microorganisms. The mean diameters of the inhibition zones for the C. albicans cultures were 11.6 mm (17 percent EDTA), 5.5 mm (0.5 percent NaOCl), 12.9 mm (1 percent NaOCl), 22.1 mm (2.5 percent NaOCl), and 28.5 mm (5.25 percent NaOCl). The mean diameters of the inhibition zones for E. faecalis were 2.8 mm (1 percent NaOCl), 5.4 mm (2.5 percent NaOCl), and 8.3 mm (5.25 percent NaOCl). For S. aureus, the mean values were 8.0 mm (17 percent EDTA), 3.0 mm (1 percent NaOCl), 8.8 mm (2.5 percent NaOCl), and 10.0 mm (5.25 percent NaOCl). Most of the irrigant solutions presented effective antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. A high inhibitory effect on the metabolic activity of E. faecalis was detected when the microorganisms were incubated with 17 percent EDTA. The same result was reached when S. aureus was incubated in the presence of > 2.5 percent NaOCl. Altogether, these results indicate that 2.5 percent and 5.25 percent NaOCl are microbicides against S. aureus while 0.5 percent and 1 percent NaOCl are only microbiostatic against the tested bacteria. The 6 percent and 10 percent citric acid as well as 17 percent EDTA did not affect the viability of any of the assayed microorganisms.

Atividade antifúngica da clorexidina em biofilmes de Candida spp / Antifungal activity of chlorhexidine on Candida spp. biofilm

Candidíase oral é a infecção oportunista mais comum em pacientes imunocomprometidos, sendo a clorexidina um importante antimicrobiano auxiliar no seu tratamento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito antifúngico de diferentes soluções de clorexidina (Periogard®, NoPlak Max®, Noplak®, Perioxidin®, Clorexidina 0.06%, Paradontax® e Clorexidina 1%) sobre biofilmes artificiais de Candida spp.: C. albicans (ATCC36801); C. parapsilosis (ATCC22019); C. krusei (ATCC6258); C. glabrata (ATCC2001) e C. tropicalis (ATCC750). As cepas foram cultivadas em meio de cultura BHI ágar sobre fragmentos de esmalte bovino por 72 horas a 37 °C. Após o crescimento, cada fragmento de esmalte bovino foi imerso nas diferentes soluções de Clorexidina por 3 minutos. Nistatina e solução salina foram utilizadas como controle negativo e positivo, respectivamente. Para remoção das células não aderidas, os fragmentos foram então imersos em solução salina por 10 minutos e agitados em vortex. Alíquotas de 100 µL foram inoculadas em placas contendo BHI ágar por 24 horas a 37 °C para contagem de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC). Observamos que o número de UFC de C. albicans e C. parapsilosis, apresentou um percentual de redução variando de 79 a 99% quando do uso das diferentes soluções (p < 0,001), o mesmo não foi observado para o NoPlak Max® (2,94 e 1,3%, respectivamente); Para C. krusei e C. glabrata, a solução menos efetiva foi a Nistatina (23 e 3,4%, respectivamente) enquanto que para C. tropicalis, todas as soluções apresentaram um alto percentual de redução (99 a 100%). As soluções de clorexidina foram capazes de reduzir significativamente o número de UFC provenientes de biofilme de Candida spp. in vitro.

Oral candidiasis is the most common opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients and chlorhexidine is an important antimicrobial for its treatment. The antifungal effect of different CHX solutions (Periogard®, NoPlak Max®, Noplak®, Perioxidin®, Chlorhexidine 0.06%, Paradontax® and Chlorhexidine 1%) was evaluated on artificial biofilms of Candida spps: C. albicans (ATCC36801), C. parapsilosis (ATCC22019), C. krusei (ATCC6258), C. glabrata (ATCC2001) and Candida tropicalis (ATCC750). The strains were grown, in a BHI agar medium on bovine teeth enamel for 72 hours at 37 °C. After growth, the fragments were immersed in the CHX solutions for 3 minutes. Nystatin and saline solutions were used as positive and negative controls respectively. To remove the non-adhered cells, the fragments were inoculated in saline solution for 10 minutes, transferred to Falcon tubes containing saline solution and mixed in a vortex. Aliquots of 100 µL were inoculated on BHI agar for 24 hours at 37 °C to count the number of colony forming units (CFU). We observed that the number of (CFU) of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, showed a reduction rate ranging from 79 to 99% with the use of different solutions (p < 0.001), except for NoPlak Max® (2.94 and 1.3%, respectively). For C. krusei and C. glabrata, nystatin was the least effective solution (23 and 3.4%, respectively); and for C. tropicalis, all the substances presented a high reduction percentage (99-100%). The chlorhexidine solutions were able to reduce the colony forming units of Candida biofilm.

Intervenção psicológica em pacientes submetidos a angioplastia coronária: ensaio randomizado / Psychological intervention in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty: a randomized trial

INTRODUÇÃO: Elevado grau de estresse emocional é usualmente encontrado no atendimento de pacientes que aguardam a realização de angioplastia coronária. Nosso objetivo principal foi avaliar a eficácia do atendimento psicológico na redução do estresse emocional em pacientes submetidos a angioplastia coronaria. Método: Trata-se de estudo prospectivo, sequencial, randomizado. A casuística da presente análise foi composta de 128 pacientes portadores de insuficiência coronária aguda, divididos em dois grupos: grupo A, 66 pacientes que receberam atendimento psicológico hospitalar pré-intervenção, e grupo B, 62 pacientes que realizaram angioplastia coronária sem atendimento psicológico hospitalar. Os dois grupos responderam a um inventário específico para avaliar se havia presença ou não de estresse emocional antes e depois a angioplastia. Resultados: Na repetição do inventário, observou-se que o grupo A 74 por cento dos pacientes não apresentavam estresse emocional e 26 por cento continuavam com estresse. No grupo B, na repetição do inventário, observou-se que 6 por cento dos pacientes não apresentavam estresse emocional e 94 por cento continuavam com estresse. Conclusão: O atendimento psicológico em pacientes submetidos a angioplastia coronária foi eficaz na redução do estresse.

BACKGROUND: High rates of emotional stress are usually observed in the care of patients waiting for coronary angioplasty. Our main objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological treatment in reducing emotional stress in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. METHODS: This is a prospective, sequential, randomized study. This study included 128 patients with acute or chronic coronary artery disease who were divided into two groups: group A included 66 patients who received psychological treatment prior to coronary angioplasty, and group B with 62 patients who underwent coronary angioplasty without psychological treatment. Both groups answered a specific questionnaire to assess whether there was emotional stress prior and after angioplasty. RESULTS: When the questionnaire was repeated, it was observed that in group A, 74% of the patients did not have emotional stress, whereas it was present in 26% of the patients. In group B, when the questionnaire was repeated, 6% of the patients did not have emotional stress, whereas it was present in 94% of them. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological treatment in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty was effective in reducing stress.

Avaliacao in vitro da microdureza de cimentos de ionomero de vidro modificados por resina submetidos a biofilme de Candida albicans / In vitro evaluation of microhardness of resin-modifi ed glass ionomer cements subjected to a candida albicans biofilm

Objetivo: Analisar in vitro a influencia da presenca de um biofilme de Candida albicans na microdureza superficial de duas marcas de cimentos de ionomero de vidro modificados por resina encontrados no mercado, o Vitremer© e o Vitro Fill© LC. Metodo: Nove amostras de cada material foram confeccionadas utilizando-se moldes de plasticos, previamente padronizados. Os nove especimes de cada marca foram divididos em tresgrupos: G1 solucao salina; G2 BHI liquido sem C. albicans; G3 suspensao celular com 105 de leveduras/mL em BHI liquido e a inducao da formacao de biofilme ocorreu apos incubacao das placas a 37§C por 48 horas. Os especimes foram esterilizados atraves de oxido de etileno. Foi avaliada a microdureza Knoop (50g, 15s). Os resultados foram submeti dos a Analise de Variancia (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey (5%). Resultados: Os grupos G1 e G2 obtiveram valores medios de dureza (KHN) maiores que G3 para ambos os materiais testados. Comparando os grupos G2 e G3, os especimes de G3 apresentaram menor resistencia as indentacoes. Conclusao: Nas condicoes do estudo in vitro, o biofilme de Candida albicans apresentou potencial de reduzir a dureza superficial de dois ionomeros de vidro modificados por resina encontrados no mercado (Vitremer© e Vitro Fill LC©).

Objective: To assess in vitro the influence of the presence of a Candida albicans biofilm on the surface microhardness of two commercial brands of resin-modified glass ionomer cements, Vitremer© and Vitro Fill© LC. Method: Nine samples of each material were fabricated using standardized plastic molds. The nine specimens of each brand were assigned to three groups: G1: saline; G2: BHI broth without C. albicans; G3: cell suspension with 105 yeasts/mL in BHI broth. Induction of biofilm formation occurred after incubation of the plates at 37§C for 48 hours and the specimens were sterilized with ethylene oxide. Knoop microhardness was measured (50 g, 15 s). Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% significance level. Results: G1 and G2 presented higher mean hardness values (KHN) than G3 for both tested materials. Comparing G2 and G3, G3?s specimens presented lower resistance to theindentations. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this in vitro study, the Candida albicans biofilm reduced the surface hardness of two commercially available resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Vitremer© and Vitro Fill LC©).

Acervo raro da Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia: considerações sobre sua preservação histórica / Rare Collection of Brazilian Society of Dermatology: considerations about its historical preservation

O artigo descreve a formação da coleção de obras raras da Biblioteca Professor Francisco Eduardo Rabello da Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia.

The article describes the creation of the rare books’ collection of Professor Francisco Eduardo Rabello Library at Brazilian Society of Dermatology.

Fica comigo: juventude e pedagogias amorosas/sexuais na MTV / Fica comigo: youth and love/sexual pedagogies on MTV

Este trabalho analisa as pedagogias amorosas/sexuais produzidas pela cultura de mídia; especificamente, um programa de namoro na TV, denominado Fica comigo, da MTV. Esse programa, como toda a programação da MTV, é direcionado a jovens, público-alvo da emissora. Destina-se a jovens que buscam, através da emissora, um/a namorado/a. O querido ou a querida, como são denominados/as os/as que vão "descolar" um/a namorado/a, procuram pelo/a parceiro/a no programa televisivo. Já os/as que disputam o querido ou a querida são denominados de interessados/as. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo o exame crítico do Fica comigo a partir das seguintes questões: Como se constitui uma pedagogia amorosa/sexual para jovens nesse programa? Que rituais, linguagens, comportamentos e práticas são postos em ação nos encontros entre jovens no Fica comigo? O que esse programa pode nos sugerir sobre as práticas amorosas/sexuais da juventude na contemporaneidade?.

This paper analyzes love/sexual pedagogies produced by the media culture, specifically in a dating show called Fica comigo aired by MTV. The target public of this show, like all the programs on MTV, is young people. It is directed to youths that search for a boyfriend or girlfriend. Those who attempt to meet a partner in the show are called sweethearts. Those who compete for a sweetheart are called interested candidates. The present work aims at examining Fica comigo critically, from the following questions: How is a love/sexual pedagogy constituted in this show? Which rituals, languages, behaviors, and practices are working in the meetings of young people in Fica comigo? What could the show suggest about love/sexual practices of youths in contemporaneity?.

Effect of sphingosine and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate on the growth and dimethylsulfoxide-induced differentiation in the insect trypanosomatid Herpetomonas samuelpessoai

We investigated the effect of two modulators of protein kinase C, sphingosine and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), on the growth and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-induced differentiation in Herpetomonas samuelpessoai. Sphingosine did not stimulate the transformation of undifferentiated-promastigotes in differentiated-paramastigotes. PMA alone or in association with DMSO increased the number of paramastigotes in comparison to control cells. DMSO inhibited the parasite growth (35 percent) and several unusual morphological features resembling aberrant cell division were observed. Sphingosine did not significantly reduce the growth in contrast to PMA. Collectively, our results demonstrated that the reduction of the proliferation translates in an increase of the differentiation rate in the insect trypanosomatid H. samuelpessoai.

Características estruturais e funcionais do fator de von Willebrand e interações com o fator VIII em indivíduos com doença coronariana / Structural and functional characteristics of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII and their interaction in patients with coronary artery disease

Algumas características do fator de von Willebrand (FvW) e fator VIII (FVIII) e a interação entre eles em pacientes com doença arterial coronária (DAC) foram descritas. A concentração plasmática e a atividade biológica do FvW estavam aumentadas nos pacientes; e diminuição dos multímeros de alto peso molecular foram observadas, provavelmente pelo aumento da atividade proteolítica. Os níveis do FVIII e sua atividade não mudaram nos pacientes. A diminuição da capacidade de ligação FvW-FVIII foi observada, conduzindo um aumento do FVIII livre. Portanto, como a concentração do FvW, estrutura e capacidade de ligação com FVIII estão alteradas nos pacientes; podendo ser importantes na patogênese da doença / Some characteristics of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) and their interaction in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are described. vWF plasma concentration and its biological activity were increased in patients; a decrease of high molecular weight multimers was observed, probably due to an increased proteolytic activity. FVIII plasma levels and activity did not change in patients. A decreased FVIII-vWF binding capacity was observed that led to an increased rate of free factor VIII. Therefore, vWF concentration, structure and binding capacity with FVIII are altered in CAD patients; which could be of importance in the pathogenesis of the disease...

Specific and reversible inhibition of entamoeba histolytica cysteine proteinase activities by Zn²+: Implications for adhersion and cell damage1

Background. Cysteine-proteinases are thought to play an important role in E. histolytica pathogenicity. Although effective blockage of proteolytic activities can be obtained with sereveral known inhibitors, the high cellular toxicity of most of the inhibitors precludes experimentation with live cells or animal models. Specific cysteine-proteinase inhibitors that could be utilized in studies of virulence are of great need in the field of amebiasis. Methods. Cysteine-proteinase activities were determined in trophozoit lysates by azocasein degradation and after PAGE and gelatin zymograms. Inhibition of the activities was assessed in the presence of 0.01-2.5 mM concentrations of fivalent cations of the IIB and VIII series such as Zn, Cd, Hg, Ni, and Co. Reversibility was induced with 25 mM L-cysteine or 50 mM L-histidine and by metal chelation with 5 mM phenantroline. The inhibitory effect of ZnCI2 was tested with live cells in fibronectin-biding and cytotoxicity assays. Results. ZnCI2 specifically inhibited cysteine-proteinase activities in trophozoite lysates in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, 1.0-2.5 mM ZnCI2 bloked proteolysis in more than 70 percent. This inhibition was completely reverted by L-cysteine, L-histidine, or phenantroline. Similar results were obtained by analyzing indivual cysteine-proteinase activities separated in gelatin zymograms. At these concentrations, ZnCI2 significanty interfered with trophozoit adhesion, thus making amebas deficient in substrate degradation and cell damage. Conclusions. ZnCI2 is effective inhibitor of amebic cysteine-proteinases. Its low toxicity at relative high concentrations, high solubility, and low cost make it adequate for live cell experimentation and animal models of amebic virulence