Microbial profile of symptomatic pericoronitis lesions: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective: The microbial composition of pericoronitis (Pc) is still controversial; it is not yet clear if the microbial profile of these lesions is similar to the profile observed in periodontitis (Pd). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe the microbial profile of Pc lesions and compare it directly with that of subjects with Pd. Methodology: Subjects with Pc and Pd were selected, and subgingival biofilm samples were collected from (i) third molars with symptomatic Pc (Pc-T), (ii) contralateral third molars without Pc (Pc-C) and (iii) teeth with a probing depth >3 mm from subjects with Pd. Counts and proportions of 40 bacterial species were evaluated using a checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique. Results: Twenty-six patients with Pc and 18 with Pd were included in the study. In general, higher levels of microorganisms were observed in Pd. Only Actinomyces oris and Eubacterium nodatum were present in higher mean counts in the Pc-T group in comparison with the Pc-C and Pd-C groups (p<0.05). The microbiota associated with Pc-T was similar to that found in Pc-C. Sites with Pc lesions had lower proportions of red complex in comparison with the Pd sites. Conclusion: The microbiota of Pc is very diverse, but these lesions harbour lower levels of periodontal pathogens than Pd.

Projeto de implantação da gestão da qualidade com base na norma PALC e metodologia ONA em um laboratório de análises clínicas / Project of quality management implementation based on the PALC standard and ONA methodology in a clinical analysis laboratory

O laboratório clínico tem a responsabilidade e compromisso de assegurar que os resultados dos exames reflitam de forma fidedigna a situação clínica apresentada pelos pacientes, por isso é necessário a implantação de um sistema da qualidade e a busca por um certificado de acreditação. O presente trabalho tem como principal objetivo analisar os processos da fase pré-analítica, analítica e pós-analítica em relação aos critérios estabelecidos na metodologia ONA e na norma PALC, identificando as melhores práticas para elaborar um projeto de implantação de um sistema de gestão de qualidade em um laboratório de análises clínicas através de uma análise comparativa com os processos do laboratório clínico. A metodologia usada foram pesquisas em bibliografias especializadas nas plataformas SciELO, PubMed, Lilacs e livros para avaliar a implantação de um sistema de qualidade no laboratório de análises clínicas. Como resultados após comparação das metodologias ONA e PALC, definimos a PALC como a melhor metodologia para o laboratório de análises clínicas, mostrando as ações necessárias para garantir que o processo seja realizado de forma correta.

Análise comparativa da reatividade anti-LID-1, NDO-LID, NDO-HSA e PGL-1 em hanseníase / Comparative analysis of the reactivity anti-LID-1, NDO-LID, NDO-HSA and PGL-1 in leprosy

A infecção subclínica pode ser avaliada por meio de teste sorológico, que determina imunoglobulinas circulantes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a reatividade de diferentes antígenos em casos novos de hanseníase, contatos domiciliares de casos e em população de área endêmica, com o intuito de identificar o melhor antígeno para o diagnóstico sorológico da hanseníase e detecção de indivíduos infectados pelo Mycobacterium leprae.Trata-se de um estudo transversal de natureza exploratória e analítica. A reatividade anti-LID-1, NDO-LID, NDO-HSA e PGL-1 foi avaliada por meio do enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay. Foram analisadas amostras de sangue total em papel de filtro Whatman de 2494indivíduos da população de sete municípios da microrregião de Almenara e de soro de 94casos novos de hanseníase e 104 contatos domiciliares de casos residentes no município de Uberlândia. O Banco de Dados foi criado no Software Epi Info versão 3.5.1 e análise realizada no software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows 18 e no GraphPad Prism versão 5. Para análise estatística foram utilizados os seguintes testes: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis one-way (H), Mann-Whitney (U) com correção de Bonferroni, kappa, Spearman (rho), teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson e regressão logística binária. Foi observado maior soropositividade no grupo de casos multibacilares (MB), em contatos domiciliares de casos MB e nos indivíduos residentes nos municípios de Almenara e Jequitinhonha. Obteve-se correlação positiva entre a sorologia e o índice baciloscópico,concordância substancial e significativa no grupo de casos novos de hanseníase e correlação positiva para todos os antígenos testados. Os testes anti-LID-1 e anti-NDO-LID apresentaram melhor performance para identificar os contatos domiciliares e ou indivíduos da população...

The subclinical infection can be evaluated by serologic test which determine circulating immunoglobulins. The aim of this study was to analyze the reactivity of different antigens inleprosy cases, household contacts of index cases and the population of the endemic area toidentify the best antigen for the diagnosis of leprosy and detection of individuals infected with Mycobacterium leprae. It is a cross-sectional study of exploratory and analytical nature. There activity anti-LID-1, NDO-LID, NDO-HAS e PGL-1 were evaluated using the enzyme linke dimmunosorbent assay. The whole blood in What man filter paper of 2494 individuals from the general population of seven municipalities in the micro-Almenara and serum of 94 patients with leprosy and 104 household contacts of patients residing in Uberlândia were analyzed. The database was created in Epi Info software version 3.5.1 and analysis in the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows 18 and GraphPad Prism version5. For statistical analysis the following tests were used: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal Wallisone-way (H), Mann-Whitney (U) with Bonferroni correction, kappa, Spearman (rho), chisquaretest of Pearson and binary logistic regression. Identied higher seropositivity in the group of MB patients, household contacts of MB patients and in individuals living in the municipalities of Almenara and Jequitinhonha. Observed positive correlation between serology test and bacterial index, substantial agreement and significant in patients positive and positive correlation for all antigens. The LID-1 and NDO-LID antigens showed greater ability to identify household contacts or the general population infected with M. leprae, but the performance of the NDO-LID was better. The native PGL-1 had higher seropositivity than the NDO-HSA for all clinical forms of leprosy and household contacts. The seropositivity prevalence in the general population was higher than the detection rate of leprosy...

Natural Killer Cell and Cancer Immunotherapy / 한양의대학술지

Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide despite intense efforts in developing innovative treatments. Current approaches in cancer therapy are mainly directed to a selective targeting of cancer cells to avoid potential side effects associated with conventional therapy. In this respect, Natural killer (NK) cells have gained growing attention and are now being considered as promising therapeutic tools for cancer therapy owing to their intrinsic ability to rapidly recognize and kill cancer cells, while sparing normal healthy cells. NK cells play a key role in the first line of defense against transformed and virus-infected cells. NK cells sense their target through a whole array of receptors, both activating and inhibitory. Functional outcome of NK cell against target cells is determined by the balance of signals transmitted from diverse activating and inhibiting receptors. Despite significant progress made in the role of NK cells attack as a pivotal sentinel in tumor surveillance, the molecular has been that regulate NK cell responses remain unclear, which restricts the use of NK cells as a therapeutic measure. Accordingly, current efforts for NK cell-based cancer therapy have largely relied on the strategies that are based on the manipulation of inhibitory receptor function. However, if we better understand the mechanisms governing NK cell activation, including those mediated by diverse activating receptors, this knowledge can be applied to the development of optimal design for cancer immunotherapy by targeting NK cells.

Influence of energy density of different light sources on knoop hardness of a dual-cured resin cement

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Knoop hardness of a dual-cured resin-based luting cement irradiated with different light sources as well energy density through a ceramic sample. Three light-curing unit (LCUs) were tested: tungsten halogen light (HAL), light-emitting diode (LED) and xenon plasma-arc (PAC) lamp. Disc-shaped specimens were fabricated from a resin-based cement (Enforce). Three energy doses were used by modifying the irradiance (I) of each LCU and the irradiation time (T): 24 Jcm-2 (I/2x2T), 24 Jcm-2 (IxT) and 48 Jcm-2 (Ix2T). Energy doses were applied through a 2.0-mm-thick ceramic sample (Duceram Plus). Three groups underwent direct irradiation over the resin cement with the different LCUs and a chemically-activated group served as a control. Thirteen groups were tested (n=10). Knoop hardness number (KHN) means were obtained from cross-sectional areas. Two-way ANOVA and the Holm-Sidak method were used for statistical comparisons of activation mode and energy doses (á=5%). Application of 48 J.cm-2 energy dose through the ceramic using LED (50.5±2.8) and HAL (50.9±3.7) produced significantly higher KHN means (p<0.05) than the control (44.7±3.8). LED showed statistically similar performance to HAL. Only HAL showed a relationship between the increase of LCU energy dose and hardness increase.

Quantificação de macro e micro nutrientes em algumas etnovariedades de cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) / Macro and micro nutrients quantification of some cubiu ethnovarieties (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal)

Considerando a ampla variabilidade genética de cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal), quantificaram-se os macro e micro-nutrientes, objetivando a ampliação da tabela de composição química de alimentos típicos da região amazônica. Os frutos provenientes da Estação Experimental de Hortaliças Alejo von der Pahlen (EEH) do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), localizados no km 14 da Rodovia AM 010 em Manaus, AM, foram processados no Laboratório de Alimentos e Nutrição do INPA. Avaliaram-se oito etnovariedades de cubiu identificados como: 2 I, 3 I, 6, 7, 12, 14, 17, 29 I e III em estádio de maturação comercial. Os teores de elementos minerais foram quantificados pela técnica de Ativação por Nêutrons Instrumental e a fibra alimentar pelo método enzímico-gravimétrico. Os resultados demonstram ser o cubiu um fruto com baixo conteúdo energético (média de 33 kcal), com conteúdo de fibra alimentar total na ordem de 1,6 por cento. Em relação aos macros elementos minerais, a etnovariedade 6, apresentou a maior concentração em potássio (513,5±3,1mg), cálcio (18,9±0,6mg) e a etnovariedade 2 I em Fe (564,4±58,1µg) e Cr (99,3±8,3µg). A menor concentração foi constatada na etnovariedade 12 para os elementos K (229,0±4,5mg), Na (53,7±5,5µg) e Zn (89,3±4,7µg). Apesar das variações em relação as diferentes etno variedades e conseqüentemente concentrações em elementos minerais, o cubiu, pode estar contribuindo para atingir as recomendações desses nutrientes.

Considering the wide genetic variability of cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal), its chemical composition was quantified in order to contribute to the chemical composition table of typical Amazonian foods. The cubiu fruit was collected at Alejo von der Pahlen (EEH) experimental station from National Research Institute of Amazonia (INPA). Eight ethno varieties of cubiu identified as 2 I, 3 I, 6, 7, 12, 14, 17, 29 I and III were analyzed. All samples used were ripe. The mineral content was determined by Neutron Activation Analysis technique and alimentary fiber by the enzymatic-gravimetric method. The results showed that cubiu is a hypo caloric food source (mean of 33 kcal and total fiber of about 1.6 percent). Regarding macronutrients, ethnovariety 6 showed high potassium (513.5 ± 3.1 mg) and calcium (18.8 ± 0.6 mg) concentration. Ethnovariety 21, had high Fe (564 ± 58 µg) and Cr (99 ± 8 µg) concentrations. Low concentrations of K (229.0 ± 4.5 mg), Na (53.7 ± 5.5 µg) and Zn (89.3 ± 4.7 µg) were found for ethnovariety 12. Although the cubiu fruit presents great variation of its mineral contents due to different ethnovarieties, it could still contribute as a diet supplement to reach the minimum nutrient requirements for the Amazonian population.

Teores de elementos minerais em algumas populações de Camu-Camu / Content of mineral elements in some populations of camu-camu

O camu-camu, caçari, ou araçá d'água (Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K) McVaugh) é um arbusto da família Myrtaceae, disperso em quase toda a Amazônia. É uma espécie tipicamente silvestre mas com grande potencial econômico e nutricional. Entretanto, no que se refere a elementos minerais, poucas informações são disponíveis na literatura. Considerando a essencialidade dessas informações na nutrição humana e objetivando contribuir na elaboração de uma Tabela de composição de alimentos a nível regional e nacional, determinou-se os elementos minerais em algumas populações de camu-camu, pela Técnica de Ativação com Nêutrons Instrumental. Verificou-se que em relação aos macro elementos minerais, nos frutos de camu-camu analisados, as maiores concentrações foram para potássio, com uma variação de (62,6±0,4 a 144,1±08 mg por cento) e cálcio (9,5±0,3 a 10,6±0,5 mg por cento). A concentração de sódio nos frutos foi baixa (90,7±16,5 µg por cento). A população Uatumã-9 apresentou maiores concentrações de zinco (472,0±8,3µg por cento), molibdênio (6,2±0,6µg por cento) e cromo (19,9±1,7 µg por cento), seguida da população Uatumã 24 em cobalto (2,4±0,03 mg por cento). Dessa forma, o consumo de camu-camu pode contribuir para atingir a ingestão adequada das recomendações de elementos minerais nos diferentes grupos populacionais da região Amazônica.

Camu-camu, caçari, or araçá d'água (Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.) McVaugh) is a shrub of the Myrtaceae family, dispersed through almost all the Amazonia. It is a typically wild species but with great economic and nutritional potential. However, few information on its mineral content is available in the literature. Considering the importance of these information for the human nutrition, and, objectiving to contribute in the elaboration of a Table of food composition the regional and national level, was determined the mineral elements in some populations of camu-camu, by neutron activation analysis. According to the results, the greater concentrations was verified in relation to the macro mineral elements potassium, with a variation of (62,6±0,4 to 144,1±8,3 mg percent) and calcium (9,5±0,3 to 10,6±0,5 mg percent). The concentration of sodium in the fruts was low (19,9±1,7µg percent). The population Uatumã 9 presented greater concentrations of zinc (472,0±8,3µg percent), molybdenum (6,2±0,6µg percent) and chromium (19,9±1,7µg percent) followed of the population Uatumã 24 for cobalt (2,4±28,7mg percent). Therefore, camu-camu can contribute for reaching the recommendations of mineral elements intakes by the different human populations of the Amazon region.

18S-rDNA Sequencing, enzyme patterns and morphological characterization of trichophyton isolates

Dermatophytes, capable to use keratin of the host for nutrition, belong to one of the major groups of pathogenic fungi. Since dermatophytes are a closely related group they share various common features, and the morphology of isolates of a given species can be atypical, making species identification and differentiation even more difficult. Many methods have been explored in attempts to distinguish dermatophytes, but the combined use of different approaches for the investigation of the intraspecific and interspecific variability of Trichophyton continues to be scarce. Some studies have shown that amplified fragments of the small ribosomal DNA subunit 18S contains variable regions which can be used to discriminate between medically relevant yeast species, indicating that these regions could also be used for differentiation between dermatophytes. In our study, sequence analysis of the 18S-rDNA gene was combined with morphological and biochemical criteria in order to detect genetic differences between seven Trichophyton isolates and estimate their phylogenetic relationships. The results show that the isolates investigated belong to the Trichophyton group, which potentially contains the Trichophyton rubrum cluster.

Characterization of alkaline xylanases from "Bacillus pumilus"

Alkaline xylanases produced by four different strains of "Bacillus pumilus" were characterized. The optimal pH and temperature were pH 9.0 and 60ºC for strain 13(a), and pH 8.0 and 55ºC for strains 5(2), 5(14), and 4(a). Under these conditions the following activities were found after 10 min in the presence of 1(per cent) xylan (birchwood): 328 U.ml(-1), 131 U.ml(-1), 90 U.ml(-1), and 167 U.ml(-1), respectively, for the four strains. The enzymes were stable at 40ºC, with 40(per cent) of the xylanase activity remaining after 2 hours for the enzymes of strain 5(2) and 60(per cent) for the other three strains. Stability at 50ºC was improved by addition of glycerol. Taking into account the conditions under which kraft pulps are bleached during the manufacture of paper xylanases from "B. pumilus" exhibit favorable potential for application to bleaching in the paper making process.

Método simplificado para medir 17-OH progesterona plasmática por radioinmunoanálisis / SImplified method to measure 17-OH plasmatic progesterone by radioimmunoanálysis

La 17-hidroxiprogesterona (17-OHP4) es una hormona esteroide que se sintetiza en glándulos suprarrenales, ovarios y testículos. En la mujer normal durante la fase luteínica, los niveles periféricos reflejan la actividad secretora de ovarió, sin embargo, esta ciclicidad puede verse afectada por patologías como la hiperplasia adrenal congénita o la poliquistosis ovárica, por lo que el poder medir esta hormona es de gran utilidad en las clínicas de endocrinología ginecológica, endocrinología y andrología. En el presente trabajo se describe un método práctico para medir 17-OHP4 en sangre periférica por radioinmunoanálisis al utilizar un antisuero altamente específico. La utilidad del método, descrita con estudios de confiabilidad apropiados presentan una sensibilidad de la curva patrón de 10 picogramos, la precisión muestra un coeficiente de variación intra-análisis < ó = 11.9 por ciento e inter-análisis < ó = 10.0 por ciento, la exactitud fue > ó = 95 por ciento y la especificidad es demostrada por la caracterización del antisuero frente a otros esteroides. Al medir la 17-OHP4 en ng/ml en plasma de mujeres bajo diferentes condiciones fisiológicas, encontramos que los niveles de esta hormona en el día -5 de la fase proliferativa fueron de 0.31 ñ 0.24 nanogramos (ng)/ml y en el dia +7 de la fase secretora de 1.47 ñ 0.65 ng/ml. En las pacientes sometidas a estimulación con ACTH muestran, con respecto a la muestra basal, un incremento del doble de los niveles a los 30 minutos y que continúa en aumento hasta los 90 min. con cierta tendencia a la baja a los 120 minutos. Los resultados de este estudio permiten medir 17-OHP4 en plasma humano con buen grado de seguridad y facíl manejo, logrando además reducir el costo operativo

Efeito da temperatura e de ativadores no processo de extracao da bromelina / Effect of temperature and of activators on the extraction process of bromelain

No processo de extracao de bromelina de caules de abacaxi Zeiro ananas comosus cultivar Cayenne, a acetona mostrou menor eficiencia que sulfato e amonio, em relacao ao balanco material. O estudo da estabilidade em diferentes temperaturas, durante 90 dias, das amostras obtidas indicou resultados mais favoraveis na amostra preparada a partir de extrato filtrado a 40 graus centigrados e preciptado por sulfato de amonio

Analysis of the spontaneous activity of the identified neurone [A] of molluscan planorbius corneus

The glass microelectrode technique was used to record the spontaneous activity of the identified neurone [A] molluscan Planorbius comeus. The number of the recorded spontaneous spikes and there interspike time were found to be random variables. Using the stochastic distribution and the statistical analysis, it was found that : a] The random spike number recorded at a definite interval of time follows the Poisson distribution with probability 95 percent b] The random interspike time obeys the exponential distribution with a mean value of 1.537 second. According to the results obtained in a and b, the number of the generated spontaneous spikes at a certain time interval could be predicted

Sodium determination in nail clippings by instrumental neutron activation analysis for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis

The present study indicates an incidence of 1/1200 cystic fibrotic [CF] patients among hospitalized children. It also reports the reliability of instrumental neutron activation analysis [NAA] method in the diagnosis of CF patients. There was no overlapping of the results of nail sodium concentration in CF patients and normal controls [mean 11763 +/- 2930 vs 559 +/- 244; P < 0.001]