ABSTRACT
The use of artificial implants provides a palliative or permanent solution for individuals who have lost some bodily function through disease, an accident or natural wear. This functional loss can be compensated for by the use of medical devices produced from special biomaterials. Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is a well-established primary metallic biomaterial for orthopedic implants, but the toxicity of the chemical components of this alloy has become an issue of concern. In this work, we used the MTT assay and micronucleus assay to examine the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, respectively, of an extract obtained from this alloy. The MTT assay indicated that the mitochondrial activity and cell viability of CHO-K1 cells were unaffected by exposure to the extract. However, the micronucleus assay revealed DNA damage and an increase in micronucleus frequency at all of the concentrations tested. These results show that ions released from Ti-6Al-4V alloy can cause DNA and nuclear damage and reinforce the importance of assessing the safety of metallic medical devices constructed from biomaterials.
ABSTRACT
The use of artificial implants provides a palliative or permanent solution for individuals who have lost some bodily function through disease, an accident or natural wear. This functional loss can be compensated for by the use of medical devices produced from special biomaterials. Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is a well-established primary metallic biomaterial for orthopedic implants, but the toxicity of the chemical components of this alloy has become an issue of concern. In this work, we used the MTT assay and micronucleus assay to examine the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, respectively, of an extract obtained from this alloy. The MTT assay indicated that the mitochondrial activity and cell viability of CHO-K1 cells were unaffected by exposure to the extract. However, the micronucleus assay revealed DNA damage and an increase in micronucleus frequency at all of the concentrations tested. These results show that ions released from Ti-6Al-4V alloy can cause DNA and nuclear damage and reinforce the importance of assessing the safety of metallic medical devices constructed from biomaterials.
Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials , Cytotoxicity, Immunologic , Micronucleus Tests , Mutagenicity TestsABSTRACT
Several molecular methods, such as Southern blotting hybridization, Multilocus Sequence Typing, and DNA microsatellite analysis, have been employed to genotype Candida albicans. The genotype analysis allows to group strains in clades, that is, a group composed of one ancestor and its descendants. These genotype studies demonstrate that clades distribution is influenced by geographic area as well as that antifungal resistance is associated with particular clades. These findings suggested that C. albicans reproduces mainly in a clonal manner, with certain degree of DNA microevolution. Additionally, virulence factors and site of isolation have also been associated with clade specificity. The present article is a brief review about the methods used for Candida genotyping and the correlated clade systems established. Special emphasis is given to Ca3 hybridization, MLST, and Microsatellites. The present work is also focused on the phenotypic and physiological traits associated with Candida clades.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of Trichosporon species isolated from different sources employing the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method and E-test method. Thirty-four isolates of Trichosporon spp. and six CBS reference samples were tested for their susceptibility to Amphotericin B, 5-flucytosine, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole and Terbinafine. All species showed high Minimun Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) for Itraconazole and susceptibility to Fluconazole, The comparison among the results obtained by the CLSI method and E-test revealed larger discrepancies among 5-flucytosine and Itraconazole. The present work provides epidemiological data that could influence therapeutic choices. Furthermore, the comparison between different methodologies could help to analyze results obtained by different laboratories.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antifungal Agents , Disease Susceptibility , Drug Resistance, Fungal , Mitosporic Fungi , Mycoses , Trichosporon/growth & development , Trichosporon/isolation & purification , Epidemiologic Methods , Methodology as a Subject , MethodsABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of Trichosporon species isolated from different sources employing the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method and E-test method. Thirty-four isolates of Trichosporon spp. and six CBS reference samples were tested for their susceptibility to Amphotericin B, 5-flucytosine, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole and Terbinafine. All species showed high Minimun Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) for Itraconazole and susceptibility to Fluconazole, The comparison among the results obtained by the CLSI method and E-test revealed larger discrepancies among 5-flucytosine and Itraconazole. The present work provides epidemiological data that could influence therapeutic choices. Furthermore, the comparison between different methodologies could help to analyze results obtained by different laboratories.
ABSTRACT
Several molecular methods, such as Southern blotting hybridization, Multilocus Sequence Typing, and DNA microsatellite analysis, have been employed to genotype Candida albicans. The genotype analysis allows to group strains in clades, that is, a group composed of one ancestor and its descendants. These genotype studies demonstrate that clades distribution is influenced by geographic area as well as that antifungal resistance is associated with particular clades. These findings suggested that C. albicans reproduces mainly in a clonal manner, with certain degree of DNA microevolution. Additionally, virulence factors and site of isolation have also been associated with clade specificity. The present article is a brief review about the methods used for Candida genotyping and the correlated clade systems established. Special emphasis is given to Ca3 hybridization, MLST, and Microsatellites. The present work is also focused on the phenotypic and physiological traits associated with Candida clades.
ABSTRACT
This review is focused on the advancements in biomedical engineering regarding the elaboration of new prototypes of optical fiber catheters to be applied in spectroscopic analysis, such as Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our group has contributed to the development of new prototypes with interesting properties, such as side-viewing signal excitation and collection, distal tip with bending control, and Raman scattering minimization from the optical fiber. In addition, several groups have contributed to other new catheter-improving properties of this spectroscopic device. However, a relatively small number of studies has been published in the literature, due to industrial interest in this interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary area. To our knowledge, no review that has focused on the applications of catheters to several modes of spectroscopy has been published. In this work we revised this topic, analyzing the advancements and limitations of the recent biomedical catheters.
Subject(s)
Catheterization/instrumentation , Optical Fibers , Biomedical Engineering , Equipment Design , Humans , Spectrometry, Fluorescence/instrumentation , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/instrumentationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the contribution and the correlation between the virulence factors of Candida albicans in denture stomatitis. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty C. albicans strains obtained from the oral cavity of patients with denture stomatitis and 30 C. albicans obtained from the oral cavity of denture wearers with normal palatal mucosa were compared for adhesion ability to buccal epithelial cells (BEC), reduction in adhesion after exposure to fluconazole, and enzyme production. The correlation between these virulence factors was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: C. albicans obtained from denture stomatitis patients were more adherent to BEC and higher enzyme producers than those obtained from healthy patients. Our results demonstrated that exposure to fluconazole reduces C. albicans adherence to BEC. This study could also provide evidence of correlation between virulence factors. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that adhesion and enzyme production could be factors that, along with predisposing conditions related to the host, determine if an individual will develop disease or remain as a healthy carrier and confirm that fluconazole has an impact on the adherence ability and enzyme production in C. albicans.
