Evaluation of lignan-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, in vivo and in silico schistosomicidal activity.

Lignan dinitrohinokinin displays important biological activities, which led to the preparation of its poly-ε-caprolactone nanoparticles. Kinetics analysis revealed initially slow drug release followed by a prolonged, moderate release 6 h later due to DNHK diffusion through the polymeric matrix. Molecular dynamics simulations show that DNHK molecules that interact stronger with other DNHK molecules near the PCL/DNHK surface are more difficult to dissociate from the nanoparticle. The smaller diameter nanocapsules with negative surface charge conferred good colloidal stability. The formulations showed a size distribution with monodisperse systems formation. In vivo evaluation of schistosomicidal activity against Schistosoma mansoni showed that DNHK, when incorporated into nanoparticles, caused egg number reduction of 4.2% and 28.1% at 40 mg/kg and 94.2% and 84.4% at 400 mg/kg in the liver and the spleen, respectively. The PCL nanoparticles were stable in aqueous dispersion and could be optimized to be used as a promising lignan release agent.

Hematological and biochemical profile of BALB/c nude and C57BL/6 SCID female mice after ovarian xenograft.

Hematological and biochemical profile studies help to evaluate functional changes of animals used in experiments. The aim of this study was to determine the hematological and biochemical profile of immunosuppressed BALB/c nude and C57BL/6 SCID mice after bovine ovarian xenotransplantation. Therefore, a total of 74 female mice were divided into four groups: non-xenotransplanted animals, xenotransplanted animals, xenotransplanted animals treated with eCG and xenotransplanted animals treated with FSH + LH. After anesthesia, blood samples were collected and hematologic and biochemical values were evaluated. The results showed no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) for hematological parameters between the control group and the treatment groups of both strains. However, considering the biochemical profile, it was observed an increase of AST concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) in both strains and a decrease of ALT concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) only in C57BL/6 SCID strain of the groups subjected to hormonal treatment compared with those non subjected. Additionally, the values of the renal enzymes, urea and creatinine, did not differ (p ≤ 0.05) between the groups. Our findings suggest that the xenotransplantation procedure as well as the hormonal dosages had no significant effect on the well-being of the animals considering the evaluated hematological and biochemical profile.

Development of fresh and vitrified agouti ovarian tissue after xenografting to ovariectomised severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the development of fresh and vitrified agouti ovarian tissue after xenografting to C57Bl/6 severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) female mice. Ovaries were obtained from five female agoutis and divided into 16 fragments. Five fragments were transplanted immediately to ovariectomised SCID mice and the others were vitrified, stored for 2 weeks and transplanted only after rewarming. Tissue fragments were transplanted under the kidney capsule in recipients. The return of ovarian activity in recipients was monitored by the observation of external signs of oestrus and vaginal cytology over a period of 40 days after transplantation, after which the grafts were removed and evaluated for morphology, cell proliferation and the occurrence of DNA fragmentation. Ovarian activity returned in four of five mice that received fresh ovarian tissue from agoutis and in one of six mice that had received vitrified tissue a mean (±s.e.m.) 20.6±8.6 days after xenotransplantation. After graft removal, a predominance of primordial and primary follicles was observed in all grafts. Vitrification reduced cell proliferation and increased the occurrence of DNA fragmentation in grafted agouti ovarian tissue. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that xenografted agouti ovarian tissue, fresh or vitrified, is able to promote the return of ovarian activity in ovariectomised SCID C57B1/6 mice. However, improvements to vitrification protocols for agouti ovarian tissue are necessary.

Biochemical, thermographic, and follicular responses of murine models of hormone-treated bovine ovarian renal capsule xenografts / Respostas bioquímicas, termográficas e foliculares de modelos murinos tratados hormonalmente após xenotransplante de ovário bovino sob a cápsula renal

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of two different murine models of hormone-treated renal-encapsulated bovine ovarian tissue xenotransplantation. Two immunodeficient mouse models (BALB/c Nude and C57BL6 SCID) were xenografted with ovarian pieces from heifers and each group was subjected to two hormonal treatments of eCG or a combination of FSH+LH. Donor ovaries and recipients were evaluated by histology and infrared thermography at different times. At the time of xenograft collection, animals were evaluated for alterations in hepatorenal biochemistry. The statistical test used in the study was ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test. Among the strains, 80% of C57BL6 SCID and 77% of BALB/c Nude mice showed development and vascularization of the transplanted tissue, which acquired cyclicity at 19 and 9 days post-transplant, respectively. Hemorrhagic follicles in xenografts induced with FSH+LH were found in the C57BL6 SCID strain. Infrared thermography was insufficient to distinguish the tissue donor recipient. In conclusion, the C57BL6 SCID strain appears to be the best host for ovarian xenografts, since the transplants in these mice were viable and showed robust follicular development. This work will aid future choices of immunodeficient strains for xenografting procedures.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as características dos dois diferentes modelos de murinas tratadas hormonalmente após xenotransplante de tecido ovariano bovino sob a cápsula renal. Dois modelos de camundongos imunodeficientes (BALB/c NUDE e C57BL6 SCID) receberam fragmentos de ovário de novilhas e cada grupo foi submetido a dois tratamentos hormonais de eCG ou uma combinação de FSH+LH. Ovários doadores e receptores foram avaliados por histologia e termografia infravermelha em diferentes momentos. No momento da retirada do xenotranplante, os animais foram avaliados quanto a alterações na bioquímica hepatorrenal. O teste estatístico utilizado no estudo foi ANOVA, seguido do teste de Tukey. Entre as linhagens, 80% de C57BL6 SCID e 77% das BALB/c NUDE mostraram desenvolvimento e vascularização do tecido transplantado, que adquiriu a ciclicidade 19 e 9 dias após o transplante, respectivamente. Corpos hemorrágicos foram encontrados após o xenotransplante induzidos com FSH+LH na linhagem C57BL6 SCID. A termografia infravermelha foi insuficiente para distinguir o tecido doador do receptor. Em conclusão, a linhagem C57BL6 SCID demonstrou ser o melhor hospedeiro para xenotransplante de ovário, uma vez que os transplantes nestes camundongos foram viáveis e mostraram desenvolvimento folicular. Este trabalho ajudará futuras escolhas de linhagens imunodeficientes para procedimentos de xenotranplante.(AU)

Role of smoking and type 2 diabetes in the immunobalance of advanced chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-17(+), IL-15(+), Foxp3(+) cells, fibrosis, and plasma B-cell infiltration in sites with chronic periodontitis in smokers and subjects with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Gingival biopsies were harvested from the following groups: systemically and periodontally healthy subjects (healthy group, n = 10); non-smokers and subjects with advanced periodontitis and without diabetes (non-risk factor/periodontitis group, n = 10); heavy smokers with advanced periodontitis and without diabetes (smoking/periodontitis group, ≥20 cigarettes per day for at least the past 5 years, n = 10); and non-smoking poorly controlled subjects with diabetes (glycated hemoglobin levels ≥9%) with advanced periodontitis (diabetes mellitus/periodontitis group [DMP], n = 10). The number of IL-17(+), IL-15(+), and Foxp3(+) cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, whereas the amount of fibrosis and plasma B-cell infiltration in gingival tissue was analyzed by histomorphometry. RESULTS: The number of Foxp3(+) cells was significantly higher in the periodontitis groups compared to the healthy group (P <0.05). The DMP group presented higher levels of Foxp3(+) cells than other periodontitis groups (P <0.05). The levels of IL-15(+) and IL-17(+) cells and the amount of fibrosis were higher in the DMP group than in the other groups (P <0.05). There was a trend for a decreased B-cell infiltration in the DMP group (P >0.05). There was a slightly significant negative correlation between B-cell infiltration and the amount of fibrosis (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Upregulation of IL-17(+), IL-15(+), and Foxp3(+) cells and increased amounts of fibrosis were observed in chronic periodontitis sites in subjects with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that periodontitis development in these subjects may be influenced by the T helper 17/T regulatory axis.

A família em psicoterapia: comunicaçäo / Communication patterns in family psychotherapy

Este artigo versa sobre a comunicaçäo em onze famílias nucleares. As sessöes foram gravadas em fitas de áudio e transcritas para um prontuário. Foi analisado se os padröes de comunicaçäo das quatro primeiras sessöes do psicodiagnóstico eram iguais ou diferentes dos padröes das quatro últimas sessöes psicoterápicas. Tomou-se como referencial básico a Teoria da Comunicaçäo de Virgínia Satir. Das sessöes tiraram-se vinhetas, que permitiram classificar as comunicaçöes ocorridas. Através da Correlaçäo de De postos, de Spearman, percebe-se que a comunicaçäo funcional clara é a mais significativa. Depois da psicoterapia familiar, a família sentiu-se melhor: ouvindo e fazendo-se ouvir, expondo seus problemas e admitindo seus sentimentos e suas necessidades de relacionamento

A familia em psicoterapia: comunicacao

Este artigo versa sobre a comunicacao em onze familias nucleares. As sessoes foram gravadas em fitas de audio e transcritas para um prontuario. Foi analisado se os padroes de comunicacao das quatro primeiras sessoes do psicodiagnostico eram iguais ou diferentes dos padroes das quatro ultimas sessoes psicoterapicas. Tomou-se como referencial basico a Teoria da Comunicacao de Virginia Satir. Das sessoes tiraram-se vinhetas, que permitiram classificar as comunicacoes ocorridas. Atraves da Correlacao de De postos, de Spearman, percebe-se que a comunicacao funcional clara e a mais significativa. Depois da psicoterapia familiar, a familia sentiu-se melhor: ouvindo e fazendo-se ouvir, expondo seus problemas e admitindo seus sentimentos e suas necessidades de relacionamento.