Direct and transdentinal biostimulatory effects of grape seed extract rich in proanthocyanidin on pulp cells.

AIM: To evaluate the potential biostimulatory effects of grape seed extract (GSE) on a primary culture of human pulp cells. METHODOLOGY: Human molars were used to obtain the primary pulp cell culture and 0.5-mm dentine discs. For GSE direct exposure, dose-response (0.0065-6.5%) and time response (1-60 min of contact) were examined. For transdentinal exposure, 0.65% of GSE was tested for 24 h. Cellular metabolism, nitric oxide and collagen production, and cell morphology alterations were assessed at periods of 24 and 72 h. After cell differentiation and direct exposure to GSE, the total protein production (TP), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and formation of mineralization nodules (MN) were assessed. The results were analysed by parametric tests or non-parametric tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The lower concentration of GSE tested (0.0065%) was associated with an increase in cellular metabolism, a reduction in the production of nitric oxide and an increase in extracellular matrix synthesis (collagen). Distinct behaviours were observed for the different concentrations, without a reduction of cellular metabolism >10% compared with the control, either when applied directly or transdentinally. SEM revealed no significant change in cell morphology, except for the positive control (H2 O2 ). There was no difference in TP, ALP or MN between the control group and the group exposed to GSE. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with grape seed extract, even at the highest concentration and longest period, caused neither direct nor transdentinal cytotoxic effects on human pulp cells. Grape seed extract components may play a biostimulatory role and protect dental pulp cells when in direct contact.

Polymorphisms in the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes are associated with increased risk of preeclampsia in the Mexican mestizo population.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder in humans and a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between null alleles of the glutathione S-transferases (GST) M1 and T1 genes and the risk of preeclampsia. This case-control study involved 112 preeclamptic and 233 normoevolutive pregnant women. The null polymorphisms were genotyped by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results showed an increased risk of preeclampsia in patients with the GSTT1 null genotype [odds ratio (OR) = 2.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14-4.27; P = 0.018]. Our data further showed that a combination of deletion genotypes of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes conferred an even higher risk of preeclampsia (OR = 4.56, 95%CI = 1.59-13.09; P = 0.005). Our results provide the first evidence suggesting that a GSTT1 null polymorphism might be associated with preeclampsia in the Mexican mestizo population, and that this risk increases with the combination of both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null polymorphisms.

[Indirect method ELISA for the detection of antibodies against bovine diarrhea virus in bovine serum]. / ELISA de esquema indirecto para la detección de anticuerpos contra el virus de la diarrea viral bovina en suero bovino.

Serological diagnosis is very important for the detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus, an important pathogen related to reproductive failure. Methods normally used for the detection of antibodies are serum neutralization (SN) and ELISA. The objective of this work was to standardize an indirect ELISA with SN. With a diagnostic sensitivity of 98.31% and a diagnostic specificity of 100%, this ELISA-BVDV shows good sensitivity, specificity and repeatability. It is easy to transfer, economical, and easy to perform.

ELISA de esquema indirecto para la detección de anticuerpos contra el virus de la diarrea viral bovina en suero bovino / Indirect ELISA for detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus in cattle sera

El diagnóstico serológico es de gran importancia para la detección de la infección con el virus de la diarrea viral bovina (BVDV), importante patógeno asociado a fallas reproductivas entre otras. Las técnicas más utilizadas para la detección de anticuerpos contra BVDV son la seroneutralización en cultivos celulares (SN) y el ELISA. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estandarizar un ELISA de esquema indirecto comparando sus resultados con la SN. Con resultados de sensibilidad de diagnóstico mayores o iguales que 98,31 por ciento y de especificidad de diagnóstico igual a 100 por ciento, el ELISA-BVDV resultó ser un método sensible, específico y repetible. Además es una técnica de realización rápida, sencilla, económica y de fácil transferencia. (AU)

ELISA de esquema indirecto para la detección de anticuerpos contra el virus de la diarrea viral bovina en suero bovino / Indirect ELISA for detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus in cattle sera

El diagnóstico serológico es de gran importancia para la detección de la infección con el virus de la diarrea viral bovina (BVDV), importante patógeno asociado a fallas reproductivas entre otras. Las técnicas más utilizadas para la detección de anticuerpos contra BVDV son la seroneutralización en cultivos celulares (SN) y el ELISA. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estandarizar un ELISA de esquema indirecto comparando sus resultados con la SN. Con resultados de sensibilidad de diagnóstico mayores o iguales que 98,31 por ciento y de especificidad de diagnóstico igual a 100 por ciento, el ELISA-BVDV resultó ser un método sensible, específico y repetible. Además es una técnica de realización rápida, sencilla, económica y de fácil transferencia.

ELISA de esquema indirecto para la detección de anticuerpos contra el virus de la diarrea viral bovina en suero bovino. / [Indirect method ELISA for the detection of antibodies against bovine diarrhea virus in bovine serum]

Serological diagnosis is very important for the detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus, an important pathogen related to reproductive failure. Methods normally used for the detection of antibodies are serum neutralization (SN) and ELISA. The objective of this work was to standardize an indirect ELISA with SN. With a diagnostic sensitivity of 98.31

and a diagnostic specificity of 100

, this ELISA-BVDV shows good sensitivity, specificity and repeatability. It is easy to transfer, economical, and easy to perform.

Anatomia foliar de Bauhinia blakeana Dunn

São observadas as características microscópicas das folhas de Bauhinia blakeana Dunn., espécie conhecida no Brasil como "Pata de vaca" e usada pela população como hipoglicemiante. As análises dos cortes transversais e das dissociações epidérmicas indicam a presença de um mesofilo dorsiventral contendo espaços intercelulares, protegido por epidermes com tricomas de diversos aspectos e estômatos paracíticos e anomocíticos. O pecíolo, plano-convexo, pubescente, apresenta duas saliências, colênquima angular e feixes vasculares colaterais e bicolaterais.

The paper describes the microscopic characteristics of the leaves of Bauhinia blakeana Dunn., known in Brazil as "pata de vaca" and used as a hypoglycemic remedy. Transverse sections and epidermal dissociations indicate the presence of a dorsiventral mesophyll protected by epidermis with trichomes of diverse types and paracytic and anomocytic stomata. The petiole, which is plane-convex, pubescent, shows two excrescences, an angular collenchyma and collateral and bicollateral vascular bundles.