Evaluation of 1,9-Dimethyl-Methylene Blue nanoencapsulation using rhamnolipid nanoparticles to potentiate the Photodynamic Therapy technique in Candida albicans: In vitro study.

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, various functional nanomaterials have shown exciting potential in biomedical areas such as drug delivery, antitumor, and antibacterial therapy. These nanomaterials improve the stability and selectivity of loaded drugs, reduce drug-induced side effects, realize controlled and targeted drug release, and increase therapeutic efficacy. The increased resistance to antifungal microbicides in medical practice and their side effects stimulate interest in new therapies, such as Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which do not generate resistance in microorganisms and effectively control the pathology. The present study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the efficacy of photodynamic therapy on Candida albicans using 1,9-Dimethyl-Methylene Blue (DMMB) as photosensitizer, red LED (λ630), and nanoencapsulation of DMMB (RL-NPs/DMMB) using rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to evaluate if there is better performance of DMMB + RL particles compared to DMMB alone via the characterization of DMMB + RL and colony forming count. The tests were carried out across six experimental groups (Control, DMMB, RL-NPs, RL-NPs/DMMB, PDT and PDT + RL-NPs/DMMB) using in the groups with nanoparticles, DMMB (750 ng/mL) encapsulated with rhamnolipids in a 1:1 ratio, the light source consisted of a prototype built with a set of red LEDs with an energy density of 20 J/cm2. The results showed that applying PDT combined with encapsulation (RL-NPs/DMMB) was a more practical approach to inhibit Candida albicans (2 log reduction) than conventional applications, with a possible clinical application protocol.

Design of the VIALE-M phase III trial of venetoclax and oral azacitidine maintenance therapy in acute myeloid leukemia.

Prevention of relapse is a major therapeutic challenge and an unmet need for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Venetoclax is a highly selective, potent, oral BCL-2 inhibitor that induces apoptosis in AML cells. When combined with azacitidine, it leads to prolonged overall survival and rapid, durable remissions in treatment-naive AML patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. VIALE-M is a randomized, double-blind, two-arm study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of venetoclax in combination with oral azacitidine (CC-486) as maintenance therapy in patients in complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery after intensive induction and consolidation therapies. The primary end point is relapse-free survival. Secondary outcomes include overall survival, minimal residual disease conversion and improvement in quality-of-life. Trial Registration Number: NCT04102020 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Antarctic fungus proteases generate bioactive peptides from caseinate.

The extracellular serine protease produced by Acremonium sp. L1-4B isolated from the Antarctic continent, was purified and used for the proteolysis of bovine and caprine sodium caseinate. Protein hydrolysates were evaluated in vitro to determine their antioxidant and antihypertensive potential, and later characterized by mass spectrometry. Bovine and caprine hydrolysates produced over 24 h showed a higher content of copper chelation (25.8 and 31.2% respectively), also at this time the ABTS+• scavenging was 65.2% (bovine sample) and 67.5% (caprine sample), and bovine caseinate hydrolysate (8 h) exhibited higher iron chelation capacity (43.1%). Statistically (p < 0.05), caprine caseinate hydrolysates showed relatively higher antioxidant potential in this study. All hydrolysates showed antihypertensive potential; however peptides released from caprine caseinate after 8 h of hydrolysis were able to inhibit 75% of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Nano-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis prospected a total of 23 different peptide sequences in the bovine hydrolysate fraction, originated from the αS1- and ß-casein chain, whilst in caprine hydrolysate, 31 sequences were detected, all from ß-casein. The low molecular weight bovine and caprine hydrolysates obtained in this research have the potential to act in the prevention of disorders caused by oxidative reactions and in the regulation of blood pressure. These findings support the development of new functional food and nutraceutical formulations.

The interplay between irrigation and fruiting on branch growth and mortality, gas exchange and water relations of coffee trees.

The overall coordination between gas exchanges and plant hydraulics may be affected by soil water availability and source-to-sink relationships. Here we evaluated how branch growth and mortality, leaf gas exchange and metabolism are affected in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) trees by drought and fruiting. Field-grown plants were irrigated or not, and maintained with full or no fruit load. Under mild water deficit, irrigation per se did not significantly impact growth but markedly reduced branch mortality in fruiting trees, despite similar leaf assimilate pools and water status. Fruiting increased net photosynthetic rate in parallel with an enhanced stomatal conductance, particularly in irrigated plants. Mesophyll conductance and maximum RuBisCO carboxylation rate remained unchanged across treatments. The increased stomatal conductance in fruiting trees over nonfruiting ones was unrelated to internal CO2 concentration, foliar abscisic acid (ABA) levels or differential ABA sensitivity. However, stomatal conductance was associated with higher stomatal density, lower stomatal sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit, and higher leaf hydraulic conductance and capacitance. Increased leaf transpiration rate in fruiting trees was supported by coordinated alterations in plant hydraulics, which explained the maintenance of plant water status. Finally, by preventing branch mortality, irrigation can mitigate biennial production fluctuations and improve the sustainability of coffee plantations.

Development and properties of endodontic resin sealers with natural oils.

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize and evaluate the physicochemical, antimicrobial, and cytocompatibility properties of experimental resin-based endodontic sealers containing butia or copaiba natural oils. METHODS: Experimental groups contained butia (Butia capitata) at 0.5 % (B0.5), 1 % (B1), 2 % (B2), and copaiba (Copaifera spp.) at 0.5 % (C0.5), 1 % (C1), and 2 % (C2). The control group contained no added oils (experimental material, EM) and the commercial group was a methacrylate-based resin material (RealSeal™, SybronEndo Corporation, Orange, CA, USA). Degree of conversion, film thickness, setting time, flow, water sorption and solubility, and radiopacity were measured. Meanwhile, antimicrobial (modified direct contact test) and cytotoxicity assays of the experimental groups and controls were performed. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the effect of the independent variable (material) on the degree of conversion, film thickness, radiopacity, flow, setting time, water sorption and solubility, and cytotoxicity. For antimicrobial assays, data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Sidák's test. RESULTS: The experimental groups containing natural oils showed higher values of degree of conversion, and lowest water sorption and solubility. EM, B0.5, B1, B2, and RS showed similar film thicknesses. The flow values were statistically similar in all groups. The experimental groups showed adequate cell compatibility. Copaiba oil at 2% increased the antimicrobial effect after 1 and 24 h (p < 0.05). The incorporation of butia or copaiba resulted in a slight modification in some physicochemical properties of the experimental resin sealers. CONCLUSION: Novel resin sealers containing natural oils are a promising alternative for endodontics, because of their good physicochemical properties, antimicrobial effects, and cytocompatibility when compared to a commercially available sealer. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Endodontic sealers containing butia or copaiba had satisfactory cytocompatibility, antimicrobial effects, and adequate physicochemical properties.

Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in population-based studies: A systematic review of the methodological aspects.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the methodological aspects of population-based studies on the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs). METHODS: Two reviewers independently conducted a literature search in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) and extracted data using a standardized form. Data on the following characteristics of the included studies were collected: sample size; age of participants; references used to define the diagnostic criteria, training of the examiners, and data collection; type, grouping and characteristics of the lesions; and lesions excluded and measures of agreement between examiners. Data were analysed descriptively, and data synthesis was performed for each of the studies included in the analysis. A quality analysis of the studies was conducted, and the risk of bias was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies were included in the analysis. Most of the published studies on the prevalence of OMLs were performed in Asian countries. The sample sizes ranged from 255 to 39 206. The World Health Organization guidelines were followed by most of the studies, in terms of design, examiner training and data collection. Approximately 25% of the studies did not determine inter-examiner reliability. Moreover, almost half of the studies included did not report the response rate nor did they present the results with the appropriate confidence intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Several important points need to be improved in population-based studies focusing on the prevalence of OMLs. In particular, these studies should adequately report the response rate and findings, and to a lesser extent, the diagnostic criteria and training of the examiners. We encourage more research in this field and reinforce the importance of standardized studies to facilitate the comparison of different findings. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018099386.

Current trends and future perspectives of dental pulp capping materials: A systematic review.

To systematically review the literature to analyze the current trends and future perspectives of dental pulp capping materials through an analysis of scientific and technological data. This study is reported in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Nine databases were screened: PubMed (MedLine), Lilacs, IBECS, BBO, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, Google Scholar, and The Cochrane Library. Additionally, the following patent applications were searched online in Questel Orbit (Paris, France), USPTO, EPO, JPO, INPI, and Patentscope databases. A total of 716 papers and 83 patents were included. Calcium hydroxide was the main type of material studied, especially for direct pulp capping, followed by MTA. Patents related to adhesives or resins increased from 1998 e 2008, while in the last years, a major increase was observed in bioactive materials (containing bioactive proteins), materials derived from MTA (calcium silicate, calcium phosphate and calcium aluminate-based cements) and MTA. It was possible to obtain a scientific and technological overview of pulp capping materials. MTA has shown favorable results in vital pulp therapy that seem to surpass the disadvantages of calcium hydroxide. Recent advances in bioactive materials and those derived from MTA have shown promising results that could improve biomaterials used in vital pulp treatments. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1358-1368, 2018.

Histological Evaluation of Bone Repair with Hydroxyapatite: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological bone response in animal experiments by applying hydroxyapatite grafts in critical and non-critical size bone defects. Current report followed the guidelines established by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Animal experiments were selected by assessing repair of bone defects with hydroxyapatite as bone graft and with blood clot only as control. Eight articles were identified in specialized literature and included in the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was carried out with a random-effect model (p = 0.05). Subgroup analyses were further performed to investigate bone repair in critical and non-critical bone defects. Comprehensive analysis of bone repair outcome showed a statistically significant difference between hydroxyapatite and blood clot control (p < 0.05). Subgroup analyses showed statistically significant difference for critical bone defects (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was reported in non-critical bone defects (p > 0.05). Although animal studies revealed a high risk of bias and results should be interpreted with caution, the literature suggests that non-critical bone defects may heal spontaneously and without the need of a bone graft. Conversely, when critical-size defects are present, the use of hydroxyapatite bone graft improves the bone repair process.

Hepatitis E virus is the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis in Lothian, Scotland.

Acute viral hepatitis affects all ages worldwide. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is increasingly recognized as a major cause of acute hepatitis in Europe. Because knowledge of its characteristics is limited, we conducted a retrospective study to outline demographic and clinical features of acute HEV in comparison to hepatitis A, B and C in Lothian over 28 months (January 2012 to April 2014). A total of 3204 blood samples from patients with suspected acute hepatitis were screened for hepatitis A, B and C virus; 913 of these samples were also screened for HEV. Demographic and clinical information on patients with positive samples was gathered from electronic patient records. Confirmed HEV samples were genotyped. Of 82 patients with confirmed viral hepatitis, 48 (59%) had acute HEV. These patients were older than those infected by hepatitis A, B or C viruses, were more often male and typically presented with jaundice, nausea, vomiting and/or malaise. Most HEV cases (70%) had eaten pork or game meat in the few months before infection, and 14 HEV patients (29%) had a recent history of foreign travel. The majority of samples were HEV genotype 3 (27/30, 90%); three were genotype 1. Acute HEV infection is currently the predominant cause of acute viral hepatitis in Lothian and presents clinically in older men. Most of these infections are autochthonous, and further studies confirming the sources of infection (i.e. food or blood transfusion) are required.

Atypical hand, foot, and mouth disease associated with coxsackievirus A6 infection, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, January to February 2014.

In January to February 2014, 16 hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases were identified in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. All presented with atypical features, with most (n=13) resembling eczema herpeticum or chickenpox. Coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6) was identified in all the typed cases (n=11). As atypical forms of HFMD associated with CV-A6 are likely to emerge throughout Europe, clinicians should be alert to unusual clinical presentations of HFMD and virologists aware of effective diagnostic testing and enterovirus typing methods.

Linfoma de Hodgkin clássico na infância. Experiência de tratamento e fatores prognósticos / Classical Hodgkin?s lymphoma in childhood. Therapeutic experience and prognostic factors

Objetivos: Estimar as taxas de sobrevida global e livre de eventos em portadores de linfoma de Hodgkin (LH), bem como identificar fatores prognósticos. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, incluindo variáveis demográficas, laboratoriais, tipo histológico, estadiamento e tratamento de 107 pacientes menores de 18 anos de idade admitidos no Departamento de Pediatria do Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa Hospital do Câncer, no período entre 1985 e 1995. Resultados: Dos pacientes, 81 (76%) eram do sexo masculino e 80% da raça branca. A média de idade foi 10 anos (2 a 18 anos). Adenomegalia cervical foi a principal queixa referida (68% dos pacientes) e 55% apresentavam tempo de queixa menor que seis meses. Os subtipos EN e CM foram encontrados em 43% e 41% dos casos, respectivamente. Os estádios clínicos II e III foram os mais frequentes (33% cada um). Os sítios metastáticos mais frequentes nos EC IV foram fígado (42%) e pulmão (38%). As taxas de SG e SLE em 10 anos foram de 82,4% e 82,5%, respectivamente. O estádio clínico se mostrou como fator prognóstico significativo para as SG e SLE. A análise univariada revelou a presença de sintomas B, nível de Hb £ 9,3 g/dl, leucócitos £ 6.100 mm3, plaquetas £ 274.000/mm3 e ocorrência de recaída como fatores de mau prognóstico, enquanto a análise múltipla mostrou como fatores prognósticos independentes a presença de sintomas B e contagem de plaquetas. Conclusões: A identificação de fatores prognósticos é valiosa para a adequada estratificação dos pacientes em grupos de risco, adequando-os a esquemas de tratamento que maximizem as taxas de cura e minimizem os efeitos colaterais tardios.

A comparative study of rabies virus isolates from hematophagous bats in Brazil.

The Brazilian chiropteran fauna consists of 167 species; of which, three are hematophagous: the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi), and the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata). The aim of this study was to describe the isolation of Rabies virus from common and hairy-legged vampire bats and to report the first comparative antigenic and genetic studies of isolates from these bats. Antigenic and genetic typing of both isolates identified them as antigenic variant 3 (AgV3), the variant frequently isolated from common vampire bats. Phylogenetic analysis showed 99.3% identity between the isolates. This is the first time since 1934 that Rabies virus has been isolated from hairy-legged vampire bats in Brazil. Our analysis provides evidence that the existence of rabies-positive isolates from hairy-legged vampire bats may be the result of an interspecific rabies transmission event from common vampire bats and suggests that roost cohabitation may occur.

Interference of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng essential oil on the anti-Candida activity of some clinically used antifungals

Plants with medicinal properties have been applied for a long in the traditional health care, so that sometimes their use takes place concomitantly to the use of industrialized drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interference of Plectranthus amboinicus essential oil on the anti-Candida activity of some clinically used antifungals by the solid medium diffusion procedure. Assayed antifungals were amphotericin B (100 µg/mL), ketoconazole (50 µg/mL) and itraconazole (50 µg/mL). C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei and C. stellatoidea were used as test microorganisms. P. amboinicus essential oil showed MIC value for most assayed yeast strains. The essential oil when assayed in its MIC value showed some interference on the anti-Candida effectiveness of the assayed antifungals. It was noted yeast growth inhibition zones with different diameters when the antifungals were tested alone and combined with the essential oil. P. amboinicus essential oil showed prominent interference on the anti-yeast activity of itraconazole providing a synergic effect on C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. stellatoidea. Also, the essential oil interfered on the anti-yeast activity of ketoconazole when interacting with C. albicans, C. guilliermondii and C. stellatoidea providing, respectively, an antagonic and synergic effect. On the other hand, it was found a small interference on the anti-yeast effect of amphotericin B. These data showed that combined use of medicinal plants and/or derivatives with industrialized drugs, particularly antimicrobials, could interfere on their expected therapeutic effects.

As plantas com propriedades medicinais têm sido utilizadas por um longo tempo no cuidado tradicional de saúde, de modo que algumas vezes seu uso ocorre concomitantemente ao uso de drogas industrializadas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a interferência do óleo essencial de Plectranthus amboinicus sobre atividade anti-Candida de alguns antifúngicos utilizados clinicamente através do método de difusão em meio sólido. Os antifúngicos ensaiados foram anfotericina B (100 µg/mL), cetoconazol (50 µg/mL) e itraconazol (50 µg/mL). C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei e C. stellatoidea foram utilizadas como microrganismos testes. O óleo essencial de P. amboinicus mostrou um valor de CIM de 40 µL/mL para a maioria das cepas de leveduras ensaiadas. O óleo essencial quando ensaiado em sua CIM mostrou alguma interferência sobre a efetividade anti-Candida dos antifúngicos testados, sendo notada a formação de zonas de inibição do crescimento fúngico com diferentes diâmetros quando os antifúngicos foram testados isolados e em combinação com o óleo essencial. O óleo essencial de P. amboinicus mostrou destacável interferência sobre a atividade antifúngica de itraconazol, sendo observado um efeito sinérgico sobre C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei e C. stellatoidea. Ademais, o óleo essencial interferiu na atividade antifúngica de cetoconazol sobre C. albicans, C. guilliermondii e C. stellatoidea causando, respectivamente, efeito antagônico e sinérgico. De outra forma, foi observada uma pequena interferência do óleo essencial sobre o efeito antifúngico de anfotericina B. Estes dados mostram que o uso combinado de plantas medicinais e/ou seus produtos derivados com drogas industrializadas, particularmente, antimicrobianos podem interferir sobre os efeitos terapêuticos esperados.

Síndrome mielodisplásica na infância / Myelodysplastic syndromes in childhood

O Grupo Cooperativo Brasileiro de Síndrome Mielodisplásica em Pediatria (GCB-SMD-PED) foi formado em janeiro de 1997 com o objetivo de estudar crianças (menores de 18 anos) com diagnóstico confirmado ou suspeita de mielodisplasia de todo o país. As SMD entretanto, por fazerem interfaces com as leucemias mielóides agudas - LMA), bem como com as doenças mieloproliferativas crônicas - DMPC), podem apresentar-se morfologicamente de várias formas, passíveis de confusão diagnóstica. Assim também, outras doenças com alteração hematológica podem trazer confusão e erros diagnósticos. Daí a necessidade da criação do GCB-SMD-PED para oferecer revisão e suporte no diagnóstico e nos exames complementares dos casos suspeitos de SMD na faixa pediátrica. Embora ainda se use a classificação FAB, duas novas classificações em pediatria foram recentemente propostas: a do Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canadá, que propõe a "Classificação CCC" (categoria, citologia e citogenética), na qual foram utilizadas três características principais: categorias de origem "de novo", secundárias e/ou associadas a anormalidades constitucionais, critérios citológicos, com evidências ou não de displasia, e critérios citogenéticos, e a classificação proposta por Hasle e colaboradores, chamada de WHO pediátrica. Neste artigo serão apresentados os dados de 173 pacientes cadastrados no GCB-SMD-PED provenientes de 15 estados brasileiros (41 centros de tratamento em oncologia e hematologia pediátrica). De 1983 a 1997, 51 pacientes foram registrados de forma retrospectiva, e de janeiro de 1998 a fevereiro de 2003, 122 pacientes foram encaminhados ao grupo brasileiro e os seus dados coletados de forma prospectiva. Dos casos registrados e analisados, 93 tiveram confirmação de SMD. Em 36,5 por cento, houve transformação para leucose aguda, sendo que a maioria sofreu transformação para LMA (82,3 por cento) e menor porcentagem para LLA (17,7 por cento). Quanto à evolução...

The Brazilian Cooperative Study Group on Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndromes (GCB-SMD-PED) started in January 1997 with the goal of studying under 18-year-old patients with MDS or suspected MDS from all over the country. Some primary or secondary disorders are incorrectly called MDS. Because of this the GCB-SMD-PED is a referral group in the country to review and also to give diagnostic support (morphology, genetics, etc.). Some groups still use the FAB classification but two new classifications for pediatric cases have been published: one from the Sick Children's Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada the "CCC Classification" (category, cytology and cytogenetic), and the WHO pediatric classification by Hasle et al. Our proposal here is to present data from the 173 pediatric cases which were referred to the GCB-SMD-PED from 15 states (41 centers). From 1983 to 1997, 51 pediatric cases were registered as retrospective cases and from January 1998 to February 2003, 122 prospective cases were registered. From these 173 cases, 93 where confirmed as MDS. In 36.5 percent of them there was a transformation into acute leukemia with 82.3 percent as AML and 17.7 percent as ALL. The follow up showed that 54.8 percent died, 5.4 percent had spontaneous remission and 16.1 percent were in treatment with no chemotherapy (just transfusion or conservative approach). Infections were the primary cause of death (58.8 percent). Additionally, in this article the diagnostic approach according to classical or molecular genetics is shown with a review of literature for bone marrow transplantation in pediatric cases and other aspects which are different from the approach offered to adult patients with MDS.

Results of the Brazilian Osteosarcoma Treatment Group Studies III and IV: prognostic factors and impact on survival.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of chemotherapy and surgery on the outcome of osteosarcoma (OS) of the extremities and to identify prognostic factors in Brazilian patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 225 patients with metastatic and nonmetastatic OS of the extremities were enrolled and assessed in two consecutive studies designed and implemented by the Brazilian Osteosarcoma Treatment Group. RESULTS: The 5-year survival and event-free survival rates for the 209 assessable patients were 50.1% and 39%, respectively; for the 178 patients with nonmetastatic disease at diagnosis, the rates were 60.5% and 45.5%, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that the following variables were associated with a shorter survival: metastases at diagnosis (P < .001), necrosis grades 1 and 2 (P = .046), and tumor size (P = .0071). CONCLUSION: The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were lower than the rates reported in North American and European trials. A pattern of advanced disease at diagnosis was often present, with a high proportion of patients having metastases (20.8%) and large tumor size (42.9%). However, these features were not necessarily associated with longer duration of prediagnostic symptoms. These findings were considered in the strategic planning of the current Brazilian cooperative study, with the aim of improving survival and quality of life of a large number of patients with OS.

Estudo da interferência de óleos essenciais sobre a atividade de alguns antibióticos usados na clínica / Study of the interference of essential oils on the activity of some antibiotic used clinically

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a interferência dos óleos essenciais de Lippia sidoides Cham, Plectranthus amboinicus Lour Spr., Conyza bonariensis L. e Eucalyptus citriodora Hook sobre o efeito de antibióticos utilizados na clínica. Os ensaios foram realizados com ampicilina (10 µg/mL), cefalotina (30 µg/mL), cloranfenicol (30 µg/mL), gentamicina (10 µg/mL) e tetraciclina (30 µg/mL) isolados e em associação com os óleos essenciais (4 por cento v/v) através do método de difusão em meio sólido utilizando discos de papel de filtro. Os resultados mostraram interferência de alguns óleos essenciais sobre a atividade dos antibióticos ensaiados. Observou-se o desenvolvimento de halos de inibição do crescimento bacteriano com diferentes diâmetros quando da aplicação de antibióticos isolados e em combinação com os óleos essenciais. A ocorrência de comportamento sinérgico ou antagônico foi observada mais proeminentemente nas interações com cepas de S. aureus e S. epidermidis. De outra forma, observou-se uma menor interferência dos óleos essenciais no efeito dos antibióticos sobre as cepas Gram negativas, principalmente P. aeruginosa. Estes resultados mostram que o uso de produtos derivados de plantas pode em algumas situações interferir sobre a efetividade de antibióticos de uso no tratamento clínico.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interference of essential oils from Lippia sidoides Cham, Plectranthus amboinicus Lour Spr., Conyza bonariensis L. and Eucalyptus citriodora Hook on the antibacterial effect of clinically used antibiotics. The assays were carried out with ampicillin (10 µg/mL), cephalotin (30 µg/mL), chloraphenicol (30 µg/mL), gentamicin (10 µg/mL) and tetracyclin (30 µg/mL) isolated and associated with essential oils (4 percent v/v) by the solid medium diffusion procedure using filter paper discs. The results showed interference of some essential oils on the antibacterial activity of the assayed antibiotics. It was observed the development of growth inhibition halo with different diameters when the antibiotics were applied alone and associated with essential oils. Synergic or antagonic behavior was more prominent in interactions with S. aureus and S. epidermidis strains. On the other hand, it was observed a smaller interference of essential oils on the effect of the antibiotics against Gram negative strains, mainly P. aeruginosa. These results show that the use of plants by-products could some times interfere on the effectiveness of antibiotics used clinically.

Toward a clinical test of lumbar spine kinesthesia.

Poor lumbar spine kinesthetic awareness is often observed in low back pain patients and is usually evaluated qualitatively in the clinical situation. The purpose of this study was to investigate a simple, kinesthetic test for the lumbar spine. The experimental protocol utilized a 3Space Fastrak to determine the error, within and between days, of 10 healthy subjects in reproducing a neutral lumbopelvic (T10-S2) position following movement into flexion. The mean value of the repositioning error for the sagittal plane movement (flexion/extension) over the three repetitions within day 1 was 2.6 +/- 1.2 degrees and for day 2 was 2.6 +/- 1.7 degrees. No statistically significant difference existed between days. These repositioning errors were well within the ranges described by other authors for various asymptomatic joint complexes. These results provide a basis for further evaluation of this test on patients with low back pain to investigate its ability to detect any kinesthetic deficit.

Measurement of shoulder joint kinaesthesia.

SUMMARY. Loss of kinaesthesia has been identified as a factor in recurrent or persistent problems following glenohumeral dislocation. However, accurate measurement of shoulder kinaesthesia remains a difficult task in the clinical setting. This study investigated the use of the Kincom dynamometer for measuring the ability of a subject to reproduce a shoulder joint angle with a passive and active test. The tests were applied to two subject groups, (normal and patient) and the results were compared with those of a standard clinical test. The results of the Kincom tests demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the normal and patient groups (F((1,140)) = 53.0; P < 0.001). The difference between the means for the two groups was 1.2 degrees which indicates the precision of shoulder kinaesthetic sense. All subjects were more accurate with the active test compared to the passive test (F((1,140)) = 36.5; P < 0.001). Reliability of the Kincom tests was evaluated over 3 days and a significant difference was found between day one and day three for both groups (F((2,140)) = 3.5; P < 0.05) suggesting a learning effect had occurred. There was no significant difference between the Kincom active test and the clinical test (F((1,28)) = 1.86; P = 0.18); however, the difference between the Kincom passive test and the clinical test was significant (F((1,28)) = 10.74; P < 0.01). The clinical test did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the two subject groups (t(28 = 1); P = 0.05). Copyright 1996 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.