Methodological considerations on descriptive studies of induced periodontal diseases in rats

O objetivo do presente estudo foi apresentar a técnica e um método de descrição das características histológicas da doença periodontal induzida em ratos. Fez-se indução de periodontite com uso de ligaduras, com ou sem dieta rica em sacarose. Vinte e quatro ratos Wistar fêmea adultos (60 dias) foram divididos em quatro grupos: Grupo 1, ou controle (recebeu dieta padrão), Grupo 2 (recebeu ligadura ao redor dos segundos molares superiores e dieta padrão), Grupo 3 (recebeu dieta rica em sacarose) e Grupo 4 (recebeu ligadura ao redor dos segundos molares superiores e dieta rica em sacarose). Os animais foram acompanhados por um período de 30 dias, ao final do qual foram sacrificados. Os segundos molares superiores foram removidos e processados; fez-se análise histológica por método descritivo, dicotômico. Os resultados foram analisados pelo teste exato de Fisher (nível de significância de 95%) e pelo teste do resíduo, que mostrou a relação entre grupos e características histológicas. Os animais com ligadura (Grupos 2 e 4) mostraram características histológicas de periodontite, enquanto animais sem ligaduras não apresentaram sinais de destruição periodontal. O uso de ligaduras, no presente estudo, foi capaz de promover processo inflamatório crônico nos ratos, independentemente do tipo de dieta. A análise fatorial de correspondência serviu como método para mostrar tais características, sendo mais uma ferramenta para uso em pesquisa básica.The aim of this study was to show the technique and the methodological approach used in describing histological characteristics of induced periodontal disease in rats. To reach that inflammatory process, periodontal disease was induced by ligature, with or without sucrose-rich diet. Twenty-four female adult (60 days old) Wistar rats were divided in four groups: Group 1, or control (which received standard diet), Group 2 (which received ligature around the upper second molars and a standard diet), Group 3 (which received a sucrose-rich diet), and Group 4 (which received ligature around the upper second molars and a sucrose-rich diet). The animals were followed for a period of 30 days, after which they were sacrificed. The upper second molars were removed, processed, and the histological characteristics were analyzed by a descriptive dichotomous method. The results were analyzed by the Fisher's exact test (significance level of 95%) and by a residual test, which showed the relation between groups and histological characteristics. The animals which received ligature (Groups 2 and 4) showed histological characteristics related with periodontitis, whilst the animals without ligatures showed no periodontal destruction. This was shown by a distribution of these groups in extremes of a graphic representation. The use of a ligature, as done in this study, was able to promote a chronic inflammatory process in the periodontium of rats, regardless of the adopted diet. The correspondence factorial analysis was capable of showing these characteristics, being one more tool to be used in histological research

ESSENTIAL OIL OF Mentha spicata REDUCES THE INITIAL GROWTH OF Corynespora cassiicola in vitro

O uso de fungicidas sintéticos é uma das estratégias de manejo de doenças mais utilizadas na agricultura, porém, busca-se manejos que sejam mais sustentáveis. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar o potencial de óleos essenciais de Cedrela fissilis e Mentha spicata no controle, in vitro, do crescimento micelial do patógeno Corynespora cassiicola. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Fitossanidade da Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), Unidade Universitária de Cassilândia-MS. Os óleos essenciais, Cedro (Cedrela fissilis) e Hortelã (Mentha spicata) foram adquiridos comercialmente. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 categorias de óleos essenciais (hortelã e cedro) x 5 concentrações (0, 25, 50, 100 e 200 μL L-1). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Os dados quantitativos foram submetidos à análise de regressão. O efeito fungicida foi determinado através de medições do diâmetro das colônias (média de duas medidas diametralmente opostas), com auxílio de um paquímetro, a cada 72 horas até 216 horas. O óleo essencial de hortelã (M. Spicata) apresentou maior eficácia do que o óleo essencial de Cedro (Cedrela fissilis) na redução do crescimento de Corynespora cassiicola nos períodos de 72 e 144 horas in vitro.Synthetic fungicides are one of the control strategies for the most common diseases in agriculture. However, more sustainable strategies are required. Thus, this study evaluates the potential of the essential oils of Cedrela fissilis and Mentha spicata in the in vitro control of the mycelial growth of the pathogen Corynespora cassiicola. The experiment was conducted at the Phytosanitary Laboratory of the Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), University Unit of Cassilândia-MS. The essential oils of Argentine Cedar (Cedrela fissilis) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata) were acquired from commerce. A completely randomized design was used with a factorial scheme of two categories of essential oils (Spearmint and Cedar) x 5 concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μL L-1). The data were submitted to the analysis of variance. The means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Quantitative data were submitted to regression analysis. The fungicide effect was determined by measuring the diameter of colonies (mean of two diametrically opposed measurements, using a caliper, every 72 hours until reaching 216 hours). Spearmint essential oil (M. Spicata) presented higher efficiency than Argentine Cedar essential oil (Cedrela fissilis) on reducing of Corynespora cassiicola growth in the periods between 72 and 144 hours in vitro

Relationship between vitamin D deficiency and psychophysiological variables: a systematic review of the literature

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a role not only in calcium homeostasis, but also in several other functions, including cell growth and immune functions, and is considered a neurosteroid. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide and has been suggested to be associated with an increased risk of emotional disorders. Therefore, the association between vitamin D levels and psychophysiological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and mood, has been investigated. To list these variables, a bibliographical literature research was conducted in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and PsycINFO databases, between November and December 2020, with no year limits of publication. The studies involved humans aged between 18 and 59 years without associated diseases. This review presents evidence of the main variables involved in this association, main tools used to verify these variables, and methods used to verify circulating vitamin D levels in populations. Most studies have indicated that the main psychophysiological variables involved with vitamin D levels are depression and anxiety followed by mood, and an association has been observed between increased serum vitamin D levels and reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood, and there is a heterogeneity of methods for assessing vitamin D. More studies are clearly needed to improve our understanding of their role in modulating the psychophysiological aspects of vitamin D levels

Caseous Stomatitis Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Boa constrictor amarali

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that belongs to the microbiota of snakes, but it may also be an opportunistic pathogen and contaminate humans through fecal contact, bites, and injuries. In snakes, this microorganism may present high pathogenicity at certain conditions and have been associated with high morbidity and mortality. Reports of infection of Boa constrictor by this pathogen are rare. Thus, this study aimed to describe the P. aeruginosa oral infection in a snake specimen (Boa constrictor amarali), approaching the isolation and identification of the infectious agents involved, the antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance, and the therapeutic protocol adopted.Case: A free-living adult female specimen of Boa constrictor amarali (Amaral's boa), with no described previous history was rescued in an urban area by the Environmental Police. Clinical evaluations showed structures of caseous aspect in the oral cavity, with hyperemia spots in the mucosa. Samples of these lesions were sent for mycological examination, and fungal forms were not found. Samples were collected for isolation and culture. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated microorganisms was determined by the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. P. aeruginosa was isolated and showed susceptibility to amikacin, gentamicin, and polymyxin-B; intermediate susceptibility to azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin; and resistance to cephalexin, ceftiofur, chloramphenicol, and enrofloxacin. The treatment consisted of cleaning of the oral cavity, local infiltration of lidocaine for debridement of the caseous area that were later cauterized with iodine. Systemic antibiotic therapy was used, with intramuscular administration of amikacin (5 mg/kg) for the first dose and (2.5 mg/kg) for the other doses with intervals of 72 h, and oral administration of metronidazole (20 mg/kg) with intervals of 48 h, both during 21 days. Daily subcutaneous fluid therapy was performed as support treatment, using Lactated Ringer's solution (25 mg/kg) and Vitamin C (10 mg/kg) with intervals of 24 h, being the cure observed at the end of treatment.Discussion: This paper presents the pathological findings of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa oral infection in a B. constrictor amarali. This bacterium is an opportunistic pathogen that is commonly found  in snakes, thus, humans in contact with these animals may be contaminated with this pathogen. However, oral cavity lesions associated with P. aeruginosa had not yet been related to Boa constrictor amarali, which is a non-venomous species. Few bacteria associated with reptile diseases are primary causative agents. Clinical bacterial infections generally tend to be secondary to viral infections. Predisposing factors for the development of bacterial diseases in these reptiles include immunodepression, malnutrition, poor adaptation to captivity, and the maintenance of these animals at temperatures and humidities outside their thermal comfort range. In the present study, the P. aeruginosa behaved as an opportunistic pathogen, resulting in clinical manifestations with caseous lesions in the oral cavity, probably due to an imbalance of the microbiota caused by stress or immunodepression. The antibiogram allowed the adoption of a correct therapeutic protocol based on the susceptibility of the pathogen, resulting in remission of lesions and clinical signs after 21 days of treatment

Análise de crescimento e parâmetros fisiológicos em mudas de Dipteryx alata Vogel

Las frutales del Cerrado son especies de diversos géneros, la especie arbórea Dipteryx alata Vog. Presenta alta productividad, facilidad en el transporte y almacenamiento de los frutos y calidad del producto, Así, se objetivó con ese trabajo evaluar características de crecimiento y parámetros fisiológicos de mudas de Dipteryx alata Vog. en diferentes tamaños de recipientes en condiciones de vivero en edades diversificadas después del trasplante. Se plantaron semillas de barú en contenedores con de arena, cuarenta días después las plántulas fueron trasplantadas para recipientes de tamaños diferenciados. Se mantuvieron durante diez días en condiciones de 75% de sombra para aclimatación, después de ese período fueron transportadas a condiciones de 50% de luminosidad. La prueba se instaló en delineamiento completamente casualizado. A los 30, 60 y 120 días después del trasplante se realizaran las recolecciónes de datos experimentales. Se evaluaran los datos de diámetro del cuello y altura para los análisis de crecimiento, y materia seca de raíz y parte aérea. Se constató que los recipientes de mayor volumen (20x30 cm) condicionaron mejor medio para el desarrollo de las mudas.The fruit trees of the Cerrado are species of several genera, the arboreal species Dipteryx alata Vog., Baru, it has high productivity, easy transport and storage of fruits and product quality, therefore the purpose of this work was to evaluate growth characteristics and physiological parameters of Dipteryx alata Vog seedlings. in different sizes of containers under nursery conditions at different ages after transplanting. Baru seeds were planted in sand sowing, forty days after the seedlings were transplanted to containers of different sizes. They stayed for ten days under conditions of 75% shade for acclimatization, after which they were transported to conditions of 50% luminosity. The test was installed in a completely randomized design. At 30, 60 and 120 days after the transplant to collect the experimental data. Were colected data of diameter of the neck and height, dry matter of root and shoot. It was verified that the containers of larger volume (20x30 cm) conditioned better medium for the development of the seedlings.As frutíferas do Cerrado são espécies de diversos gêneros, a espécie arbórea Dipteryx alata Vog., Baru, possui alta produtividade, facilidade no transporte e armazenamento dos frutos e a qualidade do produto, portanto objetivou–se com esse trabalho avaliar características de crescimento e parâmetros fisiológicos de mudas de Dipteryx alata Vog. em diferentes tamanhos de recipientes sob condições de viveiro em idades diversificadas após o transplantio. Foram plantadas sementes de baru em sementeira de areia, quarenta dias após as plântulas foram transplantadas para recipientes de tamanhos diferenciados. Permaneceram durante dez dias em condições de 75 % de sombra para aclimatação, após esse período foram transportadas para condições de 50% de luminosidade. O teste foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Aos 30, 60 e 120 dias após o transplantio para a coleta das variáveis experimentais. Foram coletados os dados de diâmetro do colo e altura, e matéria seca de raiz e parte aérea. Constatou-se que os recipientes de maior volume (20x30 cm) condicionaram melhor meio para o desenvolvimento das muda

Radiolabeling of Cramoll 1,4: Evaluation of the Biodistribution

The cramoll 1,4 is a well-studied lectin. However, few studies about its biodistribution have been done before. In this study, we radiolabeled the cramol 1,4 with Tc-99m and analyzed the biodistribution. The results showed that the cramol has an abnormal uptake by the bowel with reflections on its clearance mechanism

Extracellular mycobacterial DnaK polarizes macrophages to the M2-like phenotype

Macrophages are myeloid cells that play an essential role in inflammation and host defense, regulating immune responses and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Depending on the microenvironment, macrophages can polarize to two distinct phenotypes. The M1 phenotype is activated by IFN-c and bacterial products, and displays an inflammatory profile, while M2 macrophages are activated by IL-4 and tend to be anti-inflammatory or immunosupressive. It was observed that DnaK from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has immunosuppressive properties, inducing a tolerogenic phenotype in dendritic cells and MDSCs, contributing to graft acceptance and tumor growth. However, its role in macrophage polarization remains to be elucidated. We asked whether DnaK was able to modulate macrophage phenotype. Murine macrophages, derived from bone marrow, or from the peritoneum, were incubated with DnaK and their phenotype compared to M1 or M2 polarized macrophages. Treatment with DnaK leads macrophages to present higher arginase I activity, IL-10 production and FIZZ1 and Ym1 expression. Furthermore, DnaK increased surface levels of CD206. Importantly, DnaK-treated macrophages were able to promote tumor growth in an allogeneic melanoma model. Our results suggest that DnaK polarizes macrophages to the M2-like phenotype and could constitute a virulence factor and is an important immunomodulator of macrophage responses

Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review

Evidence shows that metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) because of the increase in oxidative stress levels along with other factors such as neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, because some studies have reported that MS is associated with a lower risk of PD, the relationship between MS and PD should be investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MS on PD. Two authors searched five electronic databases, namely, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Science Direct, for relevant articles between September and October 2020. After screening the title and abstract of all articles, 34 articles were selected for full-text review. Finally, 11 articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the study. The quality of articles was critically evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute. Overall, we evaluated data from 23,586,349 individuals (including healthy individuals, with MS and PD) aged 30 years or more. In cohort studies, the follow-up period varied between 2 and 30 years. MS contributed considerably to the increase in the incidence of PD. In addition, obesity, a component of MS, alone can increase the probability of developing neurodegenerative diseases. However, despite few studies on MS and PD, changes in cognitive function and more rapid progression of PD disease has been documented in patients with MS using methods commonly used in research

Desenvolvimento infantil saudável: uma abordagem integrada entre behaviorismo e teorias psicossociais

Este artigo propõe uma abordagem que mescla duas teorias psicológicas distintas; O Behaviorismo Radical de B. F. Skinner e a teoria neofreudiana de Desenvolvimento Psicossocial proposta por Erik Erikson para investigar como certos comportamentos durante a educação de uma criança, como a punição inadequada pode gerar traumas, bloqueios e problemas futuros. A pesquisa enfatiza a importância de entender as diversas dinâmicas familiares existentes para compreender como as práticas punitivas errôneas podem impactar a educação da criança. O texto explora os conceitos de desenvolvimento descritos por Erikson e como comportamentos negativos em diferentes fases podem afetar profundamente o desenvolvimento, refletindo em sua vida adulta. Por fim, o artigo apresenta formas saudáveis de educar uma criança, destacando a Comunicação Não-Violenta, reforçadores e punições adequadas como estratégias benéficas para o desenvolvimento infantil

Construção e avaliação de software educacional sobre cateterismo urinário de demora

Tratando-se de uma era na qual a informação constitui abertura concernente aos benefícios que dela advêm, o campo da informática em enfermagem ganha seu momento. Este estudo teve como objetivo construir um software educativo para o ensino-aprendizado da técnica de cateterismo urinário de demora e comparar a apreensão do conhecimento sobre a técnica de cateterismo urinário de demora antes e após a aplicação de um software educativo. Pesquisa descritiva de abordagem quantitativa tendo como fundamentação pedagógica na construção do software as teorias de Piaget e Vygotsky. Posteriormente, avaliou-se o processo ensino-aprendizagem através de um questionário composto por 10 questões de múltipla escolha, anterior à utilização do software, e o mesmo teste após o manuseio do software, resolvidos por 60 alunos participantes. Os dados obtidos demonstraram significativa contribuição do software após a aplicação do mesmo, sendo bastante útil no processo ensino-aprendizagem.Tratándose de una era en la cual la información constituye una apertura en lo que concierne a los beneficios que de ella provienen, el campo de la informática en enfermería gana su momento. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo construir un software educativo para la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la técnica de cateterismo urinario de demora y comparar la comprensión temática sobre la técnica de cateterismo urinario de demora antes y después del uso de software educativo. Investigación descriptiva de abordaje cuantitativo, tuvo como fundamentación pedagógica en la programación de software las teorías de Piaget y Vygotsky. Posteriormente, se evaluó el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje a través de un cuestionario compuesto por 10 preguntas de múltiple elección anterior al uso del software y el mismo test luego del uso del software, resuelto por los 60 alumnos participantes. Los datos obtenidos demostraron una contribución significativa del software luego de su utilización, demostrando su valor en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje.Since this is an era in which information is open concerning the benefits it brings, the field of nursing informatics earns its moment. The objective of this study was to design educational software for teaching and learning the technique of urinary indwelling catheterization and compare the acquisition of knowledge regarding the technique before and after the implementation of the educational software. This is a descriptive study using a quantitative approach. The pedagogical foundations for designing the software were the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky. The teaching-learning process was evaluated through a questionnaire consisting of 10 multiple choice questions which the 60 participants completed before and after using the software. The results showed the software made significant contributions after its application, thus being very useful in the teaching-learning process