Interseções entre gênero, sexualidade e curso da vida

Apresentação do dossiê "Interseções entre gênero, sexualidade e curso da vida", organizado por Raphael Bispo, Carlos Eduardo Henning e Gustavo Santa Roza Sagges

Studying The Interactions Between Nanoparticles And Biological Systems

Although in recent years there has been an increasing amount of literature on nanotechnology and their clinical applications, it is still scarce a deep understanding of the interactions at the molecular levels between nanoparticles and cells. Studies demonstrating the underlying mechanisms of nanoparticles endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, and cellular processing are imperative to understand better how cells interact with those materials and their possible undesired effects, e.g. nanotoxicity. The rising awareness concerning nanoparticles applications and its interactions with the cellular environment is part of the new research field called Nanotoxicology. The cumulative knowledge in nanotoxicology will allow us to foresee toxic effects, establish regulations and limits for nanoparticles applications. In this work, we discuss the theoretical concepts about studying endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles-cell interactions are a multi-step process, which can be divided into nanoparticles' internalization, intracellular processing and triggering effects of nanomaterials on eukaryotic cells. Finally, we discuss the main techniques used to study this process: flow cytometry, use of endocytosis inhibitors and confocal microscopy.39101236124

Effects of ganglioside G(M1) and erythropoietin on spinal cord lesions in rats: functional and histological evaluations

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional and histological effects of ganglioside G(M1) and erythropoietin after experimental spinal cord contusion injury. METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats underwent experimental spinal cord lesioning using an NYU-Impactor device and were randomly divided into the following groups, which received treatment intraperitoneally. The G(M1) group received ganglioside G(M1) (30 mg/kg); the erythropoietin group received erythropoietin (1000 IU/kg); the combined group received both drugs; and the saline group received saline (0.9%) as a control. A fifth group was the laminectomy group, in which the animals were subjected to laminectomy alone, without spinal lesioning or treatment. The animals were evaluated according to the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale, motor evoked potential recordings and, after euthanasia, histological analysis of spinal cord tissue. RESULTS: The erythropoietin group had higher BBB scores than the G(M1) group. The combined group had the highest BBB scores, and the saline group had the lowest BBB scores. No significant difference in latency was observed between the three groups that underwent spinal cord lesioning and intervention. However, the combined group showed a significantly higher signal amplitude than the other treatment groups or the saline group (

Evaluation of the effect of intrathecal GM1 in 24, 48, and 72 hours after acute spinal cord injury in rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the best timing and feasibility of intrathecal application of sodium monosialoganglioside (GM1) after spinal cord contusion in Wistar rats as an experimental model. Methods: Forty Wistar rats were submitted to contusion spinal cord injury after laminectomy. The animals were randomized and divided into four groups: Group 1 – Intrathecal application of GM1 24 hours after contusion; Group 2 – Intrathecal application of GM1 48 hours after contusion; Group 3 – intrathecal application of GM1 72 hours after contusion; Group 4 – Sham, with laminectomy and intrathecal application of 0.5 mL of 0.9% saline solution, without contusion. The recovery of locomotor function was evaluated at seven different moments by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) test. They were also assessed by the horizontal ladder, with sensory-motor behavioral assessment criteria, pre-and postoperatively. Results: This experimental study showed better functional scores in the group submitted to the application of GM1, with statistically significant results, showing a mean increase when evaluated on known motor tests like the horizontal ladder and BBB, at all times of evaluation (p < 0.05), especially in group 2 (48 hours after spinal cord injury). Also, fewer mistakes and slips over the horizontal ladder were observed, and many points were achieved at the BBB scale analysis. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the intrathecal application of GM1 after spinal cord contusion in Wistar rats is feasible. The application 48 hours after the injury presented the best functional results

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Combined with Methylprednisolone Improves Functional Outcomes in Rats with Experimental Acute Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of combined treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and methylprednisolone in rats subjected to experimental spinal cord injury. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats received a moderate spinal cord injury and were divided into four groups: control (no treatment); G-CSF (G-CSF at the time of injury and daily over the next five days); methylprednisolone (methylprednisolone for 24 h); and G-CSF/Methylprednisolone (methylprednisolone for 24 h and G-CSF at the time of injury and daily over the next five days). Functional evaluation was performed using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score on days 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 following injury. Motor-evoked potentials were evaluated. Histological examination of the spinal cord lesion was performed immediately after euthanasia on day 42. RESULTS: Eight animals were excluded (2 from each group) due to infection, a normal Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score at their first evaluation, or autophagy, and 32 were evaluated. The combination of methylprednisolone and G-CSF promoted greater functional improvement than methylprednisolone or G-CSF alone (

Biomechanical comparison of the four-strand cruciate and Strickland techniques in animal tendons

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare two four-strand techniques: the traditional Strickland and cruciate techniques. METHODS: Thirty-eight Achilles tendons were removed from 19 rabbits and were assigned to two groups based on suture technique (Group 1, Strickland suture; Group 2, cruciate repair). The sutured tendons were subjected to constant progressive distraction using a universal testing machine (Kratos®). Based on data from the instrument, which were synchronized with the visualized gap at the suture site and at the time of suture rupture, the following data were obtained: maximum load to rupture, maximum deformation or gap, time elapsed until failure, and stiffness. RESULTS: In the statistical analysis, the data were parametric and unpaired, and by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the sample distribution was normal. By Student's t-test, there was no significant difference in any of the data: the cruciate repair sutures had slightly better mean stiffness, and the Strickland sutures had longer time-elapsed suture ruptures and higher average maximum deformation. CONCLUSIONS: The cruciate and Strickland techniques for flexor tendon sutures have similar mechanical characteristics in vitro

\u3cem\u3eLactobacillus buchneri\u3c/em\u3e and Storage Periods Affect the Fermentation Profile and Aerobic Stability of Corn Silage

Previous studies have shown that the utilization of Lactobacillus buchneri reduces the yeast population and improves the aerobic stability of corn silage (Driehuis et al. 1996) mainly because of the conversion of lactic acid to acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol (Oude Elferink et al. 1998; Driehuis et al. 1999). Recent studies have also shown that some microbial processes occur during prolonged storage and this may improve the quality of corn silage. For instance, Hoffman et al. (2011) suggested that proteolytic activity was responsible for improvements in starch digestion of high moisture corn over extended periods of ensiling and Kleinschmit and Kung (2006) reported that L. buchneri remained fairly active for prolonged periods of time (up to a year) in silage, even under anaerobic conditions at a low pH. Thus, the objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of L. buchneri and different storage periods on the fermentation profile and aerobic stability of corn silages

Culture proven bacterial endophthalmitis: a 6-year review

PURPOSE: To assess the distribution of microorganisms isolated from patients with bacterial endophthalmitis and their antimicrobial susceptibility. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical and microbiological records of patients with suspected diagnosis of endophthalmitis and bacterial culture-proven at the Department of Ophthalmology, UNIFESP, between January 1 2000 and December 31 2005. RESULTS: 153 (33.9%) of 451 patients showed positive bacterial culture. A total of 155 microorganisms were isolated, 79.35% were gram-positive and 20.65% gram-negative. Staphylococcus (CoNS) (41.94%) were the most frequently isolated. The antimicrobial susceptibility for gram-negative microorganisms was as follows: amikacin 87.10%, tobramycin 80.65%, ciprofloxacin 96.67%, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin 100%, ceftazidime 85.0%, and gentamicin 80.65%. Vancomycin sensitivity among gram-positive microorganisms was 100%. S. aureus and CoNS showed 83.33% of susceptibility to oxacillin, 89.61% to ciprofloxacin and 100% to gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin. The main acquisition mechanism was postoperative (60.65%). CONCLUSION: We detected a low sensitivity of vitreous/aqueous culture for the etiologic diagnosis of endophthalmitis. The empiric antimicrobial therapy or prophylaxis should be active against gram-positive bacteria, particularly staphylococci. Surveillance studies of bacterial resistance are important for a better utilization of antimicrobials in this clinical setting.OBJETIVO: Determinar a distribuição dos microrganismos isolados de pacientes com endoftalmite bacteriana e sua sensibilidade a antimicrobianos. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os dados clínicos e microbiológicos dos pacientes com hipótese diagnóstica de endoftalmite e cultura bacteriana positiva, atendidos no Departamento de Oftalmologia da UNIFESP de 1º de janeiro de 2000 a 31 de dezembro de 2005. RESULTADOS: De 451 pacientes, 153 (33,9%) apresentaram cultura bacteriana positiva. Foram isolados 155 microrganismos, sendo 79,35% gram-positivos e 20,65% gram-negativos. Os Staphylococcus coagulase-negativos (SCoN) (41,94%) foram os mais freqüentemente isolados. A sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos entre os gram-negativos foi: amicacina 87,10%, tobramicina 80,65%, ciprofloxacina 96,67%, levofloxacina, gatifloxacina e moxifloxacina 100%, ceftazidima 85%, e gentamicina 80,65%. A sensibilidade à vancomicina entre os gram-positivos foi de 100%. S. aureus e SCoN apresentaram 83,33% de sensibilidade à oxacilina, 89,61% à ciprofloxacina e 100% à gatifloxacina e moxifloxacina. A forma de aquisição predominante foi a pós-operatória (60,65%). CONCLUSÃO: Observamos baixa sensibilidade da cultura para o diagnóstico etiológico das endoftalmites. Uma terapia antimicrobiana ou profilaxia empírica deve ser ativa contra os microrganismos gram-positivos, particularmente contra estafilococos. Estudos de vigilância de resistência bacteriana são importantes para adequação desses esquemas.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) - UNIFESP Departamento de Medicina Laboratório Especial de Microbiologia Clínica - LEMCUNIFESP Departamento de OftalmologiaFundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre - FFFCMPA Departamento de Microbiologia e ParasitologiaUNIFESP Departamento de Oftalmologia Laboratório de MicrobiologiaUNIFESP Departamento de Oftalmologia Laboratório de Microbiologia OcularUNIFESP Departamento de Medicina Laboratório Especial de Microbiologia ClínicaUNIFESP, Depto. de Medicina Laboratório Especial de Microbiologia Clínica - LEMCUNIFESP, Depto. de OftalmologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Oftalmologia Laboratório de MicrobiologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Oftalmologia Laboratório de Microbiologia OcularUNIFESP, Depto. de Medicina Laboratório Especial de Microbiologia ClínicaSciEL

Studying The Interactions Between Nanoparticles And Biological Systems

Although in recent years there has been an increasing amount of literature on nanotechnology and their clinical applications, it is still scarce a deep understanding of the interactions at the molecular levels between nanoparticles and cells. Studies demonstrating the underlying mechanisms of nanoparticles endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, and cellular processing are imperative to understand better how cells interact with those materials and their possible undesired effects, e.g. nanotoxicity. The rising awareness concerning nanoparticles applications and its interactions with the cellular environment is part of the new research field called Nanotoxicology. The cumulative knowledge in nanotoxicology will allow us to foresee toxic effects, establish regulations and limits for nanoparticles applications. In this work, we discuss the theoretical concepts about studying endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles-cell interactions are a multi-step process, which can be divided into nanoparticles' internalization, intracellular processing and triggering effects of nanomaterials on eukaryotic cells. Finally, we discuss the main techniques used to study this process: flow cytometry, use of endocytosis inhibitors and confocal microscopy.39101236124