The effect of powdered juice on human dental enamel dissolution

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the dissolution potential of an artificial powdered juice in human dental enamel. Methods: Three commercially available beverages were tested by first evaluating the pH and the titratable acidity. After this, 40 enamel specimens were individually immersed in the respective solutions for 120 min (n = 8) as follows: C+: distilled water (positive control); TAN: artificial powdered orange juice; DEL: natural orange juice, CC: Coca-Cola and C-: citric acid solution 1% (negative control). At the end, each solution was analyzed for the amount of calcium (Ca) released and the data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey test (p <0.05). Results: All solutions had low pH values. The C- group had the highest titratable acidity, followed by DEL, TAN and CC. TAN (0,92)a resulted in a lower release of Ca, being statistically similar to C+ group (0,46)a, while CC (6,32)c resulted in the higher release of calcium, followed by C- (4,17)bc and DEL (3,13)b groups. Relevance: The artificial powdered juice tested, although acid and high titratable acidity caused no enamel dissolution

Relevance of obesity and overweight to salivary and plasma proteomes of human young adults from Brazil / Relevância da obesidade e sobrepeso para os proteomas salivares e plasmáticos de adultos jovens humanos do Brasil

Obesity is a chronic condition related to multiple comorbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, periodontal and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity can lead to a metabolic change, creating a prolonged and low-intensity inflammatory process. This study aims to analyze the plasma and saliva proteomes of young adults with obesity and overweight comparing to normal weight individuals, to reveal if the rise on body mass influences the proteomic profiles. The reported population consisted of 18 students and/or employees of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, aged between 18 and 35 years. Individuals were categorized according to their anthropometric measures in the Normal Weight, Overweight and Obese groups. Proteomic characterization was assessed by quantitative Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI Q/TOF). In addition, cytokines were identified by Multiplex analysis. A total of 118 human proteins from saliva and plasma were identified, including 7 that were common between both fluids. The salivary and plasma proteomes seemed to be related to the body mass index, once the three groups showed distinct proteome profiles. Altogether 49 proteins presented different abundances between the obese, overweight, and normal weight individuals. The main functional category modified in both fluids was the immune response. Most of the modified proteins were previously reported as related to inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, in particular alpha-1 antitrypsin, C3 complement, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein, apolipoprotein AI and lysozyme, that could be tested to possible use as early biomarkers of obesity comorbidities

Insight into the sensing mechanism of an impedance based electronic tongue for honey botanic origin discrimination

Animpedance based electronictongue was developed and used to discriminate honey of different botanic origin. The e-tongue presented here is based on the small-signal frequency response of the electrical double-layer established between the honey solution and an array of four different sensing units composed by gold, carbon, indium-tin-oxide, and doped silicon. The ability of the e-tongue to discriminate honey of different floral origins was demonstrated by distinguishing honey from Bupleurum and Lavandula pollen prevalence. The honey fingerprint obtained with the e-tongue was validated by parallel melissopalenogical analysis and physico-chemical methods. It is demonstrated that the e-tongue is very sensitive to changes on the honey electrical conductivity. Small differences in electrical conductivity are introduced by the presence of ionisable organic acids and mineral salts. Moreover, we propose that the sensitivity of the tongue to changes in electrical conductivity can be explored to probe other complex liquid substances.We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the Instituto de Telecomunicações (UID/Multi/04326/2013), the Centro para os recursos biologicos e alimentos mediterranicos (UID/BIA/04325/2013) and the Centro de Estudos Florestais (UID/AGR/00239/2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

TLR5-dependent immunogenicity of a recombinant fusion protein containing an immunodominant epitope of malarial circumsporozoite protein and the FliC flagellin of Salmonella Typhimurium

Recently, we described the improved immunogenicity of new malaria vaccine candidates based on the expression of fusion proteins containing immunodominant epitopes of merozoites and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium flagellin (FliC) protein as an innate immune agonist. Here, we tested whether a similar strategy, based on an immunodominant B-cell epitope from malaria sporozoites, could also generate immunogenic fusion polypeptides. A recombinant His6-tagged FliC protein containing the C-terminal repeat regions of the VK210 variant of Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite (CS) protein was constructed. This recombinant protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli as soluble protein and was purified by affinity to Ni-agarose beads followed by ion exchange chromatography. A monoclonal antibody specific for the CS protein of P. vivax sporozoites (VK210) was able to recognise the purified protein. C57BL/6 mice subcutaneously immunised with the recombinant fusion protein in the absence of any conventional adjuvant developed protein-specific systemic antibody responses. However, in mice genetically deficient in expression of TLR5, this immune response was extremely low. These results extend our previous observations concerning the immunogenicity of these recombinant fusion proteins and provide evidence that the main mechanism responsible for this immune activation involves interactions with TLR5, which has not previously been demonstrated for any recombinant FliC fusion protein.FAPESPCNPq - INCTVCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Phospholipase-D activity and inflammatory response induced by brown spider dermonecrotic toxin: Endothelial cell membrane phospholipids as targets for toxicity

Brown spider dermonecrotic toxins (phospholipases-D) are the most well-characterized biochemical constituents of Loxosceles spp. venom. Recombinant forms are capable of reproducing most cutaneous and systemic manifestations such as dermonecrotic lesions, hematological disorders, and renal failure. There is currently no direct confirmation for a relationship between dermonecrosis and inflammation induced by dermonecrotic toxins and their enzymatic activity. We modified a toxin isoform by site-directed mutagenesis to determine if phospholipase-D activity is directly related to these biological effects. the mutated toxin contains an alanine substitution for a histidine residue at position 12 (in the conserved catalytic domain of Loxosceles intermedia Recombinant Dermonecrotic Toxin - LiRecDT1). LiRecDT1H12A sphingomyelinase activity was drastically reduced, despite the fact that circular dichroism analysis demonstrated similar spectra for both toxin isoforms, confirming that the mutation did not change general secondary structures of the molecule or its stability. Antisera against whole venom and LiRecDT1 showed cross-reactivity to both recombinant toxins by ELISA and immunoblotting. Dermonecrosis was abolished by the mutation, and rabbit skin revealed a decreased inflammatory response to LiRecDT1H12A compared to LiRecDT1. Residual phospholipase activity was observed with increasing concentrations of LiRecDT1H12A by dermonecrosis and fluorometric measurement in vitro. Lipid arrays showed that the mutated toxin has an affinity for the same lipids LiRecDT1, and both toxins were detected on RAEC cell surfaces. Data from in vitro choline release and HPTLC analyses of LiRecDT1-treated purified phospholipids and RAEC membrane detergent-extracts corroborate with the morphological changes. These data suggest a phospholipase-D dependent mechanism of toxicity, which has no substrate specificity and thus utilizes a broad range of bioactive lipids. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Secretaria de Estado de CienciaTecnologia e Ensino Superior (SETI) do ParanaFundacao Araucaria-PRFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Univ Fed Parana, Dept Cell Biol, BR-81531990 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biochem, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Ponta Grossa, Dept Struct Mol Biol & Genet, Ponta Grossa, BrazilCatholic Univ Parana, Hlth & Biol Sci Inst, Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biochem, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

On the Generalizability of Experimental Results

The age-old question of the generalizability of the results of experiments that are conducted in artificial laboratory settings to more realistic inferential and decision making situations is considered in this paper. Conservatism in probability revision provides an example of a result that 1) has received wide attention, including attention in terms of implications for real-world decision making, on the basis of experiments conducted in artificial settings and 2) is now apparently thought by many to be highly situational and not at all a ubiquitous phenomenon, in which case its implications for real-world decision making are not as extensive as originally claimed. In this paper we consider the questions of generalizations from the laboratory to the real world in some detail, both within the context of the experiments regarding conservatism and within a more general context. In addition, we discuss some of the difficulties inherent in experimentation in realistic settings, suggest possible procedures for avoiding or at least alleviating such difficulties, and make a plea for more realistic experiments

Spatial heterogeneity of habitat suitability for Rift Valley fever occurrence in Tanzania: an ecological niche modelling approach

Despite the long history of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Tanzania, extent of its suitable habitat in the country remains unclear. In this study we investigated potential effects of temperature, precipitation, elevation, soil type, livestock density, rainfall pattern, proximity to wild animals, protected areas and forest on the habitat suitability for RVF occurrence in Tanzania. Presence-only records of 193 RVF outbreak locations from 1930 to 2007 together with potential predictor variables were used to model and map the suitable habitats for RVF occurrence using ecological niche modelling. Ground-truthing of the model outputs was conducted by comparing the levels of RVF virus specific antibodies in cattle, sheep and goats sampled from locations in Tanzania that presented different predicted habitat suitability values. Habitat suitability values for RVF occurrence were higher in the northern and central-eastern regions of Tanzania than the rest of the regions in the country. Soil type and precipitation of the wettest quarter contributed equally to habitat suitability (32.4% each), followed by livestock density (25.9%) and rainfall pattern (9.3%). Ground-truthing of model outputs revealed that the odds of an animal being seropositive for RVFV when sampled from areas predicted to be most suitable for RVF occurrence were twice the odds of an animal sampled from areas least suitable for RVF occurrence (95% CI: 1.43, 2.76, p < 0.001). The regions in the northern and central-eastern Tanzania were more suitable for RVF occurrence than the rest of the regions in the country. The modelled suitable habitat is characterised by impermeable soils, moderate precipitation in the wettest quarter, high livestock density and a bimodal rainfall pattern. The findings of this study should provide guidance for the design of appropriate RVF surveillance, prevention and control strategies which target areas with these characteristics

Intentional injury reported by young people in the Federated States of Micronesia, Kingdom of Tonga and Vanuatu

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intentional injury presents a threat to the physical and psychological well being of young people, especially in developing countries, which carry the greatest part of the global injury burden. While the importance of this problem is recognized, there are limited population data in low and middle income countries that can guide public health action. The present study investigates the prevalence and distribution of intentional injury among young people in three Pacific Island societies, and examines behavioural and psychosocial factors related to risk of intentional injury.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Population surveys were conducted with <b>s</b>tudents aged 11–17 years in Pohnpei State in the Federated States of Micronesia (n = 1495), the Kingdom of Tonga (n = 2808) and Vanuatu (n = 4474). Surveys measured self-reported injury and intentional injury, sources of intentional injury, and the range of behavioural, psychological, educational and social variables that may be related to injury risk.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among boys and girls aged 14–17 years the respective period prevalence of intentional injury was 62% and 56% in Pohnpei, 58% and 41% in Tonga, and 33% and 24% in Vanuatu. The prevalence of intentional injury declined with age in Tonga and Vanuatu, but there was little evidence of an age-trend in Pohnpei. Across the three societies, the major sources of intentional injury among boys were 'other persons' followed by boyfriends/girlfriends and fathers. Mothers, boyfriends/girlfriends and other persons were primary sources of injury among girls. An intentional injury was reported more often by those who had been bullied (OR 1.40–1.66, P < 0.05), by regular smokers in Tonga and Vanuatu (OR 1.52–2.21, P < 0.05), and illicit drug users in Pohnpei and Vanuatu (OR 1.87–1.92, P < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Intentional injury was reported extensively in these three populations. Interventions directed towards the school environment and which take into account the role of bullying and drug use need to be considered.</p

ATENÇÃO FARMACÊUTICA VOLTADA A IDENTIFICAÇÃO DA INTERAÇÃO FÁRMACO-NUTRIENTE E SUAS IMPLICAÇÕES.

A assistência farmacêutica é o conjunto de ações e serviços que visa assegurar a assistência terapêutica integral, a promoção e a recuperação da saúde. Um dos desafios encontrados nesta prática profissional são os problemas relacionados aos medicamentos incluindo as interações fármaco-nutriente. o profissional farmacêutico, possui visão ampla e sistemática quanto aos riscos destas interações, logo, o acompanhamento é essencial na farmacoterapia. Sendo inúmeras as possibilidades de ocorrência de interações entre fármacos e nutriente, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as principais interações relatadas na  literatura e suas implicações, bem como evitá-las através da atenção farmacêutica. Para encontrar os resultados foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática integrativa com as bases de dados SCIELO, BVMS e DOAJ.  Os resultados evidenciaram diversas possibilidades de mecanismos de interações entre fármacos e alimentos com interferências nos processos farmacocinéticos que vão desde a absorção até a excreção, bem como nos processos farmacodinâmicos. Algumas interações produzem modificações na disponibilidade e na atividade do fármaco podendo acelerar o efeito desejável ou tornar indesejável.  O emprego da atenção farmacêutica pode colaborar para prevenir, identificar e resolver as prováveis interações entre fármacos e nutrientes, aumentando desta forma a eficácia do medicamento e o resultado da terapia