Development of Animal Model for Studying Deep Second-Degree Thermal Burns

Thermal lesions were produced in 12 male Wistar rats, positioning a massive aluminum bar 10 mm in diameter (51 g), preheated to 99°C ± 2°C/10 min. on the back of each animal for 15 sec. After 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, animals were euthanized. The edema intensity was mild, with no bubble and formation of a thick and dry crust from the 3rd day. The percentage of tissue shrinkage at 28 days was 66.67 ± 1.66%. There was no sign of infection, bleeding, or secretion. Within 28 days reepithelialization was incomplete, with fibroblastic proliferation and moderate fibrosis and presence of modeled dense collagen fibers. It is concluded that the model established is applicable in obtaining deep second-degree thermal burns in order to evaluate the healing action of therapeutic agents of topical use

Topical Application Effect of the Isolectin Hydrogel (Cramoll 1,4) on Second-Degree Burns: Experimental Model

This study aimed at evaluating the use of hydrogel isolectin in the treatment of second-degree burns. Twenty male rats were randomly divided into two groups (G1 = treatment with hydrogel containing 100 μg/mL Cramoll 1,4 and G2 = Control, hydrogel). After 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days, animals were euthanized. On the 7th day, G1 showed intense exudates, necrosis and edema. On the 14th day, G1 showed tissue reepithelialization and moderate autolysis. On the 21st day, G1 showed intense fibroblastic proliferation, presence of dense collagen, and moderate fibrosis. On the 28th day, G1 showed complete tissue epithelialization. On the 35th day, G1 showed modeled dense collagen. The significant wound contraction was initiated from day, 14 in the G1. There were no significant differences in biochemical and hematological parameters analyzed. These results extend the potential of therapeutic applications for Cramoll 1,4 in the treatment of thermal burns

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

Lectins, Interconnecting Proteins with Biotechnological/Pharmacological and Therapeutic Applications

Lectins are proteins extensively used in biomedical applications with property to recognize carbohydrates through carbohydrate-binding sites, which identify glycans attached to cell surfaces, glycoconjugates, or free sugars, detecting abnormal cells and biomarkers related to diseases. These lectin abilities promoted interesting results in experimental treatments of immunological diseases, wounds, and cancer. Lectins obtained from virus, microorganisms, algae, animals, and plants were reported as modulators and tool markers in vivo and in vitro; these molecules also play a role in the induction of mitosis and immune responses, contributing for resolution of infections and inflammations. Lectins revealed healing effect through induction of reepithelialization and cicatrization of wounds. Some lectins have been efficient agents against virus, fungi, bacteria, and helminths at low concentrations. Lectin-mediated bioadhesion has been an interesting characteristic for development of drug delivery systems. Lectin histochemistry and lectin-based biosensors are useful to detect transformed tissues and biomarkers related to disease occurrence; antitumor lectins reported are promising for cancer therapy. Here, we address lectins from distinct sources with some biological effect and biotechnological potential in the diagnosis and therapeutic of diseases, highlighting many advances in this growing field

Purification of a lectin with antibacterial activity from Bothrops leucurus snake venom

A novel lectin was isolated from Bothrops leucurus snake venom using a combination of affinity and gel filtration chromatographies. the lectin (BIL) agglutinated glutaraldehyde-treated rabbit and human erythrocytes with preference for rabbit erythrocytes. Galactose, raffinose, lactose, fetal bovine serum and casein inhibited lectin-induced rabbit erythrocyte agglutination. BIL, with a molecular mass of 30 kDa and composed of two subunits of 15 kDa, showed dependence on calcium. BIL is an acidic protein with highest activity over the pH range of 4.0-7.0 and stable under heating to 70 degrees C. Fluorescence emission spectra showed tryptophan residues partially buried within the lectin structure. the percentages of secondary structure revealed by circular dichroism were 1% alpha-helix, 44% beta-sheet, 24% beta-turn and 31% unordered. BIL showed effective antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 31.25, 62.25 and 125 mu g/mL, respectively. in conclusion, B. leucurus snake venom contains a galactoside-binding lectin with antibacterial activity. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Univ Fed Pernambuco, Dept Bioquim, BR-50670420 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Dept Zool, BR-40170210 Salvador, BA, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Bioquim, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Dept Zool, BR-50670420 Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Estadual Oeste Parana, Ctr Engn & Ciencias Exatas, BR-85903000 Toledo, Parana, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Bioquim, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical screening of buchenavia tetraphylla (aubl.) R. A. Howard (combretaceae: combretoideae)

This study evaluated the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities and phytochemical constituents of hydroalcoholic extract and its fractions from Buchenavia tetraphylla leaves. Cyclohexane (BTCF), ethyl acetate (BTEF), and n-butanol-soluble (BTSBF) and non-soluble (BTNBF) fractions were obtained from a liquid-liquid partition of hydroalcoholic extract (BTHE) from B. tetraphylla leaves. The hemolytic activity of active fractions was checked. The BTHE inhibited the growth of Micrococcus luteus (MIC: 0.10 mg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC: 0.20 mg/mL), Mycobacterium smegmatis (MIC: 0.39 mg/mL), Proteus vulgaris, and Staphylococcus aureus(MIC: 0.78 mg/mL for both). The more active fractions were BTCF and BTBSF. BTCF showed better potential to inhibit M. luteus (0.10 mg/mL), P. aeruginosa (0.20 mg/mL), S. enteritidis (0.39 mg/mL), and S. aureus (1.56 mg/mL). BTBSF showed the best results for M. luteus (0.10 mg/mL), M. smegmatis, B. subtilis (0.39 mg/mL for both), and P. vulgaris (0.10 mg/mL). The HC50 were greater than observed MIC: 20.30, 4.70 and 2.53 mg/mL, respectively, to BTBF, BTHE and BTCF, which. The phytochemical analysis detected the presence of flavanoids, triterpene, carbohydrate, and tannin. Our work showed for the first time the broad-spread antimicrobial activity of B. tetraphylla, which has nonhemolytic action, creating a new perspective on the interesting association of traditional and scientific knowledge

Biodegradable synthetic polymers in biomedical application: A review: Polímeros sintéticos biodegradáveis em aplicação biomédica: Uma revisão

Biotechnology associated with medical technology has allowed biodegradable synthetic polymers to have versatile and diversified biomedical applications due to interesting properties such as good cell adhesion, in vivo proliferation, and degradation without harmful effects to the human body. Thus, they are suitable for a variety of applications, especially those related to therapeutics or pharmaceutics, for example, tissue engineering and drug delivery. This work aimed to revise the broad applications of the term biodegradation in different areas of science. We focused on the most recent biomedical applications of biodegradable synthetic polymers, revising the characteristics which have contributed to solving health-related problems. Actual, efficient, and consistent results have been introduced in the market as a result of the growing search for new technologies. They have been applied both at macro and nanometer scales, in isolated and conjugated forms, or even as encapsulating matrices. Biodegradable synthetic polymers present longer degradation periods when compared to natural polymers, they stand out in tissue engineering since they can be adjusted according to their composition, reaching various degrees of selectivity for specific clinical applications

Pathogenic activity of Isaria spp. for control of Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiideae) and the effects of selected insecticides

We analyzed the activity of the entomopathogenic fungi Isaria farinosa, I. fumosorosea and I. javanica against the cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae, as well as the effects of the insecticides clorpirifos, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam and lambda-cyhalothrin on the conidia germination, mycelium growth and a sporulation of the fungi. These fungi were not pathogenic to cochineal. This the first report of the efficiency of Isaria spp. against this the insect. The bioassays of the compatibility of the insecticides acetamiprid and thiametoxam with species of Isaria indicate the possibility of the joint use of these products in studies on the control of D. opuntiae.El trabajo analizó las acciones de los hongos entomopatógenos Isaria farinosa, I. fumosorosea y I. javanica contra la cochonilla Dactylopius opuntiae, así como el efecto de los insecticidas clorpirifos, acetamiprid, tiametoxam y lambda-cialotrina sobre la germinación, el crecimiento micelial y esporulación del mismo. Los hongos no fueron patógenos a D. opuntiae, siendo éste el primer reporte de la eficiencia de Isaria spp., sobre este insecto. Los bioensayos de la compatibilidad de los insecticidas acetamiprid y thiametoxam con especies de Isaria indican la posibilidad de uso conjunto de estos productos en estudios para el control de D. opuntiae

Análise da prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade e do nível de atividade física em crianças e adolescentes de uma cidade do sudoeste de São Paulo

This study aimed to verify the prevalence of overweight, obesity and physical activity level according to the sex of children and adolescents from public schools city of Nantes, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample consisted of 170 children and 232 adolescents with a mean age of 8.04±1.31 and 13.2±1.83 years, respectively, of both sexand frequenters oftwoschools. Anthropometric measurements were collected: body mass index by age (BMI/age) and abdominal circumference. The BMI/age was classified according to the Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (SISVAN) (2007) and a modified, adapted and suggested questionnaire by Silva (2009) was used to analyze the physical activity level. An unpaired t test was used and p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. The prevalence of 30.59% of the overweight or obese individuals, most of them adolescents, was verified. A higher media was also found with a significant value difference of the abdominal circumference in the females sex in the children group. It was observed that 62.68% of the sample was inactive or inadequately active and that most were female. Those facts demonstrate the sizable risk that these individuals may present for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal complications throughout life. The importance of the early educational and nutritional programs in schools should be emphasized with the prevention and treatment of overweight and low physical activity level individuals.Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a prevalência de sobrepeso, obesidade e o nível de atividade física segundo o sexo de crianças e adolescentes de escolas públicas da cidade de Nantes, São Paulo, Brasil. A amostra foi composta de 170 crianças e 232 adolescentes com a idade média de 8,04±1,31 e 13,2±1,83 anos, respectivamente, de ambos os sexos e frequentadores de duas escolas. Foram coletadas as medidas antropométricas: Índice de massa corpórea pela idade (IMC/idade) e circunferência abdominal. O IMC/idade foi classificado de acordo com o Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (SISVAN) (2007) e um questionário modificado e adaptado sugerido por Silva (2009) foi utilizado para analisar o nível de atividade física. O teste t não pareado foi realizado e os valores de p<0,05 foram considerados significativos.A prevalência de 30,59% dos indivíduos com sobrepeso ou obesidade, foi verificada sendo a maioria desta adolescente. Também foi encontrada maior média e com diferença significativa do valor da circunferência abdominal no sexo feminino no grupo das crianças. Foi observado que 62,68% da amostra são inativos ou inadequadamente ativos e que a maioria desses era do sexo feminino. Estes fatos demonstram considerável risco que estes indivíduos podem apresentar de complicações cardiovasculares e musculoesqueléticas no decorrer da vida. A importância da realização precoce de programas educacionais e nutricionais na escola deve ser enfatizada para prevenção e tratamento destes indivíduos com excesso de peso e baixo nível de atividade física