Wasp venomic: Unravelling the toxins arsenal of Polybia paulista venom and its potential pharmaceutical applications.

Polybia paulista (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is a neotropical social wasp from southeast Brazil. As most social Hymenoptera, venom from P. paulista comprises a complex mixture of bioactive toxins ranging from low molecular weight compounds to peptides and proteins.

Early-in-life dietary zinc deficiency and supplementation and mammary tumor development in adulthood female rats.

Zinc deficiency during pregnancy and postnatal life can adversely increase risk of developing human diseases at adulthood. The present study was designed to evaluate whether dietary zinc deficiency or supplementation during the pregnancy, lactation and juvenile stages interferes in the development of mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Pregnant female SD rats were allocated into three groups: zinc-adequate diet (ZnA - 35-mg/kg chow), zinc-deficient diet (ZnD - 3-mg/kg chow) or zinc-supplemented diet (ZnS - 180-mg/kg chow) during gestational day 10 (GD 10) until the litters' weaning.

Y-TZP zirconia regeneration firing: Microstructural and crystallographic changes after grinding.

This study evaluated microstructural and crystallographic phase changes after grinding (G) and regeneration firing/anneling (R) of Y-TZP ceramics. Thirty five bars (Lava and Ice Zirkon) were divided: Y-TZP pre-sintered, control (C), regeneration firing (R), dry grinding (DG), dry grinding+regeneration firing (DGR), wet grinding (WG) and wet grinding+regeneration firing (WGR). Grinding was conducted using a diamond bur and annealing at 1,000°C.

Potential of autogenous or fresh-frozen allogeneic bone block grafts for bone remodelling: a histological, histometrical, and immunohistochemical analysis in rabbits.

Our aim was to compare the wound healing of autogenous bone grafts with that of fresh-frozen allogeneic block bone in rabbits. We used 25 animals. One was killed before the experiment to provide the allogeneic bone, and the remainder were killed at four time points (n=6 in each group).

Heterologous fibrin sealant derived from snake venom: from bench to bedside - an overview.

Hemostatic and adhesive agents date back to World War II, when homologous fibrin sealant came onto scene. Considering that infectious diseases can be transmitted via human blood, a new heterologous fibrin sealant was standardized in the 1990s. Its components were a serine protease (a thrombin-like enzyme) extracted from the venom of snakes and a fibrinogen-rich cryoprecipitate extracted from the blood of buffaloes.

Racial differences in hemoglobin and plasma volume variation: implications for muscle performance and recovery.

To examine the effect of race differences on sprint performance, Hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (Ht) and plasma volume (PV) variation in response to repeated sprint exercise. Thirty-six healthy, moderately trained men and women (20.8 ± 0.

Voxel-based analysis of diffusion tensor imaging in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Purpose: Quantitative techniques of diffusion analysis allow for an in-vivo investigation of the physiopathology of epilepsies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of the main diffusion parameters and explore differences between two methodologies of voxel-wise analysis comparing a group of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) with controls.

Methods: 24 patients with a diagnosis of MTLE were selected.

Goldman score, but not Detsky or Lee indices, predicts mortality 6 months after hip fracture.

Background: Over the past years, several cardiac risk indices were evaluated and modified, including Goldman, Detsky, and Lee scores. The predictive capacity of these scores in hip fracture patients is lacking. Thus, our objective was to compare the Goldman, Detsky, and Lee scores as predictors of mortality in 6 months after hip fracture.

Malnutrition Inflammation Score cut-off predicting mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Background: Malnutrition is a strong predictor of mortality on hemodialysis patients, especially when it is associated with inflammation. Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS) is a simple and low cost tool which assesses the presence of malnutrition associated with inflammation. Therefore, the aim is to evaluate if MIS is associated with mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis and establish a cut-off to predict mortality at different follow-up periods.

Nanostructured lipid carriers for incorporation of copper(II) complexes to be used against .

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by . Cessation of treatment before the recommended conclusion may lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. The aim of this study was to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for use in the treatment of .

Bioactive Molecule-loaded Drug Delivery Systems to Optimize Bone Tissue Repair.

Bioactive molecules such as peptides and proteins can optimize the repair of bone tissue; however, the results are often unpredictable when administered alone, owing to their short biological half-life and instability. Thus, the development of bioactive molecule-loaded drug delivery systems (DDS) to repair bone tissue has been the subject of intense research. DDS can optimize the repair of bone tissue owing to their physicochemical properties, which improve cellular interactions and enable the incorporation and prolonged release of bioactive molecules.

Finite element analysis of implant-supported prosthesis with pontic and cantilever in the posterior maxilla.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pontic and cantilever designs (mesial and distal) on 3-unit implant-retained prosthesis at maxillary posterior region verifying stress and strain distributions on bone tissue (cortical and trabecular bones) and stress distribution in abutments, implants and fixation screws, under axial and oblique loadings, by 3D finite element analysis. Each model was composed of a bone block presenting right first premolar to the first molar, with three or two external hexagon implants (4.0 × 10 mm), supporting a 3-unit splinted dental fixed dental prosthesis with the variations: M1 - three implants supporting splinted crowns; M2 - two implants supporting prosthesis with central pontic; M3 - two implants supporting prosthesis with mesial cantilever; M4 - two implants supporting prosthesis with distal cantilever.

Alpha-type phospholipase A inhibitors from snake blood.

It is of popular and scientific knowledge that toxins from snake venom (among them the PLA and myotoxins) are neutralized by various compounds, such as antibodies and proteins purified from animal blood. Venomous and nonvenomous snakes have PLA inhibitory proteins, called PLIs, in their blood serum. One hypothesis that could explain the presence of these PLIs in the serum of venomous snakes would be self-protection against the enzymes of their own venom, which eventually could reach the circulatory system.

polysaccharides stimulate human monocytes to capture express toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Background: is a medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the β-glucans presented in the polysaccharide fraction of its fruiting body. Since β-glucans enhance cellular immunoresponsiveness, in this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of an acid-treated polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) of on the ability of human monocytes to adhere/phagocyte yeast cells, their expression of pattern recognition receptors and their ability to produce cytokines.

Methods: Adhesion/phagocytosis of FITC-labeled was evaluated by flow cytometry.

A clinical trial protocol to treat massive Africanized honeybee () attack with a new apilic antivenom.

Background: Envenomation caused by multiple stings from Africanized honeybees constitutes a public health problem in the Americas. In 2015, the Brazilian Ministry of Health reported 13,597 accidents (incidence of seven cases per 100,000 inhabitants) with 39 deaths (lethality of 0.25%).

Impairment of the class IIa bacteriocin receptor function and membrane structural changes are associated to enterocin CRL35 high resistance in Listeria monocytogenes.

Background: Enterocin CRL35 is a class IIa bacteriocin with anti-Listeria activity. Resistance to these peptides has been associated with either the downregulation of the receptor expression or changes in the membrane and cell walls. The scope of the present work was to characterize enterocin CRL35 resistant Listeria strains with MICs more than 10,000 times higher than the MIC of the WT sensitive strain.

Enzyme replacement therapy for Anderson-Fabry disease: A complementary overview of a Cochrane publication through a linear regression and a pooled analysis of proportions from cohort studies.

Background: Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is an X-linked recessive inborn error of glycosphingolipid metabolism caused by a deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A. Renal failure, heart and cerebrovascular involvement reduce survival. A Cochrane review provided little evidence on the use of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT).

Ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics by new simple and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography method.

Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic with a potent antimicrobial activity and excellent penetration in most body fluids such as pleural, peritoneal, spinal and brain. These facts contribute to the application of ceftriaxone in the treatment of bacterial peritonitis, an abdominal disorder in veterinary medicine, with potential risk of death. The determination of ceftriaxone levels in plasma and peritoneal fluid may be used to assess the pharmacokinetic profile at various instances of administration and allows observing if the concentrations needed are being achieved.

Virulence factors of fluconazole-susceptible and fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans after antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

This study evaluated the effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) mediated by Photodithazine® (PDZ) and LED light on the virulence factors of fluconazole-susceptible (CaS) and fluconazole-resistant (CaR) Candida albicans. Standardized suspensions of strains were prepared (10), and after 48 h of biofilm formation, these strains were incubated with PDZ (100 mg/L) for 20 min and exposed to LED light (660 nm, 37.5 J/cm).

Preparation and characterization of alloys of the Ti-15Mo-Nb system for biomedical applications.

In the development of new metallic biomaterials, the Ti-15Mo alloy has great prominence because of its excellent corrosion resistance and good combination of mechanical properties. In this study, the element niobium was added to the Ti-15Mo alloy, forming the Ti-15Mo-Nb system for the purpose of improving their properties and promoting its application as a biomaterial. These alloys are very promising to use as biomedical implants, because they integrate a new class of titanium alloys without the presence of aluminum and vanadium, which may cause cytotoxic effects.

Treatment of Extrusive Luxation in Permanent Teeth: Literature Review with Systematic Criteria.

Introduction: Extrusive luxation is a traumatic dental injury caused by the action of oblique forces, characterized by partial displacement of the tooth out of its socket. The ideal treatment for this type of trauma involves repositioning the tooth in its socket. However, in cases where the tooth cannot be repositioned, different options may be considered, such as intentional reattachment and orthodontic intrusion.

Two-Year Clinical Evaluation of a Nanofilled Etch-and-Rinse and a Self-Etch Adhesive System Containing MDPB and Fluoride in Non-carious Cervical Lesions.

Objectives: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the performance of restorations for non-carious cervical lesions performed with a two-step etch-and-rinse or with a two-step self-etch adhesive.

Materials And Methods: The teeth to be restored (15 patients, N = 90 restorations) were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 30), according to the adhesive system: group 1 (G1): Peak LC Bond; group 2 (G2): Clearfil Protect Bond; and group 3 (G3): prior selective acid etching of the enamel margins before bonding with Clearfil Protect Bond. The NCCLs were restored with Amelogen Plus composite resin.

Standardization and validation of Dot-ELISA assay for antibody detection.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a neglected systemic mycosis caused by a dimorphic fungus of the genus. The standard diagnosis is based on isolation of the fungi in culture, and by microscopic visualization of characteristic multiple budding yeast cells in biological samples. However, in some situations, access to the site of injury prevents the collection of biological material.

Biochemical and biophysical properties of a metagenome-derived GH5 endoglucanase displaying an unconventional domain architecture.

Endoglucanases are key enzymes in the degradation of cellulose, the most abundant polymer on Earth. The aim of this work was to perform the biochemical and biophysical characterization of CelE2, a soil metagenome derived endoglucanase. CelE2 harbors a conserved domain from glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5) and a C-terminal domain with identity to Calx-beta domains.

Parameter estimates for reproductive and carcass traits in Nelore beef cattle.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for scrotal circumference at 365 (SC365) and 450 (SC450) days of age, age at first calving (AFC), ribeye area (REA), backfat (BF) thickness, and rump fat (RF) thickness, in order to provide information on potential traits for Nelore cattle breeding program. Genetic parameters were estimated using the Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood method in single- and multitrait analyses. Four different animal models were tested for SC365, SC450, REA, BF, and RF in single-trait analyses.