Summary
Assessing the reliability of medical measurements is a crucial step towards the elaboration of an applicable clinical instrument. There are few studies that evaluate the reliability of ...somatosensory assessment and pain modulation of masticatory structures. This study estimated the test–retest reliability, that is over time, of the mechanical somatosensory assessment of anterior temporalis, masseter and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the conditioned pain modulation (CPM) using the anterior temporalis as the test site. Twenty healthy women were evaluated in two sessions (1 week apart) by the same examiner. Mechanical detection threshold (MDT), mechanical pain threshold (MPT), wind‐up ratio (WUR) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed on the skin overlying the anterior temporalis, masseter and TMJ of the dominant side. CPM was tested by comparing PPT before and during the hand immersion in a hot water bath. anova and intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were applied to the data (α = 5%). The overall ICCs showed acceptable values for the test–retest reliability of mechanical somatosensory assessment of masticatory structures. The ICC values of 75% of all quantitative sensory measurements were considered fair to excellent (fair = 8·4%, good = 33·3% and excellent = 33·3%). However, the CPM paradigm presented poor reliability (ICC = 0·25). The mechanical somatosensory assessment of the masticatory structures, but not the proposed CPM protocol, can be considered sufficiently reliable over time to evaluate the trigeminal sensory function.
Background
This study estimated the inter‐rater reliability and agreement of the somatosensory assessment performed at masseter and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region in a group of healthy female ...and male participants.
Methods
Forty healthy participants (20 men and 20 women) were evaluated in two sessions by two different examiners. Cold detection threshold (CDT), warm detection threshold (WDT), thermal sensory limen (TSL), cold pain threshold (CPT), heat pain threshold (HPT), mechanical detection threshold (MDT), mechanical pain threshold (MPT), wind‐up ratio (WUR) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed on the skin overlying TMJ and masseter body. Mixed ANOVA, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were applied to the data (α = 5%). Nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of ICCs were considered significantly different.
Results
The ICCs of 77% of all quantitative sensory testing (QST) measurements were considered fair to excellent (ICCs: 0.47–0.97), and WUR presented the lowest values. The reliability of WDT, TSL and HPT of masseter was significantly higher than TMJ, whereas the MDT reliability of TMJ was higher than masseter. In addition, the following combination of test/sites presented significantly lower ICCs for women: HPT, MDT of TMJ and MPT of both TMJ and masseter. Finally, the highest SEM values were presented for CPT and MPT.
Conclusion
The overall somatosensory assessment of the masticatory structures performed by two examiners can be considered sufficiently reliable to discriminate participants, except WUR. Possible site and sex influences on the reproducibility parameters should be taken into account for an appropriate interpretation and clinical application of QST.
Significance
The test site and participant's sex can significantly influence the relative reliability and agreement of quantitative sensory testing applied to musculoskeletal orofacial region, which affect the capacity to discriminate participants and to evaluate changes over time.
Listeria monocytogenes, considered as one of the most important foodborne pathogens, is easily found on surfaces, particularly in the form of a biofilm. Biofilms are aggregates of cells that ...facilitate the persistence of these pathogens in food processing environments conferring resistance to the processes of cleaning and may cause contamination of food during processing, thus, representing a danger to public health. Little is known about the dynamics of the formation and regulation of biofilm production in L. monocytogenes, but several authors reported that the luxS gene may be a precursor in this process. In addition, the product of the inlA gene is responsible for facilitating the entry of the microorganism into epithelial cells that express the receptor E-cadherin, also participates in surface attachment. Thus, 32 strains of L. monocytogenes isolated from different foods (milk and vegetables) and from food processing environments were analyzed for the presence of these genes and their ability to form biofilms on three different surfaces often used in the food industry and retail (polystyrene, glass and stainless steel) at different temperatures (4, 20 and 30 °C). All strains had the ilnA gene and 25 out of 32 strains (78.1%) were positive for the presence of the luxS gene, but all strains produced biofilm in at least one of the temperatures and materials tested. This suggests that genes in addition to luxS may participate in this process, but were not the decisive factors for biofilm formation. The bacteria adhered better to hydrophilic surfaces (stainless steel and glass) than to hydrophobic ones (polystyrene), since at 20 °C for 24 h, 30 (93.8%) and 26 (81.3%) produced biofilm in stainless steel and glass, respectively, and just 2 (6.2%) in polystyrene. The incubation time seemed to be an important factor in the process of biofilm formation, mainly at 35 °C for 48 h, because the results showed a decrease from 30 (93.8%) to 20 (62.5%) and from 27 (84.4%) to 12 (37.5%), on stainless steel and glass, respectively, although this was not significant (p = 0.3847). We conclude that L. monocytogenes is capable of forming biofilm on different surfaces independent of temperature, but the surface composition may be important factor for a faster development of biofilm.
•luxS and inlA genes may be involved in biofilm formation.•After 48 h, there was a decreased in biofilm formation.•L. monocytogenes adhered better to hydrophilic surfaces than to hydrophobic one.
Indole alkaloids comprise a large and complex class of natural products found in a variety of marine sources. Infectious diseases remain a major threat to public health, and in the absence of ...long-term protective vaccines, the control of these infectious diseases is based on a small number of chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore, the emerging resistance against these drugs makes it urgently necessary to discover and develop new, safe and, effective anti-infective agents. In this regard, the aim of this review is to highlight indole alkaloids from marine sources which have been shown to demonstrate activity against infectious diseases.
Bovine mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands of cows and causes significant economic losses in dairy cattle. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the microorganisms most commonly isolated. ...Novel agents are required in agricultural industries to prevent the development of mastitis. The production of biofilm by Staph. aureus facilitates the adhesion of bacteria to solid surfaces and contributes to the transmission and maintenance of these bacteria. The effect of the essential oils of Syzygium aromaticum (clove; EOSA) and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon; EOCZ) and their major components, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, on Staph. aureus biofilm formation on different surfaces was investigated. The results showed a significant inhibition of biofilm production by EOSA on polystyrene and stainless steel surfaces (69.4 and 63.6%, respectively). However, its major component, eugenol, was less effective on polystyrene and stainless steel (52.8 and 19.6%, respectively). Both EOCZ and its major component, cinnamaldehyde, significantly reduced biofilm formation on polystyrene (74.7 and 69.6%, respectively) and on stainless steel surfaces (45.3 and 44.9%, respectively). These findings suggest that EOSA, EOCZ, and cinnamaldehyde may be considered for applications such as sanitization in the food industry.
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•Five guanylhydrazone derivatives were evaluated as lipase inhibitors in vitro.•The derivative LQM11 was the most active with IC50 of 14.70 ± 0.61 μM.•LQM11 leads to structural ...changes in lipase through electrostatic interactions.•LMQ11 is a non-competitive inhibitor by spectroscopic and theoretical studies.•LQM11 may be a promising compound to the control of R. palmarum.
This work aimed to evaluate the inhibition of Candida rugosa lipase by five guanylhydrazone derivatives through biological, biophysical and theoretical studies simulating physiologic conditions. The compound LQM11 (IC50 = 14.70 μM) presented the highest inhibition against the enzyme. Therefore, for a better understanding of the interaction process, spectroscopic and theoretical studies were performed. Fluorescence and UV–vis assays indicate a static quenching mechanism with non-fluorescent supramolecular complex formation and changing the native protein structure. The binding process was spontaneous (ΔG < 0) and electrostatic forces (ΔH < 0 and ΔS > 0) played a preferential role in stabilizing the complex ligand-lipase. The compounds were classified as non-competitive inhibitors using orlistat as a reference in competition studies. Based on the 1H NMR assays it was possible to propose the sites of ligand (epitope) that bind preferentially to the enzyme and the theoretical studies were consistent with the experimental results. Finally, LQM11 was efficient as a lipase inhibitor of the crude intestinal extract of larvae of Rhynchophorus palmarum, an important agricultural plague, showing potential for control of this pest. Within this context, the real potential of this biotechnological application deserves further studies.
Anacardium occidentale is widely used in folk medicine in Brazil, India, and Africa to treat inflammation, diabetes and hypertension. The aim of the study was to assess the hypotensive, vasorelaxant ...and antihypertensive effects produced by the hexane extract from the leaves of A. occidentale (HEAO) in rats. The animals were anesthetized, and polyethylene catheters were embedded into the lower abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava for blood pressure measurements and drug administration. The HEAO was injected and the mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured. The effects of the HEAO on isolated rat mesenteric rings with and without endothelium were investigated. HEAO induced hypotension and bradycardia in normotensive rats. After pretreatment with L-NAME, indomethacin, atropine or hexamethonium, these effects were attenuated. In mesenteric rings, HEAO antagonized the contractile effects induced by phenylephrine or KCl. This effect was inhibited after removal of the vascular endothelium. Oral administration of the HEAO decreased significant mean arterial pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Mass spectrometric analysis of HEAO identified malic acid and quercetin. Our findings demonstrate that HEAO produces hypotension probably due to a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance, mediated by the endothelium, in part, by a decrease in cardiac output. Bradycardia appears to be due to the indirect activation of cardiac muscarinic receptors via activation of the vagus nerve. The HEAO also induces an antihypertensive effect.
nema
Subplacental development in Galea spixii Bezerra, Ferdinando V.F.; Favaron, Phelipe O.; Mess, Andrea M. ...
Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira,
11/2018, Letnik:
38, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Animal models are essential to understand healthy human placentation. Guinea pig related rodents became on focus for such purposes. In particular, processes of trophoblast invasion are similar. The ...latter is associated with a specialized area, the subplacenta. Since previous results showed differences between the guinea pig and its close relative Galea spixii, we aimed to study subplacental development with more detail. We investigated 16 pregnant females of 14 to 55 days of gestation by means of histology, morphometrics, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The overlap between the fetomaternal blood systems resulted as intimate, suggesting some exchange processes. Proliferation was revealed by three independent methods, being most active in early and mid-gestation, which was in accordance to former results. Though degeneration of tissues took place, the subplacenta was maintained towards term with access to the fetal vascularization, supporting a hypothesis about the release of substances to the fetal unit in advanced gestation. In contrast to other species, the extraplacental trophoblast showed a shift from syncytial streamers to giant cells during mid-gestation. Views on placentation in caviomorphs were influenced by the guinea pig, but our data supported recent studies that the subplacenta had a much greater placidity. In regard to subplacental grow, degeneration and likely also exchange processes, Galea and other species showed a more basal pattern of caviomorphs than the guinea pig. Such differences should be considered, when choosing most adequate animal models for special purposes in comparison to human placentation.
RESUMO: Modelos animais são essenciais para entender a placenta humana sadia. Neste sentido os roedores relacionados ao porquinho da índia tornaram-se foco para tal entendimento. Em particular, os processos de invasão trofoblástica são semelhantes. O último está associado a uma área especializada, a subplacenta. Uma vez que os resultados anteriores mostraram diferenças entre o porquinho da índia e seu relativo o preá, buscamos estudar o desenvolvimento subplacentário com mais detalhes. Pesquisamos 16 fêmeas gestantes de 14 a 55 dias de gestação por meio de histologia, morfometria, imuno-histoquímica e microscopia eletrônica. A sobreposição entre os sistemas sanguíneos materno e fetal apresentou-se com íntima relação, sugerindo alguns processos de troca. A proliferação foi revelada por três métodos independentes, sendo mais ativos no início e metade da gestação, o que corroborou com os resultados anteriores. Embora a degeneração dos tecidos tenha ocorrido, a subplacenta foi mantida até o termo gestacional com acesso à vascularização fetal, apoiando uma hipótese sobre a liberação de substâncias para a unidade fetal em gestação avançada. Em contraste com outras espécies, o trofoblasto extraplacentário mostrou uma mudança de flâmulas sinciciais para células gigantes durante a metade da gestação. As visualizações sobre a placentação em caviomorfos foram influenciadas pelo porquinho da índia, mas nossos dados apoiaram estudos recentes de que a subplacenta apresentava uma plasticidade muito maior. Em relação ao crescimento subplacentário, a degeneração e provavelmente também os processos de troca, o preá e outras espécies apresentaram um padrão mais basal de caviomorfos do que o porquinho da índia. Tais diferenças devem ser consideradas, ao escolher os modelos animais mais adequados para fins especiais em comparação com a placentação humana.
Abstract
Context: Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae) is a tree with dark purple fruits, popularly known as "jambolão" or "jambolan". In folk medicine, this plant is used for the treatment of ...diabetes and inflammatory conditions.
Objective: We investigated the antinociceptive effect of ethanol extract (EE) from S. cumini leaves on orofacial nociception.
Material and methods: The antinociceptive effects of the EE obtained from the leaves of S. cumini were evaluated in mice using formalin- and glutamate-induced orofacial nociception.
Results: ESI-MS/MS analyses demonstrated that major constituents in the analyzed samples coincided with the mass of the phenolic acids and flavonoids. In pharmacological approach, pre-treatment with EE (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) the percentage of paw licks time during phase 2 (43.2, 47.1, and 57.4%, respectively) of a formalin pain test when compared to control group animals. This effect was prevented by pretreatment with glibenclamide and NG-nitro-l-arginine (l-NOARG). The extract, all doses, also caused a marked inhibition (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001) of glutamate-induced orofacial nociception (38.8, 51.7, and 54.7%) when compared with the control group. No effect was observed with the rota-rod model.
Conclusions: We can suggest that the antinociceptive effect of the EE is mediated by peripheral mechanisms, possibly involving KATP channels and the nitric oxide pathways. These effects appear to be related to the presence of flavonoids compounds, such as quercetin.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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