Secondary diaspore removal on the ground is an important ecosystem process. In this process, solitary foraging ants with larger body sizes are more efficient because they may remove more diaspores, ...faster and carry them at greater distances. Therefore, we sought to test the effects of the sizes of the morphological traits of ants, removal strategy, and nest distance on secondary diaspore removal, testing hypotheses related to the efficiency of this process. We evaluated the removal of artificial diaspores by ants in 15 areas of Cerrado sensu stricto (tropical savanna), collecting data on diaspore removal strategy (solitary or group), nest distance, diaspore discovery time, diaspore removal time, and the number of diaspores removed. Larger ants tended to remove diaspores alone and remove diaspores faster than smaller ones. Ants that removed diaspores alone removed more diaspores than ants that removed diaspores in groups. However, we did not find a linear relationship between ant size and diaspore removal. This is likely due to a limitation on, or a preference by larger ants for removing larger diaspores, while the smaller diaspores may have hindered manipulation or been less attractive to larger ants. Thus, the removal strategy was the best predictor of efficient diaspore removal performance, where the solitary foraging ants discover and remove diaspores quickly and remove more diaspores, mainly from the closest nests to the sampling point. However, the benefits (or not) of removing more diaspores still need to be evaluated.
Habitat transformation and species loss bring enormous environmental damage, whereas establishing protected areas promotes more sustainable use of environmental resources through biodiversity ...conservation. In this study, we aimed to point out gaps in ant knowledge and provide a species checklist that contributes to biodiversity conservation in the transition areas between Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, constantly threatened by land use changes. This checklist integrates data from previous studies developed at “Área de Proteção Ambiental do Rio Pandeiros” (APA Pandeiros), Minas Gerais, Brazil, involving ant diversity and their contribution to ecological processes accessed and described in the studies. We showed and discussed how authors managed and provided information regarding methodologies and habitats sampled. We listed 143 ant species formally named. Pheidole, Camponotus and Cephalotes were the most speciose genera, with more than ten species each. Among ants involved in ecological processes, 40 are linked to diaspore removal (part of seed dispersal) and 30 to carcass interaction (part of the decomposition process). Unbaited pitfall traps, epigeic stratum and Cerrado sensu stricto, were the top sampling method, stratum, and habitats among ant studies. We presented proposals for the best management and integration of data from surveys in APA Pandeiros (e.g., sharing the results of the studies with the APA managers, creating a database, and the local community). These surveys are fundamental for understanding biodiversity and ecological processes and provide valuable information to conservation biology. Therefore, neglecting the importance of the Cerrado-Caatinga transition can lead to irreparable setbacks for scientific knowledge and biodiversity.
Many food formulations use fruits as their main component generating, in most cases, a large portion of fruits by-products which are generally considered as food waste. These by-products, due to its ...varied composition of active compounds, must be discarded in a responsible and ecological manner by the food industries, which can increase the final cost of the food formulation. The compounds present in this by-products can be useful to the food industry due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and, its reuse is important to establish a circular economy in the food industry. In this study, the antioxidant potential of ethanolic extracts of fruit by-products was evaluated. Also, the principal phenolic compounds of these by-products were determined by HPLC–DAD and HPLC–ESI–MS/MS. The formulation 1 (F1) of juice by-products was composed by the by-products of the juice prepared with ginger and apple (50:50, w/w) and the formulation 2 (F2) of juice by-products was made up of the by-products of the juice prepared with apple, carrot, beet and ginger (50:29:20:1, w/w). The extracts obtained from the freeze-dried by-products presented higher antioxidant capacity and higher amounts of phenolic compounds, namely flavonoids, that the extracts obtained from the fresh by-products. Also, the extracts obtained from F1 presented a higher antioxidant capacity than the extracts from F2, mostly due to its high content in ginger. The obtained results from the different assays are in agreement among them and indicate that the F1 extract is the most suitable candidate to be applied to food applications and, active food packaging due to its high antioxidant capacity.
Abstract 1063▪▪This icon denotes a clinically relevant abstract
Erythrocytes of sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients continuously produce larger amounts of pro-oxidants than normal cells, and oxidative ...stress seems to play a significant role in the pathophysiology of this disease. In erythrocytes, oxidative stress primarily affects the membrane and results in hemolysis. The use of antioxidants in vitro reduces the generation of pro-oxidants, which could prevent adhesion and phagocytosis of oxidized erythrocytes.
To evaluate the impact of antioxidant vitamins C (vitC) and E (vitE) supplementation in the hemolytic profile in SCA patients.
Homozygous SCA or S-β-thalassemia patients, over 18 years, were randomly assigned to receive VitC 1,400 mg + VitE 800 mg per day or placebo, administered orally for 180 days. Pregnant women and patients with iron overload out of chelation therapy were excluded. Patients were evaluated clinically and blood samples were collected at days 0 and 180 for complete blood count, automated reticulocyte count, indirect bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), haptoglobin, uric acid, and serum levels of VitC and VitE.
Overall, 83 patients were enrolled (44 vitamins, 39 placebo). The median (range) age was 27 (18–68) years, and 53 (64%) were female. There were no significant differences between the two groups as regards clinical complications of SCA or baseline laboratorial tests and serum vitC and vitE. Sixty percent of the patients were VitC deficient (30% with severe deficiency), 70% were VitE deficient (33% with severe deficiency) and 44% were deficient in both vitamins. Vitamin supplementation increased VitC from 27.2 to 62.6 μMol/L (p<0.0001) and VitE from 13.9 to 20.2 μMol/L (p<0.0001). No changes in vitC or vitE were observed in patients receiving placebo. No significant changes in hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume were observed in either group. However, patients receiving vitamin supplementation presented a significant increase in the median reticulocyte count (from 152 to 195 ×106/μL, p=0.01), LDH (from 396 to 425 U/L, p=0.018), indirect bilirubin (from 1.45 to 1.73 mg/dL, p<0.0001), and uric acid (from 4.75 to 5.15 mg/dL, p=0.02), and a decrease in the haptoglobin levels (from 3.95 to 3.45 mg/dL, p=0.06).
Supplementation with vitamins C and E did not improve anemia and, surprisingly, increased markers of hemolysis in patients with SCA and S-β-thalassemia. The exact mechanisms to explain our findings and their clinical significance remain to be determined.
No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Aim
A new implant system encompassing implants with a tri‐oval cross‐sectional design and a simplified site preparation protocol at low speed and no irrigation has been developed. The objective of ...this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the new implant system using the minipig intraoral dental implant model.
Methods
Eight Yucatan minipigs were included. Twelve weeks after extractions, four implants per animal were randomly placed and allowed to heal transmucosal for 13 weeks: two Ø3.5 × 10 mm implants with a back‐tapered collar and circular cross‐section (control) and two Ø3.5 × 11 mm implants with tri‐oval collar and cross‐section (test). MicroCT and histological analysis was performed.
Results
Thirty‐two implants were placed; one implant for the control group was lost. Histologically, BIC was higher in the test compared with the control group (74.1% vs. 60.9%, p < .001). At the platform level, inflammation was statistically significantly higher albeit mild in the test compared with the control group. No other significant differences were observed between groups. MicroCT analysis showed that bone‐to‐implant‐contact (BIC) and trabecular thickness were statistically significantly higher for the test than the control group. Test group had significantly higher first BIC distance than controls on lingual sites.
Conclusions
The present study results support the safety and efficacy of the new dental implant system and simplified site preparation protocol; human studies should be carried out to confirm these findings.
Artichoke wastes from the canning industry are rich in phenolic compounds, which can be used as food additives. This study aims to evaluate the potential of sequential process based on the use of ...ultrasound extraction and membrane technology for phenolic recovery. In the extraction step, solvent composition and ultrasound power were evaluated to understand their impact on phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The highest yields were observed for extracts with higher ethanol content (50 and 75%). Therefore, these extracts were selected for concentration by nanofiltration in a tangential module, using differents membranes (NF270, DK and DL). The flux decrease and the phenolic retention were evaluated. Hermia's models and membrane surface characterization were used to investigate the fouling. The highest flux was observed for extracts with 50% of ethanol with a retention of chlorogenic acid higher than 95%. DK membrane showed to be less susceptible to fouling, although the cake formation occurred in all evaluated membranes. The most suitable process condition to obtain the highest phenolic yields was extraction with 50% ethanol and an ultrasound power of 240 W and extracts nanofiltration using DK membrane.
•Ultrasound of 20 kHz was used to extract phenolics from artichoke waste (bracts).•Total phenols and chlorogenic acid were concentrated by nanofiltration.•Permeate fluxes and fouling were influenced by alcoholic content of extract.•Hermia's models and surface analyses identified the membrane more susceptible to fouling.•Membrane selection was done in terms of flux, fouling behavior and phenols retention.
To date, there is no compilation of evidence-based information associating bacteremia and periodontal procedures. This systematic review aims to assess magnitude, duration, prevalence and nature of ...bacteremia caused by periodontal procedures.
Systematic Review.
MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases were searched in duplicate through August, 2013 without language restriction. Observational studies were included if blood samples were collected before, during or after periodontal procedures of patients with periodontitis. The methodological quality was assessed in duplicate using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS).
Search strategy identified 509 potentially eligible articles and nine were included. Only four studies demonstrated high methodological quality, whereas five were of medium or low methodological quality. The study characteristics were considered too heterogeneous to conduct a meta-analysis. Among 219 analyzed patients, 106 (49.4%) had positive bacteremia. More frequent bacteria were S. viridans, A. actinomycetemcomitans P. gingivalis, M. micros and species Streptococcus and Actinomyces, although identification methods of microbiologic assays were different among studies.
Although half of the patients presented positive bacteremia after periodontal procedures, accurate results regarding the magnitude, duration and nature of bacteremia could not be confidentially assessed.
Objective
To assess the effects of periodontal treatment on endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease.
Materials and Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 69 ...patients with stable coronary disease and severe periodontitis. The test group received nonsurgical periodontal therapy consisting of personalized oral hygiene instructions, subgingival scaling, and root planing per quadrant, whereas the control group received equal treatment after the study period. Endothelial function was assessed by measurement of brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation, concentrations of sVCAM‐1, sICAM‐1, and P‐selectin in serum before and 3 months after periodontal therapy.
Results
The test group exhibited statistically better periodontal parameters—plaque, probing depth, periodontal attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. No significant improvements were observed in the control (1.37%) and test (1.39%) groups in flow‐mediated dilation, with no significant between‐group difference. sVCAM‐1 concentration increased in the control group (997.6 ± 384.4–1201.8 ± 412.5; p = 0.03), whereas in the test group, no significant changes were observed (915.1 ± 303.8–1050.3 ± 492.3; p = 0.17), resulting in a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.04). The same pattern was observed for concentrations of sICAM‐1.
Conclusion
Periodontal treatment did not provide better vasodilation in patients with coronary disease in a short‐term follow‐up period, although it maintained blood concentrations of markers of vascular inflammation.
Delayed wound healing is a devastating complication of diabetes and supplementation with fish oil, a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), seems ...an appealing treatment strategy. However, some studies have shown that ω-3 fatty acids may have a deleterious effect on skin repair and the effects of oral administration of EPA on wound healing in diabetes are unclear. We used streptozotocin-induced diabetes as a mouse model to investigate the effects of oral administration of an EPA-rich oil on wound closure and quality of new tissue formed. Gas chromatography analysis of serum and skin showed that EPA-rich oil increased the incorporation of ω-3 and decreased ω-6 fatty acids, resulting in reduction of the ω-6/ω-3 ratio. On the tenth day after wounding, EPA increased production of IL-10 by neutrophils in the wound, reduced collagen deposition, and ultimately delayed wound closure and impaired quality of the healed tissue. This effect was PPAR-γ-dependent. EPA and IL-10 reduced collagen production by fibroblasts
.
, topical PPAR-γ-blockade reversed the deleterious effects of EPA on wound closure and on collagen organization in diabetic mice. We also observed a reduction in IL-10 production by neutrophils in diabetic mice treated topically with the PPAR-γ blocker. These results show that oral supplementation with EPA-rich oil impairs skin wound healing in diabetes, acting on inflammatory and non-inflammatory cells.
Background
A newly developed dental implant system combining advancements in surface chemistry, topography, nanostructure, color, and surface energy aims to address biological challenges and expand ...clinical applications.
Purpose
To assess the short‐ and long‐term safety and efficacy of a novel, gradually anodized dental implant surface/anodized abutment.
Materials and Methods
Twenty‐four Yucatan mini pigs (20‐24 months old) received two dental implants in each jaw quadrant. Each site was randomized to receive either a commercially available anodized implant/machined abutment or a gradually anodized implant/anodized abutment with a protective layer. Animals were euthanized at 3, 6, and 13 weeks. Microcomputed tomography and histological analyses were performed.
Results
No significant histological differences in inflammation scores, epithelium length, bone‐to‐implant contact, or bone density were observed between groups for any healing time. Mucosal height was significantly higher at 3 weeks for controls (Δ = 0.2 mm); no differences were observed at 6 and 13 weeks. No significant differences in radiographic bone volume, bone‐to‐implant contact, trabecular thickness, and crestal bone levels were observed, irrespective of healing time. Trabecular spacing was borderline significant at 3 weeks in favor of the test implant sites; no differences were observed at 6 weeks. No significant differences were observed between experimental groups at 13 weeks.
Conclusions
The new implant system yielded results comparable to a commercially available predicate device.
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