Assessing the efficacy of gutiferone E in photodynamic therapy for oral candidiasis.

The rise in antifungal resistance and side effects of conventional treatments drive the search for innovative therapies like Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). This study explored the efficacy of PDT mediated by gutiferone, an isolated compound from red propolis, for candidiasis treatment. Multiple evaluation methods were employed, including determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) via broth microdilution, quantifying biomass using crystal violet detachment, and cell counting through total plate count. PDT mediated by gutiferone was also assessed in five groups of mice, followed by histopathological examination and agar plating of lingual tissue samples. Among the seven Candida species tested, gutiferone displayed efficacy against C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis, with MIC values of 1000 µg/mL. In C. tropicalis biofilms, exposure to gutiferone led to a reduction of 1.61 Log10 CFU/mL. PDT mediated by gutiferone achieved an average reduction of 3.68 Log10 CFU/mL in C. tropicalis biofilm cells, underscoring its potent fungicidal activity. Histopathological analysis revealed fungal structures, such as pseudohyphae and hyphae, in infected groups (G2) and irradiated mice. In contrast, groups treated with gutiferone or subjected to gutiferone-assisted PDT (G5) exhibited only few blastoconidia. Furthermore, CFU/mL assessments in lingual tissue post-treatment demonstrated a significantly lower count (0.30 Log10 CFU/mL) in the G5 group compared to G2 (2.43 Log10 CFU/mL). These findings highlight the potential of PDT mediated by gutiferone as a promising alternative for managing denture stomatitis. Future research and clinical investigations offer the promise of validating its clinical applicability and improving outcomes in the treatment of oral candidiasis.

In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of BACCHARIN from BRAZILIAN green PROPOLIS.

Baccharin is one of the major compounds found in Brazilian green propolis and its botanical source, Baccharis dracunculifolia. Considering the biological effects of propolis and B. dracunculifolia, this study aims to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of baccharin. The neurodepressor potential was performed by the open field test, analgesia by mechanical stimulation with Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer, and by thermal stimulation with Hargreaves apparatus. In addition, the anti-inflammatory potential was achieved by the paw edema assay, histopathological evaluation, and NF-kB expression. Doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of baccharin were evaluated. After euthanasia, plantar tissue was collected and prepared for histology. As a result, analgesic activity was observed at a dose of 10 mg/kg of baccharin in thermal stimulation under an inflammatory process and anti-inflammatory potential at a dose of 5 mg/kg of baccharin from the second hour in the paw edema test. A decrease in cellular infiltrate and down-modulation of NF-kB, besides the reduction of edema in the histopathology was observed. There was no evidence of kidney and liver toxicity and neurodepressive potential at the doses tested. Thus, baccharin has a promising anti-inflammatory effect possibly associated with antiedematogenic activity by inhibiting mediators such as prostaglandins, inhibiting the migration of polymorphonuclear cells, and modulating NF-kB expression.

Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride as promising active ingredient for oral antiseptic products to eliminate microorganisms threatening the health of endangered wild cats: a comparative study with chlorhexidine digluconate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of polyhexamethylene hydrochloride guanidine (PHMGH) compared to chlorhexidine digluconate (CLX) for use as an oral antiseptic during dental procedures in wild cats. This research is crucial due to limited information on the diversity of oral microorganisms in wild cats and the detrimental local and systemic effects of oral diseases, which highlights the importance of improving prevention and treatment strategies. Samples were collected from the oral cavities of four Puma concolor, one Panthera onca, and one Panthera leo, and the number of colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) was counted and semi-automatically identified. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates was determined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill kinetics of PHMGH and CLX. A total of 16 bacterial isolates were identified, consisting of six Gram-positive and 10 Gram-negative. PHMGH displayed MIC and MBC from 0.24 to 125.00 µg/mL, lower than those of CLX against three isolates. Time-kill kinetics showed that PHMGH reduced the microbial load by over 90% for all microorganisms within 30 min, whereas CLX did not. Only two Gram-positive isolates exposed to the polymer showed incomplete elimination after 60 min of contact. The results could aid in the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for oral diseases in large felids. PHMGH showed promising potential at low concentrations and short contact times compared to the commercial product CLX, making it a possible active ingredient in oral antiseptic products for veterinary use in the future.

Comparison of radiographic methods for detecting radiolucent uroliths in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare positive cystography techniques at 5%, 10%, and 20%, as well as three different double-contrast protocols for detecting radiolucent uroliths with a diameter of less than 3.0 mm in dogs. Six cadavers were used, one was selected at random to represent the negative control, and the others were submitted to urolith implantation in the bladder by urethral catheter. Three radiology professionals blindly accessed ventrodorsal and -lateral projections of each test. Contrast at 20% showed greater diagnostic sensitivity, but with greater difficulty identifying the number and size of the uroliths. Consequently, double-contrast techniques are better and should be used for diagnostic and therapeutic planning. Sensitivity and specificity tests demonstrated that positive 5% cystography and different concentrations of double contrast obtained better results in terms of sensitivity and specificity. However, due to the presence of a greater amount of artifacts in the 5% cystography, it is suggested that double contrast is used for this purpose, especially with the removal of contrast excess (protocol 2).

A study on the morphoquantitative and cytological characteristics of the bulbar conjunctiva of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus; Illiger, 1815).

The maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, is a near-threatened carnivore inhabiting the Brazilian Cerrado. Few studies have been conducted on this species, and even fewer have explored its ophthalmological characteristics. Vision is critical to wild canids; thus, this study aimed to provide a morphoquantitative description of the bulbar conjunctiva of the maned wolf using cytological and histological analyses. Ten healthy maned wolves from a conservational centre, including 4 females and 6 males aged 1-12 years (6.5 ± 2.8), were included in the study. The samples for cytological analysis were collected from the inferior conjunctival sac using a cytobrush, and conjunctival tissue was collected for histological analysis from the temporal canthus zone. The cytological samples were stained using the Papanicolaou method, and the histological sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin, Periodic acid-Schiff, picrosirius red and Masson's trichrome stains. The cytological samples were studied for stain quality, and the different cell types were counted. Histological examination was used to determine tissue types in the conjunctiva and their proportions. Analyses revealed a stratified squamous epithelium with some goblet cells and eventual pigmentation in the basal layer. Loose connective tissue with the presence of some mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells was also observed. The epithelium of the maned wolf's bulbar conjunctiva resembles that of dogs and other carnivore species; furthermore, its physiological and pathological responses were similar to those of other carnivore species.