Effect of carvacrol antioxidant capacity on oocyte maturation and embryo production in cattle.

Carvacrol (C10H14O), an efficient phenolic antioxidant substance for several cell types, may become a useful antioxidant for female germ cells and embryo culture. This study investigates the effects of carvacrol supplementation on bovine oocytes in in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryo production. In total, 1222 cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in TCM-199+ alone (control treatment) or supplemented with carvacrol at the concentrations of 3 µM (Carv-3), 12.5 µM (Carv-12.5), or 25 µM (Carv-25). After IVM, the oocytes were subjected to in vitro fertilization and embryo production, and the spent medium post-IVM was used for evaluating the levels of reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiozoline-6-sulphonic acid quantification). A greater (P < 0.05) antioxidant potential was observed in the spent medium of all carvacrol-treated groups compared with the control medium. Moreover, the addition of carvacrol to the maturation medium did not affect (P > 0.05) blastocyst production on days 7 and 10 of culture; however, the total number of cells per blastocyst was reduced (P < 0.05) in two carvacrol-treated groups (Carv-3 and Carv-25). In conclusion, carvacrol demonstrated a high antioxidant capacity in the spent medium after oocyte maturation; however, although embryo production was not affected, in general, carvacrol addition to IVM medium reduced the total number of cells per blastocyst. Therefore, due to the high antioxidant capacity of carvacrol, new experiments are warranted to investigate the beneficial effects of lower concentrations of carvacrol on embryo production in cattle and other species.

High-retention membrane bioreactors for sugarcane vinasse treatment: Opportunities for environmental impact reduction and wastewater valorization.

Ethanol production has increased over the years, and Brazil ranking second in the world using sugarcane as the main raw material. However, 10-15 L of vinasse are generated per liter of ethanol produced. Besides large volumes, this wastewater has high polluting potential due to its low pH and high concentrations of organic matter and nutrients. Given the high biodegradability of the organic matter, the treatment of this effluent by anaerobic digestion and membrane separation processes results in the generation of high value-added byproducts such as volatile fatty acids (VFAs), biohydrogen and biogas. Membrane bioreactors have been widely evaluated due to the high efficiency achieved in vinasse treatment. In recent years, high retention membrane bioreactors, in which high retention membranes (nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis and membrane distillation) are combined with biological processes, have gained increasing attention. This paper presents a critical review focused on high retention membrane bioreactors and the challenges associated with the proposed configurations. For nanofiltration membrane bioreactor (NF-MBR), the main drawback is the higher fouling propensity due to the hydraulic driving force. Nonetheless, the development of membranes with high permeability and anti-fouling properties is uprising. Regarding osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR), special attention is needed for the selection of a proper draw solution, which desirably should be low cost, have high osmolality, reduce reverse salt flux, and can be easily reconcentrated. Membrane distillation bioreactor (MDBR) also exhibit some shortcomings, with emphasis on energy demand, that can be solved with the use of low-grade and residual heat, or renewable energies. Among the configurations, MDBR seems to be more advantageous for sugarcane vinasse treatment due to the lower energy consumption provided by the use of waste heat from the effluent, and due to the VFAs recovery, which has high added value.

Improved Metal Cation Optosensing Membranes through the Incorporation of Sulphated Polysaccharides.

Optosensing chitosan-based membranes have been applied for the detection of heavy metals, especially in drinking water. The novelty of this study is based on the use of sulphated polysaccharides, in such optosensing membranes, aiming at an improved analytical performance. The sulphated polysaccharides, such as ulvan, fucoidan and chondroitin sulfate, were extracted from by-products and wastes of marine-related activities. The membranes were developed for the analysis of aluminum. The variation in the visible absorbance of the sensor membranes after the contact between the chromophore and the aluminum cation was studied. The membranes containing sulphated polysaccharides showed improved signals when compared to the chitosan-only membrane. As for the detection limits for the membranes containing ulvan, fucoidan and chondroitin sulfate, 0.17 mg L-1, 0.21 mg L-1 and 0.36 mg L-1 were obtained, respectively. The values were much lower than that obtained for the chitosan-only membrane, 0.52 mg L-1, which shows the improvement obtained from the sulphated polysaccharides. The results were obtained with the presence of CTAB in analysis solution, which forms a ternary complex with the aluminum cation and the chromophore. This resulted in an hyperchromic and batochromic shift in the absorption band. When in the presence of this surfactant, the membranes showed lower detection limits and higher selectivity.

Revisiting spontaneous Raman scattering for direct oxygen atom quantification.

In this Letter, the counterintuitive and largely unknown Raman activity of oxygen atoms is evaluated for its capacity to determine absolute densities in gases with significant O-density. The study involves ${\rm CO}_2$ microwave plasma to generate a self-calibrating mixture and establish accurate cross sections for the $^3{\!P_2}{\leftrightarrow ^3}{\!P_1}$ and $^3{\!P_2}{\leftrightarrow ^3}{\!P_0}$ transitions. The approach requires conservation of stoichiometry, confirmed within experimental uncertainty by a 1D fluid model. The measurements yield ${\sigma _{J = 2 \to 1}} = 5.27 \pm _{{\rm sys}:0.53}^{{\rm rand}:0.17} \times {10^{- 31}}\;{{\rm cm}^2}/{\rm sr}$ and ${\sigma _{J = 2 \to 0}} = 2.11 \pm _{{\rm sys}:0.21}^{{\rm rand}:0.06} \times {10^{- 31}}\;{{\rm cm}^2}/{\rm sr}$, and the detection limit is estimated to be $1 \times {10^{15}}\;{{\rm cm}^{- 3}}$ for systems without other scattering species.

Resource recovery from sugarcane vinasse by anaerobic digestion - A review.

The increase in biofuel production by 2030, driven by the targets set at the 21st United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), will promote an increase in ethanol production, and consequently more vinasse generation. Sugarcane vinasse, despite having a high polluting potential due to its high concentration of organic matter and nutrients, has the potential to produce value-added resources such as volatile fatty acids (VFA), biohydrogen (bioH2) and biomethane (bioCH4) from anaerobic digestion. The objective of this paper is to present a critical review on the vinasse treatment by anaerobic digestion focusing on the final products. Effects of operational parameters on production and recovery of these resources, such as pH, temperature, retention time and type of inoculum were addressed. Given the importance of treating sugarcane vinasse due to its complex composition and high volume generated in the ethanol production process, this is the first review that evaluates the production of VFAs, bioH2 and bioCH4 in the treatment of this organic residue. Also, the challenges of the simultaneous production of VFA, bioH2 and bioCH4 and resources recovery in the wastewater streams generated in flex-fuel plants, using sugarcane and corn as raw material in ethanol production, are presented. The installation of flex-fuel plants was briefly discussed, with the main impacts on the treatment process of these effluents either jointly or simultaneously, depending on the harvest season.

Is a calcium hydroxide liner necessary in the treatment of deep caries lesions? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the use of calcium hydroxide (CH) liner improves the clinical success in the treatment of deep caries lesions of primary and permanent teeth. The review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Only studies that evaluated deep carious lesions treated with and without a CH liner were included. The required outcomes had to be obtained by clinical, radiographic or laboratory evaluations. Statistical analyses were performed with the RevMan 5.2 program (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) for randomized clinical trials with at least 12 months of follow-up, using fixed-effect models at a significance level of P < 0.05. The literature search was performed in eight databases: PubMed (MEDLINE), Lilacs, IBECS, BBO, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO and The Cochrane Library. A total of 17 studies were included (15 in primary teeth, two in permanent teeth). The overall risk difference for CH versus adhesive system in primary teeth was 0.06 [95% CI -0.01 to 0.13], and the overall risk difference for CH versus GIC was 0.10 [95% CI -0.01 to 0.22], with no significant differences between materials. CH liner did not influence the clinical success of treatment for deep caries lesions of primary or permanent teeth. Although the present analysis demonstrated that use of CH liner in deep caries lesions was unnecessary, the evidence was of moderate to very low quality; thus, further well-designed, randomized and controlled clinical trials are necessary to provide stronger recommendations.

High frequency of genital carriers of Leptospira sp. in sheep slaughtered in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil.

Although some studies in sheep have indicated leptospire colonization of the genital tract, further studies are needed to clarify the role of genital carriers in this species. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the colonization of pathogenic leptospires in the genital and urinary tract of slaughtered sheep. Fifty-seven adult, female woolless sheep destined for slaughter were used. Renal (n = 57), bladder (n = 57), ovary (n = 34), uterine tube (n = 44), and uterus (n = 33) samples were collected for molecular detection of Leptospira sp. DNA, and blood samples (n = 57) for serological testing. The molecular testing was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the serological testing was performed using microscopic serum agglutination test (MAT). Samples with amplifying DNA were subjected to genetic sequencing. In total, leptospiral DNA was found in the tissues of 44 (77.2%) sheep, whereas only nine animals were positive on both PCR and MAT; there was slight agreement between PCR and MAT techniques (k = 0.0268; p = 0.684). In 61 (54.9%) genital tract and in five (4.4%) urinary tract samples, the leptospiral DNA was detected, with significant difference (p < 0.001). The genes of one sample from the uterine tube and another from the bladder were sequenced and demonstrated 99% similarity to Leptospira interrogans. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected in 11 (19.3%) of the tested animals. The results reinforce the importance of the genital tract as an extra-renal site of colonization, suggesting the possibility of venereal transmission in sheep.

Antidiabetic therapies and male reproductive function: where do we stand?

Diabetes mellitus has been increasing at alarming rates in recent years, thus jeopardizing human health worldwide. Several antidiabetic drugs have been introduced in the market to manage glycemic levels, and proven effective in avoiding, minimizing or preventing the appearance or development of diabetes mellitus-related complications. However, and despite the established association between such pathology and male reproductive dysfunction, the influence of these therapeutic interventions on such topics have been scarcely explored. Importantly, this pathology may contribute toward the global decline in male fertility, giving the increasing preponderance of diabetes mellitus in young men at their reproductive age. Therefore, it is mandatory that the reproductive health of diabetic individuals is maintained during the antidiabetic treatment. With this in mind, we have gathered the available information and made a critical analysis regarding the effects of several antidiabetic drugs on male reproductive function. Unlike insulin, which has a clear and fundamental role on male reproductive function, the other antidiabetic therapies' effects at this level seem incoherent. In fact, studies are highly controversial possibly due to the different experimental study approaches, which, in our opinion, suggests caution when it comes to prescribing such drugs to young diabetic patients. Overall, much is still to be determined and further studies are needed to clarify the safety of these antidiabetic strategies on male reproductive system. Aspects such as the effects of insulin levels variations, consequent of insulin therapy, as well as what will be the impact of the side effect hypoglycemia, common to several therapeutic strategies discussed, on the male reproductive system are still to be addressed.

Disclosing the physiology of pulp tissue for vital pulp therapy.

The discovery that dentine is a reservoir of bioactive molecules that can be recruited on demand has attracted efforts to develop new protocols and materials for vital pulp therapy (VPT). The noncollagenous proteins (NCPs) present in the dentine extracellular matrix (ECM) include growth factors (TGF-ß1, BMP-7, FGF-2, IGF-1 and IGF-2, NGF and GDNF), extracellular matrix molecules (DSP, DPP, BSP, DMP-1 and DSPP) and both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10). Molecules such as DSP and DPP are mainly expressed by odontoblasts, and they are cleaved products from dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP). Some molecules, such as TGF-ß1, specifically interact with decorin/biglycan in dentine. Although TGF-ß1 increases the expression and secretion of NGF in human pulp cells, NGF induces mineralization and increases the expression of DSPP and DMP-1. Furthermore, GDNF may act as a cell survival factor and mitogen during tooth injury and repair. Pulp capping materials, such as MTA and calcium hydroxide, can solubilize bioactive dentine molecules (TGF-ß1, NGF and GDNF) that stimulate tertiary dentinogenesis. The binding of these signalling molecules leads to activation of several signalling transduction pathways involved in dentinogenesis, odontoblast differentiation and inflammatory responses, such as the p38 MAPK, NF-kß and Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathways. Understanding the cascade of cellular and molecular events underlying the repair and regeneration processes provides a reasonable new approach to VPT through a targeted interaction between tooth tissue and bioactive molecules.

Efficacy of antimicrobial agents incorporated in orthodontic bonding systems: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of orthodontic bonding systems containing different antimicrobial agents, as well as the influence of antimicrobial agent incorporation in the bonding properties of these materials. METHODS: Eight databases were searched: PubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, Ibecs, BBO, Scielo and Google Scholar. Any study that evaluated antimicrobial activity in experimental or commercial orthodontic bonding systems was included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were tabulated independently and in duplicated by two authors on pre-designed data collection form. DATA SYNTHESIS: The global analysis was carried out using a random-effects model, and pooled-effect estimates were obtained by comparing the standardised mean difference of each antimicrobial orthodontic adhesive with the respective control group. A p-value < .05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were included in the qualitative analysis; of these, 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Antimicrobial agents such as silver nanoparticles, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, triclosan, cetylpyridinium chloride, Galla chinensis extract, acid ursolic, dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate, dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, 1,3,5-triacryloylhexahydro-1,3,5-triazine, zinc oxide and titanium oxide have been incorporated into orthodontic bonding systems. The antimicrobial agent incorporation in orthodontic bonding systems showed higher antimicrobial activity than the control group in agar diffusion (overall standardised mean difference: 3.71; 95% CI 2.98 to 4.43) and optical density tests (0.41; 95% CI -0.05 to 0.86) (p < .05). However, for biofilm, the materials did not present antimicrobial activity (6.78; 95% CI 4.78 to 8.77). Regarding bond strength, the global analysis showed antimicrobial orthodontic bonding systems were statistically similar to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is evidence of antibacterial activity from in vitro studies, clinical and long-term studies are still necessary to confirm the effectiveness of antibacterial orthodontic bonding systems in preventing caries disease.

Medical Adjuvant Treatment to Improve the Patency of Arteriovenous Fistulae and Grafts: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many patients using haemodialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) require arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) or grafts. Patency can be variable, and this systematic review aimed to determine the effects of adjuvant drug treatment on the patency of AVFs and grafts. METHODS: The Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group searched the Specialised Register and CENTRAL for all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of active drug versus placebo on patency. The primary outcome was fistula or graft patency rate. The odds ratio (OR) was used as the measure of effect for each outcome. If several trials assessed the same adjuvant therapy then a meta-analysis was conducted using a Mantel-Haenszel model. RESULTS: Fifteen trials were deemed suitable for inclusion, investigating nine drug treatments in 2,230 participants. Overall, the quality of evidence was low. Three trials compared ticlopidine (a platelet aggregation inhibitor) versus placebo and favoured active treatment (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.82; p = .009). Three RCTs assessed aspirin versus placebo and did not show a statistical benefit (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.07-2.25; p = .30). Two trials compared clopidogrel with placebo. The overall result did not favour treatment (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.19; p = .10). Three trials evaluated human type-I pancreatic elastase but did not provide evidence of improved patency (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.42-1.32; p = .31). Finally, two RCTs assessed fish oil and did not favour treatment (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.03-1.95; p = .18). Single trials comparing dipyridamole alone, dipyridamole plus aspirin, and sulfinpyrazone against placebo favoured active treatment but a meta-analysis could not be undertaken. Finally, a single trial of warfarin versus placebo found warfarin resulted in increased complications and worse patency rates. CONCLUSION: This systematic review has not demonstrated a beneficial effect for any adjuvant treatment to increase the patency of AVF or grafts in the short term, except ticlopidine which has been taken off the market.

6-Dimethylaminopurine and cyclohexamide are mutagenic and alter reproductive performance and intrauterine development in vivo.

The compounds 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) and cyclohexamide (CHX) are currently used to stimulate the development of embryos produced by nuclear transfer in the production of cloned mammals with a great deal success. This study investigated the effects of 6-DMAP and CHX in vivo using biological assays to evaluate reproductive performance in females, teratogenesis, and mutagenesis. The results of this study demonstrated that the activating agents of oocyte cytoplasm, 6-DMAP and CHX, altered the reproductive performance of the experimental animals, as well as increased the rate malformations. In addition to these adverse effects, the administration of these compounds in pregnant females resulted in genotoxic and mutagenic toxicity, as determined by comet and micronucleus assays carried out in peripheral blood samples, respectively. Based on these findings and that alterations in DNA are important, morpho-functional teratogenesis and diminished embryonic viability, suggesting that 6-DMAP and CHX, which are utilized during the cloning of mammals, are responsible for the fact that embryos produced by nuclear transfer show low viability after implantation in utero or after birth because of congenital malformations and/or alterations in their DNA.

Evaluation of the genotoxic activity of ethanol extract and secondary metabolites isolated from Aiouea trinervis Meisn. (Lauraceae).

Aiouea trinervis Meisn. is a shrub that grows in the "Cerrado" (a savanna ecosystem) of Brazil. In this study, fractionation of ethanol extracts (EEs) from the leaves of A. trinervis led to the isolation of butanolides, namely isoobtusilactone A and obtusilactone A, as well as lignans, namely sesamin, methylpiperitol, and polyprenol-12. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The genotoxic properties were evaluated for mutagenic and recombinogenic effects using the wing spot test (somatic mutation and recombination test, SMART) on Drosophila melanogaster. The standard and high bioactivation crosses were used. The latter cross is characterized by high sensitivity to promutagens and procarcinogens. EEs were evaluated at concentrations of 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL. Butanolides (isoobtusilactone A and obtusilactone A) were evaluated at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mg/mL. The results observed in both crosses were similar and indicated that EEs from the leaves of A. trinervis did not show genotoxicity at the doses that were used. However, the individuals resulting from standard and high bioactivation crosses that were treated with isoobtusilactone A and obtusilactone A showed statistically significant increases in mutant spots compared to those that were obtained in the negative control. Similar results were obtained between standard and high bioactivation crosses, indicating that butanolides had a genotoxic activity.

A 10-week play-based after-school program to improve coordinative abilities and physical fitness capabilities among adolescents: a randomized trial.

The average levels of physical activity in children are below the ideal, which may influence children's health and motor competence levels. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of a 10-week play-based after-school program on 50 twelve-year-old students' anthropometric characteristics (body height and body weight), coordinative abilities (flamingo balance test and T-test agility), and physical fitness (sit and reach, 20-m sprint test, SLJ, CMJ, and handgrip). After baseline assessments, the students were randomly divided into two groups: one participating in a play-based after-school program (experimental group) and the other attending regular PE classes (control group). No differences were noted between the sexes. Analysis revealed baseline differences between groups in body weight, agility T-test, and right-handgrip, with no significant sex differences. Following the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated improvements in the 20-m sprint test (F(1,46) = 11.03, p < 0.01), flamingo balance test (F(1,46) = 9.16, p = 0.004), SLJ (F(1,46) = 5.30, p = 0.03), agility T-test (F(1,46) = 28.30, p < 0.01), and right-handgrip (F(1,46) = 6.59, p < 0.01). In summary, the results suggested that a 10-week play-based after-school program enhances coordinative abilities and physical fitness in 12-year-old children. This underscores the potential advantages of integrating play-based physical activities into schools to promote holistic health and fitness in children.

Cognitive Training with Older Adults Using Smartphone and Web-Based Applications: A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: The present scoping review focused on: i) which apps were previously studied; ii) what is the most common frequency for implementing cognitive training; and iii) what cognitive functions the interventions most focus on. METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the search was conducted on Web of Science, PsycInfo, Cochrane, and Pubmed. From 1733 studies found, 34 were included. RESULTS: it was highlighted the necessity for forthcoming investigations to tackle the methodical restrictions and disparities in the domain. DISCUSSION: great diversity in intervention protocols was found. Incorporating evaluations of physical fitness in conjunction with cognitive evaluations can offer a more all-encompassing comprehension of the impacts of combined interventions. Furthermore, exploring the efficacy of cognitive training applications requires additional scrutiny, considering individual variances and practical outcomes in real-life settings.

Anethole supplementation during in vitro maturation increases in vitro goat embryo production in a concentration-dependent manner.

During in vitro maturation (IVM) cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are exposed to conditions that can trigger oxidative stress, thus, reducing oocyte maturation and viability. Aiming to mitigate these detrimental conditions, the effects of IVM medium supplementation with anethole have been tested. Anethole, also known as trans-anethole (1-methoxy-4 [1-propenyl]-benzene), is a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid with various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant effects. However, no study has examined anethole effect on goat COCs during IVM. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different anethole concentrations on oocyte maturation, oxidative stress, and in vitro development of caprine embryos after parthenogenetic activation. Goat COCs were selected and randomly distributed into the following treatments: TCM-199+ medium (control), or TCM-199+ medium supplemented with 30 µg/mL (AN30); 300 µg/mL (AN300) or 2000 µg/mL (AN2000) of anethole. After IVM, part of the COCs was chosen for oocyte viability and chromatin configuration, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential assessment. Another part of COCs was parthenogenetically activated, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 7 days. Results demonstrated that anethole at 30 µg/mL increased oocyte maturation and cleavage rates when compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05), as well as oocyte viability and in vitro embryo production when compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, treatment with anethole at 2000 µg/mL decreased oocyte nuclear maturation and cleavage rates when compared to other treatments (P < 0.05) and embryo production if compared to control and AN30 treatments (P < 0.05). Moreover, anethole at 2000 µg/mL increased mitochondrial membrane potential when compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). In conclusion, anethole exerts a concentration-dependent effect during goat COCs IVM. For a more desirable outcome of oocyte viability and maturation, and in vitro embryo production, the use of anethole at 30 µg/mL is recommended.

Pre-treatment with glutamine reduces genetic damage due to cancer treatment with cisplatin.

Cisplatin is an effective antineoplastic drug. However, it provokes considerable collateral effects, including genotoxic and clastogenic activity. It has been reported that a diet rich in glutamine can help inhibit such collateral effects. We evaluated this activity in 40 Swiss mice, distributed into eight experimental groups: G1 - Control group (PBS 0.1 mL/10 g body weight); G2 - cisplatin group (cisplatin 6 mg/kg intraperitoneally); G3, G4, G5 - glutamine groups (glutamine at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, respectively; orally); G6, G7, G8 - Pre-treatment groups (glutamine at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, respectively; orally and cisplatin 6 mg/kg intraperitonially). For the micronucleus assay, samples of blood were collected (before the first use of the drugs at T0, then 24 (T1) and 48 (T2) hours after the first administration). For the comet assay, blood samples were collected only at T2. The damage reduction percentages for the micronucleus assay were 90.0, 47.3, and 37.3% at T1 and 46.0, 38.6, and 34.7% at T2, for G6, G7, and G8 groups, respectively. For the comet assay, the damage reduction percentages were 113.0, 117.4, and 115.0% for G6, G7, and G8, respectively. We conclude that glutamine is able to prevent genotoxic and clastogenic damages caused by cisplatin.

Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of sheep slaughtered for human consumption in a highly endemic area for toxoplasmosis in Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii infects warm-blooded animals, including humans, and the ingestion of undercooked meat of infected animals is an important source of infection. We investigated the presence of T. gondii by PCR and histopathology in tissues of 25 seropositive sheep slaughtered for human consumption in Rio de Janeiro and assessed the suitability of different tissues for molecular detection of the parasite. The animals were first screened for T. gondii antibodies by MAT (Modified Agglutination Test), and tissues of seropositive sheep (brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and diaphragm) were subjected to molecular and histological examination. A nested-PCR targeting the P43 gene of T. gondii was performed, and kappa Coefficient was used to assess PCR results among tissues. DNA of the parasite was detected in 60 % (9 of 15) of the animals. and tissue pairs of lungs/heart, lungs/diaphragm or heart/diaphragm had substantial agreement with the global status of the animals. The combination between these three tissues leads to an almost perfect agreement with global status results. Sheep slaughtered for human consumption in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are infected with T. gondii, and pairs of fragments of lungs and heart, lungs and diaphragm or heart and diaphragm could be used for molecular identification of T. gondii in sheep with substantial agreement with the global status of the animals.

Characterization of Contemporary Conventional, Bulk-fill, and Self-adhesive Resin Composite Materials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physical and biological properties of different types of flowable resin composites and their bonding ability to dentin, comparing the performance of self-adhesive and bulk-fill materials with a conventional control. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Four flowable resin composites were tested: two self-adhesive (Y-flow [SA_YF]; and Dyad Flow [SA_DF]); one bulk-fill (Filtek Bulk Fill Flow [BF]); and one conventional composite (Opallis Flow [OF]). The microshear bond strength (µSBS) to dentin (bovine samples) was investigated at 24 hours and 6 months of storage. The materials were also characterized by degree of conversion, cross-link density, water contact angle, color stability, and cell viability (ISO 10993-5/2009) analyses. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance and Tukey tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: The µSBS values were higher for control specimens at 24 hours, whereas the resin-dentin bonds were similarly distributed among the groups after aging. Adhesive failure was the most frequent pattern observed at both time intervals. SA_YF was the only material that increased the bond strength over time. Degree of conversion increased in the following order: SA_YF (28.6±1.4%) < BF (49.7±0.8%) < OF (60.0±2.0%) = SA_DF (63.6±2.3%). Cross-link density was similar among all materials. The self-adhesive composites were more hydrophilic than the other types, with BF showing the lowest water contact angle and the greatest color alteration. All resin composites had a biocompatible behavior. CONCLUSION: Chemical composition appeared to be an influential factor affecting the physico-mechanical and biological behavior of the materials tested.

Eugenol Improves Follicular Survival and Development During in vitro Culture of Goat Ovarian Tissue.

This study evaluated the effects of different concentrations (10, 20, or 40 µM) of eugenol (EUG 10, EUG 20, or EUG 40), ascorbic acid (50 µg/mL; AA) or anethole (300 µg/mL; ANE 300) on the in-vitro survival and development of goat preantral follicles and oxidative stress in the cultured ovarian tissue. Ovarian fragments from five goats were cultured for 1 or 7 days in Alpha Minimum Essential Medium (α-MEM+) supplemented or not with AA, ANE 300, EUG 10, EUG 20 or EUG 40. On day 7 of culture, when compared to MEM, the addition of EUG 40 had increased the rate of follicular development, as observed by a decrease in the proportion of primordial follicles alongside with an increase in the rate of normally developing follicles. Furthermore, EUG 40 significantly increased both follicular and oocyte diameters. Subsequently, ovarian fragments from three goats were cultured for 1 or 7 days in α-MEM+ supplemented or not with AA, ANE 300 or EUG 40. All tested antioxidants, except ANE 300, were able to significantly decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species in the ovarian tissue, but EUG 40 could most efficiently neutralize free radicals. All ovarian tissues cultured in the presence of antioxidants, especially EUG 40, presented a significant decrease in H3K4me3 labeling, indicating a silencing of genes that play a role in the inhibition of follicular activation and apoptosis induction. When compared to cultured control tissues, both EUG 40 and ANE 300 significantly increased the intensity of calreticulin labeling in growing follicles. The mRNA relative expression of ERP29 and KDM3A was significantly increased when the culture medium was supplemented with EUG 40, indicating a response to ER stress experienced during culture. In conclusion, EUG 40 improved in-vitro follicle survival, activation and development and decreased ROS production, ER stress and histone lysine methylation in goat ovarian tissue.