Geraniol Potentiates the Effect of Fluconazole against Planktonic and Sessile Cells of Azole-Resistant Candida tropicalis: In Vitro and In Vivo Analyses.

Candida tropicalis is regarded as an opportunistic pathogen, causing diseases ranging from superficial infections to life-threatening disseminated infections. The ability of this yeast to form biofilms and develop resistance to antifungals represents a significant therapeutic challenge. Herein, the effect of geraniol (GER), alone and combined with fluconazole (FLZ), was evaluated in the planktonic and sessile cells of azole-resistant C. tropicalis. GER showed a time-dependent fungicidal effect on the planktonic cells, impairing the cell membrane integrity. Additionally, GER inhibited the rhodamine 6G efflux, and the molecular docking analyzes supported the binding affinity of GER to the C. tropicalis Cdr1 protein. GER exhibited a synergism with FLZ against the planktonic and sessile cells, inhibiting the adhesion of the yeast cells and the viability of the 48-h biofilms formed on abiotic surfaces. C. tropicalis biofilms treated with GER, alone or combined with FLZ, displayed morphological and ultrastructural alterations, including a decrease in the stacking layers and the presence of wilted cells. Moreover, neither GER alone nor combined with FLZ caused toxicity, and both treatments prolonged the survival of the Galleria mellonella larvae infected with azole-resistant C. tropicalis. These findings indicate that the combination of GER and FLZ may be a promising strategy to control azole-resistant C. tropicalis infections.

Toxicological findings about an anticancer fraction with casearins described by traditional and alternative techniques as support to the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Extracts, essential oils and molecules from Casearia sylvestris have popularly shown pharmacological actions against chronic diseases, as anxiety, inflammation, cancer and dyslipidemia. In the context of antitumoral therapy, we investigated in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo toxicological changes induced by a Fraction with Casearins (FC) and its component Casearin X isolated from C. sylvestris on animal and vegetal cells, and upon invertebrates and mammals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity was carried out using normal lines and absorbance and flow cytometry techniques, Artemia salina nauplii, Danio rerio embryos and meristematic cells from Allium cepa roots. Acute and 30 days-mice analysis were done by behavioral, hematological and histological investigations and DNA/chromosomal damages detected by alkaline Cometa and micronucleus assays. RESULTS: FC was cytotoxic against lung and fibroblasts cells and caused DNA breaks, loss of integrity and mitochondrial depolarization on ex vivo human leukocytes. It revealed 24 h-LC50 values of 48.8 and 36.7 µg/mL on A. salina nauplii and D. rerio embryos, reduced mitotic index of A. cepa roots, leading to cell cycle arrest at metaphase and anaphase and micronuclei. FC showed i.p. and oral LD50 values of 80.9 and 267.1 mg/kg body weight. Subacute i.p. injections induced loss of weight, swelling of hepatocytes and tubules, tubular and glomerular hemorrhage, microvesicular steatosis, lung inflammatory infiltration, augment of GPT, decrease of albumin, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, erythrocytes, and lymphocytes, and neutrophilia (p > 0.05). FC-treated animals at 10 mg/kg/day i.p. caused micronuclei in bone marrow and DNA strand breaks in peripheral leukocytes. CONCLUSIONS: This research postulated suggestive side effects after use of FC-related drugs, demonstrating FC as antiproliferative and genotoxic on mammal and meristematic cells, including human leukocytes, teratogenicity upon zebrafish embryos, myelosuppression, clastogenicity, and morphological and biochemical markers indicating liver as main target for FC-induced systemic toxicity.

Oral Hygiene of Patients with Cancer in the Intensive Care Unit / Higiene Bucal de Pacientes com Câncer em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva

Dental care in Intensive Care Units - ICU, plays an important role in maintaining the health and well-being of critically ill patients. Although infection is a frequent manifestation in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients, the risk of infection by the oral cavity should also be considered. The immune response of this patient may be compromised, and consequently latent infections may intensify. The mouth is considered an ideal microbial incubator because of its characteristic of pH, presence of nutrients and hard surfaces. The relationship between periodontal disease and systemic conditions, including lung infections, is being explored. This study had the purpose of evaluating the odontology conditions in hospitalized patients with cancer in an intensive care unit at the Cancer Hospital of Londrina - Paraná, Brasil, quantifying the oral microbiota and evaluating bacterial resistance. Inclusion criteria involved critical patients of both sexes, two male and two female, ranging from 40 to 80 years old, submitted to mechanical endotracheal breathing. The presence of visible biofilm and xerostomia were the most prevalent. The results obtained are three patients who presented Klebsiella pneumoniae producer of Carbapenemase, due to the oral hygiene deficiency in patients hospitalized in the ICU, which are responsible for major systemic complications, increasing hospitalization time.(AU).

O atendimento odontológico nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva - UTI, tem papel importante na manutenção da saúde e bem-estar dos pacientes criticamente doentes. Embora a infecção seja uma manifestação frequente em pacientes de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), o risco de infecção pela cavidade bucal também deve ser considerado. A resposta imune desse paciente pode ser comprometida e consequentemente infecções latentes podem intensificar. A boca é considerada uma incubadora microbiana ideal devido à sua característica de pH, presença de nutrientes e superfícies duras. A relação entre doença periodontal e condições sistêmicas, incluindo infecções pulmonares, está sendo explorada. Este estudo teve a finalidade de avaliar as condições odontológicas em pacientes com câncer internados em unidade de terapia intensiva do Hospital do Câncer de Londrina estado do Paraná, Brasil, quantificando a microbiota bucal e avaliando a resistência bacteriana. Os critérios de Inclusão envolveram pacientes críticos de ambos sexos, dois masculinos e dois femininos com idade variando dos 40 aos 80 anos, submetidos à respiração mecânica endotraqueal. A presença de biofilme visível e xerostomia foram a alteração mais prevalente. Nos resultados obtidos encontrou-se três pacientes que apresentaram Klebsiella pneumoniae produtoras de Carbapenemase, pela deficiência de higienização bucal nos pacientes internados na UTI, que são responsáveis por grandes complicações sistêmicas, aumentando o tempo de internamento.(AU).

Métodos alternativos para a detecção de pirogênios em produtos e ambientes sujeitos a Vigilância Sanitária: avanços e perspectivas no Brasil a partir do reconhecimento internacional do Teste de Ativação de Monócitos / Alternative methods for the detection of pyrogens in products and environment subject to public health surveillance: advances and perspectives in Brazil based on the international recognition of the Monocyte Activation Test

Introduction: The detection of pyrogens is essential for the quality control of injectable products. The Rabbit Pyrogen Test remains widely used, despite the existence of alternative methods such as the Monocyte Activation Test (MAT). Objective: To review the use of alternative methods for pyrogen testing, pointing out advances and perspectives from the recognition of MAT by the European pharmacopoeia and its acceptance for regulatory purposes in Brazil. Method: A search was performed on the PubMed and BVS databases, with further classification, categorization by topic and critical analysis of the results. Results: Twenty-four papers were identified, addressing topics such as applications of MAT, its validation and comparisons with in vivo tests. MAT presented better results when compared to other tests, both in the evaluation of biological products and in the detection of non-endotoxin pyrogens. Limitations to diffusion include difficulties in obtaining whole human blood as a source of monocytes, for which several alternatives have been proposed. Conclusions: MAT is a promising method, with application in safety evaluation of new technologies. Its application in Brazil depends on a national implementation policy, which might include greater integration between BraCVAM, Concea and RENAMA in search for its recognition for regulatory purposes.

Introdução: A detecção de pirogênios é imprescindível no controle da qualidade de produtos injetáveis. O Teste de Pirogênio em coelhos ainda tem larga aplicação, apesar da existência de métodos alternativos como o Teste de Ativação de Monócitos (MAT). Objetivo: Revisar o uso dos métodos alternativos no teste de pirogênio, apontando avanços e perspectivas a partir do reconhecimento do MAT pela Farmacopeia Europeia e sua aceitação para fins regulatórios no Brasil. Método: Uma busca foi realizada nas bases PubMed e BVS, com posterior classificação, categorização por assuntos e análise crítica dos resultados. Resultados: Foram identificados 24 trabalhos, abordando temas como as aplicações do MAT, sua validação e comparação com testes in vivo. O MAT apresentou melhores resultados quando comparado a outros testes, tanto na avaliação de produtos biológicos como na detecção de pirogênios não-endotoxinas. Limitações para sua difusão incluem a dificuldade de obtenção de sangue total humano como fonte de monócitos, para o qual diversas alternativas têm sido propostas. Conclusões: O MAT se mostra um método promissor, com aplicação na avaliação da segurança de novas tecnologias. Sua aplicação no Brasil depende de uma política nacional de implantação, que inclua maior Integração entre BraCVAM, Concea e RENAMA na busca por seu reconhecimento para fins regulatórios.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Remineralizing Potential and Antimicrobial Activity of a Cariostatic Agent with Silver Nanoparticles.

Cariostatic treatment has been shown to successfully arrest caries. However, it blackens the carious tooth structure. This study evaluated the effects of an experimental cariostatic agent with silver nanoparticles (Ag-Nano) using microhardness (MH) and microbiological tests. The cariostatic agents tested were: Saforide®, Cariestop®, Ancarie® and Ag-Nano. Sixty-six samples from deciduous enamel were submitted to initial (after pH cycling to obtain initial caries-like lesion) and final (after cariostatic application) MH testing and %MH values were calculated. After longitudinal sectioning, internal (I) MH was evaluated. Strains of Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis in brain-heart infusion culture were treated with the cariostatic agents. Agar diffusion tests (ADTs) were performed and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined. The statistical tests used were: Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn (%MD; ADT; MIC) and ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (I-MH) (p<0.05). The %MH of Saforide® was significantly greater than that of Ag-Nano (p<0.05). Internal MH showed progressive improvement in the enamel remineralization for all cariostatic tested. In ADTs showed greater inhibition of S. mutans, E. faecalis, and E. coli by Saforide® than by Ancarie® and Ag-Nano. Ag-Nano was able to inhibit 100% microorganism growth at a lower concentration than required for the other agents. It was concluded that Ag-Nano treatment promoted remineralization of deciduous tooth enamel with initial caries-like lesion and bactericidal activity.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Remineralizing Potential and Antimicrobial Activity of a Cariostatic Agent with Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract Cariostatic treatment has been shown to successfully arrest caries. However, it blackens the carious tooth structure. This study evaluated the effects of an experimental cariostatic agent with silver nanoparticles (Ag-Nano) using microhardness (MH) and microbiological tests. The cariostatic agents tested were: Saforide®, Cariestop®, Ancarie® and Ag-Nano. Sixty-six samples from deciduous enamel were submitted to initial (after pH cycling to obtain initial caries-like lesion) and final (after cariostatic application) MH testing and %MH values were calculated. After longitudinal sectioning, internal (I) MH was evaluated. Strains of Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis in brain-heart infusion culture were treated with the cariostatic agents. Agar diffusion tests (ADTs) were performed and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined. The statistical tests used were: Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn (%MD; ADT; MIC) and ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (I-MH) (p<0.05). The %MH of Saforide® was significantly greater than that of Ag-Nano (p<0.05). Internal MH showed progressive improvement in the enamel remineralization for all cariostatic tested. In ADTs showed greater inhibition of S. mutans, E. faecalis, and E. coli by Saforide® than by Ancarie® and Ag-Nano. Ag-Nano was able to inhibit 100% microorganism growth at a lower concentration than required for the other agents. It was concluded that Ag-Nano treatment promoted remineralization of deciduous tooth enamel with initial caries-like lesion and bactericidal activity.

Resumo O tratamento com cariostático tem demostrado sucesso na paralização da cárie. No entanto, causa escurecimento da estrutura dental cariada. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos de um agente cariostático experimental com nanopartículas de prata (Ag-Nano) através de microdureza (MD) e testes microbiológicos. Os cariostáticos testados foram: Saforide®, Cariestop®, Ancarie® e Ag-Nano. Sessenta e seis amostras de esmalte decíduo foram submetidos a MD inicial (após ciclagem de pH para obtenção da lesão de cárie inicial) e final (após aplicação dos cariostáticos), e os valores da porcentagem (%) de MD foram calculados. Após secção longitudinal, a MD interna (I) foi avaliada. Cepas de Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli e E. faecalis foram cultivados em ágar infusão de cérebro e coração (BHI) e submetidos aos cariostáticos testados. Além disso, foram realizados teste de difusão em ágar (TDA) e avaliação da concentração mínima inibitória (CIM) dos cariostáticos. Os testes estatísticos usados foram: Kruskall-Wallis e Dunn (%MD; TDA; CIM) e ANOVA seguido de teste de Tukey (MD-I) (p<0.05). A %MD do Saforide® foi significativamente maior do que a de Ag-Nano (p<0,05). A MD interna apresentou melhora progressiva na remineralização do esmalte para todos os cariostático testados. Os resultados do TDA mostraram que S. mutans, E. faecalis e E. coli sofreram maior inibição pelo Saforide® (p<0,05), em relação ao Ancarie® e Ag-Nano. No entanto, para o teste de CIM o Ag-Nano foi capaz de inibir 100% dos microorganismos, em menor concentração do que os demais cariostaticos. Conclui-se que, o tratamento Ag-Nano foi capaz de promover remineralização do esmalte dental decíduo com lesão de cárie inicial e apresentou atividade bactericida.