Glucans: A Therapeutic Alternative for Sepsis Treatment.

Sepsis treatment is a challenging condition due to its complexity, which involves host inflammatory responses to a severe and potentially fatal infection, associated with organ dysfunction. The aim of this study was to analyze the scientific literature on the immunomodulatory effects of glucans in a murine model of systemic infection induced by cecal ligation and puncture. This study comprises an integrative literature review based on systematic steps, with searches carried out in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. In most studies, the main type of glucan investigated was ß-glucan, at 50 mg/kg, and a reduction of inflammatory responses was identified, minimizing the occurrence of tissue damage leading to increased animal survival. Based on the data obtained and discussed in this review, glucans represent a promising biotechnological alternative to modulate the immune response and could potentially be used in the clinical management of septic individuals.

Prophylactic use of standardized extract of propolis of Apis mellifera (EPP-AF®) reduces lung inflammation and improves survival in experimental lethal sepsis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sepsis poses one of the biggest public health problems, necessitating the search for new therapeutic alternatives. For centuries, propolis has been widely used in folk medicine to treat various inflammatory and infectious diseases. Given its extensive use, it has excellent potential as an adjuvant treatment for patients with sepsis. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated prophylactic treatment with standardized propolis extract (EPP-AF®) and followed the prognosis of sepsis induced by ligation and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). METHODS: Initially, for survival assessment, Swiss mice were separated into five groups: Sham (false operated), control (PBS), ATB (received antibiotic, 8 mg/kg), P10 (received EPP-AF®, 10 mg/kg), and P100 (received EPP-AF®, 100 mg/kg). The animals received PBS, antibiotic, or EPP-AF® by the subcutaneous route 6 h before the CLP procedure. Animal survival was assessed every 12 h for five days when all of them were euthanized. RESULTS: We show that the treatment with EPP-AF® significantly increased the life expectancy of animals with sepsis compared to the control group. Interestingly, prophylactic treatment with EPP-AF® showed no effect on the number of colony-forming units in the peritoneum, blood, or lung. However, there was a decrease in cellular influx in the peritoneum. This alteration was unrelated to the number of bone marrow cells or the differential counting of peripheral blood cells. The coagulogram remained unchanged, including the number of platelets and prothrombin time-activated partial thromboplastin time. However, the inflammatory infiltrate and bleeding in the lung tissue were lower in the animals that received EPP-AF®. CONCLUSION: Thus, it was possible to conclude that prophylactic treatment with EPP-AF® preserved the lung parenchyma, resulting in an increased lifespan of mice with sepsis. It can be a helpful adjuvant in prophylactic treatment with antibiotics in presurgical conditions.

Therapeutic Potential of Punica granatum and Isolated Compounds: Evidence-Based Advances to Treat Bacterial Infections.

Punica granatum Linn has been known for its nutritional and medicinal value since ancient times and is used in the treatment of various pathologies owing to its antibacterial properties. This review reports the results of the most recent studies on the antibacterial effects of P. granatum and its isolated compounds on bacteria of clinical interest. A search in the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) databases was performed, which included articles that evaluated the antibacterial activity of P. granatum extracts and excluded articles that analyzed other microorganisms or nonpathogenic bacteria, as well as theses, dissertations, duplicate articles, and those not fully available. The literature suggests that P. granatum extracts can act on bacteria, such as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, fruit peel was the most commonly used pharmacogen and methanol, ethanol, and water were the most common solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds. The antibacterial potential of the methanolic extract of pomegranate peel could be attributed to the presence of active compounds, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, punicic acid, gallic acid, and punicalagin. Thus, there is evidence that these plant extracts, having high polyphenol content, can disrupt the bacterial plasma membrane and inhibit the action of proteins related to antimicrobial resistance. P. granatum shows antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with great potential against multidrug-resistant strains. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanism of action related to this biological activity and investigate the isolated substances that may be responsible for the antibacterial effects.

The Immunomodulatory Activity of Punica granatum L. Peel Extract Increases the Lifespan of Mice with Lethal Sepsis.

Sepsis is an organ dysfunction syndrome associated with high mortality. To date, no effective treatment is available to combat this disease. Punica granatum L. is a potential alternative treatment due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of a hydroalcoholic crude extract from the peels of P. granatum (HCEPg) in mice with lethal sepsis. Lethal polymicrobial sepsis was induced in female Swiss mice via cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Initially, the animals were divided into three groups: Sham (false-operated), CLP-control (phosphate-buffered saline), and CLP-HCEPg (single dose, 5 mg/kg, subcutaneous administration). Treatment was initiated immediately after the induction of sepsis, and survival was evaluated every 12 hr for 5 days. Those who survived were euthanized. Serum cytokine levels were measured using a cytometric bead array Mouse Inflammatory Cytokine Kit. The number of colony-forming units, as well as the number of cells in the lymphoid organs and their activation markers, were analyzed. Results showed that treatment with HCEPg increased lifespan and reduced bacterial counts in the peritoneum, bloodstream, and spleen. HCEPg also decreased hydrogen peroxide secretion by phagocytes and augmented serum IL-10 levels, indicating its systemic anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, treatment with HCEPg attenuated infection-induced lung hemorrhage. Overall, P. granatum extract improved the lifespan of septic mice, possibly due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, thereby regulating bacterial load and translocation, as well as controlling the systemic inflammation induced by sepsis.

Immunomodulatory Activity of Probiotics in Models of Bacterial Infections.

As resistance to conventional antibiotics among bacteria continues to increase, researchers are increasingly focusing on alternative strategies for preventing and treating bacterial infections, one of which is microbiota modulation. The objective of this review is to analyze the scientific literature on the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics in bacterial infections. This is an integrative review of the literature based on systematic steps, with searches performed in the databases Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect. The most prevalent bacterial genera used to evaluate infectious processes were Salmonella, Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Streptococcus. Lactobacillus was the most commonly used probiotic genus, with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus is the most frequently used species. In most studies, prophylactic treatment with concentrations of probiotics equal to or greater than 8 log CFU/mL was chosen. However, there was considerable heterogeneity in terms of effective treatment duration, indicating that the results cannot be generalized across all studies. This review found that probiotics interact with the immune system through different mechanisms and have a positive effect on preventing different types of bacterial infections.

Therapeutic potential of Punica granatum in wound healing: An overview

SUMMARY Objective: This review aim to report the results of the most recent research and applications of different extracts of P. granatum in the in vivo wound healing process. Methods: For the survey of articles in literature, a search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) databases. Results: Punica granatum is a plant native to Iran and adjacent regions widely used worldwide as a food and medicinal source. Its healing property is closely linked to the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins and flavonoids, and its concentration in treatment formulations seems to be determinant for the acceleration of tissue repair, although few data on the standardization and stability of these formulations are available. Studies on experimental models were able to demonstrate the repair potential of P. granatum; however, human studies are still scarce. Conclusions: This contribution summarizes the use of P. granatum extracts in healing different types of lesions, emphasizing its effects on inflammatory, prolif-erative, and remodeling phases.

Objetivo: Relatar los resultados de investigaciones y aplicaciones más recientes de diferentes extractos de P. granatum en el proceso de cicatrización de heridas in vivo. Métodos: Para encuesta de artículos en la literatura, se realizó búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct y Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science). Resultados: Punica granatum es una planta originaria de Irán y regiones adyacentes, ampliamente utilizada en todo el mundo como fuente alimenticia y medicinal. Su propiedad cicatrizante está íntimamente ligada a la presencia de compuestos fenólicos, taninos y flavonoides, y su concentración en las formulaciones de tratamiento parece ser determinante para aceleración de la reparación tisular, aunque se dispone de pocos datos sobre estandarización y estabilidad de estas formulaciones. Estudios sobre modelos experimentales pudieron demostrar el potencial de reparación de P. granatum; sin embargo, los estudios en humanos aún son escasos. Conclusiones: Este aporte resume el uso de extractos de P. granatum en la curación de diferentes tipos de lesiones, enfatizándose sus efectos en las fases inflamatoria, proliferativa y remodeladora.

Objetivo: Relatar os resultados de pesquisas mais recentes e aplicações de diferentes extratos de P. granatum no processo de cicatrização in vivo. Métodos: Para levantamento de artigos na literatura, realizou-se busca nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct e Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science). Resultados: Punica granatum é uma planta nativa do Irã e das regiões adjacentes, amplamente utilizada em todo o mundo como alimento e fonte medicinal. A propriedade cicatrizante está intimamente ligada à presença de compostos fenólicos, taninos e flavo-noides, cuja concentração nas formulações de tratamento parece ser determinante para aceleração do reparo tecidual, embora poucos dados sobre a padronização e estabilidade dessas formulações estejam disponíveis. Estudos em modelos experimentais foram capazes de demonstrar o potencial de reparo de P. granatum. No entanto, estudos em humanos ainda são escassos. Conclusões: Esta contribuição resume o uso de extratos de P. granatum na cicatrização de diferentes tipos de lesões, enfatizando os efeitos nas fases inflamatória, proliferativa e remodelação.

Trend in infant mortality rate caused by sepsis in Brazil from 2009 to 2018.

Sepsis is the organ dysfunction resulting from an infection associated with an unregulated host inflammatory response, which generates high mortality rates in Brazil. The aim of this stydy was to analyze the trend of early, late and post-neonatal mortality rates due to sepsis in Brazilian regions, from 2009 to 2018. This is an ecological study of time series. The trend of infant mortality from sepsis was analyzed using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10) according to the place of residence (North, Northeast, Southeast, South and Midwest). Death Certificate data were collected from the Mortality Information System database. The temporal trend was analyzed using the Prais-Winsten estimate, interpreted as increasing, decreasing or stable, through the dependent variable (logarithm of mortality rates) and interdependent variables (years of the historical series). The Stata 14.0 statistical software was used. There were 39,867 infant deaths due to sepsis (78.67% for unspecified bacterial sepsis of the neonate ). Most of the children were male, had mixed ethnicity (black and white) , were born preterm with low birth weight and most mothers were 20-34 years old. There were decreasing trends in mortality rates from 2009 to 2018: early neonatal, in the Southeast (-3.57%), North (-3.33%) and South (-2.91%); late neonatal, in the South (-4.12%), Southeast (-4.53%), North (-4.55%) and Midwest (-6.21%); and post-neonatal, in the Northeast (-1.84%), North (-3.62%), Southeast (-3.83%) and Midwest (-5.81%). The Northeast showed a stable trend in early and late neonatal mortality rates. It was concluded that most regions showed a decreasing trend in mortality rates from sepsis in all age components, despite regional differences.

Pic-Producing Escherichia coli Induces High Production of Proinflammatory Mediators by the Host Leading to Death by Sepsis.

Escherichia coli is an important pathogen responsible for a variety of diseases. We have recently shown that Pic, a serine protease secreted by E. coli, mediates immune evasion by the direct cleavage of complement molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of a Pic-producing bacteria in a murine model of sepsis. Mice were infected with Pic-producing E. coli (F5) or F5∆pic mutant. Animal survival was monitored for five days, and a subset of mice was euthanized after 12 h for sample acquisition. The inoculation of Pic-producing bacteria induced 100% death within 24 h. The colony forming units count in the organs was significantly higher in F5. Hematological analysis showed a decrease of total leukocytes. Nitric oxide and cytokines were detected in serum, as well as on peritoneal lavage of the F5 group in higher levels than those detected in the other groups. In addition, immunophenotyping showed a decrease of activated lymphocytes and macrophages in the F5 group. Therefore, Pic represents an important virulence factor, allowing the survival of the bacterium in the bloodstream and several organs, as well as inducing a high production of proinflammatory mediators by the host, and concomitantly a cellular immunosuppression, leading to sepsis and death.

Pic-producing escherichia coli induces high production of proinflammatory mediators by the host leading to death by sepsis

Escherichia coli is an important pathogen responsible for a variety of diseases. We have recently shown that Pic, a serine protease secreted by E. coli, mediates immune evasion by the direct cleavage of complement molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of a Pic-producing bacteria in a murine model of sepsis. Mice were infected with Pic-producing E. coli (F5) or F5?pic mutant. Animal survival was monitored for five days, and a subset of mice was euthanized after 12 h for sample acquisition. The inoculation of Pic-producing bacteria induced 100% death within 24 h. The colony forming units count in the organs was significantly higher in F5. Hematological analysis showed a decrease of total leukocytes. Nitric oxide and cytokines were detected in serum, as well as on peritoneal lavage of the F5 group in higher levels than those detected in the other groups. In addition, immunophenotyping showed a decrease of activated lymphocytes and macrophages in the F5 group. Therefore, Pic represents an important virulence factor, allowing the survival of the bacterium in the bloodstream and several organs, as well as inducing a high production of proinflammatory mediators by the host, and concomitantly a cellular immunosuppression, leading to sepsis and death

Pic-producing escherichia coli induces high production of proinflammatory mediators by the host leading to death by sepsis

Escherichia coli is an important pathogen responsible for a variety of diseases. We have recently shown that Pic, a serine protease secreted by E. coli, mediates immune evasion by the direct cleavage of complement molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of a Pic-producing bacteria in a murine model of sepsis. Mice were infected with Pic-producing E. coli (F5) or F5?pic mutant. Animal survival was monitored for five days, and a subset of mice was euthanized after 12 h for sample acquisition. The inoculation of Pic-producing bacteria induced 100% death within 24 h. The colony forming units count in the organs was significantly higher in F5. Hematological analysis showed a decrease of total leukocytes. Nitric oxide and cytokines were detected in serum, as well as on peritoneal lavage of the F5 group in higher levels than those detected in the other groups. In addition, immunophenotyping showed a decrease of activated lymphocytes and macrophages in the F5 group. Therefore, Pic represents an important virulence factor, allowing the survival of the bacterium in the bloodstream and several organs, as well as inducing a high production of proinflammatory mediators by the host, and concomitantly a cellular immunosuppression, leading to sepsis and death

Prophylactic Treatment With Simvastatin Modulates the Immune Response and Increases Animal Survival Following Lethal Sepsis Infection.

Chronic use of statins may have anti-inflammatory action, promoting immunomodulation and survival in patients with sepsis. This study aimed to analyze the effects of pretreatment with simvastatin in lethal sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Male Swiss mice received prophylactic treatment with simvastatin or pyrogen-free water orally in a single daily dose for 30 days. After this period, the CLP was performed. Naïve and Sham groups were performed as non-infected controls. Animal survival was monitored for 60 h after the CLP. Half of mice were euthanized after 12 h to analyze colony-forming units (CFUs); hematological parameters; production of IL-10, IL-12, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and MCP-1; cell counts on peritoneum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bone marrow, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node; immunephenotyping of T cells and antigen presenting cells and production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Simvastatin induced an increase in survival and a decrease in the CFU count on peritoneum and on BAL cells number, especially lymphocytes. There was an increase in the platelets and lymphocytes number in the Simvastatin group when compared to the CLP group. Simvastatin induced a greater activation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells, as well as an increase in IL-6 and MCP-1 production, in chemotaxis to the peritoneum and in H2O2 secretion at this site. These data suggest that simvastatin has an impact on the survival of animals, as well as immunomodulatory effects in sepsis induced by CLP in mice.

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Improves Phagocytic Activity and Decreases Bacterial Growth and the Systemic Inflammatory Response in Sepsis Induced by Cecal Ligation and Puncture.

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Amaranthaceae) is often used in different kinds of vegetal preparations for medicinal purposes in many clinical situations. Some studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of prophylactic treatment with the hydroalcoholic crude extract (HCE) of C. ambrosioides and its hexanic fraction (HEX) on the control of bacterial growth, the activation of phagocytes and the control of the systemic inflammatory response in a sepsis experimental model. Animals were divided into three groups (n = 5/group): Control, which received only NaCl 0.9% solution; HCE, which received the crude extract; and HEX, which received the HEX of the extract. The animals received saline, HCE or HEX (5 mg/kg), subcutaneously (SC), 6 h before cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Twelve hours after the CLP, the blood was collected to measure the serum cytokines and the animals were killed for the evaluation of colony-forming units (CFUs), cellular influx, and activation of phagocytes in the peritoneal cavity, measured by the secretion of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide production. The results showed that only HEX treatment inhibited bacterial growth in the peritoneum and inflammatory cellular influx, especially influx of macrophages and neutrophils. However, HCE and HEX treatments increased ex vivo hydrogen peroxide secretion and nitric oxide production by phagocytes and decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, indicating a systemic anti-inflammatory effect of both. In conclusion, C. ambrosioides treatment decreases bacterial growth likely by activation of phagocytes and, in parallel, ameliorates the general state of mice by reducing the systemic inflammatory response usually observed in sepsis.

Immunomodulatory and Antimicrobial Activity of Babassu Mesocarp Improves the Survival in Lethal Sepsis.

Attalea speciosa syn Orbignya phalerata Mart. (babassu) has been used in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Aim of the study. To investigate the antimicrobial and immunological activity of babassu mesocarp extract (EE). Material and Methods. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion assay and by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The flavonoids and phenolic acids content were determined by chromatography. The in vivo assays were performed in Swiss mice submitted to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The mice received EE subcutaneously (125 or 250 mg/Kg), 6 hours after the CLP. The number of lymphoid cells was quantified and the cytokines production was determined by ELISA after 12 h. Results. EE was effective as antimicrobial to E. faecalis, S. aureus, and MRSA. EE is rich in phenolic acids, a class of compounds with antimicrobial and immunological activity. An increased survival can be observed in those groups, possibly due to a significant inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6. Conclusions. The EE showed specific antimicrobial activity in vitro and an important antiseptic effect in vivo possibly due to the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity.

Salivary profile in diabetic patients: biochemical and immunological evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and immunological characteristics of saliva from diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic adults. METHODS: Eighty-eight diabetic adults and 39 non-diabetic adults (control) were included in the study. Glucose, urea, calcium, total protein and amylase were determined by a colorimetric method. The levels of secretory IgA and the IgA anti-Streptococcus mutans and anti-insulin IgA antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Caries status was evaluated using the DMFT index. RESULTS: Glucose, urea, calcium, anti-S. mutans IgA, total IgA, and anti-insulin IgA were significantly higher in diabetic patients, whereas total protein and amylase levels were lower in these patients. There was no positive correlation between blood and salivary glucose levels in either group. Diabetic patients had a higher DMFT index. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed for the first time that IgA levels in diabetic patients'saliva, shows correlation with systemic biochemical parameters. Thus the saliva is an useful tool to follow the systemic health status in these patients.

Plant species used in dental diseases: ethnopharmacology aspects and antimicrobial activity evaluation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ethnopharmacological surveys show that several plant species are used empirically by the population, in oral diseases. However, it is necessary to check the properties of these plant species. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans from plant species selected in a previous ethnopharmacology study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted with users of a dental clinic school services, located in Sao Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, aiming to identify plant species used in oral diseases treatment. From the ethnopharmacological survey, species were selected for in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation against Streptococcus mutans, by agar diffusion method and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy one people participated in the research: 55.7% reported the use of plants for medicinal purposes, 29.5% of which have knowledge and/or use plants for some type of oral disease. Thirty four species belonging to 24 (twenty four) botanical families were reported, being Aloe vera L., Anacardium occidentale L., Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Punica granatum L. the most cited. The most commonly reported indications were healing after tooth extraction, followed by toothache, inflammation and bleeding gums., The determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) demonstrated that Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed similar activity to 0.12% chlorhexidine, used as positive control. CONCLUSION: That result is important to follow up the study of these species in the search for new anticariogenic agents originated by plants.

Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom improves survival and lung inflammation in lethal sepsis induced by CLP in mice.

Tityus serrulatus venom (Tsv) modifies the behavior of immune cells and induces the production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines; such action may interfere with physiological or pathological states. Because sepsis is characterized as an inflammatory disorder, the aim of present study was to investigate the effect of a non-lethal dose of Tsv in mice submitted to a polymicrobial infection by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model. The parameters evaluated were survival index, cellularity on lymphoid organs, peritoneal cavity and brochoalveolar space, production of IL-10, IL-12, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and MCP-1, pulmonary inflammation and oxidative burst. The results demonstrated that in sharp contrast to CLP group in which sepsis was lethal in a 24 h period all mice pretreated with Tsv survived even 60 h after CLP. Lung inflammation, another hallmark of CLP group, was also dramatically down regulated in Tsv/CLP group. Despite pretreatment with Tsv did not reduce the inflammatory serum cytokines when compared to CLP group; there was an increase in IL-10. In conclusion, subcutaneous Tsv administration 6 h before CLP was able to control the harmful effects of sepsis (lethality and lung inflammation). We suggest that both systemic IL-10 and oxidative burst are involved in this effect.

Selective identification and quantification of saccharin by liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection.

High-pressure liquid chromatography with ultra-violet detection (HPLC-UV) is one of the most commonly used methods to identify and quantify saccharin in non-alcoholic beverages. However, due to the wide variety of interfering UV spectra in saccharin-containing beverage matrices, the same method cannot be used to measure this analyte accurately. We have developed a new, highly effective method to identify and quantify saccharin using HPLC with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The excitation wavelength (250 nm) and emission wavelength (440 nm) chosen increased selectivity for all matrices and ensured few changes were required in the mobile phase or other parameters. The presence of saccharin in non-diet beverages - a fraud commonly used to replace more expensive sucrose - was confirmed by comparing coincident peaks as well as the emission spectra of standards and samples.

Padrões de movimentos mastigatórios na respiração oral e nasal / Patterns of masticatory movements in nasal and oral breathing

Objetivo: comportamento alimentar requer aperfeiçoamentoquanto à coordenação entre a mastigação, a respiração e adeglutição. No entanto, os detalhes desta interação não são totalmentecompreendidos. Neste estudo, analisaram-se os movimentos damastigação na presença e na ausência de respiração nasal normal.Método: cinco voluntários saudáveis participaram deste estudo. Movimentosda cabeça e da mandíbula foram registrados em três eixospor um sistema de captura de movimento, o Qualisys Motion CaptureSystem (Quaüsys AB, Suécia), em quatro condições experimentais:quando os participantes comiam goma (alimento mole/pegajoso)e castanha-de-caju (alimento duro), com e sem obstrução nasal. Astrajetórias dos referidos movimentos, bem como as suas velocidades,foram então analisadas com um software de computação de alto níveltécnico. Resultado: a partir da análise dos dados constatou-se queos movimentos mastigatórios foram afetados pela consistência dosalimentos (mole e duro) e o modo de respiração (nasal e bucal). Comparadocom o alimento mole, o alimento duro foi associado com maiorsequência mastigatória e com maior número de ciclos mastigatórios.Comparado com a respiração nasal, movimentos mastigatórios emrespiração bucal, mostraram uma sequência mastigatória mais curtae irregular e maior extensão dos movimentos de cabeça. A obstruçãonasal causou maiores mudanças na mastigação de alimentos duros doque na mastigação dos alimentos moles. Conclusão: estes resultadossugerem que mecanismos de retroalimentação sensoriais envolvidosno controle dos movimentos da mastigação podem ser moduladospelo modo da respiração.

Objective: feeding behavior requires tine-tuned coordinationbetween mastication, breathing, and swallowing. However, detailsof this interaction are not fully understood. In this study, we analyzedmasticatory movements in the presence or absence of normal nasalbreathing. Method: tive normal, healthy volunteers participated in thisstudy. Head and jaw movements were recorded in 3 axes bya motioncapturing system (Qualisys, SwedenJ in four experimental conditions:when the subjects ate either a soit gummy (soft/sticky foodJ or a cashewnut (hardjbriffle iood), with and without nasal obstruction. Trajectoriesof those movements, as well as their velocities, were then analyzedwith a high-Ievel technical computing software. Result: fram the dataanalysis it was found that masticatory movements were affected byfood consistency (soft vs. hardJ and mode of breathing (nasal vs. ora/).Compared with sott food, hard food was associated with longer chewingsequences and greater number of chewing cycles. Compared with nasalbreathing, masticatory movements in oral breathing showed shorter andirregular chewing sequences, and greater extent of head movements.Nasal obstruction caused greater changes in the chewing of hard foodthan sott food. Conclusion: these results suggest that sensory feedbackmechanisms involved in the contrai of masticatory movements may bemodulated by the mode of breathing.

Immune cells recruitment and activation by Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom.

Despite several studies showed that the Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (Tsv) induces an inflammatory response, just a few have investigated the effect of the venom on the immune response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate alterations of venom application on lymphoid organs and on the recruitment and activation of cells and also on the cytokine production. Swiss male mice (2-3 months, 20-25 g) received a non-lethal dose of crude Tsv (200 µg/kg), diluted in sterile PBS by subcutaneous route. Control animals received only sterile PBS. The animals were sacrificed after 30, 120 and 360 min. The inflammatory parameters studied were skin histology at the site of venom application, leukocyte count, and blood cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α). Inguinal lymph node, spleen and bone marrow cellularity was determined for evaluation of the Tsv effect on immune system organs. The results showed that Tsv caused no local inflammation, but it induced an increase of blood neutrophils and serum IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. After 360 min of envenomation there was a reduction in the cells number from peritoneum and spleen, but there was an increase in the cell number from lymph nodes. In conclusion, the Tsv induces systemic alterations characterized by changes in the cell number in lymphoid organs, increase pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines.