Ex situ model of biofilm-associated wounds: providing a host-like environment for the study of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.

AIM: This study aimed to assess an ex situ model of biofilm-associated wounds on porcine skin for the study of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in a host-like environment, after 48 to 120 h of incubation. MATERIAL AND RESULTS: Ex situ and in vitro biofilms were comparatively analysed. Overall, CFU-counts and matrix quantification yielded significantly (P < 0·05) higher results for ex situ than in vitro biofilms. Confocal microscopy revealed greater (P < 0·05) biomass and thickness at 48-72 h and greater (P < 0·05) robustness at 72 h of growth. S. aureus ex situ biofilms produced less (P < 0·05) siderophore and proteases than in vitro biofilms, while P. aeruginosa ex situ biofilms produced more (P < 0·05) siderophores and less proteases than in vitro biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: Biofilms grown ex situ present a greater amount of bacterial cells and polymeric matrix than their in vitro counterparts, reaching maturity at 72 h of growth. Moreover the production of virulence factors differs between ex situ and in vitro biofilms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings emphasize the importance of using ex situ biofilm models, once they mimic in vivo conditions. The use of these models brings perspectives for the pursuit of therapeutic alternatives, as tests may be performed in a host-like environment.

Prevalence of Candida spp., xerostomia, and hyposalivation in oral lichen planus--a controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Candida spp., xerostomia, and salivary flow rate (SFR) in three different groups: patients with OLP (OLP group), patients with oral mucosal lesions other than OLP (non-OLP group), and subjects without oral mucosal lesions (control group). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Xerostomia as well as SFR was investigated in the three groups. Samples for isolation of Candida spp. were collected from OLP lesions (38 patients), non-OLP lesions (28 patients), and healthy subjects (32 subjects). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference regarding the frequency of xerostomia and hyposalivation among the three groups (P > 0.05). A higher prevalence for colonization by Candida spp. was found in the healthy subject as compared to that of patients with OLP (P = 0.03) and non-OLP (P = 0.02) groups. Low SFR was not a factor for colonization by Candida spp. CONCLUSIONS: Xerostomia and hyposalivation occur with similar frequency in subjects with and without oral lesions; also, the presence of oral lesions does not increase the susceptibility to colonization by Candida spp. It seems that any study implicating Candida spp. in the malignant transformation of oral lesions should be carried out mostly on a biochemical basis, that is, by testing the capability of Candida spp. to produce carcinogenic enzyme.

Use of steroid hormone treatments prior to superovulation in Nelore donors.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of synchronization of follicular wave emergence using steroid hormone treatments in Nelore cows. Donors were placed into three groups. Those that were between days 9 and 12 of their cycle (estrus=day 0) formed the TI group (n=60), whilst those that were in any other stages of their estrus cycle constituted groups TII (n=60) and TIII (n=60). TI donors were submitted to a standard protocol of superovulation, however, TII and TIII donors were treated with the Syncro-Mate-B (SMB) or Controlled Internal Drug Releasing Device (CIDR-B) programs, respectively. Superovulation was induced with p-FSH, divided into eight decreasing doses at intervals of 12h. The donors received cloprostenol 48h after the beginning of the treatment and progestagens were removed 12h later. Artificial inseminations (AI) were done at 12 and 22h after the initiation of estrus and the embryo collections were done 7 days after AI. In the donors which displayed behavioral estrus, mean (+/-S.E.M.) total ova and viable (transferable) embryos were 15.8+/-1.4 and 8.3+/-1.0 (TI, n=56); 15.6+/-1.3 and 8.9+/-1.0 (TII, n=56); 17.3+/-1.0 and 9.9+/-0.9 (TIII, n=57), respectively, with no significant difference (P > or =0.05) among groups. In those animals that did not displayed behavioral estrus, the mean values of total ova and viable embryos were 3.5+/-1.6 and 0.7+/-0.5 (TI, n=4); 11.5+/-3.9 and 9.0+/-4.4 (TII, n=4); 8.7+/-5.0 and 5.0+/-2.9 (TIII, n=3), respectively, with no significant differences (P > or =0.05) among groups. Pregnancy rates of 62.2% (TI, n=235); 66.4% (TII, n=284) and 65.1% (TIII, n=244) were obtained with embryos transferred from these collections and did not differ significantly (P > or =0.05) among groups. It was concluded that the synchronization of the emergence of follicular waves in Nelore donors is usable and does not harm the efficiency of embryo transfer programs. In addition, in contrast to the standard superovulation protocol, this method permits the use of a large number of donors in a short time period, at any stage of the estrus cycle, minimizing the costs of embryo transfer.

Ovarian follicular dynamics of five-eighths Girolando cows.

The objective of this study was to examine the follicular dynamics of five-eighths Girolando cows by observing the number of follicular development waves, days of emergence of those waves, diameters of the dominant and largest subordinate follicles and the processes of follicular selection and dominance. Ovarian follicle dynamics were monitored for 24 oestrous cycles in 12 cows, of 4 to 10 years of age, presenting regular oestrous cycles and with body scores between 3 and 4. Ovaries were observed daily for two consecutive oestrous cycles and follicles were measured with ultrasonographic equipment. The dominant follicle was considered to be that which presented a diameter > or = 10 mm for three consecutive days and on the day of wave emergence, when a group of follicles measuring 3-5 mm in diameter would appear. Of the 24 cycles monitored, 62.5% presented two waves of follicular development and 37.5% presented three waves. The cycles presenting two waves had an average duration of 20 days, with the emergence of the waves on days 1 and 9, whereas the cycles presenting three waves had an average duration of 22 days, with emergences on days 1, 10 and 16. For cycles with two waves, both the first and second dominant follicles reached an average size of 13.8 mm, with the first regressing on day 10 and the second ovulating around day 20. For cycles with three waves, the dominant follicles of the first and second waves reached maximum diameters of 11.8 and 12 mm, respectively, with the first regressing on day 11 and the second regressing on day 17. The third dominant follicle reached a maximum diameter of 12.4 mm on day 20, and ovulated on day 22. These results lead to the conclusion that the follicular dynamics of five-eighths Girolando cows are characterized by the presence of two to three waves of follicular growth.

Transradial approach for coronary interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of coronary interventions performed through the radial artery. METHODS: We studied 103 patients with ages from 38 to 86 years (57+/-8.7), 90 (87%) males, and: radial pulse with a good amplitude, presence of ulnar pulse, a good collateral flow through the palmar arch assessed with the Allen's test. RESULTS: The vascular approach was obtained in 97 (94%) patients, 88 (91%) treated electively and 9 (9%) during acute myocardial infarction, for primary angioplasty; 56 (64%) unstable angina; 22 (25%) stable angina; 10 (11%) were asymptomatic, 6 referred for recanalization of chronic occlusion and 4 silent ischemia in the first week after acute myocardial infarction. We approached 107 arteries: anterior descending artery, 49 (46%); right coronary artery, 27 (25%); circumflex artery, 25 (23%); diagonal artery, 6 (6%); and 2 saphenous vein bypass grafts. We treated 129 lesions: 80 (62%) B2 type; 23 (18%) B1 type; 17 (13%) C type; and 9 (7%). A type. There were 70 stents, and 59 balloon angioplasties performed. Thirty-two (33%) patients used GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The mean duration of the elective procedure was 42.3+/-12.8 min. Success, correct stent deployment and residual lesion <20%, was reached in 100% of the lesions treated with stent implantation; arterial dilation with residual lesion <50% was obtained in 96% of the lesions treated with transluminal coronary angioplasty (TCA). Complications, were: 1 (1.0%) non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction; 2 (2%) hematomas in the forearm; and 2 losses of radial pulse. CONCLUSION: Radial artery approach is practical and safe for percutaneous coronary interventions there was a low incidence of complications.

Recuperaçäo de Brucella abortus do leite in natura procedente de vacas soropositivas dos municípios de Pedra e Venturosa - PE: aspectos de saúde pública / Recovery of Brucella abortus of the raw milk from animals having seropositive Pedra e Venturosa counties - PE

Com o objetivo de recuperar Brucella abortus do leite, utilizaram-se 14 amostras de leite in natura de fêmeas bovinas soropositivas para brucelose procedentes de sete propriedades rurais situadas nos municípios de Pedra e Venturosa - PE. As amostras de leite foram centrifugadas a 1431,04 g por trinta minutos, obtendo sobrenadante e sedimento que foram semeados em ágar brucela, contendo antibióticos e antifúngicos, isolando-se apenas uma amostra de Brucella abortus do sedimento, correspondendo a 7,14 por cento dos animais estudados. Os sedimentos obtidos da centrifugaçäo foram tratados com antibióticos e antifúngicos e inoculados em cobaias, por via intraperitoneal. Das vinte e oito cobaias inoculadas cinco (17,85 por cento) apresentaram reaçäo sorológica positiva nos testes de soroglutinaçäo rápida (SAR), soroaglutinaçäo lenta (SAL) e 2-mercaptoetanol (2-ME), demonstrando uma possível infecçäo destes animais pela Brucella abortus presente no leite, apesar do isolamento bacteriano em órgäos como baço, fígado, linfonodo, pulmöes e testículos ter sido obtido em apenas uma amostra. A pesquisa de aglutininas anti-Brucella abortus em soros de humanos observou-se que oito amostras (21,05 por cento) apresentaram reaçäo de 1:100, em pelo menos uma das provas utilizadas na detecçäo de anticorpos, sugerindo possível infecçäo dos humanos através do consumo do leite e subprodutos in natura.

[Mitral valvuloplasty with Inoue balloon catheter. Analysis of 112 cases]. / Valvuloplastia mitral com cateter-balão de Inoue. Análise de 112 casos.

PURPOSE: To present immediate results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PVM) with Inoue balloon for the treatment of mitral stenosis. METHODS: One hundred and twelve consecutive patients mean age 31.26 +/- 9.5 years, 82% females, the majority in functional class III/IV (69%) underwent percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PVM) with Inoue balloon. The procedure was undertaken by the transseptal technique. RESULTS: PMV achieved significant reduction in mean left atrial pressure pre 24.57 +/- 5.37 post 12.36 +/- 4.82, mitral gradient pre 15.31 +/- 4.28 post 3.48 +/- 2.09 and increased mitral valve area pre 0.88 +/- 0.12 post 2.0 +/- 0.28 (P < 0.001). An increase of at least 25% of the mitral valve area with a final result greater than 1.5 cm2 was obtained in 96% of the cases. Cardiac tamponade occurred in five cases (4.4%). In 4 a successful treatment was accomplished in the catheterization laboratory. Significant mitral regurgitation was seen in one case (0.9%) and there was one death (0.9%). CONCLUSION: The results of this series attest to the effectiveness of the PMV with Inoue balloon in selected cases of mitral stenosis.

Incidência de hemorragia peri-intraventricular em recém-nascidos pré-termo com peso ao nascimento inferior a 1500 gramas: avaliaçäo dos estudos ultrassonográficos de crânio e necrópsia / Incidence of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm newborn infants with birth weight less than 1500 gms: evaluation of brain ultrasonographic studies and necropsy

De janeiro a dezembro-1986, nasceram 120 crianças com peso ao nascimento inferior a 1500 gramas. Dessas, 85 foram escolhidas para estudo por apresentarem avaliaçäo ultrassonográfica de crânio e/ou estudo necroscópico. A mortalidade do grupo de estudo foi de 70//, porém a mortalidade geral do período foi de 52,5//. A avaliaçäo ultrassonográfica foi realizada em 41 crianças. A incidência de hemorragia peri-intraventricular (HPIV) foi de 42,3//. Vinte e três crianças (63,8//) apresentaram HPIV grau II ou III; 10 apresentaram HPIV grau I (27,7//) e apenas 3 (8,3//) tinham o grau IV. Treze crianças tinham realizado ultrassonografia de crânio e exame necroscópico. Houve concordância total entre as duas avaliaçöes em 9 (69//), enquanto 2 casos (16//) apresentavam concordância parcial, pois o diagnóstico dos graus de HPIV foram divergêntes. Apenas 2 casos apresentavam discorância entre as avaliaçöes de ultrassom e necrópsia. Em ambos a avaliaçäo ultrassonográfica inicial mostrou ausência de hemorragia intracraniana e a necrópsia, HPIV. Entretanto, o óbito ocorreu 20 e 53 dias, respectivamente, após a avaliaçäo sonográfica. Concluimos que a incidência de HPIV foi comparável à referida na literatura e que no exame ultrassonográfico de crânio é bastante confiável para o seu diagnóstico

[Incidence of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm newborn infants with birth weight less than 1500 gms: evaluation of brain ultrasonographic studies and necropsy]. / Incidéncia de hemorragia peri-intraventricular em recém-nascidos pré-termo com peso ao nascimento inferior a 1500 gramas. Avaliação dos estudos ultrassonográficos de crãnio e necrópsia.

From January to December 1986, 120 preterm infants were born with birth-weight under 1500 gm. Eighty-five infants were included in the study group either because they had a cranial sonographic evaluation or a necropsy. The mortality rate was 70% for the study group, but was 52.5% for the whole period. The sonographic examination was performed in 41 infants. The incidence of periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) was 42.3%. Twenty-three cases had PIVH grade II (63.8%), 10 grade I (27.7%), and 3 (8.3%) grade IV. Thirteen infants had sonographic and necroscopic examinations. We observed a total agreement between sonographic and necroscopic diagnosis in 9 cases (69%). Two cases were classified as partial agreement as they differed only in the grading of PIVH, whereas in two cases there was a false negative diagnosis in the ultrasound examination. The interval between the examinations in these two false negative cases was 53 and 20 days, respectively. We conclude that the incidence of PIVH found in our study is comparable to that of the literature and that cranial ultrasonography is a sensitive neuroimage technique for the diagnosis of PIVH in the newborn preterm infant.