Role of galectin-3 in the elastic response of radial growth phase melanoma cancer cells.

Melanoma is originated from the malignant transformation of the melanocytes and is characterized by a high rate of invasion, the more serious stage compromising deeper layers of the skin and eventually leading to the metastasis. A high mortality due to melanoma lesion persists because most of melanoma lesions are detected in advanced stages, which decreases the chances of survival. The identification of the principal mechanics implicated in the development and progression of melanoma is essential to devise new early diagnosis strategies. Cell mechanics is related with a lot of cellular functions and processes, for instance motility, differentiation, migration and invasion. In particular, the elastic modulus (Young's modulus) is a very explored parameter to describe the cell mechanical properties; most cancer cells reported in the literature smaller elasticity modulus. In this work, we show that the elastic modulus of melanoma cells lacking galectin-3 is significantly lower than those of melanoma cells expressing galectin-3. More interestingly, the gradient of elastic modulus in cells from the nuclear region towards the cell periphery is more pronounced in shGal3 cells. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: AFM imaging and force spectroscopy were used to investigate the morphology and elasticity properties of healthy HaCaT cells and melanoma cells WM1366, with (shSCR) and without (shGal3) expression of galectin-3. It is shown the effect of galectin-3 protein on the elastic properties of cells: the cells without expression of galectin-3 presents lower elastic modulus. By the results, we suggest here that galectin-3 could be used as an effective biomarker of malignancy in both melanoma diagnostic and prognosis.

Licochalcone A-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles improve antischistosomal activity in vitro and in vivo.

Aim: To isolate licochalcone A (LicoA) from licorice, prepare LicoA-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (L-SLNs) and evaluate the L-SLNs in vitro and in vivo against Schistosoma mansoni. Materials & methods: LicoA was obtained by chromatographic fractionation and encapsulated in SLNs by a modified high shear homogenization method. Results: L-SLNs showed high encapsulation efficiency, with satisfactory particle size, polydispersity index and Zeta potential. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that L-SLNs were rounded and homogenously distributed. Toxicity studies revealed that SLNs decreased the hemolytic and cytotoxic properties of LicoA. Treatment with L-SLNs showed in vivo efficacy against S. mansoni. Conclusion: L-SLNs are efficient in reducing worm burden and SLNs may be a promising delivery system for LicoA to treat S. mansoni infections.

Ultraviolet-C decontamination of a dental clinic setting: required dose and time of UVC light / Utilização de radiação ultravioleta-C para descontaminação de um consultorio odontológico: tempo e dose de UVC necessária

Viruses can spread to the environment, and it can be challenging to clear it. A direct approach to limit airborne transmission of pathogens in dental clinic offices is to inactivate viruses within a short time of their production and block the person-to-person transmission routes in dental clinics. For this, we can use chemical substances on surfaces and germicidal ultraviolet light (UV), typically at 254 nm, for complementary disinfection of surfaces and air contaminated by aerosols produced by high-speed handpiece or ultrasound scaler. Based on the literature review and the similarity of Sars-Cov-2 with other previously studied corovaviruses, COVID-19 is sensitive to UV irradiation that can break the genome of this virus, inactivating it. In our study, we performed the calculation of the time required to decontaminate a dental care room between each patient change. We can conclude that the use of UVC can be incorporated into the dental care routine to reduce cross contamination. (AU)

Os vírus podem se espalhar para o meio ambiente e pode ser um desafio eliminá-lo. Uma abordagem direta para limitar a transmissão aérea de patógenos nos consultórios de clínicas odontológicas é inativar os vírus o mais rápido possivel após sua produção e bloquear as rotas de transmissão de pessoa para pessoa nas clínicas odontológicas. Para isso, podemos usar substâncias químicas para limpar as superfícies e luz ultravioleta (UV) germicida (UV), normalmente a 254 nm, para desinfecção complementar de superfícies e ar contaminado por aerossóis produzidos pelo altarotação ou ultrassom periodontal. Com base na revisão de literatura e na semelhança do SarsCov-2 com outros corovavirus previamente estudados, o COVID-19 é sensível à irradiação UV que podem quebrar o genoma desse vírus, inativando-o. Em nosso estudo, realizamos o cálculo de tempo necessário para descontaminar uma sala de atendimento odontológico entre cada troca de paciente. Podemos concluir que a utilização de UVC pode ser incorporada à rotina de atendimento odontológico para reduzir a contaminação cruzada entre atendimentos. (AU)

Non-thermal plasma increase bond strength of zirconia to a resin cement / Plasma não-térmico aumenta a resistência de união da zircônia a um cimento resinoso

Objective: This study investigated the influence of different surface treatments on zirconia surface energy, roughness and microshear bond strength. Material and Methods: Forty eight slices of Yttriastabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZPVITA In-Ceram® YZ for inLab®) (6.4 x 3.2 x 1.6 mm) were divided into 3 groups according to the surface treatment (n = 16): YTZP_control -untreated; YTZP_plasma -surface treatment with non-thermal oxygen plasma; YTZP_primer - coating with ceramic primer. Surface energy (n = 6) was measured with a goniometer; and surface roughness (n = 10) was analyzed with a 3D profilometer were performed over zirconia surface. On the same specimens of surface roughness, on the treated zirconia's surface, resin cement (PANAVIA V5 - Kuraray Noritake Dental) was built up by inserting the resin cement into Tygon tubes (1 mm of internal diameter X 1 mm length). After 24h storage, microshear test was assessed. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey posthoc test (p < 0.05). Results: Nonthermal oxygen plasma treated specimens exhibited higher statistically significant surface energy (p = 0.00) and bond strength (p = 0.00) when compared to control and primer groups. Roughness test (p = 0.897) could not detect statistical difference among the tested groups. Conclusion: Non-thermal oxygen plasma should be a suitable alternative for zirconia surface treatment prior to luting hence it improved microshear bond strength and provided higher surface energy without affecting surface roughness. (AU)

Objetivo: Este estudo investigou a influência de diferentes tratamentos de superfície na energia de superfície, rugosidade e resistência de união da zircônia. Material e Métodos: Quarenta e oito fatias de zircônia tetragonal policristalina estabilizada por ítria (Y-TZP - VITA InCeram® YZ for inLab®) (6,4 x 3,2 x 1,6 mm) foram divididas em 3 grupos de acordo com o tratamento de superfície (n = 16): YTZP_controle sem tratamento; YTZP_plasma - tratamento de superfície com plasma de oxigênio não térmico; YTZP_primer - aplicação de um primer cerâmico. A energia da superfície (n = 6) foi medida com o auxilio de um goniômetro; e a rugosidade superficial (n = 10) foi analisada com um perfilômetro 3D. Nos mesmos espécimes da rugosidade, prolongamentos de cimento resinoso (PANAVIA V5 - Kuraray Noritake Dental) foram construídos inserindo o cimento em micro túbulos de silicone (1mm de diâmetro interno de X 1 mm de comprimento). O teste de microcisalhamento foi realizado após 24h. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente ANOVA um fator e teste auxiliar de Tukey (p < 0,05). Resultados: Os espécimes tratados com plasma de oxigênio apresentaram maiores valores de energia de superficie (p = 0,00) e resistência de união estatisticamente significante (p = 0,00) quando comparados aos grupos controle e do primer. A análise de rugosidade (p = 0,897) não detectou diferença estatística entre os grupos testados. Conclusão: O plasma não térmico pode ser uma alternativa para o tratamento de superfície de zircônia antes da cimentação, pois aumentou a resistência de união ao microcilsalhamento e proporcionou maior energia superficial sem afetar a rugosidade da superfície. (AU)

Effects of fluoride or nanohydroxiapatite on roughness and gloss of bleached teeth.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe roughness and gloss alterations of enamel after treatment with 38% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and after polishing with 2% neutral sodium fluoride (SF) or a dental tooth paste containing nanohydroxiapatite particles (nHA) using power spectral density (PSD) description, roughness parameters (Ra, RMS, and Z range) and gloss analysis. METHODS: An atomic force microscope (AFM) and a spectrophotometer were used to analyze eighteen specimens of upper incisors. After initial analyses, all specimens were bleached with 38% HP for 135 min. The specimens were analyzed after bleaching. Nine specimens were polished with SF (Group Fluor) and the other nine specimens were polished with nHA (Group nHA), then all specimens were analyzed after polishing. Roughness and gloss were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's t-test. RESULTS: No statistical difference was found for Ra and RMS among initial, after bleaching and after polishing in both groups. For Z range, Group nHA showed a significant decrease after polishing. Bleaching with 38% HP did not increase the PSD in the spatial frequency of the visible light spectrum range in both groups. After polishing, nHA group showed a decrease in PSD for all morphological wavelengths. Gloss did not show statistical difference after bleaching in both groups. Gloss showed significant increase after polishing with nHA. SIGNIFICANCE: bleaching treatment with 38% HP didn't alter enamel surface roughness or gloss. PSD analyses were very suitable to identifying the morphological changes on the surfaces.