Texture Analysis of Temporomandibular Joint Disc Changes Associated with Effusion Using Magnetic Resonance Images.

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in the temporomandibular joint disc affected by effusion by using texture analysis of magnetic resonance images (MRIs). METHODS: A total of 223 images of the TMJ, 42 with joint effusion and 181 without, were analyzed. Three consecutive slices were then exported to MaZda software, in which two oval ROIs (one in the anterior band and another in the intermediate zone of the joint disc) were determined in each slice and eleven texture parameters were calculated by using a gray-level co-occurrence matrix. Spearman's correlation coefficient test was used to assess the correlation between texture variables and to select variables for analysis. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the groups. RESULTS: The significance level was set at 5%, with the results demonstrating that there was no high correlation between the parameter directions. It was possible to observe a trend between the average parameters, in which the group with effusion always had smaller values than the group without effusion, except for the parameter measuring the difference in entropy. CONCLUSION: The trend towards lower overall values for the texture parameters suggested a different behavior between TMJ discs affected by effusion and those not affected, indicating that there may be intrinsic changes.

Síntese e caracterização de ácido-all-trans-retinoico incorporado a nanofibras poliméricas e seus efeitos sobre células de osteossarcoma / Sintesis and characterization of all-trans-retioic-acid incorporated to polymers Nanofibers under human osteossarcoma cells

As nanofibras (NF) podem ser sintetizadas por meio de eletrofiação, um método simples que permite incorporação de fármacos em biopolímeros que apresentam a vantagem de serem liberados de forma gradual. Policaprolactona (PCL) apresenta a vantagem de poder ser eletrofiada permitindo a incorporação de fármacos. Os ácidos retinoicos são fármacos empregados no tratamento de osteossarcoma, mas, apresentam efeitos colaterais. O ATRA (all-trans-retinoicacid) é o mais comum entre os retinoides. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: sintetizar e caracterizar NF, incorporar o fármaco a elas e verificar a liberação ao meio de cultura; realizar testes de citoxicidade e genotoxicidade tais como: crescimento, integridade, viabilidade e micronúcleo de células MG63 tratadas com NF incorporada com ATRA e analisar a secreção das citocinas pró inflamatórias: IL-1ß, IL-6 e TNF-α por meio do teste ELISA. As NF sintetizadas por meio da eletrofiação foram caracterizadas morfologicamente e bioquimicamente por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e estudo do espectro de infravermelho da transformada de Fourrier (FTIR): Os testes in vitro foram realizados utilizando uma linhagem de células imortalizadas de osteossarcoma, MG63. Os ensaios incluídos nesse estudo foram divididos em grupos compostos por: [C (controle puro), ATRA (controle positivo), NF (controle negativo) e NF + ATRA (grupo experimental).] Em todos os grupos foram realizados testes de viabilidade celular (MTT), micronúcleo e ELISA sob os tempos de 3, 7 e 14 dias. A liberação do fármaco através do sistema de NF+ATRA foi comprovada pelo FTIR. Os demais resultados encontrados foram avaliados através do teste ANOVA one-way, no qual o método apresentou-se eficiente, mostrando diferença estatística de p=0,00, sendo signficante para todos os períodos de tempo nos testes de MTT e MN, além de ser verificada a secreção de citocinas proinflamatórias IL-1ß e IL-6, comprovando os efeitos citotóxicos e genotoxicos sob células MG63 mostrando a efetividade da técnica. Podendo ser uma alternativa para o tratamento(AU)

Nanofibers (NF) can be synthesized by electro-spinning, a simple method that allows incorporation of drugs into biopolymers that have the advantage of being released gradually. Polycaprolactone (PCL) has the advantage that it can be electrophied allowing the incorporation of drugs. Retinoic acids are drugs used in the treatment of osteosarcoma, but have side effects. ATRA (all-trans-retinoicacid) is the most common retinoid. The objectives of this study were: to synthesize and characterize NF, to incorporate the drug to them and to verify the release to the culture medium; perform cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests such as: growth, integrity, viability and micronucleus of N63-treated NF-treated cells with ATRA and to analyze the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNFα by the ELISA . The NF synthesized by electrophilation were characterized morphologically and biochemically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourrier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FTIR) study: In vitro tests were performed using an immortalized osteosarcoma cell line, MG63. The trials included in this study were divided into groups composed of: C (pure control), ATRA (positive control), NF (negative control) and NF + ATRA (experimental group). All groups were tested for cell viability (MTT), micronucleus and ELISA under the times of 3, 7 and 14 days. Release of the drug through the NF + ATRA system was confirmed by FTIR. The other results were evaluated using the oneway ANOVA test, in which the method was efficient, showing a statistical difference of p = 0.00, being significant for all time periods in the MTT and MN tests, besides the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-6, proving the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects under MG63 cells, showing the effectiveness of the technique. It may be an alternative to treatment(AU0

Screening of plants with antimicrobial activity against enterobacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp.

AIM: This study screened plants for antibacterial properties against bacteria of medical importance. MATERIALS & METHODS: 60 extracts were obtained from the leaves of ten plants (Jatropha weddelliana, Attalea phalerata, Buchenavia tomentosa, Croton doctoris, Mouriri elliptica, Mascagnia benthamiana, Senna aculeata, Unonopis guatterioides, Allagoptera leucocalyx and Bactris glaucescens) using different extraction methods: A) Ethanol 70°C/72 h; B) Water/5 min/100°C; C) Water/1 h/55°C; D) Water/72 h; E) Hexane/72 h and F) Ethanol 99°C/72 h. Enterobacteria/Pseudomonas and staphylococci reference strains and 201 clinical isolates were used. Primary screening was done using agar well-diffusion assay. MIC/minimum bactericidal concentration and chemical characterization were determined. RESULTS: Extracts 5F and 3A showed the best MIC/minimum bactericidal concentration against clinical isolates and showed the presence of phenols. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that Mouriri elliptica and Buchenavia tomentosa were the most active plants against the studied bacteria.

Plant extracts: initial screening, identification of bioactive compounds and effect against Candida albicans biofilms.

AIM: This study screened plants from Brazilian Pantanal for Candida albicans antibiofilm activity. MATERIAL & METHODS: Sixty extracts were obtained from ten plants using different extraction methods. Antifungal activity was assessed. Effects on biofilm inhibition and disruption and cytotoxicity were also evaluated. The most active extract was chemically characterized. RESULTS: Buchenavia tomentosa ethanolic extract showed noticeable antifungal activity and was selected for biofilm experiments. Subinhibitory concentration of extract inhibited fungal adhesion. Maximum killing reached 90% of C. albicans cells in suspension and 65% of cells in biofilms. The active extract was noncytotoxic. Chemical characterization showed the presence of phenols. Ellagic and gallic acids showed activity on C. albicans. CONCLUSION: B. tomentosa extract and its isolated compound, ellagic acid, presented antibiofilm activity and low toxicity.