Hamamelis virginiana L. extract presents antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects, absence of cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory action, and potential to fight infections through the nitric oxide production by macrophages.

The potential of H. virginiana L. was evaluated against Candida spp. (C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis) and bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans). Effect on murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) was also evaluated with respect to cytotoxicity and production of cytokines (IL-1ß and TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO). The most effective concentrations of the extract were determined by microdilution broth. These concentrations were analyzed on biofilms, after 5 min or 24 h exposure. Cytotoxicity was performed by MTT assay and quantification of cytokines and NO by ELISA and Griess reagent, respectively. The extract acted against the planktonic forms and provided significant reductions of all the microbial biofilms; besides, showed no cytotoxic effect, except at 100 mg/mL, after 24 h exposure. There was cytokine production; however, a modulatory effect was observed in groups exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli. NO production was similar or higher than the control group. Thus, H. virginiana L. extract showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects; absence of cytotoxicity for RAW 264.7; anti-inflammatory action; and potential to fight infections through the NO production.

Cryptocarya moschata extract decreases single and mixed biofilms on acrylic resins.

OBJECTIVE: This study proposed to assess the effect of Cryptocarya moschata extract on single and mixed biofilms formed on denture base and reline acrylic resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single and mixed biofilms of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans were formed on the samples and treated with C. moschata extract; Nystatin solution at 100,000 IU/mL or Penicillin antibiotic solution at 100,000 IU/mL; or PBS solution. Antimicrobial activity was analyzed by counting colony-forming units, metabolism assay, assessment of protein components of the biofilm matrix, and of cell viability using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's post-test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Cryptocarya moschata extract reduced cell viability of C. albicans and S. mutans single and mixed biofilms formed on samples. For all types of biofilms in the C. moschata group, there was a log reduction of the biofilm, proven by the Alamar Blue assay. Analyzing the extracellular matrix protein components, groups treated with the extract exhibited a lower level of fluorescence compared to the PBS groups. Reduction in thickness biofilm and viable cells was perceptible in the C. moschata group when assessing through CLSM. CONCLUSION: Cryptocarya moschata extract reduced the single and mixed biofilms of C. albicans and S. mutans on acrylic resins.

Streptococcus mutans supernatant affects the virulence of Candida albicans.

Candida albicans causes a variety of clinical manifestations through multiple virulence factors that act simultaneously to overcome the immune system and invade the host tissues. Owing to the limited number of antifungal agents available, new candidiasis therapeutic strategies are required. Previous studies have demonstrated that the metabolites produced by Streptococcus mutans lead to a decrease in the number of Candida cells. Here, for the first time, we evaluated whether the C. albicans cells that survived the pretreatment with S. mutans supernatant can modify their virulence factors and their capability to infect Galleria mellonella larvae. Streptococcus mutans supernatant (SM-S) was obtained by filtering the culture supernatant of this bacterium. Then, C. albicans cells were pretreated with SM-S for 24 h, and the surviving cells were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo assays. The C. albicans pretreated with SM-S showed a significant inhibition of hyphal growth, an altered adhesion pattern, and an impaired capability to form biofilms; however, its proteolytic activity was not affected. In the in vivo assays, C. albicans cells previously exposed to SM-S exhibited a reduced ability to infect G. mellonella and a higher amount of circulating hemocytes. Thus, SM-S could inhibit important virulence factors of C. albicans, which may contribute to the development of new candidiasis therapeutic strategies.

Very low-calorie ketogenic diet in the treatment of adaptive thermogenesis: A case report.

OBJECTIVES: The management of the phenomenon of adaptive thermogenesis poses a challenge to the successful treatment of overweight/obesity with a nutritional intervention that minimizes the loss of muscle mass, with little cognitive restraint use and disorganization of eating behavior. On the other hand, it creates a significant calorie deficit for the reduction of body fat. The aim of this case report was to discuss the effects of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet in a woman with obesity and low resting metabolic rate. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 36-y-old white woman with a history of obesity and bulimia nervosa who has had difficulty losing and maintaining weight despite numerous dietary and pharmacologic treatments. RESULTS: There was a loss of 12 kg in 115 d, reaching 13.4 kg, with 11.4 kg of fat mass (FM). The resting metabolic rate showed an increase of 79% in relation to the initial rate, reaching normal levels for the predictive equations and maintaining this level in the first-year follow-up. Additionally, improvement of metabolic laboratory parameters and eating behavior traits were described. CONCLUSIONS: In this specific case of bulimia nervosa resulting in hypometabolism (low resting metabolic rate/fat-free mass) and obesity, the very low-calorie ketogenic diet intervention has demonstrated a possibility of weight loss with little cognitive restraint use, thereby increasing resting metabolic rate in the short and medium terms, ultimately promoting a negative energy balance. In relation to the numeric results, it seems positive; however, more research is necessary to evaluate the effects on the overall relationship with food and its long-term repercussions.

Removable dentures and electrical activity of masticatory muscles in individuals with Parkinson's disease

ABSTRACT Purpose: to assess the influence of dentures on the electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Methods: an analytical, quantitative, cross-sectional study conducted at a public teaching hospital in 2017, assessing the stage of the disease, non-denture (ND) wearing, upper removable partial denture wearing (DW1), upper and lower removable partial denture wearing (DW2), and upper complete denture + lower removable partial denture wearing (DW3). The Student-Newman-Keuls test was used to compare the maximum voluntary muscle contraction between sides and between the denture wearing and non-denture wearing groups. Significance was set at α<0.05. Results: after applying the eligibility criteria, 41 patient records were included in the sample. The association between the stage of the disease and denture wearing showed predominance of DW2 in stage 1 (43%). A significant difference was found in the masseter muscle analysis between the non-denture wearing group and DW2 and DW3 (p=0.0018). As for the anterior temporalis muscle, there was a significant difference (p=0.0034) in three of the analysis groups (ND vs. DW2, ND vs. DW3, and DW1 vs. DW3). Conclusion: denture wearing has a negative impact on the electrical activity of masticatory muscles when compared with individuals who do not wear dentures and have natural teeth.

Factors associated with mandibular function impairment in people with Parkinson's disease during social isolation due to COVID-19

ABSTRACT Purpose: to analyze factors associated with mandibular function impairment in people with Parkinson's disease during social isolation due to COVID-19. Methods: this cross-sectional, quantitative, analytical study used a database with 115 records of patients presented with this condition (obtained via telemonitoring in a research conducted in 2020) and assessed sociodemographic aspects and the Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ). The variables addressed in the associations were sex, age, marital status, denture use, disease duration, and daily levodopa dose. Results were obtained with the Fisher´s exact test, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: after analyzing the database, the final sample comprised 62 eligible records - 61% were males, 79% were above 60 years old, 63% wore dentures, and 93% had low severity of mandibular function impairment, according to MFIQ. No significant associations were found between the study variables and MFIQ (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the degree of mandibular impairment was low, and the study variables were not associated with mandibular function impairment in patients presented with Parkinson´s disease, during social isolation, due to COVID-19.