Growing Candida albicans Biofilms on Paper Support and Dynamic Conditions.

A stainless steel paper-embedded biofilm reactor (PEBR) was developed for Candida spp. growth, permitting confluent distribution of nutrients by capillary diffusion through ordinary laboratory filter paper. Antibiogram disks were distributed along the filter paper rim, and the PEBR received 0.1 or 0.01 % crystal violet (CV) at 200 µL min(-1) and at 37 °C, for 48 h. CV was recovered from the disks and measured at 540 nm. Candida albicans SC5314 cells were applied onto antibiogram disks. The bioreactor was assembled, and YEPD broth was admitted (200 µL min(-1)) at 37 °C, for 72 h. Biofilm growth was estimated via the MTT reduction test. Controls were disks that received the same treatments, except for the fungus. The PEBR was considered high-throughput table, low-cost, and feasible to grow C. albicans biofilms.

Fitoterapia: dos canteiros ao balcão da farmácia / Phytotherapy: from greenhouses to drugstore’s bench

Introdução: Com a recente instituição do Programa Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos dentro do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) (Portaria interministerial 2.960/2008), foi confirmado o reconhecimento da eficácia de fármacos fitoterápicos na prática clínica, sobretudo no tratamento e na prevenção de afecções de menor severidade. Como em outros campos das ciências médicas, a odontologia também deve se apropriar desse recurso para o tratamento de populações, para as quais o acesso aos medicamentos industrializados é dificultado pela condição socioeconômica desfavorável. Diferente do senso comum que permeia a sociedade urbana, a fitoterapia é uma modalidade terapêutica com fundamentação científica e com reconhecida aplicabilidade. Conclusão: Esta revisão busca trazer ao cirurgião-dentista informações que lhe permitam conhecer melhor a fitoterapia.

Introduction: Recently, with the institution of the National Program of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapywithin the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) (interministerial directive 2960/2008), the efficacy ofphytotherapics in the clinical practice was recognized, mainly for the treatment and prophylaxis of lesssevere diseases. As well as in other medical fields, Dentistry must exploit this tool for the treatment of poorpopulations, which has no access to industrialized medication. Unlike the common sense that permeatesthe urban society, phytotherapy is a therapeutic modality based on scientific comprobation and recognizedapplicability. Conclusion: This review intends to bring some new data to dental surgeons, favoringa better accepting of the phytotherapy.