Persea americana Glycolic Extract: In Vitro Study of Antimicrobial Activity against Candida albicans Biofilm and Cytotoxicity Evaluation.

This study evaluated the antifungal activity of Persea americana extract on Candida albicans biofilm and its cytotoxicity in macrophage culture (RAW 264.7). To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), microdilution in broth (CLSI M27-S4 protocol) was performed. Thereafter, the concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL (n = 10) with 5 min exposure were analyzed on mature biofilm in microplate wells for 48 h. Saline was used as control (n = 10). After treatment, biofilm cells were scraped off and dilutions were plated on Sabouraud dextrose agar. After incubation (37°C/48 h), the values of colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) were converted to log10 and analyzed (ANOVA and Tukey test, 5%). The cytotoxicity of the P. americana extract was evaluated on macrophages by MTT assay. The MIC of the extract was 6.25 mg/mL and with 12.5 mg/mL there was elimination of 100% of planktonic cultures. Regarding the biofilms, a significant reduction (P < 0.001) of the biofilm at concentrations of 50 (0.580 ± 0.209 log10), 100 (0.998 ± 0.508 log10), and 200 mg/mL (1.093 ± 0.462 log10) was observed. The concentrations of 200 and 100 mg/mL were cytotoxic for macrophages, while the concentrations of 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/mL showed viability higher than 55%.

Oral microbial colonization in patients with systemic lupus erythematous: correlation with treatment and disease activity.

Treating patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs may interfere in the presence of potentially opportunistic microorganisms in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Candida spp., Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacteria and Pseudomonas spp. in the oral cavity of SLE patients, compared with healthy controls. A group of 40 patients who had received therapy for at least 60 days was selected (19-53 years). For the control group, 40 healthy individuals matched for age, gender and use of partial prosthesis were selected. Oral rinse samples were collected and plated on specific culture media. After incubation, the number of colony forming units (CFU) was obtained and the isolates were identified at species level. Microbial counts were compared between SLE and control by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Mann-Whitney (p < 0.05 significant). Microorganism counts in patients with and without immunosuppressive drugs, as well with active and inactive disease (according to SLEDAI score) were also compared. No significant differences in CFU/mL between SLE and control patients were observed (yeasts, p = 0.55; Staphylococci, p = 0.24; Enterobacteria/Pseudomonas spp., p = 0.26). No differences in microbial counts were observed regarding clinical parameters tested. The most frequent species isolated in the SLE group were Candida albicans, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella oxytoca. In conclusion, no differences in frequency and microorganism levels were found between SLE patients and healthy individuals.

Prevalence and antifungal resistance profile of Candida spp. oral isolates from patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the study was to measure the prevalence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity of patients with diabetes types 1 and 2 when compared to healthy individuals and to study antifungal resistance profile of the isolates. DESIGN: There were 162 subjects in the study: diabetes type 1 (n=39); control group 1 (n=50): healthy individuals matched in gender, age, and oral conditions to diabetes type 1 patients; diabetes type 2 (n=37); control group 2 (n=36) who were matched to each patient of the diabetes type 2 group. Stimulated saliva was collected and isolates were identified with phenotypic tests. The presence of C. dubliniensis was determined by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in Candida spp. frequency between the diabetes 1 group and its control (p=0.443) nor between the diabetes 2 group and its control (p=0.429). C. albicans was the most frequently isolated yeast in all groups. In the diabetes groups, C. stellatoidea, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. lipolytica, C. glabrata, and C. krusei were also identified. Additionally, in control groups, C. kefyr was also detected. None of the isolates were resistant to amphotericin B and flucytosine. A low percentage of the isolates were resistant to ketoconazole. CONCLUSIONS: No differences were detected in colonization of Candida spp. oral isolates from type 1 and type 2 diabetes when compared to matched controls. The antifungal resistance of Candida spp. isolates for ketoconazole from type 1 diabetes patients was significantly higher than that of its matched control.

Frequency of Candida spp. in the oral cavity of Brazilian HIV-positive patients and correlation with CD4 cell counts and viral load.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Candida spp., and particularly C. dubliniensis, among oral isolates from Brazilian HIV-positive patients correlating these results with CD4 cell counts and viral load. Forty-five individuals (23 female and 22 male) diagnosed as HIV-positive by ELISA and Western-blot, under anti-retroviral therapy for at least 1 year and without oral candidosis signals were included in the study. The control group was constituted by 45 healthy individuals, matched to the test group in relation to age, gender, and oral conditions. Oral rinses were collected and the identification was performed by phenotypic tests. The existence of C. dubliniensis among the isolates was analyzed using a validated multiplex PCR assay. Candida spp. were detected at significantly higher number in the oral cavity of HIV-positive patients in relation to the controls (P = 0.0008). C. albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. In the HIV group, C. glabrata, C. lipolytica, C. krusei, C. guilliermondii, and C. parapsilosis were also identified. In the control group, we additionally identified C. tropicalis and C. dubliniensis. Two isolates (1.9%, 2/108) from control individuals were identified as C. dubliniensis and this species was not verified in the HIV group. Candida spp. counts were statistically lower (P = 0.0230) in the oral cavity of patients with low viral load (<400 copies/mm(3)). Candida spp. counts did not differ statistically among groups with different levels of CD4 cells counts (P = 0.1068).

Developmental norms for the Gardner Steadiness Test and the Purdue Pegboard: a study with children of a metropolitan school in Brazil.

Norms for the Gardner Steadiness Test and the Purdue Pegboard were developed for the neuropsychological assessment of children in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. A computer-generated unbiased sample of 346 children with a mean age of 9.4 years (SD = 2.76), who were attending a large normal public school in this urban area, was the subject of this study. Two boys were removed from the study, one for refusing to participate and the other due to severe strabismus. Therefore, the final sample contained 344 children (173 boys and 171 girls). Sex and age of the child and hand preferred for writing, but not ethnic membership or social class, had significant effects on performance in the Gardner Steadiness Test and the Purdue Pegboard. Girls outperformed boys. Older children performed better than younger children. However, the predictive relationship between age of the child and neuropsychological performance included linear and curvilinear components. Comparison of the present results to data gathered in the United States revealed that the performance of this group of Brazilian children is equivalent to that of US children after Bonferroni's correction of the alpha level of significance. It is concluded that sex and age of the child and hand preferred for writing should be taken into account when using the normative data for the two instruments evaluated in the present study. Furthermore, the relevance of neurobehavioral antidotes for the obliteration of some of the probable neuropsychological effects of cultural deprivation in Brazilian public school children is hypothesized.

Developmental norms for the Gardner Steadiness Test and the Purdue Pegboard: a study with children of a metropolitan school in Brazil

Norms for the Gardner Steadiness Test and the Purdue Pegboard were developed for the neuropsychological assessment of children in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. A computer-generated unbiased sample of 346 children with a mean age of 9.4 years (SD = 2.76), who were attending a large normal public school in this urban area, was the subject of this study. Two boys were removed from the study, one for refusing to participate and the other due to severe strabismus. Therefore, the final sample contained 344 children (173 boys and 171 girls). Sex and age of the child and hand preferred for writing, but not ethnic membership or social class, had significant effects on performance in the Gardner Steadiness Test and the Purdue Pegboard. Girls outperformed boys. Older children performed better than younger children. However, the predictive relationship between age of the child and neuropsychological performance included linear and curvilinear components. Comparison of the present results to data gathered in the United States revealed that the performance of this group of Brazilian children is equivalent to that of US children after Bonferroni's correction of the alpha level of significance. It is concluded that sex and age of the child and hand preferred for writing should be taken into account when using the normative data for the two instruments evaluated in the present study. Furthermore, the relevance of neurobehavioral antidotes for the obliteration of some of the probable neuropsychological effects of cultural deprivation in Brazilian public school children is hypothesized

Behavioral and neuropsychological correlates of hyperactivity and inattention in Brazilian school children.

Attempts at subtyping attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) along the hyperactivity dimension are considered controversial. This study addresses this issue by dividing a non-clinical sample of Brazilian children (mean age, 9.4 years; SD, 2.9), who were attending a mainstream school in the Greater Rio de Janeiro area, into four behavioral domain groups (normal [NO, N=324], hyperactive/impulsive [HI, N=17], inattentive [IA, N=48], and combined [C, N=13]) on the basis of teacher ratings on an ADHD scale. The groups did not differ in intellectual level as determined by the Human Figure Drawing test. Comparisons were made between groups along the factorial dimensions extracted from the Composite Teacher Rating Scale, academic performance and neuropsychological measures were then performed. Our data showed that IA and C children are less independent and more prone to socialization problems than NO children, and that HI and C children are less anxious and fearful than IA children. Furthermore, the groups differed in academic and neuropsychological performance. The results could be considered consistent with the hypothesis that ADD with hyperactivity (ADD/+) and ADD without hyperactivity (ADD/-) represent singular nosological entities.

Developmental norms for eight instruments used in the neuropsychological assessment of children: studies in Brazil.

Norms for a battery of instruments, including Denckla's and Garfield's tests of Motor Persistence, Benton's Right-Left Discrimination, two recall modalities (Immediate and Delayed) of the Bender Test, Wechsler's Digit Span, the Color Span Test and the Human Figure Drawing Test, were developed for the neuropsychological assessment of children in the greater Rio de Janeiro area. Additionally, the behavior of each child was assessed with the Composite Teacher Rating Scale (Brito GNO and Pinto RCA (1991) Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 13: 417-418). A total of 398 children (199 boys and 199 girls balanced for age) with a mean age of 9.3 years (SD = 2.8), who were attending a public school in Niterói, were the subjects of this study. Gender and age had significant effects on performance which depended on the instrument. Nonachievers performed worse than achievers in most neuropsychological tests. Comparison of our data to the available counterparts in the United States revealed that American children outperformed Brazilian children on the Right-Left Discrimination, Forward Digit Span, Color Span and Human Figure Drawing Tests. Further analysis showed that the neurobehavioral data consist of different factorial dimensions, including Human Body Representation, Motor Persistence of the Legs, Orbito-Orobuccal Motor Persistence, Attention-Memory, Visuospatial Memory, Neuropsychomotor Speed, Hyperactivity-Inattention, and Anxiety-Negative Socialization. We conclude that gender and age should be taken into account when using the normative data for most of the instruments studied in the present report. Furthermore, we stress the need for major changes in the Brazilian public school system in order to foster the development of secondary cognitive abilities in our children.

Developmental norms for eight instruments used in the neuropsychological assessment of children: studies in Brazil

Norms for a battery of instruments, including Denckla's and Garfield's tests of Motor Persistence, Benton's Right-Left Discrimination, two recall modalities (Immediate and Delayed) of the Bender Test, Wechsler's Digit Span, the Color Span Test and the Human Figure Drawing Test, were developed for the neuropsychological assessment of children in the greater Rio de Janeiro area. Additionally, the behavior of each child was assessed with the Composite Teacher Rating Scale (Brito GNO and Pinto RCA (1991) Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 13:417-418). A total of 398 children (199 boys and 199 girls balanced for age) with a mean age of 9.3 years (SD=2.8), who were attending a public school in Niterói, were the subjects of this study. Gender and age had significant effects on performance which depended on the instrument. Nonachievers performed worse than achievers in most neuropsychological tests. Comparison of our data to the available counterparts in the United States revealed that American children outperformed Brazilian children on the Right-Left Discrimination, Forward Digit Span, Color Span and Human Figure Drawing Tests. Further analysis showed that the neurobehavioral data consist of different factorial dimensions, including Human Body Representation, Motor Persistence of the Legs, Orbito-Orobuccal Motor Persistence, Attention-Memory, Visuospatial Memory, Neuropsychomotor Speed, Hyperactivity-Inattention, and Anxiety-Negative Socialization. We conclude that gender and age should be taken into account when using the normative data for most of the instruments studied in the present report. Furthermore, we stress the need for major changes in the Brazilian public school system in order to foster the development of secondary cognitive abilities in our children.

A neurobiological model for Tourette syndrome centered on the nucleus accumbens.

Tourette syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by chronic multiple motor and vocal tics with a fluctuating course and modulated by internal and external environmental events. Tourette syndrome is more prevalent in males than females, and is associated with behavioural disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Tourette syndrome symptoms are commonly attenuated by dopaminergic antagonists and adrenergic agonists, and usually exacerbated by psychostimulants. In this paper, I propose that dysfunction centered on the nucleus accumbens represents the neurobiological basis of Tourette syndrome. Recent evidence indicates that nucleus accumbens has a micro-organization characterized by modules of distinct neurochemical and neuroanatomical features. Our model assumes that external and internal events occurring during the development of the nervous system interact with products derived from the expression of the putative gene for Tourette syndrome, thereby inducing modular changes in nucleus accumbens. The clinical presentation, associated behavioural disturbances and response to drugs would depend on the pattern of modular dysfunction.

The Bender Gestalt test for 5- to 15-year old Brazilian children: norms and validity.

Norms for two modalities (normal and stress) of the Bender Gestalt test were developed for the neuropsychological assessment of children in the greater Rio de Janeiro area. For each modality, a measure of performance, a measure of speed and a measure of emotional disturbance were obtained. A total of 398 children (199 males and 199 females), 5 to 15 years old, who were attending a public school in Niterói were the subjects of this study. Analysis of the data revealed that age, but not sex, had a significant effect on performance, but not on speed, in both modalities such that older children made fewer errors than younger children. Also, the number of emotional indicators significantly decreased with age. Additionally, boys needed more time to complete the normal modality than girls, and showed a higher number of emotional indicators in both modalities. The Bender test was found to be valid in the sense that children who had failed at least one grade in school performed worse than those who had not. The number of emotional indicators was shown to be valid since it was significantly correlated with factors such as hyperactivity-conduct problem, and independent functioning, and inattention of the Composite Teacher Rating Scale (Brito GNO and Pinto RCA (1991). Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 13: 417-418). We conclude that the Bender test is valid for use in schoolchildren, and the number of emotional indicators is valid as an index of psychopathology, but sex and age should be considered when using the norms in Brazil.

A behavioral assessment scale for attention deficit disorder in Brazilian children based on DSM-IIIR criteria.

A teacher scale based on DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was developed for the behavioral assessment of children in Brazil. A total of 2,082 children (782 males and 1,300 females) with a mean age of 11.2 years who were attending a public school in the greater Rio de Janeiro area were the subjects of this study. Two factors (Hyperactivity-Impulsivity and Inattention) were extracted from a principal-factor analysis conducted on the data, and the factor structure of the scale was found to be stable. Ratings of boys were higher than ratings of girls, and younger children had higher ratings than older children for both factors. Test-retest reliability for each item of the scale ranged from .56 to .70. The data are discussed in view of current controversies in the factor structure of teacher ratings of DSM-III-R ADHD symptoms.

Septohippocampal system and the prelimbic sector of frontal cortex: a neuropsychological battery analysis in the rat.

Rats with lesions in the posterodorsal septal area (aimed at transecting the precommissural fornix) and rats with lesions in the prelimbic sector of the medial frontal cortex were tested postoperatively on a neuropsychological test battery comprised of the following tasks: time-spent-eating in two adaptation boxes, time-to-emerge and ambulation in an open field, general activity, contingently-reinforced (continuous) and schedule-specific (delayed non-matching-to-sample) T-maze alternation, visual and olfactory discrimination in a T-maze, temporal alternation (response patterning) and tactile Go/No-Go discrimination in a runway, approach-avoidance conflict in the runway, step-through inhibitory avoidance, one-way active avoidance, two-way active avoidance, and conditioned taste aversion. It was found that: (1) rats with septal (SEP) lesions spent more time eating than control (CON) rats and rats with lesions in prelimbic cortex (PRE). PRE rats did not differ from CON rats; (2) PRE rats emerged into an open field faster, and spent less time in home cage than CON and SEP rats. SEP rats stayed in home cage less than CON rats. PRE and SEP rats crossed more squares in the open field than CON rats; (3) SEP and PRE rats were more active than CON rats; (4) SEP rats performed the contigently-reinforced and schedule-specific T-maze alternation tasks worse than PRE rats, and PRE rats performed these tasks worse than CON rats. PRE, but not SEP, rats showed improvement with continued practice at brief intertrial and interrun intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Locomotor activity and one-way active avoidance after intrahippocampal injection of neurotransmitter antagonists.

Sixty-three rats with previous training in a T-maze, bilaterally implanted with cannulae directed toward the dorsal hippocampus, were used in this study. All rats received bilateral 1-microliter injections 20 min before testing for locomotor activity (day 1) and one-way active avoidance (day 3). The following drugs were injected into groups of 4 to 8 animals: scopolamine (9 or 18 micrograms/microliters), propranolol (5 or 10 micrograms/microliters), cimetidine (0.75 or 1.5 micrograms/microliters), sulpiride (5 or 10 micrograms/microliters), or vehicle (Krebs-Ringer). Locomotor activity was not changed by injection of any drug. However, intrahippocampal injections of scopolamine (9 micrograms/microliters) and sulpiride (10 micrograms/microliters) impaired avoidance behavior, particularly during the last five trials of the task. We conclude that muscarinic-cholinergic and D2-dopaminergic, but not beta-adrenergic or H2-histaminergic, mechanisms in the hippocampus are involved in the performance of one-way active avoidance behavior.

Locomotor activity and one-way active avoidance after intrahyppocampal injection of neurotransmitter antagonists

Sixty-three rats with previous training in a T-maze, bilaterally implanted with cannulae directed toward the dorsal hippocampus, were used in this study. All rats received bilateral 1-microngl injections 20 min before testing for locomotor activity (day 1) and one-way active avoidance (day 3). The following drugs were injected into groups of 4 to 8 animals: scopolamine (9 or 18 microng/micronl), propranolol (5 or 10 microng/micronl), cimetidine (0.75 or 1.5 microng/micronl), sulpiride (5 or 10 microng/micronl), or vehicle (Krebs-ringer). Locomotor activity was not changed by injection of any drug. However, intrahippocampal injections of scolpolamine (9 microng/micronl) and sulpiride (10 microng/micronl) impoaired avoidance bahavior, particularly during the last five trials of the task. We conclude that muscarinic-cholinergic and D2-dopaminergic, but not beta-adrenergic or H2-histaminergic, mechanisms in the hippocampus are involved in the performance of one-way active avoidance behavior

Lateral preferences in Brazilian adults: an analysis with the Edinburgh Inventory.

The lateral preferences of 959 Brazilian adults (471 males and 488 females) were assessed with the abbreviated form of the Edinburgh Inventory using the interview method. The behavioral validity of the inventory was evaluated by asking 36 subjects to perform the activities included in the inventory five months after the interview. The results showed that lateral preferences in Brazilian adults are similar to those reported from other countries. Additionally, effects of sex and age on hand preference were observed. However, area of professional occupation was not related to hand preference. Factor analysis of the Edinburgh Inventory (including items related to foot, eye and ear preference) revealed two factors. Factor I ("Motor-Related Laterality") included all handedness items and the foot-preference item, and Factor II ("Sensory-Related Laterality") included the eye and ear preference items. The Edinburgh Inventory was found to be reliable and valid in this population.

The cholinergic and dopaminergic systems of the prelimbic sector of frontal cortex and memory in the rat.

Rats were trained to perform delayed non-matching to sample (a working/representational memory task) and visual discrimination (a reference/dispositional memory task) in a T-maze, and implanted bilaterally with cannulae in the prelimbic cortex. The rats were tested postoperatively after bilateral 1-microliter injections of vehicle (Krebs-Ringer), sulpiride (10 micrograms/microliter) or scopolamine (18 micrograms/microliter). Sulpiride had no effect on the performance of either task, whereas scopolamine interfered only with the performance of delayed non-matching to sample. We conclude that dopaminergic mechanisms in the prelimbic cortex are not involved in either type of memory and that cholinergic, but not dopaminergic, mechanisms are important for working/representational memory processes.

The cholinergic and dopaminergic systems of the prelimbic sector of frontal cortex and memory in the rat

Rats were trained to perform delayed non-matching to sample (a working/representational memory task) and visual discrimination(a reference/dispositional memory task) in a T-maze, and implanted bilaterally with cannulae in the prelimbic cortex. The rats were tested postoperatively after bilateral 1 - micronl injections of vehicle (Krebs-Ringer), sulpiride (10 microng/micronl) or scopolamine (18 microng/micronl). Sulpiride had no effect on the performance of either task, whereas scopolamine interfered only with the performance of delayed non-matching to sample. We conclude that dopaminergic mechanisms in the prelimbic cortex are not involved in either type of memory and that cholinergic, but not dopaminergic, mechanisms are important for working/representational memory process

The Conners Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale: development of norms in Brazil.

Normative data for the Conners Abbreviated (10-item) Teacher Rating Scale (CATRS-10) derived from 1,068 children in Brazil are presented. Ratings of boys were higher than ratings of girls, and younger children had higher ratings than older children. Test-retest reliability data indicate that the CATRS-10 has acceptable reliability in Brazil but only when the same teacher rates the child at both test and retest (interval of 1 to 3 months). This study found that ratings at retest were significantly lower than ratings at first test whether or not the same teacher rated the child on both occasions. The CATRS-10 was shown to be a valid instrument in Brazil since children with behavioral problems requiring medical or psychological treatment were rated higher than children without such problems.

Continuous and discrete T-maze alternation in rats: effects of intertrial and interrun intervals.

1. Recent concepts concerning animal memory have emphasized the kind of information processed in memory. Reference memory provides information relevant over several trials, i.e., it codes expectancy-based information. Working memory provides information critical for only one trial, i.e., it codes data-based information. Some investigators consider that a continuous alternation task in a T-maze depends on the reference memory of a series of left-right responses, whereas a discrete alternation task is thought to depend on working memory. 2. In the present report, we tested rats in a continuous alternation task with different intertrial intervals (ITI's). Rats were first subjected to 10 or 12 sessions at each of the following ITI's: 0, 55, 100, 200 and 600 s, and then tested at varying ITI's within each session for 12 sessions in the following sequence: 0, 55, 100, 200, 600 and 0 s. Next, the same rats were trained to perform discrete alternation with ITI's and interrun intervals (IRI's) varying across sessions but only IRI's changing within sessions, i.e., IRI = 0 or 55 with ITI = 0, 55, 100, 200 or 600 s across sessions, and IRI = 0, 55, 100, 200 and 600 s with ITI = 0 within sessions. 3. Rats performed both alternation tasks at high levels when ITI's and IRI's changed across sessions. However, when intervals changed within sessions, rats showed a better performance in the continuous task at intervals of 55, 100 and 200 s compared to their performance at these same intervals in the discrete task. In addition, for the discrete task with IRI's changing within sessions, errors probably due to proactive interference occurred more frequently with progressively increasing IRI's. 4. The hypothesis that performance of continuous alternation depends on reference memory and performance of discrete alternation depends on working memory is supported by these data.