Characterization of Oral Candida spp. Biofilms in Children and Adults Carriers from Eastern Europe and South America.

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans Candida species (NCACs) are known to colonize and invade various tissues, including the oral mucosa. In this work, we aimed to characterize mature biofilms of several Candida spp. clinical isolates (n = 33) obtained from the oral mucosa of children, adults, and elders of Eastern Europe and South America. METHODS: Each strain was evaluated for its capacity to form biofilms in terms of total biomass using the crystal violet assay and for matrix components production (proteins and carbohydrates) using the BCA and phenol-sulfuric tests, respectively. The effect of different antifungals on biofilm formation was studied. RESULTS: in the children's group, a predominance of C. krusei (81%) was observed, while, among adults, the main species was C. albicans (59%). Most strains showed a reduced response to antimicrobial drugs when in biofilm form (p < 0.01). Moreover, it was observed that strains isolated from children produced more matrix, with higher levels of protein and polysaccharides. CONCLUSIONS: children were more likely to be infected by NCACs than adults. More importantly, these NCACs were able to form biofilms richer in matrix components. This finding is of clinical importance, particularly in pediatric care, since stronger biofilms are highly associated with antimicrobial resistance, recurrent infections, and higher therapeutic failure.

In situ cultured preantral follicles is a useful model to evaluate the effect of anticancer drugs on caprine folliculogenesis.

Despite the increase in the incidence of cancer, the number of women who survive cancer treatment is growing. However, one of the principal results of chemotherapy is premature ovarian failure (POF). The aim of this study was to use the in situ culture preantral follicles as an in vitro model to evaluate the toxicity of two anticancer drugs, doxorubicin (DXR) and paclitaxel (PTX), on the integrity and development of ovarian follicles. Fragments of the ovarian cortex of goats were cultured in vitro for 1 or 7 days in α-MEM(+) supplemented with different concentrations of DXR (0.003, 0.03, or 0.3 µg/mL) and PTX (0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 µg/mL). Analyses were performed before and after culture to evaluate tissue integrity by classical histology, apoptosis by TUNEL assay, DNA laddering kit and the detection of activated caspase 3, and DNA damage by the immune detection of phosphorylated histone H2A.x (H2AXph139). Both DXR and PTX reduced the number of morphologically normal primordial and developing follicles. Positive staining for TUNEL and active caspase 3 was detected in all the samples (P < 0.05). Therefore, we propose the in situ culture of caprine preantral follicles as a useful experimental model for assessing the toxic effects of the chemotherapeutic agents on ovarian folliculogenesis. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:773-781, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Papel da homeopatia na regulação da foliculogênese in vivo e in vitro / Role of homeopathy in vivo and in vitro regulation of folliculogenesis

A homeopatia apresenta­se como uma excelente opção de baixo custo e toxicidade para uso na prática da reprodução tanto humana quanto animal. Entretanto, desperta um alto nível de ceticismo em relação a sua real eficácia, notadamente devido ao possível efeito placebo. O uso de modelos in vitro, como a tecnologia do ovário artificial, apresenta­se como uma ferramenta de grande precisão para dirimir tal controvérsia. Diante disso, esta revisão tem como objetivo fornecer algumas bases sobre a foliculogênese e sua regulação, relatar a importância do cultivo in vitro, com ênfase no hormônio folículo estimulante (FSH), na avaliação do papel dos medicamentos homeopáticos no tratamento de distúrbios reprodutivos ovarianos e no seu uso para melhorar as biotécnicas reprodutivas.

The homeopathy is a low­cost and toxicity alternative to using in the human and animal reproduction. However, the effect homeopathy awakens a skepticism about its effectiveness, because of the possible placebo effect. The in vitro models, as artificial ovary, is a excellent tool to resolve this controversy. Therefore, the aim of this review to provide some basis on folliculogenesis and its regulation, to report the importance of in vitro culture, with an emphasis on follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), in assessing the role of homeopathic medicines in treating ovarian reproductive disorders and its use to improve reproductive biotechnologies.

Dynamized follicle-stimulating hormone affects the development of ovine preantral follicles cultured in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of dynamized follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the survival, activation and growth of ovine preantral follicles (PFs) in vitro. METHODS: Ovarian fragments were cultured for 1 or 7 days in alpha minimum essential medium (α-MEM(+)) control in the absence or presence of alcohol (Al control) or FSH (6cH, 12cH and 30cH) added at intervals of 24 or 48 h. The ovarian fragments were processed, coded and analyzed by a blinded observer by classical histology (CH), fluorescence microscopy (FM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: After 7 days of culture, the group which to which FSH 6cH was added at 24 h intervals showed better rates of follicle survival and activation compared to α-MEM(+) control or Al control (p < 0.05). This group also showed higher follicle and oocyte growth than α-MEM(+) control (p < 0.05). FM and TEM techniques confirmed that FSH 6cH promoted viability and ultrastructural integrity of follicles after 7 days of culture. CONCLUSIONS: FSH 6cH (24 h) treatment maintained the viability, and promoted the activation and in vitro growth of ovine PFs.