Level function levels and oxidative stress markers in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Brazilian Amazon.

This study aimed to correlate the values of liver markers with oxidative stress markers in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 30 patients from the Tuberculosis clinic of a referral hospital were admitted to the study. Whole blood samples were collected for analysis of liver enzyme values and oxidative stress markers by spectrophotometry. The prevalence was male (60%) and the 18-29 age group was the most affected. Patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis presented catalase values with a median equal to 6.94 U/gHb and for glutathione, the median was equal to 14.76 µg∕ml. As for the values of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, Gamma-GT and Alkaline phosphatase) the patients had medians equal to 60.50 (U/L); 80 (U/L); 54 (U/L); and 100 (U/L) respectively (p<0.0001). The results suggest a hepatotoxic effect of the drug, which recommends further studies with a larger number of samples in order to investigate the predictors of liver damage in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

REPRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY AFTER INDUCED ANESTRUS USING ALTRENOGEST IN Tursiops truncatus FEMALES IN CAPTIVITY IN MARINE ENVIRONMENT / ACTIVIDAD REPRODUCTIVA DESPUÉS DEL ANESTRO INDUCIDO CON ALTRENOGEST EN HEMBRAS DE Tursiops truncatus EN CAUTIVERIO EN AMBIENTE MARINO

Interest to reproduce Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in captivity has increased due to the international restrictions for its commercialization and the risks and logistical difficulties for transporting specimens. Therefore, it has become important to study its reproductive biology in captivity. The objective of the present study was to determine altrenogest (Regumate ®) post-treatment indicators of vaginal cytology, estradiol levels and restarting of reproductive activity of T truncatus females in captivity in marine environment. Twelve females received altrenogest at a daily dose of 0.07mg kg-1 for a year. A total 420 slides of vaginal cytology of each female were performed to determine the percentage of cornified cells. Also, 60 blood samples of each animal were analyzed to determine estradiol levels. Regarding the vaginal cytology; percentage of cornified cells increased between 60 and 70% from day 4 to day 9 after removing the altrenogest treatment and between 70 and 80% from day 12 to day 19. Estradiol levels were in the range of 16 to 1l4pg ml-1 during the entire monitoring period. A positive correlation (r = 0.7062; P<0.05) was found between these indicators. Therefore, we conclude that treatment with altrenogest and monitoring the estrous cycle with simple techniques such as vaginal cytology might be used for designing protocols for assisted reproduction for groups of T truncatus in captivity.

La necesidad de reproducir delfín nariz de botella (Tursiops truncatus) en cautiverio se ha incrementado debido a las restricciones internacionales para su comercialización y por el riesgo y dificultad logística para el traslado de ejemplares. Por lo anterior, se hace importante conocer su biología reproductiva en cautiverio. El objetivo de este trabajo, fue conocer los indicadores post tratamiento con altrenogest (Regumate®), de citología vaginal, niveles de estradiol y reinicio de la actividad reproductiva en cautiverio de hembras de T truncatus en ambiente marino. Por un año, 12 hembras recibieron diariamente una dosis de 0,07mg kg-1 de altrenogest. Se realizaron un total 420 citologías vaginales, una diaria de cada hembra, para determinar el porcentaje de células cornificadas. También se obtuvieron de la red vascular, 60 muestras sanguíneas, en las que se determinó los niveles de estradiol. En cuanto a la citología vaginal, al cuarto día de retirar la administración de altrenogest, el porcentaje total de células cornificadas incrementó del 60% a 70% hasta el día nueve y continuó ascendiendo al 80% entre los días 12 al 19. Los niveles de estradiol, presentaron un rango de 16 a 114pg ml-1. Se encontró una correlación (r = 0,7062 P<0.05) positiva entre estos indicadores. Se concluye que es posible la manipulación con altrenogest y el monitoreo del ciclo estral de las hembras mediante técnicas simples como la citología vaginal para el diseño de protocolos de reproducción asistida específicos para grupos en cautiverio de T truncatus.

Análisis estructural de mini-implantes ortodónciso / Mini-structural analysis of orthodontic implants

Los mini-implantes son en la actualidad una herramienta ideal para obtener un anclaje máximo y solucionar un sinfín de problemas clínicos ortodóncicos. Son dispositivos fabricados con titanio grado V (Ti-6AI-4V), que los vuelve más resistentes a la fractura y menos propensos a la oseointegración. El siguiente trabajo tuvo como objetivo reunir diversos estudios de la literatura actual sobre los mini-implantes, para facilitar el entendimiento del asunto al ortodoncista clínico y odontólogos interesados en conocer este dispositivo. Este trabajo reunió estudios en relación a los aspectos clínicos y estructurales de los mini-implantes. Se hizo hincapié en los aspectos estructurales de los mini-implantes, ya que la literatura es escasa en este sentido. Se concluyó que los mini-implantes son dispositivos de anclaje temporario muy útiles en el tratamiento ortodóncico. Siguiendo las orientaciones establecidas y confeccionados de materiales estandarizados internacionalmente, los mini-implantes pueden ser usados en forma segura en seres humanos

Nowadays, the mini-implants are an ideal tool to obtain maximum anchorage solving an endless number of clinical orthodontic problems. These devices are made by titanium grade V (Ti-6Al-4V), which makes them more resistant to breakage and less inclined to osseointegration. By bringing together many studies on the mini-implants' current literature, this article aimed the understanding of the clinical orthodontists and dentists interested in work with this device. The topics are related with the biological, surgical and structural mini-implants. This article emphasized the structural aspects of the mini-implants because the literature is scarce in this important topic. The conclusion was that mini-implants are a temporary anchorage devices very useful in the orthodontic treatment. If followed the guidelines established and using manufactured materials internationally standardized, mini-implants can be used safely in humans

Internalization of Staphylococcus aureus by bovine endothelial cells is associated with the activity state of NF-kappaB and modulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.

Bacterial internalization is an important process in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases in which nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays a prominent role. We present pharmacological evidence indicating that in bovine endothelial cells (BEC) the internalization of Staphylococcus aureus, a pathogenic bacterium that causes mastitis in bovine cattle, was associated with the activation of NF-kappaB. The internalization of S. aureus increased when BEC were stimulated with alpha-tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) or beta-interleukin 1 (IL-1beta) which are known activators of NF-kappaB. SN50 (an inhibitor peptide of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation) and BAY 11-7083 (a chemical that inhibits the IkappaBalpha phosphorylation) caused significant reduction in S. aureus intracellular number, indicating that its internalization was associated with the NF-kappaB activity. Furthermore, specific inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase with SP600125 (SP) or p-38 with SB203580 (SB) did not cause any change in the S. aureus intracellular number compared with the untreated control. Finally, TNF-alpha treatment of BEC after the addition of both SP and SB, induced a significant increase in S. aureus internalization above the control value. These data indicate that NF-kappaB activity is associated with S. aureus internalization and suggest that this transcription factor may play a role in the pathophysiology of bovine mastitis caused by this bacterium.