Importance of supply integrity for in vitro fertilization and embryo culture.

The quality of in vitro culture conditions is a key component of a successful clinical embryology laboratory. Many, but not all, supplies used in the embryology laboratory are screened by the supplier with a bioassay. Embryology laboratories use a variety of approaches to verify the quality of mineral oil, protein, and disposables before clinical use; however, a best practice has not been determined. Some laboratories test every supply, even those already screened by the supplier, whereas other laboratories perform as little testing as possible. Despite screening by the supplier, recent reports of embryo toxicity, specifically with mineral oil, highlight that the integrity of the supply system has gaps. This review describes current bioassay quality control testing and discusses how it applies to screening of products with documented lot-to-lot variation.

The correlation between the phenolic composition and biological activities of two varieties of Brazilian propolis (G6 and G12)

Biological assays that have been performed on different types of Brazilian propolis have shown that type 6 propolis (G6) has a strong antimicrobial activity and a low flavonoid content. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the phenolic composition and the biological activities displayed by propolis G6 from the state of Bahia and green propolis, also known as type 12 (G12). The values of the flavonoids and the total phenolics in propolis G6 were different than those in propolis G12. Although the G12 variety presented greater antioxidant activity, propolis G6 proved to have greater antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. The results showed that the phenolic compounds may not be the only compounds responsible for the biological activity. More detailed studies of the chemical composition and an assessment of the biological activity are required to establish the quality of propolis.

Ensaios biológicos realizados com diferentes tipos de própolis brasileira têm mostrado que a própolis do tipo 6 (G6) tem forte atividade antimicrobiana e menor teor de flavonóides. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a correlação entre a composição fenólica e atividades biológicas apresentadas pela própolis G6, do Estado da Bahia, e a própolis verde, do tipo 12 (G12). Os teores de flavonóides e fenólicos totais na própolis G6 foram diferentes dos teores da própolis G12. Apesar da G12 apresentar maior atividade antioxidante, a própolis G6 apresenta maior atividade antimicrobiana e citotóxica. Os resultados mostraram que os compostos fenólicos não são os únicos compostos responsáveis pela atividade biológica da própolis. Estudos mais específicos da composição química, em adição à avaliação das atividades biológicas, são requeridos para determinar a qualidade da própolis.

Validação de bioensaios para o estudo da imunogenicidade da vacina contra raiva / Validation of bioassays to immunogenicity assessment of the anti-rabies vaccines

Para atestar a imunogenicidade de vacinas contra a raiva, os testes de titulação e de soroneutralização de vírus rábico em células BHK-21 foram validados, com os seguintes resultados: [a]linearidade: r= 0,99 e 1,0; [ b] precisão intra- ensaio: CV= 3,4 e 6,3 % ; [ c] precisão inter-ensaios CV = 4,7 e 5, 5 % ; [ d] estabilidade ao congelar e descongelar amostras: CV = 3,5 e 11, 7% [e] estabilidade -tempo entre o descongelamento e a realização do teste: CV = 1% ; [f] exatidão > 96% e > 87% para ambos os testes. Cinco esquemas de imunização com diferentes concentrações, vias de inoculação e intervalos entre doses foram avaliados em camundongos BALB/c com a vacina contra a raiva produzida em células Vero no Instituto Butantan...

To assure the reliability of the results of immunogenicty of raccines, tests of virus titration and neutralization in BHK -21 cells were validated, with the following results: [a] linearity r = 0,99 and 1,0 ; [b] repeatability, CV = 3,4 and 6,3 %; [ c] precision, CV = 4,7 and 5,5 %; [d] freeze- thaw stability, CV =3,5 and 11,7% ; [e], C V = 1% and [f] accuracy = > 96% and > 87% for both tests. Five schemes of immunization with different concentrations, routes of inoculation and interval between doses were evaluated in BALB/c mice with rabies vaccine in Vero cells produced at Instituto Butantan...

Malaria drug-sensitivity testing: new assays, new perspectives.

Over the past five decades, the drug resistance of Plasmodium falciparum has become an issue of utmost concern. At the same time, in vitro assays for assessing antimalarial drug sensitivity have become indispensable tools for the surveillance of drug resistance and the planning of therapeutic guidelines. Several new in vitro assays have been introduced, designed to be easier to handle than previous tests and allow a faster identification of drug-resistant parasites, as well as for simple evaluation of new drugs. This review examines the various new approaches to the in vitro assessment of malaria drug sensitivity and their limitations.

Toxicidad en las aguas y su impacto en la salud pública / Water toxicity and it impact on public health

Actualmente, la pureza de las aguas es uno de los bienes más preciados, sin embargo, cada día, la contaminación va en aumento siendo un problema mundial. Entre los contaminantes se encuentran múltiples compuestos, produciendo algunos de ellos graves situaciones de toxicidad para la vida acuática y la salud de las personas, cuando ésta se utiliza para la bebida. En este trabajo se presentan algunas de las principales contaminantes, así como los sistemas que son necesarios para detectar el daño real que estarían produciendo en la masa acuática. Es imperativo el implementar sistemas de igilancia eficientes, que permitan prevenir adecuadamente cualquier efecto nocivo a la salud de la población