Methodist University of Piracicaba

The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and phytochemicals was evaluated with antibiotic susceptible and resistant microorganisms. In addition, the possible synergistic effects when associated with antibiotics were studied. Extracts from the following plants were utilized: Achillea millifolium (yarrow), Caryophyllus aromaticus (clove), Melissa offficinalis (lemon-balm), Ocimun basilucum (basil), Psidium guajava (guava), Punica granatum (pomegranate), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Salvia officinalis (sage), Syzygyum joabolanum (jambolan) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme). The phytochemicals benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, eugenol and farnesol were also utilized. The highest antimicrobial potentials were observed for the extracts of Caryophyllus aromaticus and Syzygyum joabolanum, which inhibited 64.2 and 57.1% of the tested microorganisms, respectively, with higher activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria (83.3%). Sage and yarrow extracts did not present any antimicrobial activity. Association of antibiotics and plant extracts showed synergistic antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The results obtained with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was particularly interesting, since it was inhibited by clove, jambolan, pomegranate and thyme extracts. This inhibition was observed with the individual extracts and when they were used in lower concentrations with ineffective antibiotics.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the benefits of the agile project management (APM) framework compared to the traditional waterfall model, and understand how it can help companies add value and gain competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used was the exploratory qualitative research through a case study of a software project, developed with the support and application of the Scrum framework, in a pharmaceutical industry information technology project. Findings There were benefits found in the utilization of the agile framework, such as increased motivation and staff satisfaction, better control of requirements and especially higher quality of the delivered system, generating added value to the organization. Additionally, the project allowed the use of features from the first month of the application deployed, enabling a 75 percent reduction in development time, compared to traditional methods. The software development time was four months, 30 percent of what would be the total if the traditional methodology was adopted. Based on the results, the agile framework, especially the Scrum, proved to be a viable option as a project management approach. Research limitations/implications Since this research is an exploratory case study, its results cannot be generalized. Practical implications The paper provides relevant practical information and experiences to managers interested in implementing APM, as well as those interested in improving the management of projects. Originality/value This paper provides a case study with practical implications of using APM, and APM’s benefits and advantages are compared with the traditional waterfall approach. Companies can use this case study to better understand about the advantages and strengths of APM over the traditional approach.

Abstract Grassland ecosystems cover a large portion of Earths’ surface and contain substantial amounts of soil organic carbon. Previous work has established that these soil carbon stocks are sensitive to management and land use changes: grazing, species composition, and mineral nutrient availability can lead to losses or gains of soil carbon. Because of the large annual carbon fluxes into and out of grassland systems, there has been growing interest in how changes in management might shift the net balance of these flows, stemming losses from degrading grasslands or managing systems to increase soil carbon stocks (i.e., carbon sequestration). A synthesis published in 2001 assembled data from hundreds of studies to document soil carbon responses to changes in management. Here we present a new synthesis that has integrated data from the hundreds of studies published after our previous work. These new data largely confirm our earlier conclusions: improved grazing management, fertilization, sowing legumes and improved grass species, irrigation, and conversion from cultivation all tend to lead to increased soil C, at rates ranging from 0.105 to more than 1 Mg C·ha −1 ·yr −1 . The new data include assessment of three new management practices: fire, silvopastoralism, and reclamation, although these studies are limited in number. The main area in which the new data are contrary to our previous synthesis is in conversion from native vegetation to grassland, where we find that across the studies the average rate of soil carbon stock change is low and not significant. The data in this synthesis confirm that improving grassland management practices and conversion from cropland to grassland improve soil carbon stocks.

Glucose is widely accepted as the primary nutrient for maintenance and promotion of cell function. However, we propose that the 5-carbon amino acids, glutamine and glutamate, should be considered to be equally important for maintenance and promotion of cell function. The functions of glutamine are many and include: substrate for protein synthesis, anabolic precursor for muscle growth, acid-base balance in the kidney, substrate for ureogenesis in the liver, substrate for hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis, an oxidative fuel for intestine and cells of the immune system, inter-organ nitrogen transport, precursor for neurotransmitter synthesis, precursor for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis and precursor for glutathione production. Many of these functions are connected to the formation of glutamate from glutamine. We propose that the unique properties regarding concentration and routes of metabolism of these amino acids allow them to be used for a diverse array of processes related to the specialized function of each of the glutamine utilizing cells. In this review we highlight the specialized aspects of glutamine/glutamate metabolism of different glutamine-utilizing cells and in each case relate key aspects of metabolism to cell function.

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent disease. As it progresses, it causes serious morbidity in the form of periodontal abscesses and tooth loss and, in the latter stages, pain. It is also now known that periodontitis is strongly associated with several nonoral diseases. Thus, patients with periodontitis are at greater risk for the development and/or exacerbation of diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular diseases, among other conditions. Although it is without question that specific groups of oral bacteria which populate dental plaque play a causative role in the development of periodontitis, it is now thought that once this disease has been triggered, other factors play an equal, and possibly more important, role in its progression, particularly in severe cases or in cases that prove difficult to treat. In this regard, we allude to the host response, specifically the notion that the host, once infected with oral periodontal pathogenic bacteria, will mount a defense response mediated largely through the innate immune system. The most abundant cell type of the innate immune system - polymorphonuclear neutrophils - can, when protecting the host from microbial invasion, mount a response that includes upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and reactive oxygen species, all of which then contribute to the tissue damage and loss of teeth commonly associated with periodontitis. Of the mechanisms referred to here, we suggest that upregulation of reactive oxygen species might play one of the most important roles in the establishment and progression of periodontitis (as well as in other diseases of inflammation) through the development of oxidative stress. In this overview, we discuss both innate and epigenetic factors (eg, diabetes, smoking) that lead to the development of oxidative stress. This oxidative stress then provides an environment conducive to the destructive processes observed in periodontitis. Therefore, we shall describe some of the fundamental characteristics of oxidative stress and its effects on the periodontium, discuss the diseases and other factors that cause oxidative stress, and, finally, review potentially novel therapeutic approaches for the management (and possibly even the reversal) of periodontitis, which rely on the use of therapies, such as resveratrol and other antioxidants, that provide increased antioxidant activity in the host.

Dental caries is a biofilm-dependent oral disease, and fermentable dietary carbohydrates are the key environmental factors involved in its initiation and development. However, among the carbohydrates, sucrose is considered the most cariogenic, because, in addition to being fermented by oral bacteria, it is a substrate for the synthesis of extracellular (EPS) and intracellular (IPS) polysaccharides. Therefore, while the low pH environment triggers the shift of the resident plaque microflora to a more cariogenic one, EPS promote changes in the composition of the biofilms' matrix. Furthermore, it has recently been shown that the biofilm formed in the presence of sucrose presents low concentrations of Ca, P(i), and F, which are critical ions involved in de- and remineralization of enamel and dentin in the oral environment. Thus, the aim of this review is to explore the broad role of sucrose in the cariogenicity of biofilms, and to present a new insight into its influence on the pathogenesis of dental caries.

Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body and is known to play a regulatory role in several cell specific processes including metabolism (e.g., oxidative fuel, gluconeogenic precursor, and lipogenic precursor), cell integrity (apoptosis, cell proliferation), protein synthesis, and degradation, contractile protein mass, redox potential, respiratory burst, insulin resistance, insulin secretion, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. Glutamine has been shown to regulate the expression of many genes related to metabolism, signal transduction, cell defense and repair, and to activate intracellular signaling pathways. Thus, the function of glutamine goes beyond that of a simple metabolic fuel or protein precursor as previously assumed. In this review, we have attempted to identify some of the common mechanisms underlying the regulation of glutamine dependent cellular functions.

Soil organisms, including earthworms, are a key component of terrestrial ecosystems. However, little is known about their diversity, their distribution, and the threats affecting them. We compiled a global dataset of sampled earthworm communities from 6928 sites in 57 countries as a basis for predicting patterns in earthworm diversity, abundance, and biomass. We found that local species richness and abundance typically peaked at higher latitudes, displaying patterns opposite to those observed in aboveground organisms. However, high species dissimilarity across tropical locations may cause diversity across the entirety of the tropics to be higher than elsewhere. Climate variables were found to be more important in shaping earthworm communities than soil properties or habitat cover. These findings suggest that climate change may have serious implications for earthworm communities and for the functions they provide.

Abstract The rare earths include the elements scandium [Sc, atomic number (Z) = 21], yttrium (Y, Z = 39), and the lanthanides from lanthanum (La, Z = 57) to lutetium (Lu, Z = 71). Crop responses to application of rare earth elements (REEs) have only been documented in a few countries. The reasons for promoting growth or yield increases are still not sufficiently understood. Recently, physiological interaction of REEs with calcium (Ca), effects on structure and function of cytoplasm membranes, photosynthesis, hormone metabolism, enzyme activity, and water use efficiency have been discussed. This review covers the significance of REEs for agricultural plant production, beginning with a description of the history of their application. The recorded physiological and biochemical effects and responses of selected crops to REEs were also reviewed. Agricultural research needs on REEs are also suggested. Keywords: Rare earth elementsBiological effectMinor elementsAgricultureChina Acknowledgments Zhengyi Hu would like to thank the Max Planck Society for the fellowship that supported his work on this subject.

Glucose is widely accepted as the primary nutrient for the maintenance and promotion of cell function. This metabolite leads to production of ATP, NADPH and precursors for the synthesis of macromolecules such as nucleic acids and phospholipids. We propose that, in addition to glucose, the 5-carbon amino acids glutamine and glutamate should be considered to be equally important for maintenance and promotion of cell function. The functions of glutamine/glutamate are many, i.e., they are substrates for protein synthesis, anabolic precursors for muscle growth, they regulate acid-base balance in the kidney, they are substrates for ureagenesis in the liver and for hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis, they act as an oxidative fuel for the intestine and cells of the immune system, provide inter-organ nitrogen transport, and act as precursors of neurotransmitter synthesis, of nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis and of glutathione production. Many of these functions are interrelated with glucose metabolism. The specialized aspects of glutamine/glutamate metabolism of different glutamine-utilizing cells are discussed in the context of glucose requirements and cell function.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The scope of this working group was to review (1) ecological interactions at the dental biofilm in health and disease, (2) the role of microbial communities in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and caries, and (3) the innate host response in caries and periodontal diseases. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A health-associated biofilm includes genera such as Neisseria, Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Veillonella and Granulicatella. Microorganisms associated with both caries and periodontal diseases are metabolically highly specialized and organized as multispecies microbial biofilms. Progression of these diseases involves multiple microbial interactions driven by different stressors. In caries, the exposure of dental biofilms to dietary sugars and their fermentation to organic acids results in increasing proportions of acidogenic and aciduric species. In gingivitis, plaque accumulation at the gingival margin leads to inflammation and increasing proportions of proteolytic and often obligately anaerobic species. The natural mucosal barriers and saliva are the main innate defence mechanisms against soft tissue bacterial invasion. Similarly, enamel and dentin are important hard tissue barriers to the caries process. Given that the present state of knowledge suggests that the aetiologies of caries and periodontal diseases are mutually independent, the elements of innate immunity that appear to contribute to resistance to both are somewhat coincidental.

We confirmed the ability of the triterpenoid betulin to protect against neurotoxicity caused by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom in vitro in mouse isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations and examined its capability of in vivo protection using the rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior (EPSTA) preparation. Venom caused complete, irreversible blockade in PND (40 μg/mL), but only partial blockade (~30%) in EPSTA (3.6 mg/kg, i.m.) after 120 min. In PND, preincubation of venom with commercial bothropic antivenom (CBA) attenuated the venom-induced blockade, and, in EPSTA, CBA given i.v. 15 min after venom also attenuated the blockade (by ~70% in both preparations). Preincubation of venom with betulin (200 μg/mL) markedly attenuated the venom-induced blockade in PND; similarly, a single dose of betulin (20 mg, i.p., 15 min after venom) virtually abolished the venom-induced decrease in contractility. Plasma creatine kinase activity was significantly elevated 120 min after venom injection in the EPSTA but was attenuated by CBA and betulin. These results indicate that betulin given i.p. has a similar efficacy as CBA given i.v. in attenuating the neuromuscular effects of B. jararacussu venom in vivo and could be a useful complementary measure to antivenom therapy for treating snakebite.

A avaliação correta do valor nutricional da forragem passa obrigatoriamente por emprego de metodologias adequadas. A qualidade da forragem depende dos produtos da fermentação, no caso da silagem, ou da magnitude das perdas de compostos solúveis e atuação de microrganismos no caso do feno. A abordagem do tema: Avanços metodológicos na avaliação da qualidade da forragem conservada, na 44ª Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia, tem como objetivo destacar as principais metodologias empregadas na avaliação específica de forragens conservadas, adicionais às avaliações tradicionais de composição químico-bromatológica desses volumosos, e colocar em discussão a necessidade de padronização de procedimentos analíticos. Assim, a revisão prioriza a descrição e sistematização de métodos físicos e químicos importantes para serem implementados na avaliação de forragens conservadas, na tentativa de homogeneizar tais procedimentos. Os recursos metodológicos disponíveis atualmente permitem não somente quantificar, mas também qualificar perdas ocorridas no processo de conservação, exposição aeróbia e oferta dos volumosos aos animais. Esse fato sugere que a adoção de estratégias de manejo dessas forragens deverá, preferencialmente, ser acompanhada de avaliação de perdas integradas no processo.

Abstract. We analysed 1040 individual trees, located in 62 plots across the Amazon Basin for leaf mass per unit area (MA), foliar carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) and leaf level concentrations of C, N, P, Ca, Mg, K and Al. All trees were identified to the species level with the dataset containing 58 families, 236 genera and 508 species, distributed across a wide range of soil types and precipitation regimes. Some foliar characteristics such as MA, [C], [N] and [Mg] emerge as highly constrained by the taxonomic affiliation of tree species, but with others such as [P], [K], [Ca] and δ13C also strongly influenced by site growing conditions. By removing the environmental contribution to trait variation, we find that intrinsic values of most trait pairs coordinate, although different species (characterised by different trait suites) are found at discrete locations along a common axis of coordination. Species that tend to occupy higher fertility soils are characterised by a lower MA and have a higher intrinsic [N], [P], [K], [Mg] and δ13C than their lower fertility counterparts. Despite this consistency, different scaling patterns were observed between low and high fertility sites. Inter-relationships are thus substantially modified by growth environment. Analysing the environmental component of trait variation, we found soil fertility to be the most important predictor, influencing all leaf nutrient concentrations and δ13C and reducing MA. Mean annual temperature was negatively associated with leaf level [N], [P] and [K] concentrations. Total annual precipitation positively influences MA, [C] and δ13C, but with a negative impact on [Mg]. These results provide a first basis for understanding the relationship between the physiological functioning and distribution of tree species across Amazonia.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and eighty dentine tubes prepared from intact freshly extracted bovine maxillary central incisors were infected in vitro for 7 days with E. faecalis. The specimens were divided into four groups, according to the intracanal medicament used, as follows: Group 1: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel; Group 2: calcium hydroxide in a viscous vehicle (polyethyleneglycol 400); Group 3: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel + calcium hydroxide and Group 4: Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth (control group). The medicaments were placed into the canal lumen and left there for experimental times of 1, 2, 7, 15 and 30 days. After each period, irrigation with sterile saline to remove the medicament was performed and the canals were dried with sterile paper points. Dentine chips were removed from the canals with sequential sterile round burs at low speed. The samples obtained with each bur were immediately collected in separate test tubes containing BHI broth. The tubes were incubated at 37 degrees C and daily observed for microbial growth, visualized by the medium turbidity. RESULTS: Chlorhexidine gel alone completely inhibited the growth of E. faecalis after 1, 2, 7 and 15 days. Calcium hydroxide allowed microbial growth at all experimental times. The combination of chlorhexidine and Ca(OH)2 was effective after 1 and 2 days demonstrating 100% antibacterial action; however, its antibacterial activity reduced between 7 and 15 days. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, it can be concluded that 2% chlorhexidine gel alone was more effective against E. faecalis than calcium hydroxide (P < 0.05). However, its antibacterial activity depended on how long it remained inside the root canal.

Chemical auxiliary substances (CAS) are essential for a successful disinfection and cleanness of the root canals, being used during the instrumentation and if necessary, as antimicrobial intracanal medicaments. Different CAS have been proposed and used, among which sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX), 17% EDTA, citric acid, MTAD and 37% phosphoric acid solution. CHX has been used in Endodontics as an irrigating substance or intracanal medicament, as it possesses a wide range of antimicrobial activity, substantivity (residual antimicrobial activity), lower cytotoxicity than NaOCl whilst demonstrating efficient clinical performance, lubricating properties, rheological action (present in the gel presentation, keeping the debris in suspension); it inhibits metalloproteinase, is chemically stable, does not stain cloths, it is odorless, water soluble, among other properties. CHX has been recommended as an alternative to NaOCl, especially in cases of open apex, root resorption, foramen enlargement and root perforation, due to its biocompatibility, or in cases of allergy related to bleaching solutions. The aim of this paper is to review CHX's general use in the medical field and in dentistry; its chemical structure, presentation form and storage; mechanism of action; antimicrobial activity including substantivity, effects on biofilms and endotoxins, effects on coronal and apical microbial microleakage; tissue dissolution ability; interaction with endodontic irrigants; effects on dentin bonding, metalloproteinases and collagen fibrils; its use as intracanal medicament and diffusion into the dentinal tubules; its use as disinfectant agent of obturation cones; other uses in the endodontic therapy; and possible adverse effects, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor (TLR4) is expressed in TRPV1 containing trigeminal sensory neurons. In this study, we evaluated whether LPS activates trigeminal neurons, and sensitizes TRPV1 responses via TLR4. To test this novel hypothesis, we first demonstrated that LPS binds to receptors in trigeminal neurons using competitive binding. Second, we demonstrated that LPS evoked a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular calcium accumulation (Ca(2+))(i) and inward currents. Third, LPS significantly sensitized TRPV1 to capsaicin measured by (Ca(2+))(i), release of calcitonin gene-related peptide, and inward currents. Importantly, a selective TLR4 antagonist blocked these effects. Analysis of these data, collectively, demonstrates that LPS is capable of directly activating trigeminal neurons, and sensitizing TRPV1 via a TLR4-mediated mechanism. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that trigeminal neurons are capable of detecting pathogenic bacterial components leading to sensitization of TRPV1, possibly contributing to the inflammatory pain often observed in bacterial infections.

The composition of dental plaque formed in the presence of sucrose or glucose and fructose and its relation to cariogenicity was evaluated. Twelve adult volunteers took part in this crossover study done in three phases of 28 days each. For each phase, an acrylic resin appliance containing four human dental enamel blocks was constructed for the volunteers. Solutions containing 20% sucrose or 10% glucose + 10% fructose were dripped onto the enamel blocks 8 times a day, while in the control group no solution was used. Enamel surface and cross-sectional microhardness results showed that dental plaque formed in the presence of sucrose was more cariogenic than that formed in the presence of glucose + fructose (p<0.05). The concentration of alkali-soluble carbohydrates in dental plaque was higher in the sucrose group than in the control and glucose + fructose groups (p<0.05). Although concentrations of Ca, P and F were lower in plaque formed in the presence of sucrose than glucose + fructose and the control, significant differences (p<0.05) were only observed in relation to control. The electrophoretic profile of the matrix proteins of dental plaque showed distinct patterns when it was formed in the absence or presence of the different carbohydrates. Although the results suggest that the high cariogenicity of dental plaque formed in the presence of sucrose can be mainly explained by the high concentration of insoluble glucans of its matrix, the low inorganic concentration and its protein composition may have some contribution.

The long‐term resilience of Amazonian forests to climate changes and the fate of their large stores of organic carbon depend on the ecosystem response to climate and weather. This study presents 4 years of eddy covariance data for CO 2 and water fluxes in an evergreen, old‐growth tropical rain forest examining the forest's response to seasonal variations and to short‐term weather anomalies. Photosynthetic efficiency declined late in the wet season, before appreciable leaf litter fall, and increased after new leaf production midway through the dry season. Rates of evapotranspiration were inelastic and did not depend on dry season precipitation. However, ecosystem respiration was inhibited by moisture limitations on heterotrophic respiration during the dry season. The annual carbon balance for this ecosystem was very close to neutral, with mean net loss of 890 ± 220 kg C ha −1 yr −1 , and a range of −221 ± 453 (C uptake) to +2677 ± 488 (C loss) kg C ha −1 yr −1 over 4 years. The trend from large net carbon release in 2002 towards net carbon uptake in 2005 implies recovery from prior disturbance. The annual carbon balance was sensitive to weather anomalies, particularly the timing of the dry‐to‐wet season transition, reflecting modulation of light inputs and respiration processes. Canopy carbon uptake rates were largely controlled by phenology and light with virtually no indication of seasonal water limitation during the 5‐month dry season, indicating ample supplies of plant‐available‐water and ecosystem adaptation for maximum light utilization.

The potential for maximizing conversion of room-temperature, photoactivated resin composite in the oral environment is limited. Pre-heating composite prior to light-curing is hypothesized to increase monomer conversion and reduce the duration of light exposure. Composite temperature was controlled at between 3 degrees C and 60 degrees C prior to exposure with a conventional quartz-tungsten-halogen curing unit: 5, 10, 20, or 40 sec. Monomer conversion was calculated from infrared spectra at 0 mm (top) and 2-mm-deep surfaces 5 min after light initiation. A strong, positive correlation existed between temperature and monomer conversion: top r(2) = 0.999, 2 mm r(2) = 0.998. Conversion ranged from 31.6% (3 degrees C) to 67.3% (60 degrees C). The duration of light exposure, reduced by 50 to 75% with pre-heated composite, yielded the same or significantly higher conversion (p = 0.001) than with control (22 degrees C, 20 sec). Both hypotheses were accepted: Pre-heating composite prior to photoactivation provides greater conversion requiring reduced light exposure than with room-temperature composite.