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The management of inflammatory bowel diseases has been widely investigated, especially ulcerative colitis. Thus, studies with the application of new probiotic products are needed in the prevention/treatment of these clinical conditions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of probiotic orange juice containing Pediococcus acidilactici CE51 in a murine model of colitis. 45 male Swiss lineage mice were used, divided into five groups (n = 9): control, colitis, colitis + probiotic (probiotic orange juice containing CE51), colitis + placebo (orange juice) and colitis + sulfasalazine (10 mg/kg/Weight). The induction of colitis was performed with dextran sodium sulfate (3%). The treatment time was 5 and 15 days after induction. Histopathological analysis, serum measurements of TNF-α and C-reactive protein and metagenomic analysis of feces were performed after euthanasia. Probiotic treatment reduced inflammation in the small intestine, large intestine and spleen. The probiotic did not alter the serum dosages of TNF-α and C-reactive protein. Their use maintained the quantitative ratio of the phylum Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and increased Lactobacillus helveticus with 15 days of treatment (p < 0.05). The probiotic orange juice containing P. acidilactici CE51 positively modulated the gut microbiota composition and attenuated the inflammation induced in colitis.

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AIMS: Glucocorticoids have adverse side effects that can compromise bone tissue. There is evidence to show that symbiotics and curcumin can prevent bone loss. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of curcumin and symbiotic to prevent and/or minimize a possible bone impairment in rats submitted to the use of dexamethasone. METHODS: Fifty Wistar female rats were divided into five groups: control group (CT), dexamethasone control group (D), dexamethasone and symbiotic group (DS), dexamethasone and curcumin group (DC), and dexamethasone and symbiotic/curcumin group (DSC). Dexamethasone was applied three times a week, while the symbiotic and curcumin were administered daily. Alkaline phosphatase and calcium dosages, analysis of structural and material properties, and Raman analysis of femurs were performed. KEY FINDINGS: Alkaline phosphatase was higher in the DC group. Maximum load and structural stiffness were higher in the CT group. Maximum stress was lower and similar between dexamethasone groups. The CT group had a lower percentage of strain, the D group had greater deformation compared to the DC group and the DS group presented more deformation than the DC group. The D, DS, and DSC groups had a lower elastic modulus compared to the CT group. The 960/1660 ratios of the D, DS, and DSC groups were different from the CT group. The 1070/1660 ratio was higher in the DC group. SIGNIFICANCE: It was possible to verify that curcumin showed promising effects related to the increase in bone strength and mineralization, mitigating the deleterious effects caused by dexamethasone, when used simultaneously with this drug.

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INTRODUCTION: Contamination of cell phones can contribute to the dissemination of pathogens in the community and/or hospital environment. OBJECTIVE: To characterize Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cell phones of university students. METHODS: Samples were collected from 100 cell phones. Detection of genes associated with virulence factors such as biofilm formation (icaA and icaD), enterotoxins production (SEA, SEB, SEC, and SED), and resistance to methicillin (mecA and mecC) was performed in S. aureus isolates by PCR. Typing mecA gene performed by multiplex PCR. Susceptibility to antimicrobials and biofilm formation rate also evaluated by using disk diffusion test and crystal violet staining. RESULTS: S. aureus was present in 40% of the total samples and about 70% of them belonged to Nursing students. Of the isolates, 85% presented resistance to penicillin and 50% were classified as moderate biofilm producers. In addition, 92.5% of isolates contained the gene icaA and 60% of the gene icaD. Approximately 25% of the isolates presented the mecA gene. Typing of the mecA gene showed the presence of staphylococcal chromosome cassette SCCmec I and c III respectively in 20% and 10% of the isolates. 70% of the samples could not be typed by the technique. Regarding the enterotoxins, the most prevalent gene was SEA (30%) followed by the SEC gene (2.5%). The presence of SED and SEB genes not observed in any of the isolates. CONCLUSION: The cleaning and periodic disinfection of cell phones can contribute to the reduction of the risk of nosocomial infection.

INTRODUÇÃO: A contaminação de celulares pode contribuir para a disseminação de patógenos na comunidade e/ou ambiente hospitalar. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar cepas de Staphylococcus aureus de telefones celulares de estudantes universitários. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas amostras de 100 telefones celulares. Detecção de genes associados a fatores de virulência quanto a: formação de biofilme (icaA e icaD), produção de enterotoxinas (SEA, SEB, SEC e SED) e resistência à meticilina (mecA e mecC) foi realizada em isolados de S. aureus por PCR. A Tipagem do gene mecA foi realizada por PCR multiplex. A susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos e a taxa de formação de biofilme pelo teste de difusão em disco e coloração com cristal violeta. RESULTADOS: S. aureus esteve presente em 40% do total de amostras, destas, 70% pertenciam a estudantes do curso de enfermagem. Dos isolados, 85% apresentaram resistência à penicilina e 50% foram classificados com moderada formação de biofilme. Além disso, 92,5% dos isolados continham o gene icaA e 60% o gene icaD. Aproximadamente 25% dos isolados apresentaram o gene mecA. A tipagem do gene mecA mostrou a presença do cassete cromossômico estafilocócico SSCmec I e III em respectivamente 20% e 10% dos isolados. 70% das amostras não puderam ser identificadas pela técnica. Das enterotoxinas, o gene mais prevalente foi o SEA (30%), seguido pelo gene SEC (2.5%). A presença dos genes SED e SEB não foi observada nos isolados. CONCLUSÃO: A limpeza e desinfecção periódica dos telefones celulares podem contribuir para a redução do risco de infecção nosocomiais.

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The periosteum is a rich source of osteoprogenitor cells and periosteal grafts can be used as an alternative method to replace bone grafts. The low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has often been used as a noninvasive method to stimulate osteogenesis and reduce the fracture healing time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the ultrasound exposure on the rat tibia periosteum. Group I (7 animals) received LIPUS therapy on the left tibia for 7 days and group II (7 animals) on the left tibia for 14 days. After euthanasia, the tibias were processed. Number of periosteal cells and vessels and thickness of the periosteum were analyzed. The number of periosteal cells was higher in stimulated periosteum compared to controls at 7 and 14 days, but the number of vessels and the thickness only were higher in the group stimulated at 14 days. Furthermore, the ultrasound treatment for 14 days was more effective than 7 days. The ultrasound stimulation of the periosteum prior to grafting procedure can be advantageous, since it increases periosteal activity, and LIPUS may be an alternative method for stimulating the periosteum when the use of periosteal grafts in bone repair is needed.

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Studies reported the harmful effects of 2,4-D on body tissues, provoking changes in the anatomy and physiology of the kidneys, liver, and testicles. Thus, the objective was to evaluate if there were alterations in the bone quality of the tibia of rats submitted to feed consumption that were exposed to three different 2,4-D doses. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: oral control group (C: feed consumption without 2,4-D contamination); low oral concentration group (G3: contaminated feed with low concentration of 2,4-D); medium concentration group (G6: contaminated feed with medium concentration of 2,4-D); and high concentration group (G9: contaminated feed with high concentration of 2,4-D). The results demonstrated alterations of the mechanical properties and Raman ratios of the tibias of the contaminated groups. The maximum load, maximum stress, elastic modulus, and the cortical area were lower in the G6 and G9 compared to C group. The mineral-to-matrix ratio (relative mineral to organic content) was lower in the G6 and G9 groups compared to C group, but carbonate-to-matrix ratio (indicator of bone turnover) was higher in both groups. Thus, it is possible to suggest that the 2,4-D herbicide performed deleterious effects on the bone quality of male Wistar rats.

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The region in tendons that surrounds bone extremities adapts to compression forces, developing a fibrocartilaginous structure. During maturation, changes occur in the amount and organization of macromolecules of the extracellular matrix of tendons, changing the tissue morphology. To study the effect of maturation on tendons, Pedrês chickens were sacrificed at 1, 5, and 8 months old and had the calcaneal tendon (CT) divided into proximal region, submitted to tension/compression forces (p), and distal region submitted to tension force (d). Morphological analysis of the p region showed the presence of fibrocartilage in all ages. In the central part of the fibrocartilage, near a diminishment of the metachromasy, there was also a development of a probable fat pad that increased with the maturation. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was higher at 5 and 8 months old, in both regions, compared with 1-month-old animals. In SDS-PAGE analysis, components with electrophoretic migration similar to decorin and fibromodulin increased with maturation, particularly in the d region. The Western blotting confirmed the increased amount of fibromodulin with maturation. In conclusion, our results show that process of maturation leads to the appearance of a probable fat pad in the center of the fibrocartilage of CT, with a reduced amount of glycosaminoglycans and an increased activity of MMPs.

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Simvastatin can modulate lipid and bone metabolism. However, information related to the interaction between diet and simvastatin on bone structure and biomechanics is scarce. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of simvastatin on femoral biomechanics and cortical/trabecular bone structure in wild-type mice nourished with a hyperlipidic diet. Three-month-old male wild-type mice (C57BL6 strain) were divided into four groups: (1) group W, nourished with a standard diet; (2) group WH, fed a hyperlipidic diet; (3) group WS, nourished with a standard diet plus oral simvastatin (20 mg/kg/day); and (4) group WHS, fed a hyperlipidic diet plus oral simvastatin (20 mg/kg/day). All animals received only their specific diet and water for 60 days. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of calcium, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC) and fraction serum levels. Diet manipulation was able to induce a dyslipidaemic status in mice, characterized by triglyceride and TC rise in WH animals. Simvastatin prevented hypercholesterolaemia and reduced TC and LDL serum levels, but did not prevent hypertriglyceridaemia and HDL serum levels in the WHS group. In the WH mice the hyperlipidaemia was associated with reduction in trabecular bone thickness, femur structural and material property alterations. Simvastatin prevented these morphological alterations and minimized femur biomechanical changes in WHS mice. Taken together, the results indicated that the hyperlipidic diet intake acts as a risk factor for bone integrity, generating bones with reduced resistance and more susceptible to fractures, an effect attenuated by simvastatin that is potentially related to the modulatory action of this drug on lipid and bone metabolism.

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Dystrophin-deficient muscles have repeated cycles of necrosis and regeneration, being susceptible to injury induced by muscle contractions. Some studies have demonstrated that tendons are also affected in mdx mice, based especially on the changes in biomechanical properties arising from the respective linked muscles. However, most studies have focused only on alterations in the myotendinous junction. Thus, the purpose of this work was to study biochemical and morphological alterations in the Achilles tendons of 60-day-old mdx mice. Hydroxyproline quantification, showed higher collagen concentration in the mdx mice as compared with the control. No difference between the tendons of both groups was found in the noncollagenous proteins dosage, and in the amount of collagen type III detected in the western blotting analysis. The zymography for gelatinases detection showed higher amounts of metaloproteinase-2 (active isoform) and of metalloproteinase-9 (latent isoform) in the mdx mice. Measurements of birefringence, using polarization microscopy, showed higher molecular organization of the collagen fibers in the tendons of mdx mice in comparison to the control group, with presence of larger areas of crimp. Ponceau SS-stained tendon sections showed stronger staining of the extracellular matrix in the mdx groups. Toluidine blue-stained sections showed more intense basophilia in tendons of the control group. In morphometry, a higher number of inflammatory cells was detected in the epitendon of mdx group. In conclusion, the Achilles tendon of 60-day-old mdx mice presents higher collagen concentration and organization of the collagen fibers, enhanced metalloproteinase-2 activity, as well as prominent presence of inflammatory cells and lesser proteoglycans.

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A relationship between compromised muscles and other tissues has been demonstrated in mdx mouse, an animal model studied for understanding of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The hypothesis is that changes in the calcaneal tendon of mdx mice occur previous to the onset of rigorous and most marked episodes of muscle degeneration, which start suddenly after 21 days of life. Thus, this study aimed to identify possible alterations in the calcaneal tendon of mdx mouse at 21 days of age. Control and mdx tendons were submitted to mechanical tensile testing, quantification of hydroxyproline, and staining with toluidine blue and picrosirius red. Hydroxyproline content was similar between mdx and control groups. The control tendon presented higher mechanical strength (load, stress, and elastic modulus) and its morphological analysis showed a larger number of round fibroblasts, nuclei with well-decondensed chromatin, and slightly metachromatic well-stained cytoplasmic material, different from that observed in mdx tendons. The results suggest that the absence of dystrophin in mdx mouse can provoke directly or indirectly alterations in the mechanical properties and morphology of the calcaneal tendon.

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O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do cetoprofeno e da dexametasona na osteogênese ao redor de implante de hidroxiapatita densa (HAD) na tíbia, no osso parietal, e na resistência óssea. Utilizaram-se 15 ratos Wistar, pesando 250±30 g, com 50 dias de idade. Após a anestesia com quetamina/xilazina IM, produziu-se no osso parietal e na epífise proximal da tíbia uma cavidade de 3 mm, sendo implantada a HAD. Após a cirurgia os animais foram divididos em três grupos (n=5): controle (CT), anti-inflamatório não esteroidal (AINES) e anti-inflamatório esteroidal (AIES). O grupo AINES foi submetido ao tratamento com cetoprofeno na dose de 12 mg/Kg/dia, o AIES recebeu doses de 0,10 mg/kg/dia de dexametasona o grupo CT recebeu solução fisiológica 0,9% (SF) por via subcutânea durante 30 dias. Todos os grupos receberam a mesma dieta sólida e água ad libitum. Após 30 dias de experimento os animais sofreram eutanásia, os fêmures coletados, para teste mecânico, e os locais do implante das tíbias e o osso parietal, para análise histomorfométrica. Os grupos AINES e AIES apresentaram menor volume de osso neoformado na falha óssea e ao redor do implante de HAD , como também, menor força máxima para a ruptura completa dos fêmures, quando comparados com o grupo CT. O uso do cetoprofeno e a dexametasona interferiram na osteogênese ao redor do implante de HAD e no osso parietal, diminuindo a resistência óssea principalmente pela inibição da COX2 e diminuição das prostaglandinas, comprometendo a estabilidade e manutenção do implante.

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of ketoprofen (NSAID) and dexamethasone (SAID) on osteogenesis around a dense hydroxyapatite (DHA) implant in the tibia and parietal bone, and on the bone resistance. Fifteen fifty-day-old Wistar rats weighing on average 250±30 g were used. The animals were separated into three groups (n=5): control (CT); non-steroidal anti-inflammatoryl (NSAID); and steroidal anti-inflammatory (SAID). After anesthesia with IM ketamine/xylazine, a 3 mm cavity was made in the left parietal bone and in the proximal epiphysis of the left tibia. A DHA bioceramic was implanted in the tibia. The animals were treated subcutaneously during 30 days as follows: NSAID group: ketoprofen at the dose of 12/Kg/day; SAID group: dexamethasone, 0,10 mg/kg/day. The CT group received saline through the same route. All the animals received the same solid diet and water ad libitum. After 30 days of experiment, the animals wereeuthanized, and their femurs collected for the mechanical test, while their tibia and parietal sites were prepared for the histomorphometrical analysis. Microscopically, the SAID and NSAID groups showed a lower volume of neoformed bone. In addition, the NSAID and SAID group femurs required lower maximum force for complete rupture when compared with the CT group. It was concluded that ketoprofen and dexamethasone interfered with osteogenesis and decreased bone resistance by altering the bone tissue metabolism, mainly by inhibiting the COX-2 and decreasing prostaglandins. Therefore, the use of ketoprofen and dexamethasone after bone surgeries can compromise the stability and maintenance of implants.

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