Genetic stability of Brucella abortus S19 and RB51 vaccine strains by multiple locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA16)

The aims of the present study were (i) to assess the in vitro genetic stability of S19 and RB51 Brucella abortus vaccines strains and (ii) to evaluate the ability of multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) as a tool to be used in the quality control of live vaccines against brucellosis. Sixty-three batches of commercial S19 (n = 53) and RB51 (n = 10) vaccines, produced between 2006 and 2009, were used in this study. S19 and RB51 vaccines were obtained from, respectively, seven and two different manufacturers. Ten in vitro serial passages were performed on reference strains and on selected batches of commercial vaccines. All batches, reference strains and strains of serial passages were typed by the MLVA16. The results demonstrated that B. abortus S19 and RB51 vaccine strains are genetically stable and very homogeneous in their respective groups. Anyway, batches of S19 from one manufacturer and batches of RB51 from another presented genotypes distincts from the reference vaccine strains. In both cases, differences were found on locus Bruce07, which had addition of one repeat unit in the case of S19 batches and the deletion of one repeat unit in the case of RB51 batches. In summary, MLVA16 proved to be a molecular tool capable of discriminating small genomic variations and should be included in in vitro official tests.     

Assistive technology for communication of older adults: a systematic review

Objective: Describe the use of assistive technology to enhance communication opportunities for older adults.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in two databases, PubMed and Web of Science, by using two different searches in each. The search was limited to original articles, in English language, including people aged 60 years and older that used any type of assistive technology for communication. The articles found in the initial search were filtered by title, abstracts and the remaining articles were fully read.

Results: Eighteen studies were included in this review after the reading of full-texts. Most of the studies included apparently healthy participants with communication limitations due to aging related changes and the others included people with some pathology that prevent them from normal communication.

Conclusion: Four categories of assistive technology were identified: assistive technology for people with speech problems; robot or videoconferencing systems; Information and Communication Technologies and, other types of assistive technology for communication, such as hearing aids and scrapbooks. Assistive technology for communication of older adults is not only used by people with disabilities that prevent them from usual communication. They are mostly for older adults without a pathological communication problem.     

Phthalimido-thiazole as privileged scaffold: activity against immature and adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni

Parasitology Research - Phthalimide, 1,3-thiazole, and thiazolidinone cores are considered privileged scaffolds and represent an attractive starting point to design new bioactive compounds for...     

Effect of dentifrice containing fTCP,CPP-ACP and fluoride in the prevention of enamel demineralization

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different fluoride- and calcium- and/or phosphate-containing products on their ability to prevent enamel demineralization under pH cycling conditions.

Material and methods: Enamel bovine specimens were assigned to the following groups: G1-MPP (MI Paste Plus, 0.2% NaF, Recaldent?, GC Corporation Tokyo, Japan); G2-FD (Crest? Cavity Protection, 0.243% NaF, Procter &; Gamble, USA); G3-CLP (Clinpro? 5000, 1.1% NaF, 3M ESPE, USA); and G4-CO (Control without fluoride, Silica-based dentifrice; Daudt Ltda, Brazil). The specimens were soaked in demineralizing solution for 6?h and remineralizing solution for 18?h alternatively for 10 days. The toothpaste was prepared with deionized water in a 1:3 ratio (w/v) for three minutes daily. The solutions were renewed every 48?h. After cycling, enamel changes were analysed by percentage change of SMH (%SMH) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The %SMH value observed for G3-CLP (2.9?±?39.2) was higher than that found in G4-CO (?13.0?±?20.7), G1-MPP (?8.9?±?20.9) and G2-FD (?3.9?±?27.1). The %SMH was similar for all treatment groups (one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD; p?2+ and P_total in the remineralization solutions were not different among all groups (Kruskal–Wallis; p?2+ concentration in the demineralization solution was significantly lower in G1-MPP. Ca²⁺ concentration increased in all groups after 48?h, except for G3-CLP. The EDX quantitative analysis showed that the atomic % of elements is lower level at G4-CO.

Conclusions: The Clinpro? 5000 demonstrated having the most protective effect against demineralization; however, the % SMH was similar for all groups.