Evaluation of the effect of hydrocortisone in 2D and 3D HEp-2 cell culture

Cancer is one of the diseases with the highest incidence globally and that associated with the patient's emotional state, can act positively or negatively in the treatment. Cortisol is a principal primary stress hormone in the human body. The corticoids can increase cell proliferation and reactive oxygen species that contribute to DNA damage. Prolonged exposure to stress can contribute to tissues becoming insensitive to cortisol, the primary human stress hormone. This study explores cortisol's influence on tumor cell development, particularly in human cells of carcinoma of the human laryngeal (HEp-2). HEp-2 cells were exposed to increasing cortisol (hydrocortisone) concentrations for 24 or 48 hours, and cytotoxicity (MTT assay) proliferation assay (crystal violet assay), and immunolabeled 3D culture for fibronectin and FAK were analyzed. The group treated with hydrocortisone showed a significant increase in mitochondrial activity, as for the evaluation by the violet crystal, the treated group showed similar behavior to the control. The 3D culture showed dispersed cells within 24 hours with reduced FAK labeling; however, no changes were observed within 48 hours. Although some cases favored corticosteroid use in cancer patients, a more detailed analysis is necessary before prescribing them. Keywords: Stress, carcinoma, 3D culture, hydrocortisone.

Bakteri Simbion Akar Mangrove Avicennia Sp. Sebagai Pendegradasi Pewarna Tekstil

Textile dye is a material that has a negative effect on environmental quality, one of the textile dyes is violet crystal. Biodegradation is one of the methods that used in waste treatment and can take advantage of microbial activity to degrade waste. Mangroves are ecosystems that are found along coastal waters in tropical and subtropical areas. Microorganisms such as bacteria are able to live and develop in mangrove roots. This study aims to isolate and identify the bacteria that live on mangrove roots morphologically and are able get degrade textile dyes. This research was conducted using experimental laboratory methods. Samples were isolated from mangrove roots obtained in Wonorejo Surabaya sterilely. The process of isolation and verification of bacterial morphology was carried out at the Microbiology Laboratory of Hang Tuah University, Surabaya. The method of isolation was carried out using the spread method, and the purification of the bacteria was carried out using the streak method. The results obtained 10 bacterial isolates from the results of isolation and morphological examination, while 2 isolates were able to degrade the violet crystal textile dye, called AB.1.2 and AB.1.5 which were indicated by the presence of clear zones.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of aqueous extracts of Cucurbita pepo L.

<p><strong>Introduction</strong>: Cucurbita pepo L. is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The species is popularly used in different<br />countries for the treatment of diabetes and parasitic diseases. <strong>Objective</strong>: This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm<br />potential of aqueous extracts of leaves and seeds of C. pepo. <strong>Methodology</strong>: the extracts were tested in vitro against strains of<br />Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans and Candida krusei. The antimicrobial activity was performed by the microtiter method and<br />the antibiofilm activity by the violet crystal method. <strong>Results</strong>: the results demonstrated that the extracts tested showed antibacterial<br />and antibiofilm actions against S. pyogenes, but it was not possible to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The<br />extracts inhibited the growth of C. albicans and C. krusei with MIC of 0.03 mg/mL. The antibiofilm activity of these species did not<br />present either a dose dependence relationship or a synergistic effect when associated with the antifungal Fluconazole®. <strong>Conclusion</strong>:<br />although there are indications of antimicrobial and inhibitory action in the formation of biofilm, additional studies are necessary to<br />characterize the possible pharmacological effects of the analyzed specie</p>

Antimicrobial Resistance Profile and Biofilm Production of Microorganisms Isolated from Oropharynx of Rupornis magnirostris (Gmelin, 1788) and Caracara plancus (Miller, 1777)

The aim of this preliminary study was to identify microorganisms with antimicrobial resistance profile and biofilm producers in oropharynx of Rupornis magnirostris and Caracara plancus. Six R. magnirostris and six C. plancus maintained in Triage Center for Wild Animals (CETAS) facilities were studied. Coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), enterobacteria, and yeasts were identified by the biochemical analysis or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The resistance profile of the microorganisms was analyzed according to CLSI. The biofilm production was evaluated by Congo red and violet crystal staining methods. Among the 12 birds, 10 presented strains of CoPS and/or enterobacteria with resistance profile, such as methicillin-resistant CoPS (MR-CoPS), vancomycin-resistant CoPS (VR-CoPS), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL), and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase- (KPC-) producing bacteria. Regards the fungal analysis, Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, R. glutinis, and Trichosporon coremiiforme were identified. All the Trichosporon coremiiforme strains were resistant to amphotericin B, as well as all the Rhodotorula mucilaginosa exhibited resistance to fluconazole. Related to the biofilm production, among the 8 CoPS, 27 enterobacteria, and 10 yeasts isolates, 3, 16, and 7 strains were biofilm producers, respectively. Thus, the presence of these microorganisms in birds of prey is worrisome, highlighting its possible influence in the spread of infections in urban centers.

Evaluación in vitro de la formación de biopelículas de bacterias marinas del Caribe colombiano

Biofilm formation is an important process for marine bacterial communities because this mechanism favors adaptation to variations in environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biofilm formation of bacteria isolated from marine sediments under in vitro conditions. For this, biofilm quantification assays were performed using two methods, violet crystal and reduction of the XTT dye; In addition, the viability of the bacteria was evaluated by Live / Dead staining. Subsequently, the strains evaluated were identified using the 16S RNA marker. The results showed that the isolates belong to the genus Bacillus, all in different ranges were able to form filmsand strains B. safensis 64181 and Bacillus sp 64186 were selected which indicated greater production of this. Tests at different temperatures showed that for the strains selected the best temperature was 28 ° C. In addition, a mixed culture was carried out with these isolates, resultingin differences in the density of the biofilm and less changes in its metabolic activity in temperature variation experiments. From the results we can infer that bacterial consortiums can favor resistance to environmental variations in biofilms formed by bacteria of the genus Bacillus.

Terpinen-4-ol inhibits the growth of Sporothrix schenckii complex and exhibits synergism with antifungal agents

Aim: This study investigated the effect of terpinen-4-ol against Sporothrix schenckii complex and its interactions with antifungals. Materials & methods: The antifungal activity of terpinen-4-ol was evaluated by broth microdilution. The potential effect on cellular ergosterol concentration was evaluated by spectrophotometry. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated by violet crystal staining and XTT reduction assay. The potential pharmacological interactions with antifungals were evaluated by the checkerboard assay. Results: terpinen-4-ol (T-OH) showed minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 4 to 32 mg/l decreasing cellular ergosterol content and presented a SMIC ranging from 64 to 1024 mg/l for Sporothrix spp. The combinations of T-OH with itraconazole or terbinafine were synergistic. Conclusion: T-OH has antifungal activity against Sporothrix spp. and acts synergistically with standard antifungals.

Antiparasitic activity of Ophiocomina nigra in Entamoeba invadens

Objetive: Analyze the antiparasitic activity of marine invertebrate Ophiocomina nigra in Entamoeba invadens. Methodology. In O. nigra, an analysis of the quantitative proximal chemical composition (moisture, ash, protein, lipids and nitrogen-free extract) was performed. In addition, the determination of the total protein pattern (SDS-PAGE 10%). On the other hand, the antiparasitic activity of E. invadens trophozoites was determined, which were grown in TYI medium at 28 ° C and exposed to the aqueous extract of O. nigra for 24 hours. Subsequently, metabolic activity (XTT assay) was determined and morphology was analyzed. Cytotoxicity tests were performed on human liver cells (Hep G2) exposed for 24 hours to O. nigra (XTT test) and the biomass was determined (violet crystal staining). Contribution. The antiparasitic activity of O. nigra in E. invadens and the cytotoxic effect in human liver cells was determined. There are few scientific studies of this marine invertebrate on its use in traditional medicine, so it is important to analyze its effects and therapeutic value.

ADSORPTION STUDY OF CRYSTAL VIOLET AND MALACHITE GREEN DYES IN ZEOLITIC MATERIAL

Violet crystal and malachite green are dyes used in the textile industry. These organic compounds are toxic agents capable of polluting water resources as well as destroying the existing biota in this location. The decolorization of textile effluents has always been a global problem, but it has accentuated over time with increasing scale operation and changes in the origin of the dyes used. Decolorization of wastewater achieved by physically removing the dye from the water or by destroying its chromophore group. Adsorption is referred to as one of the most efficient and feasible methods for discoloring an effluent. Molecular sieves (zeolites) showed to be an efficient alternative in the discoloration of textile effluents when compared to other processes in the industry. Sodalite is a zeolite that has the ability to adsorb the azo functional groups related to color. The focus of this work is to use sodalite in the process of discoloration of a synthetic solution of crystal violet and malachite green. The experiments performed by varying the contact times between the zeolitic material and the synthetic solutions of the dyes. The results revealed that both dyes had a decolorization process. According to analyzes, greater times of contact (12, 24, 48, and 72 hours) with sodalite is more efficient in the removal color. A decisive factor in this process is the higher Si/Al ratio (2.5) of sodalite that potentiates the process and efficiency of the experiments.

SYNTHESIS OF SODALITE ZEOLITE TO TREATMENT OF TEXTILE EFFLUENTS

Textile dye industry causes environmental impacts due to inappropriate disposal of effluents. Several processes have been studied to effective treatment in the dye removal, one of the main molecular sieves (zeolites). The zeolite material, especially sodalite, has the ability to adsorb the metals and functional chromophore groups. Therefore, the sodalite has characteristics that have attention to the scientific community for the treatment of textile effluents. The aim of this work was to synthesize and evaluate the use of sodalite zeolite in four Si/Al ratios (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5) and to test the adsorption capacity in the presence of violet crystal textile dye. As result, the synthesized zeolites presented a characteristic that places them in the adsorbent materials. Among the techniques used for characterization, we have the mean pore diameter between 1.65 and 2.07 nm. X-ray diffraction revealed crystalline phases as sodalite zeolite with the presence of kaolinite, mullite, and quartz. Cation-exchange-capacity was between 0.8871 to 1.017 meq/g, where it had a 14.65% increase of the 2.5-SOD sample. The dye adsorption process was reduced to 12% (44 mg/L). Thus, it has concluded that the obtained sodalite zeolites have potential in the effective removal of dyes from the textile industry.