Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a resistência de união ao cisalhamento da colagem (RCC), o índice de remanescente de adesivo (IRA) e o modo de fratura de bráquetes cerâmicos com retenção química e mecânica colados com diferentes compositos e irradiados com laser de CO2. A hipótese nula testada foi que bráquetes colados com diferentes compósitos e irradiados com laser de CO2 apresentam valores semelhantes de RCC. Noventa pré-molares humanos foram divididos em 6 grupos (n=15): 2 controles e 4 experimentais que se diferenciaram pelo tipo de bráquete ceramic (Fascination and Mystique) e pelo compósito de fixação (Transbond XT e Z 250). Nos quatro grupos experimentais, os bráquetes foram irradiados com laser de CO2 com 10W por 3 segundos anteriormente ao teste de RCC. O IRA das superficies de esmalte foram avaliados após a descolagem e submetidos a análise em microscopia electrônica de varredura (MEV). Para análise estatística foram utilizados ANOVA e o teste de mann-Whitney. Os grupos laser mostraram valores de RCC menores que os grupos não irradiados (controles) (p<0.05). Os bráquetes com retenção mecânica (Mystique) mostraram alta RCC (p<0.05) e o compósito Z 250 obteve os mais baixos valores de RCC após irradiação com laser. Os grupos colados com o compósito Z 250 apresentaram os mais altos escores do IRA. O modo de fratura mais prevalente foi a adesiva. A hipótese nula foi rejeitada. O laser de CO2 foi eficaz para diminuir os valores de RCC e facilitou a descolagem dos bráquetes cerâmicos de retenção química e mecânica

Abstract This study evaluated shear bond strength (SBS), adhesive remnant index (ARI) and fracture mode of chemically and mechanically retained ceramic brackets bonded with different composite resins and irradiated with CO2 laser. The null hypothesis was that ceramic brackets bonded with different composite resins and irradiated with CO2 laser would have similar SBS values. Ninety human premolars were divided into four experimental groups according to the combination of type of composite resin (Transbond XT and Z 250) and type of ceramic bracket (Fascination and Mystique), and two control groups (n=15). In the four experimental groups, the brackets were irradiated with CO2 laser at 10 W for 3 seconds before SBS testing. Enamel surface ARI was calculated after debonding under electron microscopy scanning. ANOVA and the Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis. The laser groups had lower SBS values than the non-irradiated groups (control) (p<0.05). The mechanically retained brackets (Mystique) had the higher (p<0.05) and Z250 had the lower SBS values after CO2 laser irradiation. The groups bonded with Z250 had the highest ARI. Adhesive fractures were the most prevalent. The null hypothesis was rejected. CO2 laser decreased SBS efficiently and facilitated debonding of mechanically and chemically retained ceramic brackets.

The aim of this study was to compare the PSPT standardized in-house as an alternative to MPT for potency assays of pertussis component. Statistical analyses have showed similar pertussis potency values when PSPT was compared to MPT. Significant correlation between the potency results obtained by in vivo and in vitro assays was also been observed. Results by PSPT have demonstrated reproducibility and accuracy for potency pertussis control and this approach has been considered promising for use at least during the steps of production.

In Leishmania amazonensis, kinetoplastid membrane protein-11 (KMP-11) expression increases during metacyclogenesis and is higher in amastigotes than in promastigotes, suggesting a role for this protein in the infection of the mammalian host. We show that the addition of KMP-11 exacerbates L. amazonensis infection in peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice by increasing interleukin (IL)-10 secretion and arginase activity while reducing nitric oxide (NO) production. The doses of KMP-11, the IL-10 levels and the intracellular amastigote loads were strongly, positively and significantly correlated. The increase in parasite load induced by KMP-11 was inhibited by anti-KMP-11 or anti-IL-10 neutralising antibodies, but not by isotype controls. The neutralising antibodies, but not the isotype controls, were also able to significantly decrease the parasite load in macrophages cultured without the addition of KMP-11, demonstrating that KMP-11-induced exacerbation of the infection is not dependent on the addition of exogenous KMP-11 and that the protein naturally expressed by the parasite is able to promote it. In this study, the exacerbating effect of KMP-11 on macrophage infection with Leishmania is for the first time demonstrated, implicating it as a virulence factor in L. amazonensis. The stimulation of IL-10 production and arginase activity and the inhibition of NO synthesis are likely involved in this effect.

Samples from 20 lots of diphtheria-tetanus (adult use dT) vaccine and from 20 lots of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine were used to standardize and validate the in vitro toxin binding inhibition (ToBI) test for the immunogenicity test of the tetanus component. The levels of tetanus antitoxin obtained by ToBI test were compared to those obtained using the toxin neutralization (TN) test in mice routinely employed to perform the quality control of the tetanus component in adsorbed vaccines. The results ranged from 1.8 to 3.5 IU/ml for dT and 2 to 4 IU/ml for DTP by ToBI test and 1.4 to 3 IU/ml for dT and 1.8 to 3.5 IU/ml for DTP by TN in mice. These results were significantly correlated. From this study, it is concluded that the ToBI test is an alternative to the in vivo neutralization procedure in the immunogenicity test of the tetanus component in adsorbed vaccines. A substantial refinement and a reduction in use of animals can be achieved.