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People with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing candidiasis which is a fungal infection caused by several species of Candida genus. In this work, polymeric nanoparticles containing miconazole nitrate and the anesthetic lidocaine clorhydrate were developed. Miconazole was chosen as a typical drug to treat buccopharyngeal candidiasis whereas lidocaine may be useful in the management of the pain burning, and pruritus caused by the infection. Nanoparticles were synthesized using chitosan and gelatin at different ratios ranging from 10:90 to 90:10. The nano-systems presented nanometric size (between 80 and 300 nm in water; with polydispersion index ranging from 0.120 to 0.596), and positive Z potential (between 20.11 and 37.12 mV). The determined encapsulation efficiency ranges from 65 to 99% or 34 to 91% for miconazole nitrate and lidocaine clorhydrate, respectively. X-ray diffraction and DSC analysis suggested that both drugs were in amorphous state in the nanoparticles. Finally, the systems fitted best the Korsmeyer–Peppas model showing that the release from the nanoparticles was through diffusion allowing a sustained release of both drugs and prolonged the activity of miconazole nitrate over time against Candida albicans for at least 24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is a recurrent oral infection caused by Candida species. Gel formulation containing miconazole nitrate is the most common approach for treating oral candidiasis. However, traditional oral topical antifungal therapies have many limitations, including short contact time with the oral mucosa and the necessity to administrate various doses per day. Thus, the aim of this work was to formulate composited microparticulated systems based on combinations of mucoadhesive cationic, anionic, and nonionic polymers that could protect and modify the drug release rate and therefore avoid a fast dilution of the drug by saliva. Microparticulated systems were prepared by the spray drying method employing chitosan, gelatin, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The morphology of the systems was investigated by scanning electron microscopy; drug crystallinity was studied by X-ray, while interactions between polymers were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Drug release and halo zone test were employed to analyze the release and activity of the systems loaded with miconazole against Candida albicans cultures. The most appropriate microparticulated system was the one based on chitosan and gelatin which showed homogeneous morphology (mean size of 1.7 ± 0.5 μm), a protective effect of the drug, and better antifungal effect against Candida culture than miconazole nitrate and the other assayed systems. Taking into account these results, this approach should be seriously considered for further evaluation of its safety and in vivo efficacy to be considered as an alternative therapeutic system for the treatment of oral candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bees represent an important element for the preservation of plant biodiversity. During their activities, bees cover a large area around the hive and their products strictly reflect the distinctive traits of these environments. In honey, the floral diversity of the areas inspected by bees is revealed by their pollen spectra. The present work characterized 460 Italian unifloral honeys by melissopalynological and physicochemical analyses. Obtained data contributed to: confirm the botanical identity of the samples; determine the plant biodiversity revealed in each honey; differentiate the samples of the same monofloral typology in relation to their geographical origin; and identify peculiar floristic associations in the Italian regions. Moreover, gas chromatographic analysis was carried out on rare unifloral honey to study their sugar profiles. This work provided the scientific base to create a valid tool able to assign a territorial brand and an authenticity guarantee to the honey, protecting the consumers from adulterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary outcomes were differences in ultrasound features of adenomyosis and endometriosis associated symptoms between the two groups. To evaluate the incidence of ultrasound features of adenomyosis in women with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). [Extracted from the article]

STUDY QUESTION: In women with deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) what is the prevalence of involvement of endometriotic tissue and fibrosis in ureteral endometriosis (UE), as assessed by histological staining? SUMMARY ANSWER: In women with DIE, ureteral involvement is more often due to endometriotic tissue rather than fibrosis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: In the current literature, histological evaluation of ureteral endometriosis is mainly based on the degree of wall infiltration by endometriosis instead of the tissue composition. A few studies reported ill-defined and contradictory histological data on the tissue composition of UE. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Retrospective observational study based on clinical records of women affected by DIE, laparoscopically treated for UE at a tertiary referral center, between January 2010 and March 2013. All cases of ureteral nodule excision or ureterectomy with histological examination of the specimens were included. Exclusion criteria were other identified causes of hydroureteronephrosis, medical therapy for a period of at least 3 months before surgery and previous surgery for DIE. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: A total of 77 patients were included in the study and among them seven (9%) presented with bilateral ureteral involvement, giving a total of 84 cases of UE available for analysis. All patients had stage IV endometriosis. According, respectively, to the presence of endometrial glands and/or stroma cells or of fibrotic tissue only, the endometriotic UE and fibrotic UE groups were compared with regard to hydroureteronephrosis at pre-operative urinary tract computerized tomography scan, type of surgical procedure performed to treat UE (nodule removal or ureterectomy), association with other locations of the disease and post-operative complications (ureteral fistula or stenosis). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: For the 84 cases of UE, 65 (77%) and 19 (23%), respectively, showed endometriotic tissue and fibrotic tissue only. Presence of hydroureteronephrosis and endometriotic pattern of UE showed a significant association [endometriotic UE 44/65 (68%) versus fibrotic UE 8/19 (42%); P = 0.04]. Fibrotic pattern of UE and presence of concomitant recto-vaginal endometriosis showed a significant association [endometriotic group: 29/65 (45%) versus fibrotic group 18/19 (95%); P, 0.001 ]. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The retrospective and monocentric (tertiary referral center) study design. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Besides the distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic UE based on the degree of wall infiltration by endometriosis, a new classification according to the histological pattern of UE could be useful for clinicians, both in the diagnostic and therapeutic fields. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Genome is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background:Organ confined prostate cancer (PCa) can be cured by radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP); however, some tumors will still recur. Current tools fail to identify patients at risk of recurrence. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the metabolism of carcinogens, hormones and drugs. Thus, genetic polymorphisms that modify the GST activities may modify the risk of PCa recurrence.Methods:We retrospectively recruited Argentine PCa patients treated with RRP to study the association between GST polymorphisms and PCa biochemical relapse after RRP. We genotyped germline DNA in 105 patients for: GSTP1 c.313A>G (p.105 Ile>Val, rs1695) by PCR-RFLP; and GSTT1 null and GSTM1 null polymorphisms by multiplex PCR. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate these associations.Results:Patients with GSTP1 c.313GG genotype showed shorter biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS) (P=0.003) and higher risk for recurrence in unadjusted (Hazard ratio (HR)=3.16, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.41-7.06, P=0.005) and multivariate models (HR=3.01, 95% CI=1.13-8.02, P=0.028). We did not find significant associations for GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes. In addition, we found shorter BRFS (P=0.010) and increased risk for recurrence for patients having two or more risk alleles when we combined the genotypes of the three GSTs in multivariate models (HR=3.06, 95% CI=1.20-7.80, P=0.019).Conclusions:Our results give support to the implementation of GSTs genotyping for personalized therapies as a novel alternative for PCa management for patients who undergo RRP. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that examined GST polymorphisms in PCa progression in Argentine men. Replication of our findings in larger cohort is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marques da Silva B, Baratto-Filho F, Leonardi DP, Henrique Borges A, Volpato L, Branco Barletta F. Effectiveness of ProTaper, D-RaCe, and Mtwo retreatment files with and without supplementary instruments in the removal of root canal filling material. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 927-932, 2012. Abstract Aim To assess the efficacy of different retreatment rotary files in removing gutta-percha and endodontic sealer from canals. Methodology Ninety straight single-rooted premolars were prepared up to a size 30 and filled with gutta-percha and sealer and then randomly assigned to six retreatment groups ( n = 15). Groups I, III, and V were retreated using rotary systems ProTaper Universal Retreatment (PTUR), D-RaCe, and Mtwo Retreatment, respectively. Groups II, IV, and VI were retreated using the additional instruments F4, size 40, .04 taper RaCe, and size 40, .04 taper Mtwo, respectively. The roots were split vertically, and images of the halves were obtained using a high-resolution scanner and evaluated with AutoCAD software to calculate the percentage of residual material. Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Student-Newman-Keuls tests using a 5% significance cutoff ( P < 0.05). Results There were no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05) between groups when additional instruments were used. The percentage of residual material was lowest in the PTUR group and was statistically significant only when compared to the D-RaCe system ( P = 0.0038). Conclusions All root canals had residual filling material after retreatment even when additional instruments were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to numerous episodes of contamination through illegal beekeeping practices, the certification and re-evaluation of honey is required to guarantee a clean, natural and healthy product. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the good quality of honey produced in protected areas by demonstrating both its nutraceutical content and its role in monitoring the plant species present in protected areas. All the physico-chemical parameters necessary for defining the quality of honey (botanical origin; conductivity; diastase activity; pH; free, lactonic and total acidities; water content; fructose, glucose and sucrose content; hydroxymethylfurfural) and total flavonoid and phenolic contents were analyzed and evidenced its high quality. Moreover, melissopalynology allowed us to establish a floristic census within the nature reserves and parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Gynecology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 – August 2, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 – August 2, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 – August 2, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 – August 2, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]