High-plasticity mineral trioxide aggregate and its effects on M1 and M2 macrophage viability and adherence, phagocyte activity, production of reactive oxygen species, and cytokines

Vasconcellos Betânia Canal,Tavares Layara Cristine Tomaz,da Silva Danilo Couto,Fonseca Francielen Oliveira,Benetti Francine,Sobrinho Antônio Paulino Ribeiro,Tavares Warley Luciano Fonseca 대한치과보존학회 2023 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.48 No.1

Objectives This study evaluated the effects of high-plasticity mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA-HP) on the activity of M1 and M2 macrophages, compared to white MTA (Angelus). Materials and Methods Peritoneal inflammatory M1 (from C57BL/6 mice) and M2 (from BALB/c mice) macrophages were cultured in the presence of the tested materials. Cell viability (MTT and trypan blue assays), adhesion, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β production were evaluated. Parametric analysis of variance and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Results were considered significant when p < 0.05. Results The MTT assay revealed a significant decrease in M1 metabolism with MTA-HP at 24 hours, and with MTA and MTA-HP later. The trypan blue assay showed significantly fewer live M1 at 48 hours and live M2 at 48 and 72 hours with MTA-HP, compared to MTA. M1 and M2 adherence and phagocytosis showed no significant differences compared to control for both materials. Zymosan A stimulated ROS production by macrophages. In the absence of interferon-γ, TNF-α production by M1 did not significantly differ between groups. For M2, both materials showed higher TNF-α production in the presence of the stimulus, but without significant between-group differences. Likewise, TGF-β production by M1 and M2 macrophages was not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions M1 and M2 macrophages presented different viability in response to MTA and MTA-HP at different time points. Introducing a plasticizer into the MTA vehicle did not interfere with the activity of M1 and M2 macrophages. Objectives This study evaluated the effects of high-plasticity mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA-HP) on the activity of M1 and M2 macrophages, compared to white MTA (Angelus). Materials and Methods Peritoneal inflammatory M1 (from C57BL/6 mice) and M2 (from BALB/c mice) macrophages were cultured in the presence of the tested materials. Cell viability (MTT and trypan blue assays), adhesion, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β production were evaluated. Parametric analysis of variance and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Results were considered significant when p < 0.05. Results The MTT assay revealed a significant decrease in M1 metabolism with MTA-HP at 24 hours, and with MTA and MTA-HP later. The trypan blue assay showed significantly fewer live M1 at 48 hours and live M2 at 48 and 72 hours with MTA-HP, compared to MTA. M1 and M2 adherence and phagocytosis showed no significant differences compared to control for both materials. Zymosan A stimulated ROS production by macrophages. In the absence of interferon-γ, TNF-α production by M1 did not significantly differ between groups. For M2, both materials showed higher TNF-α production in the presence of the stimulus, but without significant between-group differences. Likewise, TGF-β production by M1 and M2 macrophages was not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions M1 and M2 macrophages presented different viability in response to MTA and MTA-HP at different time points. Introducing a plasticizer into the MTA vehicle did not interfere with the activity of M1 and M2 macrophages.

Combining visual and textual data for assessing destination image: Lake tourism example

Ana Isabel Rodrigues,Antónia Correia,Metin Kozak 한국마케팅과학회 2017 마케팅과학연구 Vol.27 No.4

Lake-destination areas are highly favoured places for tourists due to their aquatic environment as well as areas’ rich surrounding regions. Existing literature on marketing lake-destination marketing lacks insights to identify the main image attributes driving visitors and understanding the lake tourism concept. The present study examines textual and pictorial data to generate image variables about Alqueva Lake, Portugal, the largest manmade lake in Europe. Results provide insights to characterize the potential of lake-destinations and to develop a fi nal list of variables specifi cally related to this destination type. The aim is also to help those involved in marketing the Alqueva Lake as a destination to identify and propose an adequate strategy.

The Spatial and Seasonal Variation of Trace Metals in Coastal Seawater and Soft Tissue of Chthamalus montagui around the Northwest Coast of Portugal

Pedro A. Reis,Maria Antónia Salgado,Vitor Vasconcelos 한국해양과학기술원 2017 Ocean science journal Vol.52 No.2

Metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) were determined in seawaters and soft tissues of Chthamalus montagui from the northwest coast of Portugal during the four seasons of 2011. The main objectives of this work were to assess seasonal and spatial variations of metals in order to detect hot spots of contamination, to establish correlations between metals in coastal seawaters and C. montagui and to calculate metal bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) in each season. Metal concentrations in coastal seawaters ranged within Cd: 1.2–35 ng L-1; Cr: 15–87 ng L-1; Mn: 77–1763 ng L-1; Cu: 126–1819 ng L-1; Fe: 430–4048 ng L-1 and Zn: 2889–16867 ng L-1 and in C. montagui ranged for Cd: 0.39–1.98 mg kg-1; Cr: 0.45–3.13 mg kg-1; Cu: 0.93–5.70 mg kg-1; Mn: 2.2– 20.4 mg kg-1; Fe: 135–707 mg kg-1 and Zn: 119–782 mg kg-1. Significant spatial and seasonal variations were found between: (i) metal concentrations in seawaters and C. montagui tissues; (ii) the distribution of metal concentrations in C. montagui tissues were Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Cd and (iii) C. montagui showed higher bioaccumulation factors for Fe and Cd than for Cu, Mn and Zn in all seasons. Regarding the metal concentrations accumulated in C. montagui tissues during each season of 2011, the ecological quality classifications of the NW coast of Portugal varied from “Class I – Unpolluted” to “Class III – Remarkably Polluted”.

Double Interatrial Septum: When Two Layers Aren’t Enough

Maria Tamara Neves Pereira,Ana Margarida Ramada Oliveira,Ana Filipa Polónia de Brito Cordeiro,Maria Cristina Freire Araújo da Cruz,António Rodrigo Miranda Lourenço 한국심초음파학회 2023 Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging (J Cardiovasc Im Vol.31 No.4

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Plant species from Brazilian Caatinga: a control alternative for Aedes aegypti

Carvalho Karine da Silva,Cruz Rômulo Carlos Dantas da,Souza Ivone Antônia de 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.2

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the main vector for the virus dengue, chikungunya and Zika. For its control, it is essential to search for natural products with insecticidal effects. The climatic singularity of Caatinga, an exclusive Brazilian biome, aids the survival of plants that produce secondary metabolites, which could be toxic to insects. Therefore, this review discusses the insecticidal potential of Caatinga plants on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager Software 5.4.1®. Several studies have demonstrated the insecticidal efficacy of Caatinga plants on the egg, larvae, pupae and adult phases of Ae. aegypti, with a pre dominance of the plant activity in the larval stage. The leaves were the most utilized part of the plant. The essential oils from Caatinga plants were significantly active against Ae. aegypti (RR = 0.21, 95 % CI = 0.07 – 0.68, p = 0.009). The most promising botanical genera as an insecticide are: Abarema, Myracrodruon, Croton, Lippia and Syagrus. Among chemical compounds from these insecticidal plants has been identified and isolated fla vonoids and fatty acids. Therefore, the Caatinga plant is a promising plant that contain bioactive compounds that are useful in the control of vector insects. This could contribute to the characterisation and valorisation of flora of this biome, as well as the production of environmentally friendly insecticides with specific action on target insects.

Cultural memories, discursive gaps, and tourism promotion: A framework for applied research

Marcelo G. Oliveira,Maria do Carmo Leal,Maria Isabel Roque,Maria João Forte,Sara Rodrigues de Sousa,Antónia Correia 한국마케팅과학회 2017 마케팅과학연구 Vol.27 No.4

Recent studies about the relation between heritage and tourism have consistently signaled the existence of fractures between the cultural reality of tourism destinations and the cognitive and emotional experience of contemporary visitors. On the other hand, the study of the relations between tourism and literature and the recent valorization of storytelling in tourism promotion have both pointed out the importance of diff erent types of discourses in the constitution of tourism spaces and the shaping of visitors’ expectations and experiences. When the desire for authenticity expressed by cultural tourists is also taken into account, the existence of inconsistencies between the cultural realities of destinations, existing discourses and the expectations and perceptions of tourists becomes apparent. Adapting, in an innovative approach, the Gap Model of Service Quality, this paper intends to present a research framework capable of enlightening existing cultural inconsistencies considering the discourses involved in the promotion and experience of tourism destinations. The framework will be applied in an exploratory investigation of the role of José Saramago’s Baltasar and Blimunda in the tourism promotion of Mafra and Lisbon, Portugal, with the aim of developing a conceptual model capable of describing inconsistencies in the promotion and experience of cultural destinations and facilitating the development of adequate mediation proposals .