Abstract: The study characterizes dental implant surfaces treated with phosphoric acid to assess the effects of acid treatment on blood cells and correlate them with cytokine levels. The implant surfaces examined were divided into untreated metal surface (US; n = 50), metal surface treated with phosphoric acid (ATS; n = 50) and cement surface (CS; n = 50) groups. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and rheometry. The implants were incubated with human blood mononuclear cells for 24 h, with surface rinsing in the ATS treatment. Cell viability was determined by colorimetric methods and cytokines in the culture supernatant were quantified using flow cytometry. In the ATS group, the surface porosity and contact surface were increased and plaques were observed on the surface. The blood flow and viscosity curves were similar among the treatments, and the high cell viability rates indicate the biocompatibility of the materials used. An increase in the levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α was observed in the ATS and CS groups. There were positive correlations between IL-10 and IL-2 levels and between IL-10 and IL-4 levels in the culture supernatant of the ATS group. The results suggest that implant surface treatment with phosphoric acid activates the production of inflammatory cytokines. The increased cytokine levels can modulate the immune response, thereby improving biofunctional processes and promoting the success of dental implants.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi encontrar correlações entre parâmetros hematológicos e reológicos na leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC). Cães com LVC (n=31) tiveram diagnóstico confirmado de LVC pelo teste rápido imunocromatográfico (TR DPP®) e o ensaio de Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). Cães saudáveis negativos para o TR DPP® e PCR foram alocados no grupo controle (n=31). Foram avaliados parâmetros hematológicos, proteínas totais, albumina, globulina, anticorpos e as propriedades reológicas do sangue. Os valores de eritrócitos, hematócrito e plaquetas de cães do grupo LVC foram menores do que os encontrados no grupo controle. As concentrações de proteína total, globulina e imunoglobulina G (IgG) foram maiores em amostras de soro do grupo LVC. A curva do fluxo sanguíneo apresentou maior taxa de cisalhamento no grupo LVC. A viscosidade sanguínea dos animais infectados foi menor do que a viscosidade do sangue dos animais do grupo controle. Uma correlação positiva foi encontrada entre o número de eritrócitos e a viscosidade do sangue. Esses dados sugerem que as mudanças na curva de fluxo e viscosidade do sangue, bem como os valores de eritrócitos, podem ser uma alternativa viável e de baixo custo para o monitoramento de cães com leishmaniose visceral.

Abstract The aim of this study was to find correlations between haematological and rheological parameters in canine visceral leishmaniasis (CLV). Enrolled dogs with CVL (n=31) had a confirmed diagnosis using the rapid test Dual Path Platform (TR DPP®) kit and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. A control group (n=31) comprised healthy dogs with negative results for the TR DPP® kit and PCR assay. Haematological parameters and total protein, albumin, globulin, and antibody were assessed. The rheological properties of the blood samples were also determined. Erythrocytes, haematocrit and platelet values of dogs in the CVL group were found to be lower than those of the control group. The total protein, globulin and IgG concentrations were higher in serum samples from the CVL group. The blood flow curve demonstrated increased shear rates in the CVL group. The viscosity of the blood from the infected animals was lower than in the healthy dogs. A positive correlation was found between erythrocyte numbers and blood viscosity. These data suggest that changes in the flow curve and viscosity of blood as well as the erythrocyte values may be a viable low-cost alternative for the monitoring of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi promover a adsorção da Strychnos pseudoquina ST. HILL (Quina do Cerrado) em microesferas de PEG e avaliar seu efeito imunomodulador sobre a atividade funcional de fagócitos de sangue humano. Foram coletadas 120 amostras de sangue humano para obtenção dos fagócitos. O extrato aquoso da planta foi obtido por maceração seguida de destilação. As microesferas de polietilenoglicol foram analisadas por microscopia de fluorescência, por citometria de fluxo e por espectroscopia no infravermelho e a atividade funcional dos fagócitos foi verificada através da liberação de superóxido, da fagocitose e da atividade microbicida. As análises de microscopia de fluorescência e de citometria de fluxo revelaram que as microesferas de PEG apresentaram um tamanho aproximado de 5,8 µm e que o extrato da "Quina do Cerrado" e suas frações foram capazes de adsorverem às microesferas de PEG. A adsorção da quina e de suas frações às microesferas de PEG aumentou a atividade funcional dos fagócitos. Estes dados permitem concluir que a adsorção do extrato de Strychnos pseudoquina ST. HILL. em microesferas de PEG pode ser um importante neomaterial funcional para futuras aplicações clínicas em doenças inflamatórias e crônicas degenerativas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adsorption of Strychnos pseudoquina ST. HILL. ("Quina do Cerrado") onto PEG microspheres and to verify the immunomodulatory effect on blood phagocytes. 120 blood samples from humans were used to obtain the phagocytes. Preparation of plant extract of Strychnos pseudoquina ST. HILL. was carried out by maceration followed by distillation. The PEG microspheres were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and infrared spectrum, while the functional activity of phagocytes was measured by the release of superoxide, phagocytosis and microbicidal activity of blood phagocytes. The analysis of fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that the PEG microsphere had approximately 5.8 µm in size and that "Quina do Cerrado" and its fractions were able to absorb onto PEG microspheres. The adsorption of the plant and its fractions to the PEG microspheres increased the functional activity of phagocytes. These data show that the adsorption of the extract of Strychnos pseudoquina ST. HILL. on PEG microspheres can be an important functional new material for future clinical applications in inflammatory and chronic degenerative diseases.