Abstract In this study, it is investigated the anti-adhesive effectiveness of ZrN/Ti and TiN/Ti, deposited by magnetron sputtering, as coating materials of electrosurgical electrodes of steel in protein adhesion tests. Stoichiometry and the thickness of the systems were assessed with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry measurements. Vertical surface deviations were evaluated with the five-point mean height and the arithmetic average height and correlations between the amount of adhered protein in the electrosurgical electrodes and measurements of wettability and electrical resistivity were investigated. The quality of both coatings was put to the test through protein adhesion tests at high temperatures. Cuts with electrosurgical electrodes were performed in an abdominal flap for different electric power and cutting times. The results indicate less adhesion of protein on both proposed coatings, compared to the traditional electrodes of stainless steel, proving to be cheaper alternatives for the surgical industry than other massive anti-adherent electrodes as Au and Ti.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antifúngica do extrato aquoso de folhas de "bardana" [Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.], por meio da determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e Concentração Fungicida Mínima (CFM) sobre diferentes espécies e linhagens do gênero Candida. Foram incluídas no trabalho as espécies de Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. stellatoidea, C. dubliniensis e C. krusei. Utilizaram-se quatro linhagens de C. albicans e três de C.tropicalis, enquanto que para as demais espécies, apenas uma linhagem foi testada. Estas leveduras foram utilizadas no estudo devido à importância e frequência na cavidade bucal. As leveduras foram submetidas a tratamentos com concentrações do extrato aquoso que variaram de 0,09 a 25 mg mL-1. Os resultados indicaram que concentrações inferiores a 12,5 mg mL-1 não são suficientes para apresentar efeito fungistático ou fungicida. A concentração de 12,5 mg mL-1 apresentou efeito fungistático sobre a maioria das linhagens e espécies testadas (C. albicans 04A e ATCC44858; C. tropicalis 23600 e 23651; C. glabrata; C. stellatoideia; C. dubliniensis e C. krusei). Entretanto, efeito fungicida foi observado apenas sobre a espécie C. krusei (CFM=12,5 mg mL-1). Comportamento diferenciado foi observado entre diferentes linhagens de uma espécie (para C. albicans e C. tropicalis). Assim, a ação antifúngica do extrato aquoso de A. minus (Hill) Bernh. provavelmente está associada à variabilidade genética existente entre as diferentes linhagens de uma mesma espécie e das diferentes espécies, sendo que concentrações inferiores a 12,5 mg mL-1 não apresentaram efeito sobre as leveduras testadas. Com base na metodologia empregada e dentro das limitações deste estudo, conclui-se que o extrato aquoso de A. minus revelou efeito antifúngico, principalmente fungistático, contra espécies de Candida orais. Porém, novos estudos são necessários para avaliar o seu real potencial antifúngico dentro do meio bucal.

This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of the aqueous extract from leaves of burdock [Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh.] by determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) on different species and strains of Candida genus. The species Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. stellatoidea, C. dubliniensis, and C. Krusei were included in this study. Four C. albicans and three C. tropicalis strains were used, whereas only one strain of each remaining species was tested. Such yeasts were used in this study due to their importance and frequency in the oral cavity. The yeasts were subjected to treatments with aqueous extract concentrations that ranged from 0.09 to 25 mg mL-1. Concentrations lower than 12.5 mg mL-1 were not enough to present fungicidal or fungistatic effect. The concentration of 12.5 mg mL-1 had fungistatic effect on most tested strains and species (C. albicans 04A and ATCC44858; C. tropicalis 23600 and 23651; C. glabrata; C. stellatoideia; C. dubliniensis; and C. krusei). However, fungicidal effect was only observed on the species C. krusei (MFC=12.5 mg mL-1). A distinct performance was observed among different strains from the same species (for C. albicans and C. tropicalis). Thus, the antifungal action of A. minus (Hill) Bernh. aqueous extract is probably associated with the genetic variability present among the different strains of one same species and among different species; besides, concentrations lower than 12,5 mg mL-1 did not have an effect on the tested yeasts. The adopted methodology and considering the limitations of this study led to the conclusion that the aqueous extract of A. minus presented antifungal effect, mainly fungistatic, against oral Candida species. However, new studies are needed to evaluate its real antifungal potential inside the oral environment.