Early transplantation of human immature dental pulp stem cells from baby teeth to golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs: Local or systemic?

Background:The golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs represent the best available animal model for therapeutic trials aiming at the future treatment of human Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We have obtained a rare litter of six GRMD dogs (3 males and 3 females) born from an affected male and a carrier female which were submitted to a therapeutic trial with adult human stem cells to investigate their capacity to engraft into dogs muscles by local as compared to systemic injection without any immunosuppression. Methods Human Immature Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hIDPSC) were transplanted into 4 littermate dogs aged 28 to 40 days by either arterial or muscular injections. Two non-injected dogs were kept as controls. Clinical translation effects were analyzed since immune reactions by blood exams and physical scores capacity of each dog. Samples from biopsies were checked by immunohistochemistry (dystrophin markers) and FISH for human probes. Results and Discussion We analyzed the cells' ability in respect to migrate, engraftment, and myogenic potential, and the expression of human dystrophin in affected muscles. Additionally, the efficiency of single and consecutive early transplantation was compared. Chimeric muscle fibers were detected by immunofluorescence and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) using human antibodies and X and Y DNA probes. No signs of immune rejection were observed and these results suggested that hIDPSC cell transplantation may be done without immunosuppression. We showed that hIDPSC presented significant engraftment in GRMD dog muscles, although human dystrophin expression was modest and limited to several muscle fibers. Better clinical condition was also observed in the dog, which received monthly arterial injections and is still clinically stable at 25 months of age. Conclusion Our data suggested that systemic multiple deliveries seemed more effective than local injections. These findings open important avenues for further researches.

Dissolution Enhancement and Characterization of Nimodipine Solid Dispersions with Poloxamer 407 or PEG 6000

The solid dispersion approach is an alternative to increase drug solubility. Many carriers have been studied, but there is few information about poloxamer 407 (P407). Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate P407 as a carrier for nimodipine solid dispersions and to compare its solubility and dissolution rates with those from polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). The solid dispersions were prepared by the hot melting and solvent methods and they were characterized by FTIR, DSC, solubility, and dissolution tests. The results indicated a three-fold increase in solid dispersions solubility in the presence with P407 than those prepared with PEG.

Foreign Surrogate Motherhood: mater semper certa erat

This Article compares the conflicting approaches to resolve the questions surrounding surrogate motherhood in a domestic context and then addresses some of its transnational implications, especially the recognition of foreign surrogacy judgments. It argues that not every case of foreign surrogacy involves the circumvention of the forum's prohibition of surrogacy and that courts need to take this into account when applying the public policy exception. It further argues that the adoption of the child by the commissioning parents should be seen as an alternative and adequate solution to the limping legal parenthood that would otherwise arise from the non-recognition of a surrogacy judgment.

Rheological Measurements and Thermal Characterization of Lamellar Gel Phase Emulsions Developed with Cetearyl Alcohol/Nonionic Ethoxylated Surfactants

The aim of this research was to characterize emulsion systems (ES) containing nonionic ethoxylated surfactants by using rheological, microscopic, and thermogravimetric assays. Three formulations were developed: ES-1: 8.0% (w/w) oleth-20; ES-2: 4.0% (w/w) oleth-20/4.0% (w/w) steareth-21; and ES-3: 8.0% (w/w) steareth-21. The systems showed typical non-Newtonian pseudo-plastic behavior. The presence of a lamellar gel phase was observed for all systems, with ES-2 being more pronounced. Through thermogravimetry, the profiles of the three systems were found to be similar, consisting of two main events, the first one being characterized by loss of water and, beyond 110 degrees C, by loss of the oil phase.

Impact of different fluoride concentrations and pH of dentifrices on tooth erosion/abrasion in vitro

Background: This in vitro study analysed the effect of different fluoride concentrations in acidic or neutral liquid dentifrices in protecting enamel and dentine from erosive and abrasive wear. Methods: Bovine enamel and dentine specimens (n = 132) were randomly allocated to 11 groups (each n = 12): experimental liquid dentifrices with 550 ppm F, 1100 ppm F, 5000 ppm F or 0 ppm F/placebo (each at pH 4.5 and pH 7.0); and commercial dentifrices with 550 ppm F (Colgate Baby, pH 7.0), 1100 ppm F (Crest, pH 7.0) and 5000 ppm F (Duraphat, pH 7.0). The specimens were subjected to erosion for 90 seconds, 4 times/day, over 7 days. Immediately after the first and last erosion, the specimens were brushed for 15 seconds using one of the dentifrices. Tooth wear was measured profilometrically (lm) and analysed by ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: All fluoridated liquid dentifrices significantly reduced enamel wear compared to the placebo and commercial dentifrices. Only liquid dentifrices with 1100 and 5000 ppm F significantly reduced dentine wear compared to placebo dentifrice. The pH had no effect, but the consistency had a significant impact on the effect of dentifrices. Conclusions: Liquid dentifrices with high F concentration appear to be a good option to prevent tooth wear

Educação em saúde e a família do bebê prematuro: uma revisão integrativa

OBJETIVO: Identificar as necessidades de educação em saúde da família do recém-nascido pré-termo. MÉTODOS: Revisão integrativa de literatura, com buscas nas bases de dados PubMED e Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, entre 1999 e 2011, e com uso dos descritores (prematuro, enfermagem neonatal, cuidados de enfermagem e alta hospitalar) em inglês, espanhol e português. RESULTADOS: Os dez estudos selecionados foram categorizados em três temáticas: a participação nos cuidados do filho, o preparo para a alta hospitalar e uso de material educativo. A maioria das atividades de educação em saúde é direcionada às mães e está relacionada aos cuidados básicos diários e, ainda, é incipiente a participação nestas atividades, a fim de promover o vínculo e aumentar a confiança no cuidado. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se a necessidade de elaborar estratégias, embasadas nas metodologias ativas de aprendizagem, auxiliadas por materiais educacionais que facilitem a inserção dos pais na unidade neonatal e nos cuidados com seu filho.

Liderança: o que pensam executivos brasileiros sobre o tema?

Este artigo tem como objetivo central apresentar resultados de estudo destinado a investigar as principais questões e desafios em torno da temática da liderança e seu desenvolvimento, na contemporaneidade, segundo a perspectiva de altos executivos de grandes empresas brasileiras. Considerando tal propósito, seus objetivos específicos podem ser assim descritos: 1. investigar sentidos atribuídos e estilos de liderança articulados à vivência e prática dos executivos investigados; 2. investigar temas-chave ao desenvolvimento de lideranças no atual contexto dos negócios e das organizações; 3. identificar tendências, novos temas e desafios em torno da temática da liderança, no contemporâneo. Como referencial teórico cabe salientar revisão de literatura envolvendo descrição evolutiva dos estudos sobre a temática, com destaque para as principais correntes e abordagens teórico-metodológico-conceituais. Em termos metodológicos, a pesquisa que subsidiou os resultados deste estudo pode ser caracterizada como de natureza qualitativa e caráter descritivo, tendo seus dados primários derivados de entrevistas semiestruturadas e em profundidade realizadas com 13 altos executivos de grandes corporações, nacionais e internacionais, situadas nos estados de São Paulo e Minas Gerais. Após tratamento dos dados, com o auxílio do software de tratamento qualitativo NVivo 8, foi possível agrupar os principais temas e desafios identificados em torno da liderança em três temas-chave: Sentidos, Competências, Estilos e Desafios associados à Liderança no Contemporâneo; Desenvolvimento de Lideranças; Liderança e Contexto Capacitante. O estudo possibilitou, também, identificar atributos de competência e estilos de liderança requeridos como respostas ao atual contexto dos negócios e das organizações, segundo a perspectiva dos executivos entrevistados. Concomitantemente, foi possível constatar novos desafios e preocupações em relação à temática da liderança, como, por exemplo, lidar com as novas gerações - em especial a chamada Geração Y - que, em breve, deverão assumir posições-chave nas organizações, em decorrência da aposentadoria dos Baby Boomers. Em suma, os achados permitem, a partir da perspectiva dos próprios atores diretamente envolvidos na problemática da liderança, no contexto empresarial, a emergência de questões e desafios a serem contemplados em novas agendas de desenvolvimento e linhas de pesquisa sobre o tema.