Hepatogenous photosensitization associated with liver copper accumulation in buffalos

Four 1.5-year-old, male, Murrah buffalos were maintained during eight months without direct solar exposure during a study of copper toxicosis. Four days after solar exposure, all buffalos presented clinical manifestations consistent with acute photosensitization, including anorexia, apathy, loss of body weight, and generalized cutaneous lesions. Gross lesions were characterized by severe erythema, localized edema, fissures, tissue necrosis, gangrene and crust formation with h serous exudation. Liver copper concentration was evaluated, and cutaneous biopsies were taken when clinical signs were evident. The liver copper concentration before solar exposure was increased in all animals. Histopathologic examination of the skin revealed hepatogenous photosensitization characterized by parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, acantholysis, degeneration of squamous epithelial cells, epidermal necrosis with atrophy of sweat glands, and multifocal superficial and deep dermal edema. These findings suggest that asymptomatic accumulation of copper within the liver might have induced hepatic insufficiency thereby resulting in secondary photosensitization when these buffalos were exposed to sunlight. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Release of cytokines by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in chronic periodontitis

Objective: The emergence of periodontal medicine increased interest in defining the behaviour of peripheral blood cells in periodontitis subjects in comparison with healthy group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of interleukin (IL)-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6 and IL-10 released by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the peripheral blood of chronic periodontitis subjects. Design: PBMC samples were isolated from 19 systemically healthy donors, divided into generalized chronic periodontitis (n = 10) and healthy (n = 9) subjects. Cells were incubated for 24-48 h in 500 mu L wells containing RPM! 1640 and stimulated with 1.0 ng/mL of E. coli LPS. Supernatants were used to quantify the amounts of IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 released using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: PBMC cells from periodontitis subjects released higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 than those from healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Conversely, the supernatants of the stimulated PBMC cells obtained from healthy subjects presented higher amounts of IL-8 than those from periodontitis (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the levels of IL-10 (P > 0.05) between groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that E. coli LPS-stimulated PBMC from subjects with periodontitis present a different pattern of cytokine release when compared to PBMC from healthy subjects. This phenomenon could have implications locally, in periodontitis, as well as in systemic diseases. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gingival recession in maxillary canines and central incisors of individuals with clefts

Background. Mucogingival alterations are inherent to clefts and may be worsened by the several plastic surgeries required in these individuals. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, severity, and some possible etiologic factors of gingival recessions in teeth adjacent to the cleft. Study design. A total of 641 teeth ( maxillary canines and central incisors) of 193 individuals with cleft lip and/or palate were examined. A generalized linear model was used, and the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the recession with cleft types. Results. Comparison among cleft types as to the presence of recession revealed a statistically significant positive relationship for the maxillary right and left central incisors only in the group with left cleft lip, alveolus, and palate (P = .034). The most frequently affected tooth was the right maxillary canine (26.16%). Conclusion. The prevalence of recession in teeth close to the cleft was higher, although it was not very severe. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: 37-45)