Immunohistochemical study of Langerhans cells in cutaneous lesions of the Jorge Lobo`s disease

Jorge Lobo`s disease is a chronic infection caused by the fungus Lacazia loboi endemic in South America. The infection is characterized by the appearance of parakeloidal, ulcerated or verrucous nodular or plaque-like cutaneous lesions. The histopathological aspect is characterized by poorly organized granulomas with histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells. Little is known about local immune response in lobomycosis skin lesions. Thirty-three skin biopsies from patients with Jorge Lobo`s disease were selected from Ambulatory of Dermatology, UFPA. The control group was constituted by ten biopsies from normal skin. Langerhans cells were identified by immunohistochemistry using anti-CD1a antibody (Serotec). The number of positive cells was statistically analyzed. Langerhans cells were visualized along the epidermis in biopsies from Jorge Lobo`s disease and the morphology and the number of Langerhans cells did not differ from normal skin (p > 0.05). In Jorge Lobo`s disease, this cell population probably presents some escape mechanism of the local immune system to evade the antigen presentation by those cells. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Anxiolytic-like effects induced by acute reversible inactivation of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis

There is conflicting evidence concerning the role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) in fear and anxiety-elicited behavior. Most of the studies investigating this role, however, employed irreversible lesions of this nucleus. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of an acute and reversible inactivation of the BNST in rats submitted to the Vogel conflict test (VCT) and contextual fear conditioning, two widely employed animal models that are responsive to prototypal anxiolytic drugs. Male Wistar rats were submitted to stereotaxic surgery to bilaterally implant cannulae into the BNST. Ten minutes before the test they received bilateral microinjections of cobalt chloride (COCl(2)) (1 mM/100 nL), a nonselective synapse blocker. COCl(2) produced anxiolytic-like effects in tests, increasing the number of punished licks in the VCT and decreasing freezing behavior and the increase in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate of animals re-exposed to the context where they had received electrical foot shocks 24 h before. The results indicate that the BNST is engaged in behavioral responses elicited by punished stimuli and aversively conditioned contexts, reinforcing its proposed role in anxiety. (C) 2008 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Leigh-like syndrome with the T8993G mutation in the mitochondrial ATPase 6 gene: long-term follow-up discloses a slowly progressive course

We describe the long-term clinical outcome of a patient with Leigh-like syndrome presenting as an early onset encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathy caused by the T8993G mutation in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Clinical follow-up for 20 years revealed a peculiar pattern of slow disease progression, characterized by the addition of new minor deficits, while worsening of previous symptoms was mild. Brain MRI revealed cerebellar atrophy, diffuse demyelination of corona radiata and parietal white matter, and bilateral and symmetrical putaminal lesions. The proportion of mutant mtDNAs in blood was 72% (+/- 0.02%) and in skeletal muscle was 81% (+/- 0.4%). Leigh-like syndrome caused by the T8993G mtDNA mutation is a progressive disease, although not necessarily associated with an aggressive clinical course. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Complex odontoma associated with dentigerous cyst in maxillary sinus: case report and computed tomography features

Tumoural and cystic lesions are common findings in the daily practice of dental professionals and maxillofacial radiologists. However, simultaneous lesions are rare and represent a diagnostic challenge to overcome. Among tumoural pathologies, odontomas are the most common odontogenic tumour of the jaws. Cystic transformation or development from the tumoural capsule are well recognized in situations such as ameloblastomas originated from a dentigerous cyst. Otherwise, despite literature reports, dentigerous cysts arising from odontomas are very rare and could lead to misdiagnosis. Here, we report a case of a complex odontoma associated with a dentigerous cyst in the maxillary sinus, focussing on the tomographic features and a differential imaging approach to the diagnosis of these lesions.

Detection of cytokines and nitric oxide synthase in skin lesions of Jorge Lobo`s disease patients

Studies investigating the immunopathological aspects of Jorge Lobo`s disease have shown that the inflammatory infiltrate consists mainly of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells involving numerous yeast-like cells of Lacazia loboi, with the T lymphocytes more common than B lymphocytes and plasma cells. The quantification of cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells culture supernatant has revealed alterations in the cytokines profile, characterized by predominance of a Th2 profile. In view of these findings and of the role of cytokines in cell interactions, the objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of the cytokines IL-10, TGF-ss 1 and TNF-alpha, as well as iNOS enzyme in granulomas induced by L. loboi. Histological sections obtained from skin lesions of 16 patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of these cytokines and iNOS. The results showed that TGF-ss 1 was the cytokine most frequently expressed by cells present in the inflammatory infiltrate, followed by IL-10. There was a minimum to discrete positivity of cells expressing TNF-alpha and iNOS. The results suggest that the presence of immunosuppressive cytokines in skin lesions of patients with the mycosis might be responsible for the lack of containment of the pathogen as demonstrated by the presence of numerous fungi in the granuloma.

Endogenous-like orienting of visual attention in rats

This study investigated the orienting of visual attention in rats using a 3-hole nose-poke task analogous to Posner, Information processing in cognition: the Loyola Symposium, Erlbaum, Hillsdale, (1980) covert attention task for humans. The effects of non-predictive (50% valid and 50% invalid) and predictive (80% valid and 20% invalid) peripheral visual cues on reaction times and response accuracy to a target stimulus, using Stimuli-Onset Asynchronies (SOAs) varying between 200 and 1,200 ms, were investigated. The results showed shorter reaction times in valid trials relative to invalid trials for both subjects trained in the non-predictive and predictive conditions, particularly when the SOAs were 200 and 400 ms. However, the magnitude of this validity effect was significantly greater for subjects exposed to predictive cues, when the SOA was 800 ms. Subjects exposed to invalid predictive cues exhibited an increase in omission errors relative to subjects exposed to invalid non-predictive cues. In contrast, valid cues reduced the proportion of omission errors for subjects trained in the predictive condition relative to subjects trained in the non-predictive condition. These results are congruent with those usually reported for humans and indicate that, in addition to the exogenous capture of attention promoted by both predictive and non-predictive peripheral cues, rats exposed to predictive cues engaged an additional slower process equivalent to human`s endogenous orienting of attention. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an endogenous-like process of covert orienting of visual attention in rats.

CCR2 Deficiency Results in Increased Osteolysis in Experimental Periapical Lesions in Mice

Introduction: Periapical lesions are chronic inflammatory disorders of periradicular tissues caused by etiologic agents of endodontic origin. The inflammatory chemokines are thought to be involved in the latter observed osteolysis. With a murine model of experimental periapical lesion, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of the chemokine receptor CCR2 in the lesion progression, osteoclast differentiation and activation, and expression of inflammatory osteolysis-related mediators. Methods: For lesion induction, right mandibular first molars were opened surgically with a (1)/(4) carbine bur, and 4 bacterial strains were inoculated in the exposed dental pulp; left mandibular first molars were used as controls. Animals were killed at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after surgeries to evaluate the kinetics of lesion development. Results: CCR2 KO mice showed wider lesions than WT mice. CCR2 KO mice also expressed higher levels of the osteoclastogenic and osteolytic factors, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and cathepsin K, of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha, and of the neutrophil migration related chemokine, KC. Conclusions: These results suggest that CCR2 is important in host protection to periapical osteolysis. (J Endod 2010;36:244-250)

Effects of light-curing time on the cytotoxicity of a restorative composite resin on odontoblast-like cells

This in vitro study evaluated the cytotoxicity of an experimental restorative composite resin subjected to different light-curing regimens. METHODS: Forty round-shaped specimens were prepared and randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n=10), as follows: in Group 1, no light-curing; in Groups 2, 3 and 4, the composite resin specimens were light-cured for 20, 40 or 60 s, respectively. In Group 5, filter paper discs soaked in 5 µL PBS were used as negative controls. The resin specimens and paper discs were placed in wells of 24-well plates in which the odontoblast-like cells MDPC-23 (30,000 cells/cm²) were plated and incubated in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 and 95% air at 37ºC for 72 h. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the cell metabolism (MTT assay) and cell morphology (SEM). The data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: In G1, cell metabolism decreased by 86.2%, indicating a severe cytotoxicity of the non-light-cured composite resin. On the other hand, cell metabolism decreased by only 13.3% and 13.5% in G2 and G3, respectively. No cytotoxic effects were observed in G4 and G5. In G1, only a few round-shaped cells with short processes on their cytoplasmic membrane were observed. In the other experimental groups as well as in control group, a number of spindle-shaped cells with long cytoplasmic processes were found. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the photoactivation time used in the present investigation, the experimental composite resin presented mild to no toxic effects to the odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. However, intense cytotoxic effects occurred when no light-curing was performed.

Influence of dental metallic artifact from multislice CT in the assessment of simulated mandibular lesions

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the influence of metallic dental artifacts on the accuracy of simulated mandibular lesion detection by using multislice technology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen macerated mandibles were used. Perforations were done simulating bone lesions and the mandibles were subjected to axial 16 rows multislice CT images using 0.5 mm of slice thickness with 0.3 mm interval of reconstruction. Metallic dental restorations were done and the mandibles were subjected again to CT in the same protocol. The images were analyzed to detect simulated lesions in the mandibles, verifying the loci number and if there was any cortical perforation exposing medullar bone. The analysis was performed by two independent examiners using e-film software. RESULTS: The samples without artifacts presented better results compared to the gold standard (dried mandible with perforations). In the samples without artifacts, all cortical perforation were identified and 46 loci were detected (of 51) in loci number analysis. Among the samples with artifacts, 12 lesions out of 14 were recognized regarding medullar invasion, and 40 out of 51 concerning loci number. The sensitivity in samples without artifacts was 90% and 100% regarding loci number and medullar invasion, respectively. In samples with artifacts, these values dropped to 78% and 86%, respectively. The presence of metallic restorations affected the sensitivity values of the method, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although there were differences in the results of samples with and without artifacts, the presence of metallic restoration did not lead to misinterpretation of the final diagnosis. However, the validity of multislice CT imaging in this study was established for detection of simulated mandibular bone lesions.

Comparison between cone-beam and multislice computed tomography for identification of simulated bone lesions

There are many studies that compare the accuracy of multislice (MSCT) and cone beam (CBCT) computed tomography for evaluations in the maxillofacial region. However, further studies comparing both acquisition techniques for the evaluation of simulated mandibular bone lesions are needed. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of MSCT and CBCT in the diagnosis of simulated mandibular bone lesions by means of cross sectional images and axial/MPR slices. Lesions with different dimensions, shape and locularity were produced in 15 dry mandibles. The images were obtained following the cross sectional and axial/MPR (Multiplanar Reconstruction) imaging protocols and were interpreted independently. CBCT and MSCT showed similar results in depicting the percentage of cortical bone involvement, with great sensitivity and specificity (p < 0.005). There were no significant intra- or inter-examiner differences between axial/MPR images and cross sectional images with regard to sensitivity and specificity. CBCT showed results similar to those of MSCT for the identification of the number of simulated bone lesions. Cross sectional slices and axial/MPR images presented high accuracy, proving useful for bone lesion diagnosis.

Assessment of simulated mandibular condyle bone lesions by cone beam computed tomography

There are many limitations to image acquisition, using conventional radiography, of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region. The Computed Tomography (CT) scan is a better option, due to its higher accuracy, for purposes of diagnosis, surgical planning and treatment of bone injuries. The aim of the present study was to analyze two protocols of cone beam computed tomography for the evaluation of simulated mandibular condyle bone lesions. Spherical lesions were simulated in 30 dry mandibular condyles, using dentist drills and drill bits sizes 1, 3 and 6. Each of the mandibular condyles was submitted to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) using two protocols: 1) axial, coronal and sagittal multiplanar reconstruction (MPR); and 2) sagittal plus coronal slices throughout the longitudinal axis of the mandibular condyles. For these protocols, 2 observers analyzed the CBCT images independently, regarding the presence or not of injuries. Only one of the observers, however, performed on 2 different occasions. The results were compared to the gold standard, evaluating the percentage of agreement, degree of accuracy of CBCT protocols and observers' examination. The z test was used for the statistical analysis. The results showed there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 protocols. There was greater difficulty in the assessment of small-size simulated lesions (drill # 1). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that CBCT is an accurate tool for analyzing mandibular condyle bone lesions, with the MPR protocol showing slightly better results than the sagittal plus coronal slices throughout the longitudinal axis.

Effectiveness of sealing active proximal caries lesions with an adhesive system: 1-year clinical evaluation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic sealant to arrest non-cavitated proximal carious lesion progression. The study population comprised 44 adolescents who had bitewing radiographs taken for caries diagnosis. Non-cavitated lesions extending up to half of dentin thickness were included in the sample. In the experimental group (n = 33), the proximal caries-lesion surfaces were sealed with an adhesive (OptiBond Solo, Kerr) after tooth separation. The control group (n = 11) received no treatment, except for oral hygiene instructions including use of dental floss. Follow-up radiographs were taken after one year and were analyzed in comparison with baseline radiographs. In a blind study setting, visual readings were performed by two examiners, blinded to whether the examined radiograph was baseline or follow-up, and whether it concerned a test or control lesion. The efficacy of sealing treatment was evaluated by the McNemar test (0.05). About 22% of the sealed lesions showed reduction, 61% showed no change and 16% showed progression. For the control lesions, the corresponding values were 27%, 36% and 36% respectively. The number of lesions that showed reduction and no changes were merged and therefore 83.3% of the sealed lesions and 63.6% of the control lesions were considered clinically successful. No statistical significance was detected (p > 0.05). In the course of 1 year, sealing proximal caries lesions was not shown to be superior to lesion monitoring.

Use of flowable composite as intermediary layer in non-carious cervical lesions restored with composite resin: 48-month follow-up

PURPOSE: In this case report, the clinical performance of a microhybrid resin composite placed with or without a flowable resin composite was compared, over a 48-month period. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient of this case report presented 2 pairs of equivalent cervical abfraction lesions, under occlusion. Four restorations were placed in teeth 34, 35, 44 and 45. The restorations were divided into groups (Single Bond + Filtek-Flow + Filtek Z250 or Single Bond + Filtek Z250) and the materials were applied according to the manufactures instructions. Two previously calibrated operators placed the restorations and two other independent examiners evaluated the restorations at baseline and after 48 months, according to the USPHS criteria and modified criteria for color match. CONCLUSION: After 48 months of evaluation the lesions restored with Filtek-Flow as a liner under Filtek Z250 did not show better clinical performance than the restorations without Filtek-Flow. All restorations showed a trend toward dark yellowing after 48 months.

Induction of a gloverin-like antimicrobial polypeptide in the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis challenged by septic injury

Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an important pest for Brazilian sugarcane. In the present study, we detected two distinct spots in hemolymph from septic injured larvae (HDs1 and HDs2), which are separated by 2DE gel electrophoresis. Both spots were subjected to in-gel tryptic digestion and MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis, which revealed the sequence VFGTLGSDDSGLFGK present in both HDs1 and HDs2. This sequence had homology and 80% identity with specific Lepidoptera antimicrobial peptides called gloverins. Analyses using the ImageMaster 2D software showed pI 8.94 of the HDs1 spot, which is similar to that described to Hyalophora gloveri gloverin (pI 8.5). Moreover, the 14-kDa molecular mass of the spot HDs1 is compatible to that of gloverins isolated from the hemolymph of Trichoplusia ni, Helicoverpa armigera and H. gloveri. Antimicrobial assays with partially purified fractions containing the HDs1 and HDs2 polypeptides demonstrated activity against Escherichia coli. This is the first report of antimicrobial polypeptides in D. saccharalis, and the identification of these peptides may help in the generation of new strategies to control this pest.

Antidepressant-like effects of an apolar extract and chow enriched with Nepeta cataria (catnip) in mice

Nepeta cataria (catnip) is a plant used in pet toys and to treat human diseases. Catnip has also been used in the treatment of some depressive disorders. In this paper, we studied the antidepressant, anxiogenic, and motor activity effects of acute and repeated feeding of chow enriched with 10% N. cataria leaves and the acute and repeated administration of apolar and polar extracts of N. cataria leaves in male mice. The results showed that repeated feeding and acute and repeated administration with the apolar extract reduced immobility in the behavioral despair test but did not alter elevated plus maze and open-field parameters. Acute feeding and the acute and repeated administration of the polar extracts of N. cataria leaves did not alter the behavior of mice. These data suggest that N. cataria has antidepressant properties. Moreover, this antidepressant activity was present in the apolar extract.