Participation of kallikrein-kinin system in different pathologies

The general description of kinins refers to these peptides as molecules involved in vascular tone regulation and inflammation. Nevertheless, in the last years a series of, evidences has shown that local hormonal systems, such as the kallikrein-kinin system, may be differently regulated and are of pivotal importance to pathophysiological control. The combined interpretations of many recent studies allow us to conclude that the kallikrein-kinin system plays broader and richer roles than those classically described until recently. In this review, we report findings concerning the participation of the kallikrein-kinin system in inflammation, cancer, and in pathologies related to cardiovascular, renal and central nervous systems. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Extrações dentárias em Ortodontia: avaliação de elementos de diagnóstico

Algumas más oclusões exigem do ortodontista capacidade de diagnóstico para decidir pela melhor maneira de tratar o paciente. O objetivo dos autores deste artigo foi apresentar casos clínicos e discutir alguns elementos de diagnóstico utilizados na elaboração do plano de tratamento, auxiliando na decisão de extrair dentes. Foi dada ênfase em cada elemento de diagnóstico: aspectos relacionados à cooperação, discrepância de modelo, discrepância cefalométrica e perfil facial, idade esquelética (crescimento) e relações anteroposteriores, assimetrias dentárias, padrão facial e patologias. Sugere-se que a associação dos aspectos citados é importante para a decisão correta. Todavia, algumas vezes, uma característica, por si só, pode definir o plano de tratamento.

Análise das diferentes manifestações de cultura quanto aos cuidados em saúde bucal em moradores de região rural ribeirinha em Rondônia, Brasil

Esse estudo avaliou as práticas populares nos cuidados com a saúde bucal decorrentes de patologias como a cárie dentária, doença periodontal, entre outras, no distrito de Tabajara, Estado de Rondônia, Brasil, tendo em vista que o folclore é muito presente na cultura popular, sendo considerado um fato social e cultural, ao mesmo tempo atingindo e influenciando os cuidados quanto à saúde bucal. Realizou-se um estudo quanti-qualitativo, sendo a amostra composta por catorze mulheres e seis homens. O instrumento de pesquisa compreendeu um questionário, com questões objetivas e subjetivas, sendo os dados analisados sob a forma descritiva. Observou-se um baixo nível de conhecimento em aspectos relacionados à saúde bucal nas pessoas analisadas, bem como uma variedade de métodos alternativos para "tratamento" e "prevenção" de afecções bucais. Concluiu-se que há necessidade de um conhecimento mais aprofundado da população-alvo dos programas em saúde, haja vista que introduzem, quase sempre, mudanças culturais, e para que sejam construtivos e não desintegradores, devem levar em conta a estrutura sociocultural da comunidade onde serão executados.

Congenital eruption cyst: a case report

Congenital pathologies are those existing at or dating from birth. Occurrence of congenital cystic lesions in the oral cavity is uncommon in neonates. Eruption cyst (EC) is listed among these unusual lesions. It occurs within the mucosa overlying teeth that are about to erupt and, according to the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification of epithelial cysts of the jaws, EC is a separate entity. This paper presents a case of congenital EC successfully managed by close monitoring of the lesion, without any surgical procedure or tooth extraction. Eruption of the teeth involved, primary central incisors, occurred at the fourth month of age. During this time neither the child nor mother had any complication such as pain on sucking, refusal to feed, airway obstruction, or aspiration of fluids or teeth.

Estudo morfofuncional das glândulas mamárias de Mão Pelada, Procyon cancrivorus

Para a descrição macro e microscópica das glândulas mamárias foram utilizadas três fêmeas de Mão Pelada (Procyon cancrivorus). As amostras das glândulas foram processadas conforme técnicas rotineiras para histologia. As fêmeas estudadas apresentaram 3 pares de glândulas mamárias, sendo um par de glândula mamária abdominal cranial, um par de abdominal caudal e um par de inguinal. As papilas mamárias apresentaram formato pendular, como os canídeos domésticos. Microscopicamente, a glândula mamária apresentou da porção externa para a interna: epiderme (epitélio estratificado pavimentoso queratinizado), derme (tecido conjuntivo frouxo e tecido conjuntivo denso não modelado), fibras musculares lisas e ductos papilíferos que abrem em vários ósteos papilares em formato de "chuveiro". A porção secretora glandular era caracteristicamente túbulo alveolar, com células cuboidais dispostas em camada simples. Os resultados indicam que o conjunto glandular estudado é semelhante ao da cadela (Cannis familiaris) tanto em seu aspecto macroscópico quanto em seu aspecto microscópico, este fato sugere que podemos utilizar o Mão Pelada e o Cão como modelos similares de estudo, para identificação de patologias relacionadas a este sistema.

The Na+/glucose cotransporters: from genes to therapy

Glucose enters eukaryotic cells via two types of membrane-associated carrier proteins, the Na+/glucose cotransporters (SGLT) and the facilitative glucose transporters (GLUT). The SGLT family consists of six members. Among them, the SGLT1 and SGLT2 proteins, encoded by the solute carrier genes SLC5A1 and SLC5A2, respectively, are believed to be the most important ones and have been extensively explored in studies focusing on glucose fluxes under both physiological and pathological conditions. This review considers the regulation of the expression of the SGLT promoted by protein kinases and transcription factors, as well as the alterations determined by diets of different compositions and by pathologies such as diabetes. It also considers congenital defects of sugar metabolism caused by aberrant expression of the SGLT1 in glucose-galactose malabsorption and the SGLT2 in familial renal glycosuria. Finally, it covers some pharmacological compounds that are being currently studied focusing on the interest of controlling glycemia by antagonizing SGLT in renal and intestinal tissues.

Evaluation of timing and responses to physiotherapeutic treatment

In several treatment regimens, the recognition of chronobiology contributes to the therapeutic process through the effective use of temporization protocols. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the tic treatment and the time of day when such treatment was performed, as well as the chronotype of orthopedic and rheumatologic patients in a clinical physiotherapy school. The population studied was treated in the morning and evening periods. The patients were divided into three groups of pathologies with similar treatments, which were as follows: syndrome of shoulder impact (n=33), knee artrosis (n=17), and lombalgia (n=23). At the end of ten treatment sessions, data concerning pain, percentage of subjective improvement, chronotype and age were compared. At the end of the study, it was observed that the time of day when treatment was performed influenced the results of individuals treated in the evenings but had no influence on the individuals treated in the morning. In addition, the evening schedule was the most well suited for intermediate individuals.

Characterization of feather-degrading bacteria from Brazilian soils

Studies on keratinolytic microorganisms have been mainly related to their biotechnological applications and association with animal pathologies. However, these organisms have an ecological relevance to recycling keratinous residues in nature. This work aimed to select and identify new culturable feather-degrading bacteria isolated from soils of Brazilian Amazon forest and Atlantic forest. Bacteria that were isolated from temperate soils and bacteria from Amazonian basin soil were tested for their capability to grow on feather meal agar (FMA). Proteolytic bacteria were tested for feather degradation and were further identified according to their morphological and biochemical characteristics. Also, molecular identification based on 165 rDNA gene sequencing was carried out. A total of 24 proteolytic and 20 feather-degrading isolates were selected; Most of the isolates were from the Bacillus genus (division Firmicutes), but one Aeromonas, two Serratia (gamma-Proteobacteria), and one Chryseobacterium (Cytophaga-Flavobacterium group). (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficient method for obtaining Lep(ob)/Lep(ob)-derived animal models using adipose tissue transplantations

Background: Leptin-deficient mice (Lep(ob)/Lep(ob), also known as ob/ob) are of great importance for studies of obesity, diabetes and other correlated pathologies. Thus, generation of animals carrying the Lep(ob) gene mutation as well as additional genomic modifications has been used to associate genes with metabolic diseases. However, the infertility of Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) mice impairs this kind of breeding experiment. Objective: To propose a new method for production of Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) animals and Lep(ob)/Lep(ob)-derived animal models by restoring the fertility of Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) mice in a stable way through white adipose tissue transplantations. Methods: For this purpose, 1 g of peri-gonadal adipose tissue from lean donors was used in subcutaneous transplantations of Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) animals and a crossing strategy was established to generate Lep(ob)/Lep(ob)-derived mice. Results: The presented method reduced by four times the number of animals used to generate double transgenic models (from about 20 to 5 animals per double mutant produced) and minimized the number of genotyping steps (from 3 to 1 genotyping step, reducing the number of Lep gene genotyping assays from 83 to 6). Conclusion: The application of the adipose transplantation technique drastically improves both the production of Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) animals and the generation of Lep(ob)/Lep(ob)-derived animal models. International Journal of Obesity (2009) 33, 938-944; doi: 10.1038/ijo.2009.95; published online 16 June 2009

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-treated alginate microparticles incorporating all-trans retinoic acid

Chitosan treated alginate microparticles were prepared with the purpose of incorporating all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) using an inexpensive, simple and fast method, enhancing dermal localization and sustaining the release of ATRA into the skin. Microparticles characterization, drug-polymer interaction, release profile and in vitro skin retention were investigated. Microparticles presented spherical shape and drug loading capacity of 47%. The drug content of these microparticles was affected by ATRA concentration and by the solvent used and it was more weakly affected by chitosan concentration. The release of ATRA was also affected by chitosan concentration. Microparticles prepared with 0.4% chitosan (w/w) resulted in drug release with a more sustained profile. The results of in vitro retention studies showed that chitosan treated alginate microparticles decreased the drug retention in the stratum corneum (SC), where occur the skin irritation, but maintained the ATRA concentration in the deeper skin layers, where occur the pathologies treated with ATRA. Then, the microparticles developed in this work can be a good candidate to improve the topical therapy with retinoid.

Antimicrobial ent-pimarane diterpenes from Viguiera arenaria against Gram-positive bacteria

The dichloromethane crude extract from the roots of Viguiera arenaria (VaDRE) has been employed in an antimicrobial screening against several bacteria responsible for human pathologies. The main diterpenes isolated from this extract, as well as two semi-synthetic pimarane derivatives, were also investigated for the pathogens that were significantly inhibited by the extract (MIC values lower than 100 mu g mL(-1)). The VaDRE extract was significantly active only against Gram-positive microorganisms. The compounds ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid (PA): PA sodium salt; ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3 beta-ol; ent-15-pimarene-8 beta,19-diol; and ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3 beta-acetoxy displayed the highest antibacterial activities (MIC values lower than 10 mu g mL(-1) for most pathogens). In conclusion, our results suggest that pimaranes are an important class of natural products for further investigations in the search of new antibacterial agents. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Immunohistochemical detection of polyductin and co-localization with liver progenitor cell markers during normal and abnormal development of the intrahepatic biliary system and in adult hepatobiliary carcinomas

The longest open reading frame of PKHD1 (polycystic kidney and hepatic disease 1), the autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) gene, encodes a single-pass, integral membrane protein named polyductin or fibrocystin. A fusion protein comprising its intracellular C-terminus, FP2, was previously used to raise a polyclonal antiserum shown to detect polyductin in several human tissues, including liver. In the current study, we aimed to investigate by immunohistochemistry the detailed polyductin localization pattern in normal (ductal plate [DP], remodelling ductal plate [RDP], remodelled bile ducts) and abnormal development of the primitive intrahepatic biliary system, known as ductal plate malformation (DPM). This work also included the characterization of polyductin expression profile in various histological forms of neonatal and infantile cholestasis, and in cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We detected polyductin expression in the intrahepatic biliary system during the DP and the RDP stages as well as in DPM. No specific staining was found at the stage of remodelled bile ducts. Polyductin was also detected in liver biopsies with neonatal cholestasis, including mainly biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis with ductular reaction as well as congenital hepatic fibrosis. In addition, polyductin was present in CCC, whereas it was absent in HCC. Polyductin was also co-localized in some DP cells together with oval stem cell markers. These results represent the first systematic study of polyductin expression in human pathologies associated with abnormal development of intrahepatic biliary tree, and support the following conclusions: (i) polyductin expression mirrors developmental properties of the primitive intrahepatic biliary system; (ii) polyductin is re-expressed in pathological conditions associated with DPM and (iii) polyductin might be a potential marker to distinguish CCC from HCC.

Heart transplantation experiences: a phenomenological approach

Aim. The aim of this study was to understand the heart transplantation experience based on patients` descriptions. Background. To patients with heart failure, heart transplantation represents a possibility to survive and improve their quality of life. Studies have shown that more quality of life is related to patients` increasing awareness and participation in the work of the healthcare team in the post-transplantation period. Deficient relationships between patients and healthcare providers result in lower compliance with the postoperative regimen. Method. A phenomenological approach was used to interview 26 patients who were heart transplant recipients. Patients were interviewed individually and asked this single question: What does the experience of being heart transplanted mean? Participants` descriptions were analysed using phenomenological reduction, analysis and interpretation. Results. Three categories emerged from data analysis: (i) the time lived by the heart recipient; (ii) donors, family and caregivers and (iii) reflections on the experience lived. Living after heart transplant means living in a complex situation: recipients are confronted with lifelong immunosuppressive therapy associated with many side-effects. Some felt healthy whereas others reported persistence of complications as well as the onset of other pathologies. However, all participants celebrated an improvement in quality of life. Health caregivers, their social and family support had been essential for their struggle. Participants realised that life after heart transplantation was a continuing process demanding support and structured follow-up for the rest of their lives. Conclusion. The findings suggest that each individual has unique experiences of the heart transplantation process. To go on living participants had to accept changes and adapt: to the organ change, to complications resulting from rejection of the organ, to lots of pills and food restrictions. Relevance to clinical practice. Stimulating a heart transplant patients spontaneous expression about what they are experiencing and granting them the actual status of the main character in their own story is important to their care.

PHOTOELASTIC ANALISYS OF A HUMAN VERTEBRA MODEL WITH PEDICULAR SCREW

Introduction: The vertebrae fixation system using pedicular screws is one of the most efficient methods to treat vertebral spine pathologies. When the screw is submitted to pullout strength, it causes internal tension near the medullar canal and this situation can be analyzed by using the photoelasticity technique. Objective: Were analyzed those internal tensions near the medullar canal of photoelastic vertebra models using different sizes of screws of the vertebral fixation system submitted to pullout strength. Methods: A lumbar vertebral model made of photoelastic material with three different USS1-type pedicular screw sizes (5, 6, and 7 mm) was used. The internal tensions around the screw were tested in 12 predetermined points by a plain transmission polaroscope. Results: The areas of greater tension concentration were between the medullar canal and the curves of the transverse process. Comparing the maximum average pulling tension, statistical differences were observed between screws 5 and 7, and 6 and 7. On the other hand, for screws 5 and 6, there were no significant differences. Conclusion: The study evidenced that the internal tensions are greater in irregular areas, next to the medullar canal, showing that this is a critical region.

Transcriptional Response of Peripheral Lymphocytes to Early Fibrosarcoma: A Model System for Cancer Detection Based on Hybridization Signatures

Since circulating leukocytes, mainly B and T cells, continuously maintain vigilant and comprehensive immune surveillance, these cells could be used as reporters for signs of infection or other pathologies, including cancer. Activated lymphocyte clones trigger a sensitive transcriptional response, which could be identified by gene expression profiling. To assess this hypothesis, we conducted microarray analysis of the gene expression profile of lymphocytes isolated from immunocompetent BALB/c mice subcutaneously injected with different numbers of tumorigenic B61 fibrosarcoma cells. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the number of circulating T (CD3(+)CD4(+) or CD3(+)CD8(+)) or B (CD19(+)) cells did not change. However, the lymphocytes isolated from tumor cell-injected animals expressed a unique transcriptional profile that was identifiable before the development of a palpable tumor mass. This finding demonstrates that the transcriptional response appears before alterations in the main lymphocyte subsets and that the gene expression profile of peripheral lymphocytes can serve as a sensitive and accurate method for the early detection of cancer. Exp Biol Med 234:802-812, 2009