Occurrence of skeletal malocclusions in Brazilian patients with dentofacial deformities

Este estudo avaliou a ocorrência de más oclusões esqueléticas apresentadas pelos pacientes do Centro de Pesquisa e Tratamento das Deformidades Bucofaciais (CEDEFACE), na cidade de Araraquara, SP, Brasil. Foram avaliados prontuários de 381 pacientes com deformidades dentoesqueléticas, que fizeram tratamento combinado ortodôntico-cirúrgico no período entre 2000 e 2006. Após a seleção da amostra (método de conveniência), baseado nos dados da documentação pré e pós-cirúrgica, o número de pacientes foi reduzido para 171. Para classificação do levantamento, considerou-se a discrepância ântero-posterior (Classe I, II e III), raça, idade, gênero, ausência ou presença de assimetria, excesso vertical maxilar e biprotrusão maxilar, além de determinar em qual base óssea o procedimento cirúrgico foi realizado. As documentações dos pacientes foram analisadas por um examinador previamente calibrado pelo processo de repetição até que o método fosse considerado adequado (correlação intraclasse >0,94). A idade média dos pacientes foi de 23,59 anos (DP 6,93), a maioria do gênero feminino (102 pacientes) e leucoderma (160 pacientes). A má oclusão mais prevalente foi a Classe III (81 pacientes). A assimetria, o excesso maxilar vertical e biprotrusão maxilar estavam presentes em 54, 33, e 7 pacientes, respectivamente. Na maioria dos casos, as cirurgias para correção de deformidades dentoesqueléticas foram combinadas, envolvendo os dois maxilares. Com base nos resultados, conclui-se que a Classe III foi a deformidade esquelética mais prevalente e a Classe I a menos prevalente. em geral, a prevalência de deformidades esqueléticas foi maior entre as mulheres e a maioria dos pacientes apresentou uma combinação de problemas maxilares e mandibulares, o que interfere diretamente na decisão sobre o plano de tratamento mais adequado. Houve uma maior incidência de assimetria na Classe III esquelética; o excesso vertical ocorreu de forma semelhante na Classe II e III e a biprotrusão teve baixa incidência entre as más oclusões avaliadas.

Persistência do plano experimental em ensaios de avaliação de germoplasma elite de feijão

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Biorregulador e pré-condicionamento osmótico na germinação de sementes e no crescimento inicial da muda de carobinha (Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata Farias & Proença) - Bignoniaceae

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Preliminary study of a methodology based on the degree-days concept for predicting the phenological phases of crops

This work develops a methodology (using the degree-days concept and linear regression), to forecast the duration of phenological phases in crops. An experiment was conducted in the greenhouse with three cultivars of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (C.) Walp.), cv. California-781, Tvx 5058-09C and IT 81D-1032. The methodology was based on the relative thermal efficiency rate, determined for each species or cv. The results show that the proposed methodology may be a good alternative in works involving crops, especially because it does not require the repetition of the experiments.

A low-cost neurostimulator with accurate pulsed-current control

A constant-current stimulator for high-impedance loads using only low-cost standard high-voltage components Is presented. A voltage-regulator powers an oscillator built across the primary of a step-up transformer whose secondary supplies, after rectification, the high voltage to a switched current-mirror in the driving stage. Adjusting the regulated voltage controls the pulsed-current intensity. A prototype produces stimulus of amplitude and pulsewidth within 0 less than or equal to I-skin less than or equal to 20 mA and 50 mus less than or equal to T-pulse less than or equal to 1 ms, respectively. Pulse-repetition spans from 1 Hz to 10 Hz. Worst case ripple is 3.7% at I-skin = 1 mA. Overall consumption is 5.6 W at I-skin = 20 mA.

Role of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cell wall fraction containing beta-glucan in tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by human monocytes: correlation with fungicidal activity

The polysaccharide fraction of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis mycelial cell wall (F1 fraction), the active component of which is composed of beta-glucan, was investigated in regard to the activation of human monocytes for fungal killing. The cells were primed with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or F1 (100 and 200 mug ml(-1)) or F1 (100 and 200 mug ml(-1)) plus IFN-gamma for 24 h and then evaluated for H2O2 release. In other experiments, the cells were pretreated with the same stimuli, challenged with a virulent strain of P. brasiliensis and evaluated for fungicidal activity and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in the supernatants. F1 increased the levels of H2O2 in a similar manner to IFN-gamma. However, a synergistic effect between these two activators was not detected. on the contrary, a significant fungicidal activity was only obtained after priming with IFN-gamma plus F1. This higher activity was associated with high levels of TNF-alpha in the supernatants of the cocultures. Overall, P. brasiliensis F1 fraction induced human monocytes to release relatively high levels of TNF-alpha, which, in combination with IFN-gamma, is responsible for the activation of human monocytes for effective killing of P. brasiliensis.

Effect of cytokines on the in vitro fungicidal activity of monocytes from paracoccidioidomycosis patients

Peripheral blood monocytes obtained from paracoccidioidomycosis patients and healthy individuals were preactivated with recombinant gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in different concentrations (250, 500 and 1000 U/ml) and evaluated for fungicidal activity against Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis strain 18 (Pb 18, high-virulence strain) and strain 265 (Pb 265, low-virulence strain) by plating of cocultures and counting of colony-forming units, after 10 d. Monocytes from healthy individuals failed to present fungicidal activity against P. brasiliensis even after IFN-gamma activation at the three concentrations. However, patient, monocytes activated with IFN-gamma (1 000 U/ml) showed a significant fungicidal activity when compared to that obtained with non-activated or activated cells with other IFN-gamma concentrations (250 and 500 U/ml). Moreover,,patient monocytes presented higher fungicidal activity than the control, even before the activation process. These results may be explained by the activation state of patients' cells as a function of the in vivo contact with the fungus, which was confirmed by their higher capacity to release H2O2 in vitro. Unlike the results obtained with Ph 18, patient and control cells presented a significant fungicidal activity against Pb 265, after priming with IFN-gamma. These results are explained by the higher levels of TNF-alpha in supernatants of cultures challenged with Pb 265. Moreover, higher levels of the cytokine were obtained in patient cell supernatants. Taken together, our results suggest that for effective killing of P. brasiliensis by monocytes, an initial activation signal induced by IFN-gamma is necessary to stimulate the cells to produce TNF-alpha. This cytokine may be involved, through an autocrine pathway, in the final phase activation process. The effectiveness of this process seems to depend on the virulence of the fungal strain and the activation state of the challenged cells. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All fights reserved.

Surface modification of Ti dental implants by Nd: YVO4 laser irradiation

Surface modifications have been applied in endosteal bone devices in order to improve the osseointegration through direct contact between neoformed bone and the implant without an intervening soft tissue layer. Surface characteristics of titanium implants have been modified by addictive methods, such as metallic titanium, titanium oxide and hydroxyapatite powder plasma spray, as well as by subtractive methods, such as acid etching, acid etching associated with sandblasting by either AlO2 or TiO2, and recently by laser ablation. Surface modification for dental and medical implants can be obtained by using laser irradiation technique where its parameters like repetition rate, pulse energy, scanning speed and fluency must be taken into accounting to the appropriate surface topography. Surfaces of commercially pure Ti (cpTi) were modified by laser Nd:YVO4 in nine different parameters configurations, all under normal atmosphere. The samples were characterized by SEM and XRD refined by Rietveld method. The crystalline phases alpha Ti, beta Ti, Ti6O, Ti3O and TiO were formed by the melting and fast cooling processes during irradiation. The resulting phases on the irradiated surface were correlated with the laser beam parameters: the aim of the present work was to control titanium oxides formations in order to improve implants osseointegration by using a laser irradiation technique which is of great importance to biomaterial devices due to being a clean and reproducible process. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A phase III randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the efficacy of low level laser therapy for the prevention of oral mucositis in patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation

Introduction Oral mucositis (OM) is a significant early complication of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This phase III randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was designed to compare the ability of 2 different low level GaAlAs diode lasers (650 nm and 780 nm) to prevent oral mucositis in HCT patients conditioned with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.Materials and methods Seventy patients were enrolled and randomized into 1 of 3 treatment groups: 650 nm laser, 780 nm laser or placebo. All active laser treatment patients received daily direct laser treatment to the lower labial mucosa, right and left buccal mucosa, lateral and ventral surfaces of the tongue, and floor of mouth with energy densities of 2 J/cm(2). Study treatment began on the first day of conditioning and continued through day +2 post HCT. Mucositis and oral pain was measured on days 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, and 21 post HCT.Results the 650 nm wavelength reduced the severity of oral mucositis and pain scores. Low level laser therapy was well-tolerated and no adverse events were noted.Discussion While these results are encouraging, further study is needed to truly establish the efficacy of this mucositis prevention strategy. Future research needs to determine the effects of modification of laser parameters (e.g., wavelength, fluence, repetition rate of energy delivery, etc.) on the effectiveness of LLE laser to prevent OM.

Effects of Strength Training on Running Economy

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different strength training protocols added to endurance training on running economy (RE). Sixteen well-trained runners (27.4 +/- 4.4 years; 62.7 +/- 4.3 kg; 166.1 +/- 5.0 cm), were randomized into two groups: explosive strength training (EST) (n = 9) and heavy weight strength training (HWT) (n = 7) group. They performed the following tests before and after 4 weeks of training: 1) incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to determine of peak oxygen uptake and the velocity corresponding to 3.5 mM of blood lactate concentration; 2) submaximal constant-intensity test to determine RE; 3) maximal countermovernent jump test and; 4) one repetition maximal strength test in leg press. After the training period, there was an improvement in RE only in the HWT group (HWT = 47.3 +/- 6.8 vs. 44.3 +/- 4.9 ml.kg(-1) -min(-1); EST = 46.4 +/- 4.1 vs. 45.5 +/- 4.1 ml.kg(-1) .min(-1)). In conclusion, a short period of traditional strength training can improve RE in well-trained runners, but this improvement can be dependent on the strength training characteristics. When comparing to explosive training performed in the same equipment, heavy weight training seems to be more efficient for the improvement of RE.

Changes in physiological and stroking parameters during interval swims at the slope of the d-t relationship

The slope of the distance-time relationship from maximal 200 and 400 in bouts (S(200-400)) has been increasingly employed for setting training intensities in swimming. However, physiological and mechanical responses at this speed are poorly understood. Thus, this study investigated blood lactate, heart rate (HR), stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and RPE responses to an interval swimming set at S(200-400) in trained swimmers. In a 50-m pool, twelve athletes (16.5 +/- 1.2 yr, 176 +/- 7 cm, 68.4 +/- 5.4 kg, and 7.8 +/- 2.5% body fat) performed maximal 200 and 400 m crawl trials for S(200-400) determination (1.28 +/- 0.05 m/s). Thereafter, swimmers were instructed to perform 5 x 400 in at this speed with 1.5 min rest between repetitions. Three athletes Could not complete the set (exhaustion at 21.0 +/- 3.1 min). For the remaining swimmers (total set duration = 32.0 +/- 1.3 min) significant increases) (p < 0.05) in blood lactate (5.7 +/- 0.8-7.9 +/- 2.4 mmol/l), SR (29.6 +/- 3.2-32.1 +/- 4.1 cycles/min), HR (169 +/- 11-181 +/- 8 bpm) and RPE (13.3 +/- 1.6-16.3 +/- 2.6) were observed through the IS. Conversely, SL decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from the first to the fifth repetition (2.48 +/- 0.22-2.31 +/- 0.24 m/cycle). These results suggest that interval swimming at S(200-400) represents an intense physiological, mechanical and perceptual stimulus that can be sustained for a prolonged period by most athletes. (C) 2008 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

NO EVIDENCE of PATHOLOGICAL AUTOIMMUNITY FOLLOWING MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE HEAT-SHOCK PROTEIN 65-DNA VACCINATION IN MICE

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are currently one of the most promising targets for the development of immunotherapy against tumours and autoimmune disorders. This protein family has the capacity to activate or modulate the function of different immune system cells. They induce the activation of monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, and contribute to cross-priming, an important mechanism of presentation of exogenous antigen in the context of MHC class I molecules, These various immunological properties of HSP have encouraged their use in several clinical trials. Nevertheless, an important issue regarding these proteins is whether the high homology among HSPs across different species may trigger the breakdown of immune tolerance and induce autoimmune diseases. We have developed a DNA vaccine codifying the Mycobacterium leprae Hsp65 (DNAhsp65), which showed to be highly immunogenic and protective against experimental tuberculosis. Here, we address the question of whether DNAhsp65 immunization could induce pathological autoimmunity in mice. Our results show that DNAhsp65 vaccination induced antibodies that can recognize the human Hsp60 but did not induce harmful effects in 16 different organs analysed by histopathology up to 210 days after vaccination. We also showed that anti-DNA antibodies were not elicited after DNA vaccination. The results are important for the development of both HSP and DNA-based immunomodulatory agents.

Inhibitory effect of PGE(2) on the killing of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis by human monocytes can be reversed by cellular activation with cytokines

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Induced ovulation and rearing of the pacu (Colossoma mitrei)

A method is described for spawning the economically important Brazilian characin species Colossoma mitrei. Ovulation was induced using a priming injection of 0.2 mg/kg partially purified gonadotropin SG-G100 followed at 8 h by injecting an extract of 20 mg/kg acetone-dried chum salmon pituitary powder. Spermiation was induced in the male using a similar primer followed by 14 mg/kg acetone-dried chum salmon pituitary powder. Eggs were successfully fertilized and incubated at 25-26°C. Hatching occurred at 20.5 h and a survival of 10% to fingerling size was achieved. © 1981.

Efeitos da estimulação ultra-sônica sobre o processo de reparo em ferida de extração dental: estudo histológico em ratos.

The effects of ultrasound on the wound healing process after teeth extractions were studied histologically. The right upper incisor was extracted in 56 rats. They were divided into 2 groups, one control (I) and one experimental (II). Group II received ultrasound stimulation that was applied with the frequency of repetition of 1,000 Hz and pulse length of 2,000 us continuously, during five minutes daily since the extraction day until 24 hours before the death. The rats were sacrificed at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 postoperative days. The results showed a precocious granulation tissue formation, faster remodeling of osseous ridges, and consequently acceleration of the alveolar wound healing process.