Benefits of soy germ isoflavones in postmenopausal women with contraindication for conventional hormone replacement therapy

Objective: To evaluate the effects of isoflavones on vasomotor symptoms and blood lipids in postmenopausal women with contraindication for conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods: This prospective, double-blind and placebo-controlled study included 50 postmenopausal women randomly divided into two groups: 25 women on soy germ isoflavones (60 mg per day, capsules) and 25 women on placebo. Inclusion criteria included: non-vegetarian, non-asian women whose last menstruation dated at least 12 months prior to the beginning of the study, With FSH > 40 mIU/ml, hot flushes and contraindication for HRT, not using tamoxifen or antibiotic and no disease of the gastrointestinal tract. For 6 months, the Kupperman menopausal index (KMI), the vaginal cytological maturation value (MV) and both hormonal and lipid profiles were assessed. The t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to compare the two groups. Results: In both groups, a decreased KI rate was observed. However, isoflavone was significantly superior to placebo in reducing hot flushes (44% versus 10%, respectively) (P < 0.05). After 6 months, the isoflavone group showed increased estradiol levels with unchanged FSH, LH, and vaginal cytology, and a reduction of 11.8% in LDL and an increase of 27.3% in HDL (P < 0.05). In the placebo group, just a reduction in MV was observed after 6 months (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Soy germ isoflavone exerted favorable effects on vasomotor symptoms and lipid profile, showing itself to be an interesting alternative therapy for the postmenopausal women with contraindication for conventional HRT. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Radioprotection of beta-carotene evaluated on mouse somatic and germ cells

In the present paper, the protective effect of beta-carotene was evaluated after whole body exposure of mice to 2 Gy of X-rays. Splenocytes, reticulocytes, bone marrow cells and spermatids were evaluated for the frequency of micronuclei (MN) induced by X-rays. Mice were treated (gavage) with beta-carotene (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w.) for 5 consecutive days and, 4 h after the last treatment, the animals were irradiated. The results obtained showed different frequencies of X-ray-induced-MN between different cell populations analysed and also different response of these cells to the beta-carotene treatment. The radioprotective effect of beta-carotene was observed in splenocytes, reticulocytes, and spermatids but not in bone marrow cells. No dose-response relationship for beta-carotene was detected. The time of sampling, the sensitivity of the cells as well as the antioxidant activity of beta-carotene are discussed as important factors for the radioprotective action of this provitamin.

Tooth separation: A risk-free procedure?

This article reports the case of a 12-year-old patient with tooth extrusion, pain, gingival bleeding, and localized periodontitis near the maxillary second premolar. Despite probing and radiographic examination, it was not possible to establish the etiology. Tooth extraction was indicated because of the severe tooth mobility and extrusion. Curettage of the tooth socket revealed a rubber separator. Preventive approaches are suggested to avoid iatrogenesis and legal problems. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2012; 142:402-5)

Carbamide Peroxide Determination in Tooth Whitening Using a Reagentless HRP-Biosensor

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

Early Development and Putative Primordial Germ Cells Characterization in Dogs

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

Morphology of the dental carinae in Mariliasuchus amarali (Crocodylomorpha, Notosuchia) and the pattern of tooth serration among basal Mesoeucrocodylia.

Carinated teeth are common in Mesoeucrocodylia, and the occurrence of denticles over the carinae is related to high predacious species, often referred as ziphodont. This characteristic is broadly recognized as homoplastic. Carinae morphology is cryptic, difficult to be studied under common techniques, and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) allows the access to detailed information, offering a higher degree of confidence. Previous SEM study allowed the recognition of true/false ziphodont patterns, according to the morphology of the denticles, but such studies on gondwanan mesoeucrocodyles are uncommon. Mariliasuchus amarali is an Upper Cretaceous notosuchian mesoeucrocodyle from South America (Bauru Group, Brazil), with carinated teeth and specialized dentition. Its geological and biochronological distribution are reappraised. SEM study of two teeth shows carinae composed of isolated tuberous anisomorphic true denticles, supporting previous study. Enamel ornamentation does not develop over the carinae, and fabric becomes anastomosed in middle and posterior teeth. Carinae only occur in posterior molariform teeth, related to food processing. Morphological variability of Mariliasuchus is commented, focusing on dentition. Overall characteristics, molariform morphology and wear planes support a non-predacious habit for Matiliasuchus. Matiliasuchus pattern could not be related to true/false ziphodont patterns, either by morphology or function, and is defined as ziphomorph. Ziphomorph pattern is evaluated within the range of mesoeucrocodyles. The detailed study of homoplastic characteristics, such as dental carinae, may provide useful apomorphic information for cladistic analysis.

A New and Fast Technique to Generate Offspring after Germ Cells Transplantation in Adult Fish: The Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Model

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Enhanced ERbeta immunoexpression and apoptosis in the germ cells of cimetidine-treated rats

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