Effectiveness of the diode laser in the treatment of ligature-induced periodontitis in rats: a histopathological, histometric, and immunohistochemical study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of a high-power gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode laser (GaAlAs; 808 nm, 1 W, 20 s, 20 Hz, 10 J) alone or as adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing in the treatment of induced periodontitis in rats. Periodontitis was induced by placing a ligature around the mandibular first molar of 60 rats. After 7 days, the ligature was removed and the animals were divided into four groups as follows: C (control), no periodontal treatment; SRP, scaling and root planing (SRP); DL, diode laser (DL) irradiation treatment; and SRP/DL, both SRP and DL irradiation treatment. Five animals from each group were euthanized at 7, 15, and 30 days posttreatment. The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated in the furcation area using histopathological analysis, histometric analysis of alveolar bone loss (ABL), and immunohistochemical detection of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OCN). DL, alone or in combination with adjunctive therapy to SRP in the treatment of experimental periodontitis, resulted in a decreased local inflammatory response. At 7-days posttreatment, the DL and SRP/DL groups had fewer TRAP-positive cells and more RUNX2-positive cells. There was greater OCN immunolabeling in the DL group than in the C and SRP groups at 15 days. There was less ABL in the DL and SRP/DL groups at 15 and 30 days. In conclusion, DL was effective in the treatment of ligature-induced periodontitis in rats, both when used alone and when used as adjunctive therapy to SRP.

Products for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: a patent review (2013-2014)

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and an unspecific IBD. The unclear etiology of IBD is a limiting factor that complicates the development of new pharmacological treatments and explains the high frequency of refractory patients to current drugs, including both conventional and biological therapies. In view of this, recent progress on the development of novel patented products to treat IBD was reviewed.Areas covered: Evaluation of the patent literature during the period 2013 - 2014 focused on chemical compounds, functional foods and biological therapy useful for the treatment of IBD.Expert opinion: Majority of the patents are not conclusive because they were based on data from unspecific methods not related to intestinal inflammation and, when related to IBD models, few biochemical and molecular evaluations that could be corroborating their use in human IBD were presented. On the other hand, methods and strategies using new formulations of conventional drugs, guanylyl cyclase C peptide agonists, compounds that influence anti-adhesion molecules, mAbs anti-type I interferons and anti-integrin, oligonucleotide antisense Smad7, growth factor neuregulin 4 and functional foods, particularly fermented wheat germ with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are promising products for use in the very near future.

Pyridinic analog of the natural product (-)-spectaline as potential adjuvant for the treatment of central nervous system disorders

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

Enamel matrix protein derivative plus synthetic bone substitute for the treatment of mandibular Class II furcation defects: a case series

Objectives: The aim of this study is to report on the treatment of mandibular Class II furcation defects with enamel matrix protein derivative (EMD) combined with a beta TCP/HA (beta-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite) alloplastic material. Method and Materials: Thirteen patients were selected. All patients were nonsmokers, systemically healthy, and diagnosed with chronic periodontitis; had not taken medications known to interfere with periodontal tissue health and healing; presented one Class II mandibular furcation defect with horizontal probing equal to or greater than 4 mm at buccal site. The clinical parameters evaluated were probing depth (PD), relative gingival margin position (RGMP), relative vertical clinical attachment level (RVCAL), and relative horizontal clinical attachment level (RHCAL). A paired Student t test was used to detect differences between the baseline and 6-month measurements, with the level of significance of .05. Results: After 6 months, the treatment produced a statistically significant reduction in PD and a significant gain in RVCAL and RHCAL, but no observable change in RGMP. RVCAL ranged from 13.77 (+/- 1.31) at baseline to 12.15 (+/- 1.29) after 6 months, with a mean change of -1.62 +/- 1.00 mm (P<.05). RHCAL ranged from 5.54 (+/- 0.75) to 2.92 (+/- 0.92), with a mean change of -2.62 +/- 0.63 mm (P<.05). After 6 months, 76.92% of the patients improved their diagnosis to Class I furcation defects while 23.08% remained as Class II. Conclusion: The present study has shown that positive clinical results may be expected from the combined treatment of Class II furcation defects with EMD and beta TCP/HA, especially considering the gain of horizontal attachment level. Despite this result, controlled clinical studies are needed to confirm our outcomes.

Use of botulin toxin in the treatment of diffuse esophageal spasm. A case report

The diffuse esophageal spasm distinguishes from others esophageal disturbs by the symptoms severity and bad results to conservative treatment. This situation requires formal indication to surgical treatment or dilation. In high risk patients this situation becomes a big problem, due to the lack of another therapeutic option. In a patient with this problem we use an endoscopic injection of botulin toxin in cardia with good results in three months follow-up. Despite this short period of observation we believe that the infiltration with botulin toxin in cardia constitutes a valid therapeutic option in treatment of diffuse esophageal spasm.

Clinical Assessment of Tribulus terrestris Extract in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction

This is a qualitative-quantitative study based on hospital records of female patients of reproductive age, presenting sexual dysfunction, and treated with 250 mg Tribulus terrestris extract (1 tablet thrice daily for 90 days). Safety monitoring included vital signs, physical examination, laboratory tests, and occurrence of adverse events. Efficacy analysis included results of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels together with total and free testosterone, and the patient and physician assessments. There was a statistically significant improvement in total FSFI scores (P < 0.0001) post-treatment, with improvement among 106 (88.33%) subjects. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.0001) increase in the level of DHEA, while the levels of both serum testosterone (P = 0.284) and free testosterone decreased (P < 0.0001). Most adverse events recorded were related to the gastrointestinal tract. Physical examination showed no significant changes post-treatment. Based on the results, it is concluded that the T. terrestris extract is safe and effective in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction.

Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia for the treatment of oral candidiasis induced in an immunosuppressed mouse model

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

Association of titanium mesh and bovine pericardium membrane in the treatment of severe enophthalmos

The blowout fractures may be classified as pure or impure depending on the associated structures. There are 2 main theories attempting to describe the mechanism of injury, the hydraulic, and blocking mechanism. The complications of this type of fracture may involve diplopia, enophthalmos, and ocular movement restriction. Several materials are available for the reconstruction of orbital floor, including the titanium mesh, which present great properties, such as easy modeling and stabilization, small thickness, and shape maintenance. There, however, are disadvantages such as the possibility of adherence formation. The aim of this report is to describe the case of a patient with an 8-month blowout fracture sequel, presenting extensive enophthalmos and treated by affixing a titanium mesh associated with bovine pericardium membrane in the orbital floor. Therefore, based on a 2-year follow-up, it was possible to observe how effective the association between these 2 materials in solving the case was.

Structural basis for the inhibition of a phospholipase A2-like toxin by caffeic and aristolochic acids

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

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder that results in cognitive and behavioral impairment. Conventional treatment strategies, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs, often fail due to their poor solubility, lower bioavailability, and ineffective ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Nanotechnological treatment methods, which involve the design, characterization, production, and application of nanoscale drug delivery systems, have been employed to optimize therapeutics. These nanotechnologies include polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, microemulsion, nanoemulsion, and liquid crystals. Each of these are promising tools for the delivery of therapeutic devices to the brain via various routes of administration, particularly the intranasal route. The objective of this study is to present a systematic review of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

A curcumin-loaded liquid crystal precursor mucoadhesive system for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis

Women often develop vaginal infections that are caused primarily by organisms of the genus Candida. The current treatments of vaginal candidiasis usually involve azole-based antifungals, though fungal resistance to these compounds has become prevalent. Therefore, much attention has been given to molecules with antifungal properties from natural sources, such as curcumin (CUR). However, CUR has poor solubility in aqueous solvents and poor oral bioavailability. This study attempted to overcome this problem by developing, characterizing, and evaluating the in vitro antifungal action of a CUR-loaded liquid crystal precursor mucoadhesive system (LCPM) for vaginal administration. A low-viscosity LCPM (F) consisting of 40% wt/wt polyoxpropylene-(5)-polyoxyethylene-(20)-cetyl alcohol, 50% wt/wt oleic acid, and 10% wt/wt chitosan dispersion at 0.5% with the addition of 16% poloxamer 407 was developed to take advantage of the lyotropic phase behavior of this formulation. Notably, F could transform into liquid crystal systems when diluted with artificial vaginal mucus at ratios of 1:3 and 1:1 (wt/wt), resulting in the formation of F30 and F100, respectively. Polarized light microscopy and rheological studies revealed that F behaved like an isotropic formulation, whereas F30 and F100 behaved like an anisotropic liquid crystalline system (LCS). Moreover, F30 and F100 presented higher mucoadhesion to porcine vaginal mucosa than F. The analysis of the in vitro activity against Candida albicans revealed that CUR-loaded F was more potent against standard and clinical strains compared with a CUR solution. Therefore, the vaginal administration of CUR-loaded LCPMs represents a promising platform for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.

Adjuvant therapy with sodium alendronate for the treatment of experimental periodontitis in rats

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

Intravenous procedural sedation: an alternative in the treatment of patients with intellectual disability

Conscious sedation has become established as an important alternative to general anesthesia (GA) in dental treatment of patients with intellectual disability (ID). Aim: to investigate dental patients undergoing sedation using a mean dose of 0.6 mg/kg intravenous midazolam and the adverse events of sedation in patients with ID. Methods: This study analyzed the records of 163 dental patients with ID aged between 2 and 76 years who had undergone conscious intravenous sedation (CIV) using a mean dose of 0.61 mg/kg of midazolam at Araçatuba Dental School, São Paulo State University, Brazil. The efficacy and complications induced by CIV were evaluated in each subject. Results: CIV was effective for dental treatment in 80% of the cases. A total of 626 dental procedures were performed. The mean treatment time was 33.9 minutes. There was statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between absence and presence of adverse reactions. Adverse reactions were observed in 21.47% of the cases. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that CIV is a useful method for dental treatment of patients with ID and these patients can need higher doses of sedative to reach an adequate level of sedation.

Development and analysis of formulations to the delivery of caffeine for the treatment of gynoid lipodystrophy

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)