Trends in rheumatic fever: clinical aspects and perspectives in prophylactic treatments

Introduction: Rheumatic fever (RF), a systemic illness that may occur following Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis in children, is a major problem in countries with limited resources. Because of its long track record and low cost, an injection of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) suspension every 3 or 4 weeks has been used as secondary prophylaxis. Despite its excellent in vitro efficacy, the inability of BPG to eradicate GABHS has been frequently reported.Areas covered: This work reviews the possible causes of failure, as well as the inconvenience of the current prophylactic treatment of acute RF and suggests a new pharmacotherapeutic system that could replace the current one.Expert opinion: RF is a major problem concerning only countries with limited resources and could be considered as a neglected disease. The dose regimen using BPG suspension results in failures, which could be avoided by the use of nanocarrier-based systems. To meet this ultimate goal, the research should be transposed from the laboratory scale to an industrial and clinical application level. This research should be conducted to produce a pharmaceutical dosage form that will be commercially available, consumed by and affordable for patients. However, health, environmental and socioeconomic hazards should be considered.

Oxygen dynamics and the effects of heat treatments in SBCO samples investigated by mechanical spectroscopy

The compound SmBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta) (SBCO)-obtained by substituting rare-earth Sm for Y in the well-known and most studied YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+delta) (YBCO)-is potentially attractive to study in order to understand the superconductivity mechanism in physics and in electronic device applications. For SBCO, the possibility of variable stoichiometry and the high mobility of oxygen in CuO(x) planes give rise to a rich phase diagram. This study reports on the effect of heat treatments in an oxygen atmosphere on the anelastic properties of this oxide, in which relaxation processes were observed, attributed to oxygen atom jumps present in the Cu-O planes during the orthorhombic phase.

Effects of surface treatments on the fatigue strength of AISI 4340 aeronautical steel

Internal residual stresses significantly influence the fatigue strength of coated materials. It is well known that chromium plating is the most used electrodeposited coating for important industrial applications. However, pressure to identify alternatives or to improve the chromium electroplating process have increased in recent years, related to the reduction in fatigue strength of the base material and to environmental requirements. The high efficiency and fluoride free hard chromium electroplating there called accelerated) is an improvement to the conventional process. One environmentally safer and cleaner alternative to hard chromium plating is tungsten carbide thermal spray coating applied by the High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) process. To increase the fatigue strength of chromium plated materials, coating thickness and microcracks density are important parameters to be controlled. Techniques as compressive residual stresses induced by shot peening and multilayers, are also used. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects on AISI 4340 steel, in the rotating bending fatigue behaviour, of the: tungsten carbide thermal spray coating applied by HP/HVOF process; chemical nickel underplate, and shot peening process applied before coating deposition, in comparison to hard chromium electroplatings. Rotating bending fatigue test results indicate better performance for the conventional hard chromium plating in relation to the accelerated hard chromium electroplating. Tungsten carbide thermal spray coating and accelerated hard chromium plate over nickel resulted in higher fatigue strength when compared to samples conventional or accelerated hard chromium plated. Shot peening showed to be an excellent alternative to increase fatigue strength of AISI 4340 steel hard chromium electroplated. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Study of the Effect of Nitrogen and Air Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation Treatments on the Properties of Carbon Fiber

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

Seasonal variability in the fertilization rate of women undergoing assisted reproduction treatments

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether seasonality affects human-assisted reproduction treatment outcomes. For this, 1932 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were assigned to a season group according to the day of oocyte retrieval: winter (n = 435), spring (n = 444), summer (n = 469) or autumn (n = 584). Analysis of variance was used to compare the ICSI outcomes. The fertilization rate was increased during the spring (winter: 67.9%, spring: 73.5%, summer: 68.7% and autumn: 69.0%; p < 0.01). In fact, a nearly 50% increase in the fertilization rate during the spring was observed (odds ratio 1.45, confidence interval 1.20-1.75; p < 0.01). The oestradiol concentration per number of oocytes was significantly higher during the spring (winter: 235.8 pg/mL, spring: 282.1 pg/mL, summer: 226.1 pg/mL and autumn: 228.7 pg/mL; p = 0.030). This study demonstrates a seasonal variability in fertilization after ICSI, where fertilization is higher during the spring than at any other time.

Reproductive performance of prepubertal Bos indicus heifers after progesterone-based treatments

The objective was to evaluate the effects of exogenous progesterone (P4) on reproductive performance of prepubertal Bos indicus heifers. Prepubertal Nelore heifers (n = 589; 24.0 +/- 1.13 mo; 298.0 +/- 1.89 kg; body condition score of 3.2 +/- 0.26; mean +/- SEM) were randomly assigned to receive, between experimental Days -12 and 0: no treatments (CIDR0; n = 113); a new intravaginal insert (CIDR) containing 1.9 g of P4 (CIDR1; n = 237); or a similar insert previously used three times, with each use occurring for 9 d (CIDR4; n = 239). An additional treatment group was pubertal heifers given 12.5 mg dinoprost tromethamine im on Day 0 (PGF; n = 346), and used as controls for evaluation of conception rates. on Day 0, transrectal palpation was done for uterine score evaluation (UtS; 1-3 scale), blood samples were taken for serum P4 concentrations, and follicle diameter (FD) was measured. The breeding season started on Day 1 and consisted of AI after detection of estrus between Days I and 45, and exposure to bulls between Days 46 and 90. There were effects of treatment (P < 0.05) on serum concentrations of P4 on Day 0 (0.37 +/- 0.16, 2.31 +/- 0.11, and 1.20 +/- 0.11 ng/mL for CIDR0, CIDR1, and CIDR4, respectively; mean SEM), FD on Day 0(9.45 +/- 0.24, 9.72 +/- 0.17, and 11.42 +/- 0.16 mm), UtS on Day 0 (1.49 +/- 0.06, 1.88 +/- 0.04, and 2.24 +/- 0.04), estrus detection rates at 7 d (19.5, 42.6, and 38.3%) and 45 d (52.2, 72.1, and 75.3%) of the breeding season, and on pregnancy rates at 7 d (5.3, 14.3, and 18.4%), 45 d (27.4, 39.2, and 47.7%) and 90 d (72.6, 83.5, and 83.7%) of the breeding season. Conception rate 7 d after the start of the breeding season was greater (P < 0.05) in heifers from the CIDR4 (46.8%) and PGF (43.8%) groups than in the CIDR0 (27.3%) and CIDR1 (33.7%) groups. In conclusion, exogenous P4 hastened puberty and improved pregnancy rates at the beginning of the breeding season in prepubertal Bos indicus heifers. Furthermore, previously used CIDR inserts were better than new inserts. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of progesterone and/or estradiol treatments prior to induction of ovulation on subsequent luteal lifespan in anestrous Nelore cows

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

Effects of postbreeding gonadotropin treatments on conception rates of lactating dairy cows subjected to timed artificial insemination or embryo transfer in a tropical environment

The objective of experiment 1 was to evaluate the effects of treatments with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or GnRH 7 d after induced ovulation on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows submitted to timed artificial insemination (TAI) or timed embryo transfer (TET). A total of 834 potential breedings were used from 661 lactating Holstein cows (37.3 +/- 0.3 kg of milk/d). Cows had ovulation synchronized and were assigned randomly to receive TAI on d 0 or TET on d 7. Within each group, cows were assigned randomly to receive on d 7 no additional treatment (control; n(TAI) = 156; n(TET) = 126), a 100 mu g i.m. injection of GnRH (n(TAI) = 155; n(TET) = 124), or a 2,500 TU i.m. injection of hCG (ITA = 151; n(TET) = 122). Postbreeding treatment affected the percentages of pregnant cows at TET on d 28 (control: 38.1%; GnRH: 52.4%; hCG: 45.1%) and on d 60 (control: 32.5%; GnRH: 41.1%; hCG: 38.5%), but postbreeding treatment did not affect percentages of pregnant cows at TAT on d 28 (control: 30.1%; GnRH: 32.2%; hCG: 32.4%) or on d 60 (control: 25.6%; GnRH: 27.1%; hCG: 29.8%). The objective of experiment 2 was to evaluate the effect of a treatment with GnRH 7 d after TET on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows that received a previous GnRH treatment at TET. A total of 285 potential breedings were used from 257 lactating Holstein cows (35.1 +/- 0.8 kg of milk/d). Cows had ovulation synchronized and were assigned for TET on d 7. Immediately after TET, all cows were treated with a 100 mu g i.m. injection of GnRH. on d 14, cows were assigned randomly to receive (G7-14; n = 147) or not (G7; n = 138) an additional injection of GnRH. Pregnancy diagnosis were performed on d 28 and 60. The additional treatment with GnRH on d 14 did not affect the percentages of pregnant cows on d 28 (G7: 48.5%; G7-14: 42.9%) or on d 60 (G7: 39.8%; G7-14: 37.4%). In conclusion, treatment with GnRH or hCG 7 d after induced ovulation increased conception rates in lactating dairy cows submitted to TET, but not in cows submitted to TAI. Moreover, treatment with GnRH 7 d after TET did not enhance reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows that received a previous GnRH treatment at TET.

Prosthetic Treatments for Patients With Oronasal Communication

The prosthetic treatments play a role in the rehabilitation of patients with congenital and acquired cleft palate. To prepare the surgical field and/or correct inevitable sequelae of the surgery, the rehabilitation with obturator prosthesis is an auxiliary or complementary treatment to surgical treatments. In cases where the surgical treatment is contraindicated, the prosthetic rehabilitation becomes a definitive treatment. The denture is planned and fabricated according to each patient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to discuss the prosthetic rehabilitation performed in patients with oronasal communication.

Microscopical analysis of Candida albicans biofilms on heat-polymerised acrylic resin after chlorhexidine gluconate and sodium hypochlorite treatments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Glass transition temperature of hard chairside reline materials after post-polymerisation treatments

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

THE EFFECT of DIFFERENT SURFACE TREATMENTS on THE SHEAR BOND STRENGTH of LUTING CEMENTS TO TITANIUM

Statement of problem. Although titanium presents attractive physical and mechanical properties, there is a need for improving the bond at the titanium/luting cement interface for the longevity of metal ceramic restorations.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of surface treatments on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin-modified glass ionomer and resin cements to commercially pure titanium (CP Ti).Material and methods. Two hundred and forty CP Ti cast disks (9.0 x 3.0 mm) were divided into 8 surface treatment groups (n=30): 1) 50 mu m Al2O3 particles; 2) 120 mu m Al2O3 particles; 3) 250 mu m Al2O3 particles; 4) 50 mu m Al2O3 particles + silane (RelyX Ceramic Primer); 5) 120 mu m Al2O3 particles + silane; 6) 250 mu m Al2O3 particles + silane; 7) 30 mu m silica-modified Al2O3 particles (Cojet Sand) + silane; and 8) 120 mu m Al2O3 particles, followed by 110 mu m silica-modified Al2O3 particles (Rocatec). The luting cements 1) RelyX Luting 2; 2) RelyX ARC; or 3) RelyX U100 were applied to the treated CP Ti surfaces (n=10). Shear bond strength (SBS) was tested after thermal cycling (5000 cycles, 5 degrees C to 55 degrees C). Data were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey HSD post hoc test (alpha=.05). Failure mode was determined with a stereomicroscope (x20).Results. The surface treatments, cements, and their interaction significantly affected the SBS (P<.001). RelyX Luting 2 and RelyX U100 exhibited similar behavior for all surface treatments. For both cements, only the group abraded with 50 mu m Al2O3 particles had lower SBS than the other groups (P<.05). For RelyX ARC, regardless of silane application, abrasion with 50 mu m Al2O3 particles resulted in significantly lower SBS than abrasion with 120 mu m and 250 mu m particles, which exhibited statistically similar SBS values to each other. Rocatec + silane promoted the highest SBS for RelyX ARC. RelyX U100 presented the highest SBS mean values (P<.001). All groups showed a predominance of adhesive failure mode.Conclusions. The adhesive capability of RelyX Luting 2 and RelyX U100 on the SBS was decisive, while for RelyX ARC, mechanical and chemical factors were more influential. (J Prosthet Dent 2012;108:370-376)

Influence of surface treatments on the flexural strength of denture base repair

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of repairs made with autopolymerising acrylic resin after different treatments of joint surfaces.Material and Methods: Fifty rectangular specimens were made with heat-polymerised acrylic resin and 40 were repaired with autopolymerising acrylic resin following joint surface treatments: group 1 (intact specimens), group 2 (chemical treatment: wetting with methyl-methacrylate for 180 s), group 3 (abraded with silicon carbide paper), group 4 (abraded and wetting with methyl-methacrylate for 180 s) and group 5 (without surface treatment). The flexural strength was measured by a three-point bending test using a universal testing machine with a 100 Kgf load cell in the centre of repair at 5 mm/min cross-head speed. All data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test for multiple comparisons (p < 0.05).Results: Among repaired specimens, groups 2 and 4 had 66.53 +/- 3.4 and 69.38 +/- 1.8 MPa mean values and were similar. These groups had superior flexural strength than groups 3 and 5 that were similar and had 54.11 +/- 3.4 and 51.24 +/- 2.8 MPa mean values, respectively. Group 1 had a mean value of 108.30 +/- 2.8 MPa being the highest result.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the treatment of the joint surfaces with methyl-methacrylate increases the flexural strength of denture base repairs, although the strength is still lower than that observed for the intact denture base resin. Abrasion with sandpaper was not able to influence the flexural strength of repaired denture bases.