The Influence Of Altered Occlusion On Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Levels In The Tmj Synovial Tissues Of Rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether altered occlusion affects both the condylar cartilage thickness and the cytokine levels of the TMJs of rats. Thirty adult-male rats (n=30) were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions: a control group that underwent sham operations with unaltered occlusion; an FPDM group that underwent functional posterior displacement of the mandible that was induced by an incisor guiding appliance; and an iOVD group in which the increased occlusal vertical dimension was induced in the molars. The rats were subjected to the FPDM or iOVD model for 14 days and then killed. Both the right and left TMJs were removed and randomly assigned to examination with staining or immunoassay techniques. Toluidine blue staining was used to measure the thicknesses of the four layers of the articular cartilage (i.e., the fibrous, proliferating, mature, and hypertrophic layers). ELISA assays were used to assess the concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α). The measurements of the articular cartilage layers and cytokine concentrations were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's tests and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests, respectively (α=5%). The thickness of articular cartilage in the FPDM group (0.3±0.03mm) was significantly greater than those of the control (0.2±0.01mm) and iOVD (0.25±0.03mm) groups. No significant difference was observed between the control and iOVD groups. The four articular cartilage layers were thicker in the FPDM group than in the control and iOVD groups, and the latter two groups did not differ one from each other. Both the FPDM and iOVD groups exhibited higher cytokine levels than did the control (p<0.05) group. Compared to the FPDM group, the iOVD group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Both models induced inflammation in the TMJ and caused significant structural changes in the TMJ and surrounding tissues.

Unfavorable Outcomes During Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis With High Doses Of Vitamin D.

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The Real-life Experience With Cardiovascular Complications In The First Dose Of Fingolimod For Multiple Sclerosis.

Fingolimod is a new and efficient treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The drug administration requires special attention to the first dose, since cardiovascular adverse events can be observed during the initial six hours of fingolimod ingestion. The present study consisted of a review of cardiovascular data on 180 patients with MS receiving the first dose of fingolimod. The rate of bradycardia in these patients was higher than that observed in clinical trials with very strict inclusion criteria for patients. There were less than 10% of cases requiring special attention, but no fatal cases. All but one patient continued the treatment after this initial dose. This is the first report on real-life administration of fingolimod to Brazilian patients with MS, and one of the few studies with these characteristics in the world.

Atletas paraolimpicas : figurações e sociedade contemporanea

Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educação Física

Seleções olimpicas de basquetebol feminino do Brasil (2000 e 2004) : correlação entre variaveis tecnicas e fisicas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Sucesso de pessoas portadoras de deficiencia atraves da pratica esportiva : um estudo de caso

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Evolução dos doentes com citologia oncótica alterada e colposcopia anal normal

A citologia anal vem sendo usada para rastreamento do carcinoma anal e suas lesões precursoras nas populações de risco. Quando o raspado do canal anal mostra alterações citológicas está indicada o exame com colposcópio e ácido acético para identificar e realizar biópsia para confirmar o achado. Poucos estudos mostram o seguimento dos doentes tratados de condilomas acuminados perianais. Temos usado os métodos em associação e encontrado lesões subclínicas em metade dos doentes, cujo exame proctológico não revelava doença HPV induzida. Essas lesões são tratadas com tópicos. Entretanto, algumas citologias estavam alteradas e a colposcopia anal não revelou doença HPV induzida. O objetivo deste estudo foi observar o comportamento dessas lesões no seguimento semestral, durante 12 meses, e avaliar se a periodicidade da reavaliação foi suficiente para evitar o aparecimento das lesões de alto grau ou superior. Encontramos 58 (21%) entre 273 doentes nessas condições. As reavaliações de 22 deles após um ano mostraram que as colposcopias permaneceram normais em 17 (74%), sendo que em cinco (22%) a citologia voltou aos padrões normais e 12 (52%) persistiram com alterações. Os outros seis (26%) desenvolveram lesões clínicas ou subclínicas provocadas pelo HPV. As contagens de linfócitos T CD4 dos doentes HIV-positivos foram inferiores nos doentes cujas lesões progrediram. Os resultados permitiram concluir que as alterações podem progredir ou regredir neste grupo distinto de doentes, sendo relacionada à imunidade, e que o intervalo de seis meses é suficiente para cada reavaliação.

The use of a graphite-silicone rubber composite electrode in the determination of rutin in pharmaceutical formulation

The possibility of using a graphite silicone-rubber composite electrode (GSR) in a differential pulse voltammetric(DPV) procedure for rutin (vitamin P) determination is described. Cyclic voltammograms of rutin presented a reversible pair of oxidation/reduction peaks respectively at 0.411 and 0.390 V (vs. SCE) at the GSR surface in Britton-Robinson(B-R) buffer solution pH 4.0. In DPV after optimization of conditions, an oxidation peak at 0.370 V (vs. SCE) was used to quantitative determination of rutin in B-R buffer solution pH 4.0. In this case a linear dynamic range of 5.0×10-8 to 50.0×10-8 mol L-1 was observed with a detection limit of 1.8×10-8 mol L-1 for the analyte. Recoveries from 94 to 113% were observed. The electrode surface was renewed by polishing after each determination, with a repeatability of 1.09 ± 0.06 µA (n = 10) peak current. Rutin was determined in a pharmaceutical formulation using the proposed electrode and the results agreed with those from an official method within 95% confidence level.

Redescription of Culex (Culex) dolosus (Lynch Arribálzaga)(Diptera: Culicidae), based on specimens from Pico do Itapeva, Serra da Mantiqueira, São Paulo, Brazil

Culex (Culex) dolosus (Lych Arribálzaga, 1891) is re-described and compared with Cx. eduardoi Casal & Garcia (1968) based on morphological characteristics. Both species are morphologically similar, and they have been largely misidentified throughout Brazil. Adult male and female, fourth instar larvae, and pupae of Cx. dolosus were examined, based on specimens from Pico do Itapeva, Pindamonhangaba Municipality, Serra da Mantiqueira, São Paulo State, southern Brazil. Male genitalia, larvae and pupae are illustrated. Geographical distribution is summarized from published records, and information on bionomics is based on literature and field data

Detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium cysts/oocysts in watersheds and drinking water sources in Brazil urban areas

The protozoan parasites Giardia and Cryptosporidium have been described as important waterbone disease pathogens, and are associated with severe gastrointestinal illnesses. The objective of this paper was to investigate the presence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in sample from wtershed catchments and treated water sources. A total of 25 water samples were collected and examined according to the EPA - Method 1623, 2005, consisting of 12 from drinking water and 13 from raw water. Positive samples from raw water for Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts were 46.1 and 7.6%, respectively. In finished water, positive samples were 41.7 per centfor Giardia cysts and 25 per cent for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Concentrations of Giardia cysts found in raw water samples ranged from "not detected" to 0.1oocysts/L, whereas concentrations of Cryptosporidium oocystsranged from "not detected" to 0.1 oocysts/L. In finished water, Giardia concentrations ranged from "not detected" to 0.06 cysts/L, and Cryptosporidium oocysts were not high in the samples analyzed. Nevertheless, the results of this study highlight the need to monitor these organisms in both raw and drinking water.

Crianças nascidas após emprego de técnica de fertilização assistida

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar mulheres e recém-nascidos que foram submetidos ao processo de reprodução assistids. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo para coleta de dados e prospectivo para análise, em mulheres submetidas a duas diferentes técnicas de reprodução assistida no Centro de Reprodução Humana do Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein no período de janeiro de 1995 a Dezembro de 2003. Foram selecionados todos os casos de sucesso e término do parto que ocorreram na Instituição no período. RESULTADOS: no período analisado, ocorreram 2448 procedimentos, sendo 439 de fertilização in vitro e 2009 de injeção intracitoplasmática de esperma. A taxa de sucesso variou de 25 a 30%. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os dois métodos estudados quanto aos resultados perinatais. Maior morbidade foi observada entre os nascimentos múltiplos em relação aos únicos. CONCLUSÕES: as técnicas de reprodução assistida não interferiram nos resultados perinatais. A prematuridade foi o fator determinante de maior morbimortalidade entre os múltiplos

Saúde bucal e cuidado odontológico: representações sociais de mães usuárias de um serviço público de saúde

Objetivo: identificar as representações sociais de mães de crianças da faixa etária de zero a cinco anos de idade do Núcleo de Saúde da Família IV, em Ribeirão Preto-SP, procurando saber o que pensam sobre saúde bucal e tratamento odontológico. Método: trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa, sendo utilizada a entrevista semi-estruturada para a coleta dos dados e a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: constatou-se grande dificuldade das mães em se expressar a respeito do que é, para elas, saúde. Para essas mães a saúde bucal está relacionada com normas de higiene e dietéticas e também com a ida ao dentista, restringindo-se na preocupação com a estética e pouco com a função. Já em relação ao tratamento odontológico, a grande maioria demonstrou apresentar medo, causado pela sua experiência anterior com o tratamento. A assistência particular está associada à pontualidade e ao atendimento da maneira desejada enquanto o tratamento oferecido pelo setor público à demora e à falta de equipamentos e materiais. A humanização no atendimento e competência do profissional emergiram como dois aspectos importantes, e podem estar determinando a decisão de ir ou não ao dentista. Conclusões: A expressão saúde bucal foi associada à assistência odontológica. O atendimento pelo setor privado foi referido como o que mais se aproxima do tipo ideal de assistência odontológica

Ultraviolet analysis of donated corneas: a portable prototype

As technology improves human vision, some procedures currently performed may be causing a decrease of the natural UV protection of the cornea. A portable dual beam system prototype was assembled for physicians for clinical studies of these effects on the corneas endowing two types of 300-400 nm evaluations: 1, regularly donated corneas and 2, simulating refractive keratectomy by corneal lamellae removal. The system performs 500 measurements/s, providing +/- 0.25% precision for the transmittance. The measurements performed on the prototype are 95% in agreement with Cary 17 and HR4000CG-UV-NIR Ocean Optics spectrophotometers. Preliminary studies on cadaveric corneas demonstrate that, as the stromal layer is reduced (similar to 150 mu m depth), there is significant loss-an average of 7.1%.-of the cornea's natural UV protection. The prototype is being tested in an eye bank for routine evaluation of donor corneas. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America

Unexpected Diversity of Cellular Immune Responses against Nef and Vif in HIV-1-Infected Patients Who Spontaneously Control Viral Replication

Background: HIV-1-infected individuals who spontaneously control viral replication represent an example of successful containment of the AIDS virus. Understanding the anti-viral immune responses in these individuals may help in vaccine design. However, immune responses against HIV-1 are normally analyzed using HIV-1 consensus B 15-mers that overlap by 11 amino acids. Unfortunately, this method may underestimate the real breadth of the cellular immune responses against the autologous sequence of the infecting virus. Methodology and Principal Findings: Here we compared cellular immune responses against nef and vif-encoded consensus B 15-mer peptides to responses against HLA class I-predicted minimal optimal epitopes from consensus B and autologous sequences in six patients who have controlled HIV-1 replication. Interestingly, our analysis revealed that three of our patients had broader cellular immune responses against HLA class I-predicted minimal optimal epitopes from either autologous viruses or from the HIV-1 consensus B sequence, when compared to responses against the 15-mer HIV-1 type B consensus peptides. Conclusion and Significance: This suggests that the cellular immune responses against HIV-1 in controller patients may be broader than we had previously anticipated.

Suppression subtractive hybridization analysis reveals expression of conserved and novel genes in male accessory glands of the ant Leptothorax gredleri

Background: During mating, insect males eject accessory gland proteins (Acps) into the female genital tract. These substances are known to affect female post-mating behavior and physiology. In addition, they may harm the female, e. g., in reducing its lifespan. This is interpreted as a consequence of sexual antagonistic co-evolution. Whereas sexual conflict abounds in non-social species, the peculiar life history of social insects (ants, bees, wasps) with lifelong pair-bonding and no re-mating aligns the reproductive interests of the sexes. Harming the female during mating would negatively affect male fitness and sexual antagonism is therefore not expected. Indeed, mating appears to increase female longevity in at least one ant species. Acps are presumed to play a role in this phenomenon, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we investigated genes, which are preferentially expressed in male accessory glands of the ant Leptothorax gredleri, to determine which proteins might be transferred in the seminal fluid. Results: By a suppression subtractive hybridization protocol we obtained 20 unique sequences (USs). Twelve had mutual best matches with genes predicted for Apis mellifera and Nasonia vitripennis. Functional information (Gene Ontology) was available only for seven of these, including intracellular signaling, energy-dependent transport and metabolic enzyme activities. The remaining eight USs did not match sequences from other species. Six genes were further analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR in three life cycle stages of male ants. A gene with carboxy-lyase activity and one of unpredicted function were significantly overexpressed in accessory glands of sexually mature males. Conclusions: Our study is the first one to investigate differential gene expression in ants in a context related to mating. Our findings indicate that male accessory glands of L. gredleri express a series of genes that are unique to this species, possibly representing novel genes, in addition to conserved ones for which functions can be predicted. Identifying differentially expressed genes might help to better understand molecular mechanisms involved in reproductive processes in eusocial Hymenoptera. While the novel genes could account for rapidly evolving ones driven by intra-sexual conflict between males, conserved genes imply that rather beneficial traits might get fixed by a process described as inter-sexual cooperation between males and females.