Laser Phototherapy as Topical Prophylaxis Against Radiation-Induced Xerostomia

The common consequences of radiotherapy (RT) to the head and neck are oral mucositis, xerostomia, and severe pain. The aim of this study was to verify how laser phototherapy (LPT) used for oral mucositis could influence xerostomia symptoms and hyposalivation of patients undergiong RT. Patients were divided into two groups: 12 individuals receiving three laser irradiations per week (G1) and 10 patients receiving one laser irradiation per week (G2). A diode laser (660 nm, 6 J/cm(2), 0.24 J, 40mW) was used until completely healing of the lesions or the end of the RT. At the first and last laser sessions, whole resting and stimulated saliva were collected, and questionnaires were administered. According to Wilcoxon and Student statistical test, xerostomia for G1 was lower than for G2 (p<0.05), and salivary flow rate was no different before and after RT, except for stimulated collection of G2, which was lower (p<0.05). Our results suggest that LPT can be beneficial as an auxiliary therapy for hypofunction of salivary glands.

Psychogenetics of Turner syndrome: an investigation of 28 subjects and respective controls using the Bender test and Piagetian scales

Piagetian scales and the Bender visual motor gestalt test (BT) were applied to 28 subjects with universal 45, X Turner syndrome (TS), and their respective controls, in order to investigate their cognitive performance. Dermatoglyphics were also analyzed to obtain clues concerning embryological changes that may have appeared during development of the nervous system and could be associated with cognitive performance of TS patients. Dermatoglyphic pattern distribution was similar to that reported in previous studies of TS individuals: ulnar loops in the digital patterns and finger ridge, a-b, and A'-d counts were more frequent, while arch and whorl patterns were less frequent compared to controls. However, we did not find higher frequencies of hypothenar pattern, maximum atd angle, and ulnarity index in our TS subjects, unlike other investigations. Furthermore, we found significant differences between TS and control T line index values. The BT scores were also lower in probands, as has been previously reported, revealing a neurocognitive deficit of visual motor perception in TS individuals, which could be due to an absence of, or deficiency in, cerebral hemispheric lateralization. However, TS subjects seemed to improve their performance on BT with age. Cognitive performance of the TS subjects was not significantly different from that of controls, confirming a previous study in which TS performance was found to be similar to that of the normal Brazilian population. There were significant correlations between BT scores and Piagetian scale levels with dermatoglyphic parameters. This association could be explained by changes in the common ectodermal origin of the epidermis and the central nervous system. TS subjects seem to succeed in compensating their spatial impairments in adapting their cognitive and social contacts. We concluded that genetic counseling should consider cognitive and psychosocial difficulties presented by TS subjects, providing appropriate treatment and orientation for them and their families.

Precipitation of Laves phase in a 28%Cr-4%Ni-2%Mo-Nb superferritic stainless steel

The main objective of the present work was to study the precipitation of the Laves phase in the X1 CrNiMoNb 28 4 2 (Werkstoff-Nr. DIN 1.4575) superferritic stainless steel employing several complementary techniques of microstructural analysis. The phase that precipitated in largest quantity in the DIN 1.4575 steel was the sigma (sigma) phase. However, along grain boundaries, after aging at 850 degrees C, a Laves phase of the MgZn2 type, with a hexagonal C14 crystal structure and chemical composition (Fe,Cr,Ni)(2)(Nb,Mo,Si), was also identified. Growth of the Laves phase is curtailed by exhaustion of niobium of the matrix and by the presence of the sigma phase, which also precipitates in the vicinity of the grain boundaries, however in larger amounts. No chi (chi) or austenite phases were detected in the temperature range studied. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Soil Organic Carbon Stocks of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Robust and accurate regional estimates of C storage in soils are currently an important research topic because of ongoing debate about human-induced changes in the terrestrial C cycle. Widely available geoprocessing tools were applied to estimate native soil organic C (SOC) stocks of Rio Grande do Sul state in southern Brazil to a depth of 30 cm from previously sampled soil pedons under undisturbed vegetation. The study used a statewide comprehensive soil survey comprising a small-scale soil map, a climate map, and a soil pedon database. Soil organic C stocks under native vegetation were calculated with two different approaches: the Tier 1 method of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and a refined method based on actual field measurements derived from soil profile data. Highest SOC stocks occurred in Neossolos Quartzarenico hidromorfico (Aquents), Organossolos Tiomorficos (Hemists), Latossolos Brunos (Udox), and Vertissolos Ebanicos (Uderts) soil classes. Before human use of soils, most C was stored in the Latossolos Vermelhos (Udox) and Neossolos Regoliticos (Orthents), which occupy a large area of Rio Grande do Sul. Generally, IPCC default reference SOC stocks compared well with SOC stocks calculated from soil pedons. The total SOC stock of Rio Grande do Sul was estimated at 1510.3 Tg C (5.8 kg C m(-2)) by the IPPC method and 1597.5 +/- 363.9 Tg C (7.4 +/- 1.9 kg C m(-2)) calculated from soil pedons. The SOC digital map and SOC database developed in this study provide crucial background information for state-level contemporary assessment of C stocks and soil C sequestration programs and initiatives.

Broad spectrum bioactive sunscreens

The development of sunscreens containing reduced concentration of chemical UV filters, even though, possessing broad spectrum effectiveness with the use of natural raw materials that improve and infer UV absorption is of great interest. Due to the structural similarities between polyphenolic compounds and organic UV filters, they might exert photoprotection activity. The objective of the present research work was to develop bioactive sunscreen delivery systems containing rutin, Passiflora incarnata L. and Plantago lanceolata extracts associated or not with organic and inorganic UV filters. UV transmission of the sunscreen delivery system films was performed by using diffuse transmittance measurements coupling to an integrating sphere. In vitro photoprotection efficacy was evaluated according to the following parameters: estimated sun protection factor (SPF); Boot`s Star Rating category; UVA/UVB ratio; and critical wavelength (lambda(c)). Sunscreen delivery systems obtained SPF values ranging from 0.972 +/- 0.004 to 28.064 +/- 2.429 and bioactive compounds interacted with the UV filters positive and negatively. This behavior may be attributed to: the composition of the delivery system: the presence of inorganic UV filter and quantitative composition of the organic UV filters; and the phytochemical composition of the P. incarnate L and P. lanceolato extracts. Among all associations of bioactive compounds and UV filters, we found that the broad spectrum sunscreen was accomplished when 1.68% (w/w) P incarnata L. dry extract was in the presence of 7.0% (w/w) ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, 2.0% (w/w) benzophenone-3 and 2.0% (w/w) TiO(2). It was demonstrated that this association generated estimated SPF of 20.072 +/- 0.906 and it has improved the protective defense against UVA radiation accompanying augmentation of the UVA/UVB ratio from 0.49 to 0.52 and lambda(c) from 364 to 368.6 nm. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Solution structures in aqueous SDS micelles of two amyloid beta peptides of A beta(1-28) mutated at the alpha-secretase cleavage site (K16E, K16F)

NMR solution structures are reported for two mutants (K16E, K16F) of the soluble amyloid beta peptide A beta(1-28). The structural effects of these mutations of a positively charged residue to anionic and hydrophobic residues at the alpha-secretase cleavage site (Lys16-Leu17) were examined in the membrane-simulating solvent aqueous SDS micelles. Overall the three-dimensional structures were similar to that for the native A beta(1-28) sequence in that they contained an unstructured N-terminus and a helical C-terminus. These structural elements are similar to those seen in the corresponding regions of full-length A beta peptides A beta(1-40) and A beta(1-42), showing that the shorter peptides are valid model systems. The K16E mutation, which might be expected to stabilize the macrodipole of the helix, slightly increased the helix length (residues 13-24) relative to the K16F mutation, which shortened the helix to between residues 16 and 24. The observed sequence-dependent control over conformation in this region provides an insight into possible conformational switching roles of mutations in the amyloid precursor protein from which A beta peptides are derived. In addition, if conformational transitions from helix to random coil to sheet precede aggregation of A beta peptides in vivo, as they do in vitro, the conformation-inducing effects of mutations at Lys16 may also influence aggregation and fibril formation. (C) 2000 Academic Press.

Study of the Extent of the Information of Cardiologists from Sao Paulo City, Brazil, Regarding a Low-Prevalence Entity: Brugada Syndrome

Objective: To determine the degree of knowledge that cardiologists from Sao Paulo, Brazil, have regarding a low-prevalent entity associated with a high rate of sudden death-Brugada syndrome. Methods: Two hundred forty-four cardiologists were interviewed by an instrument divided in two parts: in the first, we recorded gender, age, and data related to academic profile. The second-answered only by the professionals that manifested having some degree of knowledge on the syndrome-had 28 questions that evaluated their knowledge. The answers were spontaneous and they did not have a chance to consult. We used uni- and multivariate analysis on the average percentage of right and wrong answers, and the influence of the academic profile. Results: The predominant gender was the male gender (61.1%), the average age was 44.32 +/- 10.83 years, 40% with more than 20 years after obtaining their degree, 44% were educated in public institutions, 69% had a residency in cardiology, 20% had overseas practice, 12% had postdegree, 41% were linked to an educational institution, 24% with publication(s) in an indexed journal, 17.2% were authors of chapters in books, 2.5% had edited books, and 10% were linked to the Brazilian Society of Cardiac Arrhythmias. The average percentage of right answers was 45.7%. Conclusion: The sample studied revealed a little knowledge on the entity. A residency in cardiology was the factor of greater significance in the percentage of right answers. Other significant factors were the link of the interviewed person to an educational institution, or the Brazilian Society of Cardiac Arrhythmias, and having a specialist degree.

Hospitalizations for HIV/AIDS: Differences Between Sexes

Background: Women are especially vulnerable to HIV infection because of biological, social, cultural, and economic factors. In Brazil, AIDS was initially seen predominantly in homosexual men, but the epidemic gradually reached a gender balance as increasing numbers of women became infected with HIV. Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of hospitalized patients with HIV/AIDS of both sexes and compare the differences between them. Methods: This epidemiologic cross-sectional study evaluated gender differences in demographic, social, clinical, and epidemiologic characteristics of patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS who were admitted for any reason to the Public Hospital of the Medical School of the Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Results: A total of 363 patients were included in the analysis, with a male/female ratio of 1.1:1.0. Forty-one percent of women were pregnant. Mean age at hospitalization and duration of hospitalization were significantly greater among men (P < 0.05). Men and nonpregnant women were admitted because of infection significantly more often than were pregnant women (P < 0.05). Significantly more single men who reported homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual behavior associated with drug use were admitted compared with women (P < 0.05). Women admitted for treatment were significantly more likely than men to be employed (P < 0.05). Adherence to antiretroviral treatment and T CD4+ lymphocyte count indicated important differences between the sexes, with better parameters observed among nonpregnant and pregnant women compared with men. Conclusions: In the present study, women with HIV/AIDS who were admitted to the hospital for any reason were in better clinical condition compared with men. This observation may be partially explained by the proportion of pregnant women in the study population. These findings suggest that future studies should examine pregnant women with HIV/AIDS as a separate population group to avoid bias in analysis. (Gend Med. 2010;7:28-38) (C) 2010 Excerpta Medica Inc.

Protein requirements for Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) growth

The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein requirements for hand-rearing Blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva). Forty hatchlings were fed semi-purified diets containing one of four (as-fed basis) protein levels: 13%, 18%, 23% and 28%. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with the initial weight of the nestling as the blocking factor and 10 parrots per protein level. Regression analysis was used to determine relationships between protein level and biometric measurements. The data indicated that 13% crude protein supported nestling growth with 18% being the minimum tested level required for maximum development. The optimal protein concentration for maximum weight gain was 24.4% (p = 0.08; r(2) = 0.25), tail length 23.7% (p = 0.09; r(2) = 0.19), wing length 23.0% (p = 0.07; r(2) = 0.17), tarsus length 21.3% (p = 0.06; r(2) = 0.10) and tarsus width 21.4% (p = 0.07; r(2) = 0.09). Tarsus measurements were larger in males (p < 0.05), indicating that sex must be considered when studying developing psittacines. These results were obtained using a highly digestible protein and a diet with moderate metabolizable energy levels.

Solid state F-19 NMR determination of new structure formation in FEP following radiolysis at 300 and 363 K

The radiation chemistry of FEP copolymer with a mole fraction TFE of 0.90 has been studied using Co-60 gamma -radiation at temperatures of 300 and 363 K. New structure formation in the copolymers was analysed by solid state F-19 NMR. New chain scission products were the principal new structures found. The G-value for the formation of new -CF3 groups was 2.2 and 2.1 for the radiolysis of FEP at 300 and 363 K, respectively, and the G-value for the loss of original -CF3 groups was G(-CF3) = 1.0 and 0.9 at these two temperatures, respectively. There was a nett loss of -CF- groups on irradiation, with G(-CF) of 1.3 and 0.9 at 300 and 363 K, respectively. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.