Distalização dos molares superiores com aparelho Pendex unilateral: estudo piloto com radiografia panorâmica

OBJETIVO: o presente ensaio científico põe em pauta o efeito imediato da distalização unilateral de molares superiores, lançando mão do distalizador intrabucal Pendex de ação unilateral. METODOLOGIA: o estudo prospectivo foi conduzido em três pacientes na dentadura permanente madura, no estágio de adolescência, que apresentavam uma má oclusão Classe II, subdivisão. O aparelho Pendex foi instalado com a mola distalizadora de TMA, construída apenas no lado direito. A metodologia baseou-se nas radiografias panorâmicas inicial e pós-distalização para quantificar a inclinação axial mesiodistal dos molares superiores. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: os resultados mostraram que os molares do lado esquerdo mantiveram sua inclinação mesiodistal inicial, sugerindo ancoragem, enquanto os molares do lado direito foram inclinados para distal, à semelhança do que ocorre com a distalização simétrica dos molares superiores, obtida com o aparelho Pendex convencional. Os primeiros molares foram inclinados 11,5º, enquanto os segundos molares foram inclinados 21º para distal.

O efeito da retração dos dentes anteriores sobre o ponto A em pacientes submetidos ao tratamento ortodôntico corretivo

OBJETIVO: avaliar o efeito da retração anterior sobre o ponto A sagital e verticalmente, bem como a correlação e a previsibilidade do comportamento dessas estruturas. METODOLOGIA: sessenta telerradiografias em norma lateral foram usadas, tomadas no início e no final do tratamento ortodôntico corretivo, a partir de 30 pacientes (22 feminino e 8 masculino) com idade entre 10 e 17 anos antes do tratamento, com má oclusão de Classe II, divisão 1 ou Classe I, que foram submetidos às extrações dos quatro primeiros pré-molares ou somente dois primeiros pré-molares superiores. Além das variáveis .1NA,1-NA, 1.PP e 1-A, mensurações lineares horizontais e verticais foram feitas em relação a uma linha de referência construída a partir da linha SN menos 7º e uma linha perpendicular a ela. Todos os dados foram mensurados duas vezes, e as médias foram submetidas ao teste t emparelhado, de correlação linear e de regressão. RESULTADOS: em média, o ponto A retraiu 0,71mm e movimentou para baixo 2,38mm, seguindo 1,03mm e 4,13mm de retração, respectivamente, do ápice radicular e da borda incisal, e 2,35mm de extrusão dentária. A retração do ponto A apresentou correlação positiva em relação ao ápice radicular (r = 0,75; alfa < 0,0001) e em relação à retração da borda incisal (r = 0,70; alfa < 0,0001), mostrando um comportamento ântero-posterior previsível. CONCLUSÕES: concluiu-se que o ponto A retraiu-se e movimentou-se para baixo seguindo o dente, e a retração do ponto A em relação aos incisivos foi previsível.

Clinical assessment of postoperative sensitivity in posterior composite restorations

This incidence of postoperative sensitivity was evaluated in resin-based posterior restorations. Two hundred and ninety-two direct restorations were evaluated in premolars and molars. A total of 143 Class I and 149 Class 11 restorations (MO/OD and MOD) were placed in patients ranging in age from 30 to 50 years. After the cavity preparations were completed, a rubber dam was placed, and the preparations were restored using a total-etch system (Prime & Bond NT) and a resin-based restorative material (TPH Spectrum). The patients were contacted after 24 hours and 7, 30 and 90 days postoperatively and questioned regarding the presence of sensitivity and the stimuli that triggered that sensitivity. The Chi-square and Fisher's Exact Test were used for statistical analysis. Evaluation at 24 hours after restorative treatment revealed statistically significant differences among the types of cavity preparations restored and the occurrence of postoperative sensitivity (p=0.0003), with a higher frequency of sensitivity in Class H MOD restorations (26%), followed by Class II MO/DO (15%) and Class I restorations (5%). At 7, 30 and 90 days after restorative treatment, there was a decrease in the occurrence of sensitivity for all groups. The percentage of sensitivity among the groups was not significantly different. This study shows that the occurrence of sensitivity is correlated with the complexity of the restoration.

Correlation between morphology and function of the upper lip: a longitudinal evaluation

In order to evaluate the relationship between the morphology of the upper lip and muscle activity in a sample of 38 subjects (17 males and 21 females) with Angle Class II division 1 malocclusions, cephalometric and electromyographic analyses were conducted. The sample was subdivided into either predominantly nose or mouth breathers. The individuals were evaluated at two different periods, with a 2 year interval. At the first observation, the subjects were 11 years to 14 years 11 months of age and at the second observation, 13 years 4 months to 16 years 6 months of age. Height and thickness of the upper lip were measured on lateral cephalograms with the aid of a digital pachymeter. For each individual, electromyographic records were obtained of the orbicularis oris superior muscle at rest and in a series of 12 movements. The electromyographic data were normalized as a function of amplitude, for achievement of the percentage value of each movement. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were applied.The results showed some correlation between morphology and muscle function (at a confidence level of 95 per cent). However, as the values of the correlation coefficient (r) were too low to establish associations between variables, it was concluded that the dimensions of the upper lip are not correlated with muscle activity.

A discrepância de tamanho dentário, de Bolton, na oclusão normal e nos diferentes tipos de más oclusões, bem como sua relação com a forma de arco e o posicionamento dentário

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral avaliar a discrepância de tamanho dentário, na oclusão normal e nos diferentes tipos de más oclusões e a sua relação com as medidas que determinam a forma de arco e o posicionamento dentário na região anterior. Para tanto, foram estudados 185 pares de modelos de gesso, divididos em 4 grupos: Grupo 1 (composto por 41 pares com Oclusão Normal, sendo 20 do gênero masculino e 21 do gênero feminino); Grupo 2 (composto por 44 pares com má oclusão de Classe I, divisão 1, sendo 22 do gênero masculino e 22 do gênero feminino); Grupo 3 (composto por 54 pares com má oclusão de Classe II, sendo 28 do gênero masculino e 26 do gênero feminino) e Grupo 4 (composto por 46 pares com Classe III, sendo 23 do gênero masculino e 23 do gênero feminino). Observou-se que não ocorreu dimorfismo sexual entre as discrepâncias de tamanho dentário e os diferentes tipos de oclusão dentária; as proporções estabelecidas por Bolton não se aplicaram ao grupo com Oclusão Normal; na Oclusão Normal, Classe I, Classe II e Classe III, houve um predomínio de excesso dentário total (RAZ12) no arco inferior; na Classe I houve uma igualdade na distribuição de excesso dentário anterior (RAZ6) nos arcos superior e inferior; na Oclusão Normal, Classe II e Classe III, ocorreu um predomínio de excesso dentário anterior (RAZ6) no arco inferior, em relação ao arco superior; os excessos dentários não contribuíram na ocorrência das más oclusões e as discrepâncias total e anterior (RAZ12 e RAZ6) não interferiram diretamente nas larguras e comprimentos dos arcos, bem como no posicionamento dos dentes anteriores.

Higher salt preference in heart failure patients

Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome that involves changes in behavioral, neural and endocrine regulatory systems. Dietary salt restriction along with pharmacotherapy is considered an essential component in the effective management of symptomatic HF patients. However, it is well recognized that HF patients typically have great difficulty in restricting sodium intake. We hypothesized that under HF altered activity in systems that normally function to regulate body fluid and cardiovascular homeostasis could produce an increased preference for the taste of salt. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the perceived palatability (defined as salt preference) of food with different concentrations of added salt in compensated chronically medicated HF patients and comparable control subjects. Healthy volunteers (n = 25) and medicated, clinically stable HF patients (n = 38, NYHA functional class II or III) were interviewed and given an evaluation to assess their preferences for different amounts of saltiness. Three salt concentrations (0.58, 0.82, and 1.16 g/100 g) of bean soup were presented to the subjects. Salt preference for each concentration was quantified using an adjective scale (unpleasant, fair or delicious). Healthy volunteers preferred the soup with medium salt concentration (p = 0.042), HF patients disliked the low concentration (p < 0.001) and preferred the high concentration of salted bean soup (p < 0.001). When compared to healthy volunteers, HF patients demonstrated a significantly greater preference for the soup with a high salt concentration (p = 0.038). It is concluded that medicated, compensated patients under chronic treatment for HF have an increased preference for salt. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved,

Effect of light-curing units on microleakage under dental composite resins

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two light-curing units (QTH and LED) on microleakage of Class II composite resin restorations with dentin cavosurface margins. Twenty extracted mandibular first premolars, free of caries and fractures were prepared two vertical slot cavities in the occluso-mesial and -destal surfaces (2 mm buccal-lingually, 2 mm proximal-axially and cervical limit in enamel) and divided into 4 equal groups (n = 8): GI and GII: packable posterior composite light-activated with LED and QTH, respectively; GIII and GIV: micro-hybrid composite resin light-activated with LED and QTH, respectively. The composite resins were applied following the manufacturer's instructions. After 24 h of water storage specimens were subjected to thermocycling for a total of 500 cycles at 5 and 55A degrees C and the teeth were then sealed with impermeable material. Teeth were immersed in 0.5% Basic fuchsin during 24 h at room temperature, and zero to three levels of penetration score were attributed. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests showed significant statistically similar (P > 0.05) from GI to GII and GIII to GIV, which the GII (2.750) had the highest mean scores and the GIII and GIV (0.875) had lowest mean scores. The use of different light-curing units has no influence on marginal integrity of Class II composite resin restorations and the proprieties of composite resins are important to reduce the microleakage.

Cloning and Identification of a Complete cDNA Coding for a Bactericidal and Antitumoral Acidic Phospholipase A(2) from Bothrops jararacussu Venom

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

New mariner elements in Anastrepha species (Diptera: Tephritidae)

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

Molecular Characterization and Physical Mapping of Two Classes of 5S rDNA in the Genomes of Gymnotus sylvius and G. inaequilabiatus (Gymnotiformes, Gymnotidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Molecular organization of 5S rDNA in sharks of the genus Rhizoprionodon: insights into the evolutionary dynamics of 5S rDNA in vertebrate genomes

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

Distinct localization of T cell Agrin during antigen presentation - evidence for the expression of Agrin receptor(s) in antigen-presenting cells

Agrin is over-expressed by activated and autoimmune T cells, and synergizes with the T cell receptor (TCR) to augment cell activation. In the present study, we show that Agrin accumulates to distinct areas of the plasma membrane and that cell activation causes its redistribution. During antigen presentation, Agrin primarily accumulates to the periphery of the mature immunological synapse, mostly in lamellipodia-like protrusions that wrap around the antigen-presenting cell and, conversely, anti-Agrin sera induced a significant redistribution of TCR at the plasma membrane. We also provide evidence for the expression of Agrin receptors in peripheral blood monocytes, dendritic cells and a fraction of B cells. Interestingly, interferon-a treatment, which induces the expression of Agrin in T cells, also augmented Agrin binding to monocytes. Stimulation of monocytes with recombinant Agrin induced the clustering of surface receptors, including major histocompatibility complex class II, activation of intracellular signalling cascades, as well as enhanced dsRNA-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-a. Collectively, these results confirm the location of Agrin at the immunological synapse between T cells and antigen-presenting cells and justify further characterization of its receptors in the immune system.

Losing identity: structural diversity of transposable elements belonging to different classes in the genome of Anopheles gambiae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Amino acid sequence of a myotoxic Lys49-phospholipase A(2) homologue from the venom of Cerrophidion (Bothrops) godmani

The complete amino acid sequence of myotoxin II (godMT-II), a myotoxic phospholipase A( 2 )(PLA(2)) homologue from the venom of the Central American crotaline snake Cerrophidion (Bothrops) godmani, was determined by direct protein sequencing methods. GodMT-II is a class II PLA, showing a Lys instead of Asp at position 49. An additional substitution in the calcium binding loop region (Asn instead of Tyr at position 28) suggests the lack of enzymatic activity observed in this toxin is due to loss of its ability to bind the co-factor Ca2+, since the residues involved in forming the catalytic network of PLA(2)s (His-48, Tyr-52 and Asp-99) an conserved in godMT-II. This myotoxin shows highest sequence homology with other Lys-49 PLA(2)s from Bothrops, Agkistrodon and Trimeresurus species, suggesting that they constitute a conserved family of proteins, yet in contrast presents lower homology with Bothrops asper myotoxin III, a catalytically-active PLA(2). The C-terminal region of godMT-II, which is rich in cationic and hydrophobic residues, shares high sequence homology to the corresponding region in the myotoxin II from B. asper, which has been proposed to play an important role in the Ca2+-independent membrane damaging activity. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural insights into the catalytic mechanism of sphingomyelinases D and evolutionary relationship to glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterases

Spider venom sphingomyelinases D catalyze the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin via an Mg2+ ion-dependent acid-base catalytic mechanism which involves two histidines. In the crystal structure of the sulfate free enzyme determined at 1.85 angstrom resolution, the metal ion is tetrahedrally coordinated instead of the trigonal-bipyramidal coordination observed in the sulfate bound form. The observed hyperpolarized state of His47 requires a revision of the previously suggested catalytic mechanism. Molecular modeling indicates that the fundamental structural features important for catalysis are fully conserved in both classes of SMases D and that the Class II SMases D contain an additional intra-chain disulphide bridge (Cys53-Cys201). Structural analysis suggests that the highly homologous enzyme from Loxosceles bonetti is unable to hydrolyze sphingomyelin due to the 95G1y -> Asn and 134Pro -> Glu mutations that modify the local charge and hydrophobicity of the interfacial face. Structural and sequence comparisons confirm the evolutionary relationship between sphingomyelinases D and the glicerophosphodiester phosphoesterases which utilize a similar catalytic mechanism. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.