Comparison between histopathologic features of leprosy in reaction lesions in HIV coinfected and non-coinfected patients

BACKGROUND: Leprosy and HIV are diseases that have a major impact on public health in Brazil. Patients coinfected with both diseases, appear to be at higher risk to develop leprosy reactions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the histopathological aspects of cutaneous lesions during reactional states in a group of patients with HIV-leprosy coinfection, compared to patients with leprosy, without coinfection. METHODS: Two groups were established: group 1 comprised of 40 patients coinfected with HIV-leprosy; group 2, comprised of 107 patients with leprosy only. Patients presenting reactional states of leprosy had their lesions biopsied and comparatively evaluated. RESULTS: Reversal reaction was the most frequent feature in both groups, with dermis edema as the most common histopathological finding. Giant cells were seen in all group 1 histopathological examinations. Dermis edema was the most common finding in patients with erythema nodosum leprosum. CONCLUSION: Few histopathological differences were found in both groups, with reversal reaction as the most significant one, although this fact should be analyzed considering the predominant BT clinical form in the coinfected group and BB form in the group without HIV. Larger prospective studies in patients with HIV-leprosy coinfection are needed to confirm and broaden these results.

Increased risk of venous thrombosis by AB alleles of the ABO blood group and Factor V Leiden in a Brazilian population

Most cases of a predisposition to venous thrombosis are caused by resistance to activated protein C, associated in 95% of cases with the Factor V Leiden allele (FVL or R506Q). Several recent studies report a further increased risk of thrombosis by an association between the AB alleles of the ABO blood group and Factor V Leiden. The present study investigated this association with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in individuals treated at the Hemocentro de Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil. A case-control comparison showed a significant risk of thrombosis in the presence of Factor V Leiden (OR = 10.1), which was approximately doubled when the AB alleles of the ABO blood group were present as well (OR = 22.3). These results confirm that the increased risk of deep vein thrombosis in the combined presence of AB alleles and Factor V Leiden is also applicable to the Brazilian population suggesting that ABO blood group typing should be routinely added to FVL in studies involving thrombosis.

Comparison of shear bond strength of orthodontics brackets on composite resin restorations with different surface treatments

INTRODUÇÃO: frequentemente, os pacientes ortodônticos apresentam restaurações de resina composta; no entanto, existem poucos estudos que avaliam a melhor forma de colagem ortodôntica nessa situação. OBJETIVO: o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a força adesiva de braquetes ortodônticos em restaurações resinosas com tratamento de superfície. MÉTODOS: foram utilizados 51 incisivos inferiores bovinos divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos. No grupo controle (GC), os braquetes foram colados em esmalte dentário; nos grupos experimentais com tratamento (GCT) e sem tratamento (GST), os braquetes foram colados em restauração de resina previamente realizada, diferenciando-se pelo tratamento de superfície com broca diamantada. Os dentes foram incluídos em tubos de PVC com resina acrílica autopolimerizável. O ensaio de cisalhamento foi executado em máquina universal de ensaios Emic. Os grupos foram submetidos à ANOVA com pós-teste de Tukey para verificação da diferença estatística entre os grupos (α = 0,05). RESULTADOS: GC (6,62MPa) e GCT (6,82MPa) apresentaram resultados semelhantes, enquanto o GST (5,07MPa) obteve resultados estatisticamente menores (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: conclui-se que a melhor técnica de colagem de braquetes ortodônticos em restaurações de resina composta é a de realização de desgaste sobre a superfície.

Comparison of Physicochemical Surface Conditioning Methods for Adhesion of bis-GMA Resin Cement to Particulate Filler Composite and Surface Characterization

This study compared the effect of physicochemical surface conditioning methods on the adhesion of bis-GMA-based resin cement to particulate filler composite (PFC) used for indirect dental restorations. PFC blocks (N (block)=54, n (block)=9 per group) were polymerized and randomly subjected to one of the following surface conditioning methods: a) No conditioning (Control-C), b) Hydrofluoric acid (HF)etching for 60s (AE60), c) HF for 90s (AE90), d) HF for 120s (AE120), e) HF for 180s (AE180), and f) air-abrasion with 30 mu m silica-coated alumina particles (AB). The conditioned surfaces were silanized with an MPS silane, and an adhesive resin was applied. Resin composite blocks were bonded to PFC using resin cement and photo-polymerized. PFC-cement-resin composite blocks were cut under coolant water to obtain bar specimens (1mmx0.8mm). Microtensile bond strength test (mu TBS)was performed in a universal testing machine (1mm/min). After debonding, failure modes were classified using stereomicroscopy. Surface characterization was performed on a set of separate specimen surfaces using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Dispersive Spectroscopy (XDS), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier Transform-Raman Spectroscopy (FT-RS). Mean mu TBS (MPa) of C (35.6 +/- 4.9) was significantly lower than those of other groups (40.2 +/- 5.6-47.4 +/- 6.1) (p<0.05). The highest mu TBS was obtained in Group AB (47.4 +/- 6.1). Prolonged duration of HF etching increased the results (AE180: 41.9 +/- 7), but was not significantly different than that of AB (p>0.05). Failure types were predominantly cohesive in PFC (34 out of 54) followed by cohesive failure in the cement (16 out of 54). Degree of conversion (DC) of the PFC was 63 +/- 10%. SEM analysis showed increased irregularities on PFC surfaces with the increased etching time. Chemical surface analyses with XPS and FT-RS indicated 11-70% silane on the PFC surfaces that contributed to improved bond strength compared to Group C that presented 5% silane, which seemed to be a threshold. Group AB displayed 83% SiO2 and 17% silane on the surfaces.

Quantification of functional abilities in Rett syndrome: a comparison between stages III and IV

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

Comparison between Itraconazole and Cotrimoxazole in the Treatment of Paracoccidiodomycosis

BackgroundThere are no published reports on studies comparing itraconazole (ITC), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (cotrimoxazole, CMX), and ITC followed by CMX (ITC/CMX) in the treatment of paracoccidiodomycosis. This study aimed to compare the efficacy, effectiveness, safety and time to clinical and serologic cure in paracoccidioidomycosis patients treated with ITC or CMX, the antifungal agents most widely used.MethodologyA quasi-experimental study was performed in 177 patients with a confirmed or probable diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis. Treatment was divided into two stages: 1) initial, which was continued until clinical cure was achieved and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased to normal values; 2) complementary, which was continued until serologic cure was achieved. Medians were compared via the Mann-Whitney test, and frequencies were compared via the chi-squared test. The assessment of variables as a function of time was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. The significance level was established as p <= 0.05.Principal FindingsNo difference was found in the efficacy and effectiveness of the initial treatment of 47 individuals given ITC and 130 individuals given CMX; however, the time to clinical cure was shorter in the former compared with the latter group (105 vs. 159 days; p = 0.001), specifically in patients with the chronic form. Efficacy and effectiveness of the three regimens were similar in the complementary treatment; however, the time to serologic cure was shorter when ITC (161 days) or CMX (495 days) was used compared with ITC/CMX (881 days) [p = 0.02]. The independent predictors of a shorter time to serologic cure were treatment with ITC [risk ratio = 6.61 (2.01-21.75)] or with CMX [risk ratio = 5.11 (1.91-13.67)]). The prevalence of side effects was lower with ITC (6.4%) than with CMX (20.0%; p = 0.03).ConclusionsSince ITC induced earlier clinical cure and was better tolerated than CMX, such triazole should be considered the first-choice for PCM treatment.

Comparison of selective and non selective cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitors in experimental colitis exacerbation: role of leukotriene B4 and superoxide dismutase

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

Assessment and comparison of the effects of two techniques on hamstring flexibility

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

Frequency of HLA-B27 and its alleles in patients with Reiter syndrome: comparison with the frequency in other spondyloarthropathies and a healthy control population

This retrospective study analyzed the HLA-B*27 alleles in a group of 20 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of Reiter syndrome (RS) followed in a tertiary referral university hospital in Brazil, during the period 1990-2006, and compared the data with that observed in other patients with spondyloarthropathies followed at the same institution. Eight cases were associated to gastrointestinal infection, eight cases to previous urethritis, and four cases presented no established preceding infection. HLA-B*27 alleles were typed by polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA hybridized with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (HLA-B*2701 to HLA-B*2721). They were compared to a group of 108 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 40 with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (uSpA) and 111 healthy controls. Among the 20 patients, 17 were HLA-B*27 positive (85%). Two HLA-B*27 alleles were observed: HLA-B*2705 (65%) and HLA-B*2702 (35%). In the other spondyloarthropathies, the observed alleles were HLA-B*2705 (90% in AS and 92.5% in uSpA), HLA-B*2702 (8% in AS and 5% in uSpA), HLA-B*2704 (1% in AS and 2.5% in uSpA) and HLA-B*2713 (1% in AS). Among the 111 healthy controls, 80% presented HLA-B*2705, followed by HLA-B*2702 in 10%, HLA-B*2703 in 6%, HLA-B*2707 in 3% and HLA-B*2713 in 1%. Concluding, in the HLA-B*27 positive patients with RS in this study there was predominance of HLA-B*2705 allele, in a lower frequency than that observed in patients with other spondyloarthropathies and healthy controls.

A MICROSTRAIN COMPARISON OF PASSIVELY FITTING SCREW-RETAINED AND CEMENTED TITANIUM FRAMEWORKS

Statement of problem. An imprecise fit between frameworks and supporting dental implants in loaded protocols increases the strain transferred to the periimplant bone, which may impair healing or generate microgaps.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the microstrain between premachined 1-piece screw-retained frameworks (group STF) and screw-retained frameworks fabricated by cementing titanium cylinders to the prefabricated framework (group CTF). This procedure was developed to correct the misfit between frameworks and loaded implants.Material and methods. Four internal hexagon cylindrical implants were placed 10 mm apart in a polyurethane block by using the surgical guides of the corresponding implant system. Previously fabricated titanium frameworks (n=10) were divided into 2 groups. In group STF, prefabricated machined frameworks were used (n=5), and, in group CTF, the frameworks were fabricated by using a passive fit procedure, which was developed to correct the misfit between the cast titanium frameworks and supporting dental implants (n=5). Both groups were screw-retained under torque control (10 Ncm). Six strain gauges were placed on the upper surface of the polyurethane block, and 3 strain measurements were recorded for each framework. Data were analyzed with the Student t test (alpha=.05).Results. The mean microstrain values between the framework and the implants were significantly higher for group STF (2517 me) than for group CTF (844 me) (P<.05).Conclusions. Complete-arch implant frameworks designed for load application and fabricated by using the passive fit procedure decreased the strain between the frameworks and implants more than 1 piece prefabricated machined frameworks.

In vitro comparison of the force degradation of orthodontic intraoral elastics from different compositions

The synthetic intermaxillary elastic emerged as an alternative for clinical use in patients with latex sensitivity. However, there are disagreements about this elastic protocol use according to the force degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the forces generated by latex and synthetic elastics over time. Material and methods: Sample size of 840 elastics were used (420 latex and 420 synthetic), delivering medium strength (Dental Morelli®) with internal diameter of 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" and 5/16". The elastics were randomly divided into 7 groups according to the time of the force measuring and immersed into distilled water at 37°C. To measure the force in each group, the elastics were stretched in six progressive increases of 100% of its internal diameter with the aid of a testing machine Emic and measured up to 72 hours. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Immediate force level of synthetic elastics was statistically higher than latex elastics in all strains, for the same size. However, the latex elastics mean forceslightly decreased over time, while the synthetic elastics presented an abrupt decrease. Conclusion: In view of these findings, Sudanese homemade alcoholic beverages cause oral epithelial atypical changes, which lead to oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. OEFC is a useful procedure for detection and assessment of oral ET.

In vitro comparison of the force degradation of orthodontic intramural elastic from different compositions

Introduction and Objective: The synthetic intermaxillary elastic emerged as an alternative for clinical use in patients with latex sensitivity. However, there are disagreements about this elastic protocol use according to the force degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the forces generated by latex and synthetic elastics over time. Material and methods: Sample size of 840 elastics were used (420 latex and 420 synthetic), delivering medium strength (Dental Morelli®) with internal diameter of 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4” and 5/16”. The elastics were randomly divided into 7 groups according to the time of the force measuring and immersed into distilled water at 37°C. To measure the force in each group, the elastics were stretched in six progressive increases of 100% of its internal diameter with the aid of a testing machine Emic and measured up to 72 hours. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Immediate force level of synthetic elastics was statistically higher than latex elastics in all strains, for the same size. However, the latex elastics mean force slightly decreased over time, while the synthetic elastics presented an abrupt decrease. Conclusion: The synthetic elastic presented severe force degradation, jeopardizing the cost-benefit ratio, which indicates a higher replacement frequency. The latex elastic showed better mechanical performance in comparison to synthetic ones.