Influence of educational level on myocardial hypertrophy of hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Chronic renal disease is associated with a high cardiovascular risk. Data from the general population associate cardiovascular diseases with low educational level, but no study has evaluated this association in patients on hemodialysis. Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the association between educational level, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Methods: A standard socioeconomic questionnaire was applied to 79 hemodialysis patients at the Hospital das Clínicas of Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, state of São Paulo. Clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic data were obtained from medical records. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median educational level, as follows: G1, patients with three or less years of schooling; G2, patients with more than three years of schooling. Results: Blood pressure, interdialytic weight gain, and variables statistically different in the two groups (p < 0.2) underwent multiple analysis. Independent associations were stated with p < 0.05 in multiple analysis. The mean age of patients was 57 ± 12.8 years, 46 were males (57%), and 53 white (67%). The variables selected for multiple analysis were: age (p = 0.004); educational level (p < 0.0001); body mass index (p = 0.124); left ventricular diameter (p = 0.048); and left ventricular mass index (p = 0.006). Antihypertensive drugs were similar in both groups. Systolic blood pressure (p = 0.006) and years of schooling (p = 0.047) had a significant and independent correlation with left ventricular mass index. Conclusion: In hemodialysis patients, left ventricular mass associated not only with blood pressure but also with educational level.

Padrões clínicos de acne em mulheres de diferentes faixas etárias

FUNDAMENTOS: Acne é dermatose comum que acomete ambos os gêneros e todas as faixas etárias. Mulheres apresentam diferentes padrões clínicos da doença, além de frequente persistência da acne após a adolescência. OBJETIVO: Analisar características clínicas e epidemiológicas associadas às diferentes faixas etárias acometidas por acne feminina. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal envolvendo mulheres com diagnóstico de acne, atendidas em ambulatório de dermatologia geral. Variáveis relacionadas à doença e às pacientes foram avaliadas com o emprego de questionário padronizado. RESULTADOS: Avaliaram-se 103 pacientes, cuja idade média na época da consulta foi 21,7 ± 7,3 anos. Definiram-se dois subgrupos com idade de corte de 21 anos e idades médias de 15,8 ± 2,3 e 28,0 ± 5,1 anos. Houve correlação entre a duração do quadro e a idade das pacientes na consulta (R = 0,7). Observaram-se diferenças entre os grupos nas frequências de uso de contraceptivo oral combinado (OR = 48,1), lesões no colo (OR = 11,6), lesões no dorso (OR = 0,2), predominância na topografia superior da face (OR = 0,1) e idade de início das lesões (OR = 1,8). No grupo de mulheres adultas, 80% relataram início do quadro antes dos 20 anos. CONCLUSÕES: Identificaram-se padrões clínicos cronológicos e topográficos que caracterizaram a acne feminina em diferentes faixas etárias, alertando para a importância da abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica individualizada.

Cell-free antigens from precocious Paracoccidioides brasiliensis culture induce a typical delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Optimization of a mouse immunization protocol with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens

The objectives of the present study were to optimize the protocol of mouse immunization with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens (Rifkind's protocol) and to test the modulation effect of cyclophosphamide (Cy) on the delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR) of immunized animals. Experiments were carried out using one to four immunizing doses of either crude particulate P. brasiliensis antigen or yeast-cell antigen, followed by DHR test four or seven days after the last immunizing dose. The data demonstrated that an immunizing dose already elicited response; higher DHR indices were obtained with two or three immunizing doses; there were no differences between DHR indices of animals challenged four or seven days after the last dose. Overall the inoculation of two or three doses of the yeast-cell antigen, which is easier to prepare, and DHR test at day 4 simplify the original Rifkind's immunization protocol and shorten the duration of the experiments. The modulation effect of Cy on DHR was assayed with administration of 2.5, 20 and 100 mg/kg weight at seven day intervals starting from day 4 prior to the first immunizing dose. Only the treatment with 2.5 mg Cy increased the DHR indices. Treatment with 100 mg Cy inhibited the DHR, whereas 20 mg Cy did not affect the DHR indices. Results suggest an immunostimulating effect of low dose of Cy on the DHR of mice immunized with P. brasiliensis antigens.

Fructose in fetal cord blood and its relationship with maternal and 48-hour-newborn blood concentrations

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

Evaluation of cytokines concentration and percentage of survival of rabies virus-infected mice submitted to anti-rabies Vero-cell propagated vaccine and P-acnes

Previously, survival of rabies infection was shown to correlate with low IL-6 serum concentration in mice subjected to post-exposure treatment with the Fuenzalida Palacios rabies vaccine in conjunction with the immunomodulator Propionibacterium acnes, previously Corynebacterium parvum. Considering the substitution of the Fuenzalida Palacios rabies vaccine by the Vero cell raised anti-rabies vaccine in almost all countries, the objective of this work was to evaluate the survival and cytokine serum concentration of rabies virus-infected mice treated with P. acnes in conjunction with or the anti-rabies-VERO vaccine. For this, Swiss mice were experimentally infected with street rabies virus and subjected to vaccine and/or P. acnes following infection. Animals were killed at different times and serum was collected to evaluate cytokines. The greatest survival was observed in animals given one or two does of P. acnes in the absence of vaccination. Animals given anti-rabies VERO vaccine alone or with three doses of P. acnes had the second highest survival rate. The group that had the highest percentage of mortality also had the highest IL-6 concentration on the 10th day, a time correlating with clinical symptoms of the animals. The results reinforce the inefficacy of anti-rabies vaccine in only one dose as a post-exposure treatment irrespective of the type of vaccine used, the immunomodulation activity of P. acnes in rabies post-exposure treatment and suggest a role for IL-6 in rabies virus pathogenesis. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of vaccination and the immunomodulators bacillus of Calmette-Guerin, Avridine and Propionibacterium acnes on rabies in mice

Responses: of vaccination and treatment to immunomodulators against rabies in mice were evaluated through macrophage inhibition factor (MIF), intra-pad inoculation (IPI) and serum neutralization (SN) tests and by the detection of gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma). Onco-BCG, Avridine and Propionibacterium acnes were administered to groups of mice. Higher survival rates were found in animals treated with P. acnes. Lower levels of IFN-gamma were observed in the groups of infected and vaccinated mice. The IPI was not effective on detecting the response of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Vaccine induced in the infected animals a more intense response to MIF reaction. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Distribution of rabies virus in infected mice, vaccinated and submitted to P-acnes as immunomodulator

The lethality and distribution of rabies virus were evaluated in swiss mice experimentally infected with street rabies virus, vaccinated and submitted to immunomodulation by P. acnes (formerly Corynebacterium parvum). The animals were sacrificed at different times,when the different tissues were collected and submitted to fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and mouse inoculation test (MIT). The group submitted to vaccination and P. acnes treatment presented a percentage of survival superior to that observed in infected mice only treated with P. acnes. Control infected animals had the lowest survival rates. The distribution of rabies virus in spleen of infected mice, vaccinated and submitted to P. acnes was superior to that verified in infected mice not treated with P. acnes. The increased survival correlated with the distribution of rabies virus in lymphoid tissues, could be interpreted as the consequence of P. acnes activity on macrophages. The results suggest the role of macrophages against rabies virus infection in mice and the importance of vaccination in the post expositive treatment of rabies. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier B.V. Ltd.

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)

Effect of Progesterone and Ionomycin on Domestic Cat Sperm Motility Patterns and Acrosome Reaction

This study was aimed at assessing the changes in sperm motion patterns and the percentage of acrosome reaction (AR) in domestic cat semen after treatment with either ionomycin or progesterone (P(4)). Ten ejaculates were collected from five tomcats using an artificial vagina, and were diluted, centrifuged and resuspended in a capacitation medium. Samples were evaluated and divided into seven equal aliquots and, after 2 h at 25 degrees C, were incubated for 30 min at 38 degrees C in 5% CO(2) and then analyzed. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and a combination of three fluorescent probes were used to assess sperm plasma, acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Thirty minutes after the start of incubation, P(4) was added (10 mu g/ml) to the P1 group. Groups P2 and P3 were supplemented with P(4) (10 and 20 mu g/ml, respectively) only after 2 h of incubation, and groups I1 and I2 were supplemented with ionomycin (4 and 8 mu M, respectively) 2 h after incubation. Group E was supplemented with ethanol (0.6%) at 2 h after incubation and group C received no supplementation. Ionomycin and P(4) treatments led to a hyperactivation-like sperm motion and an increase (p < 0.05) in the percentage of AR. Although a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of AR was obtained in group I2 when compared with all P(4) groups, a decrease (p < 0.05) in total and progressive motility was observed in I2 group. As I1 group was similar to I2 to induce AR without diminishing sperm motility, we can conclude that ionomycin at 4 mu M seems to be more suitable to trigger AR in domestic cat sperm.

Effect of platelet-rich plasma on bone healing of autogenous bone grafts in critical-size defects

AimThis study histologically analysed the effect of autogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), prepared according to a new semiautomatic system, on healing of autogenous bone (AB) grafts placed in surgically created critical-size defects (CSD) in rabbit calvaria.Material and MethodsSixty rabbits were divided into three groups: C, AB and AB/PRP. A CSD was created in the calvarium of each animal. In Group C (control), the defect was filled by blood clot only. In Group AB (autogenous bone graft), the defect was filled with particulate autogenous bone. In Group AB/PRP (autogenous bone graft with platelet-rich plasma), it was filled with particulate autogenous bone combined with PRP. All groups were divided into subgroups (n=10) and euthanized at 4 or 12 weeks post-operatively. Histometric and histologic analyses were performed. Data were statistically analysed (anova, t-test, p < 0.05).ResultsGroup C presented significantly less bone formation compared with Group AB and AB/PRP in both periods of analysis (p < 0.001). At 4 weeks, Group AB/PRP showed a statistically greater amount of bone formation than Group AB (64.44 +/- 15.0% versus 46.88 +/- 14.15%; p=0.0181). At 12 weeks, no statistically significant differences were observed between Groups AB and AB/PRP (75.0 +/- 8.11% versus 77.90 +/- 8.13%; p > 0.05). It is notable that the amount of new bone formation in Group AB/PRP at 4 weeks was similar to that of Group AB at 12 weeks (p > 0.05).ConclusionWithin its limitation, the present study has indicated that (i) AB and AB/PRP significantly improved bone formation and (ii) a beneficial effect of PRP was limited to an initial healing period of 4 weeks.

Preload Evaluation of Different Screws in External Hexagon Joint

Purpose: This study compared the maintenance of tightening torque in different retention screw types of implant-supported crowns.Materials and Methods: Twelve metallic crowns in UCLA abutments cast with cobalt-chromium alloy were attached to external hexagon osseointegrated implants with different retention screws: group A: titanium alloy retention screw; group B: gold alloy retention screw with gold coating; group C: titanium alloy retention screw with diamond-like carbon film coating; and group D: titanium alloy retention screw with aluminum titanium nitride coating. Three detorque measurements were obtained after torque insertion in each replica. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's test (P < 0.05), and t test (P < 0.05).Results: Detorque value reduced in all groups (P < 0.05). Group A retained the highest percentage of torque in comparison with the other groups (P < 0.05). Groups B and D retained the lowest percentage of torque without statistically significant difference between them (P < 0.05).Conclusions: All screw types exhibited reduction in the detorque value. The titanium screw maintained the highest percentage of torque whereas the gold-coated screw and the titanium screw with aluminum titanium nitride coating retained the lowest percentage. (Implant Dent 2012;21:46-50)

Morphological characterization of rat incisor fluorotic lesions

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

The effect of oestrogen and alendronate therapies on postmenopausal bone loss around osseointegrated titanium implants

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

Effect of water-bath post-polymerization on the mechanical properties, degree of conversion, and leaching of residual compounds of hard chairside reline resins

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