PP65 antigenemia in the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in AIDS patients

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

Assessment of genetic relationship between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca samples isolated from a dental office

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cytokines and acute-phase serum proteins as markers of inflammatory regression during pulmonary tuberculosis treatment

Tuberculosis is still increasing and was declared a worldwide sanitary emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1995. Its control is difficult due to long treatment duration and lack of markers of treatment success or failure. Cytokines such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, a central factor in immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are responsible for the interaction between T lymphocytes and the infected macrophage and are also produced during this interaction. As proinflammatory cytokines have a close relationship with mycobacteria clearance, in fact even preceding it, they could be used as markers for inflammatory activity and response to treatment. Proinflammatory cytokines act in the liver and stimulate a strong local and systemic acute-phase response as a result of homeostatic and physiological responses also induced by them. Acute-phase proteins produced by cytokine activity are useful diagnostic markers that could also be used to monitor treatment response as they can be serially quantified. The objective of this study was to evaluate IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and TGF-beta production in supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and monocyte (MO) cultures, as well as serum acute-phase response through total protein, albumin, globulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as regression markers of inflammatory response during pulmonary tuberculosis treatment. Twenty blood donors (G1) from the Blood Bank at Botucatu School of Medicine's University Hospital (BSM-UH) were evaluated once and 28 pulmonary tuberculosis patients (G2): 13 from BSM-UH and 15 from the Bauru State Health Secretariat. Patients were evaluated at three moments of treatment: before (M1), at three months (M2), and at the end (M3). Cytokines were determined in 20ml of peripheral blood (ELISA), with or without activation: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for MO culture and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for PBMC culture. Acute-phase protein behavior in G2 throughout treatment was: Globulins: M1> M2, M1> M3 (rho < 0.001); CRP: M1> M2> M3 (.< 0.001); AGP for men: M1> M2, M1> M3 (rho < 0.001); ESR for men: M1> M2, M1> M3 (rho < 0.0016) and for women: M1> M2 (.< 0.025). Comparison between cytokine levels found in supernatant of MO and PBMC cultures, with and without stimulus, in G1 and G2 during treatment showed: TNF-alpha (with/ without LPS) at M1: G2> G1; at M2: G2> G1 (rho < 0.001); (without LPS) at M3: G2> G1 (rho < 0.001), (with LPS) at M3: G2> G1 (rho < 0.028); IFN-. (with and without PHA) at M1: G2> G1; at M2: G2> G1 (rho < 0.001); IL-10 (with and without LPS) at M1: G2> G1; at M2: G2> G1; at M3: G2> G1 (rho < 0.001); TGF-beta (with and without LPS) at M1: G2> G1; at M2: G2> G1 (rho < 0.001), (without LPS) at M3: G2> G1 (rho < 0.001). In G2, all cytokines in supernatant of MO and PBMC cultures, with and without stimulus, showed: M1> M2> M3 (rho < 0.01). Levels of globulins, CRP, AGP, and ESR in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis before treatment (M1) were significantly higher than reference values, suggesting their use as diagnostic markers and indicators of treatment. The CRP decreasing values along treatment could be taken as a marker of the regression of inflammatory process and of response to treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Regarding cytokines, there was significant increase in TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-10, and TGF-alpha levels before and at three months treatment, with and without stimulus; in TNF-a and IL-10 lvels, with and without stimulus, as well as in TGF-alpha levels without stimulus at six months. Patients had higher levels of all studied cytokines than controls before treatment, and these values decreased along treatment. In this study, pulmonary tuberculosis patients showed a Th0 cytokine profile before treatment, with the production of both Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-10) cytokines, in addition to TNF-alpha inflammatory and TGF-alpha regulatory and fibrosis-inducer cytokines. At the end of treatment, all had evolved to Th2 profile, probably in an attempt to reduce the harmful effects of the proinflammatory activity of the Th1 cytokine profile and of the still above-normal levels of TNF-alpha. The high levels of TGF-alpha, also found in these patients, are related to its important role in the extracellular matrix deposition and fibrosis induction that characterize tuberculosis healing process. IFN-gamma was the only cytokine reaching normal levels at the end of treatment, which suggests its use as a marker of response to treatment.

Dacriocistorrinostomia externa em crianças

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia da dacriocistorrinostomia (DCR) externa realizada em crianças. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi retrospectivo, avaliando-se 16 crianças com idade inferior a 10 anos, portadoras de obstrução da via lacrimal e submetidas a DCR externa, no período de 1986 até 2001. Foram avaliadas as características dos portadores, as queixas apresentadas, o exame e o tipo de cirurgia efetuada, assim como o resultado do tratamento. RESULTADO: A amostra estudada não diferiu quanto ao sexo e faixa etária. A cirurgia mais realizada foi DCR sem o uso de entubação de vias lacrimais (87,5%). 62,5% tiveram resolução da epífora com um único procedimento e 81,0%, com dois. CONCLUSÃO: O resultado da DCR externa, quando realizada em crianças, é semelhante ao observado em adultos.

In Vivo Effects of Bothrops jararaca Venom on Metabolic Profile and on Muscle Protein Metabolism in Rats

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

Dacriocistografia na propedêutica da via lacrimal excretora de adultos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os achados dacriocistográficos em indivíduos suspeitos de obstrução de vias lacrimais excretoras. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi retrospectivo, tendo sido avaliadas as dacriocistografias de 100 indivíduos adultos, suspeitos de obstrução nasolacrimal, atendidos na Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - UNESP. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva e teste do qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino e maiores de 60 anos, apresentando obstrução baixa, localizada no seio de Arlt, com saco lacrimal graus 2 ou 3. Vias lacrimais pérvias, com e sem dilatação, também foram encontradas, assim como alterações nasais, como hipertrofia de cornetos. CONCLUSÃO: A dacriocistografia foi importante para diagnosticar o local da obstrução, o grau de dilatação das vias lacrimais, assim como as alterações de estruturas vizinhas. Estas informações sem dúvida são úteis para o planejamento cirúrgico e como indício prognóstico.

Clinical presentation and salivary gland histopathology of paediatric primary Sjogren's syndrome

ObjectiveExplore the presentation, diagnostic criteria and exocrine gland histopathology of paediatric primary Sjogren's syndrome (PPSjS).MethodsA case series of 8 children is reported and American-European Consensus Group (AECG-2002) criteria were examined, as well as minor labial salivary and lachrymal gland biopsies, which were scored by a pathologist blinded to outcome. For all cases, connective tissue diseases and parotid-related infectious disease were excluded.ResultsAge at onset varied from 5-13 years old; 6 were females, all followed from diagnosis up to the last visit (1-10 years). The main features at presentation were recurrent tender parotid swelling and sialectasis imaging, with decreased salivary function assessed by Tc-99 scintigraphy. Mild sicca symptoms were observed in 4/8 cases. Systemic features, including fatigue, myalgia, arthritis, tenosynovitis, joint contractures, transient Raynaud's and high ESR, were recorded at onset. Autoantibody profile was unremarkable for diagnosis, while lymphocytic infiltration of labial salivary glands and sialectasis were observed in all biopsies (8/8). In lachrymal glands, massive lymphocytic infiltration and lymphocytic gastritis were observed during complementary assessment. Flares were treated with low dose steroids and long-term use of hydroxychloroquine (5/8), although only 318 fulfilled AECG-2002 diagnostic criteria, throughout the disease course.ConclusionPPSjS is rare, slowly progressive and its early presentation is variable. Standardised diagnostic algorithms should include recurrent parotid swelling and early diagnosis should rely mostly on salivary and lachrymal gland histopathology in this age group.

Artroplastia total coxofemoral em cães: Estudo experimental com prótese nacional

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

Incidence and transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum in primiparous females from Bos indicus slaughtered in Presidente Pradente, São Paulo, Brazil

To produce an epidemiological map of neosporosis in Brazil and identify the types of transmission of this disease, the present study evaluated the occurrence of Neospora caninum in Nelore cattle (Bos indicus) in Presidente Prudent, west region of São Paulo state; its vertical transmission; and the early stage in which fetuses are infected. To achieve this, serum samples from 518 slaughtered pregnant heifers and their fetuses were tested by ELISA technique and fetal brain tissues subjected to PCR. One hundred and three heifers (19.88%) had antibodies to N. caninum, as well as 38 (36.8%) of fetuses from 4 months of gestation. The conventional PCR failed to detect N. caninum DNA. These findings show that neosporosis occurs in the area studied and that it may be transmitted the transplacental route, althought N. caninum had not detected in brain tissue from non-aborted fetuses. The use of nested PCR it would be applied to increase the sensitivy of test.

Comparison of agar gel immunodiffusion test, rapid slide agglutination test, microbiological culture and PCR for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of a PCR assay in whole blood and serum specimens for canine brucellosis diagnosis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sealability of MTA and calcium hydroxide-containing sealers

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical sealability of Fillapex (R), Endo-CPM-Sealer (R) and Sealapex (R). Material and Methods: Ninety-four freshly extracted single-rooted teeth were selected and decoronated. All teeth were radiographed to confirm the existence of a single and straight root canal, which was prepared using Protaper Universal and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. The teeth were randomly divided in groups of 10 specimens each according to the sealer, and the canals were filled using the single cone technique and one of the sealers. Four additional teeth were used as controls. The teeth were submitted to dye leakage with Rhodamine B for 24 h but using vacuum on the initial 15 min. Thereafter, they were cut longitudinally and the leakage was measured in a linear fashion from apex to crown. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's tests at 5% significance level. Results: Fillapex (R) and Sealapex (R) showed significantly less dye leakage than Endo-CPM-Sealer (R) (p<0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that Fillapex (R) and Sealapex (R) were able to prevent apical dye leakage differently from Endo-CPM-Sealer (R).

Evaluation of the apical infiltration after root canal disruption and obturation

The aim of this study was to evaluate two root canal filling techniques used in teeth that had their apical foramen disrupted and compare the apical infiltration with an ideal clinical situation. Twenty-seven freshly extracted single-rooted teeth were selected and radiographed to confirm the existence of a single and straight root canal. The crowns were removed at a mean distance of 11 mm from the apex. The teeth had the root canals instrumented and were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=9): ND group-root canals were filled using the lateral compaction technique and no disruption was performed; DRF group-the apical constriction was disrupted by advancing a #40 K-file 1 mm beyond the original working length, the canals were reinstrumented to create an apical ledge at 1 mm from the apical foramen and were obturated with a master gutta-percha cone with same size as the last file used for reinstrumentation; DF group - the teeth had the apical constriction disrupted and the canals were obturated with a master gutta-percha cone that fit at 1 mm from the apex. The teeth were submitted to dye leakage test with Rhodamine B for 7 days, using vaccum on the initial 5 min. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally and the leakage was measured in a linear fashion from apex to crown. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the groups that had the apical foramen disrupted (DF, DRF), but significant difference was found between the disrupted groups and the non-disrupted one (p<0.01). In conclusion, none of the evaluated techniques was able to prevent apical infiltration, so working length so the working length determination has to be established and maintained carefully.

Primary tooth length determination in direct digital radiography: An in vivo study

Purpose: the purpose of this in vivo study was to compare the accuracy of primary incisor length determined by direct digital radiography (straight-line measurement and grid superimposition) and measurement of the actual tooth length. Methods. Twenty-two primary maxillary incisors that required extractions were selected from 3- to 5-year-old children. The teeth were radiographed with an intraoral sensor using the long cone technique and a sensor holder (30-cm focus-to-sensor distance). The exposure time was 03 seconds. Tooth length was estimated by using straight-line and grid measurements provided by the distance measurement feature of the Computed Dental Radiography digital dental imaging system. The actual tooth length was obtained by measuring the extracted tooth with G digital caliper. Data were analyzed statistically by Pearson's correlation coefficient and a paired t test. Results: There were statistically significant differences (P=.007) between the 2 measurement techniques and between the actual tooth lengths and grid measurements. There was no statistically significant difference (P=38) between straight-line measurements and actual tooth lengths, showing that the straight-line measurements were more accurate. Underestimation of the actual tooth length, however, occurred in 45% of the straight-line measurements and in 73% of the grid measurements. Conclusion: It is possible to determine primary tooth length in digital radiographs using onscreen measurements with 0 reasonable degree of accuracy.

Comparison of the Accuracy of Plastic and Metal Stock Trays for Implant Impressions

Purpose: This in vitro study evaluated the dimensional accuracy of two impression techniques (tapered and splinted) with two stock trays (plastic and metal) for implant-supported prostheses. Materials and Methods: A master cast with four parallel abutment analogs and a passive framework were fabricated. Polyvinyl siloxane impression material was used for all impressions with two metal stock trays and two plastic stock trays (closed and open trays). Four groups (tapered plastic, splinted plastic, tapered metal, and splinted metal) and a control group (master cast) were tested (n = 5 for each group). After the framework was seated on each of the casts, one abutment screw was tightened, and the marginal gap between the abutment and framework on the other side was measured with a stereomicroscope. The measurements were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance on ranks test followed by the Dunn method. Results: The mean values (+/- standard deviations) for the abutment/framework interface gaps were: master cast, 32 +/- 2 mu m; tapered metal, 44 +/- 10 mu m; splinted metal, 69 +/- 28 mu m; tapered plastic, 164 +/- 58 mu m; splinted plastic, 128 +/- 47 mu m. No significant difference was detected between the master cast, tapered metal, and splinted metal groups or between the tapered and splinted plastic groups. Conclusions: In this study, the rigidity of the metal stock tray ensured better results than the plastic stock tray for implant impressions with a high-viscosity impression material (putty). Statistically similar results were obtained using tapered impression copings and splinted squared impression copings. The tapered impression copings technique and splinted squared impression copings technique with a metal stock tray produced precise casts with no statistically significant difference in interface gaps compared to the master cast. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2012;27:544-550.