Role of α2-adrenoceptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus in the control of body fluid homeostasis

Central α2-adrenoceptors and the pontine lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) are involved in the control of sodium and water intake. Bilateral injections of moxonidine (α2-adrenergic/imidazoline receptor agonist) or noradrenaline into the LPBN strongly increases 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by a combined treatment of furosemide plus captopril. Injection of moxonidine into the LPBN also increases hypertonic NaCl and water intake and reduces oxytocin secretion, urinary sodium, and water excreted by cell-dehydrated rats, causing a positive sodium and water balance, which suggests that moxonidine injected into the LPBN deactivates mechanisms that restrain body fluid volume expansion. Pretreatment with specific α2-adrenoceptor antagonists injected into the LPBN abolishes the behavioral and renal effects of moxonidine or noradrenaline injected into the same area, suggesting that these effects depend on activation of LPBN α2-adrenoceptors. In fluid-depleted rats, the palatability of sodium is reduced by ingestion of hypertonic NaCl, limiting intake. However, in rats treated with moxonidine injected into the LPBN, the NaCl palatability remains high, even after ingestion of significant amounts of 0.3 M NaCl. The changes in behavioral and renal responses produced by activation of α2-adrenoceptors in the LPBN are probably a consequence of reduction of oxytocin secretion and blockade of inhibitory signals that affect sodium palatability. In this review, a model is proposed to show how activation of α2-adrenoceptors in the LPBN may affect palatability and, consequently, ingestion of sodium as well as renal sodium excretion.

Interferência da redução no volume de aplicação sobre o controle da mancha preta (Guignardia citricarpa Kiely) em frutos de laranja 'Valência'

The chemical control of the causal agent of citrus black spot (CBS) has been highlighted for the excessive required number of sprayings, considerably increasing citrus production costs. Improvements in the spray efficiency and reductions in the quantity of phytosanitary products have already been searched, but the results of that practice are not consistent yet for its use at commercial scale. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the interference of reduced spray volumes in black spot control in citrus fruits. The experiment was carried out in commercial citrus orchard with 16-year-old plants of 'Valencia' variety, during 2007 agricultural season. Treatments consisted of three spray volumes: 3.5; 4.5 and 8.5 liters.plant-1, applied with Arbus 2000/Export airblast sprayer with special manifold of hydraulic nozzles, using fungicides and periods recommended for the disease control, totaling four sprayings plus a control treatment (without spray). The disease incidence and severity were evaluated by visual diagrammatic scale of notes in two different periods (preharvest and harvest), at three plant heights (low, middle and top) and three horizontal sections (entrance, frontal and exit) in two sides of the plant. The fallen fruits were counted every fifteen days, for previously selected plants, from the beginning of maturation to harvest, and the production was quantified (kg.plant-1). The disease incidence and severity were significantly lower when sprayings were done with 8.5 liters.plant-1 in the first evaluation period (pre-harvest), but in the harvest period there were not differences between the same parameters when 4.5 or 8.5 liters.plant-1 were sprayed. None of those treatments reduced the disease on the top section of plants, compared to control. The plant sections with fruits more exposed to sun rays, top and right side of the plant, demonstrated higher disease incidence and severity. The volume reduction from 8.5 to 4.5 liters.plant-1 can be adopted for citrus orchards without damaging the CBS control level.

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.

Involvement of the median preoptic nucleus in blood pressure control

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Direct Spectrometry: A New Alternative for Measuring the Fluorescence of Composite Resins and Dental Tissues

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

Recuperação e correspondência de depósitos de calda em diferentes superfícies e concentração de acaricida para controle de ácaro Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) com volume de aplicação reduzido

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Efeitos da redução da concentração de sódio na solução de hemodiálise e no conteúdo de sódio da dieta sobre a resposta inflamatória de pacientes com doença renal crônica

Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia em Clínica Médica - FMB

Influência do volume reduzido e do estádio fenológico da planta de soja no controle da Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner, 1818)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Cytotoxicity of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in direct contact with odontoblast-like cells

To evaluate the cytotoxicity of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the repair-related activity of cultured odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. Methods Solutions with different concentrations of DMSO (0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 mM), diluted in culture medium (DMEM), were placed in contact with MDPC-23 cells (5 × 104 cells/cm2) for 24 h. Eight replicates (n = 8) were prepared for each solutions for the following methods of analysis: violet crystal dye for cell adhesion (CA), quantification of total protein (TP), alizarin red for mineralization nodules formation (MN) and cell death by necrosis (flow cytometry); while twelve replicates (n = 12) were prepared for viable cell number (Trypan Blue) and cell viability (MTT assay). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey or Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney's tests (p < 0.05). Results Cell viability, adhesion and percentage of cell death by necrosis were not affected by DMSO at any concentration, with no statistical significant difference among the groups. A significant reduction in total protein production was observed for 0.5 and 1.0 mM of DMSO compared to the control while increased mineralized nodules formation was seen only for 1.0 mM DMSO. Significance: DMSO caused no or minor cytotoxic effects on the pulp tissue repair-related activity of odontoblast-like cells.

Esthetic and function improvement by direct composite resins and biomimetic concept

Aim: This case report describe a resin layering restorative technique based on biomimetic concept to improve esthetics in a patient with dental defects that affected both enamel and dentin in anterior teeth. Background: Severe structural defect in anterior teeth compromises esthetics and it is a high challenge to become the defect imperceptible after the restoration. Case description: A clinical sequence of applying different composite resin layers allowed the reproduction of the interaction between hard dental tissues and the restorative material. Conclusion: This technique achieved a satisfactory final esthetic outcome, preserving sound teeth structure and at same time, improved the quality of life of the young patient. Clinical significance: The utilization of the biomimetic concept to increase a disharmonic smile with dental defects is based in a conservative approach, which reached a satisfactory and esthetic outcome.

Planning and clinical strategy in direct composite restorations

Patients are seeking increasingly the expertise of dental surgeons for esthetic dental improvement. The dental surgeons should know the restorative materials and techniques in order to optimize the clinical practice and to obtain satisfactory results. Also the dentist should know the average heights and widths of the anterior teeth to detect the esthetic disharmony and to eliminate it for reproducing the correct dental anatomy. Thus, this study aimed to describe a clinical case report of direct restoration using the palatal barrier technique.

Abrasion resistance of direct and indirect resins as a function of a sealant veneer

Abrasive wear is one of the most common type of wear that not only affect teeth, as also dental restorations. Thus to investigate one of the etiological factors as tooth brushing procedure is clinical relevant in order to select the best material combination that may prevent damage of resin dental restoration's abrasion. This study evaluated the influence of tooth brushing on mass loss and surface roughness of direct Venus (Vs) and indirect Signum (Sg) resin composites, with and without a surface sealant, Fortify (F). Twenty-four specimens were prepared with each resin composite, using their proprietary curing units, according to manufacturer's instructions. All the specimens were polished and ultrasonically cleaned in distilled water for 5 minutes. Half of the specimens of each resin (n = 12) were covered with F (Vs F and Sg F ), except for the control (C) specimens (Vs C and Sg C ), which were not sealed. Mass loss (ML) as well as surface roughness (Ra ) was measured for all the specimens. Then, the specimens were subjected to toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion, using a testing machine for 67.000 brushing strokes, in an abrasive slurry. After brushing simulation, the specimens were removed from the holder, rinsed thoroughly and blot dried with soft absorbent paper. The abrasion of the material was quantitatively determined with final measurements of ML and surface roughness, using the method described above. ML data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the analysis indicated that resin composites were not statistically different; however, the specimens sealed with F showed higher ML. Ra mean values of the groups Vs F and Sg F significantly increased. Tooth brushing affects mainly the roughness of the direct and indirect resin composites veneered with a sealant.

Postoperative pain control in cats: clinical trials with pre-emptive lidocaine epidural co-administered with morphine or methadone

To evaluate the effectiveness of epidural lidocaine in combination with either methadone or morphine for postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Under general anesthesia, 24 cats that underwent ovariohysterectomy were randomly allocated into three treatments groups of eight each. Treatment 1 included 2% lidocaine (4.0 mg/kg); treatment 2 included lidocaine and methadone (4.0 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively); and treatment 3 included lidocaine and morphine (4.0 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively). All drugs were injected in a total volume of 0.25 ml/kg via the lumbosacral route in all cats. During the anesthetic and surgical periods, the physiological variables (respiratory and heart rate, arterial blood pressure and rectal temperature) were measured at intervals of time zero, 10 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins, 60 mins and 120 mins. After cats had recovered from anesthesia, a multidimensional composite pain scale was used to assess postoperative analgesia at 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h after epidural. The time to first rescue analgesic was significantly (P <0.05) prolonged in cats that received both lidocaine and methadone or lidocaine and morphine treatments compared with those that received the lidocaine treatment. All cats that received lidocaine treatment alone required rescue analgesic within 2 h of epidural injections. All treatments had significant cardiovascular and respiratory changes but they were within acceptable range for healthy animals during the surgical period. The two combinations administered via epidural allowed ovariohysterectomy with sufficient analgesia in cats, and both induced prolonged postoperative analgesia.

Effect of different solutions on knoop hardness of indirect composite

Introduction: Indirect dental composites may have adequate clinical performance. However, the literature is scarce regarding indirect composite resins and these solutions should be considered to maintain their properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of beverages, mouthwashes and bleaching agents on the hardness of indirect composite resins. Methods: Five different brands of indirect composite resins were evaluated: Adoro, Resilab, Cristobal, Sinfony and Epricord. Ten specimens of each brand were immersed in eleven different solutions: four mouthwashes (Listerine, Oral-B, Plax, Periogard), four beverages (coke soft drink, red wine, coffee, orange juice), three dental bleaching agents (16% peroxide of carbamide, 7.5% and 38% peroxide of hydrogen) and artificial saliva (control group). The Knoop hardness was measured before (baseline) and after 12, 24, 36 and 60 hours of immersion in mouthwashes; after 7, 14 and 21 days of immersion in beverages and after 7 and 14 days of immersion in dental bleaching agents. The results were analyzed using 3-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p<0.05). Results: All resins presented significant decrease on hardness values after immersion process whereas this reduction was higher for Resilab and Sinfony. The latter exhibited the lowest initial values of hardness while Cristobol resin presented the highest hardness values. The mouthwashes promoted a significant decrease in the hardness of specimens.

Role of alfa2-adrenoceptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus in the control of body fluid homeostasis

Central α2-adrenoceptors and the pontine lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) are involved in the control of sodium and water intake. Bilateral injections of moxonidine (α2-adrenergic/imidazoline receptor agonist) or noradrenaline into the LPBN strongly increases 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by a combined treatment of furosemide plus captopril. Injection of moxonidine into the LPBN also increases hypertonic NaCl and water intake and reduces oxytocin secretion, urinary sodium, and water excreted by cell-dehydrated rats, causing a positive sodium and water balance, which suggests that moxonidine injected into the LPBN deactivates mechanisms that restrain body fluid volume expansion. Pretreatment with specific α2-adrenoceptor antagonists injected into the LPBN abolishes the behavioral and renal effects of moxonidine or noradrenaline injected into the same area, suggesting that these effects depend on activation of LPBN α2-adrenoceptors. In fluid-depleted rats, the palatability of sodium is reduced by ingestion of hypertonic NaCl, limiting intake. However, in rats treated with moxonidine injected into the LPBN, the NaCl palatability remains high, even after ingestion of significant amounts of 0.3 M NaCl. The changes in behavioral and renal responses produced by activation of α2-adrenoceptors in the LPBN are probably a consequence of reduction of oxytocin secretion and blockade of inhibitory signals that affect sodium palatability. In this review, a model is proposed to show how activation of α2-adrenoceptors in the LPBN may affect palatability and, consequently, ingestion of sodium as well as renal sodium excretion.