Effects of cyclosporin, phenytoin, and nifedipine on the synthesis and degradation of gingival collagen in tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella): Histochemical and MMP-1 and -2 and collagen I gene expression analyses

Background: The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the collagen fiber distribution histologically after phenytoin, cyclosporin, or nifedipine therapy and to correlate it with collagen I and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and -2 gene expression levels.Methods: Gingival samples from the canine area were obtained from 12 male monkeys (Cebus apella). The mesial part of each sample was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, whereas the distal part was processed histologically for picrosirius red and hematoxylin and eosin stainings, as well as for collagen IV immunostaining. One week after the first biopsy, the animals were assigned to three groups that received daily oral dosages of cyclosporin, phenytoin, or nifedipine for 120 days. Additional gingival samples were obtained on days 52 and 120 of treatment from two animals from each group on the opposite sides from the first biopsies.Results: Picrosirius red staining showed a predominance of mature collagen fibers in the control group. Conversely, there was an enlargement of areas occupied by immature collagen fibers in all groups at days 52 and 120, which was not uniform over each section. There was a general trend to lower levels of MMP-1 gene expression on day 52 and increased levels on day 120. Phenytoin led to increased levels of MMP-2 and collagen I gene expression on day 120, whereas the opposite was observed in the nifedipine group.Conclusion: Cyclosporin, phenytoin, and nifedipine led to phased and drug-related gene expression patterns, resulting in impaired collagen metabolism, despite the lack of prominent clinical signs.

Palatal lymphangioma: A case report

Lymphangioma is a rare, congenital benign tumor involving vascular malformation, with a great potential for recurrence. It appears during the early years of life and therefore is highly common among children. We report here a five-year-old patient with a simple lymphangioma. The mother of the child reported she had noted the lesion in the palate after an injury in the area with a pen. The recommended treatment was surgical excision since this was a small and well-delimited lesion. Periodic clinical controls for 18 months showed that the mucosa presented normal characteristics, with no signs of recurrence.

Desgaste interproximal e suas implicações clínicas

INTRODUÇÃO: o alinhamento dentário correto, bem como sua estabilidade, representam objetivos importantes do tratamento ortodôntico. O apinhamento na região anterior é uma anomalia de posição dentária comum e para obter sua correção as opções clínicas disponíveis para o ortodontista são as extrações dentárias, a expansão do arco dentário ou os desgastes interproximais. Os desgastes freqüentemente são indicados, mas existem questionamentos quanto às indicações, técnicas e condições pré e pós-tratamento. OBJETIVO: o objetivo deste artigo é apresentar uma discussão, embasada na literatura pertinente, dos principais fatores envolvidos com este procedimento clínico.

Expression of odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein, amelotin, ameloblastin, and amelogenin in odontogenic tumors: immunohistochemical analysis and pathogenetic considerations

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Immunoexpression of keratins in the calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor epithelium

Ameloblastomatous epithelium containing clusters of ghost cells is the typical histopathology of calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT). This paper aimed to assess keratins AE1-AE3, K7, K10/13, K14, K18, K19, vimentin, laminin, and collagen IV in 08 CCOTs to discuss their histopathogenesis. Similarity to the immunoprofile of the stratified squamous epithelium was seen in the with the basal layer expressing K14 and the upper cells expressing K10/13. When compared to the immunoprofile of the normal odontogenic epithelium, of odontogenic tumor epithelia and of the ghost cells described in the literature, it was possible to suggest that the CCOT epithelium differentiates towards squamous type.

Peel bond strength of resilient liner modified by the addition of antimicrobial agents to denture base acrylic resin

In order to prolong the clinical longevity of resilient denture relining materials and reduce plaque accumulation, incorporation of antimicrobial agents into these materials has been proposed. However, this addition may affect their properties. Objective: This study evaluated the effect of the addition of antimicrobial agents into one soft liner (Soft Confort, Dencril) on its peel bond strength to one denture base (QC 20, Dentsply). Material and Methods: Acrylic specimens (n=9) were made (75x10x3 mm) and stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 48 h. The drug powder concentrations (nystatin 500,000U - G2; nystatin 1,000,000U - G3; miconazole 125 mg - G4; miconazole 250 mg - G5; ketoconazole 100 mg - G6; ketoconazole 200 mg - G7; chlorhexidine diacetate 5% - G8; and 10% chlorhexidine diacetate - G9) were blended with the soft liner powder before the addition of the soft liner liquid. A group (G1) without any drug incorporation was used as control. Specimens (n=9) (75x10x6 mm) were plasticized according to the manufacturers' instructions and stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h. Relined specimens were then submitted to a 180-degree peel test at a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min. Data (MPa) were analyzed by analysis of variance (alpha=0.05) and the failure modes were visually classified. Results: No significant difference was found among experimental groups (p=0.148). Cohesive failure located within the resilient material was predominantly observed in all tested groups. Conclusions: Peel bond strength between the denture base and the modified soft liner was not affected by the addition of antimicrobial agents.

Focus on Vitamin D, Inflammation and Type 2 Diabetes

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

A transcript finishing initiative for closing gaps in the human transcriptome

We report the results of a transcript finishing initiative, undertaken for the purpose of identifying and characterizing novel human transcripts, in which RT-PCR was used to bridge gaps between paired EST Clusters, mapped against the genomic sequence. Each pair of EST Clusters selected for experimental validation was designated a transcript finishing unit (TFU). A total of 489 TFUs were selected for validation, and an overall efficiency of 43.1% was achieved. We generated a total of 59,975 bp of transcribed sequences organized into 432 exons, contributing to the definition of the structure of 211 human transcripts. The structure of several transcripts reported here was confirmed during the course of this project, through the generation of their corresponding full-length cDNA sequences. Nevertheless, for 21% of the validated TFUs, a full-length cDNA sequence is not yet available in public databases, and the structure of 69.2% of these TFUs was not correctly predicted by computer programs. The TF strategy provides a significant contribution to the definition of the complete catalog of human genes and transcripts, because it appears to be particularly useful for identification of low abundance transcripts expressed in a restricted Set of tissues as well as for the delineation of gene boundaries and alternatively spliced isoforms.

Genetic diversity in section Rhizomatosae of the genus Arachis (Fabaceae) based on microsatellite markers

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

Genetic relationships among Arachis hypogaea L. (AABB) and diploid Arachis species with AA and BB genomes

The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an allotetraploid, with two types of genomes, classified as AA and BB, according to cytogenetic characters. Similar genomes to those of A. hypogaea are found in the wild diploid species of section Arachis, which is one of the nine Arachis sections. The wild species have resistances to pests and diseases that affect the cultivated peanut and are a potential source of genes to increase the resistance levels in peanut. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic variability within AA and BB genome species and to evaluate how they are related to each other and to A. hypogaea, using RAPD markers. Eighty-seven polymorphic bands amplified by ten 10-mer primers were analyzed. The species were divided into two major groups, and the AA and the BB genome species were, in general, separated from each other. The results showed that high variation is available within species that have genomes similar to the AA and the BB genomes of A. hypogaea.

Peanut genes identified during initial phase of Cercosporidium personatum infection

Late leaf spot (LLS), caused by the fun.-us Cercosporidium personatum, is one of the most severe diseases in peanut (Arachis hypogaea). The vast majority of commercial cultivars do not exhibit satisfactory levels of resistance to the pathogen, whereas non-commercial genotypes cv. 850 and cv. 909 are resistant to LLS and show symptoms similar to hypersensitive response (HR) lesions. In the present study, we investigated the molecular components of the initial stages of the resistance by gene expression profiling using suppression subtractive hybridization and differential screening of cDNA macroarray techniques. Gene expression analyses have allowed us to identify more than 700 peanut unique expressed sequence taus (EST) involved in several aspects of the early stages of C. personatum pathogenesis, such as components of defense signaling pathways, gene expression regulators, cell cycle controlling genes and components of the biosynthesis of transducer and antimicrobial compounds. The most significantly induced gene corresponds to a novel O'-methyltranferase, suggesting its involvement in the production of local lesions in C. personatum-resistant A. hypogea genotypes. Taken together, our results contribute to elucidate the defense strategies of peanut and provide the framework for the generation of pathogen-resistant peanut cultivars. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enzymes in juice processing: a review

P>The use of enzymes in juice industry has contributed in increasing the yield and production of various types of juices. The addition pectinases aims in particular to degrade the pectic substances, in the cell wall and middle lamella of the cells of plants, aiming to minimise the impacts of these compounds on the characteristics of the final product, such as colour, turbidity and viscosity. Enzymes able to remove bitterness of citrus juice, extract pigments, among other applications, have also had great interest in the juice industry.