Effect of smoking on immunity in human chronic periodontitis

Aim

Evaluate the effects of smoking on dendritic cells (DCs), cytokines, clinical periodontal parameters, and number of teeth in samples of human chronic periodontitis (CP).

Material and methods

Gingival samples were obtained from 24 smokers and 21 non-smokers with CP. Periodontal examination was carried out. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to identify Factor XIIIa+ immature, CD1a+ immature, and CD83+ mature DCs. The inflammatory infiltrate was counted, and IL-2, IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A were measured using the cytometric bead array (CBA). Inflammatory infiltrate, DCs, cytokines, classification of CP, clinical periodontal parameters, number of teeth, smoking habit in years (SH/years), and number of cigarettes smoked per day (C/day) were correlated and compared.

Results

CD83+ mature DCs decreased in the smokers group. Negative correlations could be observed between the number of C/day with levels of IL-17A and number of teeth. Correlations between smoking, periodontal disease status, and other cytokines were not observed.

Conclusions

Smoking decreases mature DCs in chronic periodontitis. Moreover, a dose-dependent relation can be observed between C/day and number of teeth and levels of IL17A observed. Smokers show a different modulation of the CP immune response.     

Appendix interposition for total left ureteral reconstruction

IntroductionAppendix interposition has been described as an option for surgical reconstruction of partial and total ureteral defects both in children and adults. However, to our knowledge, appendix interposition for a total left ureteral reconstruction has never been described.Case reportWe report the first case of total left ureteral reconstruction with cecal appendix to connect the renal pelvis of a native kidney to the urinary bladder in a 3-month-old child with ureteral necrosis following pyeloplasty.ResultsPostoperative recovery was uneventful. Postoperative intravenous pyelogram showed good flow of dye from the pelvis past the appendicular graft into the bladder. After 6 months, the child was asymptomatic, within the normal growth curve for height and weight.ConclusionTotal ureteral reconstruction with cecal appendix is a feasible technique in young children. Surveillance for late operative complications is required, since this is the first case of total left ureteral reconstruction with appendix to connect the renal pelvis of a native kidney to the urinary bladder.     

Attentional constraints on target selection for smooth pursuit eye movements

Saccadic eye movements are strongly influenced by shifts of attention to non-target objects. In contrast, we have shown previously that the initiation of smooth pursuit eye movements is relatively unaffected when attention is shifted to objects that are either stationary or move in the same direction as the pursuit target (Souto & Kerzel, 2008). Here, we asked how attention interacts with target selection when a choice has to be made between objects moving in opposite directions. In a dual-task paradigm, observers had to pursue a designated object while making a perceptual judgment on an object moving in the opposite direction. The perceptual target was briefly presented after motion onset and disappeared before the eye started to move. The priority assigned to the perceptual and pursuit task was varied. When priority of the perceptual task was equal or greater than priority of the pursuit task, observers frequently pursued the wrong target and pursuit was delayed. We conclude that when an oculomotor choice is to be made between two equally salient motion signals, the successful initiation of pursuit eye movements depends on the presence of an attentional bias towards the target location.     

Cetyl palmitate-based NLC for topical delivery of Coenzyme Q(10) - development, physicochemical characterization and in vitro release studies.

In the present study, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) composed of cetyl palmitate with various amounts of caprylic/capric triacylglycerols (as liquid lipid) were prepared and Coenzyme Q(10) (Q(10)) has been incorporated in such carriers due to its high lipophilic character. A nanoemulsion composed solely of liquid lipid was prepared for comparison studies. By photon correlation spectroscopy a mean particle size in the range of 180-240nm with a narrow polydispersity index (PI) lower than 0.2 was obtained for all developed formulations. The entrapment efficiency was 100% in all cases. The increase of oil loading did not affect the mean particle size of NLC formulations. NLC and nanoemulsion, stabilized by the same emulsifier, showed zeta potential values in the range -40/-50mV providing a good physical stability of the formulations. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed NLC of disc-like shape. With respect to lipid polymorphism, a decrease in the ordered structure of NLC was observed with the increase of both oil and Q(10) loadings, allowing therefore high accommodation for Q(10) within the NLC. Using static Franz diffusion cells, the in vitro release studies demonstrated that Q(10)-loaded NLC possessed a biphasic release pattern, in comparison to Q(10)-loaded nanoemulsions comprising similar composition of which a nearly constant release was observed. The NLC release patterns were defined by an initial fast release in comparison to the release of NE followed by a prolonged release, which was dependent on the oil content.     

Thromboplastin-thrombomodulin-mediated time: a new global test sensitive to protein S deficiency and increased levels of factors II, V, VII and X

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A new test for screening the procoagulant capacity of plasma is described and evaluated. This test is based on the coagulation of plasma initiated by thromboplastin (Tp) in the presence of thrombomodulin (TM). In a previous paper we reported that this test had a significant phenotypic and genetic correlation with thrombosis susceptibility. The present report describes the characteristics of the test and its sensitivity to the concentration of some hemostasis factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma from normal subjects, from individuals with various disorders of hemostasis and plasma with different concentrations of factors II, V, VII, VIII, X, fibrinogen, protein C and protein S were studied. The thromboplastin-thrombomodulin-mediated time (Tp-TMT) is measured after mixing 100 mL of plasma diluted 1/10 at 37 C with 100 mL of a solution composed of 2 parts of thromboplastin, 1 part of thrombomodulin at 30 U/mL and 1 part of Owren's buffer. The results are expressed as the ratio of the patient's clotting time to that of the control. Values were compared with Student's t test and the Mann-Whitney test. Differences were considered statistically significant when p<0.05. RESULTS: In the control group women showed significantly lower values than men. Raised levels of factors II, V, VII and X reduced the coagulation time obtained with Tp-TM. Elevated concentrations of fibrinogen and factor VIII did not influence the test. The Tp-TMT was sensitive to protein S deficiencies, but not to protein C deficiencies. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the effect of protein S on the test is through its anti-prothrombinase activity. In conclusion: Tp-TMT, which is correlated with thrombosis susceptibility, is sensitive to raised levels of factors II, V, VII and X, as well as to low levels of protein S, and may be an indicator of thrombosis risk.     

Beliefs about nursing in the Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem: reflections on ideals,science, and art

The inquiry of this study is the beliefs related to the nursing professional in the first decades of this activity in Brazil. The investigation presupposes that some of these beliefs are still current. The objective is to point out the beliefs expressed by Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem (Brazilian Journal of Nursing) in 33 articles, during the period between 1932 (when the journal was created) and 1954. Five notions of the nursing professional were identified through the analyses of the symbology presented on the cover of the periodical--Egyptian mythology; ideal, science and art, inscribed in a triangle. The categories established for nurses were: self-forgetful, heroine, socially committed, mercenary and bad angel. Finally, the study proposes an interpretation to the ideas presented in the triangle.