Stanozolol promotes lipid deposition in the aorta through an imbalance in inflammatory cytokines and oxidative status in LDLr knockout mice fed a normal diet

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an anabolic steroid, stanozolol, in a model of atherosclerosis and to investigate the involvement of the modulation of the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in vascular lipid deposition. Low‐density lipid receptor‐deficient (LDLr?/?) mice were fed a standard chow diet and were each week injected subcutaneously either saline (control C group) or 20 mg/kg stanozolol (S group). After 8 weeks, the levels of cholesterol, oxidized LDL (OxLDL) and cytokines were measured in plasma, lipid deposition in aorta was evaluated by en face analysis, and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and oxidation protein were determined in liver. The S group demonstrated increases in vascular lipid deposition, triglycerides and non‐HDL cholesterol levels. Stanozolol increased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and decreased interleukin‐10 as well as increased the TNF‐α/IL‐10 ratio. Furthermore, oxidative stress was observed in the S group, as indicated by an increase in the plasma OxLDL, as well as by lipid peroxidation and oxidation of proteins in the liver. Chronic treatment with stanozolol promoted lipid deposition in the LDLr^?/? mice that could be attributed to a modification of the circulating cytokine levels and systemic oxidative stress. Our results suggest that the anabolic steroid stanozolol in the absence of functional LDL receptors by increasing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress may increase the risk of development and progression of atherosclerosis.     

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 37ºC 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 37ºC 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 (α=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.     

Prediabetes: diagnosis, evaluation of chronic complications, and treatment

Type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for 90% of diabetes cases and is associated with macro- and microvascular complications of high morbidity and mortality. Individuals with increased risk for type 2 diabetes include those with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and especially those with combined IFG and IGT. These individuals are part of a group known as prediabetes patients. Approximately 25% of individuals with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes in three to five years. Hyperglycemia, in the absence of diabetes, is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that changes in lifestyle and drug interventions are effective in delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes in patients with prediabetes. Metformin is the drug of choice when medical treatment is warranted. IGT and IFG are associated with type 2 diabetes and, despite controversy, most studies reinforce the importance of these conditions in the development of micro- and macrovascular disease. Thus, therapeutic interventions in patients with prediabetes are important in primary prevention of type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications.     

Negative correlation between D-dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels is absent in obese women

Obesity is characterized by alterations in haemostatic processes that lead to a prothrombotic state. D-dimer (D-Di) is the last product of the fibrinolysis and may reflect the haemostatic balance. As the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is the main inhibitor of fibrinolysis and it is elevated in obese, we hypothesize that negative correlation exists between PAI-1 and D-Di. In addition, we evaluated if plasma levels of PAI-1 and D-Di may be correlated with clinical parameters of adiposity [waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)]. We measured plasma PAI-1 and D-Di concentrations using ELISA in 60 women: 21 lean women without comorbidities and 39 obese women. We found higher levels of D-Di and PAI-1 in obese groups compared to control group (P < 0.05). No differences were observed between obese and obese untreated hypertensives. PAI-1 levels, but not of D-Di, are positively correlated with BMI (control, r = 0.44) and WHR (all obese, r = 0.40). Negative correlation was found between PAI-1 and D-Di in control (r = -0.56), no association was observed in obese, signalizing to a particular attention regarding the clinical use of D-Di. Our results indicate the magnitude of central obesity as a risk factor for development of disorders related to prothrombotic states.     

Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnancy after Bariatric Surgery

The objective of this study was to describe the main factors related to the installation and/or aggravation of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and its clinical consequences in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. An electronic search on VDD in pregnancy and after bariatric surgery was conducted in publications from 1998 until 2012 that presented studies performed in humans. We provided an overview of VDD after bariatric surgery, in pregnancy, and in pregnancy in women who underwent bariatric surgery. In view of the high percentage of VDD postoperatively and the role of this vitamin in pregnancy, we recommend the investigation of vitamin D nutritional status in prenatal care.     

Effect of 5% fluoride varnish application on caries among school children in rural Brazil: a randomized controlled trial

Arruda AO, Senthamarai Kannan R, Inglehart MR, Rezende CT, Sohn W. Effect of 5% fluoride varnish application on caries among school children in rural Brazil: a randomized controlled trial. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Objectives: To determine the efficacy of 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish application in reducing caries increments in the permanent dentition of rural Brazilian school children over the course of 12 months. Methods: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted with 379 children aged 7–14 years who attended three schools in Brazil between January 2006 and December 2007. During this period, each school was visited four times at 6‐month interval for recruitment, dental examinations, and fluoride varnish applications. Recruited children were randomly assigned to either a treatment (5% NaF varnish, n = 198) or a control group (placebo, n = 181). Trained interviewers collected data on oral health habits and sociodemographic characteristics from the children. Information on the child’s diet was collected through a 7‐day food frequency diary. Caries examinations were conducted using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The efficacy of fluoride varnish application on caries prevention was reported as a preventive fraction (PF). Crude caries increments of decayed and filled surfaces (DFS) were compared between fluoride varnish and placebo groups. A generalized linear model (GLM) was constructed to test the differences in DFS increments between the groups after accounting for confounding factors. Results: Of the total sample (N = 379), 210 (55.4%) children had completed 12 months of follow‐up including one or two applications of fluoride varnish or placebo. At the baseline examination, the children in the treatment and control groups presented on average 6.2 and 5.6 DFS, respectively (P < 0.001). After 12 months of follow‐up, the children in the varnish group showed significantly lower DFS increments than did children in the control group (10.8 versus 13.3; P < 0.007), with PF of 40% (95% CI: 34.3–45.7%; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that applications of 5% NaF varnish can be recommended as a public health measure for reducing caries incidence in this high‐caries‐risk population.