Intestinal neurohormones in protein-deficient rats

Summary The levels of noradrenaline, adrenaline, and serotonin in the jejunum and ileum of weanling rats fed protein-free (deficient) and high-protein (control) diets were analyzed. The concentration of noradrenaline of the deficient rats was markedly increased, both in the jejunum (0.430±0.039g/g vs. 0.188±0.019g/g in the control animals, +228%, P<0.001) and in the ileum (0.492±0.041g/g vs. 0.212±0.014g/g in the control rats, +232%, P<0.001). However, the levels of adrenaline and serotonin were unaltered in deficient rats as compared to controls, both in the jejunum (0.049±0.009g/g of adrenaline and 1.233±0.178g/g of serotonin vs. 0.047±0.006g/g of adrenaline and 1.364±0.131g/g of serotonin in the controls) and in the ileum (0.027±0.005g/g of adrenaline and 0.902±0.150g/g of serotonin vs. 0.038±0.006g/g of adrenaline and 1.118±0.192g/g of serotonin in the controls). In view of these results, it can be speculated that the abdominal distension and the reduced intestinal motility usually seen in the states of protein malnutrition could be caused, at least in part, by the accumulation of noradrenaline in the intestine.     

3D printing restorative materials using a stereolithographic technique: a systematic review

ObjectiveTo present through a systematic review a qualitative analysis of studies published on stereolithography-based 3D printing of restorative materials and their clinical applicability.MethodsThe literature search was conducted based on the question: “What is the state-of-the-art of available restorative materials for 3D printing based on stereolithography?" Online search was conducted in three databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) with no restriction for year of publication. Data are reported based on PRISMA, including publication details such as authors and their countries, year and journal of publication, and study design. The synthesis is focused on describing the dental restorative materials and properties evaluated, applied methods, 3D printers used and clinical applicability.ResultsStudies that fit the inclusion criteria were performed in Asia (21), Europe (16) and USA (10), mostly using polymer-based restorative materials (38) for 3D printing constructs. Stereolithographic-printed ceramic-based restorative structures were evaluated by 9 studies. Many studies reported on dimensional accuracy (14), strength (11) and surface morphology (9) of the printed structures. Antibacterial response, cytotoxicity, internal and marginal fit, fracture and wear resistance, density, viscosity, elastic modulus, hardness, structural shrinkage and reliability, degree of conversion, layer cure depth, fatigue, and color were also evaluated by the included studies. Many of them (11) published a proof of concept as an attempt to demonstrate the clinical feasibility and applicability of the technology to print restorative materials, but only 5 studies actually applied the 3D printed restorative structures in patients, which highlights an increasing interest but limited early-stage translation.SignificanceThe fast expansion of stereolithographic-based 3D printing has been impressive and represents a great technological progress with significant disruptive potential. Dentistry has demonstrated an incredible willingness to adapt materials, methods and workflows to this promising digital technology. However, esthetic appearance, wear resistance, wet strength and dimensional accuracy are the main current clinical limitations restricting the progression to functional part production with 3D printing, which may explain the absence of clinical trials and reports on permanent/definitive dental restorative materials and structures.     

iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Brazilian children and adults

Data concerning the geographic distribution of iceA alleles are scarce, and information on the association of the gene with the disease is rare and still controversial. Furthermore, no such study has been developed in Brazil, where duodenal ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma are very common. We investigated, by PCR, the frequency of iceA alleles and cagA status in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from 142 patients (62 children and 80 adults; 66 female; mean age, 30.0 years; age range, 3 to 78 years) with gastritis, duodenal ulcer, or gastric adenocarcinoma. iceA was identified in bacterium samples obtained from all patients. Eleven (7.7%) of them were infected with multiple strains. Among the patients with nonmixed infection, iceA2 allele was detected in 118 (90.1%). iceA2 allele was associated with ulcer (P = 0.02) and with carcinoma (P = 0.001). iceA2 amplicons of 229, 334, or 549 bp were detected, but none of them was associated with the patient's disorder. iceA2 strains were more frequent in patients older than 7 years (P = 0.001). The gene was also more frequent in strains obtained from males (P = 0.02). cagA was more common in strains obtained from carcinoma (P = 0.0008) and ulcer patients (P < 0.006). cagA-positive strains were more frequent in children older than 7 years (P < 0.003). No association between cagA status and sex was found (P = 0.28). In conclusion, we think iceA should not be used as a reliable marker for predicting the clinical outcome of H. pylori infection.     

Comparative study of the gastric emptying of disaccharides and their respective monosaccharides in rats with ontogenic lactase deficiency]

In order to evaluate the gastric emptying of disaccharides and their monosaccharides, 64 male, Wistar rats weighing approximately 180 g, were divided into the following eight groups containing eight animals each: maltose, sucrose, lactose, and lactulose, and their correspondent group of monosaccharides: glucose, fructose plus glucose, galactose plus glucose and galactose plus fructose. Each animal received, after a 20 hours fast, 2 ml/100 g weight of a test meal containing a 10% solution of the correspondent sugar and phenol red (6 mg/dl) as a marker. Gastric retention was determined at 10 minutes after orogastric infusion and expressed as a percentage of the infused volume. The observed values (mean +/- SE) of gastric retention (%) of sucrose (35.0 +/- 1.8), lactose (30.4 +/- 1.5), and lactulose (29.5 +/- 1.6) were significantly lower (t test alpha = 0.05), than those observed with their respective monosaccharides, i.e. glucose plus fructose (46.9 +/- 2.6), glucose plus galactose (48.3 +/- 2.4), galactose plus fructose (43.5 +/- 1.5). No difference was noted between gastric retention of maltose (49.9 +/- 4.7) and that of glucose (53.0 +/- 3.0). As far the disaccharides are concerned, statistical analysis (ANOVA followed by Tukey test alpha = 0.05) revealed no differences among the values of gastric retention of sucrose, lactose and lactulose. Gastric retention of maltose was significantly greater than that of the other disaccharides. No differences were found among the gastric retention of monosaccharides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on the gastric emptying of rats: a pretreatment evaluation using Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that nitric oxide plays a role in the decrease in gastric emptying induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. AIM: To evaluate the effect of pretreatment with Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl to ester, one competitive inhibitor of the nitric oxide synthases, on the gastric emptying delay induced by lipopolysaccharide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats, SPF, were used after 24 h fast and 1 h-water withdrawn. The pretreatment was done intravenously with vehicle (saline) or N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl to ester in the doses of 0.5, 1, 2.5 e 5 mg/kg. After 10 min, the animals were treated iv with lipopolysaccharide (50 microg/kg) or received vehicle (saline). The gastric emptying was evaluated 1 h after the lipopolysaccharide administration. A saline solution containing phenol red was used as the test meal. The gastric emptying was indirectly assessed by the determination of percent gastric retention of the test meal 10 min after orogastric administration. RESULTS: The animals pretreated with vehicle and treatment with lipopolysaccharide have significant rise of the gastric retention (average = 57%) in comparison with the controls receiving only vehicle (38.1%). The pretreatment with the different doses of N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl to ester did not modify per se the gastric retention in comparison with the animals pretreated with vehicle. Pretreatment with N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl to ester with the dose of 1 mg/kg determined a discrete but significant reduction in the gastric retention (52%) of animals treated with lipopolysaccharide in comparison with vehicle-pretreated rats. Paradoxically, animals pretreated with 2.5 or 5 mg of N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl to ester/kg followed by treatment with lipopolysaccharide displayed a significantly higher gastric retention (74.7% and 80.5%, respectively) as compared to their controls, pretreated with the same doses of the inhibitor and treated with vehicle (40.5% and 38.7%, respectively) and to those pretreated with vehicle and treated with the same toxin. CONCLUSION: The pretreatment with N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl to ester at low dose (1 mg/kg) resulted in a discrete inhibition of the gastric emptying delay induced by lipopolysaccharide. Nevertheless, N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl to ester at higher doses (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) induced an enhancement of the lipopolysaccharide effect on gastric emptying, despite not interfering with the gastric emptying per se.     

Antibacterial response of oral microcosm biofilm to nano-zinc oxide in adhesive resin

ObjectiveVarious nanoparticles are currently under investigation to impart biointeractivity for dental materials. This study aimed to: (1) formulate an experimental dental adhesive containing ZnO nanoparticles; (2) evaluate its chemical and mechanical properties; and (3) assess the antibacterial response against oral microcosm biofilm.MethodsNanosized ZnO was chemically and morphologically evaluated. ZnO was incorporated at 0 (G_CTRL), 2.5 (G_2.5%), 5 (G_5%) and 7.5 (G_5%) wt.% in an experimental dental adhesive. The adhesives were evaluated for the degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength (FS), and elastic modulus (E). The antibacterial activity was evaluated using a 48 h-microcosm biofilm model after the formation of acquired pellicle on samples’ surfaces. Colony-forming units (CFU), metabolic activity, and live/dead staining were assessed.ResultsNanosized ZnO presented characteristic peaks of Zn-O bonds, and the particles were arranged in agglomerates. The DC ranged from 62.21 (±1.05) % for G_Ctrl to 46.15 (±1.23) % for G_7.5% (p < 0.05). G_7.5% showed lower FS compared to all groups (p < 0.05). Despite achieving higher E (p < 0.05), G_2.5% did not show differences for G_Ctrl regarding the FS (p > 0.05). G_7.5% had lower CFU/mL compared to G_Ctrl for mutans streptococci (p < 0.05) and total microorganisms (p < 0.05), besides presenting lower metabolic activity (p < 0.05) and higher dead bacteria via biofilm staining.SignificanceThe dental adhesives' physicochemical properties were similar to commercial adhesives and in compliance with ISO recommendations. G_7.5% restricted the growth of oral microcosm biofilm without impairing the physicochemical performance.     

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug-delivery systems at endodontic reparative material: Synthesis and characterization

Objective

The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize an experimental endodontic paste.

The influence of methodological variables on the push‐out resistance to dislodgement of root filling materials: a meta‐regression analysis

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the influence of several methodological variables on the push‐out resistance to dislodgment of root filling materials by a meta‐regression analysis of the literature. A systematic review was performed by searching the PubMed database using the terms ‘push‐out’ and ‘pushout’. Laboratory studies published before March 2015 were included. Two reviewers extracted data regarding country of origin, year of publication, tooth type, smear layer removal, root canal sealer, core material, obturation technique, sample storage, tooth portion, test machine load velocity and slice thickness. Pooled mean resistance to dislodgement of all groups from the included studies was used in a linear meta‐regression of random effects (α = 0.05). Of the 850 identified studies, 53 met the inclusion criteria. A meta‐regression of the 341 groups extracted from these articles was performed to analyse the influence of each variable on resistance to dislodgement (in MPa). The sealer, core material, obturation technique, slice thickness, storage time, load velocity and tooth portion significantly influence the results (P < 0.05). Irrigant solution and smear layer removal did not influence the resistance to dislodgement of the root filling materials (P > 0.05). Methodological variables such as sealer, core material, root filling technique, tooth type, tooth portion, slice thickness, storage time and load velocity influenced the resistance to dislodgment. The inclusion and standardization of all related variables could lead to a more comparable and reproducible analysis of the resistance to dislodgment of the root canal sealers.