Metabolic profile of glycosaminoglycans in bladder and urethra of female rats during and after pregnancy

Introduction and hypothesis  

The objective of this study is to evaluate pregnancy’s action on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) profile in bladder and urethra of female adult rats.     

Selection and use of anti-infective agents for intra-abdominal infections

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal infections are common and are associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. The microorganisms that cause intra-abdominal infections are usually from the gastrointestinal flora, mainly E. coli and Bacteroides fragilis. AIM: To present a review of the selection and use of antibiotics in intra-abdominal infections. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate use of antibiotics is essential to control infection and to reduce treatment failure. Antibiotics are initiated whenever intra-abdominal infection is suspected and the antimicrobial agents are selected based on the most common microorganisms involved. In addition, efficacy, cost, safety, and posologic regimen are considered for an appropriated selection. Antibiotic regimen is different whether the infection is acquired in the community or at hospital due to the more resistant flora in the latter.     

Effect of chemical irrigants on the bond strength of a self-etching adhesive to pulp chamber dentin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of endodontic irrigants on adhesion to pulp chamber dentin. Seventy crowns of bovine incisors were cut to expose the pulp chamber. Specimens were divided into seven groups, according to the irrigant solution used: G1, 0.9% sodium chlorite (control); G2, 5.25% NaOCl; G3, 5.25% NaOCl + 17% EDTA; G4, 2% chlorhexidine solution; G5, 2% CHX solution + 17% EDTA; G6, 2% chlorhexidine in a gel base; and G7, 2% CHX gel + 17% EDTA. After irrigation, Clearfil SE Bond was applied to pulp chamber dentin, followed by Filtek Z250 composite. Six rectangular sticks were obtained from each specimen and dentin/resin interface was tested in tension. Bond strength means were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test. There was a significant decrease in bond strength associated to NaOCl, whereas chlorhexidine irrigation showed no effects on adhesion. It was concluded that endodontic irrigants affected differently bond strength to pulp chamber dentin.     

Effect of an acid diet allied to sonic toothbrushing on root dentin permeability: an in vitro study

This study quantified alterations in root dentin permeability after exposure to different acid beverages. Twenty-five third molars were sectioned below the cementoenamel junction, the root segment was collected, and the pulp tissue was removed. The root segments were connected to a hydraulic pressure apparatus to measure the permeability of root dentin after the following sequential steps, with 5 specimens in each: 1) phosphoric acid etching for 30 s (maximum permeability), 2) root planning to create new smear layer, 3) exposure to different acid substances for 5 min (orange, cola drink, vinegar, white wine, lemon juice), 4) toothbrushing with sonic toothbrush for 3 min, 5) toothbrushing with sonic toothbrush plus dentifrice for 3 min. Considering step I as 100%, the data were converted into percentage and each specimen was its own control. Data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's post test at 5% significance level. All acidic substances increased dentin permeability significantly after scraping (p< 0.05). Toothbrushing after exposure to acid substances decreased dentin permeability and the association with dentifrice accentuated the decrease (p< 0.05), except for the specimens treated with cola drink. Thus, it may be concluded that all tested acid fruit juices increased dentin permeability, and toothbrushing with or without dentifrice can decrease root dentin permeability after dentin exposure to acid diet.     

Natural infection of phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a visceral-leishmaniasis focus in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The main purpose of this study was to investigate natural infection by Leishmania in phlebotomine females in a visceral-leishmaniasis focus in Antonio Jo?o county in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Between June and October 2003, the digestive tracts of 81 females captured in Aldeia Campestre, Aldeia Marangatu and Povoado Campestre were dissected. The females were separated by species, location, area and date of capture into 13 groups and kept in ethanol 70%. To identify the Leishmania species using the PCR technique, amplifications of the ribosomal-DNA (rDNA) and mini-exon genes were analyzed. Of the 81 specimens, 77 (95%) were Lutzomyia longipalpis, making this the most common species; only one specimen of each of the species Brumptomyia avellari, Evandromyia cortelezzii, Evandromyia lenti and Nyssomyia whitmani was found. Trypanosomatids were identified in eight of the nine groups of Lutzomyia longipalpis (10.39%) one group from Aldeia Campestre, one from Aldeia Marangatu and six from Povoado Campestre; of the eight groups, one from Aldeia Marangatu and another, with promastigotes forms also confirmed by dissection (1.23%) from Povoado Campestre, were identified by PCR as Leishmania chagasi (2.6%). The other groups gave negative results. These findings indicate that there is a high risk of leishmaniasis transmission in this area.     

Pancreatic islets from hypothalamic obese rats maintain K+ATP channel-dependent but not -independent pathways on glucose-induced insulin release process

One of the main features of obesity is hyperinsulinemia, which is related to insulin oversecretion. Glucose is by far the major physiological stimulator of insulin secretion. Glucose promotes an increase in the ATP/ADP ratio, which inactivates ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels (K⁺ _ATP) and induces beta cell depolarization with consequent calcium influx. Increased intracellular calcium concentration triggers insulin exocytosis. K⁺ _ATP channel function is important for K⁺ _ATP channel-dependent pathways involved in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). However, K⁺ _ATP channel-independent pathway has been identified and it has been found that this pathway sustains GSIS. Both pathways are critical to better GSIS control. GSIS was studied in pancreatic islets from hyperinsulinemic adult obese rats obtained by monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) neonatal treatment. Islets from MSG-obese rats were more glucose responsive than control ones. Diazoxide, a drug which maintains the K⁺ _ATP channels open without interfering with cell metabolism, blocked GSIS in islets from both groups. High extracellular potassium concentration plus diaz-oxide was used to study an alternative to the K⁺ _ATP channel pathway; in these conditions islets from MSG-obese rats did not respond, while islets from control animals showed enhanced GSIS. Results indicate that MSG-obese rats oversecreted insulin, even though the K⁺ _ATP channel-independent pathway is impaired in their beta cells.     

Faraway from the Silk Route: demographic and clinical features of Beh?et’s disease in 106 Brazilian patients

To describe clinical and epidemiological data of Behçet’s disease (BD) in Brazil, we retrospectively reviewed records of all patients seen between 2006 and 2007 at the BD outpatient clinic of University of Sao Paulo. One hundred and six patients fulfilled the International Study Group for Behçet’s Disease diagnostic criteria and they were included in this study. There was a female/male ratio of 2.2:1 and mean age at diagnosis was 31.9?±?9.2 years. In order of frequency, oral (100%) and genital ulcerations (92.5%), pseudofolliculitis (59.4%), erythema nodosum (49.1%), ocular lesions (47.2%), and musculoskeletal complaints (35.8%) were the most common manifestations. Blindness and major vessel involvement (18.2% vs. 5.5%, p?=?0.038 and 27.3% vs. 9.6%, p?=?0.019) were more frequent among male than female patients. We concluded that in Brazil, a South American country faraway from the Silk Route, BD follows the same pattern exhibited on its usual endemic area.