Human mortality due to invertebrate and vertebrate envenomation in Monagas State, Venezuela

Human mortality due to envenomation by animals in Monagas state, Venezuela was evaluated. In this state 47 deaths due to envenomations produced by vertebrates and invertebrates (scorpions = 21, snakes = 20, bees = 6) during the period 1980-2000 were registered. The mountainous area, at the north of the state (Turimiquire sub-region) and its piedmonts reported most of the mortality by scorpionism (57.2%) and ophidism (70.0%). The age group of the patients was related with the sort of envenomation causing the death. During the period of dry season the highest percentage of deaths by scorpions and bees occurred; and the deaths produced by snakes were more frequent in the median raining season. The most frequent causes of death (61.9%) by scorpionism were the acute lung edema and congestive heart failure. In 40% of the deaths caused by snakes, alterations of the blood coagulability were observed. Bee envenomation was responsible of 50% of the deaths produced by anaphylactic shock. In none of the deaths, the species responsible of the accident was identified. The annual mean mortality rate/100,000 inhabitants, in the 21 years registered was 0.20 for the scorpion envenomation, 0.19 for ophidism and 0.06 for bee envenomation. The data suggest the importance of the mortality produced by scorpions and snakes, particularly at the north of the state.     

Modulation of clinical expression of plaque-induced gingivitis: effects of personality traits, social support and stress

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown an association between an acute stressful event and gingivitis. However, the possible effects of personality traits associated with stress resistance/susceptibility and current level of stress on the clinical expression of plaque-induced inflammation remain to be examined. The aim of this study was to characterize the subject-based clinical behaviour of the gingiva during experimental gingivitis in relation to personality profile, psychological stress and coping behaviour. METHODS: Ninety-six systemically and periodontally healthy subjects (mean age: 23.6+/-1.7 years), 46 males and 50 females, non-smokers, participated in a randomized, split-mouth, localized experimental gingivitis trial. Prior to the trial, subjects were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires evaluating personality traits (Hardiness scale and Courtauld Emotional Control Scale), subjective stress (Visual Analogue Scale-Total Distress), social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, MSPSS) and life events (Life Experiences Survey (LES)). The influence of psychosocial factors was investigated in the overall population as well as in two sub-populations with different inflammatory response to plaque accumulation. RESULTS: No significant relationships were found between gingival inflammation variables and psychological measures. No significant differences were detected between subjects with different susceptibilties to plaque-associated gingivitis for any considered psychological variable. A significant association between plaque variables and LES (negative) or MSPSS (positive) was found; however, the variance explained by the model was low. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the current level of stress and psychosocial variables indicative of stress susceptibility do not account for variability in plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation during experimental gingivitis in young adults.     

The influence of sodium hypochlorite and root canal sealers on post retention in different dentin regions

This study evaluated the influence of 5.25% NaOCl irrigant and root canal sealers on post retention in different dentin regions. Seventy-two human incisors were decoronated at the cemento-enamel junction and randomly divided into six groups (n=12) according to irrigant and sealer technique: G1-Distilled water (DW) without sealer; G2-DW + AH Plus (Dentsply/Maillefer); G3-DW + Endofill (Dentsply/Maillefer); G4-5.251%NaOCl without sealer; G5-5.25% NaOCl + AH Plus; G6-5.25% NaOCl + Endofill. Specimens were stored in a humid environment for 30 days at 37 degrees C and were prepared with FRC Postec's drills for post insertion. The posts were cemented with Excite DSC/Variolink II (Ivoclar/Vivadent). The specimens were sectioned through their long axis into three dental slices approximately 2.5 mm each, representing the cervical (C), middle (M) and apical (A) thirds of the root preparation. After calculating the adhered area of the specimens, they were submitted to the push-out test in a universal testing machine. The data were submitted to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level and to the Tukey test (p<0.05). The mean values (MPa) obtained for cervical, middle and apical areas of the root preparation, respectively, were: G1=8.6; 12.5 and 14.3, G2=13.5; 15.4 and 16.9; G3=6.9; 10.0 and 12.1; G4=13.0; 14.9 and 15.4; G5=11.3; 13.5 and 18.0; and G6=11.0; 11.8 and 11.5. Based on the results, the eugenol-based sealer (Endofill) resulted in significantly lower mean retention strength values compared with the resin-based sealer (AH Plus). The apical region showed the greatest retention. The lowest resistance to dislodgment was found in the cervical region, mainly in the groups that used distilled water for irrigating the root canal.     

Advancing cancer biotherapy with proteomics

Proteomics is becoming increasingly important for cancer biotherapy. The development of high-throughput platforms now allows the analysis of multiple proteins from small quantities of material. While these techniques are being used to discover new biomarkers, they are particularly important for assessing complex biologic processes such as immunotherapy for cancer. Recent advances in this field are reviewed, as well as the use of proteomics to assess the effectiveness and toxicities of high-dose IL-2 cancer therapy. Proteomics is becoming useful in assessing cancer biotherapies and in unraveling their mechanisms of action. High-throughput proteomic technologies have now advanced to a stage where they have the potential to become effective discovery tools for biomarkers/predictors of disease, disease recurrence, and response to therapy.