Treatment of ankylosis of the mandibular first molar with orthodontic traction immediately after surgical luxation

The aim of this article was to report a clinical case of orthodontic treatment in a patient with Class II malocclusion and ankylosis of a maxillary first molar. Surgical luxation was performed, followed immediately by traction with an orthodontic arch with straps. The results obtained were satisfactory, and occlusal equilibrium was improved.     

Increased hepatic expression of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor in chronic hepatitis C

AIM: Although increased insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) gene expression has been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma, studies assessing IGF-IR in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and cirrhosis are scarce. We therefore aimed to evaluate IGF-IR and IGF-I mRNA expression in liver from patient with CHC. METHODS: IGF-IR and IGF-I mRNA content were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and IGF-IR protein expression was determined by immunohisto-chemistry in hepatic tissue obtained from patients with CHC before (34 patients) and after (10 patients) therapy with interferon-alpha and ribavirin. RESULTS: An increase of IGF-IR mRNA content was observed in hepatic tissue obtained from all CHC patients as well as from 6 cadaveric liver donors following orthopic transplantation (an attempt to evaluate normal livers) in comparison to normal liver, while no relevant modifications were detected in IGF-I mRNA content. The immunohistochemical results showed that the raise in IGF-IR mRNA content was related both to ductular reaction and to increased IGF-IR expression in hepatocytes. A decrease in IGF-IR mRNA content was observed in patients who achieved sustained virological response after therapy, suggesting an improvement in hepatic damage. CONCLUSION: The up-regulation of IGF-IR expression in hepatocytes of patients with CHC could constitute an attempt to stimulate hepatocyte regeneration. Considering that liver is the organ with the highest levels of IGF-I, our finding of increased IGF-IR expression after both acute and chronic hepatic damage highlights the need for additional studies to elucidate the role of IGF-I in liver regeneration.     

Oral administration of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine prevents the onset of non alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

AIM:To evaluate the potential of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-cysteine(SNAC)in inhibition of lipid peroxidation andthe effect of oral SNAC administration in the preventionof nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)in an animalmodel.METHODS:NAFLD was induced in Wistar male rats bycholine-deficient diet for 4 wk.SNAC-treated animals(n=6)(1.4 mg/kg/day of SNAC,orally)were comparedto 2 control groups:one(n=6)received PBS solutionand the other(n=6)received NAC solution(7 mg/kg/d).Histological variables were semiquantitated with respectto macro and microvacuolar fat changes,its zonal dis-tribution,foci of necrosis,portal and perivenular fibro-sis,and inflammatory infiltrate with zonal distribution.LOOHs from samples of liver homogenates were quanti-fied by HPLC.Nitrate levels in plasma of portal vein wereassessed by chemiluminescence.Aqueous low-densitylipoprotein(LDL)suspensions(200 μg protein/mL)wereincubated with CuCl_2(300 μmol/L)in the absence andpresence of SNAC(300 μmol/L)for 15 h at 37℃.Extentof LDL oxidation was assessed by fluorimetry.Linoleicacid(LA)(18.8 μmol/L)oxidation was induced by soy-bean lipoxygenase(SLO)(0.056 μmol/L)at 37℃ in the presence and absence of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)andSNAC(56 and 560 μmol/L)and monitored at 234 nm.RESULTS:Animals in the control group developed mod-erate macro and microvesicular fatty changes in peripor-tal area.SNAC-treated animals displayed only discretehistological alterations with absence of fatty changes anddid not develop liver steatosis.The absence of NAFLD inthe SNAC-treated group was positively correlated with adecrease in the concentration of LOOH in liver homog-enate,compared to the control group(0.7±0.2 nmol/mgvs 3.2±0.4 nmol/mg protein,respectively,P<0.05),whileserum levels of aminotransferases were unaltered.Theability of SNAC in preventing lipid peroxidation was con-firmed in in vitro experiments using LA and LDL as modelsubstrates.     

ABH and Lewis antigen distributions in blood, saliva and gastric mucosa and H pylori infection in gastric ulcer patients

AIM:To investigate the ABH and Lewis antigen expres-sion in erythrocytes,saliva and gastric epithelium,aswell as the association between H pylori and the pres-ence of gastric epithelial lesions.METHODS:The distribution of ABH and Lewis bloodgroup antigens in erythrocytes,saliva and gastric mu-cosa of H pylori-infected gastric ulcer patients was ana-lyzed.Forty-two patients with gastric ulcer were studied,and fifty healthy individuals were used as control group.The blood group antigens were determined by directhemagglutination,dot-ELISA and immunohistochemi-cal methods in erythrocytes,saliva and gastric mucosaspecimens,respectively.Diagnosis for H pylori infectionwas performed by conventional optical microscopy andELISA.RESULTS:A higher seroprevalence of IgG H pylori spe-cific antibodies was observed in gastric ulcer patients(90%)compared to the control group(60%).We ob-served a significant increase of phenotypes O,A_2 andLewis b in H pylori-infected patients.The expression ofthese antigens had progressive alterations in areas of ul-cerous lesions and intestinal metaplasia. CONCLUSION:ABH and Lewis blood group antigensare a good indicator for cellular alterations in the gastricepithelium.     

Lupus erythematosus tumidus: an underestimated entity

There have been few reports of lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET) in the literature. Most of textbooks of dermatology or dermatopathology mention this entity only briefly, if at all. The authors describe an additional case of this underdiagnosed disorder that further supports its existence as a separate entity in the spectrum of the variants of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Although most cases are reported in the European countries, to our knowledge, this is the first case documented in Portugal. The clinical, photobiological and histological features as well as differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis are also discussed.