Lipid Peroxidation in Bariatric Candidates with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) – Preliminary Findings

Background: Pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains incompletely known, and oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms incriminated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of liver oxidative stress in NAFLD affecting morbidly obese patients. Methods: 39 consecutive patients with BMI >40 kg/m² submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were enrolled, and wedge liver biopsy was obtained during operation. Oxidative stress was measured by concentration of hydroperoxides (CEOOH) in liver tissue. Results: Female gender was dominant (89.7%) and median age was 43.6 ± 11.1 years. Histology showed fatty liver in 92.3%, including 43.6% with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), 48.7% with isolated steatosis and just 7.7% with normal liver. Liver cirrhosis was present in 11.7% of those with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Concentration of CEOOH was increased in the liver of patients with NASH when compared to isolated steatosis and normal liver (0.26± 0.17, 0.20± 0.01 and 0.14± 0.00 nmol/mg protein, respectively) (P <0.01). Liver biochemical variables were normal in 92.3% of all cases, and no difference between NASH and isolated steatosis could be demonstrated. Conclusions: 1) Nonalcoholic steatosis, steatohepatitis and cirrhosis were identified in substantial numbers of morbidly obese patients; 2) Concentration of hydroperoxides was increased in steatohepatitis, consistent with a pathogenetic role for oxidative stress in this condition.     

Analysis of the immune response against mixotope peptide libraries from a main antigenic site of foot-and-mouth disease virus

The design of vaccines for RNA viral diseases is complicated by the high genetic variability of the viruses, which favors the selection of escape mutants. A case in point is foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), for which only limited protection has been observed in vaccination with single peptides. We have explored the potential of immunogens of higher sequence diversity, covering a broad range of field or culture-induced mutations at the immunodominant site A of FMDV, serotype C. Four mixotope-type peptide libraries, containing ca. 3 x 10(3) or ca. 3 x 10(5) peptides each, in either linear or cyclic form, and combining most significant mutations found or induced at site A have been synthesized and used to immunize guinea-pigs. Substantial levels of serum conversion have been observed for all four mixotope libraries, as well as for single peptides, linear or cyclic, corresponding to the consensus site A sequence. The specificity and neutralizing ability of the anti-mixotope and -peptide antibodies have been evaluated by direct ELISA and by plaque reduction and micro-neutralization assays, respectively. Challenge experiments with an infectious, guinea-pig-adapted FMDV strain, have shown higher protection rates in animals immunized with the cyclic versions, either in single sequence or in combinatorial mixotope form.     

Cell therapy plus transmyocardial laser revascularization for refractory angina

We describe the use of autologous bone marrow cells combined with transmyocardial laser revascularization in a 74-year-old man with refractory angina. Baseline cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a markedly depressed left ventricle systolic function and an extensive area of myocardial ischemia. During surgery, 11 laser shots using a CO2 Heart Laser System (PLC Medical Systems, Milford, MA) were fired and a 5-mL cell suspension containing 21.5 x 10(6) bone marrow cells/mL was delivered by multiple injections into the myocardium. At 6 months after the procedure, another cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed an almost complete resolution of the perfusion defect and an improvement in left ventricular contractility.     

In vitro antifungal susceptibilities of Sporothrix schenckii in two growth phases

We have determined the antifungal susceptibilities of 34 clinical isolates of the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii to 11 drugs using a microdilution method. In general, the type of growth phase (mycelial or yeast) and the temperature of incubation (30 or 35 degrees C) exerted a significant influence on the MICs.     

Presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans on the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) teeth in periodontally healthy individuals

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) located at Community Periodontal Index (CPI) teeth versus randomly selected teeth to determine if the CPI teeth are representative of this bacteria subgingival colonization in periodontally healthy young individuals. Forty-four individuals between 18 and 27 years of age were included in the study (mean age 23.11 +/- 2.91 years). Pooled subgingival plaque samples were collected with paper points from the mesio-buccal aspect of the CPI teeth (10 teeth for adults and 6 teeth for persons under 20 years of age) and transported in reduced Ringer's solution to the culture medium. Sixty days following the first microbial analysis, new pooled microbial samples were obtained from the mesio-buccal aspect of 10 or 6 randomly selected teeth. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was determined using a selective culture medium. Microbiological data were assessed by the Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05). A border line significance (p=0.51) was observed between CPI teeth and randomly selected teeth in terms of detecting the subgingival occurrence of A. actinomycetemcomitans. CPI teeth showed to be representative of A. actinomycetemcomitans subgingival colonization. Therefore, these results suggest that in periodontally healthy young individuals, CPI teeth could be an appropriate source of samples for the subginginval detection of this pathogen.     

The mandibular lingula's position in children as a reference to inferior alveolar nerve block

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the position of the mandibular lingula (ML) to provide data for inferior alveolar nerve block techniques in children. METHODS: One hundred fifty-four panoramic radiographs of 7- to 10-year-old boys and girls were analyzed. Measurements were taken from the ML to the occlusal plane, and the percentile distances of the ML to ramal borders were determined. RESULTS: The distance between the ML and the occlusal plane showed a gradual increase, but only in the male group was it statistically significant. ML's ratio position on the ramus remained constant in all analyzed groups. In the 7-year-old group, the ML was observed above the occlusal plane in 70% of girls and 55% of boys. That percentage reached 85% of all children by age 10. CONCLUSIONS: The mandibular lingula's ratio position remained constant. Inferior alveolar anesthesia should be administered at least 6 mm above the occlusal plane in 7- to 8-year-old children, while 10 mm could be indicated for 9- to 10-year-old children. The mandibular lingula should be considered a reliable reference for further studies of inferior alveolar nerve block techniques.     

Antiproliferative and apoptotic potencies of glucocorticoids: nonconcordance with their antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive properties

Relative antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive potencies of glucocorticoids (GC) were previously well defined. Nonetheless, GC also regulate cell proliferation and programmed death (apoptosis). The aim of this study was to determine the relative potency of different GC on the modulation of cell survival. The GC-sensitive lymphoblast cell line CEM-c7/14 was submitted to 48 h-exposure to GC (dose-response curve from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M). Cell survival was analyzed employing the DimethylTiazol-Tetrazolium (MTT) test. For each GC at least 4 experiments were performed in quadruplicate. Responses to different GC at the same molarity were analyzed by ANOVA on Ranks. Cell responses to the same GC in different concentrations were tested by repeated measures ANOVA. The EC50 for each GC was calculated with the GraphPad Prism 3.0 software. The use of low concentrations (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) of hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone determined a similar effects on cell survival, which was less prominent than that observed with betamethasone, budesonide or momethasone. Momethasone was the most potent GC, inducing the most intense dexamethasone reduction on cell survival at the lowest concentration (10(-8) M). Momethasone and methylprednisolone were the two GC with the strongest impact on cell survival. Our findings suggest that antiproliferative and apoptotic potencies of GC are different from those previously reported antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive actions.