Adjuvant Therapy With Sodium Alendronate for the Treatment of Experimental Periodontitis in Rats

Background: This study assesses the effects of topical sodium alendronate (SA) as an adjuvant to the mechanical treatment of ligature‐induced periodontitis in rats. Methods: Ninety animals were subjected to the induction of periodontitis via the installation of a ligature around the mandibular left first molar. After 7 days, the ligature was removed, and the animals were distributed into the following groups: 1) NT group (n = 30), no treatment; 2) SRP group (n = 30), scaling and root planing (SRP) and local irrigation with physiologic saline solution; and 3) SRP/SA group (n = 30), SRP and local irrigation with SA (10^?5 M). Ten animals from each group were euthanized at 7, 15, and 30 days after treatment. Histologic and histometric analyses were performed in the furcation region. The percentage of bone in the furcation (PBF) was measured. Immunohistochemical analyses for detecting the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and activated caspase‐3 were performed at the furcation region. Results: Compared with the other groups, the SRP/SA group showed less local inflammation and better tissue reparation during the entire experiment. There was more PBF in the SRP/SA group than in the other groups at days 7 and 15. Stronger OPG immunolabeling and weaker RANKL immunolabeling were observed in the SRP/SA group at 15 and 30 days. There were fewer TRAP‐positive cells in the SRP/SA group than in the NT group at all of the time points. There was no difference in the number of activated caspase‐3‐positive osteocytes among groups and time points. Conclusion: It can be concluded that topical use of SA as an adjuvant to SRP is effective in the treatment of experimental periodontitis.     

Unraveling the lethal synergism between Trypanosoma cruzi infection and LPS: a role for increased macrophage reactivity

Various infections sensitize to lethal shock by promoting hyperactivation of macrophages to LPS stimulation. Although macrophages are thought to be deactivated upon contact with apoptotic cells during Trypanosoma cruzi infection, T. cruzi infection also sensitizes mice to endotoxemia. Herein, we studied the mechanisms of sensitization to endotoxemia in T. cruzi-infected mice in order to solve the paradox. Live (but not fixed) trypomastigotes from various stocks sensitized mice to endotoxemia. Mice deficient in glycolipid recognition (TLR2(-/-) and CD1d(-/-)) were sensitized by infection to challenge with LPS. Infected mice hyperproduced TNF and IL-10 upon LPS challenge. Infected TNF-R1(-/-), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)(-/-) and IFN-gamma(-/-) mice were lethally sensitized, but infected TNF-R1(-/-) mice administered anti-MIF survived shock with LPS. Macrophages from infected mice hyperproduced TNF in response to LPS stimulation and displayed increased expression of TLR4 compared to non-infected controls. Treatment with the PGE(2) synthesis inhibitor acetylsalicylic acid (AAS) in vivo reduced parasitemia and enhanced LPS-stimulated production of TNF by macrophages, but the effect was less in infected mice than in normal mice. Nevertheless, AAS treatment did not increase the susceptibility of infected mice to sublethal shock with LPS. Our results point to independent MIF and TNF/TNF-R1 lethal pathways and suggest a role for hyperactivated macrophages in T. cruzi-sensitized LPS-induced shock.     

Ectodermal dysplasia with acanthosis nigricans (Lelis syndrome)

A 31-year-old male patient with ectodermal dysplasia and acanthosis nigricans is described. Clinical findings included hypotrichosis, hypohidrosis, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, nail dystrophy, early onset loss of permanent dentition, mental retardation, and acanthosis nigricans. The findings suggest the diagnosis of Lelis syndrome, as described on the basis of seven unrelated cases. A review concerning this condition is also presented.     

Auditory evoked potentials in children and adolescents with Down syndrome

Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, is the most common genetic alteration in humans. The syndrome presents with several features, including hearing loss and changes in the central nervous system, which may affect language development in children and lead to school difficulties. The present study aimed to investigate group differences in the central auditory system by long‐latency auditory evoked potentials and cognitive potential. An assessment of 23 children and adolescents with Down syndrome was performed, and a control group composed of 43 children and adolescents without genetic and/or neurological changes was used for comparison. All children underwent evaluation with pure tone and vocal audiometry, acoustic immitance measures, long‐latency auditory evoked potentials, and cognitive potential. Longer latencies of the waves were found in the Down syndrome group than the control group, without significant differences in amplitude, suggesting that individuals with Down syndrome have difficulty in discrimination and auditory memory. It is, therefore, important to stimulate and monitor these children in order to enable adequate development and improve their life quality. We also emphasize the importance of the application of auditory evoked potentials in clinical practice, in order to contribute to the early diagnosis of hearing alterations and the development of more research in this area.     

Brain diffusion tensor MRI in systematic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) maps the brain's microstructure by measuring fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). This systematic review describes brain diffusion tensor Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).The literature was reviewed following the PRISMA guidelines and using the terms “lupus”, “systemic lupus erythematosus”, “SLE”, “diffusion tensor imaging”, “DTI”, “white matter” (WM), “microstructural damage”, “tractography”, and “fractional anisotropy”; the search included articles published in English from January 2007 to April 2017. The subjects included in the study were selected according to the ACR criteria and included 195 SLE patients with neuropsychiatric manifestation (NPSLE), 299 without neuropsychiatric manifestation (non-NPSLE), and 423 healthy controls (HC). Most studies identified significantly reduced FA and increased MD values in several WM regions of both NPSLE and non-NPSLE patients compared to HC. Subclinical microstructural changes were observed in either regional areas or the entire brain in both the non-NPSLE and NPSLE groups.     

Exercise training reduces oxidative stress in people living with HIV/AIDS: a pilot study

Background: Exercise training has been shown to be an effective strategy to balance oxidative stress status; however, this is underexplored in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Objective: To evaluate the effects of exercise training on oxidative stress in PLWHA receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Methods: Patients performed 24 sessions (3 times per week, 8 weeks) of either aerobic (AT), resistance (RT), or concurrent training (CT). Glutathione disulphide to glutathione ratio (GSSG/GSH) in circulating erythrocytes and thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS) in plasma samples were assessed as oxidative stress markers. Eight PLWAH completed the training protocol (AT =3, RT =3, CT =2). The GSSG/GSH and TBARS values were logarithmically transformed to approximate a normal distribution. A paired t-test was used to determine the differences between baseline and post-training values.

Results: Data-pooled analysis showed a decrease in GSSG/GSH and TBARS after the training period: log GSSG/GSH= –1.26?±?0.57 versus –1.54?±?0.65, p?=?.01 and log TBARS =0.73?±?0.35 versus 0.43?±?0.21, p?=?.01. This was paralleled by a rise in peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak?=?29.14?±?5.34 versus 32.48?±?5.75?ml kg^?1 min^?1, p?=?.04). All the subjects who performed resistance exercises showed an average gain of 37?±?8% in muscle strength with no difference between performing single or multiple sets in terms of muscle strength gain. The results reinforce the clinical importance of exercise as a rehabilitation intervention for PLWHA and emphasizes the safety of exercise at the physiological level with the potential to mediate health outcomes.     

The role of CCL22 (MDC) for the recruitment of eosinophils during allergic pleurisy in mice

Eosinophils are important inflammatory cells in allergic diseases. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of CCL22 on the recruitment of eosinophils in vivo and in vitro. CCL22 induced a dose- and time-dependent recruitment of eosinophils into the pleural cavity of mice, and this was dependent on the release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and subsequent generation of CCL11. However, in an allergic pleurisy model, an anti-CCL22 polyclonal antibody given during sensitization or before challenge had no significant effect on eosinophil recruitment. CCL22 did not induce eosinophil chemotaxis in vitro but was able to induce eosinophil degranulation in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, we show that although exogenously added CCL22 may induce eosinophil migration in vivo via release of PAF and CCL11 (eotaxin), endogenous production of CCL22 does not drive eosinophil migration during allergic inflammation. However, CCL22 may be an important activator of eosinophils once these cells have migrated into tissue.