Erupted Complex Odontoma Mimicking a Mandibular Second Molar

Complex odontoma (CO) is considered one of the most common odontogenic lesions, composed by a miscellaneous of dental tissue such as enamel, dentin, pulp and sometimes cementum. They may interfere with the eruption of an associated tooth, being more prevalent in the posterior mandible. CO has been rarely reported as erupted, being considered an intraosseous lesion. This is a case report of a 17-year-old male with a benign fibro-osseous lesion consistent with CO that was located at the left second molar region, above the crown of the impacted mandibular second molar tooth. The lesion was surgically removed, and the tooth had to be extracted, since there was no indication that it could erupt naturally or with orthodontic traction. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of CO and after 6 months complete bone formation was observed radiographically. An early diagnosis will provide a better treatment option, avoiding tooth extraction or a more damaging surgery

Nanoparticles from evaporite materials in Colombian coal mine drainages

Ultrathin and nanometric materials (minerals and amorphous phases) are detected in transitory deposits of potential hazardous elements (PHEs), especially in acidic coal mine drainages. The main goal of this work was to evaluate the occurrence of PHEs in nanoparticles (NPs) in evaporative structures in coal mining areas with high concentrations of PHEs. The precipitates were sampled in several coal mining areas in Colombia, with the purpose of evaluating the geochemical and environmental structures. In the present work, to better diagnose areas affected by coal mining, an innovative analytical procedure is proposed to define the association between PHEs in mine drainage sediments. The procedure includes the analytical study with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and advanced electron microscopy, before and after a series of sequential extractions to separate amorphous, magnetic, and crystalline compounds. Of the three main types of precipitates identified, the yellowish precipitates had the highest amounts of PHEs while the white precipitates had only small amounts of PHEs and the greenish precipitates contained TiO2 nanoparticles. The results from this study will be usable for more than fifty countries that have coal mine drainages

IL-1R and inflammasomes mediate early pulmonary protective mechanisms in respiratory brucella abortus infection

Brucella spp. infection is frequently acquired through contaminated aerosols. The role of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in the early pulmonary response to respiratory Brucella infection is unknown. As shown here, IL-1β levels in lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice intratracheally inoculated with B. abortus were increased at 3 and 7 days p.i. At 7 days p.i., pulmonary CFU numbers were higher in IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) knockout (KO) mice than in wild type (WT) mice. At different times p.i. CFU in lungs and BALF were higher in mice lacking some inflammasome components (caspase-1, AIM2, NLRP3) than in WT mice. At 2 days p.i. pulmonary levels of IL-1b and CXCL1 (neutrophils chemoattractant) were lower in caspase-1/11 KO mice. At day 3 p.i., neutrophils counts in BALF were lower in caspase-1/11 KO mice than in WT mice. During in vitro infections, IL-1β secretion was lower in alveolar macrophages from caspase-1/11, NLRP3 or AIM2 KO mice than in WT controls. Similarly, IL-1β production by B. abortus-infected alveolar epithelial cells was reduced by pretreatment with a specific caspase-1 inhibitor. This study shows that IL-1R, probably through IL-1β action, and the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes are involved in pulmonary innate immune protective mechanisms against respiratory B. abortus infection.Fil: Hielpos, María Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Andrea Giselle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Falivene, Juliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Alonso Paiva, Iván Mathias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz González, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Ferrero, Mariana Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Campos, Priscila C.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Vieira, Angelica T.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Oliveira, Sergio Costa. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Baldi, Pablo Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; Argentin

Ciprofibrate increases cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene expression and the indirect reverse cholesterol transport to the liver

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>CETP is a plasma protein that modulates atherosclerosis risk through its HDL-cholesterol reducing action. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of the PPARα agonist, ciprofibrate, on the CETP gene expression, in the presence and absence of apolipoprotein (apo) CIII induced hypertriglyceridemia, and its impact on the HDL metabolism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mice expressing apo CIII and/or CETP and non-transgenic littermates (CIII, CIII/CETP, CETP, non-Tg) were treated with ciprofibrate during 3 weeks. Drug treatment reduced plasma triglycerides (30-43%) and non-esterified fatty acids (19-47%) levels. Cholesterol (chol) distribution in plasma lipoprotein responses to ciprofibrate treatment was dependent on the genotypes. Treated CIII expressing mice presented elevation in VLDL-chol and reduction in HDL-chol. Treated CETP expressing mice responded with reduction in LDL-chol whereas in non-Tg mice the LDL-chol increased. In addition, ciprofibrate increased plasma post heparin lipoprotein lipase activity (1.3-2.1 fold) in all groups but hepatic lipase activity decreased in treated CETP and non-Tg mice. Plasma CETP activity and liver CETP mRNA levels were significantly increased in treated CIII/CETP and CETP mice (30-100%). Kinetic studies with ³H-cholesteryl ether (CEt) labelled HDL showed a 50% reduction in the ³H-CEt found in the LDL fraction in ciprofibrate treated compared to non-treated CETP mice. This means that ³H-CEt transferred from HDL to LDL was more efficiently removed from the plasma in the fibrate treated mice. Accordingly, the amount of ³H-CEt recovered in the liver 6 hours after HDL injection was increased by 35%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Together these data showed that the PPARα agonist ciprofibrate stimulates CETP gene expression and changes the cholesterol flow through the reverse cholesterol transport, increasing plasma cholesterol removal through LDL.</p

Description of hospital pharmacy management practice

Health institutions, particularly hospitals, are characterized as complex structures that need managers with a global view of the institution and its relations with the external environment. The hospital pharmacy is a strategic unit, which cooperates with the institutional management and integrates the multiprofessional team in the process related to the acquisition, provision and control of essential inputs for the inpatient care process. The objective in this study is to demonstrate the applicability, in the context of hospital-based health, of a performance measuring system at the pharmacy. Method: A descriptive and longitudinal study was undertaken on the evolution of the key indicator Absence Rate of Standardized Drugs in inpatient care between March 2004 and December 2013. This indicator was employed to monitor the impact of changes the Pharmacy Division has been implementing, as the first step of the pharmaceutical care cycle in the model of the process-based managed approach at a public university hospital. Qualitative data collection methods were used, including observation and documentary analysis, as well as quantitative data collection. Results: After the application of the model, one point of change in the key performance indicator was detected in the tenth month, when the process-based management model was implemented at the pharmacy. Conclusions: The process-based management approach was effective for the hospital pharmacy. The premise adopted is that the administrative changes (interferences), focused on the improvement of the processes and the selection and monitoring of indicators, influence the processes, reducing the variability and improving the qualityAs instituições de saúde, especialmente hospitais, são caracterizadas como estruturas complexas que precisam de administradores com uma visão global da instituição e de suas relações com o ambiente externo. A farmácia hospitalar é uma unidade estratégica, que colabora com a administração institucional e integra a equipe multiprofissional no processo que tange a aquisição, provisão e controle de insumos essenciais para o processo do atendimento do paciente internado. Este estudo tem como objetivo demonstrar a aplicabilidade, no contexto da saúde hospitalar, de um sistema de medição de desempenho da farmácia. Método: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, longitudinal, sobre a evolução do indicador chave Taxa de Falta de Medicamentos Padronizados na assistência do paciente internado, no período de março de 2004 a dezembro de 2013. Esse indicador foi empregado para monitoramento do impacto de mudanças que a Divisão de Farmácia vem implementando, como primeira etapa do ciclo de assistência farmacêutica dentro do modelo da abordagem de gestão por processos, em um hospital público universitário. Foram usados métodos de coleta de dados qualitativos, incluindo a observação e análise documental, bem como coleta de dados quantitativos. Resultados: Após a aplicação do modelo, um ponto de mudança no indicador chave de desempenho, foi detectado no 10º mês, quando o modelo de gestão baseado em processo foi implementado na farmácia. Conclusões: A abordagem de gestão baseada em processos foi eficaz para a farmácia hospitalar. A premissa adotada é que as mudanças administrativas (interferências), com foco na melhoria dos processos e seleção e acompanhamento de indicadores, têm influencia sobre os processos, reduzindo a variabilidade e melhoria da qualidad

Unsupervised machine learning approaches to the qq-state Potts model

In this paper with study phase transitions of the $q$-state Potts model, through a number of unsupervised machine learning techniques, namely Principal Component Analysis (PCA), $k$-means clustering, Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP), and Topological Data Analysis (TDA). Even though in all cases we are able to retrieve the correct critical temperatures $T_c(q)$, for $q = 3, 4$ and $5$, results show that non-linear methods as UMAP and TDA are less dependent on finite size effects, while still being able to distinguish between first and second order phase transitions. This study may be considered as a benchmark for the use of different unsupervised machine learning algorithms in the investigation of phase transitions.Comment: Added computation of critical exponents; exposition improve

Schistosoma mansoni Stomatin Like Protein-2 Is Located in the Tegument and Induces Partial Protection against Challenge Infection

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease causing serious chronic morbidity in tropical countries. Together with the publication of the transcriptome database, a series of new vaccine candidates were proposed based on their functional classification. However, the prediction of vaccine candidates from sequence information or even by proteomics or microarrays data is somewhat speculative and there remains the considerable task of functional analysis of each new gene/protein. In this study, we present the characterization of one of these molecules, a stomatin like protein 2 (SmStoLP-2). Sequence analysis predicts signals that could contribute to protein membrane association and mitochondrial targeting, which was confirmed by differential extractions of schistosome tegument membranes and mitochondria. Additionally, confocal microscope analysis showed SmStoLP-2 present in the tegument of 7-day-old schistosomula and adult worms. Studies in patients living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis revealed high levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgA anti-SmStoLP-2 antibodies in individuals resistant to reinfection. Recombinant SmStoLP-2 protein, when used as vaccine, induced significant levels of protection in mice. This reduction in worm burden was associated with a typical Th1-type immune response. These results indicate that SmStoLP-2 could be useful in association with other antigens for the composition of a vaccine against schistosomiasis

Functionalization of woven fabrics for antimicrobial capability using microcapsules with essential oils

[Excerpt] The functionalization of textiles covers multiple objectives, such as the allocation of perfumes, antimicrobials, some drugs, phase change materials. Among these goals, the antimicrobial capability ensures that microorganisms do not thrive on textiles (Fig. 1), allowing users to use these products safer in different scenarios. This research evaluates the antimicrobial capacity of cotton fabrics through the application of microcapsules containing essential oils.The authors are grateful to the Agência Nacional de Inovação for the funding of the Project 4NoPressure - POCI-01-0247- FEDER-039869 and ARCHKNIT POCI-01-0247-FEDER-03973, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (COMPETE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement

Análise Numérica do Transporte de Poluentes Emitidos por Incêndios na Amazônia

Este trabalho teve como objetivo apresentar uma análise do transporte atmosférico de gases e partículas inertes emitidos por incêndios que ocorreram durante o período de outubro de 2009, incluindo com a situação sinótica atuante na exportação destes poluentes. Para simulação numérica do transporte do monóxido de carbono (CO) e do material particulado (PM2.5) emitido foi utilizado o modelo CATT-BRAMS (Coupled Aerosol and Tracers Transport model to the Brazilian Regional Atmospheric Modeling System). O modelo foi inicializado e ajustado com as análises do modelo global AVN/NCEP (Aviation run of the National Center for Environmental Prediction Global Spectral Model), configurado com 3 grades com resolução horizontal de 120, 30 e 10 km, centradas em 01º26’S; 48º26’W sendo que a terceira grade, de maior resolução, cobre o estado do Pará, no qual foi analisado a concentração e transporte dos poluentes, uma vez que, o Pará e Mato Grosso contribuíram com cerca de 70% do desmatamento em toda a Amazônia Legal em 2008/2009. Os resultados indicaram que a simulação apresentou uma boa performance em caracterizar as condições atmosféricas, tendo como padrão de exportação predominante para o interior do continente brasileiro, atingindo Amazonas e Mato Gross