Morphological analysis of the skeletal development in lateral cephalometric radiographs of HIV infected children ongoing Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

To investigate the skeletal development of HIV infected children through a morphological analysis of the cervical vertebrae (CV) in lateral cephalometric radiographs. The sample consisted of 86 lateral cephalometric radiographs of male and female children aged between 6 and 14 years old. The radiographs were equally distributed in groups 1 (HIV infected children) and 2 (non-infected children, paired by sex and age). Two examiners analyzed the CV according to the method of Hassel and Farman (1995). Spearman correlation coefficient was used to associate age and skeletal development within groups, while Mann-Whitney test compared the skeletal development between groups. The correlation of age and skeletal development in group 1 reached 0.17, 0.27 and 0.27 (p >0.05) for C2, C3 and C4, respectively, while in group 2 it reached 0.65, 0.54 and 0.60, respectively (p 0.05). HIV infected and non-infected children showed a similar development of the CV. However, the weak correlation between age and CV development in HIV infected children highlights the need for careful decisions prior to therapeutic approaches ? especially those founded on the prediction of skeletal development, such as maxillofacial surgeries, and orthopedic and orthodontic procedures

The effects of antidepressants and pilocarpine on rat parotid glands: an immunohistochemical study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of antidepressants and pilocarpine on the quantity of myoepithelial cells and on the proliferation index of the epithelial cells of rat parotid glands. INTRODUCTION: Hyposalivation, xerostomia, and alterations in saliva composition are important clinical side effects related to the use of antidepressants. METHODS: Ninety male Wistar rats were allocated to nine groups. The control groups received saline for 30 (group C30) or 60 days (group C60) or pilocarpine for 60 days (group Pilo). The experimental groups were administered fluoxetine (group F30) or venlafaxine for 30 days (group V30); fluoxetine (group FS60) or venlafaxine (group VS60) with saline for 60 days; or fluoxetine (group FP60) or venlafaxine (group VP60) with pilocarpine for 60 days. Parotid gland specimens were processed, and the immunohistochemical expression of calponin and proliferating cell nuclear anti-antigen on the myoepithelial and parenchymal cells, respectively, was evaluated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey HSD and Games-Howell tests were applied to detect differences among groups (p<0.05). RESULTS: Compared with the controls, chronic exposure to antidepressants was associated with an increase in the number of positively stained cells for calponin. In addition, venlafaxine administration for 30 days was associated with an increase in the number of positively stained cells for proliferating cell nuclear anti-antigen. Fluoxetine and pilocarpine (group FP60) induced a significant decrease in the number of positively stained cells for calponin compared with all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The number of positively stained cells for calponin increased after chronic administration of antidepressants. The proliferation index of the epithelial cells of rat parotid glands was not altered by the use of antidepressants for 60 days

Estudo histológico e histoquímico da elastose solar em lesões de queilite actínica

The actinic cheilitis (AC) is a diffuse lesion of the vermillion of the lower lip, due to excessive exposure of the lips to the ultraviolet radiation. It may show histomorphologic alterations indicative of the abnormal differentiation. Histopathologically, the main characteristic of the skin photoaged is the accumulation of the basophilic material, amorphous, rich in elastic fibers, referred to as solar elastosis. This aspect is demonstrated by the AC; however, the most of the researchers do not investigate lesions provoked by actinic damages like AC. The objective is to investigate the degree of dysplasic and the pattern of organization of collagens and elastics fibers of this lesion. Using H&E, Picrossirius and orcein of Weigert, respectively the lesions were studied.  The most of the patients were males situated in the fifth decade of life. Histopathologically, six cases showed discrete dysplasia, four moderate dysplasia and three intense dysplasia. In the extracellular matrix was observed absent collagen fibers in the areas corresponding to the solar elastosis.  In these areas, they were substituted by elastic fibers originating probably a substance similar to elastin. This material is present in actinic cheilitis. Like extracellular matrix exert action on mechanism of cellular migration and invasion, this study is important to understand the participation of these components because actinic cheilitis may exhibit malignant alteration.  A queilite actínica (QA) apresenta-se como uma lesão difusa do vermelhão do lábio inferior, resultante da exposição à radiação solar excessiva, podendo exibir alterações histomorfológicas indicativas de desvios da diferenciação normal. Histologicamente, a característica principal da pele que exibe fotoenvelhecimento é o acúmulo do material basofílico, amorfo, rico em fibras elásticas, denominada elastose solar. Esse aspecto é demonstrado pelas lesões de QA, no entanto, a maioria dos pesquisadores estuda o tecido conjuntivo da pele normal e (ou) exposta, deixando de lado as lesões labiais provocadas por danos actínicos, como é o caso da QA. O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o grau de displasia e o padrão de organização das fibras colágenas e elásticas nas lesões de queilite actínica. Através das técnicas de rotina, Picrossirius e orceína de Weigert foram estudados respectivamente, o grau de displasia e o padrão de organização das fibras colágenas e elásticas dessa lesão. Dos aspectos clínicos, evidenciou-se uma maior freqüência das lesões de QA no sexo masculino, e a faixa etária atingiu predominantemente a quinta década de vida. Histopatologicamente, seis casos exibiram displasia discreta, quatro exibiram displasia moderada e três, displasia intensa. Na matriz extracelular, foi observada a ausência de fibras colágenas nas áreas correspondentes à elastose solar. Nessas áreas, as fibras colágenas foram substituídas por fibras elásticas, provavelmente dando origem ao acúmulo de material semelhante à elastina, característica das lesões de queilite actínica. Tendo em vista que a matriz extracelular pode influenciar os processos de invasão e migração celulares, a participação desses componentes torna-se importante, uma vez que a queilite actínica é passível de transformação maligna

Oral manifestations of celiac disease : a case report and review of the literature

Celiac disease is a chronic intestinal disease caused by intolerance to gluten associated with poor digestion and absorption of the majority of nutrients and vitamins, which may affect both developing dentition and oral mucosa. The aim of this study is to make a brief review of the literature about celiac disease and to report on a clinical case, showing the impact it may have on the general and oral health. A 39-year-old woman reported the presence of diarrhea, nauseas, flatulence, colic, difficulty with falling asleep, lack of appetite and loose of 18 Kg in the last two years. She also noted the appearance of symptomatic lesions in the mouth. These lesions had a mean duration of a month and occurred in any region of the oral mucosa, particularly on the tongue. Multiples ulcerations were found in the sublingual caruncula region, at the vestibular fornix and at the lingual apex. Topical treatment was instituted for the oral lesions with immediately relief of the symptoms. The diagnosis of celiac disease was established by means of medical clinical exam, biopsy of the small intestine, and by the presence of specific antibodies in the blood. The patient has been instructed to follow a gluten-free diet. Multiprofessional action with the involvement of a gastroenterologist and other health professionals, such as dentists, is important for diagnosing the disease and guiding the patient with celiac disease to achieve a good quality of life