Effects of metformin on inflammation, oxidative stress, and bone loss in a rat model of periodontitis.

AimTo evaluate the effects of metformin (Met) on inflammation, oxidative stress, and bone loss in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis.Materials & methodsMale albino Wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups of twenty-one rats each, and given the following treatments for 10 days: (1) no ligature + water, (2) ligature + water, (3) ligature + 50 mg/kg Met, (4) ligature + 100 mg/kg Met, and (5) ligature + 200 mg/kg Met. Water or Met was administered orally. Maxillae were fixed and scanned using Micro-computed Tomography (μCT) to quantitate linear and bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) volumetric bone loss. Histopathological characteristics were assessed through immunohistochemical staining for MMP-9, COX-2, the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway, SOD-1, and GPx-1. Additionally, confocal microscopy was used to analyze osteocalcin fluorescence. UV-VIS analysis was used to examine the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, IL-1β and TNF-α from gingival tissues. Quantitative RT-PCR reaction was used to gene expression of AMPK, NF-κB (p65), and Hmgb1 from gingival tissues. Significance among groups were analysed using a one-way ANOVA. A p-value of p<0.05 indicated a significant difference.ResultsTreatment with 50 mg/kg Met significantly reduced concentrations of malondialdehyde, IL-1β, and TNF-α (p < 0.05). Additionally, weak staining was observed for COX-2, MMP-9, RANK, RANKL, SOD-1, and GPx-1 after 50 mg/kg Met. OPG and Osteocalcin showed strong staining in the same group. Radiographically, linear measurements showed a statistically significant reduction in bone loss after 50 mg/kg Met compared to the ligature and Met 200 mg/kg groups. The same pattern was observed volumetrically in BV/TV and decreased osteoclast number (p<0.05). RT-PCR showed increased AMPK expression and decreased expression of NF-κB (p65) and HMGB1 after 50 mg/kg Met.ConclusionsMetformin, at a concentration of 50 mg/kg, decreases the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats

Spilled volum, oxygen saturation, and heart rate during feeding of preterm newborns : comparison between two alternative feeding methods

Objetivo: comparar o uso da seringa e da técnica sonda-dedo para a oferta de dieta a prematuros, considerando-se volume de dieta oferecido e volume derramado, variação da saturação de oxigênio periférico e frequência cardíaca. Métodos Estudo quasi-experimental, com 30 prematuros, 13 do gênero feminino e 17 do masculino. As médias das idades gestacionais ao nascimento e no momento da avaliação (idade corrigida) foram de 33 4/7±4/7 e 36±4/7, respectivamente. Os pesos médios ao nascimento e na avaliação foram de 1.800±140 e 1.972±88 gramas. Foi avaliado um momento de alimentação com a seringa e outro com a sonda-dedo para a mesma criança, sendo caso e controle de si mesma. Utilizou-se oxímetro de pulso portátil para verificar a variação da saturação de oxigênio e a frequência cardíaca. Uma gaze foi colocada sob o queixo do bebê como anteparo da dieta derramada. Foram utilizados os testes ANOVA, t de Student pareado, Comparação Múltipla de Tukey e Correlação de Pearson, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Houve diferença para o volume oferecido e para o volume de leite derramado com os dois valores, sendo maiores quando a seringa foi utilizada. A frequência cardíaca foi diferente: antes/durante e antes/depois para ambas as formas de oferta, mas com valores considerados normais, assim como a saturação de oxigênio, que apontou aumento entre os momentos antes e depois da oferta para a seringa. Conclusão A técnica sonda-dedo proporciona menor derramamento da dieta, sendo as variações da saturação de oxigênio e frequência cardíaca consideradas normais para o neonato.Purpose: to compare the use of syringe and finger feeding to feed preterm newborns considering amount of milk offered, amount of milk spilled, variation of oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Methods Quasi-experimental study with 30 preterm newborns. Thirteen infants were females and 17 were males. The mean gestational age at birth and during evaluation (corrected age) was 33 4/7 ± 4/7 and 36 ± 4/7, respectively. Newborns’ mean birthweight and mean weight when evaluated was 1,800 ± 140 and 1,972 ± 88 grams. We assessed one feeding session using a syringe and another feeding session using the finger feeding technique. Both techniques were used in the same infant, so that the preterm newborns were controls for themselves. A portable pulse oximeter was used to check the variation of oxygen saturation and heart rate. A gauze pad was placed under the infants’ chin to absorb the spilled milk. The statistical tests used were: ANOVA, paired Student’s t test, Tukey Multiple Comparison test, and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results We found a difference between the techniques in terms of both amount of milk offered and amount of milk spilled. These amounts were larger when the syringe was used. Heart rate was different at two specific times: before/during and before/after feeding for both techniques. However, the values were within normal limits. Oxygen saturation values were also different, showing higher values after syringe feeding. Conclusions Finger feeding proved to cause less spillage, whereas the variations of oxygen saturation and heart rate were within normal limits

Birth-to-childhood tracking of linear growth and weight gain in the MINA-Brazil Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate birth-to-childhood tracking of linear growth and weight gain across the distribution of length/height and weight for age z-scores and according to household wealth. METHODS: Data from 614 children from the MINA-Brazil Study with repeated anthropometric measurements at birth and up to age five years were used. Z-scores were calculated for length/height (HAZ) and weight (WAZ) according to international standards. Birth-to-childhood tracking was separately estimated using quantile regression models for HAZ and WAZ, extracting coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) at the 25th, 50th, and 75th quantiles. In a subgroup analysis, we estimated tracking between birth and age two years, and between ages two and five years. To investigate disparities in tracking, interaction terms between household wealth indexes (at birth and age five years) and newborn size z-scores were included in the models. RESULTS: Tracking coefficients were significant and had similar magnitude across the distribution of anthropometric indices at age five years (HAZ, 50th quantile: 0.23, 95%CI: 0.11 to 0.35; WAZ, 50th quantile: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.19 –0.43). Greater tracking was observed between ages two and five years, with coefficients above 0.82. Significantly higher tracking of linear growth was observed among children from wealthier households, both at birth, at the lower bounds of HAZ distribution (25th quantile: 0.30, 95%CI: 0.13 – 0.56), a nd during childhood, in the entire HAZ distribution at five years. For weight gain, stronger tracking was observed at the upper bounds of WAZ distribution at age five years among children from wealthier households at birth (75th quantile: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.35–o 0.83) and during childhood (75th quantile: 0.54, 95%CI: 0.15 –0.93). CONCLUSION: There was significant tracking of HAZ and WAZ since birth, with indication of substantial stability of nutritional status between ages two and five years. Differential tracking according to household wealth should be considered for planning early interventions for preventing malnutrition

Gliclazide reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss in an experimental periodontal disease model

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gliclazide on oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss in an experimental periodontal disease model. Material and Methods: Male albino Wistar rats were divided into no ligature, ligature, and ligature with 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg gliclazide groups. Maxillae were fixed and scanned using micro-computed tomography to quantify linear and bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) and volumetric bone loss. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses were conducted to examine matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), cathepsin K, members of the receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β (RANK), osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1), NFKB p 50 (Cytoplasm), NFKB p50 NLS (nuclear localization signal), PI3 kinase and AKT staining. Myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde and glutathione levels, while interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were evaluated by spectroscopic ultraviolet-visible analysis. A quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the gene expression of the nuclear factor kappa B p50 subunit (NF-κB p50), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k), protein kinase B (AKT), and F4/80. Results: Micro-computed tomography showed that the 1 mg/kg gliclazide treatment reduced linear bone loss compared to the ligature, 5 mg/kg gliclazide, and 10 mg/kg gliclazide treatments. All concentrations of gliclazide increased bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) compared to the ligature group. Treatment with 1 mg/kg gliclazide reduced myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels (p≤0.05), and resulted in weak staining for COX-2, cathepsin k, MMP-2, RANK, RANKL, SOD-1, GPx-1,MIF and PI3k. In addition, down-regulation of NF-κB p50, PI3k, AKT, and F4/80 were observed, and OPG staining was strong after the 1 mg/ kg gliclazide treatment. Conclusions: This treatment decreased neutrophil and macrophage migration, decreased the inflammatory response, and decreased bone loss in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis

FILOGENIA: ABORDAGEM TRIDIMENSIONAL E REPRESENTAÇÕES DOS ALUNOS DA 3ª SÉRIE DO ENSINO MÉDIO

Resumo: A compreensão da biodiversidade como decorrente do processo evolutivo é fundamental para a formação dos educandos. Teve-se como objetivo apresentar uma aula prática complementar à sugerida pelo Currículo do Estado de São Paulo no que tange ao ensino de filogenia, a partir da utilização de manequins confeccionados com materiais reutilizáveis. Utilizou-se como método a aplicação de questionários estruturados aplicados a 30 alunos da 3ª série do Ensino Médio de uma escola pública, antes e depois das aulas práticas. Conclui-se que, quando as aulas são concebidas com materiais táteis e tridimensionais, os alunos apresentam maior grau de envolvimento que no desafio impresso, aguçando a curiosidade e aumentando o grau de envolvimento na construção do saber. Esse envolvimento em aulas práticas denota melhora de resultados em provas modelo ENEM, uma vez que trabalham habilidades básicas. Ainda assim, requerem maior tempo de investimento com relação a conceitos básicos da filogenia. Palavras-chave: Ensino médio. Aulas práticas. Diversidade biológica. Sistemática filogenética.   Abstract: The understanding of the resulting biodiversity of an evolutionary process is fundamental for the learners’ formation. Therefore, this work aims to present an additional practice to the one suggested by the Curricular Proposal of São Paulo when it comes to phylogeny teaching. Besides bringing the elaboration of the hypothetical manikins composed of reusable materials, it also shows the results of structured questionnaires applied to the students in the 3rd grade of a public High School. The research has concluded that when the classes are generated with tactile and tridimensional materials, the students convey a higher degree of engagement than in the challenge when printed, sharpening their curiosity and increasing the engagement in the learning build-up. The engagement during practical classes demonstrates an improvement on the results on tests, such as ENEM due to the basic skills which are explored. Even so, such classes demand longer time of investment regarding the basic principles of phylogeny. Keywords: High School. Practical classes. Biological diversity. Phylogenetic system

Callogénesis y caracterización morfohistológica de Hancornia speciosa Gomes

Hancornia speciosa Gomes belongs to the family Apocynaceae and is distributed across different regions of Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate callus induction and histodifferentiation in five mangaba accessions under different in vitro culture conditions. Five acessions from the Active Germplasm Bank of Mangaba (Embrapa, Brazil) were evaluated. In vitro-germinated plant seedlings were used for the excision of different explants (internode and node segments, and foliar section). These segments were inoculated in a culture medium containing different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA) and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). There was a significant effect of accessions, treatments, and time on the callus mass (g). There was no callus induction in the absence of regulators. After 60 days of in vitro culture, all treatments exhibited a linear positive cellular growth. The highest callus mass was observed in the BI accession, in the presence of 22.62 µM 2,4-D and 11.10 µM BA.Hancornia speciosa Gomes pertenece a la familia Apocynaceae, distribuida en diferentes regiones de Brasil. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la callogénesis y la histodiferenciación en cinco accesiones de mangaba bajo diferentes condiciones de cultivo in vitro. Se evaluaron cinco accesiones del Banco de Germoplasma Activo de Mangaba (Embrapa, Brasil). Las plántulas germinadas in vitro se utilizaron para la escisión de explantes (segmentos nodales e internodales y secciones foliares). Estos segmentos fueron inoculados en un medio de cultivo que contenía diferentes concentraciones de 6-benzilaminopurina (BA) y ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D). Hubo un efecto significativo de las accesiones, los tratamientos y el tiempo del cultivo en la masa de los callos. No hubo inducción de callos en ausencia de reguladores. A los 60 días de cultivo in vitro, los otros tratamientos presentaron un crecimiento celular linear positivo. La mayor masa de callo se observó en la accesión BI, en presencia de 22,62 μM 2,4-D y 11,10 μM BA

Inclusão e professores: representações discursivas

O tema Inclusão tem-se destacado como uma forma revolucionária da educação, entende-se que analisar os discursos veiculados sobre este tema, contribui para elucidar certos aspectos que não são ditos (as entrelinhas) explicitamente, mas que direcionam a maneira de pensar e de agir da pessoa que os lê, já que quem escreveu tal artigo para a Revista tem sua história, sua ideologia, sua opinião formada sobre a temática e que influencia a maneira de pensar de quem lê tal reportagem. Partindo dos pressupostos teóricos da Análise do Discurso (AD) e da educação inclusiva, pretende-se, a partir da análise do artigo “A escola que é de todas as crianças” do site da Revista Nova Escola, edição n.º 182, do mês de maio de 2005, de autoria de Meire Cavalcante, cuja temática é a educação inclusiva, entender os discursos veiculados sobre a temática, que ideias difundem, que representações o artigo da Revista sob análise veicula sobre inclusão. Portanto, na análise, conforme apregoado na manchete em questão, o termo inclusão, mediante a ação do professor, é capaz de transformar os modos de pensar e agir das pessoas com deficiência, esquecendo que, na realidade, as escolas estão deficientes em vários sentidos: estrutura física, pedagógicas e tecnológicas, falta investimento na formação de todos os envolvidos no processo ensino/aprendizagem, sendo que tudo isso interfere nos resultados do processo de inclusão, ou seja, para uma educação de maior qualidade. Não é somente a ação isolada do professor que trará resultados profícuos nesse processo.Palavras-chave: Análise do discurso. Inclusão. Professores

ASSOCIAÇÕES ENTRE PADRÕES ALIMENTARES NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DO CÂNCER DE CABEÇA E PESCOÇO

Objetivo: Analisar as evidências científicas a respeito de padrões alimentares e sua influência no risco de desenvolvimento de Carcinoma espinocelular de cabeça e pescoço (CECP). Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, guiada por meio dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. As bases de dados utilizadas foram PubMed, SciELO e BVS. Foram incluídos artigos que descrevessem os padrões alimentares, estudos de coorte, ensaio clínico que apresentassem associação ao desenvolvimento de carcinoma de célula escamosa, e os critérios de exclusão pertinentes à temática como outros tipos tumorais e textos não relacionados a câncer e alimentação, câncer esofagiano, câncer de tireoide, cânceres do sistema respiratório. Resultados: Foram selecionados 7 artigos. O etilismo e tabagismo têm fator aditivo e permanecem como os principais fatores de risco. Contudo, outros fatores também influenciam o desenvolvimento de CECP, tais como infecção por HPV, alimentação, exposição a agentes carcinogênicos, higiene oral, agentes infecciosos, histórico familiar, baixo índice de massa corporal. Destaca-se como potenciais capazes de promover a redução do surgimento de CECP o consumo de frutas, hortaliças cruas, fibras, vitaminas e hábitos de vida saudáveis. Os fatores alimentares e hábitos de vida foram fortemente associados à incidência da redução do surgimento de CECP. Conclusão: A modificação de padrões alimentares é uma estratégia importante para o desenvolvimento de novas abordagens para redução do risco de desenvolvimento desse tipo tumoral.Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence regarding dietary patterns and their influence on the risk of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: this is an integrative review of the literature, guided by inclusion and exclusion criteria. The databases used were PubMed, SciELO and VHL. Articles describing dietary patterns, cohort studies, clinical trials associated with the development of squamous cell carcinoma, and exclusion criteria pertinent to the theme, such as other tumor types, and texts not related to cancer and diet, esophageal cancer, thyroid cancer, and cancers of the respiratory system, were included. Results: 7 articles were selected. Alcoholism and smoking are addictive factors and remain the main risk factors. However, other factors also influence the development of HNSCC, such as HPV infection, diet, exposure to carcinogens, oral hygiene, infectious agents, family history, low body mass index. The consumption of fruits, raw vegetables, fiber, vitamins and healthy lifestyle habits stands out as potential to promote the reduction of the onset of HNSCC. Dietary factors and lifestyle habits were strongly associated with the incidence of reduced onset of HNSCC. Conclusion: Dietary pattern modification is an important strategy for the development of new approaches to reduce the risk of developing this type of tumor.Objetivo: Analizar la evidencia científica sobre los patrones dietéticos y su influencia en el riesgo de desarrollar carcinoma de células escamosas de cabeza y cuello (HNSCC). Métodos: se trata de una revisión integradora de la literatura, guiada por criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Las bases de datos utilizadas fueron PubMed, SciELO y BVS. Se incluyeron artículos que describían patrones dietéticos, estudios de cohortes, ensayos clínicos asociados con el desarrollo de carcinoma de células escamosas y criterios de exclusión pertinentes al tema, como otros tipos de tumores, y textos no relacionados con el cáncer y la dieta, el cáncer de esófago, el cáncer de tiroides y los cánceres del sistema respiratorio. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 7 artículos. El alcoholismo y el tabaquismo son factores adictivos y siguen siendo los principales factores de riesgo. Sin embargo, otros factores también influyen en el desarrollo del HNSCC, como la infección por VPH, la dieta, la exposición a carcinógenos, la higiene bucal, los agentes infecciosos, los antecedentes familiares, el bajo índice de masa corporal. El consumo de frutas, verduras crudas, fibra, vitaminas y hábitos de vida saludables se destaca como potencial para promover la reducción de la aparición de HNSCC. Los factores dietéticos y los hábitos de estilo de vida se asociaron fuertemente con la incidencia de una menor aparición de HNSCC. Conclusión: La modificación del patrón dietético es una estrategia importante para el desarrollo de nuevos enfoques que reduzcan el riesgo de desarrollar este tipo de tumor.Objetivo: Analisar as evidências científicas a respeito de padrões alimentares e sua influência no risco de desenvolvimento de Carcinoma espinocelular de cabeça e pescoço (CECP). Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, guiada por meio dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. As bases de dados utilizadas foram PubMed, SciELO e BVS. Foram incluídos artigos que descrevessem os padrões alimentares, estudos de coorte, ensaio clínico que apresentassem associação ao desenvolvimento de carcinoma de célula escamosa, e os critérios de exclusão pertinentes à temática como outros tipos tumorais e textos não relacionados a câncer e alimentação, câncer esofagiano, câncer de tireoide, cânceres do sistema respiratório. Resultados: Foram selecionados 7 artigos. O etilismo e tabagismo têm fator aditivo e permanecem como os principais fatores de risco. Contudo, outros fatores também influenciam o desenvolvimento de CECP, tais como infecção por HPV, alimentação, exposição a agentes carcinogênicos, higiene oral, agentes infecciosos, histórico familiar, baixo índice de massa corporal. Destaca-se como potenciais capazes de promover a redução do surgimento de CECP o consumo de frutas, hortaliças cruas, fibras, vitaminas e hábitos de vida saudáveis. Os fatores alimentares e hábitos de vida foram fortemente associados à incidência da redução do surgimento de CECP. Conclusão: A modificação de padrões alimentares é uma estratégia importante para o desenvolvimento de novas abordagens para redução do risco de desenvolvimento desse tipo tumoral

A survey of the eutrophication state of an urbanized tropical estuary, the case of the Great Vitória Estuarine System, Brazil.

Although, estuarine ecosystems have an ecological and economical importance as they have a high  biological productivity and occur within a unique and dynamic environment, they have been subjected to anthropogenic alterations. The Great Vitória Estuarine System (GVES), Espírito Santo State, Brazil, is not an exception, as urbanization is growing around it with a high quantity of sewage been added to the system. In order to evaluate the eutrophication state as well as the meiofauna response to it, several parameters in both sediments and in the water column were assessed. Orthophosphate, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, chla and Fecal Coliform counts (FC) ranged from 0.2 to 3.2 μM, 0.25 to 1.14 μM, 1.83 to 0.19μM, 4.19 to 49.23 μM, 0.61 to 6.72 μg/L and 14 to 5.0x104 MPN/100 mL of water, respectively. These results showed that the GVES is under an eutrophication process and that the Passagem Channel experienced the largest impacts. Sewage plays an important role in this eutrophication process as indicated by PCA and correlations tests. The density of meiofauna showed similar values to those found in environments with similar levels of anthropogenic stress. This multi-approach evaluation revealed several aspects of the impacted estuary and could be used as an important tool to manage better the estuary.Although, estuarine ecosystems have an ecological and economical importance as they have a high  biological productivity and occur within a unique and dynamic environment, they have been subjected to anthropogenic alterations. The Great Vitória Estuarine System (GVES), Espírito Santo State, Brazil, is not an exception, as urbanization is growing around it with a high quantity of sewage been added to the system. In order to evaluate the eutrophication state as well as the meiofauna response to it, several parameters in both sediments and in the water column were assessed. Orthophosphate, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, chla and Fecal Coliform counts (FC) ranged from 0.2 to 3.2 μM, 0.25 to 1.14 μM, 1.83 to 0.19μM, 4.19 to 49.23 μM, 0.61 to 6.72 μg/L and 14 to 5.0x104 MPN/100 mL of water, respectively. These results showed that the GVES is under an eutrophication process and that the Passagem Channel experienced the largest impacts. Sewage plays an important role in this eutrophication process as indicated by PCA and correlations tests. The density of meiofauna showed similar values to those found in environments with similar levels of anthropogenic stress. This multi-approach evaluation revealed several aspects of the impacted estuary and could be used as an important tool to manage better the estuary