In vivo extracellular matrix protein expression by human periodontal ligament after stimulation with orthodontic force

It is well known that the orthodontic force applied to teeth generates a series of events that remodel the periodontal ligament (PDL). Extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) are described as molecular regulators of these events. However, the exact contribution of these proteins in human PDL modeling by orthodontic force application in vivo is not known. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the protein expression of fibronectin, laminin and vitronectin by human PDL from teeth on which orthodontic force was applied. Twenty healthy individuals were included in the study. PDL was obtained from teeth after a 3-week treatment with orthodontic force. PDL-protein samples were separated on 7.5% SDS-PAGE Western blot analysis with specific monoclonal antibodies for fibronectin, laminin and vitronectin. Bands were visualized with an enhanced chemiluminescence detection system and densitometric. Scanning of bands was carried out to compare differences in protein expression. A significant increment in fibronectin (13.9%), laminin (16.5%) and vitronectin (14.2%) expression was found in PDL from teeth treated with orthodontic force for 3 weeks in comparison with teeth in the control group. Our results support the concept that molecular changes take place by application of orthodontic forces to the PDL. Over expression of these proteins suggests that extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling could be generated in response to mechanical stress.Keywords: Extracellular matrix proteins, periodontal ligament, orthodontic forceAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(34), pp. 5599-5604, 23 August, 201

ncorporation of Moodle platform: experiences and challenges in Dentistry UNAM

Tema del mesLa Facultad de Odontología comprometida con la calidad educativa ha logrado que profesores y alumnos tengan las competencias digitales, para lograr incidir favorablemente en la adquisición de conocimientos, habilidades y actitudes que demanda la profesión para la solución de problemas de salud bucodental. Desde hace cinco años la Facultad ha favorecido que casi el 44% de la planta docente haya asistido a algún curso o diplomado de actualización en el manejo de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC). Las TIC permiten recibir, almacenar y transmitir información a los usuarios en diferentes formatos digitales, el uso de TIC como herramientas de apoyo al proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje favorece que alumnos resuelvan situaciones académicas desarrollando sus habilidades digitales, en beneficio de lograr un aprendizaje significativo que contribuya a la generación de competencias digitales apoyado en la plataforma educativa Moodle, y con ello, poder proporcionar herramientas centradas en el estudiante y ambientes de aprendizaje colaborativo, que fortalecen la enseñanza como el aprendizaje en un ambiente virtual. La experienciade la Facultad de Odontología ha permitido desarrollar un programa de capacitación de alumnos y profesores por medio de cursos, talleres y diplomados en la enseñanza de Moodle. Se ha logrado la creación y actualización de cursos de las diferentes asignaturas y módulos, así como, se ha diseñado un cuestionario para identificar las necesidades que requieren los profesores y alumnos en el uso de TIC y en la evaluación de los cursos. Como retos se requiere la creación de un programa de evaluación y seguimiento de los cursos en Moodle, además de promover una cultura tecnológica entre estudiantes y académicos para la aplicación y generación del conocimiento, así como, el uso y manejo responsable y ético de los datos.The School of Dentistry committed with educational quality has achieved that teacher and students has the digital abilities to favorably influence the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to solve oral health problems. For the last five years, almost 44% of teachers have attended a refresher course in the management of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). ICT allows receiving, store and sending information to users in different digital formats. The use of ICT as a tool to support the teaching-learning process promotes students to solve academic situations, developing their digital skills, to achieve meaningful learning that contributes to the generation of digital skills supported by the Moodle educational platform. And provide students with tools and collaborative learning environments that enhance teaching in a virtual environment. The experience of the School of Dentistry has allowed the developing of a program of training of students and teachers through courses in the teaching of Moodle. We have achieved the creation and actualization of courses of the different subjects and modules, as well as a designed questionnaire to identify the needs of the professors and students has on the use of ICT and courses evaluation. As a challenge it is required the creation of a program for evaluating courses in Moodle, as well as promoting a technological culture among students and academics for the application and generation of knowledge, as well as the use and responsible and ethical management of information

Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Obesity

Obesity is a chronic disease of multifactorial origin and can be defined as an increase in the accumulation of body fat. Adipose tissue is not only a triglyceride storage organ, but studies have shown the role of white adipose tissue as a producer of certain bioactive substances called adipokines. Among adipokines, we find some inflammatory functions, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6); other adipokines entail the functions of regulating food intake, therefore exerting a direct effect on weight control. This is the case of leptin, which acts on the limbic system by stimulating dopamine uptake, creating a feeling of fullness. However, these adipokines induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), generating a process known as oxidative stress (OS). Because adipose tissue is the organ that secretes adipokines and these in turn generate ROS, adipose tissue is considered an independent factor for the generation of systemic OS. There are several mechanisms by which obesity produces OS. The first of these is the mitochondrial and peroxisomal oxidation of fatty acids, which can produce ROS in oxidation reactions, while another mechanism is over-consumption of oxygen, which generates free radicals in the mitochondrial respiratory chain that is found coupled with oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Lipid-rich diets are also capable of generating ROS because they can alter oxygen metabolism. Upon the increase of adipose tissue, the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), was found to be significantly diminished. Finally, high ROS production and the decrease in antioxidant capacity leads to various abnormalities, among which we find endothelial dysfunction, which is characterized by a reduction in the bioavailability of vasodilators, particularly nitric oxide (NO), and an increase in endothelium-derived contractile factors, favoring atherosclerotic disease

Detection of Cytotoxic Activity of Lectin on Human Colon Adenocarcinoma (Sw480) and Epithelial Cervical Carcinoma (C33-A)

Lectins comprise a heterogeneous class of proteins that recognize the carbohydrate moieties of glycoconjugates with high specificity. Numerous studies have shown that lectins are capable of recognizing specific carbohydrate moieties displayed by malignant cells or tissues. The present work was performed to investigate the effects of tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) lectins on proliferation, colony formation, and alteration of DNA synthesis of human malignant cells. Tepary bean lectin showed dose dependent  effects on the inhibition of viability as well as on colony formation in two human malignant cells lines (C33-A, Sw480); By contrast, tepary bean lectin only showed significant effects on DNA synthesis on Sw480 cells. Our results provide evidence of the anti- proliferative and cytotoxic effects of the tepary bean lectins on C33-A and Sw480 cells lines