LACK OF A SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOENAIL FLUORIDE CONCENTRATIONS AND CARIES PREVALENCE

The relationship between fluoride (F) concentrations in toenails and prevalence of caries using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II) criteria was evaluated. Fifty-four children (4-13 years of age) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, had their teeth surfaces examined and toenails clipped and analyzed for F. Toenail F concentrations in children presenting ICDAS-II <= 10 or >10 were compared by unpaired t test with Welch correction. Dichotomized data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test. Children presenting ICDAS-II <= 10 (n=23) had 1.85 +/- 1.32 (Mean +/- SD) mu g/g [F]; these values were higher than children having ICDAS-II>10 (n=31), whose toenails had 1.58 +/- 0.78 mu g/g [F], a nonsignificant difference. The sensitivity and specificity of toenail F concentrations in identifying children with ICDAS-II <= 10 were 0.22 and 0.77, respectively. We conclude that children with low caries prevalence tend to have higher toenail F concentrations, but the validity of this biomarker as a diagnostic tool for caries prevalence is low, possibly owing to the fact that the mechanism of action of F on caries control appears to be essentially topical

Proteômica plasmática quantitativa de pacientes sobreviventes e não sobreviventes de COVID-19 internados no hospital revela potenciais biomarcadores prognósticos e alvos terapêuticos

O desenvolvimento de novas abordagens que permitam a avaliação precoce de quais casos de COVID-19 provavelmente se tornarão críticos e a descoberta de novos alvos terapêuticos são importantes. Neste estudo de coorte, foi avaliado o perfil proteômico e laboratorial do plasma de 163 pacientes internados no Hospital Estadual de Bauru (Bauru, SP, Brasil) entre 4 de maio e 4 de julho de 2020, que foram diagnosticados com COVID-19 por RT-PCR a partir de amostras de swab nasofaríngeo amostras. Amostras de plasma foram coletadas na admissão para análises laboratoriais de rotina e análise proteôomica quantitativa shotgun livre de marcadores. De acordo com o curso da doen ça, os pacientes foram divididos em 3 grupos: a) Sintomas leves, com alta sem interna ção em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) (n=76); b) Sintomas graves, alta após admissão em UTI (n=56); c) Críticos, faleceram após admissão em UTI (n=31). Os glóbulos brancos e os neutrófilos foram significativamente maiores em pacientes graves e críticos em compara ção com os leves. Os linfócitos foram significativamente menores nos pacientes críticos em rela ção aos leves e as plaquetas foram significativamente menores nos pacientes críticos em rela ção aos leves e graves. Ferritina, TGO, uréia e creatinina foram significativamente maiores nos pacientes críticos em rela ção aos leves e graves. Albumina, CPK, LDH e dímero D foram significativamente maiores nos pacientes graves e críticos em compara ção aos leves. A PCR foi significativamente maior em pacientes graves em compara ção com os leves. A análise proteómica revelou mudan ças marcantes entre os grupos nas proteínas plasmáticas relacionadas à ativa ção do complemento, coagula ção sanguínea, resposta inflamatória aguda e resposta imune. Pacientes críticos apresentaram níveis mais elevados de proteínas associadas CLEC4, CCL24, SAA1, SAA2, 2-M, PCR e níveis reduzidos de proteínas associadas ao sistema imune e complemento, como CD5L e VDBP, AHSG e PGLYRP2. Pacientes com sintomas leves apresentaram maiores níveis de proteínas protetoras, como PGLYRP2, APOH e PON-1. Nossos resultados indicam várias proteínas plasmáticas envolvidas na patogênese da COVID-19 que podem serúteis para predizer o prognóstico da doen ça quando analisadas na admissão dos pacientes no hospital. A valida ção de algumas destas. Confirmando-se o seu papel, as vias envolvendo estas proteínas podem ainda ser novos alvos terapêuticos em potencial para a COVID-19

Evaluation of fluoride release from experimental TiF4 and NaF varnishes in vitro

Fluoride varnishes play an important role in the prevention of dental caries, promoting the inhibition of demineralization and the increase of remineralization. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the amount of fluoride released into water and artificial saliva from experimental TiF(4 )and NaF varnishes, with different concentrations, for 12 h. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fluoride varnishes were applied on acrylic blocks and then immersed in 10 ml of deionized water and artificial saliva in polystyrene bottles. The acrylic blocks were divided in seven groups (n=10): 1.55% TiF(4 )varnish (0.95% F, pH 1.0); 3.10% TiF(4 )varnish (1.90% F, pH 1.0); 3.10% and 4% TiF(4 )varnish (2.45% F, pH 1.0); 2.10% NaF varnish (0.95% F, pH 5.0); 4.20% NaF varnish (1.90% F, pH 5.0); 5.42% NaF varnish (2.45% F, pH 5.0) and control (no treatment, n=5). The fluoride release was analyzed after 1/2, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h of exposure. The analysis was performed using an ion-specific electrode coupled to a potentiometer. Two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's test were applied for the statistical analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS: TiF(4 )varnishes released larger amounts of fluoride than NaF varnishes during the first 1/2 h, regardless of their concentration; 4% TiF(4) varnish released more fluoride than NaF varnishes for the first 6 h. The peak of fluoride release occurred at 3 h. There was a better dose-response relationship among the varnishes exposed to water than to artificial saliva. CONCLUSIONS: The 3.10% and 4% TiF(4 )-based varnishes have greater ability to release fluoride into water and artificial saliva compared to NaF varnish; however, more studies must be conducted to elucidate the mechanism of action of TiF(4 )varnish on tooth surface

Acute Lead Exposure Increases Arterial Pressure: Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System

Background: Chronic lead exposure causes hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of acute exposure to lead on arterial pressure and elucidate the early mechanisms involved in the development of lead-induced hypertension. Methodology/Principal Findings: Wistar rats were treated with lead acetate (i.v. bolus dose of 320 μg/Kg), and systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure and heart rate were measured during 120 min. An increase in arterial pressure was found, and potential roles of the renin-angiotensin system, Na+,K+-ATPase and the autonomic reflexes in this change in the increase of arterial pressure found were evaluated. In anesthetized rats, lead exposure: 1) produced blood lead levels of 37±1.7 μg/dL, which is below the reference blood concentration (60 μg/dL); 2) increased systolic arterial pressure (Ct: 109±3 mmHg vs Pb: 120±4 mmHg); 3) increased ACE activity (27% compared to Ct) and Na+,K+-ATPase activity (125% compared to Ct); and 4) did not change the protein expression of the α1-subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase, AT1 and AT2. Pre-treatment with an AT1 receptor blocker (losartan, 10 mg/Kg) or an ACE inhibitor (enalapril, 5 mg/Kg) blocked the lead-induced increase of arterial pressure. However, a ganglionic blockade (hexamethonium, 20 mg/Kg) did not prevent lead's hypertensive effect. Conclusion: Acute exposure to lead below the reference blood concentration increases systolic arterial pressure by increasing angiotensin II levels due to ACE activation. These findings offer further evidence that acute exposure to lead can trigger early mechanisms of hypertension development and might be an environmental risk factor for cardiovascular diseaseThis study was supported by grants from CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) and CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico)/FAPES (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Espírito Santo)/FUNCITEC (Fundação de Ciência e Tecnologia)(39767531/07), Brazil and from MCINN (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) (SAF 2009- 07201) and ISCIII (Instituto de Salud Carlos III) (Red RECAVA- Red Temática de Investigación en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, RD06/0014/0011), Spai

TiF4 and NaF varnishes as anti-erosive agents on enamel and dentin erosion progression in vitro

Objective This study assessed the effect of fluoride varnishes on the progression of tooth erosion in vitro. Material and Methods: Forty-eight enamel and 60 root dentin samples were previously demineralized (0.1% citric acid, pH 2.5, 30 min), leading to a baseline and erosive wear of 12.9 and 11.4 µm, respectively. The samples were randomly treated (6 h) with a 4% TiF4 varnish (2.45%F-, pH 1.0), a 5.42% NaF varnish (2.45%F-, pH 5.0), a placebo varnish and no varnish (control). The samples were then subjected to erosive pH cycles (4x90 s/day in 0.1% citric acid, intercalated with artificial saliva) for 5 days. The increment of the erosive tooth wear was calculated. In the case of dentin, this final measurement was done with and without the demineralized organic matrix (DOM). Enamel and dentin data were analyzed using ANOVA/Tukey’s and Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn tests, respectively (p<0.05). Results The TiF4 (mean±s.d: 1.5±1.1 µm) and NaF (2.1±1.7 µm) varnishes significantly reduced enamel wear progression compared to the placebo varnish (3.9±1.1 µm) and control (4.5±0.9 µm). The same differences were found for dentin in the presence and absence of the DOM, respectively: TiF4 (average: 0.97/1.87 µm), NaF (1.03/2.13 µm), placebo varnish (3.53/4.47 µm) and control (3.53/4.36 µm). Conclusion The TiF4 and NaF varnishes were equally effective in reducing the progression of tooth erosion in vitro

L'esperienza sensoriale di uno spazio naturale.

Il contributo è una ricerca sulla percezione dello spazio nei bambini. La ricerca mostra come la percezione dello spazio in un ambiente ecologico sia regolata da dimensione di opposizione per tutte le modalità sensioriali coinvolte nell'orientamento

L\u2019esperienza sensoriale di uno spazio naturale.

This paper presents hypotheses, methods and outcomes of field-experiments conducted in collaboration with local institutions in the area of Pordenone. The object of these observations was perceptual experience and the \u2018natural laboratory\u2019 was the Educational Garden of Surprises, belonging to Villa Carinzia, a park in the city centre. The experiment, in which children aged 8-10 years took part during their visit of the garden, could provide an example of the possible outcomes, when theoretical research is combined with applied experiments in the field

Induction and regression of early boron deficiency in grapevine in hydroponics: macro- versus micro-scale symptomatology

none8noneErmacora P.; Contin M.; Musetti R.; Loschi A.; Borselli S.; Tarquini G.; Grizzo L.; Osler R.Ermacora, P.; Contin, M.; Musetti, R.; Loschi, A.; Borselli, S.; Tarquini, G.; Grizzo, L.; Osler, R