Cytotoxicity assessment of endodontic sealers: metabolic activity, morphology and chromosomal alterations

Introduction: Endodontic treatment aims to eliminate infection of the root canals and fill the dental pulp space, being, the obturation of root canals an important step. The study of the toxicity/biocompatibility of the sealers used to fill the root canals is crucial since they are applied into direct contact with periradicular tissues.There are several types of sealers, categorized according to their main chemical constituents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of three root canal sealers, AH Plus, Bio MTA+ and Bio C, on immortalized human gingival fibroblasts. Methods: To study the cytotoxicity of the sealers we performed a Methyltetrazolium (MTT) assay, a study of cell's morphology and a cytogenetic study. Cells were placed in contact with material-conditioned media, for 24 h, at three different concentrations (1, 10 and 100 mg/ml) for the MTT assay. Cell morphology and cytogenetic studies were performed at 100 mg/ml. Cells in normal culture medium were analyzed as control group. Results: MTT assay revealed a cytotoxic effect of Bio MTA+ and Bio C with a growing decrease of metabolic activity with increasing compound concentration, reaching 50% with 100 mg/ml. Regarding the cells morphology, Bio C was the compound that showed a more drastic effect, with a decrease in cell confluence and several morphological changes. AH Plus and Bio MTA+ did not seem to affect the cell confluence, however morphology changes were observed, as compromised cell membranes and loss of cell content. Cytogenetic study was thus far only performed with AH Plus. Since there was a severe decrease of mitotic index after treatment, it was not yet possible to obtain sufficient metaphases, even after several cytogenetic harvesting procedures, but, so far, no relevant structural or numerical changes were observed. Discussion: This preliminary study allowed us to verify that these root canal sealers exhibit some cytotoxicity, depending on the concentration used. Although more studies are still needed, this work could be important to both, help in the selection of the most appropriate compounds for clinical practice and to determine the maximum recommended amounts of each sealer.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Brazilian Federal District cocaine chemical profiling : mass balance approach and new adulterant routinely quantified (Aminopyrine)

From a set of 159 samples seized by Brazilian Federal police between 2010 to 2013 in the Federal District, the major component chemical profiling routine analyses revealed the presence of cocaine with purity range of 5.5 to 99.9% (mean 69.8%). Most cocaine base samples show moderately and not oxidized levels, whereas cocaine hydrochloride samples exhibit moderate to high oxidation degrees. More than 40% of the analyzed samples did not have any adulterant. Phenacetin was the most abundant adulterant (24% average purity). Aminopyrine, a new adulterant, was identified and quantified only in cocaine base samples, mainly as a trace adulterant but also as a major compound. In most samples adulterated with aminopyrine, phenacetin was also identified as a major adulterant, suggesting a possible association of the two pharmaceuticals in the cutting process. Aminopyrine was not detected in 2010 seizures, but became a common adulterant throughout the years of 2011 to 2013. A mass balance approach analysis also established that adulterants are responsible for only 12% of the mass of all seizures (i.e., 84 kg), whereas 77% (i.e., 553 kg) is due to alkaloids (cocaine and cis/trans-cinnamoylcocaine), contributing to provide forensic intelligence information to police investigators

Malaria respiratory manifestations by Plasmomodium falciparum and P

A group of 110 patients (101 male, 9 female with mean age ± SD: 31,1 ± 11,0 years) with fever, coming from an endemic malaria region, was studied at SUCAM-CUIABÁ, for diagnosis and treatment of possible protozoal infection. For this group a simplified questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was applied and laboratory tests consisting of peripheral blood film, arterial blool gas analysis and pulmonary function test rwere done. 62 patients had a positive test of malaria (41 P. vivax, 20 P. falciparum 1 F + V) a¡rd 48 were negative, We conclude that there is an association between malarial infection and the presence of respiratory problems.Foram selecionados 110 pacientes que procuraram a SUCAM/CUIABÁ para diagnóstico e tratamento de malária, com queixa de febre e procedente de área malarígena. Nestes pacientes foram realizados: gota espessa para a pesquisa de Plasmodium; aplicação de questionário padronizado para detectar sintomas respiratórios presentes no momento da entrevista; gasometria arterial e espirometria para avaliar a função pulmonar. Desta amostra, 62 pacientes foram positivos para malária sendo 41 P. vivax, 20 P. falciparum e 01 forma mista (grupo Malárico); 48 mostraram-se negativos à pesquisa de hematozoários através da gota espessa (grupo Não Malárico). As manifestações respiratórias encontradas nesta população quando comparadas os grupos Malárico e Não Malárico, foram respectivamente: 1º) Sintomáticos Respiratórios de 46,8% para 22 9% (p < 0,05); 2°) Alterações Espirométricas de 53,2% para 20,8% (p < 0,05); 3°) Alterações Gasométricas de 62,9% para 25,0% (p < 0,05). Com estes resultados concluímos que há nítida associação entre a Malária produzida pelo P. vivax e P. falciparum e as manifestações respiratórias apresentadas, nesta população de estudo

Hookworm Infection and Environmental Factors in Mbeya Region, Tanzania: A Cross-sectional, Population-based study.

Hookworm disease is one of the most common infections and cause of a high disease burden in the tropics and subtropics. Remotely sensed ecological data and model-based geostatistics have been used recently to identify areas in need for hookworm control. Cross-sectional interview data and stool samples from 6,375 participants from nine different sites in Mbeya region, south-western Tanzania, were collected as part of a cohort study. Hookworm infection was assessed by microscopy of duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears from one stool sample from each participant. A geographic information system was used to obtain remotely sensed environmental data such as land surface temperature (LST), vegetation cover, rainfall, and elevation, and combine them with hookworm infection data and with socio-demographic and behavioral data. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression was performed on sites separately and on the pooled dataset. Univariable analyses yielded significant associations for all ecological variables. Five ecological variables stayed significant in the final multivariable model: population density (odds ratio (OR) = 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.63-0.73), mean annual vegetation density (OR = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.06-0.18), mean annual LST during the day (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.75-0.88), mean annual LST during the night (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.44-1.64), and latrine coverage in household surroundings (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01-1.04). Interaction terms revealed substantial differences in associations of hookworm infection with population density, mean annual enhanced vegetation index, and latrine coverage between the two sites with the highest prevalence of infection. This study supports previous findings that remotely sensed data such as vegetation indices, LST, and elevation are strongly associated with hookworm prevalence. However, the results indicate that the influence of environmental conditions can differ substantially within a relatively small geographic area. The use of large-scale associations as a predictive tool on smaller scales is therefore problematic and should be handled with care

Feeding methods and weight evolution in newborns with congenital microcephaly due for Zika Virus

RESUMO Objetivo investigar a forma de oferta de dieta, conforme os diversos métodos de alimentação, e descrever o ganho de peso em recém-nascidos com microcefalia relacionada ao Zika Vírus, comparando-os com recém-nascidos sem microcefalia. Método estudo de coorte retrospectivo com caso controle aninhado. Informações sobre idade gestacional, peso e métodos de alimentação (seio materno, sonda nasogástrica/orogástrica, mamadeira e copo) foram coletadas em prontuários de 43 recém-nascidos com microcefalia por Zika Vírus, equiparados conforme idade gestacional com 43 recém-nascidos sem acometimentos (grupo controle), em uma maternidade de referência no Nordeste do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados desde o nascimento até a alta hospitalar. As medidas de desfecho foram pesos (ao nascer e na alta), velocidade de ganho de peso, tempo de internação e métodos de alimentação. Resultados O grupo com microcefalia apresentou menores pesos ao nascer (D=-1,67; p&lt;0,001), inclusive com maior probabilidade de serem baixo peso (Phi=0,687; p&lt;0,001), e no momento da alta (D=-0,87; p=0,006), do que o controle. O grupo com microcefalia também apresentou maior velocidade de ganho de peso (D=0,77; p=0,006), embora com métodos alimentares semelhantes ao grupo controle, incluindo a aceitação do seio materno, de forma exclusiva (34,9%) ou complementada (58,1%). Conclusão recém-nascidos com microcefalia relacionada ao Zika Vírus utilizaram métodos alimentares semelhantes, incluindo seio materno, aos do grupo sem acometimento. Quanto ao peso, apresentaram valores menores ao nascimento e na alta, apesar de terem um crescimento precoce pós-natal mais rápido que aqueles sem microcefalia

Atualizações sobre os distúrbios e as complicações do período pós-parto: Updates on disorders and complications of the postpartum period

Os cuidados pós-parto devem se concentrar na identificação de mulheres em risco de morbidade e mortalidade significativas a curto prazo, o período pós-parto, também conhecido como puerpério, refere-se ao período após o parto em que as alterações fisiológicas maternas relacionadas à gravidez retornam ao estado não grávido, os numerosos distúrbios e complicações podem ocorrer no pós-parto imediato ou após a alta da maternidade.&nbsp;Uma variedade de eventos adversos pode ocorrer após o parto, incluindo retenção urinária, hemorroidas, incontinência, neuropatia, morbidade relacionada à anestesia e vários tipos de infecções.&nbsp;Os distúrbios que podem se apresentar após a alta ou a visita inicial pós-parto incluem disfunção sexual, problemas de saúde mental, tireoidite, preocupações com a amamentação e disfunções relacionadas com controle do peso

Treatment for Schistosoma japonicum, Reduction of Intestinal Parasite Load, and Cognitive Test Score Improvements in School-Aged Children

Parasitic worm infections are associated with cognitive impairment and lower academic achievement for infected relative to uninfected children. However, it is unclear whether curing or reducing worm infection intensity improves child cognitive function. We examined the independent associations between: (i) Schistosoma japonicum infection-free duration, (ii) declines in single helminth species, and (iii) joint declines of ≥2 soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and improvements in four cognitive tests during18 months of follow-up. Enrolled were schistosome-infected school-aged children among whom coinfection with STH was common. All children were treated for schistosome infection only at enrolment with praziquantel. Children cured or schistosome-free for >12 months scored higher in memory and verbal fluency tests compared to persistently infected children. Likewise, declines of single and polyparasitic STH infections predicted higher scores in three of four tests. We conclude that reducing the intensity of certain helminth species and the frequency of multi-species STH infections may have long-term benefits for affected children's cognitive performance. The rapidity of schistosome re-infection and the ubiquity of concurrent multi-species infection highlight the importance of sustained deworming for both schistosome and STH infections to enhance the learning and educational attainment of children in helminth-endemic settings