Prospective surveillance study of acute respiratory infections, influenza-like illness and seasonal influenza vaccine in a cohort of juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients

Background\ud Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are frequent in children and complications can occur in patients with chronic diseases. We evaluated the frequency and impact of ARI and influenza-like illness (ILI) episodes on disease activity, and the immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccine in a cohort of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients.\ud \ud Methods\ud Surveillance of respiratory viruses was conducted in JIA patients during ARI season (March to August) in two consecutive years: 2007 (61 patients) and 2008 (63 patients). Patients with ARI or ILI had respiratory samples collected for virus detection by real time PCR. In 2008, 44 patients were immunized with influenza vaccine. JIA activity index (ACRPed30) was assessed during both surveillance periods. Influenza hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers were measured before and 30-40 days after vaccination.\ud \ud Results\ud During the study period 105 ARI episodes were reported and 26.6% of them were ILI. Of 33 samples collected, 60% were positive for at least one virus. Influenza and rhinovirus were the most frequently detected, in 30% of the samples. Of the 50 JIA flares observed, 20% were temporally associated to ARI. Influenza seroprotection rates were higher than 70% (91-100%) for all strains, and seroconversion rates exceeded 40% (74-93%). In general, response to influenza vaccine was not influenced by therapy or disease activity, but patients using anti-TNF alpha drugs presented lower seroconversion to H1N1 strain. No significant differences were found in ACRPed30 after vaccination and no patient reported ILI for 6 months after vaccination.\ud \ud Conclusion\ud ARI episodes are relatively frequent in JIA patients and may have a role triggering JIA flares. Trivalent split influenza vaccine seems to be immunogenic and safe in JIA patients.This work was supported by grants from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPQ 308101/2003 to Dr. Ferriani), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES 56/2007-5 to Dr Carvalho) and Fundação de Apoio ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (FAEPA 2534/2008 to Dr Carvalho)

Color stability of dental ceramics submitted to artificial accelerated aging after repeated firings

Statement of problem: Color stability is an important factor to ensure the long-term clinical success of ceramic restorations. There is a lack of information on how color is affected by fabrication procedures, such as the number of firings. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects that the number of firings and type of substrate have on the color stability of dental ceramic submitted to artificial accelerated aging. Material and methods: Sixty specimens were fabricated: 30 metal ceramic (Verabond II + IPS d.SIGN) and 30 all-ceramic (IPS d.SIGN). Specimens were divided into 3 groups (n=10), and submitted to 2, 3, or 4 firings (±900°C), respectively, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Color readings were obtained with a spectrophotometer before and after artificial accelerated aging, and L*, a*, and b* coordinates and total color variation (ΔE) were analyzed (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni, α=05). Results: For metal ceramic specimens, differences for the L* coordinates were significant (P<.05) only for the group submitted to 3 firings. With respect to the all-ceramic specimens, smaller L* coordinates were obtained for greater a* and b* coordinates, indicating that the greater the number of firings, the darker and more reddish/yellowish the specimen. All ΔE values, for all groups, were below 1.0. All-ceramic specimens submitted to 3 and 4 firings presented ΔE means differing statistically (P<.05) from those of the metal ceramic group. Conclusions: The type of substrate and number of firings affected the color stability of the ceramic material tested. Artificial accelerated aging did not produce perceptible color stability changes (ΔE<1.0).1011131

COLOR STABILITY OF DENTAL CERAMICS SUBMITTED TO ARTIFICIAL ACCELERATED AGING AFTER REPEATED FIRINGS

Statement of problem. Color stability is an important factor to ensure the long-term clinical success of ceramic restorations. There is a lack of information on how color is affected by fabrication procedures, such as the number of firings. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects that the number of firings and type of substrate have on the color stability of dental ceramic submitted to artificial accelerated aging. Material and methods. Sixty specimens were fabricated: 30 metal ceramic (Verabond II + IPS d.SIGN) and 30 all-ceramic (IPS d.SIGN). Specimens were divided into 3 groups (n=10), and submitted to 2, 3, or 4 firings (+/- 900 degrees C), respectively, according to the manufacturer`s instructions. Color readings were obtained with a spectro photometer before and after artificial accelerated aging, and L*, a*, and b* coordinates and total color variation (Delta E) were analyzed (2-way ANOVA, Bonferroni, (alpha=05). Results. For metal ceramic specimens, differences for the L* coordinates were significant (P<.05) only for the group submitted to 3 firings. With respect to the all-ceramic specimens, smaller L* coordinates were obtained for greater a* and b* coordinates, indicating that the greater the number of firings, the darker and more reddish/yellowish the specimen. All Delta E values, for all groups, were below 1.0. All-ceramic specimens submitted to 3 and 4 firings presented Delta E means differing statistically (P<.05) from those of the metal ceramic group. Conclusions. The type of substrate and number of firings affected the color stability of the ceramic material tested. Artificial accelerated aging did not produce perceptible color stability changes (Delta E<1.0). (J Prosthet Dent 2009-101:13-18

Evaluation of radiopacity and microhardness of composites submitted to artificial aging

The purpose of this study was to assess the radiopacity and microhardness of different types of resin-based composites (RBC - hybrid; microhybrid; flowable; cement and polyacid modified) before and after being submitted to artificial accelerated aging. Fifty specimens (7 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick) were fabricated, 10 for each material. The specimens were light-cured and submitted to radiopacity and microhardness tests. After obtaining initial radiopacity and microhardness values, the specimens were taken to the artificial accelerated aging, and new measurement of radiopacity and microhardness of the samples was performed. Data were submitted to statistical analysis (Student's t-test - p < 0.05). None of the materials studied showed changes in radiopacity after artificial accelerated aging. There was a significant decrease in microhardness for the microhybrid and polyacid-modified RBC&acute;s. This study suggests that radiopacity remains unaltered after materials are submitted to artificial accelerated aging. Microhardness, however, may vary due to plasticization of the aged RBC matrix

Expression of the miR-9-5p, miR-125b-5p and its target gene NFKB1 and TRAF6 in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE)

Childhood- onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a multisystem inflammatory disease that can lead to severe clinical conditions resulting in early comorbidities. Several genetic, environmental, and immunological factors are known to influence the onset of the disease. MiRNAs have been already considered as potential actors involved in the development and activity of the SLE. Thus, understanding the behavior of these regulators can contribute to clarify the inflammatory process affecting SLE patients. Among miRNAs, miR-125b-5p and miR-9-5p targeting NFKB1 and TRAF6 genes can be involved in the etio-pathogenesis of the disease by modulating inflammation. In this study we evaluated miR-9-5p and miR-125b-5p expression and its target genes NFKB1 and TRAF6 in peripheral blood samples (PBMC) from the 35 cSLE patients and 35 healthy controls. MiRNAs and gene target expression have been evaluated by using RT-PCR with specific TaqMan® probes. Both miR-9-5p [Fold Change (FC) = −2.21; p = 0.002] and miR-125b-5p (FC= −3.30; p < 0.0001) and NFKB1 (FC = −1.84; p < 0.001) were downregulated in cSLE patients, while TRAF6 was upregulated (FC = 1.80; p = 0.006) in cSLE patients when compared to controls. A significant correlation was found between miR-125b-5p and its target gene NFKB1 [Spearman (r) = 0.47; p = 0.023]. Our results showed miR-125b-5p and miR-9-5p differential expression in cSLE patients, possibly contributing to better understanding the role of these regulators in cSLE development and disease pathogenesis