Morphological alterations of the parotid gland of rats maintained on a liquid diet

The purpose of this study was to analyze the morphological alterations that occurred in the parotid glands of rats maintained on a liquid diet compared to a solid diet. Thirty-six animals were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received a solid diet, and the experimental group received a liquid diet. The animals were killed after 8, 15 and 30 days. The glands were prepared for inclusion in paraffin and analyzed with a light microscope. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of the parotid gland weight of the animals from the experimental group compared to the control group at 15 and 30 days. The strongest morphological alteration displayed was the presence of cytoplasm vacuoles on the parotid glands of the animals maintained on the liquid diet. Specific stain techniques for glycoproteins and mucopolysaccarides could not identify the substances inside the vacuoles observed in the experimental animals. We conclude that a liquid diet caused atrophy of the parotid gland after 15 and 30 days. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMOEsse trabalho teve por objetivo analisar as alterações morfológicas das glândulas parótidas de ratos submetidos a uma dieta líquida. Trinta e seis animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos. O grupo controle recebeu dieta sólida, e o grupo experimental recebeu dieta líquida. Os animais foram sacrificados 8, 15 e 30 dias após o início da experimentação. As glândulas foram incluídas em parafina e analisadas no microscópio de luz. Os resultados mostraram uma redução estatisticamente significante no peso das glândulas parótidas dos animais do grupo experimental quando comparado aos dos animais do grupo controle nos períodos de 15 e 30 dias. A alteração morfológica mais importante foi a evidenciação de vacúolos no citoplasma das glândulas parótidas dos animais alimentados com dieta líquida. Os vacúolos citoplasmáticos reagiram negativamente às técnicas de coloração específicas para glicoproteínas e mucopolissacarídeos (PAS e Alcian blue). Concluiu-se que a dieta líquida causou atrofia das glândulas parótidas nos períodos experimentais de 15 e 30 dias

Cárie dentária em crianças que frequentaram um programa odontológico de atenção materno-infantil

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries in children that participate in a dental program attending mothers and children in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. A selection was made of 343 children of both genders, from 3 to 6 years of age. The mothers answered questionnaires and children were examined at the Infant Dental Clinic of the Federal University of Piauí. The epidemiological index dmft was applied and active white spot lesions were included. The SPSS for Windows program, version 11.1 was used and non-parametric tests carried out (Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis). An alpha error of 5% (0.05) was considered for the null hypothesis of false rejection, with a confidence interval of 95%. The results showed that 57.5% (197) of the children were breast-fed for a period longer than 12 months. The mean dmft index and percentages of caries-free children at the age of 3 was 1.86 (58.82%); at 4 years of age 1.94 (57.60%); at 5 years of age 1.98 (56.86%) and at 6 years of age 2.42 (42.55%). The decay component (d) was prevalent at all ages. When active white spot lesions were added to the dmft index, there was an increase of 7.2% for children who had caries activity and/or previous caries experience and 2.61% for those with dmft equal to zero. The daily consumption of fermentable carbohydrates and free demand breast-feeding were factors increasing caries activity. Dental follow-up after the program and the number of daily brushings were shown to be factors providing protection against caries . Based on the results, the authors were able to conclude that the program caused a positive impact on caries disease control, as the number of dental appointments kept influenced the dmft index values in a statistically significant manner.O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o impacto apresentado por um programa de atenção materno-infantill na prevalência de cárie de crianças participantes. Foram selecionadas 343 crianças, de ambos os gêneros, nas idades de 3 a 6 anos. As mães responderam a questionários e as crianças foram examinadas em consultórios da clínica odontológica infantil da Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI). Foi aplicado o índice epidemiológico ceod com acréscimo de lesões de manchas brancas ativas. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa SPSS para Windows, versão 11,1 e realizados os testes não paramétricos (Friedman e Kruskal-Wallis). Considerou-se um erro alfa de 5% (0,05) para hipótese nula de falsa rejeição, com um intervalo de confiança de 95%. Os resultados mostraram que 57,5% (197) das crianças foram amamentadas ao seio por um tempo superior a 12 meses. A média do índice ceo-d e percentuais de crianças livres de cárie para a idade de 3 anos foi de 1,86 (58,82%); aos 4 anos, de 1,94 (57,60%); aos 5 anos, de 1,98 (56,86%) e aos 6 anos de 2,42 (42,55%). O fator cariado (c) foi prevalente em todas as idades. Quando foram acrescentadas ao índice ceo-d lesões de manchas brancas ativas, houve um aumento de 7,2% para crianças com atividade e/ou experiência anterior de cárie e de 1,72% para aquelas com ceod igual a zero. O consumo diário de carboidratos fermentáveis e a amamentação em livre demanda se apresentaram como fatores incrementais da atividade de cárie. O acompanhamento odontológico posterior ao programa e o número de escovações diárias demonstraram ser fatores de proteção contra a instalação da doença cárie. Baseados nos resultados, os autores puderam concluir que o programa provocou impacto positivo no controle da doença cárie, uma vez que o número de consultas freqüentadas influenciou nos valores do índice ceod de maneira estatisticamente significativa

Immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in radicular and residual radicular cysts

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed and compared the immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in radicular cysts (RCs) and residual radicular cysts (RRCs), relating them to the angiogenic index and the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty RCs and 10 RRCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-VEGF and anti-MMP-9 antibodies. The angiogenic index was determined by microvessel count (MVC) using anti-von Willebrand factor antibody. RESULTS: The expression of both VEGF and MMP-9 was higher in RCs than in RRCs. RCs and RRCs presented strong epithelial expression of VEGF, irrespective of the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. Lesions with strong expression of MMP-9 showed significantly higher number of immunopositive cells for VEGF (

Knowledge of oral health and practices among mothers attending a mother-child dental care program

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a assimilação e as práticas preventivas em saúde bucal adotadas por mães de crianças que freqüentaram um programa odontológico de atenção materno infantil. O Programa Preventivo para Gestantes e Bebês (PPGB) é um programa de extensão vinculado à Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI), que tem como meta a conscientização de gestantes e mães de crianças de zero a 36 meses para a adoção de hábitos favoráveis à obtenção de saúde bucal. Realizou-se uma seleção aleatória de fichas clínicas de crianças que haviam participado do PPGB e, através destas fichas, foram enviadas cartas às mães. Houve um retorno de 281 mães, as quais foram submetidas a entrevistas envolvendo os temas abordados pelo programa. Pelos resultados obtidos, pôde-se concluir que as mães freqüentadoras do PPGB detêm um bom nível de informação e adotam, no âmbito familiar, práticas de saúde favoráveis ao controle e prevenção de doenças bucais.This study assesses the assimilation of knowledge and preventive practices in oral health among the mothers of children assisted by a mother-child dental care program. The Preventive Program for Pregnant Mothers and Babies (PPPMB) is an extension project run by the Piauí Federal University (UFPI), whose goal is to make pregnant women and mothers of children from zero to 36 months old more concerned about habits fostering oral health. After a random selection of clinical record cards for children who had participated in this Program, letters were sent to their mothers. Feedback was received from 281 mothers, who responded through interviews that included questions on matters addressed by the Program. The findings indicate that mothers attending this Program were properly informed, adopting hygienic practices in their families that underpin the control and prevention of oral diseases

Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis: a Case Report with Seven-Year Follow-up

Uvod: Nasljedna gingivna fibromatoza (NGF) rijetka je bolest koju obilježava povećanje gingive, no boja desni ostaje normalna, a konzistencija je dobra i čvrsta. Taj rast može potaknuti uporaba lijekova i nakupljanje plaka. Terapija izbora za to kliničko stanje jest kirurško uklanjanje povećanoga gingivnog tkiva ili vađenje svih zuba. Prikaz slučaja: U naš centar upućena je 20-godišnja Brazilka s posebnim potrebama zbog pretjeranog povećanja gingive. Od lijekova je uzimala Carbamazepin i Gardenal. Prema kliničkoj slici i obiteljskoj anamnezi, konačna dijagnoza zbog povećanja gingive bila je NGF. Odlučeno je da je potrebna stomatološka terapija, uključujući osnovno parodontno liječenje, restauracije, pečaćenja i gingivoplastiku s unutarnjim rezovima. Posebno se pazilo na to da se pritom ništa ne promijeni u primjeni antikonvulzivnih lijekova koje je uzimala. Pacijentica je nakon toga praćena sedam godina i hiperplazija gingive nije se ponovno pojavila zahvaljujući stalnom profesionalnom nadzoru i kućnoj kontroli zubnoga plaka.Introduction: Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare disease characterized by gingival enlargement, normal color with benign and firm consistency. This growth may be exacerbated by use of drugs and plaque build-up. The treatment for this clinical condition is surgical excision of the enlarged gingival tissue or the extraction of all teeth. Case Report: A 20-year-old Brazilian female handicapped patient with a chief complaint of exaggerated gingival enlargement who had been prescribed Carbamazepine and Gardenal was referred to our center. According to the clinical presentation and family history, the final diagnosis of gingival enlargement was HGF. Full dental treatment was performed, including basic periodontal treatment, restorations, sealants, and gingivoplasty with internal bevel. Special care was taken to ensure that there was no change in patient’s anticonvulsant medication. The patient has been monitored for seven years without signs of recurrence of gingival hyperplasia due to constant professional and home control of plaque

A reduction in CD90 (THY-1) expression results in increased differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells used in several cell therapies. MSCs are characterized by the expression of CD73, CD90, and CD105 cell markers, and the absence of CD34, CD45, CD11a, CD19, and HLA-DR cell markers. CD90 is a glycoprotein present in the MSC membranes and also in adult cells and cancer stem cells. The role of CD90 in MSCs remains unknown. Here, we sought to analyse the role that CD90 plays in the characteristic properties of in vitro expanded human MSCs. Methods: We investigated the function of CD90 with regard to morphology, proliferation rate, suppression of T-cell proliferation, and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation of MSCs by reducing the expression of this marker using CD90-target small hairpin RNA lentiviral vectors. Results: The present study shows that a reduction in CD90 expression enhances the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro and, unexpectedly, causes a decrease in CD44 and CD166 expression. Conclusion: Our study suggests that CD90 controls the differentiation of MSCs by acting as an obstacle in the pathway of differentiation commitment. This may be overcome in the presence of the correct differentiation stimuli, supporting the idea that CD90 level manipulation may lead to more efficient differentiation rates in vitro

Candida albicans isolated from buccal cavity of children with Down's syndrome: occurrence and growth inhibition by Streptomyces sp

Comparação entre a presença de leveduras de Candida na cavidade bucal de crianças sem e com síndrome de Down mostrou-se estatisticamente significante no caso de crianças afetadas por esta cromossomopatia, tornando-as mais predispostas à candidíase bucal, provavelmente favorecida pelas alterações anátomo-fisiológicas da boca em decorrência da trissomia do cromossomo 21. Recidivas constantes de candidíase bucal em crianças portadoras desta alteração cromossômica levou a busca de prováveis alternativas terapêuticas. Visando determinar a atividade antifúngica de Streptomyces sp isolados de diferentes solos brasileiros, 5 cepas foram testadas frente a Candida albicans, oriundas da cavidade bucal de crianças com síndrome de Down. Observou-se que os isolados apresentaram uma diversidade de tamanho dos halos (9-31mm de diâmetro) de inibição de crescimento das leveduras, sugerindo uma possível utilização em terapêutica antifúngica.Comparison of the presence of Candida yeasts in the buccal cavity of children without and with Down's syndrome showed a statistically significant difference in the case of children that were affected by this chromosomopathy, rendering them more predisposed to buccal candidiasis, probably due to anatomicophysiologic alterations of the mouth resulting from trisomy of chromosome 21. Constant recurrence of buccal candidiasis in children with this chromosomal alteration lead to the search for a possible therapeutic alternative. Seeking to determine the antifungal activity of Streptomyces sp isolated from various Brazilian soils, 5 strains have been tested for Candida albicans isolated from the buccal cavity of children with Down's syndrome. It was observed that the isolate presented a diversity in the size of the halos (9-31mm in diameter) of growth inhibition of the yeasts, suggesting a possible use as a therapeutic antifungal

Immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in radicular and residual radicular cysts

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed and compared the immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in radicular cysts (RCs) and residual radicular cysts (RRCs), relating them to the angiogenic index and the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty RCs and 10 RRCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-VEGF and anti-MMP-9 antibodies. The angiogenic index was determined by microvessel count (MVC) using anti-von Willebrand factor antibody. RESULTS: The expression of both VEGF and MMP-9 was higher in RCs than in RRCs. RCs and RRCs presented strong epithelial expression of VEGF, irrespective of the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. Lesions with strong expression of MMP-9 showed significantly higher number of immunopositive cells for VEGF (p<0.05) and higher MVC (p<0.05). Lesions with dense inflammatory infiltrate exhibited significantly higher MVC (p<0.05) and higher number of immunopositive cells for VEGF (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between both MVC (p<0.05) and the quantity of immunopositive cells for VEGF (p<0.05), with intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. In addition, it was observed a positive correlation between the number of immunopositive cells for VEGF and MVC (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VEGF and MMP-9 might play important roles in the angiogenesis in RCs and RRCs. In these lesions, the expression of these molecules and the MVC is closely related to the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. The expression of VEGF in the epithelial lining of RCs and RRCs might be important for the enlargement of these lesions

Avaliação in vitro do potencial antimicrobiano de substâncias auxiliares em canais de incisivo bovinos contaminados por E. Faecalis.

Avaliação in vitro do potencial antimicrobiano de substâncias auxiliares em canais de incisivo bovinos contaminados por E. Faecalis