Leishmania genetic exchange is mediated by IgM natural antibodies.

Host factors that mediate Leishmania genetic exchange are not well defined. Here we demonstrate that natural IgM (IgMn)1-4 antibodies mediate parasite genetic exchange by inducing the transient formation of a spherical parasite clump that promotes parasite fusion and hybrid formation. We establish that IgMn from Leishmania-free animals binds to the surface of Leishmania parasites to induce significant changes in the expression of parasite transcripts and proteins. Leishmania binding to IgMn is partially lost after glycosidase treatment, although parasite surface phosphoglycans, including lipophosphoglycan, are not required for IgMn-induced parasite clumping. Notably, the transient formation of parasite clumps is essential for Leishmania hybridization in vitro. In vivo, we observed a 12-fold increase in hybrid formation in sand flies provided a second blood meal containing IgMn compared with controls. Furthermore, the generation of recombinant progeny from mating hybrids and parental lines were only observed in sand flies provided with IgMn. Both in vitro and in vivo IgM-induced Leishmania crosses resulted in full genome hybrids that show equal patterns of biparental contribution. Leishmania co-option of a host natural antibody to facilitate mating in the insect vector establishes a new paradigm of parasite-host-vector interdependence that contributes to parasite diversity and fitness by promoting genetic exchange.

Activation of innate immunity selectively compromises mitochondrial complex I, proline oxidation, and flight activity in the major arbovirus vector Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti females are natural vectors of important arboviruses such as dengue, zika, and yellow fever. Mosquitoes activate innate immune response signaling pathways upon infection, as a resistance mechanism to fight pathogens and limit their propagation. Despite the beneficial effects of immune activation for insect vectors, phenotypic costs ultimately affect their fitness. However, the underlying mechanisms that mediate these fitness costs remain poorly understood. Given the high energy required to mount a proper immune response, we hypothesized that systemic activation of innate immunity would impair flight muscle mitochondrial function, compromising tissue energy demand and flight activity. Here, we investigated the dynamic effects of activation of innate immunity by intra-thoracic zymosan injection on A. aegypti flight muscle mitochondrial metabolism. Zymosan injection significantly increased defensin A expression in fat bodies in a time-dependent manner that compromised flight activity. Although oxidant levels in flight muscle were hardly altered, ATP-linked respiratory rates driven by mitochondrial pyruvate+proline oxidation were significantly reduced at 24 h upon zymosan injection. Oxidative phosphorylation coupling was preserved regardless of innate immune response activation along 24 h. Importantly, rotenone-sensitive respiration and complex I-III activity were specifically reduced 24 h upon zymosan injection. Also, loss of complex I activity compromised ATP-linked and maximal respiratory rates mediated by mitochondrial proline oxidation. Finally, the magnitude of innate immune response activation negatively correlated with respiratory rates, regardless of the metabolic states. Collectively, we demonstrate that activation of innate immunity is strongly associated with reduced flight muscle complex I activity with direct consequences to mitochondrial proline oxidation and flight activity. Remarkably, our results indicate a trade-off between dispersal and immunity exists in an insect vector, underscoring the potential consequences of disrupted flight muscle mitochondrial energy metabolism to arbovirus transmission.

Comprehensive Proteomics Analysis of the Hemolymph Composition of Sugar-Fed Aedes aegypti Female and Male Mosquitoes.

In arthropods, hemolymph carries immune cells and solubilizes and transports nutrients, hormones, and other molecules that are involved in diverse physiological processes including immunity, metabolism, and reproduction. However, despite such physiological importance, little is known about its composition. We applied mass spectrometry-based label-free quantification approaches to study the proteome of hemolymph perfused from sugar-fed female and male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. A total of 1403 proteins were identified, out of which 447 of them were predicted to be extracellular. In both sexes, almost half of these extracellular proteins were predicted to be involved in defense/immune response, and their relative abundances (based on their intensity-based absolute quantification, iBAQ) were 37.9 and 33.2%, respectively. Interestingly, among them, 102 serine proteases/serine protease-homologues were identified, with almost half of them containing CLIP regulatory domains. Moreover, proteins belonging to families classically described as chemoreceptors, such as odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs), were also highly abundant in the hemolymph of both sexes. Our data provide a comprehensive catalogue of A. aegypti hemolymph basal protein content, revealing numerous unexplored targets for future research on mosquito physiology and disease transmission. It also provides a reference for future studies on the effect of blood meal and infection on hemolymph composition.

Accelerating Patterned Vascularization Using Granular Hydrogel Scaffolds and Surgical Micropuncture.

Bulk hydrogel scaffolds are common in reconstructive surgery. They allow for the staged repair of soft tissue loss by providing a base for revascularization. Unfortunately, they are limited by both slow and random vascularization, which may manifest as treatment failure or suboptimal repair. Rapidly inducing patterned vascularization within biomaterials has profound translational implications for current clinical treatment paradigms and the scaleup of regenerative engineering platforms. To address this long-standing challenge, a novel microsurgical approach and granular hydrogel scaffold (GHS) technology are co-developed to hasten and pattern microvascular network formation. In surgical micropuncture (MP), targeted recipient blood vessels are perforated using a microneedle to accelerate cell extravasation and angiogenic outgrowth. By combining MP with an adjacent GHS with precisely tailored void space architecture, microvascular pattern formation as assessed by density, diameter, length, and intercapillary distance is rapidly guided. This work opens new translational opportunities for microvascular engineering, advancing reconstructive surgery, and regenerative medicine.

Plasmodium falciparum evades immunity of anopheline mosquitoes by interacting with a Pfs47 midgut receptor.

The surface protein Pfs47 allows Plasmodium falciparum parasites to survive and be transmitted by making them "undetectable" to the mosquito immune system. P. falciparum parasites express Pfs47 haplotypes compatible with their sympatric vectors, while those with incompatible haplotypes are eliminated by the mosquito. We proposed that Pfs47 serves as a "key" that mediates immune evasion by interacting with a mosquito receptor "the lock," which differs in evolutionarily divergent anopheline mosquitoes. Recombinant Pfs47 (rPfs47) was used to identify the mosquito Pfs47 receptor protein (P47Rec) using far-Western analysis. rPfs47 bound to a single 31-kDa band and the identity of this protein was determined by mass spectrometry. The mosquito P47Rec has two natterin-like domains and binds to Pfs47 with high affinity (17 to 32 nM). P47Rec is a highly conserved protein with submicrovillar localization in midgut cells. It has structural homology to a cytoskeleton-interacting protein and accumulates at the site of ookinete invasion. Silencing P47Rec expression reduced P. falciparum infection, indicating that the interaction of Pfs47 with the receptor is critical for parasite survival. The binding specificity of P47Rec from distant anophelines (Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles dirus, and Anopheles albimanus) with Pfs47-Africa (GB4) and Pfs47-South America (7G8) haplotypes was evaluated, and it is in agreement with the previously documented compatibility between P. falciparum parasites expressing different Pfs47 haplotypes and these three anopheline species. Our findings give further support to the role of Pfs47 in the adaptation of P. falciparum to different vectors.

Salivary biomarkers present in patients with periodontitis without clinical distinction: findings from a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A new classification for periodontitis has been adopted in clinical practice. However, there are still discussions regarding this new classification and difficulties in its adoption, both by professionals and researchers. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate which salivary biomarkers are present in periodontitis, following the new classification of periodontal diseases through meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search was carried out in the scientific databases: PubMed, Scielo and Google scholar to select studies. The selection of studies was followed by two authors upon reading of the title, abstract and full text. The necessary data were collected and statistical analyses were performed using the Review Manager statistical software version 5.4, with calculation of Mean Difference, heterogeneity (I²) and funnel plot with P < 0.05. RESULTS: After following the selection criteria, 9 articles were selected for comparison. The studies address the presence of biomarkers in the saliva of patients with periodontitis and their possible use in the monitoring and diagnosis of the disease. For the meta-analytic comparison, a sample size of 1,983 individuals was used. Statistical analyses showed that nitric oxide, IL-6, IL-1B and osteoprotegerin are substances that are significantly present in patients with periodontitis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IL-6, nitric oxide, IL-1B, TNF-α and osteoprotegerin are among the most present biomarkers in patients with periodontitis, and may be used in the future as a monitoring of periodontal disease. The present study also revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the concentration of these biomarkers for clinical distinction from periodontitis.

Photobiomodulation therapy prevents dysgeusia chemotherapy induced in breast cancer women treated with doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide: a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBMT) in preventing dysgeusia in breast cancer patients treated with doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide (AC). METHODS: This is a phase II, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 112 breast cancer patients treated with AC. The patients were divided equally into two groups: a test group treated with 2 J red laser and 3 J infrared laser on 21 points that were symmetrically distributed on the tongue on day 0 of four cycles of AC, and an equal placebo group treated with simulated PBMT to blind the patient, evaluator, and statistician. The clinicopathological and sociodemographic data, results of taste test, and subjective taste analysis, and the QoL, ECOG performance status, body mass index, and other side effects were recorded. The data were analyzed using ANOVA-RM/Bonferroni, Friedman/Dunn, and chi-square/Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: PBMT patients showed less objective and subjective taste loss (p<0.05). On the other hand, the placebo group showed a higher ECOG status (p=0.037) and more significant weight loss (p<0.001) after four cycles of AC. The QoL was significantly higher in the PBMT group (p<0.05) at all assessment periods, and PBMT treatment also reduced the incidence of cachexia (p=0.020), anorexia (p<0.001), diarrhea (p=0.040), oral mucositis (p=0.020), and vomiting (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: PBMT reduced the taste loss and improved the overall health status and QoL of patients with breast cancer treated with AC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry ( www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br ) approval number RBR-9qnm34y, registered on 01/05/2021.

Prevalence and associated factors of aspiration and severe dysphagia in asymptomatic patients in the late period after open partial laryngectomy: a videofluoroscopic evaluation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate late and asymptomatic patients after open partial horizontal laryngectomy (OPHL), investigating the clinical-surgical and socio-demographic factors associated with aspiration and severe dysphagia. METHODS: One-thousand videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were performed in 100 asymptomatic patients in the late period after OPHL(median 6.5 years). Aspiration and severe dysphagia were, respectively, assessed by the Penetration-Aspiration scale (PAS) and by the Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) classification. Associated factors were investigated by multivariate logistic regressions. RESULTS: 34% (95% CI 24.3-47.6%) of patients presented aspiration and 23% (95% CI 15.3-34.6%) had severe or life-threatening dysphagia (DIGEST grades 3-4). On logistic regression, the presence of aspiration was associated with lower preoperative serum albumin (odds ratio [OR]: 0.22; 95% CI 0.07-0.64; p = 0.005, for each 1 g/dL increment); a greater weight loss in early postoperative period (OR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.35; p = 0.008, for each 1 kg loss); older age at surgery (OR: 1.08; 95% CI 1.01-1.17, for each 1-year older); and with the presence of diabetes (OR: 5.16; 95% CI 1.09-27.47; p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Deglutition abnormalities are frequent in asymptomatic patients later after OPHL. Older patients, with lower preoperative serum albumin levels, with greater postoperative weight loss, and with diabetes compose the clinical profile at risk for having worse swallowing function in the late period after OPHL.

Development of a Nanoformulation for Oral Protein Administration: Characterization and Preclinical Orofacial Antinociceptive Effect.

Nanoencapsulation is a valid alternative for the oral administration of peptide drugs and proteins, as nanoparticles protect them from proteolytic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and promote the absorption of these macromolecules. The orofacial antinociceptive effect of frutalin (FTL), through the intraperitoneal route, has already been proven. This study aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate the orofacial antinociceptive activity of an oral formulation containing FTL in acute and neuropathic preclinical tests. Nanoencapsulated FTL was administered by oral route. The acute nociceptive behavior was induced by administering capsaicin to the upper lip and NaCl to the right cornea. The nociceptive behavior was also induced by formalin injected into the temporomandibular joint. The neuropathic pain model involved infraorbital nerve transection (IONX), which induced mechanical hypersensitivity and was assessed by von Frey stimulation. Trpv1 gene expression was analyzed in the trigeminal ganglion. The analyzed sample did not show any cytotoxicity; 52.2% of the FTL was encapsulated, and the size of the nanocapsule was less than 200 nm, the polydispersion was 0.361, and the zeta potential was - 5.87 and - 12.8 mV, with and without FTL, respectively. Nanoencapsulated FTL administered by oral route had an orofacial antinociceptive effect in acute and neuropathic rodent models. The antinociceptive effect of FTL was prevented by ruthenium red, but not by camphor. FTL reduced Trpv1 gene expression. FTL promotes orofacial antinociception, probably due to the antagonism of TRPV1 channels, and the nanoformulation represents an effective method for the oral administration of this protein. HIGHLIGHTS: • Nanoformulation for oral protein administration. • Nanocapsule containing FTL prevents orofacial nociceptive acute and neuropathic pain. • Frutalin promotes orofacial antinociception behavior antagonism of TRPV1 channels.

The beneficial role of exercise in mitigating doxorubicin-induced Mitochondrionopathy.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used antineoplastic agent for a wide range of cancers, including hematological malignancies, soft tissue sarcomas and solid tumors. However, DOX exhibits a dose-related toxicity that results in life-threatening cardiomyopathy. In addition to the heart, there is evidence that DOX toxicity extends to other organs. This general toxicity seems to be related to mitochondrial network structural, molecular and functional impairments. Several countermeasures for these negative effects have been proposed, being physical exercise, not only one of the most effective non-pharmacologic strategy but also widely recommended as booster against cancer-related fatigue. It is widely accepted that mitochondria are critical sensors of tissue functionality, both modulated by DOX and exercise. Therefore, this review focuses on the current understanding of the mitochondrial-mediated mechanisms underlying the protective effect of exercise against DOX-induced toxicity, not only limited to the cardiac tissue, but also in other tissues such as skeletal muscle, liver and brain. We here analyze recent developments regarding the beneficial effects of exercise targeting mitochondrial responsive phenotypes against redox changes, mitochondrial bioenergetics, apoptotic, dynamics and quality control signalling affected by DOX treatment.

Runs of homozygosity provide a genome landscape picture of inbreeding and genetic history of European autochthonous and commercial pig breeds.

ROHs are long stretches of DNA homozygous at each polymorphic position. The proportion of genome covered by ROHs and their length are indicators of the level and origin of inbreeding. Frequent common ROHs within the same population define ROH islands and indicate hotspots of selection. In this work, we investigated ROHs in a total of 1131 pigs from 20 European local pig breeds and in three cosmopolitan breeds, genotyped with the GGP Porcine HD Genomic Profiler. plink software was used to identify ROHs. Size classes and genomic inbreeding parameters were evaluated. ROH islands were defined by evaluating different thresholds of homozygous SNP frequency. A functional overview of breed-specific ROH islands was obtained via over-representation analyses of GO biological processes. Mora Romagnola and Turopolje breeds had the largest proportions of genome covered with ROH (~1003 and ~955 Mb respectively), whereas Nero Siciliano and Sarda breeds had the lowest proportions (~207 and 247 Mb respectively). The highest proportion of long ROH (>16 Mb) was in Apulo-Calabrese, Mora Romagnola and Casertana. The largest number of ROH islands was identified in the Italian Landrace (n = 32), Cinta Senese (n = 26) and Lithuanian White Old Type (n = 22) breeds. Several ROH islands were in regions encompassing genes known to affect morphological traits. Comparative ROH structure analysis among breeds indicated the similar genetic structure of local breeds across Europe. This study contributed to understanding of the genetic history of the investigated pig breeds and provided information to manage these pig genetic resources.

Occlusal Disorders in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Critical Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the association of occlusal disorders in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). STUDY DESIGN: A literature review was conducted, and articles published between 2010 and 2019 were searched on Bireme and PubMed websites and in MEDLINE and LILACS databases, in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, using the keywords "malocclusion," "sickle cell disease," and "cephalometry," combined by Boolean operators AND and OR. One of the criteria for the selection of articles was the presence of adolescents in the sample. This methodology followed the PRISMA recommendations. Seventy-nine articles were found, seven of which were included in the review as they met the inclusion criteria and the study goals. RESULTS: The prevalence of malocclusion in SCD patients ranged from 62.9% to 100%, which was considered very severe in 30.1% to 80.6%. The most common occlusal changes were Angle's class II malocclusion, increased maxillary overjet, and anterior open bite. In addition, class II skeletal pattern was the most prevalent due to mandibular retrusion. CONCLUSION: Malocclusion prevalence in SCD patients is high and considered to be a risk factor, with a significant rate of very severe malocclusion when compared to healthy patients.

Genome-wide detection of copy number variants in European autochthonous and commercial pig breeds by whole-genome sequencing of DNA pools identified breed-characterising copy number states.

In this study, we identified copy number variants (CNVs) in 19 European autochthonous pig breeds and in two commercial breeds (Italian Large White and Italian Duroc) that represent important genetic resources for this species. The genome of 725 pigs was sequenced using a breed-specific DNA pooling approach (30-35 animals per pool) obtaining an average depth per pool of 42×. This approach maximised CNV discovery as well as the related copy number states characterising, on average, the analysed breeds. By mining more than 17.5 billion reads, we identified a total of 9592 CNVs (~683 CNVs per breed) and 3710 CNV regions (CNVRs; 1.15% of the reference pig genome), with an average of 77 CNVRs per breed that were considered as private. A few CNVRs were analysed in more detail, together with other information derived from sequencing data. For example, the CNVR encompassing the KIT gene was associated with coat colour phenotypes in the analysed breeds, confirming the role of the multiple copies in determining breed-specific coat colours. The CNVR covering the MSRB3 gene was associated with ear size in most breeds. The CNVRs affecting the ELOVL6 and ZNF622 genes were private features observed in the Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle and in the Turopolje pig breeds respectively. Overall, the genome variability unravelled here can explain part of the genetic diversity among breeds and might contribute to explain their origin, history and adaptation to a variety of production systems.

Effect of naturally occurring Wolbachia in Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes from Mali on Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission.

A naturally occurring Wolbachia strain (wAnga-Mali) was identified in mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae complex collected in the Malian villages of Dangassa and Kenieroba. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence of two 16S rRNA regions showed that wAnga-Mali clusters with Wolbachia strains from supergroup A and has the highest homology to a Wolbachia strain isolated from cat fleas (Ctenocephalides). wAnga-Mali is different from two Wolbachia strains previously reported in A. gambiae from Burkina Faso (wAnga_VK5_STP and wAnga_VK5_3.1a). Quantitative analysis of Wolbachia and Plasmodium sporozoite infection in field-collected mosquitoes indicates that the prevalence and intensity of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection is significantly lower in Wolbachia-infected females. The presence of Wolbachia in females from a laboratory Anopheles coluzzii (A. gambiae, M form) colony experimentally infected with P. falciparum (NF54 strain) gametocyte cultures slightly enhanced oocyst infection. However, Wolbachia infection significantly reduced the prevalence and intensity of sporozoite infection, as observed in the field. This indicates that wAnga-Mali infection does not limit early stages of Plasmodium infection in the mosquito, but it has a strong deleterious effect on sporozoites and reduces malaria transmission.

Efficient Nonthermal Particle Acceleration by the Kink Instability in Relativistic Jets.

Relativistic magnetized jets from active galaxies are among the most powerful cosmic accelerators, but their particle acceleration mechanisms remain a mystery. We present a new acceleration mechanism associated with the development of the helical kink instability in relativistic jets, which leads to the efficient conversion of the jet's magnetic energy into nonthermal particles. Large-scale three-dimensional ab initio simulations reveal that the formation of highly tangled magnetic fields and a large-scale inductive electric field throughout the kink-unstable region promotes rapid energization of the particles. The energy distribution of the accelerated particles develops a well-defined power-law tail extending to the radiation-reaction limited energy in the case of leptons, and to the confinement energy of the jet in the case of ions. When applied to the conditions of well-studied bright knots in jets from active galaxies, this mechanism can account for the spectrum of synchrotron and inverse Compton radiating particles, and offers a viable means of accelerating ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays to 10^{20} eV.

Effectiveness of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Isolates from the Land Uses of Amazon Region in Symbiosis with Cowpea.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide several ecosystem services, including increase in plant growth and nutrition. The occurrence, richness, and structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities are influenced by human activities, which may affect the functional benefits of these components of the soil biota. In this study, 13 arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi isolates originating from soils with different land uses in the Alto Solimões-Amazon region were evaluated regarding their effect on growth, nutrition, and cowpea yield in controlled conditions using two soils. Comparisons with reference isolates and a mixture of isolates were also performed. Fungal isolates exhibited a wide variability associated with colonization, sporulation, production of aboveground biomass, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, and grain yield, indicating high functional diversity within and among fungal species. A generalized effect of isolates in promoting phosphorus uptake, increase in biomass, and cowpea yield was observed in both soils. The isolates of Glomus were the most efficient and are promising isolates for practical inoculation programs. No relationship was found between the origin of fungal isolate (i.e. land use) and their symbiotic performance in cowpea.

The effect of profession on burnout in hospital staff.

Background: A high level of burnout has been described in health professionals. However, literature regarding other hospital employees is scarce. Aims: To assess the prevalence of burnout in different professional groups of hospital staff and how the professional category is associated with levels of burnout. Methods: Employees of a University Hospital in Portugal completed a self-administered online questionnaire in 2014-2015. We used the Portuguese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and scored three dimensions of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment) as low, average or high. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) by logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, use of anxiolytic/antidepressant drugs and job satisfaction. Results: There was a 10% response rate; 368 questionnaires were available for analysis. High levels of burnout due to emotional exhaustion were observed in all professional categories. Nurses, administrative staff and technicians more frequently scored higher levels of emotional exhaustion (59%, 50% and 50%, respectively) and lack of personal accomplishment (41%, 52% and 38%, respectively) than physicians and healthcare assistants. Not all professionals scored highly for depersonalization. Emotional exhaustion scores were significantly lower in healthcare assistants than nurses (adjusted OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10-0.64). Conclusions: Burnout affects all professional categories of hospital staff. Future studies should use larger, more representative samples of hospital staff, perform longitudinal analyses and analyse data on specifics of each professional category and other potential confounders.

Zygomaticofacial, Zygomaticoorbital, and Zygomaticotemporal Foramina.

This study aimed to assess the anatomical and morphometric characteristics of the main zygomaticofacial (ZFF), zygomaticoorbital (ZOF), and zygomaticotemporal (ZTF) foramina in Brazilian dry skulls. 61, 69, and 42 skulls for ZFF, ZOF, and ZTF were evaluated by a single calibrated examiner for format, transverse and vertical diameters, and distances from the foramina to anatomical landmarks. Paired t test, Wilcoxon test, Pearson and Spearman correlations were used. Circular outline was the predominant format for ZFF and ZTF, while oval format was the most frequent for ZOF. Median distances from ZFF to frontozygomatic and zygomaticomaxillary sutures were higher on right and left sides of the skulls, respectively (P < 0.005). Mean ZOF transverse diameter was significantly higher on the right sides of the skulls and presented positive correlation between sides (P < 0.05). No differences were observed for mean vertical diameter and distance from the ZOF to the inferolateral angle of the orbit (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found for distance from the ZTF to zygomatic arch between sides (P > 0.05), although there was a positive correlation (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found when analyzing the anatomical and morphometric aspects of ZFF, ZOF, and ZTF.

One or two ligatures inducing periodontitis are sufficient to cause fatty liver.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a chronic disease that due to an intense inflammatory response triggers systemic changes such as hepatic alterations. This study aimed to compare hepatic damage in rats that received experimental periodontitis at one or two periodontal sites with ligatures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen rats were separated into three groups: control, without ligature; periodontitis 1, with one ligature; and periodontitis 2, with two ligatures. The following parameters were assessed: gingival bleeding index, probing pocket depth, tooth mobility, alveolar bone loss, malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in periodontal tissue; histopathological evaluation of hepatic tissue (steatosis score); glutathione levels (GSH), MDA, MPO, cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver; and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). RESULTS: Periodontal evaluation data showed that the periodontitis model worked well. The groups with periodontitis did not differ significantly in relation to MPO activity and MDA levels in the gingival samples, but they were significantly different when compared with the control group. Steatosis was observed in the histological analysis of the groups with periodontitis, but between the periodontitis groups, two ligatures did not cause increase in steatosis score. The levels of GSH, MDA, total cholesterol and triglycerides in the hepatic tissue were not altered between groups with periodontitis, but they showed significant differences in comparison with the control group. The activity of MPO in hepatic tissue and serum levels of AST and ALT did not present significant difference among the three groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results demonstrated that one or two ligatures inducing periodontitis were both sufficient to cause fatty liver. Steatosis caused by two ligatures did not present larger extension and severity than steatosis caused by one ligature.

The use of nanoparticles in wound treatment: a systematic review. / Utilização de nanopartículas no tratamento de feridas: revisão sistemática.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of nanoparticle-based dressings on the wound healing process in in vitro animals and human cells based on scientific evidence. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature in LILACS, PubMed and Science Direct databases. The articles were selected and evaluated for the level of evidence by the application of STROBE. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 12 articles. The application of the products occurred in surgical wounds, burns, infected wounds and gingival ulcers in laboratory animals, as well as in vitro tests, demonstrating that among other advantages, the nanoparticle-based dressings increased the healing speed, had good antibacterial capacity and were non cytotoxic agents. CONCLUSION: Based on the analyzed articles, it can be affirmed that dressings containing nanocomposites are quite promising and are shown as a great therapeutic option in wound healing.