Unravelling soybean responses to early and late Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) infestation.

Soybean is a crucial source of food, protein, and oil worldwide that is facing challenges from biotic stresses. Infestation of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) stands out as detrimentally affecting plant growth and grain production. Understanding soybean responses to T. urticae infestation is pivotal for unravelling the dynamics of mite-plant interactions. We evaluated the physiological and molecular responses of soybean plants to mite infestation after 5 and 21 days. We employed visual/microscopy observations of leaf damage, H2O2 accumulation, and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the impact of mite infestation on shoot length/dry weight, chlorophyll concentration, and development stages was analysed. Proteomic analysis identified differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) after early (5 days) and late (21 days) infestation. Furthermore, GO, KEGG, and protein-protein interaction analyses were performed to understand effects on metabolic pathways. Throughout the analysed period, symptoms of leaf damage, H2O2 accumulation, and lipid peroxidation consistently increased. Mite infestation reduced shoot length/dry weight, chlorophyll concentration, and development stage duration. Proteomics revealed 185 and 266 DAPs after early and late mite infestation, respectively, indicating a complex remodelling of metabolic pathways. Photorespiration, chlorophyll synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and Krebs cycle/energy production were impacted after both early and late infestation. Additionally, specific metabolic pathways were modified only after early or late infestation. This study underscores the detrimental effects of mite infestation on soybean physiology and metabolism. DAPs offer potential in breeding programs for enhanced resistance. Overall, this research highlights the complex nature of soybean response to mite infestation, providing insights for intervention and breeding strategies.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in childhood diarrhea.

Acute diarrhea is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality attributed to infections in children under five years of age worldwide, with 1.7 million annual estimated cases and more than 500,000 deaths. Although hydroelectrolytic replacement is the gold standard in treating diarrhea, it does not interfere with the restoration of the intestinal microbiota. Several studies have searched for an adequate alternative in restructuring intestinal homeostasis, finding that treatments based on probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are effective, which made such treatments increasingly present in clinical practice by reducing illness duration with minimal side effects. However, there are still controversies regarding some unwanted reactions in patients. The diversity of strains and the peculiarities of the pathogens that cause diarrhea require further studies to develop effective protocols for prevention and treatment. Here, we provide a descriptive review of childhood diarrhea, emphasizing treatment with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in childhood diarrhea

Abstract Acute diarrhea is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality attributed to infections in children under five years of age worldwide, with 1.7 million annual estimated cases and more than 500,000 deaths. Although hydroelectrolytic replacement is the gold standard in treating diarrhea, it does not interfere with the restoration of the intestinal microbiota. Several studies have searched for an adequate alternative in restructuring intestinal homeostasis, finding that treatments based on probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are effective, which made such treatments increasingly present in clinical practice by reducing illness duration with minimal side effects. However, there are still controversies regarding some unwanted reactions in patients. The diversity of strains and the peculiarities of the pathogens that cause diarrhea require further studies to develop effective protocols for prevention and treatment. Here, we provide a descriptive review of childhood diarrhea, emphasizing treatment with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics.

Smell loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 is not clinically different from other viruses: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of cases with olfactory loss, other respiratory viruses can also cause this condition. We aimed to compare the prevalence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and other respiratory viruses in patients with sudden smell loss, and to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 viral load and co-infection on olfactory symptoms. METHODS: Patients with sudden smell loss were recruited in a multicenter prospective cohort study in 15 hospitals in Brazil. Clinical questionnaire, Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test and nasopharyngeal swab to perform a PCR-based respiratory viral panel were collected at first visit (day 0) and 30 and 60 days after recruitment. RESULTS: 188 of 213 patients presented positive test result for SARS-CoV-2, among which 65 were co-infected with other respiratory viruses (e.g., rhinovirus, enterovirus, and parainfluenza). 25 had negative test results for SARS-CoV-2. Patients in both SARSCoV-2 and non-SARS-CoV-2 groups had objective anosmia (less than 2 points according to the psychophysical olfactory CCCRC) at day 0, with no significant difference between them. Both groups had significant smell scores improvement after 30 and 60 days, with no difference between them. Co-infection with other respiratory viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 viral load did not impact olfactory scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with sudden smell loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses had similar presentation, with most participants initiating with anosmia, and total or near total recovery after 60 days. SARS-CoV-2 viral load and co-infections with other respiratory viruses were not associated with poorer olfactory outcomes.

Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of methyl ether dillapiole on the development of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Dillapiole, extracted from Piper aduncum essential oil and its derivatives, has been shown to be a potential alternative to the control of Aedes aegypti, which has become resistant to synthetic insecticides. Methyl ether dillapiole (MED) and temephos (TM) were compared to complement the data on the genotoxicity and developmental changes of Ae. aegypti. Over four generations (G1 -G4 ), third stage larvae were treated with MED at 60, 80 and 100 µg/mL and TM at 0.002, 0.005 and 0.007 µg/mL for 4 h. Adult females were separated to estimate oviposition and hatching rates, and total egg length. Over the four generations, a significant reduction was recorded in oviposition and hatching rates, and in mean egg length (Tukey, P < 0.05), compared with the negative control (NC). Cytological slide preparations were done from adult oocytes and larval neuroblasts. The cumulative effects of genotoxic (bridges, budding and nuclear fragmentation) and mutagenic (micronucleus and chromosomal breakage) damage was observed in the neuroblasts and oocytes of exposed mosquitoes. Developmental changes and damage to the genome of MED-treated Ae. aegypti were greater than those caused by TM. Further studies should focus on understanding the effects of the MED molecule on Ae. aegypti.

Connecting complex networks to nonadditive entropies.

Boltzmann-Gibbs statistical mechanics applies satisfactorily to a plethora of systems. It fails however for complex systems generically involving nonlocal space-time entanglement. Its generalization based on nonadditive q-entropies adequately handles a wide class of such systems. We show here that scale-invariant networks belong to this class. We numerically study a d-dimensional geographically located network with weighted links and exhibit its 'energy' distribution per site at its quasi-stationary state. Our results strongly suggest a correspondence between the random geometric problem and a class of thermal problems within the generalised thermostatistics. The Boltzmann-Gibbs exponential factor is generically substituted by its q-generalisation, and is recovered in the [Formula: see text] limit when the nonlocal effects fade away. The present connection should cross-fertilise experiments in both research areas.

IgG4-positive plasma cells are more often detected in chronic periapical lesions arising from permanent rather than primary teeth.

AIM: To characterize plasma cell subsets in chronic periapical lesions affecting permanent and primary teeth. METHODOLOGY: Only chronic periapical lesions without root canal treatment were selected. Twenty-one radicular cysts and 7 periapical granulomas affecting permanent teeth and 19 radicular cysts and 4 periapical granulomas affecting primary teeth were assessed for immunoglobulin (Ig) light chain (kappa and lambda), Ig heavy chain (IgG, IgG4, IgA, IgM and IgD) and plasma cell immunohistochemical markers (MUM1/IRF4, EMA and CD138). The data acquired were analysed by Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U, Friedman test followed by Dunn's multiple comparison test and Spearman's rank correlation. RESULTS: All cases were polyclonal (having similar kappa/lambda light chain ratios). IgG was most abundant compared to other Ig heavy chains (all, P < 0.001); like Ig light chains, but unlike IgA, there was greater expression of IgG in the primary compared to the permanent dentition, for both radicular cysts (P < 0.001) and periapical granulomas (P = 0.53). Notably, IgG4 expression was greater in the permanent than the primary dentition, for both radicular cyst (P < 0.05) and periapical granuloma (P = 0.65). IgM and IgD expression was scarce and variable, whereas plasma cell populations were detected efficiently through EMA, CD138 and MUM1/IRF4 markers, the latter being more sensitive in both dentitions. CONCLUSIONS: There were slight variations in the Ig light and heavy chain profiles in chronic periapical lesions when comparing the permanent and primary dentitions. The ability of IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration to modulate inflammatory responses in chronic periapical lesions arising from permanent as opposed to primary teeth should be considered in future studies.

Cryptococcosis in HIV-AIDS patients from Southern Brazil: Still a major problem.

INTRODUCTION: Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes ∼15% mortality in AIDS patients. Rio Grande City, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, has the highest national rate of HIV/AIDS, considering cities with population more than 100,000 habitants. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological profile of cryptococcosis in a reference service for HIV-AIDS patients in the South region of Brazil, over seven years. Material and methods A retrospective study was performed including all cryptococcosis cases diagnosed at the University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande (UH-FURG) between January 2010 and December 2016. RESULTS: Seventy cases of cryptococcosis were diagnosis from 2010 to 2016 in the UH-FURG in the seven years of the study. These numbers were responsible for 2.1% to 8.1% of the hospitalizations/year for HIV patients. All were caused by C. neoformans infection (95% C. neoformans var. grubii VNI and 5% C. neoformans var. grubii VNII). Neurocryptococcosis was the major clinical manifestation and cryptococcosis was the HIV- defining condition in 40% of patients. The period of hospitalization was an average of 39.3 days (SD=31.3), and more than half of patients (53%; 37/70) died after a mean of 82 days. DISCUSSION: The present study showed the importance of cryptococcosis as an AIDS-defining disease in HIV-AIDS patients in a tertiary hospital from Southern Brazil. More investment is necessary to reduce the impact of this opportunistic mycosis in HIV-AIDS patients from southern Brazil.

Can differences between continental and insular habitats influence the parasites communities associated with the endemic frog Haddadus binotatus?

Habitats characterized by geographic isolation such as islands have been studied using different organisms as models for understanding the dynamic and insular patterns of biodiversity. Determinants of parasite richness in insular host populations have been conducted mainly with mammals and birds, showing that parasite richness decreases in insular areas. In the present study, we predicted that the type of environment (insular or continental) can influence the richness, diversity and abundance of parasites associated with the endemic frog Haddadus binotatus (Spix, 1824). We sampled frogs in two insular and two mainland fragments to survey their helminth parasites. The total richness was composed of 15 taxa of Nematoda and two of Acanthocephala, and the community composition of the two islands had more similarities between them than the two mainland localities. The insular effect was positive for richness and abundance of helminths, and no significant effect was observed on helminth diversity - even the mean diversity presented high numbers for the islands. We presumed that insular hosts could have lost some parasites in the colonization process when these continental islands were separated from the mainland, approximately 11,000 years ago. However, the high richness and abundance on islands can be explained by an epidemiological argument, which considers high population density due to insularity and other features of the host as factors that increase parasite transmission success among individuals.

Increased expression of in situ IL-31RA and circulating CXCL8 and CCL2 in pemphigus herpetiformis suggests participation of the IL-31 family in the pathogenesis of the disease.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus herpetiformis (PH) is a rare clinical subtype of pemphigus with the presence of urticarial plaques, severe pruritus, rare acantholysis and eosinophilic spongiosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of IL-31 and pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in the pathogenesis of PH. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with PH and three groups: pemphigus foliaceus (PF = 14), pemphigus vulgaris (PV = 15) and healthy controls (HC = 20) were selected for this study. The groups were analysed by immunohistochemistry utilizing IL-31, IL-31RA, IL-4, IL-17 and TNF-α antibodies. Serum levels of IL-4, IL-13, TNF, CXCL8, CCL5 and CCL2 were evaluated by cytometric bead array. RESULTS: Analysis of IL-31 family of PH patients revealed the following findings: (i) Enhanced in situ expression of IL-31 in PH samples, compared to PF and to PV (epidermis); (ii) Cutaneous IL-31RA expression in PH samples was higher than in PF, PV and HC groups (epidermis and dermis); (iii) PF patients that evolved to PH showed significant increased IL-31RA epidermal expression during the PH phase. Profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-17 and TNF-α) in PH patients' skin exhibited: (i) Enhanced IL-4 expression, when compared to patients with PF (epidermis and dermis) and with PV (epidermis); (ii) Augmented IL-17 expression than PF and PV patients (epidermis); (iii) Augmented expression of TNF-α when compared to PF at the epidermal level. Evaluation of circulating cytokines and chemokines showed higher levels of CXCL8 and CCL2 in PH sera compared to HC group. CONCLUSIONS: IL-31 and IL-31RA, cytokines related to pruritus, and pro-inflammatory chemokines (CXCL8 and CCL2) seem to exert a role in the pathogenesis of PH. These findings support future studies to clarify the role of IL-31 pathway as a potential therapeutic target for patients with PH.

Breeding objectives and selection criteria of a participatory community-based breeding programme of goats and sheep.

The absence of formal markets and the large variability of genetic groups and production systems of goats and sheep in developing countries hinder the implementation of traditional breeding programmes. Community-based breeding programmes (CBBP) for these species have been shown to be effective in these countries. In these programmes, the definition of the objectives and criteria of selection is done in a participatory way, which takes into account the desires and needs of the local farmers. We aimed to define the objectives and criteria of a CBBP for goats and sheep in the Inhamuns region, Ceará, Brazil, using a participatory rural appraisal (PRA). This methodology, which consist in an approach that aims to incorporate the knowledge and opinions of rural people in the planning and management of development projects and programmes, was performed in seven districts of two towns of the region (Tauá and Parambu). One hundred twenty-two farmer families participated in the survey. The PRA was able to provide important information, and its results showed that breeders of this region keep flocks of goats and sheep for social, economic and cultural benefits. In order of importance, the main objectives for goat farming were personal fulfilment (PERF), food source for family (FSF), income generation (INCG), savings (SAV) and cultural/family traditions (CULT), while for sheep farming were CULT, FSF, SAV, PERF and INCG. Disease resistance (RDI), adaptability (ADP), fertility (FERT), growth rate (GRA), host resistance of worms (HRW), body conformation (BC), temperament (TEM), longevity (LONG), body size (BSIZ), age at first kidding (AFK) and milk yield (MIY) were the main selection criteria that farmers use for goats. The most important selection criteria used for selecting sheep were ADP, RDI, HRW, GRA, FERT, LONG, BC, BS and age at first lambing. According to these objectives and criteria, the CBBP must consider the adaptation of the animals to the climate and management conditions of the region, the resistance to diseases and productive performance.

Ketoprofen-loaded rose hip oil nanocapsules attenuate chronic inflammatory response in a pre-clinical trial in mice.

This study aimed to develop nanocapsules containing ketoprofen using rose hip oil (Keto-NC) as oil core, and to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic ear edema models in mice. Physicochemical characterization, drug release, photostability and cytotoxicity assays were performed for the developed Keto-NC formulations and compared to ketoprofen-loaded nanocapsules using medium chain triglycerides as oil core (Keto-MCT-NC). Anti-inflammatory activity of orally delivered KP (Ketoprofen-free; 10 mg.kg-1) or Keto-NC (2.5; 5; 10 mg.kg-1) was assessed in mouse acute and chronic ear edema induced by croton oil (CO). Edema histological characteristics were determined by H&E stain, and redox parameters were analyzed in blood plasma and erythrocytes. Keto-MCT-NC and Keto-NC did not exhibit differences regarding physicochemical parameters, including size diameters, polydispersity index, pH, Ketoprofen content, and encapsulation efficiency. However, Keto-NC, which contains rose hip oil as lipid core, decreased drug photodegradation under UVC radiation when compared to Keto-MCT-NC. KP or Keto-NC were not cytotoxic to keratinocyte cultures and produced equal edema inhibition in the acute protocol. Conversely, in the chronic protocol, Keto-NC was more effective in reducing edema (~60-70% on 7-9th days of treatment) when compared to KP (~40% on 8-9th days of treatment). This result was confirmed by histological analysis, which indicated reduction of edema and inflammatory infiltrate. A sub-therapeutic dose of Keto-NC (5 mg.kg-1) significantly reduced edema when compared to control. Finally, KP and Keto-NC exhibited similar effects on redox parameters, suggesting that the advantages associated with Ketoprofen nanoencapsulation did not involve oxidative stress pathways. The results showed that Keto-NC was more efficient than KP in reducing chronic inflammation. These data may be important for the development of strategies aiming treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases with fewer adverse effects.

Physical properties of films based on pectin and babassu coconut mesocarp.

The objective of this research was to study the physical properties, water sorption, thermal and structure of films made from citrus pectin (CP), babassu coconut mesocarp (BCM) and glycerol (G). Seventeen formulations were prepared according to a central compound rotational design combining different proportions of the materials and evaluating the films produced according to their moisture contents, solubility, thicknesses and water vapor permeability. The results showed a direct relationship between the composition of the film and each physical property, providing films with unique mechanical characteristics and barrier properties. In the second phase, the films were reformulated, maintaining the proportions of CP and BCM constant and altering the G content. The results showed films with permeable structures, thus favoring the use of high drying temperatures (up to 70 °C) for the confection of films, without altering their physical and structural properties.

Antimicrobial alumina nanobiostructures of disulfide- and triazole-linked peptides: Synthesis, characterization, membrane interactions and biological activity.

Due to the its physical-chemical properties, alumina nanoparticles have potential applications in several areas, such as nanobiomaterials for medicinal or orthodontic implants, although the introduction of these devices poses a serious risk of microbial infection. One convenient strategy to circumvent this problem is to associate the nanomaterials to antimicrobial peptides with broad-spectrum of activities. In this study we present two novel synthesis approaches to obtain fibrous type alumina nanoparticles covalently bound to antimicrobial peptides. In the first strategy, thiol functionalized alumina nanoparticles were linked via disulfide bond formation to a cysteine residue of an analog of the peptide BP100 containing a four amino acid spacer (Cys-Ala-Ala-Ala). In the second strategy, alumina nanoparticles were functionalized with azide groups and then bound to alkyne-decorated analogs of the peptides BP100 and DD K through a triazole linkage obtained via a copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction. The complete physical-chemical characterization of the intermediates and final materials is presented along with in vitro biological assays and membrane interaction studies, which confirmed the activity of the obtained nanobiostructures against both bacteria and fungi. To our knowledge, this is the first report of aluminum nanoparticles covalently bound to triazole-peptides and to a disulfide bound antimicrobial peptide with high potential for biotechnological applications.

NLRP12 Attenuates Inflammatory Bone Loss in Experimental Apical Periodontitis.

Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder that results from the host immune response to microbial infection through the dental pulp, leading to alveolar bone destruction. The nod-like receptor 12 (NLRP12) is an atypical intracellular sensor of the NLR family that is involved in the negative regulation of several inflammatory conditions and also osteoclastogenesis. However, the role of NLRP12 in the regulation of immune response and bone loss induced by bacterial infection remains unclear. Here we investigated the development of apical periodontitis in wild-type (WT) and NLRP12 knockout (NLRP12-/-) mice by using micro-computed tomography together with histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses. We found that NLRP12-/- mice are highly susceptible to apical periodontitis induced by bacterial infection, which is associated with an elevated infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, periapical lesion extension, and alveolar bone destruction. Furthermore, NLRP12-/- mice showed a high expression of inflammatory cytokines ( Il1b, Il6, and Tnfa) and the osteoclastogenic markers ( Rankl and Acp5) in the periapical tissues. Consistent with this observation, NLRP12-/- mice showed an increased number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells lining the apical periodontitis site, which was associated with augmented expression of the osteoclast effector genes, Ctsk and Mmp9. Mechanistically, NLRP12-deficient preosteoclasts showed elevated IκB-α degradation and p65 phosphorylation when stimulated with receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand (RANKL). Similarly, increased IκB-α degradation was observed in the periapical tissue of NLRP12-/- mice. Furthermore, our in vitro study showed that preosteoclasts from NLRP12-/- mice exhibited higher RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, which was synergistically amplified by interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor α (mimicking an inflammatory periapical milieu). In conclusion, our data show that NLRP12 exhibits a protective role in the periapical bone destruction by attenuating inflammation and osteoclastogenesis through negative regulation of the NF-κB pathway.

Prediction of physical characteristics of the lamb carcass using in vivo bioimpedance analysis.

The increase of sheep meat competitiveness in international markets can be attributed to the rise of the quantity and the improvement of the quality of the edible portion of sheep carcasses. Usually, carcass yield is established after the slaughter of the animals. Yet, when carcass yield is determined in vivo, it can be both a costly and subjective method. This study proposes models for predicting the physical characteristics of lamb carcass using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in live animals. Thirty-one Texel × Ile de France crossbreed ram lambs were slaughtered at 20, 26, 32 or 38 kg of BW. Before the slaughter, values of resistance (Rs) and reactance (Xc) were collected using a single-frequency BIA equipment (Model RJL Quantum II Bioelectrical Body Composition Analyzer). Then, BIA main variables such as body bioelectrical volume (V), phase angle (PA), resistive density (RsD) and reactive density (XcD) were calculated. After slaughter, cold carcass weight (CCW), cold carcass yield (CCY), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), soft tissue weight (STW) and soft tissue yield (STY) were also measured. Multiple regression analyses were carried out using the physical characteristics as dependent variables and the bioimpedance values as independent variables. Predictive performance of the models was assessed using leave-one-out cross-validation. The prediction model of CCW was obtained using the V, PA and RsD (R2 = 0.97), STW through the V, RsD and XcD (R2 = 0.97), CCY by Rs, Z and XcD (R2 = 0.69), STY by V and XcD (R2 = 0.67), and SFT only for XcD (R2 = 0.84). The results indicated that BIA has the potential to predict carcass characteristics of lambs at different body masses.

Clinicopathological analysis of odontogenic tumors over 22 years period: Experience of a single center in northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic tumors (OTs) are uncommon neoplastic lesions of the maxilla and mandible, which present difficult diagnosis and therapeutics. This paper aims to determine the frequency and distribution of OTs, over a period of 22 years, at a public university in Northeastern Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed all cases of OTs from oral pathology laboratory of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), from 1996 to 2017. The tumors were classified according to the latest (2017) World Health Organization Classification of Tumors. Data on age, gender, anatomic site, symptomatology, radiographic findings and tumor size were analyzed. RESULTS: In the analyzed period, 247 cases of OTs were diagnosed. Epithelial tumors were more common with 127 cases (51.8%). The most common tumors were ameloblastoma (n = 112 / 45.4%), odontoma (n = 89 / 36.1%) and odontogenic myxoma (n = 17 / 6.9%). Malignant odontogenic tumors were extremely rare in the studied population with only 2 cases (0.8%) of diagnosed carcinomas. These tumors were diagnosed in a wide age range, from 5 to 81 years, being more common in the second and third decades of life. In general, the mandible was the most affected anatomic site (n = 162/66%) and the mandible:maxilla ratio was of 2:1. Ameloblastoma was the tumor with the highest number of symptomatic cases (n = 26) and with the highest mean size (cm) with 4.5cm. CONCLUSIONS: Odontogenic tumors were rare in the sample studied (2.2%), with ameloblastoma and odontoma being the most common tumors. Continuous studies that show the characteristics of these lesions are fundamental, especially after modifications in the international classification.

Effectiveness of In-office Hydrogen Peroxide With Two Different Protocols: A Two-center Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the bleaching efficacy and tooth sensitivity (TS) of a 38% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent used for in-office bleaching, applied under different time protocols: a 40-minute application or two 20-minute applications. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-four patients from Brazil and Colombia, with right superior canines darker than C2, were selected for this multicenter, single-blind, randomized trial. The teeth were bleached in two sessions, with a one-week interval between them, in a split-mouth design. The bleaching agent was applied in two 20-minute (2×20) applications or one 40-minute (1×40) application in each session according to the manufacturer's instructions. The color changes were evaluated by using subjective (Vita Classical and Vita Bleachedguide) and objective (Easyshade Spectrophotometer) methods at baseline and 30 days after the second session. Tooth sensitivity was recorded up to 48 hours with a 0-10 visual analog scale. Also, the pH values during the application of bleaching were recorded. Color change in shade guide units and ΔE were analyzed by using the Student t-test (α=0.05). The absolute risk and intensity of TS were evaluated with the McNemar test, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the Friedman test, respectively (α= 0.05). RESULTS: Significant whitening was observed in both groups after 30 days of clinical evaluation. The use of a 40-minute application did not significantly influence the absolute risk of TS (68%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 53-80) as well as the intensity of TS compared with the acid bleaching gel (absolute risk of 82%, 95% CI = 68-91). The pH values did not differ significantly between groups and at the different assessment periods ( p=0.42). CONCLUSION: The use of a 40-minute in-office bleaching agent gel application produced the same whitening degree and TS that the two 20-minute bleaching agent applications did. The former preferably should be applied because one 40-minute application does not require gel refreshing.

Level of agreement between two commercially available rapid serological tests and the official screening test used to detect Leishmania seropositive dogs in Brazil.

This study compared the level of agreement between two commercially available rapid serological tests and the official screening test used to detect Leishmania seropositive dogs in Brazil. Ninety-five canine sera from a visceral leishmaniasis endemic area were tested by using the official immunochromatographic test (T1; rK28 antigen) based on dual path platform technology, a rapid ELISA (T2; purified Leishmania antigens) and an immunochromatographic test (T3; rK28 antigen) based on lateral flow. There was substantial agreement (Kappa 0.77; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.62-0.91; P<0.001; observed agreement 90.5%) between T1 and T2, and a fair agreement (Kappa 0.26; 95% CI 0.08-0.43; P<0.001; observed agreement 74.7%) between T1 and T3. Sixteen dogs positive at T1 and T2 were negative at T3. T2 may be a reliable alternative to T1, while T3 could lead to an underestimation of the actual number of seropositive dogs.