Caracterização fenotípica de vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu de diferentes bases maternas / [Phenotypic characterization of Holsteins x Zebu F1 cows from different maternal bases]

Caracterizaram-se fêmeas F1 Holandês x Zebu de diferentes bases maternas quanto às pelagens, despigmentações e características morfométricas. Foram utilizadas 266 fêmeas F1, progênies do cruzamento de 26 touros da raça Holandesa com fêmeas de composição genética zebuínas: Gir, Nelore, Guzonel, Nelogir. Foram aplicadas análise de distribuição de frequência para características qualitativas e medidas de dispersão e tendência central para características morfométricas, e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Acima de 60,0% dos animais foram de pelagem preta. As vacas que tiveram origem na raça Gir apresentaram comprimento de cabeça 2,8cm maior (P<0,05) que as fêmeas da raça Nelore. O comprimento da orelha variou (P<0,05) conforme a base materna utilizada. As vacas com genes da raça Nelore são 5,0cm mais altas (P<0,05). O perímetro torácico foi a característica morfométrica que teve correlação fenotípica de elevada magnitude com o peso, acima de 0,70, para as fêmeas das bases maternas Gir, Nelore e Nelogir. A pelagem não é indicativa da base materna utilizada. As vacas F1 de base materna Gir tiveram estrutura corporal menor que as fêmeas que portam genes da raça Nelore.(AU)

F1 Holstein x Zebu females from different maternal bases were characterized regarding coat, depigmentation and morphometric characteristics. A total of 266 F1 female progenies from the crossbreeding of 26 Holstein bulls with females of Zebu genetic composition were used: Gir, Nellore, Guzonel, Nellogir. Frequency distribution analysis was applied for qualitative characteristics and dispersion measures and central tendency for morphometric characteristics, and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. Over 60.0% of the animals had a black coat. The cows that originated from the Gir breed had a head length of 2.8cm (P<0.05) higher than the Nellore females. Ear length varied (P<0.05) according to the maternal base used. Cows with Nelore genes were 5.0cm taller (P<0.05). The thoracic perimeter was the morphometric characteristic that had a high magnitude phenotypic correlation with weight, above 0.70, for the females of the Gir, Nellore and Nellogir maternal bases. The coat is not indicative of the maternal base used. F1 Gir-based cows had a smaller body structure than females with Nellore genes.(AU)

Preparation and quantitative characterization of polydimethylsiloxane optical phantoms with zinc-phthalocyanine dye absorbers.

We described a method for the preparation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) phantoms to mimic the optical properties of biologic tissues at distinct wavelengths ranging from the visible to the near-infrared spectra. The present method for fabricating solid optical tissue phantoms using zinc-phthalocyanine chromophores has demonstrated high photostability with optical absorption coefficients up to 1.0 mm-1, making this phantom proper with absorption bands ranging from 600 to 850 nm. It also happens that the chromophore absorption coefficient is linear as a function of its concentration inside the previous optical window. The optical scattering properties were quantitatively selected by adding TiO2 particle concentrations to the PDMS phantom. Thus, the quantitative optical properties of absorption and scattering for a large-batch fabrication were demonstrated, making the zinc-phthalocyanine phantoms suitable for use as a reference standard.

Effect of Different Adhesive Systems Used for Immediate Dentin Sealing on Bond Strength of a Self-Adhesive Resin Cement to Dentin.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate and three-month water storage behavior of adhesives when used for immediate dentin sealing (IDS). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Four adhesive systems were used to perform IDS: a one-step self-etch (Xeno V), a two-step self-etch (Clearfil SE Bond), a two-step etch-and-rinse (XP Bond), and a three-step etch-and-rinse (Optibond FL). For the control group, IDS was not performed. The self-adhesive resin cement RelyX Unicem was used for the luting procedures. After seven days of water storage, specimens (n=6) were sectioned into beams (n=5) with an approximately 1-mm2 cross-sectional area. Half of the specimens were tested in tension after seven days of water storage at 37°C, while the other half was stored for three months prior to testing in tension using a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). The failure pattern was determined using a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy. Microtensile bond strength (µTBS) data were statistically analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test (α=0.05). RESULTS: After seven days, the control group presented the lowest µTBS but did not differ from XP Bond and Clearfil SE Bond. After three months, there was no µTBS difference between the IDS groups and the control. CONCLUSIONS: After seven days of water storage, the groups with IDS presented higher µTBS values than the control group, although XP Bond and Clearfil SE Bond did not present significant differences. However, after three months of storage in water, IDS groups did not differ significantly from control group, which did not receive IDS.

Adverse birth outcomes associated with Zika virus exposure during pregnancy in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to report the first 54 cases of pregnant women infected by Zika virus (ZIKV) and their virologic and clinical outcomes, as well as their newborns' outcomes, in 2016, after the emergence of ZIKV in dengue-endemic areas of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed from February to October 2016 on 54 quantitative real-time PCR ZIKV-positive pregnant women identified by the public health authority of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. The women were followed and had clinical and epidemiologic data collected before and after birth. Adverse outcomes in newborns were analysed and reported. Urine or blood samples from newborns were collected to identify ZIKV infection by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: A total of 216 acute Zika-suspected pregnant women were identified, and 54 had the diagnosis confirmed by RT-PCR. None of the 54 women miscarried. Among the 54 newborns, 15 exhibited adverse outcomes at birth. The highest number of ZIKV infections occurred during the second and third trimesters. No cases of microcephaly were reported, though a broad clinical spectrum of outcomes, including lenticulostriate vasculopathy, subependymal cysts, and auditory and ophthalmologic disorders, were identified. ZIKV RNA was detected in 18 of 51 newborns tested and in eight of 15 newborns with adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although other studies have associated many newborn outcomes to ZIKV infection during pregnancy, these same adverse outcomes were rare or nonexistent in this study. The clinical presentation the newborns we studied was mild compared to other reports, suggesting that there is significant heterogeneity in congenital Zika infection.

Circulating levels of adiponectin and extent of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography

Adiponectin (APN), an adipose tissue-released adipokine with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties, is encoded by a gene whose polymorphisms are associated with presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Serum APN levels are inversely related with presence and complexity of CAD. Within this context, we sought to compare levels of total APN and its high molecular weight form (HMW APN) according to clinical presentation and extent of CAD in patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization. From March 2008 to June 2010, clinical data and blood samples for APN and HMW APN measurements were collected from 415 subjects undergoing cardiac catheterization at two tertiary centers. CAD extent was estimated by the number of coronary arteries with significant stenosis (≥70% obstruction in a major coronary artery) and by Duke Jeopardy Score (DJS). Serum APN levels were similar between groups with stable or unstable CAD (APN 9.20±5.88 vs 9.47±6.23 μg/mL, P=0.738, and HMW APN 5.31±3.72 vs 5.91±4.16 μg/mL, P=0.255), even after stratification by the number of arteries involved (single-vessel vs multivessel disease: APN 9.39±5.76 vs 9.26±6.27 μg/mL, P=0.871; HMW APN 5.29±3.79 vs 5.83±4.04 μg/mL, P=0.306) and DJS score (APN, P=0.718; HMW APN, P=0.276). We conclude that APN and HMW APN serum levels are similar across clinical presentations and different extents of CAD, despite being significantly lower in the presence of obstructive CAD.

Circulating levels of adiponectin and extent of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.

Adiponectin (APN), an adipose tissue-released adipokine with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties, is encoded by a gene whose polymorphisms are associated with presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Serum APN levels are inversely related with presence and complexity of CAD. Within this context, we sought to compare levels of total APN and its high molecular weight form (HMW APN) according to clinical presentation and extent of CAD in patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization. From March 2008 to June 2010, clinical data and blood samples for APN and HMW APN measurements were collected from 415 subjects undergoing cardiac catheterization at two tertiary centers. CAD extent was estimated by the number of coronary arteries with significant stenosis (≥70% obstruction in a major coronary artery) and by Duke Jeopardy Score (DJS). Serum APN levels were similar between groups with stable or unstable CAD (APN 9.20±5.88 vs 9.47±6.23 µg/mL, P=0.738, and HMW APN 5.31±3.72 vs 5.91±4.16 µg/mL, P=0.255), even after stratification by the number of arteries involved (single-vessel vs multivessel disease: APN 9.39±5.76 vs 9.26±6.27 µg/mL, P=0.871; HMW APN 5.29±3.79 vs 5.83±4.04 µg/mL, P=0.306) and DJS score (APN, P=0.718; HMW APN, P=0.276). We conclude that APN and HMW APN serum levels are similar across clinical presentations and different extents of CAD, despite being significantly lower in the presence of obstructive CAD.

Two-year Randomized Clinical Trial of Self-etching Adhesives and Selective Enamel Etching.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized, controlled prospective clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of restoring noncarious cervical lesions with two self-etching adhesive systems applied with or without selective enamel etching. METHODS: A one-step self-etching adhesive (Xeno V(+)) and a two-step self-etching system (Clearfil SE Bond) were used. The effectiveness of phosphoric acid selective etching of enamel margins was also evaluated. Fifty-six cavities were restored with each adhesive system and divided into two subgroups (n=28; etch and non-etch). All 112 cavities were restored with the nanohybrid composite Esthet.X HD. The clinical effectiveness of restorations was recorded in terms of retention, marginal integrity, marginal staining, caries recurrence, and postoperative sensitivity after 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months (modified United States Public Health Service). RESULTS: The Friedman test detected significant differences only after 18 months for marginal staining in the groups Clearfil SE non-etch (p=0.009) and Xeno V(+) etch (p=0.004). One restoration was lost during the trial (Xeno V(+) etch; p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although an increase in marginal staining was recorded for groups Clearfil SE non-etch and Xeno V(+) etch, the clinical effectiveness of restorations was considered acceptable for the single-step and two-step self-etching systems with or without selective enamel etching in this 24-month clinical trial.

Effects of Immediate Dentin Sealing and Pulpal Pressure on Resin Cement Bond Strength and Nanoleakage.

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to evaluate the simulated pulpal pressure (SPP) and immediate dentin sealing technique (IDS) effects on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and nanoleakage of interfaces produced by different luting agents. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two self-adhesive luting agents (RelyX Unicem [UC] and Clearfil SA Luting [SA]) and two conventional luting agents (Rely X ARC [RX] and Panavia F [PF]) were evaluated. Eighty human molars were divided in four groups according to luting agents. Each group was subdivided according to SPP (with or without) and dentin sealing (immediate or delayed) using Clearfil SE Bond (n=5). After IDS was performed, specimens were stored in water for seven days before luting procedures. Composite blocks were luted according to the manufacturers' instructions. One half of the specimens were subjected to 15 cm H2O of hydrostatic pressure for 24 hours before cementation procedures and continued for 24 hours afterward. Then, restored teeth were sectioned into beams and tested in tension. Two additional teeth per group were prepared for nanoleakage evaluation with scanning electron microscopy. Bond strength data were statistically analyzed by three-way analysis of variance and Tukey test. RESULTS: µTBS of RX decreased when it was subjected to SPP without IDS. However, in the same conditions, µTBS of UC increased. The IDS prevented negative influence of SPP on µTBS of RX and PF; however, a decrease in µTBS of SA and UC was observed. Except for RX, IDS increased µTBS for all resin cements. CONCLUSION: Independent of SPP, the IDS technique obtained higher µTBS for PF, SA, and UC and did not influence RX µTBS.

Assessment of the hemodynamic profile in periodontal tissues of diabetic subjects with periodontitis by optical spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the hemodynamics of periodontal tissues has not been assessed previously. The primary objective of this study was to validate optical spectroscopy as a periodontal diagnostic tool for subjects with type 2 DM and chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a portable optical near-infrared spectrometer, optical spectra were obtained from healthy (n = 127), gingivitis (n = 115), and periodontitis (n = 109) sites of 65 subjects with type 2 DM and chronic periodontitis. Healthy (n = 65) sites of 15 nondiabetic subjects without periodontitis were used as controls. A modified Beer-Lambert unmixing model that incorporates a nonparametric scattering-loss function was used to determine the relative contribution of deoxygenated hemoglobin and oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2 ) to the overall spectrum. The balance between tissue oxygen delivery and oxygen utilization in periodontal tissues was assessed. RESULTS: In diabetic subjects, tissue oxygen saturation and HbO2 concentration were significantly decreased in the periodontitis sites (p < 0.01) compared with the healthy and gingivitis sites. Furthermore, tissue oxygenation in healthy sites of control subjects was significantly higher than that in sites of diabetic subjects (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In summary, the results of this study suggest that optical spectroscopy can monitor the hemodynamic profile in diabetic subjects with chronic periodontitis. Furthermore, healthy sites of diabetic subjects presented lower tissue oxygenation than did those of nondiabetic subjects.

Effect of long-term simulated pulpal pressure on the bond strength and nanoleakage of resin-luting agents with different bonding strategies.

This study evaluated the effects of simulated hydrostatic pulpal pressure (SPP) on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to dentin and nanoleakage patterns produced by self-adhesive luting agents after 12 months. Three self-adhesive luting agents (RelyX Unicem [UN], RelyX U100 [UC], and Clearfil SA Luting [SA]) and three conventional luting agents (Rely X ARC [RX], Panavia F [PF], and a two-step self-etching adhesive system [Clearfil SE Bond] associated with Panavia F [PS]) were evaluated. One hundred twenty-three human molars were abraded to expose occlusal surfaces. Resin cements were used to lute cylindrical composite blocks to the teeth either subjected or not to SPP. Sixty specimens were subjected to 15 cm H2O of SPP for 24 hours before and 24 hours or 12 months after cementation procedures. Afterward, restored teeth were serially sectioned into beams with a cross-sectional area of 1 mm(2) at the bonded interface and were tested in tension (cross-head speed of 1 mm/min). Failure mode was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were statistically analyzed by three-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test (p=0.05). Two additional teeth in each group were serially sectioned into 0.9-mm-thick slabs, which were submitted to a nanoleakage protocol with AgNO3 and analyzed with scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The µTBS values of the etch-and-rinse group (RX) were negatively influenced by SPP and long-term water storage with SPP. After 12 months, UC and SA presented premature failures in all specimens when submitted to SPP. SPP increased silver deposition in most groups in both evaluation times. The hydrostatic pulpal pressure effect was material dependent. The storage time without SPP did not affect bond strength. However, long-term SPP influenced the performance of the etch-and-rinse and self-adhesive cements regarding µTBS and nanoleakage pattern, except to UN.

Effect of simulated tooth temperature on the degree of conversion of self-adhesive resin cements exposed to different curing conditions.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) of two commercial, self-adhesive resin cements (SARCs) using Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) polymerized at simulated prepared tooth surface temperatures and under different curing conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RelyX U100 (U100, 3M ESPE) and Maxcem Elite (MX, Kerr Corporation) were mixed at 25°C and applied to the surface of a horizontal attenuated total reflectance (ATR) unit, which was near room temperature (RT, control) (25°C) or heated to simulate prepared tooth surface temperatures (28°C and 32°C) and then attached to an infrared spectrometer. The products were polymerized using one of three conditions: direct light exposure through a glass slide (DLE), exposure through a 1.5-mm thick ceramic disc overlay (CO) (A2 shade, IPS e.max, Ivoclar Vivadent), or self-curing (SC). FTIR spectra were recorded for 12 minutes (1 spectrum/s, 16 scans/spectrum, resolution 4 cm(-1)) immediately after application to the ATR. The DC was calculated using standard techniques of observing changes in aliphatic-to-aromatic peak ratios before and 12 minutes after curing, as well as during each 1-second interval. DC data (n=7) were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test (p=0.05). RESULTS: Both simulated tooth temperatures significantly increased DC in all groups of MX and in the CO and SC groups of U100 compared with the RT control. For MX, the self-cure groups exposed to tooth temperatures showed DC values similar to those of the CO groups. For U100, the CO groups showed higher DC values than SC groups regardless of temperature. Time-based conversion profiles ranged according to product, temperature, and curing mode. CONCLUSIONS: Causing SARCs to polymerize at simulated tooth temperatures increases DC of SARCs compared with room-temperature curing values, mainly in the SC mode.

Allelic variations of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene are associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetics: the DIABHYCAR prospective study.

AIM: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), and the actions of vitamin D are mediated by binding to a specific nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). This study investigated the associations of VDR gene variants with CAD in two cohorts of type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: A cohort of 3137 subjects from the prospective DIABHYCAR study (CAD incidence: 14.8%; follow-up: 4.4 ± 1.3 years) and an independent, hospital-based population of 713 subjects, 32.3% of whom had CAD, were assessed. Three SNPs in the VDR gene were genotyped: rs1544410 (BsmI); rs7975232 (ApaI); and rs731236 (TaqI). RESULTS: In the DIABHYCAR cohort, an association was observed between the A allele of BsmI and incident cases of CAD (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.29; P = 0.002). Associations were also observed between BsmI (P = 0.01) and TaqI (P = 0.04) alleles and baseline cases of CAD. The AAC haplotype (BsmI/ApaI/TaqI) was significantly associated with an increased CAD prevalence at the end of the study compared with the GCT haplotype (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.28; P = 0.04). In a cross-sectional study of the independent hospital-based cohort, associations of ApaI (P = 0.009) and TaqI (P = 0.03) alleles with CAD were observed, with similar haplotype results (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03-1.73; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The haplotype comprising the minor allele of BsmI, major allele of ApaI and minor allele of TaqI of VDR (AAC) was associated with an increased risk of CAD in type 2 diabetes patients. This effect was independent of the effects of other known cardiovascular risk factors.

Decreased insulin secretion and increased risk of type 2 diabetes associated with allelic variations of the WFS1 gene: the Data from Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (DESIR) prospective study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We investigated associations of allelic variations in the WFS1 gene with insulin secretion and risk of type 2 diabetes in a general population prospective study. METHODS: We studied 5,110 unrelated French men and women who participated in the prospective Data from Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (DESIR) study. Additional cross-sectional analyses were performed on 4,472 French individuals with type 2 diabetes and 3,065 controls. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped: rs10010131, rs1801213/rs7672995 and rs734312. RESULTS: We observed statistically significant associations between the major alleles of the three variants and prevalent type 2 diabetes in the DESIR cohort at baseline. Cox analyses showed an association between the G-allele of rs10010131 and incident type 2 diabetes (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.08-1.70, p = 0.007). Similar results were observed for the G-allele of rs1801213 and the A-allele of rs734312. The GGA haplotype was associated with an increased risk of diabetes as compared with the ACG haplotype (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04-1.42, p = 0.02). We also observed statistically significant associations of the three SNPs with plasma glucose, HbA(1c) levels and insulin secretion at baseline and throughout the study in individuals with type 2 diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes. However, no association was observed in those who remained normoglycaemic at the end of the follow-up. Associations between the three variants and type 2 diabetes were replicated in cross-sectional studies of type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with a non-diabetic control group. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The most frequent haplotype at the haplotype block containing the WFS1 gene modulated insulin secretion and was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Padrão respiratório e movimento toracoabdominal de crianças respiradoras orais / Breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal motion in mouth-breathing children

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o padrão respiratório e o movimento toracoabdominal de crianças respiradoras orais, na faixa etária entre oito e dez anos, e compará-lo ao de seus pares respiradoras nasais. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional realizado em laboratório universitário. O número amostral calculado com base em um estudo piloto com dez crianças em cada grupo, perfazendo um total de 20 crianças, foi de 50 para um nível de significância de 0,05 e um poder estatístico de 0,80. Participaram do estudo 26 crianças respiradoras orais e 25 respiradoras nasais. A pletismografia respiratória por indutância calibrada foi o instrumento utilizado para a análise das seguintes variáveis, entre outras: freqüência respiratória (FR), contribuição da caixa torácica para o volume corrente ( por centoCT/Vc), ângulo de fase (Angfase) e a razão entre o tempo para alcançar o pico de fluxo inspiratório e o tempo inspiratório (PifT/Ti). A saturação periférica da hemoglobia em oxigênio (SpO2) foi medida pela oximetria de pulso. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do teste t de Student para grupos independentes e do teste U de Mann-Whitney, em função da distribuição das variáveis. RESULTADOS: No total, 4.816 ciclos respiratórios foram analisados, sendo 2.455 de respiradores orais e 2.361 de respiradores nasais, com média de 94 ciclos por criança. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos nas variáveis estudadas (FR=20,00±2,68 versus 20,73±2,58, p=0,169; por centoCT/Vc=39,30±11,86 versus 38,36±10,93, p=0,769; Angfase=14,53±7,97 versus 13,31±7,74, p=0,583; PifT/Ti=57,40±7,16 versus 58,35±5,99, p=0,610; SpO2=96,42±1,52 por cento versus 96,88±1,01 por cento, p=0,208; respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados sugerem que as crianças respiradoras orais apresentam padrão respiratório e movimento toracoabdominal semelhantes às de respiradores nasais de mesma faixa etária.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal motion of mouth-breathing children aged between eight and ten years and to compare these characteristics with those of nose-breathing children of the same ages. METHODS: This observational study was carried out in a university laboratory. The sample size of 50 subjects was estimated based on the results of a pilot study with ten children in each group (total of 20 children) and considering a significance level of 0.05 and statistical power of 0.80. Twenty-six mouth-breathing and 25 nose-breathing children participated. Calibrated respiratory inductive plethysmography was used to analyze the following variables, among others: respiratory frequency (f), rib cage contribution towards tidal volume ( percentRC/Vt), phase angle (PhAng) and the ratio between time taken to reach peak inspiratory flow and total inspiratory time (PifT/Ti). Peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2) was measured using pulse oximetry. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test for independent groups or the Mann-Whitney U test, according to the sample distribution of the variables. RESULTS: A total of 4,816 respiratory cycles were analyzed: 2,455 from mouth-breathers and 2,361 from nose-breathers, with a mean of 94 cycles per child. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups, for the variables studied (f=20.00±2.68 versus 20.73±2.58, p=0.169; percentRC/Vt=39.30±11.86 versus 38.36±10.93, p=0.769; PhAng=14.53±7.97 versus 13.31±7.74, p=0.583; PifT/Ti=57.40±7.16 versus 58.35±5.99, p=0.610; SpO2=96.42±1.52 percent versus 96.88± 1.01 percent, p=0.208; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that mouth-breathing children show breathing patterns and thoracoabdominal motion that are similar to those of nose-breathing children in the same age group.

In vivo preservation of the hybrid layer by chlorhexidine.

Host-derived proteases have been reported to degrade the collagen matrix of incompletely-resin-infiltrated dentin. This study tested the hypothesis that interfacial degradation of resin-dentin bonds may be prevented or delayed by the application of chlorhexidine (CHX), a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, to dentin after phosphoric acid-etching. Contralateral pairs of resin-bonded Class I restorations in non-carious third molars were kept under intra-oral function for 14 months. Preservation of resin-dentin bonds was assessed by microtensile bond strength tests and TEM examination. In vivo bond strength remained stable in the CHX-treated specimens, while bond strength decreased significantly in control teeth. Resin-infiltrated dentin in CHX-treated specimens exhibited normal structural integrity of the collagen network. Conversely, progressive disintegration of the fibrillar network was identified in control specimens. Auto-degradation of collagen matrices can occur in resin-infiltrated dentin, but may be prevented by the application of a synthetic protease inhibitor, such as chlorhexidine.

Interfacial ultramorphology of single-step adhesives: nanoleakage as a function of time.

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of single-step self-etching adhesives in preventing nanoleakage over a 90-day water-storage period, and analyse the ultramorphological characteristics of resin-dentin interfaces. Three single-step self-etching adhesives were evaluated: Adper Prompt L-Pop - LP (3M ESPE), iBond - iB (Heraeus Kulzer), and Clearfil Tri-S Bond - S3 (Kuraray). Bonded specimens were sectioned into 0.9-mm thick slabs and stored in water for 1, 60 or 90 days. After the storage periods, a silver tracer solution was used to reveal nanometer-sized spaces and evidence of degradation within resin-dentin interfaces. Epoxy resin-embedded sections were prepared, and the interfaces observed with the TEM. Nanoleakage patterns were compared among adhesives and storage periods using image analysis software. Data were statistically analysed by two-way anova and Tukey test. Nanoleakage was observed in all resin-dentin interfaces produced by the single-step self-etching adhesives. Results showed that LP presented the lowest silver deposition means at 1 day. However, after 60 and 90 days, the area of silver deposition significantly increased for LP. iB presented intense silver deposition after 1 day and a small increase after 90 days. S3 presented the lowest silver deposition means after 60 and 90 days of water-storage.

The Ala45Thr polymorphism of NEUROD1 is associated with type 1 diabetes in Brazilian women.

BACKGROUND: NEUROD1 encodes a transcription factor expressed in the endocrine pancreas, and involved in beta-cell development, function and mechanisms of apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the association of a frequent polymorphism in exon 2 of NEUROD1 (G > A; Ala45Thr) with Type 1 diabetes in Brazilian subjects. METHODS: A population/association study comprising 246 unrelated Type 1 diabetic and 275 nondiabetic white Brazilian subjects. The Ala45Thr variant was genotyped by a PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: The frequency of the Thr allele was significantly higher in patients with Type 1 diabetes than in controls (42.3% vs 35.3%, P=0.02). Stratification by gender showed that homozygosity for the Thr allele was associated with Type 1 diabetes in women with odds ratio of 3.66 (95% C.I. 1.43-10.11, P=0.009) as compared to homozygosity for the Ala allele. This effect was not observed in men. CONCLUSIONS: We found a gender-specific association of the Ala45Thr variant of NEUROD1 with Type 1 diabetes in Brazilian women. Our results suggest that gender as well as ethnicity might modulate the association of NEUROD1 with Type 1 diabetes.

Vitamin D endocrine system and the genetic susceptibility to diabetes, obesity and vascular disease. A review of evidence.

The Vitamin D endocrine system regulates multiple aspects of calcium metabolism and cellular differentiation and replication in the immune system, endocrine pancreas, liver, skeletal muscles and adipocytes. It plays an important role in glucose homeostasis, notably, in the mechanism of insulin release. Actions of vitamin D are mediated by the binding of 1, 25-(OH)2D3 to a specific cytosolic/nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. Several frequent polymorphisms are found in the VDR gene and were reported to be associated with a variety of physiological and pathological phenotypes in many populations. In this paper, we will review the evidences suggesting associations of allelic variations in the VDR gene and phenotypes related to body weight, glucose homeostasis, diabetes and its vascular complications.

The Gly482Ser polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 gene is associated with hypertension in type 2 diabetic men.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 (PPARGC1) acts as a cofactor for several nuclear hormone receptors in many tissues and organs implicated in blood pressure regulation. Here, we assessed the association between the Gly482Ser variant of PPARGC1 and the arterial hypertension frequently found in subjects with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We studied a group of 479 men and 253 women with type 2 diabetes. Arterial hypertension was present in 70% of the men and in 73% of the women. Genotypes were examined by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the covariables associated with arterial hypertension. RESULTS: There was an association between Ser allele homozygosis and arterial hypertension in type 2 diabetic men (odds ratio of 2.52 vs Gly allele homozygosis; 95% CI: 1.32-5.00; p=0.0064), but not in women. The prevalence of arterial hypertension in type 2 diabetic men was 77% vs 73% vs 67% for Ser-Ser, Gly-Ser and Gly-Gly carriers respectively (p=0.021). Age, BMI, the use of insulin, and triglyceride and creatinine levels were also independently associated with arterial hypertension in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We have observed a sex-specific association between the PPARGC-1 gene Gly482Ser polymorphism and arterial hypertension in type 2 diabetic men. Further studies are needed to investigate the genetic, biochemical and pathophysiological basis of this allelic association.

Allelic variation in exon 18 of the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) gene, insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic relatives of type 2 diabetic subjects.

BACKGROUND: We have previously observed associations of the T-allele of the exon 18 variant (ACC --> ACT; Thr759Thr) of the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Here we assess beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity in carriers of different genotypes at this locus. METHODS: Pre-hepatic insulin secretion rates (ISR) derived by deconvolution of circulating C-peptide levels, and glucose clearance were assessed during graded infusions of intravenous glucose in CC-homozygous (n=6) and CT-heterozygous (n=6) nondiabetic relatives of CT-heterozygous type 2 diabetic subjects. RESULTS: Average ISR over the duration of the study, adjusted for sex, age, BMI and prevailing glucose levels, were lower in CT-heterozygous subjects as compared with CC-homozygous subjects (3.91 +/- 0.40 vs. 4.84 +/- 0.28 pmol/kg x min(-1); p=0.048). The correlation curves relating ISR to glucose levels were significantly different in the two groups (analyses of covariance p=0.029). Glucose clearance was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin secretion rates, but not insulin sensitivity, assessed during graded infusion of glucose were mildly decreased in nondiabetic relatives of type 2 diabetic subjects, who carry the at risk T-allele of exon 18 variant of the SUR1 gene. These results suggest that the at-risk allele might have a small effect on pancreatic B-cell function and contribute to the development of T2DM in these families.