Bisphenol-A induced cyto-genotoxicity on retinal pigment epithelial cells is differentially modulated by a multi-supplement containing guarana, selenium, and L-carnitine.

Bisphenol A (BPA) may adversely affect human health by inducing oxidative stress and irreversible damage to cells. Bioactive compounds found in some functional foods, individually or in combination, can attenuate the negative effects of BPA exposure; an example is the multi-supplement containing guarana (Gua), selenium (Se), and L-carnitine (LC) -GSC- which has already demonstrated antioxidant, genoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. This study aimed to determine the effect of GSC and its constituents on oxidative and genotoxic alterations triggered by BPA exposure in the retinal epithelial cell line. The cells exposed to BPA (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 3, and 10 µM) to determine the lowest concentration required to induce cyto-genotoxicity. ARPE-19 cells were then concomitantly exposed to the selected BPA concentration, GSC, and its components (Gua, 1.07 mg/mL; Se, 0.178 µg/mL; and LC, 1.43 mg/mL). Flow cytometry, biochemical assays, qRT-PCR, genotoxicity, apoptosis, and cellular proliferation. Based on our results, 10 µM of BPA could induce cyto-genotoxic and oxidative alterations. BPA did not alter the Bcl-2/BAX expression ratio but induced Casp3 and Casp8 overexpression, suggesting that apoptosis was induced mainly via the extrinsic pathway. GSC partially reversed the alterations triggered by BPA in ARPE-19 cells. However, Se had unexpected negative effects on ARPE-19 cells. The multi-supplement GSC may attenuate changes in oxidative and genotoxic markers related to exposure of ARPE-19 cells to BPA. our results revealed that the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and genoprotective properties of GSC were not universally shared by its individual, once Se did not exhibit any positive impact.

Autosomal recessive hypotrichosis with loose anagen hairs associated with TKFC mutations.

BACKGROUND: Loose anagen hair is a rare form of impaired hair anchorage in which anagen hairs that lack inner and outer root sheaths can be gently and painlessly plucked from the scalp. This condition usually occurs in children and is often self-limiting. A genetic basis for the disorder has been suggested but not proven. A better understanding the aetiology of loose anagen hair may improve prevention and treatment strategies. OBJECTIVES: To identify a possible genetic basis of loose anagen hair using next-generation DNA sequencing and functional analysis of variants identified. METHODS: In this case study, whole-exome sequencing analysis of a pedigree with one affected individual with features of loose anagen hair was performed. RESULTS: The patient was found to be compound heterozygous for two single-nucleotide substitutions in TKFC resulting in the following missense mutations: c.574G> C (p.Gly192Arg) and c.682C> T (p.Arg228Trp). Structural analysis of human TKFC showed that both mutations are located near the active site cavity. Kinetic assays of recombinant proteins bearing either of these amino acid substitutions showed almost no dihydroxyacetone kinase or D-glyceraldehyde kinase activity, and FMN cyclase activity reduced to just 10% of wildtype catalytic activity. CONCLUSIONS: TKFC missense mutations may predispose to the development of loose anagen hairs. Identification of this new biochemical pathobiology expands the metabolic and genetic basis of hypotrichosis.

Effectiveness of three instrumentation systems to remove Enterococcus faecalis from root canals.

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of three systems of mechanical preparation to reduce Enterococcus faecalis within root canals. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-four human single-rooted canine teeth were standardized to a length of 17 mm and the canal contents removed using a size 20 K-file, as the last apical file. After irrigation and sterilization, the canals were contaminated with E. faecalis and incubated for 21 days at 37 °C with 5% CO(2). Then, the teeth were divided into three groups for mechanical preparation with: ProTaper rotary system, ProTaper manual system and manual K-files. Samples of the root canal contents, before and after the debridement, were collected with sterile paper points for 1 min. Then, the samples were diluted and plated in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar. The colony-forming units were counted and the percentage reduction calculated. The reduction and log CFU mL(-1) were compared between groups using Wilcoxon nonparametric test and two-way analysis of variance, respectively. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the number of CFU/mL (P = 0.000) before and after debridement for all the systems used. However, there was no significant difference between the systems. CONCLUSION: All the three instrumentation systems reduced E. faecalis counts to a similar degree.

Cell blocks allow reliable evaluation of expression of basal (CK5/6) and luminal (CK8/18) cytokeratins and smooth muscle actin (SMA) in breast carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Gene expression studies have revealed several molecular subtypes of breast carcinoma with distinct clinical and biological behaviours. DNA microarray studies correlated with immunohistochemical profiling of breast carcinomas using cytokeratin (CK) markers, Her2/neu, oestrogen receptor (ER), and basal myoepithelial cell markers have identified five breast tumour subtypes: (i) luminal A (ER+; Her2/neu-), (ii) luminal B (ER+; Her2/neu+), (iii) Her2 overexpression (ER-; Her2/neu+), (iv) basal-like (ER-; Her2/neu-, CK5/6 and 14+), and (v) negative for all markers. Luminal carcinomas express cytokeratins in a luminal pattern (CK8/18), and the basal-like type expresses CK5/6 and CK14 or basal epithelial cell markers. CK5/6, CK8/18, and smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression were assessed in cell blocks and compared with expression in surgical specimens. METHODS: Sixty-two cases of breast carcinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology with cell blocks and available surgical specimens were included. Cell blocks containing at least 10 high-power fields each with at least 10 tumour cells and surgical specimens were immunostained for CK5/6, CK8/18 and SMA. RESULTS: Percentage sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were, respectively, 77, 100, 100, 92 and 94 for CK5/6; 98, 66, 96, 80 and 95 for CK8/18; and 92, 96, 85, 98 and 95 for SMA. CONCLUSION: The identification of CK5/6, CK8/18 and SMA by immunohistochemistry in cell blocks can be a reliable method that yields results close to those obtained in surgical specimens, and can contribute to the classification of breast carcinomas with luminal and basal expression patterns, providing helpful information in the choice of treatment and in the evaluation of prognostic and predictive factors.

Ex vivo evaluation of the effectiveness of bleaching agents on the shade alteration of blood-stained teeth.

AIM: To evaluate ex vivo effectiveness of the three formulations of bleaching materials for intracoronal bleaching of root filled teeth using the walking bleach technique. METHODOLOGY: Extracted premolar teeth were stained artificially with human blood. After biomechanical preparation, the root canals were filled and a 3-mm thick intermediate base of zinc phosphate cement was placed at the level of the cementoenamel junction. The teeth were divided into four groups (n = 12): C (control, without bleaching material), A1 (sodium perborate + distilled water), A2 (sodium perborate + 10% carbamide peroxide) and A3 (sodium perborate + 35% carbamide peroxide). The bleaching materials were changed at 7 and 14 days. Evaluation of shade was undertaken with aid of the VITA Easyshadetrade mark (DeltaE*ab) and was performed after tooth staining and at 7, 14 and 21 days after bleaching, based on the CIELAB system. Data were analysed by anova for repeated measurements, Tukey and Dunnett tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The Tukey test revealed that group A1 (10.58 +/- 4.83 DeltaE*ab) was statistically different from the others (A2, 19.57 +/- 4.72 DeltaE*ab and A3, 17.58 +/- 3.33 DeltaE*ab), which were not different from each other. At 7 days: A1 was significantly different from A2; at 14 and 21 days: A2 and A3 were significantly better than A1; the Dunnett test revealed that the control group was different from A1, A2 and A3 at all periods (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sodium perborate associated with both 10% and 35% carbamide peroxide was more effective than when associated with distilled water.

Evaluation of dry protonated calcium alginate beads for biosorption applications and studies of lead uptake.

Alginate polysaccharide is a promising biosorbent for metal uptake. Dry protonated calcium alginate beads for biosorption applications were prepared, briefly characterized and tested for lead uptake. Several advantages of this biosorbent are reported and discussed in comparison with other alginate-based sorbents. The alginate beads contained 4.7 mmol/g of COOH groups, which suffered hydrolysis near pH 4. The Weber and Morris model, applied to kinetic results of lead uptake, showed that intraparticle diffusion was the rate-controlling step in lead sorption by dry alginate beads. Equilibrium experiments were performed and the data were fitted with different isotherm models. The Langmuir equation was the most adequate to model lead sorption. The maximum uptake capacity (q max) was estimated as 339 mg/g and the Langmuir constant (b) as 0.84 l/mg. These values were compared with that of other sorbents found in the literature, indicating that dry protonated calcium alginate beads are among the best biosorbents for the treatment and recovery of heavy metals from aqueous streams.

Animal model of bile duct dilatation created with minimally invasive surgery.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to evaluate a method of producing obstruction of the common bile duct and concomitant biliary duct dilatation in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic placement of a double-balloon occlusion device was used to produce common bile duct obstruction and bile duct dilatation in pigs. RESULTS: One week after the procedure, common bile duct obstruction and dilatation of the biliary tree were demonstrated with either percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography or percutaneous cholecystography. CONCLUSION: The use of this method is technically feasible and provides a useful subacute and chronic animal model of common bile duct obstruction and dilatation of the biliary tree for percutaneous interventional training and research purposes.

Abdominal colpopexy for complete prolapse of the vagina.

A comparative study of abdominal colpopexy using rectus fascia and sacral fixation for the treatment of prolapsed vagina following hysterectomy was performed. The abdominal approach yields better results than the vaginal route. Fixation of the vaginal vault using a Dacron prosthesis is more rational and was the method of choice, resulting in a complete cure in 10 of 11 patients. The Brady technique failed in 25% of cases.

[Transvaginal tubal ligation]. / Laqueadura tubaria pela via transvaginal.

PIP: Vaginal tubal ligation is a simple procedure, offers minor surgical risks, and has few contraindications. The authors consider it the surgical contraceptive of choice in selected cases. From July 1975 to March 1983 the authors performed 155 tubal ligations by the vaginal route after posterior colpotomy. For each patient opinions were sought from at least 3 physicians, who advised regarding the medical or psychological need for sterilization. The median age was 35 years, with ages ranging from 23 to 48. Median parity was 5.3, with 57 patients having 6 or more children. All were from low socioeconomic backgrounds. 140 tubal sterilizations were done by the Pomeroy method, in 14 by the Pomeroy method on 1 side and fimbriectomy on the other, and in 1 patient a bilateral fimbriectomy was performed. In 3 patients the tubal ligation was completed by abdominal route because of difficulty of vision during colpotomy. All patients recovered well postoperatively, with minimal pain. All received antibiotic therapy with penicillin for 5 days following surgery. Average duration of surgery was 42 minutes. There were no occurrences of lesions, hemorrhages, abcesses, or infection of incisions. With an average follow-up of 41.2 months, the incidence of problems was 0.65%. Contraindications against using the vaginal route include a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, anterior gynecological surgery, alterations in the mobility or size of the uterus, and presence of adnexal tumors. Colpotomy presents several advantages: it is well accepted by the patient because there is no abdominal scar, it is an efficient method that does not require special apparatus such as optical or mechanical equipment, it is associated with minimal morbidity, and there are few complications. Additionally, surgery is of short duration, postoperative pain minimal, and it is economical because hospitalization time is short, with rapid convalescence. Disadvantages observed were: it is not applicable to all patients and requires major surgical training to perform; it requires an extended period of postoperative sexual abstinence, usually 4 weeks. This procedure cannot be used during the immediate postpartum period, with a recommended interval of 6 weeks. Tubal sterilization using posterior colpotomy, in view of the advantages and results obtained, is recommended for selected cases.^ieng

Laqueadura tubaria pela via transvaginal. / Tubal ligation by transvaginal route

A laqueadura tubaria pela via transvaginal e de tecnica simples, oferece menores riscos cirurgicos, tem poucas contra-indicacoes e os resultados obtidos em 155 casos permitem concluir tratar-se de metodo de alta seguranca. Os autores consideram tal metodo contraceptivo cirurgico de escolha em casos selecionados