Retinol Levels and Severity of Patients with COVID-19.

The new coronavirus infection represents a serious threat to global health and economies. In this sense, it is paramount to know the nutritional factors that may be related to the prognosis of the disease. Evidence shows that vitamin A may play an important preventive and therapeutic role in supporting respiratory infections as in COVID-19. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association of vitamin A (retinol) status with the prognosis of the disease. A case-control study from a cohort study was conducted in Brazil between May and October 2020. The study population was chosen by convenience, consisting of participants diagnosed with COVID-19. Recruitment was carried out using different approaches, including through dissemination on social media and in four hospitals in the city of Natal/RN, Brazil, recruiting participants from the COVID-19 ward and hospitalized participants who tested positive for the disease. The participants were allocated into two groups according to severity, with a group of mild (n = 88) or critical (n = 106) patients and compared to a control group (selected before the pandemic, n = 46). The extraction of retinol serum was performed and analyzed using the high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC). The retinol level was calculated in mmol/L, and levels below 0.7 µmol/L (20 µg/dL) were considered to be a vitamin A deficiency. Our findings suggest that the participants with mild and critical COVID-19 had lower retinol levels compared to the healthy controls (p = 0.03). In addition, milder cases of COVID-19 were associated with increased symptoms and prolonged symptoms after 90 days since the beginning of infection. However, the survival analysis showed no association with higher cases of death among participants with vitamin A deficiency (p = 0.509). More studies are needed to understand how nutritional status, including vitamin A levels, can influence prognosis and is a risk factor for the development of long COVID syndrome.

Post-Covid condition and clinic characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a 2-year follow-up to Brazilian cases.

Until January 2023, Brazil recorded 37 million COVID-19 cases despite the decrease in mortality due to mass vaccination efforts against COVID-19. The infection continues to challenge researchers and health professionals with the persistent symptoms and onset manifestations after the acute phase of the disease, namely Post-Covid Condition (PCC). Being one of the countries with the highest infection rate, Brazil must prepare for a growing number of patients with chronic health consequences of COVID-19. Longitudinal studies that follow patients over extended periods are crucial in understanding the long-term impacts of COVID-19, including potential health consequences and the effects on quality of life. We describe the clinical profile of a cohort of COVID-19 patients infected during the first year of the pandemic in Brazil and a follow-up after two years to investigate the health impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Brazil featured extensive drug misuse, notably the ineffective COVID kit comprised of ivermectin, antimalarials and azithromycin, and elevated in-hospital mortality. In the second phase of the study, Post-Covid Condition was reported by symptomatic COVID-19 subjects across different severity levels two years after infection. Long haulers are more likely to be women, previously hospitalized, and reported a range of symptoms from muscle pain to cognitive deficit. Our longitudinal study is essential to inform public health authorities to develop strategies and policies to control the spread of the virus and mitigate its impacts on society.

Hand instrumentation provides improved tissue response over ultrasonic scaler and substantiates safe dental practice: An in vivo study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hand debridement (HD) versus ultrasonic dental scaler (UDS) for the treatment of experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty 3-month-old male rats were used. EP was induced around the mandibular first molars (right and left). Seven days after induction, the treatments with either HD (n = 30) or UDS (n = 30) were randomly performed in each molar. Euthanasia were performed at 7, 15, and 30 days after treatment. Histometric (percentage of bone in the furcation [PBF]), histopathological, and immunohistochemical (for detection of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase [TRAP] and osteocalcin [OCN]). Parametric data (PBF and TRAP) was analyzed by One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post-test. OCN was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis followed by Student-Newman-Keuls post-test. The level of significance was 5%. RESULTS: Group HD presented higher PBF and lower TRAP-immunolabeling at 30 days as compared with UDS in the same period (p≤0.05). Group HD presented higher OCN immunolabeling at 30 days as compared with 7 and 15 days (p≤0.05). Persistent and exacerbated inflammatory process was observed in some specimens from group UDS at 30 days, as well as the bone trabeculae presented irregular contour, surrounded by many active osteoclasts. CONCLUSION: Nonsurgical periodontal therapy with HD resulted in higher PBF and lower expression of TRAP as compared with UDS. Also, HD increased the expression of OCN over time.

Inulin diet uncovers complex diet-microbiota-immune cell interactions remodeling the gut epithelium.

BACKGROUND: The continuous proliferation of intestinal stem cells followed by their tightly regulated differentiation to epithelial cells is essential for the maintenance of the gut epithelial barrier and its functions. How these processes are tuned by diet and gut microbiome is an important, but poorly understood question. Dietary soluble fibers, such as inulin, are known for their ability to impact the gut bacterial community and gut epithelium, and their consumption has been usually associated with health improvement in mice and humans. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that inulin consumption modifies the composition of colonic bacteria and this impacts intestinal stem cells functions, thus affecting the epithelial structure. METHODS: Mice were fed with a diet containing 5% of the insoluble fiber cellulose or the same diet enriched with an additional 10% of inulin. Using a combination of histochemistry, host cell transcriptomics, 16S microbiome analysis, germ-free, gnotobiotic, and genetically modified mouse models, we analyzed the impact of inulin intake on the colonic epithelium, intestinal bacteria, and the local immune compartment. RESULTS: We show that the consumption of inulin diet alters the colon epithelium by increasing the proliferation of intestinal stem cells, leading to deeper crypts and longer colons. This effect was dependent on the inulin-altered gut microbiota, as no modulations were observed in animals deprived of microbiota, nor in mice fed cellulose-enriched diets. We also describe the pivotal role of γδ T lymphocytes and IL-22 in this microenvironment, as the inulin diet failed to induce epithelium remodeling in mice lacking this T cell population or cytokine, highlighting their importance in the diet-microbiota-epithelium-immune system crosstalk. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the intake of inulin affects the activity of intestinal stem cells and drives a homeostatic remodeling of the colon epithelium, an effect that requires the gut microbiota, γδ T cells, and the presence of IL-22. Our study indicates complex cross kingdom and cross cell type interactions involved in the adaptation of the colon epithelium to the luminal environment in steady state. Video Abstract.

Corrente materialista histórica da terapia ocupacional: Estudo de categorias e teorizações marxistas para a profissão / The historical materialism current of occupational therapy: study of marxist categories and theories for the profession / La corriente materialista histórica de la terapia ocupacional: estudio de categorías y teorías marxistas para la profesión

Introdução: O resgate da forma de pensamento e método críticos da Terapia Ocupacional, conhecida como Corrente Materialista Histórica da Terapia Ocupacional (CMHTO), advinda no Brasil nos idos de 1980, faz-se necessário ao debate franco que pretendemos contribuir sobre a perspectiva crítica da Terapia Ocupacional. Métodos: Estudo teórico sobre as obras nacionais centrais da discussão materialista histórica e dialética na Terapia Ocupacional. Objetivo: Apresentar as categorias fundamentais da CMHTO e parte da sua teorização no debate epistemológico da Terapia Ocupacional no Brasil. Resultados: O escopo epistemológico da Terapia Ocupacional, a finalidade e forma de intervenção profissional foram os objetos centrais do debate crítico da CMHTO a partir das obras de Karl Marx e Friedrich Engels sob as categorias trabalho, produção capitalista, mercadoria, alienação, hegemonia, ideologia, consciência de classe, práxis e luta de classes. A crise do papel profissional manifestou as contradições da profissão diante da incapacidade de responder às necessidades sociais e de saúde da classe trabalhadora. O método materialista histórico e dialético teorizado pela CMHTO, ainda que primário, aponta para a superação da abstração sobre a ocupação humana e o caráter funcionalista das práticas terapêuticas ocupacionais que sustentam a reprodução à ordem do capital. Conclusão: O debate crítico epistemológico da Terapia Ocupacional continua em aberto. A reconstrução da CMHTO responde ao chamado da nossa base profissional combativa à forma atual do capitalismo sob as novas e conhecidas questões e necessidades da classe trabalhadora.

Introduction: The updating of the Occupational Therapy's critical thinking and method, known as the Historical Materialism Current of Occupational Therapy (CMHTO), arising in Brazil in the 1980s, is necessary for the open debate that we intend to contribute to the critical perspective of Occupational Therapy. Methods: Theoretical study about historical and dialectical materialist discussion in brazilian Occupational Therapy. Objective: To present the fundamental categories of the CMHTO and part of its theorization in the epistemological debate of Occupational Therapy in Brazil. Results: The epistemological scope of Occupational Therapy, and the purpose and form of professional intervention were the central objects of the CMHTO debate from Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels under the categories work, capitalist production, commodity, alienation, hegemony, ideology, class consciousness, praxis and class struggle. The professional role crisis manifested the contradictions of the profession in the face of its inability to respond to the social Palavras-chave: Ensino Online. Terapia Ocupacional. Aprendizagem. COVID-19. and health needs of the working class. The historical and dialectical materialist method theorized by the CMHTO, although primary, point to the overcoming the abstraction about human occupation and the functionalist character of occupational therapy practices that sustain the reproduction to the capital. Conclusion: The critical epistemological debate in Occupational Therapy remains open. The reconstruction of brazilian CMHTO answers the call of our combative professional base to the current form of capitalism under the new and known social and health issues of the working class.

Introdución: El rescate de las formas críticas de pensamiento y método de la Terapia Ocupacional, conocida como la Corriente Materialista e Histórica de la Terapia Ocupacional (CMHTO) brasileña en la década de 1980, es necesaria para el debate franco que pretendemos contribuir a la perspectiva crítica de la Terapia Ocupacional. Objetivos: Presentar las categorías fundamentales del CMHTO y parte de su teorización en el debate epistemológico de la Terapia Ocupacional brasileña Método: Estudio teórico sobre las obras centrales de la discusión materialista histórica y dialéctica en Terapia Ocupacional. Resultados: El alcance epistemológico de la Terapia Ocupacional así como la finalidad y la forma de la intervención profesional fueron los objetos centrales del debate de la CMHTO a partir de Karl Marx y Friedrich Engels bajo las categorías trabajo, producción capitalista, mercancía, alienación, hegemonía, ideología, conciencia de clase, praxis y lucha de clases. La crisis del papel profesional puso de manifiesto las contradicciones de la profesión ante su incapacidad de respuesta social y sanitaria para la clase trabajadora. El método materialista histórico y dialéctico teorizado por el CMHTO, aunque primario, apunta superar la abstracción sobre la ocupación humana y el carácter funcionalista de las prácticas profesionales que sustentan la reproducción de la orden del capital. Conclusión: El debate epistemológico crítico de la Terapia Ocupacional sigue abierto. La reconstrucción de la CMHTO brasileña responde al llamado de nuestra base profesional combativa a la forma actual del capitalismo bajo las nuevas y conocidas cuestiones sociales y de salud de la clase trabajadora.

Global and local ancestry modulate APOE association with Alzheimer's neuropathology and cognitive outcomes in an admixed sample.

Dementia is more prevalent in Blacks than in Whites, likely due to a combination of environmental and biological factors. Paradoxically, clinical studies suggest an attenuation of APOE ε4 risk of dementia in African ancestry (AFR), but a dearth of neuropathological data preclude the interpretation of the biological factors underlying these findings, including the association between APOE ε4 risk and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, the most frequent cause of dementia. We investigated the interaction between African ancestry, AD-related neuropathology, APOE genotype, and functional cognition in a postmortem sample of 400 individuals with a range of AD pathology severity and lack of comorbid neuropathology from a cohort of community-dwelling, admixed Brazilians. Increasing proportions of African ancestry (AFR) correlated with a lower burden of neuritic plaques (NP). However, for individuals with a severe burden of NP and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), AFR proportion was associated with worse Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes (CDR-SOB). Among APOE ε4 carriers, the association between AFR proportion and CDR-SOB disappeared. APOE local ancestry inference of a subset of 309 individuals revealed that, in APOE ε4 noncarriers, non-European APOE background correlated with lower NP burden and, also, worse cognitive outcomes than European APOE when adjusting by NP burden. Finally, APOE ε4 was associated with worse AD neuropathological burden only in a European APOE background. APOE genotype and its association with AD neuropathology and clinical pattern are highly influenced by ancestry, with AFR associated with lower NP burden and attenuated APOE ε4 risk compared to European ancestry.

Does chromatin function as a metabolite reservoir?

Alternative histone acylations integrate gene expression with cellular metabolic states. Recent measurements of cellular acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) pools highlight the potential that histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) contribute directly to the regulation of metabolite pools. A metabolite-centric view throws new light onto roles and evolution of histone PTMs.

Whole-genome sequencing of 1,171 elderly admixed individuals from São Paulo, Brazil.

As whole-genome sequencing (WGS) becomes the gold standard tool for studying population genomics and medical applications, data on diverse non-European and admixed individuals are still scarce. Here, we present a high-coverage WGS dataset of 1,171 highly admixed elderly Brazilians from a census-based cohort, providing over 76 million variants, of which ~2 million are absent from large public databases. WGS enables identification of ~2,000 previously undescribed mobile element insertions without previous description, nearly 5 Mb of genomic segments absent from the human genome reference, and over 140 alleles from HLA genes absent from public resources. We reclassify and curate pathogenicity assertions for nearly four hundred variants in genes associated with dominantly-inherited Mendelian disorders and calculate the incidence for selected recessive disorders, demonstrating the clinical usefulness of the present study. Finally, we observe that whole-genome and HLA imputation could be significantly improved compared to available datasets since rare variation represents the largest proportion of input from WGS. These results demonstrate that even smaller sample sizes of underrepresented populations bring relevant data for genomic studies, especially when exploring analyses allowed only by WGS.

Treatment of cosmetic industry wastewater by flotation with Moringa oleifera Lam. and aluminum sulfate and toxicity assessment of the treated wastewater.

The production of personal hygiene and body products generates wastewater with a high load of surfactants, a high chemical oxygen demand (COD), and abundant oils and greases. Aluminum sulfate (AS) and two solutions of natural coagulant from Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds prepared with a 1M NaCl solution and 1.5M NaCl solution were used. Aluminum sulfate, Moringa oleifera Lam. in 1M NaCl, and Moringa oleifera Lam. in 1.5M NaCl solutions reduced turbidity at rates 94.48%, 98.07%, and 97.87%; reduced COD at rates 46.36%, 49.15%, and 42.7%; and reduced oil and grease at rates 98.72%, 78.65%, and 97.41%, respectively. Mutagenicity tests with guppies showed a lower toxicity of Moringa oleifera Lam. extract compared with aluminum sulfate. This work shows that Moringa oleifera Lam. extract has high potential for use as an alternative to aluminum sulfate; therefore, this study will contribute to proposals for the sustainable treatment of effluents from the cosmetic industry.

Histopathological prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with nutritional status of vitamins A and E.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Experimental and clinical studies have shown that vitamins A and E can inhibit cancer formation and progression. The unfavourable status of these vitamins can represent risk factors for the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the nutritional status of vitamins A and E (serum levels and dietary intake) and histopathological outcomes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) patients. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We applied a cross-sectional study (2017-2018) and quantified retinol (ROH) and α-tocopherol (TOH) serum levels and vitamins dietary intake of 46 PTC patients. Serum vitamins were quantified by high efficiency liquid chromatography and vitamins dietary intake was analyzed by 24-hr dietary recalls. RESULTS: Patients with lower ROH serum levels were more likely to present lymph node metastasis and/or angiolymphatic invasion (p = 0.025). In addition, higher vitamin A and vitamin E intake are related to the absence of extrathyroidal extension (p = 0.013) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.007), respectively. Our findings suggest that a ROH serum level greater than 2.65 µmol/L in PTC patients may be a protective factor against the presence of lymph node metastasis and angiolymphatic invasion. In addition, vitamin A and E intake may protect against extrathyroidal extension and lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: A favourable nutritional status (higher serum levels and/or intake) of vitamin A and E may be associated with less aggressive tumours in PTC patients.

Purification of chitosanases produced by Bacillus toyonensis CCT 7899 and functional oligosaccharides production.

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) have a great potential to be used by pharmaceutical industry due to their many biological activities. The use of enzymes to produce them is very advantageous, however it still faces many challenges, such as discovering new strains capable to produce enzymes that are able to generate bioactive oligosaccharides. In the present study a purification protein protocol was performed to purify chitosanases produced by Bacillus toyonensis CCT 7899 for further chitosan hydrolysis. The produced chitooligosaccharides were characterized by mass spectroscopy (MS) and their antiedematogenic effect was investigated through carrageenan-induced paw edema model. The animals were treated previously to inflammation by intragastric route with COS at 30, 300 and 600 mg/kg. The purification protocol showed a good performance for the chitosanases purification using 0.20 M NaCl solution to elute it, with a 9.54-fold purification factor. The treatment with COS promoted a decrease of paw edema at all evaluated times and the AUC0-4h, proving that COS produced showed activity in acute inflammation like commercial anti-inflammatory Dexamethasone (corticosteroid). Therefore, the strategy used to purification was successfully applied and it was possible to generate bioactive oligosaccharides with potential pharmacological use.

Production and Characterization of Chitooligosaccharides: Evaluation of Acute Toxicity, Healing, and Anti-Inflammatory Actions.

The search for promising biomolecules such as chitooligosaccharides (COS) has increased due to the need for healing products that act efficiently, avoiding complications resulting from exacerbated inflammation. Therefore, this study aimed to produce COS in two stages of hydrolysis using chitosanases derived from Bacillus toyonensis. Additionally, this study aimed to structurally characterize the COS via mass spectrometry, to analyze their biocompatibility in acute toxicity models in vivo, to evaluate their healing action in a cell migration model in vitro, to analyze the anti-inflammatory activity in in vivo models of xylol-induced ear edema and zymosan-induced air pouch, and to assess the wound repair action in vivo. The structural characterization process pointed out the presence of hexamers. The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of COS was reaffirmed. The COS stimulated the fibroblast migration. In the in vivo inflammatory assays, COS showed an antiedematogenic response and significant reductions in leukocyte migration, cytokine release, and protein exudate. The COS healing effect in vivo was confirmed by the significant wound reduction after seven days of the experiment. These results indicated that the presence of hexamers influences the COS biological properties, which have potential uses in the pharmaceutical field due to their healing and anti-inflammatory action.

LRRK2 Gene Variants Associated With a Higher Risk for Alcohol Dependence in Multiethnic Populations.

Background: Genetics influence the vulnerability to alcohol use disorders, and among the implicated genes, three previous studies have provided evidences for the involvement of LRRK2 in alcohol dependence (AD). LRRK2 expression is broadly dysregulated in postmortem brain from AD humans, as well as in the brain of mice with alcohol dependent-like behaviors and in a zebrafish model of alcohol preference. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of variants in the LRRK2 gene with AD in multiethnic populations from South and North America. Methods: Alcohol-screening questionnaires [such as CAGE and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)] were used to determine individual risk of AD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were done in three independent populations (898 individuals from Bambuí, Brazil; 3,015 individuals from Pelotas, Brazil; and 1,316 from the United States). Linkage disequilibrium and conditional analyses, as well as in silico functional analyses, were also conducted. Results: Four LRRK2 variants were significantly associated with AD in our discovery cohort (Bambuí): rs4768231, rs4767971, rs7307310, and rs1465527. Two of these variants (rs4768231 and rs4767971) were replicated in both Pelotas and US cohorts. The consistent association signal (at the LRRK2 locus) found in populations with different genetic backgrounds reinforces the relevance of our findings. Conclusion: Taken together, these results support the notion that genetic variants in the LRRK2 locus are risk factors for AD in humans.

Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Oligosaccharides with Special Attention to Antiparasitic Potential.

The global rise of infectious disease outbreaks and the progression of microbial resistance reinforce the importance of researching new biomolecules. Obtained from the hydrolysis of chitosan, chitooligosaccharides (COSs) have demonstrated several biological properties, including antimicrobial, and greater advantage over chitosan due to their higher solubility and lower viscosity. Despite the evidence of the biotechnological potential of COSs, their effects on trypanosomatids are still scarce. The objectives of this study were the enzymatic production, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic effects of COSs. NMR and mass spectrometry analyses indicated the presence of a mixture with 81% deacetylated COS and acetylated hexamers. COSs demonstrated no evidence of cytotoxicity upon 2 mg/mL. In addition, COSs showed interesting activity against bacteria and yeasts and a time-dependent parasitic inhibition. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated a parasite aggregation ability of COSs. Thus, the broad biological effect of COSs makes them a promising molecule for the biomedical industry.

Admixture/fine-mapping in Brazilians reveals a West African associated potential regulatory variant (rs114066381) with a strong female-specific effect on body mass and fat mass indexes.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Admixed populations are a resource to study the global genetic architecture of complex phenotypes, which is critical, considering that non-European populations are severely underrepresented in genomic studies. Here, we study the genetic architecture of BMI in children, young adults, and elderly individuals from the admixed population of Brazil. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Leveraging admixture in Brazilians, whose chromosomes are mosaics of fragments of Native American, European, and African origins, we used genome-wide data to perform admixture mapping/fine-mapping of body mass index (BMI) in three Brazilian population-based cohorts from Northeast (Salvador), Southeast (Bambuí), and South (Pelotas). RESULTS: We found significant associations with African-associated alleles in children from Salvador (PALD1 and ZMIZ1 genes), and in young adults from Pelotas (NOD2 and MTUS2 genes). More importantly, in Pelotas, rs114066381, mapped in a potential regulatory region, is significantly associated only in females (p = 2.76e-06). This variant is rare in Europeans but with frequencies of ~3% in West Africa and has a strong female-specific effect (95% CI: 2.32-5.65 kg/m2 per each A allele). We confirmed this sex-specific association and replicated its strong effect for an adjusted fat mass index in the same Pelotas cohort, and for BMI in another Brazilian cohort from São Paulo (Southeast Brazil). A meta-analysis confirmed the significant association. Remarkably, we observed that while the frequency of rs114066381-A allele ranges from 0.8 to 2.1% in the studied populations, it attains ~9% among women with morbid obesity from Pelotas, São Paulo, and Bambuí. The effect size of rs114066381 is at least five times higher than the FTO SNPs rs9939609 and rs1558902, already emblematic for their high effects. CONCLUSIONS: We identified six candidate SNPs associated with BMI. rs114066381 stands out for its high effect that was replicated and its high frequency in women with morbid obesity. We demonstrate how admixed populations are a source of new relevant phenotype-associated genetic variants.

Influence of systemic strontium ranelate on the progression and as adjunctive therapy for the nonsurgical treatment of experimental periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Strontium Ranelate (SR) presents overlapping osteoanabolic and anti-resorptive activity. However, the effects of SR on the progression of periodontitis through the alveolar bone and its potential applicability as adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planning remain poorly accessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemic (SR) both on the progression of experimental periodontitis (EP) and as adjunctive therapy to SRP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty male rats were divided into four groups (n=20): EP-PSS: EP induction and systemic administration of physiological saline solution (PSS); EP-SR: EP induction and systemic administration of SR; EP-SRP/PSS: EP induction, SRP and systemic administration of PSS; EP-SRP/SR: EP induction, SRP and systemic administration of SR. Seven days after ligature placement, SRP was performed in EP-SRP/PSS and EP-SRP/SR, as well as the systemic administration of either PSS or SR were initiated and continued until euthanasia in all groups. Animals were euthanized at 7 and 30 days after the beginning of the systemic treatments. Histological, histometric (percentage of bone in the furcation [PBF]) and immunohistochemical (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase [TRAP], Osteocalcin [OCN] and leukocyte common antigen [CD 45]) analyses were performed. Data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: EP-SRP/PSS showed a significantly more organized pattern of the connective tissue and alveolar bone structure than EP-SRP/SR. EP-SR showed significantly higher PBF than EP-PSS, however, EP-SRP/PSS showed no difference with EP-SRP/SR at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: SR reduced the alveolar bone loss in non-treated animals and presented no standout benefits over the conventional forms of treating EP. Key words:Strontium Ranelate, periodontal disease, root planing, alveolar bone loss.

Avaliação do reparo ósseo peri-implantar em ratos tratados com quimioterapia e dose oncológica de zoledronato / Evaluation of peri-implant bone repair in rats treated with chemotherapy and oncological dose of zoledronate

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a influencia da terapia sistêmica com zoledronato, cisplatina, ou a associação das drogas, sobre o processo de reparo ósseo peri-implantar ao redor de implantes instalados em tíbias de ratos. Foram utilizados 80 ratos machos, com 6 meses de idade, pesando aproximadamente 450g. Os animais foram separados em 2 grandes grupos experimentais, grupo Tardio (TAR) e grupo Imediato (IME) e divididos nos seguintes subgrupos onde receberam os seguintes tratamentos: Grupo SAL-IME (n=10), Grupo SAL-TAR (n=10): duas injeções de 0,5 ml de solução salina a 0.9%; Grupo CIS-IME (n=10), Grupo CIS-TAR (n=10): uma injeção de Cisplatina (5mg/kg) e outra injeção de 0,5 ml de solução salina a 0.9%; Grupo ZOL-IME (n=10), Grupo ZOL-TAR (n=10): uma injeção 0,5 ml de solução salina a 0.9% e uma injeção de 100 µg/kg de zoledronato diluído 0,45 ml em solução de cloreto de sódio 0,9%; Grupo ZOL/CIS-IME (n=10), Grupo ZOL/CIS-TAR (n=10): uma injeção de Cisplatina (5mg/kg) e uma injeção de 100 µg/Kg de zoledronato diluído 0,45 ml em solução de cloreto de sódio 0,9%. A administação ocorreu por via intraperitoneal em um intervalo de três dias, durante oito semanas. Após 16 semanas do início do tratamento medicamentoso, os animais foram submetidos a instalação dos implantes nas tíbias direitas e esquerdas sob anestesia geral. Decorridos 16 semanas (grupo IME) e 24 semanas (grupo TAR) do início do tratamento medicamentoso, os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia pela administração de dose letal de thiopental (150mg/kg). As tíbias direitas e esquerdas foram coletadas e fixadas em formaldeído 4% e processadas de acordo com as análises propostas. A condição geral de saúde foi verificada durante todo o período experimental através do monitoramento do peso corporal e um minucioso exame clínico da região peri-implantar nas tíbias direita e esquerda foi realizado no momento das eutanásias. As tíbias selecionadas para análise histométrica do contato direto entre osso e implante foram processadas sem desmineralização. Os espécimes restantes foram submetidos ao processamento histológico convencional, constituído por desmineralização e inclusão em parafina. Foram realizadas secções semi seriadas de 4 µm de espessura em direção longitudinal à loja do implante, e os cortes histológicos foram selecionados e corados pelo método da Hematoxilina Eosina para as análises histopatológica dos tecidos peri-implantares e histométrica do tecido ósseo. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística (p≤0,05) em programa computacional especializado (Bioestat 5.0). Os animais pertencentes aos grupos CIS-IME e CIS-TAR, apresentram menor peso quando comparados aos demais grupos. O grupo ZOL-IME, ZOL-TAR, apresentaram maior porcentagem de tecido ósseo total (PTO-T) em comparação a CIS-IME e CIS-TAR, ZOL/CIS-IME e ZOL/CIS TAR apresentaram maior porcentagem de tecido ósseo não vital (PTO-NV) quando comparados aos demais grupos. Os grupos CIS-IME e CIS-TAR apresentarm menor contato osso/implante (COI) quando comparados aos demais grupos. Deste modo conclui se que, a associação desses medicamentos é um potencial fator de risco para desenvolvimento da osteonecrose dos maxilares e de acordo com as análises histopatológicas e de COI apresenta comprometimento mais severo aos tecidos peri-implantares(AU)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of systemic therapy with zoledronate, cisplatin, or the combination of drugs, on the peri-implant bone repair process around implants installed in rat tibiae. Eighty male rats, 6 months old, weighing approximately 450g, were used. The animals were separated into 2 large experimental groups, Late group (TAR) and Immediate group (IME) and divided into the following subgroups where they received the following treatments: SAL-IME Group (n = 10), SAL-TAR Group (n = 10 ): two injections of 0.5 ml of 0.9% saline; : CIS-IME Group (n = 10), CIS-TAR Group (n = 10): an injection of Cisplatin (5mg / kg) and another injection of 0.5 ml of 0.9% saline; ZOL-IME Group (n = 10), ZOL-TAR Group (n = 10): an injection of 0.5 ml of 0.9% saline and an injection of 100 µg / kg of zoledronate diluted 0.45 ml in solution of 0.9% sodium chloride; : ZOL / CIS-IME Group (n = 10), ZOL / CIS-TAR Group (n = 10): an injection of Cisplatin (5mg / kg) and an injection of 100 µg / kg of diluted zoledronate 0.45 ml in 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The administration took place intraperitoneally over an interval of three days, for eight weeks. After 16 weeks from the beginning of drug treatment, the animals were submitted to the implantation of implants in right and left tibiae under general anesthesia. After 16 weeks (IME group) and 24 weeks (TAR group) after the beginning of drug treatment, the animals were euthanized by the administration of a lethal dose of thiopental (150mg / kg). The right and left tibiae were collected and fixed in 4% formaldehyde and processed according to the proposed analyzes. The general health condition was verified throughout the experimental period by monitoring body weight and a thorough clinical examination of the peri-implant region in the right and left tibia was performed at the time of euthanasia. The tibiae selected for histometric analysis of the direct contact between bone and implant were processed without demineralization. The remaining specimens were submitted to conventional histological processing, consisting of demineralization and inclusion in paraffin. Semi-serial sections of 4 µm thick were made in the longitudinal direction to the implant store, and the histological sections were selected and stained by the Hematoxylin Eosin method for the histopathological analysis of the peri-implant tissues and histometric of the newly formed bone tissue. The data obtained were submitted to statistical analysis (p≤0.05) in a specialized computer program (Bioestat 5.0). The CISIME and CIS-TAR groups had less weight when compared to the other groups. The ZOL-IME group, ZOL-TAR, had higher PTO-T compared to CISIME and CIS-TAR, ZOL / CIS-IME and ZOL / CIS TAR had higher PTO-NV when compared to the other groups. The CIS-IME and CIS-TAR groups had lower bone implant contact (COI) when compared to the other groups. Thus, it is concluded that the combination of these drugs is a potential risk factor for the development of osteonecrosis of the jaws and, according to the histopathological and COI analyzes, it presents more severe impairment to the peri-implant tissues(AU)

Gelatin nanoparticles enable water dispersibility and potentialize the antimicrobial activity of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) oil.

BACKGROUND: Buriti oil presents numerous health benefits, but due to its lipophilic nature and high oxidation, it is impossible to incorporate it into aqueous food matrices. Thus, the present study evaluated whether powder nanoparticles based on porcine gelatin (OPG) and in combination with sodium alginate (OAG) containing buriti oil obtained by O/W emulsification followed by freeze-drying enabled water dispersibility and preserved or increased the antimicrobial activity of the oil. RESULTS: OPG presented spherical shape, smooth surface, smaller particle size and polydispersity index [51.0 (6.07) nm and 0.40 (0.05)], and better chemical interaction between the nonpolar amino acids and the hydrophobic oil chain. OPG also presented a higher dispersibility percentage [85.62% (7.82)] than OAG [50.19% (7.24)] (p < 0.05), and significantly increased the antimicrobial activity of the oil by 59, 62, and 43% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, nanoencapsulation in gelatin is a promising strategy to increase the potential to use buriti oil in foods.