Altered heart cytokine profile and action potential modulation in cardiomyocytes from Mas-deficient mice.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a key hormonal system. In recent years, the functional analysis of the novel axis of the RAS (ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor) revealed that its activation can become protective against several pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases. Mas knockout mice (Mas-KO) represent an important tool for new investigations. Indeed, extensive biological research has focused on investigating the functional implications of Mas receptor deletion. However, although the Mas receptor was identified in neonatal cardiomyocytes and also in adult ventricular myocytes, only few reports have explored the Ang-(1-7)/Mas signaling directly in cardiomyocytes to date. This study investigated the implication of Mas receptor knockout to the cytokine profile, energy metabolism, and electrical properties of mice-isolated cardiomyocytes. Here, we demonstrated that Mas-KO mice have modulation in some cytokines, such as G-CSF, IL-6, IL-10, and VEGF in the left ventricle. This model also presents increased mitochondrial number in cardiomyocytes and a reduction in the myocyte diameter. Finally, Mas-KO cardiomyocytes have altered action potential modulation after diazoxide challenge. Such electrical finding was different from the data showed for the TGR(A1-7)3292 (TGR) model, which overexpresses Ang-(1-7) in the plasma by 4.5, used by us as a control. Collectively, our findings exemplify the importance of understanding the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas pathway in cardiomyocytes and heart tissue. The Mas-KO mice model can be considered an important tool for new RAS investigations.

Rhipicephalus microplus: An overview of vaccine antigens against the cattle tick.

Rhipicephalus microplus, popularly known as the cattle tick, is the most important tick of livestock as it is responsible for significant economic losses. The use of chemical acaricides is still the most widely used control method despite its known disadvantages. Vaccination would be a safe alternative for the control of R. microplus and holds advantages over the use of chemical acaricides as it is environmental-friendly and leaves no residues in meat or milk. Two vaccines based on the Bm86 protein were commercialized, TickGARD® and Gavac®, with varying reported efficacies in different countries. The use of other vaccines, such as Tick Vac®, Go-Tick®, and Bovimune Ixovac® have been restricted to some countries. Several other proteins have been analyzed as possible antigens for more effective vaccines against R. microplus, including peptidases, serine proteinase inhibitors, glutathione S-transferases, metalloproteases, and ribosomal proteins, with efficacies ranging from 14% to 96%. Nonetheless, more research is needed to develop safe and efficient tick vaccines, such as the evaluation of the efficacy of antigens against other tick species to verify cross-reactivity and inclusion of additional antigens to promote the blocking of the infection and spreading of tick-borne diseases. This review summarizes the discoveries of candidate antigens for R. microplus tick vaccines as well as the methods used to test their efficacy.

Prevalence and characterization of maxillary sinus septa in a brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the anatomic aspects of the maxillary sinus septa, by means of computed tomography images, in a Brazilian population. The results might be of clinical significance in sinus lift surgery planning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, 123 computed tomographs obtained from a private radiology clinic were used. They were analyzed by a single, trained and calibrated observer in order to evaluate the presence, quantity, localizations, dimensions, orientations and different characteristics in dentate, partially edentulous and completely edentulous individuals of the sinus septa. RESULTS: Of the individuals analyzed, 26% had a septum in the maxillary sinus, with 59.6% being classified as complete, 44.2% showed prevalence for the middle region of the maxillary sinus. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left sides (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients in the sample analyzed presented to septa in the maxillary sinuses, and when septa were present, a higher number of occurrence was noted in the middle region of the maxillary sinus. (This region is normally the choice of sinus lift surgery). There was no predilection relative to age, sex and type of dentition. Key words:Multislice computed tomography, maxillary antrum, anatomic variation.

Nanohybrid composed of graphene oxide functionalized with sodium hyaluronate accelerates bone healing in the tibia of rats.

This study synthesized and characterized a nanohybrid composed of graphene oxide (GO) functionalized with sodium hyaluronate (HY) (GO-HY), evaluated its effect in vitro and determined its osteogenic potential in vivo. The synthesized nanohybrid was analyzed by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectrometry, Thermogravimetry, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. MC3T3-E1 cell viability was assessed by MTT assay in 48 and 72 h. Bone defects were created in tibia of 40 Wistar rats and filled with blood clot (control), 1% HY, GO (50, 100 and 200 µg/mL) and the nanohybrid (50, 100 and 200 µg/mL). After 7 and 14 days, histomorphometric analysis was carried out to assess osteogenic potential of the nanohybrid. Immunohistochemical analysis evaluated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in bone defects. Thermogravimetric analysis, Raman and FTIR spectrometry confirmed the functionalization of GO with HY by covalent bonds. Five µg/mL concentrations of the nanohybrid did not alter the viability of the MC3T3-E1 cells. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that the nanohybrid at 100 µg/mL significantly accelerated the bone repair in tibia of rats when compared to controls (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a significantly less intense VEGF expression in tibia treated with the nanohybrid when compared to controls (p < 0.05). The nanohybrid composed of GO functionalized with HY was able to induce the acceleration of the tissue regeneration process in bone defects created in the tibia of rats. This novel nanohybrid is a promising material for the field of bone tissue engineering.

Bone fenestration repair with leukocyte-platelet-rich fibrin after placement of implants in the anterior maxilla: a case report.

Few reports have been published to date on the management of bone fenestration in the anterior maxilla using leukocyte-platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) with deproteinized bovine bone mineral allograft (DBBMA). This case report demonstrates the use of L-PRF associated with DBBMA to repair a bone fenestration after the placement of 2 implants in the anterior maxilla. Placement of 2 osseointegrated implants was planned to replace the missing maxillary central incisors of a patient with bone loss in the buccal region. Reverse treatment planning predicted the fenestration of the buccal cortical plate and exposure of the implants. The implants were placed, and fenestration of the buccal cortical bone around the body of the implants occurred as expected. A mixture of L-PRF and DBBMA, mediated by injectable platelet-rich fibrin (a combination sometimes referred to as sticky bone), was positioned to cover the defect. Cone beam computed tomography 6 months after the intervention showed complete coverage of the fenestration with newly formed bone tissue. The use of L-PRF associated with DBBMA efficiently covered the fenestration and promoted new bone formation.

Malocclusion negatively impacted the oral health-related quality of life of children of low socioeconomic status / Maloclusão impactou negativamente a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal de crianças de baixo nível socioeconômico

Aim: This study assessed whether the presence of malocclusion had a negative impact on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of eight to ten-year-old children of low socioeconomic status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 111 children, eight to ten years of age, randomly selected from public schools from Diamantina, MG, Brazil. The number of children was determined by a sample size calculation. Two calibrated examiners performed clinical oral examinations for the diagnosis of malocclusion, dental caries experience, and traumatic dental injuries following the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Andreasen's classification, respectively. The Brazilian version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) was applied to evaluate the OHRQoL. Descriptive and bivariate (p < 0.05) analyses were also performed. Results: Children had a mean age of 8.89 ± 0.82 years, of which 52.3% were female. The prevalence of malocclusion was 62.2%. Significant differences were found in emotional (p = 0.045) and social (p = 0.017) well-being subscale scores as well as in the total CPQ8-10 (p = 0.022) scores between children with and without malocclusion. Conclusion: The presence of malocclusion negatively impacted the OHRQoL of children aged eight to ten years of age of a low socioeconomic status.

Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou se a presença de maloclusão impactou negativamente a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (QVRSB) de crianças de oito a dez anos de idade de baixo nível socioeconômico.Métodos: Um estudo transversal foi conduzido com um total de 111 crianças de oito a dez anos de idade selecionadas aleatoriamente em escolas públicas de Diamantina, Brasil. O número de crianças foi determinado por cálculo amostral. Dois examinadores calibrados realizaram exames clínicos bucais para o diagnóstico de maloclusão, experiência de cárie dentária e lesões dentárias traumáticas após o Índice de Estética Dental (DAI), Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) e classificação de Andreasen, respectivamente. A versão brasileira do Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) foi aplicada para avaliar a QVRSB. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e bivariadas (p < 0,05). Resultados: As crianças tinham média de idade de 8,89 ± 0,82 anos, sendo 52,3% do sexo feminino. A prevalência de maloclusão foi de 62,2%. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos escores das subescalas de bem-estar emocional (p = 0,045) e social (p = 0,017), como também nos escores totais do CPQ8-10 (p = 0,022) entre crianças com e sem maloclusão. Conclusão: A presença de maloclusão impactou negativamente a QVRSB de crianças de oito a dez anos de idade de baixo nível socioeconômico.

Zygomaticofacial, Zygomaticoorbital, and Zygomaticotemporal Foramina.

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