Phenolic substances and cyanogenesis in galled and non-galled tissue of the fern species Microgramma vacciniifolia / Substâncias fenólicas e cianogênese em tecidos galhados e não galhados da samambaia Microgramma vacciniifolia

Galls, neo-formed plant structures that can occur in different organs, are generated by species-specific interaction with an inducing organism. Inducers manipulate the metabolism of its host. Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. is a Neotropical epiphytic fern that hosted two stem galls, one induced by a midge species (Diptera) and other by a micromoth species (Lepidoptera). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of these two gall-inducing insects on the biochemistry of phenolic acids and the cyanogenesis in galls, stems and leaves of M. vacciniifolia. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated a total of 14 phenol derivatives, including caffeic and coumaric acid. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) of the phenolic substances indicated three groups consisting (1) non-galled stems and micromoth-induced galls; (2) midge-induced galls; (3) midge induced galls with parasitoids. Regarding the frequency of cyanogenesis assessed by the picrate paper test, the chi-squared test showed significant difference between fertile leaves (8.3%), sterile leaves (27.7%), non-galled stems (0%) and galls. Among galls, only the midge-induced galls analyzed were cyanogenic (15%). Our results indicated that the different gall-inducers (midge and micromoth) promote species-specific alterations to the phenolic substance composition of the host fern.

Galhas são estruturas vegetais neo-formadas que ocorrem em diferentes órgãos. Elas são geradas por uma interação espécie-específica com um organismo indutor. Os indutores manipulam o metabolismo do hospedeiro. Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. é uma samambaia epífita neotropical que hospeda duas galhas caulinares, uma induzida por uma espécie de mosquito (Diptera) e outra por uma micromariposa (Lepidoptera). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto desses dois insetos indutores de galhas na bioquímica dos ácidos fenólicos e da cianogênese em galhas, caules e folhas de M. vacciniifolia. Em análise de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) foi possível indicar a presença de um total de 14 derivados fenólicos, incluindo ácido cafeico e ácido cumárico. Análise das Coordenadas Principais (ACoP) indicou três grupos (1) caules não galhados e galhas induzidas pela micromariposa; (2) galhas induzidas pelo mosquito; (3) galhas induzidas pelo mosquito com parasitoides. Em relação a frequência da cianogênese analisada com o teste do papel picrato, o teste do qui-quadrado apresentou diferença significativa entre as folhas férteis (8,3%), folhas estéreis (27,7%), caules não galhados (0%) e galhas. Entre as galhas, somente aquelas induzidas pelo mosquito foram cianogênicas (15%). Os resultados encontrados indicam, ao menos para as substâncias fenólicas, que os insetos indutores de galha (mosquito e micromariposa) promovem alterações espécie-específica na composição química da samambaia hospedeira.

Phenolic substances and cyanogenesis in galled and non-galled tissue of the fern species Microgramma vacciniifolia

Abstract Galls, neo-formed plant structures that can occur in different organs, are generated by species-specific interaction with an inducing organism. Inducers manipulate the metabolism of its host. Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. is a Neotropical epiphytic fern that hosted two stem galls, one induced by a midge species (Diptera) and other by a micromoth species (Lepidoptera). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of these two gall-inducing insects on the biochemistry of phenolic acids and the cyanogenesis in galls, stems and leaves of M. vacciniifolia. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated a total of 14 phenol derivatives, including caffeic and coumaric acid. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) of the phenolic substances indicated three groups consisting (1) non-galled stems and micromoth-induced galls; (2) midge-induced galls; (3) midge-induced galls with parasitoids. Regarding the frequency of cyanogenesis assessed by the picrate paper test, the chi-squared test showed significant difference between fertile leaves (8.3%), sterile leaves (27.7%), non-galled stems (0%) and galls. Among galls, only the midge-induced galls analyzed were cyanogenic (15%). Our results indicated that the different gall-inducers (midge and micromoth) promote species-specific alterations to the phenolic substance composition of the host fern.

Resumo Galhas são estruturas vegetais neo-formadas que ocorrem em diferentes órgãos. Elas são geradas por uma interação espécie-específica com um organismo indutor. Os indutores manipulam o metabolismo do hospedeiro. Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. é uma samambaia epífita neotropical que hospeda duas galhas caulinares, uma induzida por uma espécie de mosquito (Diptera) e outra por uma micromariposa (Lepidoptera). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto desses dois insetos indutores de galhas na bioquímica dos ácidos fenólicos e da cianogênese em galhas, caules e folhas de M. vacciniifolia. Em análise de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) foi possível indicar a presença de um total de 14 derivados fenólicos, incluindo ácido cafeico e ácido cumárico. Análise das Coordenadas Principais (ACoP) indicou três grupos (1) caules não galhados e galhas induzidas pela micromariposa; (2) galhas induzidas pelo mosquito; (3) galhas induzidas pelo mosquito com parasitoides. Em relação a frequência da cianogênese analisada com o teste do papel picrato, o teste do qui-quadrado apresentou diferença significativa entre as folhas férteis (8,3%), folhas estéreis (27,7%), caules não galhados (0%) e galhas. Entre as galhas, somente aquelas induzidas pelo mosquito foram cianogênicas (15%). Os resultados encontrados indicam, ao menos para as substâncias fenólicas, que os insetos indutores de galha (mosquito e micromariposa) promovem alterações espécie-específica na composição química da samambaia hospedeira.

Phenolic substances and cyanogenesis in galled and non-galled tissue of the fern species Microgramma vacciniifolia / Substâncias fenólicas e cianogênese em tecidos galhados e não galhados da samambaia Microgramma vacciniifolia

Galls, neo-formed plant structures that can occur in different organs, are generated by species-specific interaction with an inducing organism. Inducers manipulate the metabolism of its host. Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. is a Neotropical epiphytic fern that hosted two stem galls, one induced by a midge species (Diptera) and other by a micromoth species (Lepidoptera). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of these two gall-inducing insects on the biochemistry of phenolic acids and the cyanogenesis in galls, stems and leaves of M. vacciniifolia. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated a total of 14 phenol derivatives, including caffeic and coumaric acid. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) of the phenolic substances indicated three groups consisting (1) non-galled stems and micromoth-induced galls; (2) midge-induced galls; (3) midgeinduced galls with parasitoids. Regarding the frequency of cyanogenesis assessed by the picrate paper test, the chi-squared test showed significant difference between fertile leaves (8.3%), sterile leaves (27.7%), non-galled stems (0%) and galls. Among galls, only the midge-induced galls analyzed were cyanogenic (15%). Our results indicated that the different gall-inducers (midge and micromoth) promote species-specific alterations to the phenolic substance composition of the host fern.

Galhas são estruturas vegetais neo-formadas que ocorrem em diferentes órgãos. Elas são geradas por uma interação espécie-específica com um organismo indutor. Os indutores manipulam o metabolismo do hospedeiro. Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. é uma samambaia epífita neotropical que hospeda duas galhas caulinares, uma induzida por uma espécie de mosquito (Diptera) e outra por uma micromariposa (Lepidoptera). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto desses dois insetos indutores de galhas na bioquímica dos ácidos fenólicos e da cianogênese em galhas, caules e folhas de M. vacciniifolia. Em análise de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) foi possível indicar a presença de um total de 14 derivados fenólicos, incluindo ácido cafeico e ácido cumárico. Análise das Coordenadas Principais (ACoP) indicou três grupos (1) caules não galhados e galhas induzidas pela micromariposa; (2) galhas induzidas pelo mosquito; (3) galhas induzidas pelo mosquito com parasitoides. Em relação a frequência da cianogênese analisada com o teste do papel picrato, o teste do qui-quadrado apresentou diferença significativa entre as folhas férteis (8,3%), folhas estéreis (27,7%), caules não galhados (0%) e galhas. Entre as galhas, somente aquelas induzidas pelo mosquito foram cianogênicas (15%). Os resultados encontrados indicam, ao menos para as substâncias fenólicas, que os insetos indutores de galha (mosquito e micromariposa) promovem alterações espécie-específica na composição química da samambaia hospedeira.

Phenolic substances and cyanogenesis in galled and non-galled tissue of the fern species Microgramma vacciniifolia.

Galls, neo-formed plant structures that can occur in different organs, are generated by species-specific interaction with an inducing organism. Inducers manipulate the metabolism of its host. Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. is a Neotropical epiphytic fern that hosted two stem galls, one induced by a midge species (Diptera) and other by a micromoth species (Lepidoptera). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of these two gall-inducing insects on the biochemistry of phenolic acids and the cyanogenesis in galls, stems and leaves of M. vacciniifolia. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated a total of 14 phenol derivatives, including caffeic and coumaric acid. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) of the phenolic substances indicated three groups consisting (1) non-galled stems and micromoth-induced galls; (2) midge-induced galls; (3) midge-induced galls with parasitoids. Regarding the frequency of cyanogenesis assessed by the picrate paper test, the chi-squared test showed significant difference between fertile leaves (8.3%), sterile leaves (27.7%), non-galled stems (0%) and galls. Among galls, only the midge-induced galls analyzed were cyanogenic (15%). Our results indicated that the different gall-inducers (midge and micromoth) promote species-specific alterations to the phenolic substance composition of the host fern.

Matrix metalloproteinase-7 in periodontitis with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7) have been observed in serum samples of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in gingival tissues of subjects with periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to collect in vivo and in silico evidence on the role of MMP7 in the interplay between T2DM and generalized periodontitis (GP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The extent of MMP7 expression and localization were immunohistochemically analyzed in gingival tissues of patients with GP with T2DM (T2DM/GP, n = 11), systemically healthy patients with GP (n = 7), and systemically and periodontally healthy controls (n = 11). An in silico network model was built to determine the interactions between MMP7 and T2DM pathways. Regulation of neutrophil transmigration by MMP7 was analyzed in a knock-out mice model. RESULTS: In human gingival tissues, the proportion of cells with robust MMP7 expression was elevated in patients with T2DM/GP in comparison to controls (P = .014). According to the in silico analysis, "hydroxyl radical" and "hydrogen peroxide" compounds were among the most central nodes of the network, and were within the shortest paths connecting "glucose" to "MMP7." In MMP7 knock-out mice, an intense accumulation of neutrophils was observed in the gingival epithelium as compared to wild-type mice (P = .0001). CONCLUSION: Elevated MMP7 expression in gingival tissues of patients with T2DM/GP is related to the activation of reactive oxygen species by hyperglycemia. Suppression of MMP7 expression results in impaired neutrophil transmigration in gingiva.

Altered expression of Alzheimer's disease-related genes in the cerebellum of autistic patients: a model for disrupted brain connectome and therapy.

Autism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are, respectively, neurodevelopmental and degenerative diseases with an increasing epidemiological burden. The AD-associated amyloid-ß precursor protein-α has been shown to be elevated in severe autism, leading to the 'anabolic hypothesis' of its etiology. Here we performed a focused microarray analysis of genes belonging to NOTCH and WNT signaling cascades, as well as genes related to AD and apoptosis pathways in cerebellar samples from autistic individuals, to provide further evidence for pathological relevance of these cascades for autism. By using the limma package from R and false discovery rate, we demonstrated that 31% (116 out of 374) of the genes belonging to these pathways displayed significant changes in expression (corrected P-values <0.05), with mitochondria-related genes being the most downregulated. We also found upregulation of GRIN1, the channel-forming subunit of NMDA glutamate receptors, and MAP3K1, known activator of the JNK and ERK pathways with anti-apoptotic effect. Expression of PSEN2 (presinilin 2) and APBB1 (or F65) were significantly lower when compared with control samples. Based on these results, we propose a model of NMDA glutamate receptor-mediated ERK activation of α-secretase activity and mitochondrial adaptation to apoptosis that may explain the early brain overgrowth and disruption of synaptic plasticity and connectome in autism. Finally, systems pharmacology analyses of the model that integrates all these genes together (NOWADA) highlighted magnesium (Mg(2+)) and rapamycin as most efficient drugs to target this network model in silico. Their potential therapeutic application, in the context of autism, is therefore discussed.

Biannual fluoride varnish applications and caries incidence in preschoolers: a 24-month follow-up randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

UNLABELLED: Sound evidence on the effectiveness of fluoride varnishes (FV) to reduce caries incidence in preschool children is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the application of FV in preschool children at 6-month intervals decreases the incidence of caries and produces any adverse effects. METHODS: A randomized, examiner- and patient-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design, clinical trial, comprising 1- to 4-year-old children, 100 in each group (FV or placebo varnish, PV), was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two trained pediatric dentists performed the clinical examinations (kappa = 0.85). Dental caries was recorded at the d2 (cavitated enamel) and d3 (dentine) levels using the International Caries Diagnosis and Assessment System. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of the participants was 2.4 years (SD 0.9) and the mean d3mfs was 0.8 (SD 1.9). Most of the children brushed their teeth with fluoride toothpaste and consumed fluoridated tap water. After 24 months, 89 and 92 children of the test and the control groups were analyzed, respectively. A total of 32 (35.9%) children in the FV group and 43 (46.7%) in the PV group presented new dentine caries lesions (χ(2) test; p = 0.14), showing relative and absolute risk reductions of 23% (95% CI: -9.5 to 45.9) and 11% (95% CI: -3.5 to 25.0). The mean caries increment differences between the test and control groups were -0.8 (95% CI: -2.0 to 0.4) at the d2 level and -0.7 (95% CI: -1.9 to 0.4) at the d3 level. Only 2 minor complaints regarding the intervention were reported. CONCLUSION: Although safe and well accepted, twice-yearly professional FV application, during 2 years, did not result in a significant decrease in caries incidence.

Effects of low and standard fluoride toothpastes on caries and fluorosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although the anti-caries effects of standard fluoride (F) toothpastes are well established, their use by preschoolers (2- to 5-year-olds) has given rise to concerns regarding the development of dental fluorosis. Thus, a widespread support of low F toothpastes has been observed. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of low (<600 ppm) and standard (1,000-1,500 ppm) F toothpastes on the prevention of caries in the primary dentition and aesthetically objectionable (moderate to severe) fluorosis in the permanent dentition. A systematic review of clinical trials and meta-analyses were carried out. Two examiners independently screened 1,932 records and read 159 potentially eligible full-text articles. Data regarding characteristics of participants, interventions, outcomes, length of follow-up and potential of bias were independently extracted by two examiners and disagreements were solved by consensus after consulting a third examiner. In order to assess the effects of low and standard F toothpastes on the proportion of children developing caries and fluorosis, pooled relative risks (RR) and associated 95% confidence intervals were estimated using a fixed and a random-effects model, respectively. Five clinical trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Low F toothpastes significantly increased the risk of caries in primary teeth [RR = 1.13 (1.07-1.20); 4,634 participants in three studies] and did not significantly decrease the risk of aesthetically objectionable fluorosis in the upper anterior permanent teeth [RR = 0.32 (0.03-2.97); 1,968 participants in two studies]. There is no evidence to support the use of low F toothpastes by preschoolers regarding caries and fluorosis prevention.

Production of native flagellin from Salmonella Typhimurium in a bioreactor and purification by tangential ultrafiltration

Flagellin is the structural protein and most abundant component of bacterial flagella. The flagellum filament contains around 20,000 – 100,000 subunits of 50 kDa flagellin that can have diversebiotechnological applications such as vaccine adjuvant and cellular protector during chemo- and radiotherapy.The main aim of this work was to study a production process of purified native FliC flagellin of Salmonella Typhimurium. The culture conditions in shakers were established with medium devoid of animal-derived components. In bioreactors, culture conditions were established in order to obtain flagellin from the culture supernatant by tangential ultrafiltration (TUF). The concentrated 750 kDa cut-off TUF fraction had a purification factor of 1.5 and a recovery yield of 52.2% for flagellin. The volumetric production of flagellin using the described procedure achieved around 307 mg/L of culture, which represented a significant improvement over previously reported methods. These results permit the development of production and purification processes that can be easily scaled up.

Determination of umckalin in commercial tincture and phytopreparations containing Pelargonium sidoides by HPLC: comparison of sample preparation procedures.

Roots of Pelargonium sidoides D.C. are used for the production of phytomedicines. Current quality control of phytopreparations containing P. sidoides extracts has been made in terms of total phenolics content. In this work we describe the development and validation of an HPLC method for the analysis of P. sidoides tincture and commercial syrup phytopreparations using umckalin (7-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxycoumarin) as chemical marker. Two sample preparation procedures, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) were also developed and compared. The samples were analyzed by RP-HPLC and the two methods were then validated and compared. The repeatability of the two procedures showed coefficients of variation (CV) of 1.2% for SPE procedure, and 1.3% for LLE. Recovery for both methods was higher than 95.2%. The linearity showed correlation coefficients better than 0.999 for both methods. The detection and quantification limit were 0.0098 and 0.0298microgmL(-1), respectively. The validated procedure was then used for the analysis of tincture and five batches of two commercial phytopreparations containing P. sidoides tincture.

Effects of immunosuppression induced by thalidomide and cyclosporine in heterotopic heart transplantation in rabbits.

UNLABELLED: Because of its anti-inflammatory and immunodepressive effects, thalidomide has been used for the treatment of dermatologic diseases and of host-versus-graft reactions in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. We evaluated the immunosuppressive action of thalidomide alone or in combination with cyclosporine on the prevention of rejection of heterotopic cardiac allografts in rabbits. METHODS: Fifty rabbits were used including 25 donors and 25 recipients. Recipient animals were divided into five groups (n = 5 each): group 1 (control), non-immunosuppressed animals; group II, animals immunosuppressed with cyclosporine (10 mg/kg per day); group III, immunosuppressed with thalidomide (100 mg/kg per day); group IV, immunosuppressed with cyclosporine (5.0 mg/kg per day); and group V, immunosuppressed with cyclosporine (5.0 mg/kg per day) in combination with thalidomide (50 mg/kg per day). The medications were administered through an orogastric catheter starting on the day before the transplant. The heart of the donor was implanted into the recipient's abdomen. RESULTS: The combination of thalidomide and cyclosporine showed the lowest histopathological rejection score (P < .05). Thalidomide administered alone or in combination with cyclosporine was effective against rejection, significantly increasing survival (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Thalidomide may be considered to be an adjuvant immunosuppressant.

Effects of fish oil on the central nervous system: a new potential antidepressant?

In the last 100 years major depression has increased worldwide. In this study we provided coconut fat (CF, rich in saturated fatty acids) or fish oil (FO, rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) to female rats throughout pregnancy and lactation and then to their offspring post-weaning and examined lipid brain profile and the possible effect of FO as antidepressant agent in the offspring in adulthood (F1). Rats were submitted to forced swimming test, elevated plus maze, Morris water maze and open field. Peroxidation rate in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were measured. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentration in dam's milk, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA concentration in hippocampus and cerebral cortex from F1 rats FO supplemented increased significantly when compared to control (C) and CF rats. Arachidonic acid/EPA ratio in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus decreased in rats submitted to forced swimming test. Peroxidation rate were not different between the groups. Immobility time in the forced swimming test in FO group was reduced (p < 0.01) when compared to C and CF rats. We conclude that lifelong intake of FO was able to induce an antidepressant effect with EPA and DHA concentration increased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

[Dental fluorosis in upper permanent incisors of public schoolchildren in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Fluorose dentária em incisivos superiores permanentes em crianças de escola pública do Rio de Janeiro, RJ.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in children aged 7 to 12. METHODS: The study population comprised 266 children aged 7 to 12 years, enrolled in a public school in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, selected using a simple random sample method. All examinations were carried out between August and December 1999 by a single trained and calibrated examiner (Kappa = 0.92). After obtaining their parents' consent the children had their upper permanent incisors examined under natural light. Their teeth were previously cleaned and dried with cotton rolls. The differential diagnosis between milder forms of dental fluorosis and nonfluoride enamel opacities was made according to Russel's diagnostic criteria. The severity of fluorosis was assessed by the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index (TF). RESULTS: The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 7.9% (CI 95%, 5.0-11.8). The severity ranged from 1 to 3 and 77% of the affected teeth had a TF score of 1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dental fluorosis does not represent a public health problem in this population.

Compound odontoma--diagnosis and treatment: three case reports.

Odontomas are the most common type of odontogenic tumors and generally they are asymptomatic. This paper describes three cases of compound odontomas diagnosed in children due to dislodgement or over-retention of primary anterior teeth and/or swelling of the cortical bone. In all cases, the surgical excision of the lesions was performed and, in one case, orthodontic treatment was adopted in order to move an impacted permanent tooth to its normal position. The results achieved indicate that the early diagnosis of odontomas allows the adoption of a less complex and expensive treatment and ensures better prognosis.

Biotransformation of the diperpenoid, isosteviol, by Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Rhizopus arrhizus.

The biotransformation of isosteviol (ent-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid) by three fungi is described. Aspergillus niger produced the 7 beta-OH derivative, ent-7 alpha-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic, and the 1 alpha, 7 beta-diOH derivative, ent-1 beta, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid. The 17-OH compound, ent-17-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid, was obtained with Penicillium chrysogenum. Rhizopus arrhizus produced the 7 beta-OH derivative, ent-7 alpha-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid. The isolated metabolites were characterised by IR, NMR and MS.

Pharmacological evaluation of ricinine, a central nervous system stimulant isolated from Ricinus communis.

The extract of the pericarp of castor bean (Ricinus communis) showed some typical central nervous system stimulant effects when administered to mice. The animals became exophthalmic, presented tremors and clonic seizures and died a few minutes after receiving larger doses of the extract. At lower doses the extract improved memory consolidation and showed some neuroleptic-like properties, such as a decrease in exploratory behavior and catalepsy. The memory-improving effect and the seizure-eliciting properties of the extract were also observed with the administration of ricinine, a neutral alkaloid isolated from the extract. However, the neuroleptic-like properties of the extract were not observed with ricinine. As the therapeutic index of ricinine is of the order of 200, the compound may be considered as a promising cognition-enhancing drug that may be used for the treatment of human amnesias.

[Rural internship in dentistry in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Internato rural em odontologia no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

This paper describes a rural internship experience developed between 1998 and 1993 by the School of Dentistry, Rio de Janeiro State University. The objective of this program was to raise the social consciousness of undergraduate students. Extramural activities were carried out in the form of supervised 3-month internships in the dentistry services offered by public health units at several locations in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Besides working in the clinics, students took part in activities aimed at assessing oral health in the community, organizational and programmatic structures of the health services, and priorities, appropriate technology, education, and prevention in oral health. These internships integrated the critical thinking of professors, students, class associations, and service-providing institutions regarding the adequacy of education received by future dentists in addressing the true situation of oral health in the state of Rio de Janeiro.