SOX2 and BCL-2 Expressions in Odontogenic Keratocyst and Ameloblastoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this experimental study was to compare the immunohistochemical expression of SOX2 and BCL-2 in Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC) and Ameloblastoma (AB) specimens, and to identify a possible correlation in their expression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate SOX2 and BCL-2 expression in OKC (n = 20) and AB (n = 20). The immunoexpression was analyzed by a quantitative and qualitative scoring system. The comparison between the immunoexpression of SOX 2 and BCL-2 was assessed by the Mann-Whitney U-test. Spearman's correlation coefficient evaluated the correlation between SOX2 and BCL-2 expressions. RESULTS: SOX2 and BCL-2 expression was observed in all specimens of OKC in the full thickness of the epithelium lining. SOX2 immunostaining was higher in OKC, in comparison with AB samples (P<0.05). BCL-2 immunostaining between OKC and AB was not statistically significant. There was no significant correlation between SOX2 and BCL-2 in OKC and AB specimens. CONCLUSIONS: SOX2 and BCL-2 expressions in OKC may suggest their relationship with the biological behavior of this lesion, and the higher expression of SOX2 might be an upstream influence on the Hh signaling pathway.

Comparison of ELISA and HPLC-MS methods for the determination of exenatide in biological and biotechnology-based formulation matrices / 药物分析学报

The development of biotechnology-based active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as GLP-1 analogs, brought changes in type 2 diabetes treatment options. For better therapeutic efficiency, these active pharmaceutical ingredients require appropriate administration, without the development of adverse effects or toxicity. Therefore, it is required to develop several quantification methods for GLP-1 analogs products, in order to achieve the therapeutic goals, among which ELISA and HPLC arise. These methods are developed, optimized and validated in order to determine GLP-1 analogs, not only in final formu-lation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, but also during preclinical and clinical trials assessment. This review highlights the role of ELISA and HPLC methods that have been used during the assessment for GLP-1 analogs, especially for exenatide.

Cerebral blood flow and vasoreactivity in aging: an arterial spin labeling study

Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in young and elderly participants were assessed using pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) and blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in combination with inhalation of CO2. Pulsed ASL and BOLD-MRI were acquired in seventeen asymptomatic volunteers (10 young adults, age: 30±7 years; 7 elderly adults, age: 64±8 years) with no history of diabetes, hypertension, and neurological diseases. Data from one elderly participant was excluded due to the incorrigible head motion. Average baseline CBF in gray matter was significantly reduced in elderly (46±9 mL·100 g-1·min-1) compared to young adults (57±8 mL·100 g-1·min-1; P=0.02). Decreased pulsed ASL-CVR and BOLD-CVR in gray matter were also observed in elderly (2.12±1.30 and 0.13±0.06 %/mmHg, respectively) compared to young adults (3.28±1.43 and 0.28±0.11 %/mmHg, respectively; P<0.05), suggesting some degree of vascular impairment with aging. Moreover, age-related decrease in baseline CBF was observed in different brain regions (inferior, middle and superior frontal gyri; precentral and postcentral gyri; superior temporal gyrus; cingulate gyri; insula, putamen, caudate, and supramarginal gyrus). In conclusion, CBF and CVR were successfully investigated using a protocol that causes minimal or no discomfort for the participants. Age-related decreases in baseline CBF and CVR were observed in the cerebral cortex, which may be related to the vulnerability for neurological disorders in aging.

Animal-assisted therapy in early childhood schools in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Since ancient times, humans and animals have interacted for different purposes. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is used for the assistance and treatment in humans and educational projects where animals are used as co-therapists or co-educators. The use of animals facilitates the process of teaching and learning, and stimulates physical and therapeutic activities. So that knowledge on AAT could be expanded, current study analyzes the opinion of people directly involved in education on AAT implementation as an educational model in early childhood schools in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Questionnaires were handed out to 10 pedagogical coordinators, 32 teachers, 23 parents and 26 children aged 3-6 years. Results revealed that AAT is not well-known for most interviewees, including pedagogical coordinators, teachers and parents. However, interviewees believe in the benefits of child-pet interactions and are favorable to the implementation of AATs in schools. Projects should be interdisciplinary and must involve professionals from other areas, such as psychologists and veterinarians. Regarding the educational model, interviewees believe in the innovation capacity of AAT and in the possibilities of interdisciplinarity among teachers in the use of animals. Research also demonstrated that children like and support the use of animals in the school

Ação de extratos de plantas medicinais sobre a motilidade do trato gastrointestinal / Action of medicinal plant extracts on the gastrointestinal tract motility

Muitas plantas são utilizadas pela população para o tratamento e a cura de doenças. Entre elas encontram-se a Persea major Kopp, Piper mollicomum Kunth. e Serjania erecta Radlk. as quais são utilizadas para diversas enfermidades, inclusive para tratar distúrbios do trato gastrointestinal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os efeitos dos extratos dessas três plantas sobre a motilidade gastrointestinal. Camundongos Swiss foram tratados com os extratos pela via oral 1 hora antes da administração de uma solução semisólida de carboximetilcelulose 1,5% e vermelho de fenol 0,05% e, após 15 minutos, o esvaziamento gástrico e o trânsito intestinal avaliados. O extrato hidroalcoólico da P. major (100 a 1000 mg Kg-1, p.o.) e o extrato hidroalcoólico da P. mollicomum (100 e 300 mg Kg-1, p.o.) aumentaram o trânsito intestinal. No entanto, somente o extrato da P. major (100 e 300 mg Kg-1) também aumentou o esvaziamento gástrico. O extrato etanólico da S. erecta (100 a 1000 mg Kg-1, p.o.) não alterou a motilidade gastrointestinal. Estes resultados sugerem que a Persea major e a Piper mollicomum mereçam estudos mais aprofundados em busca de princípios ativos ou matéria vegetal efetiva para o tratamento de distúrbios do trato gastrointestinal como a constipação.

Many plants are popularly used for the treatment and healing of diseases. The Persea major Kopp, Piper mollicomum Kunth. and Serjania erecta Radlk. are used in several illnesses, including the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the extracts of these plants on the gastrointestinal motility. Swiss mice were orally treated with extracts one hour before the administration of a semisolid solution of 1.5% carboxymethylcellulose and 0.05% phenol red. After 15 minutes, the gastric emptying and intestinal transit were determined. The hydroalcoholic extract of P. major (100 to 1000 mg Kg-1, p.o.) and the hydroalcoholic extract of P. mollicomum (100 and 300 mg Kg-1, p.o.) increased the intestinal transit. However, only the P. major extract (100 and 300 mg Kg-1) increased the gastric emptying. The ethanolic extract of S. erecta (100 to 1000 mg Kg-1, p.o.) did not alter the gastrointestinal motility. These results suggest that Persea major and Piper mollicomum can be of interest for further studies in the search of active principles or effective plant material for the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as constipation.

Nutritional status, dietary intake and serum levels of vitamin C upon diagnosis of cancer in children and adolescents / El estado nutricional, la ingesta alimentaria y los niveles séricos de vitamina C en el momento del diagnóstico de cáncer en niños y adolescentes

Introduction: The prevalence of malnutrition upon diagnosis, together with reduced food intake secondary to disease and treatment, make the periodic assessment of nutritional status (including the intake of antioxidant nutrients) of considerable importance to the follow up of patients with cancer. Objectives: Assess the nutritional status and frequency of inadequate vitamin C levels among children and adolescents with cancer at the beginning of treatment and determine associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 30 patients under 18 years. Nutritional status was assessed using laboratory methods and anthropometric measurements. Vitamin C adequacy was assessed through its serum concentration and dietary intake. Results: In the sample, 10% were short for their age and 13.3% were underweight. The triceps skinfold measurement revealed fat depletion in 68% and the arm muscle circumference measurement revealed muscle depletion in 32.0%. Seventy percent of the patients had vitamin C deficiency and had greater weight loss, lower Z scores for all anthropometric indicators analyzed, lower serum albumin and higher C-reactive protein than those without vitamin C deficiency, but these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Children with cancer may have nutritional deficits upon diagnosis. Further studies are needed on the association between serum levels of antioxidant and nutritional status in order to offer safe, effective nutritional support (AU)

Introducción: La prevalencia de desnutrición al momento del diagnóstico junto a la reducción de la ingesta de alimentos secundaria a la enfermedad y el tratamiento, condicionan que la evaluación periódica del estado nutricional, incluso la evaluación de los nutrientes antioxidantes, sea de gran importancia en el seguimiento del paciente con cáncer. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado nutricional y la frecuencia de los niveles inadecuados de vitamina C en niños y adolescentes con cáncer, en etapas tempranas del tratamiento, y determinar los factores asociados. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 30 pacientes menores de 18 años para evaluar el estado nutricional y la frecuencia de los niveles inadecuados de vitamina C en los pacientes de oncología pediátrica al momento del diagnóstico de la enfermedad. Se evaluó el estado nutricional por métodos de laboratorio y mediciones antropométricas, y se evaluó la vitamina C en su concentración sérica y el consumo de fuentes de alimentos. Resultados: Se obtuvo 10% de baja estatura, 13,3% de bajo peso, 68% de disminución de los pliegues cutáneos del tríceps (PCT) y 32,0% de la circunferencia muscular del brazo (CMB). El setenta por ciento de los pacientes presentaron una deficiencia de vitamina C. Estos mostraron una mayor pérdida de peso y menor puntuación Z para todos los indicadores antropométricos estudiados, media menor de albúmina sérica y media mayor de proteína C reactiva en comparación con las personas que no tienen deficiencia de vitamina C, pero las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas (p > 0,05). Conclusión: Los niños con cáncer pueden presentar importantes déficits nutricionales al momento del diagnóstico de la enfermedad. Se necesitan más estudios sobre la asociación entre los niveles séricos de antioxidantes y el estado nutricional, a fin de apoyar el soporte nutricional seguro y efectivo (AU)

Alcohol intake, smoking, sleeping hours, physical activity and the metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between physical activity, sleeping hours, alcohol intake and smoking and metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Social, demographic, personal and family medical histories and behavioral characteristics were collected as self-reported for 2164 participants (1332 women; 832 men), aged 18-92 years old, randomly selected during 1999-2003, among residents in Porto, Portugal, evaluated in the Department of Epidemiology of Porto Medical School. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the NCEP-ATPIII. Associations between metabolic syndrome and lifestyles factors were computed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: After adjustment, higher total physical activity (OR=0.63 95% CI%: 0.43, 0.94--females; OR=0.55 95% CI: 0.33, 0.91--males) and work activity levels in females (OR=0.55; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.91) were significantly associated with lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. More sleeping hours were positively associated with metabolic syndrome (OR=1.25; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.38--females; OR=1.19; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.36--males). Regarding smoking, the only statistically significant association was found in women that smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day (OR=0.32 95% CI: 0.11, 0.92). No statistically significant association was found between ethanol intake and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: An association between decreased physical activity, increased sleeping hours and metabolic syndrome was found. No association was found between cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and the metabolic syndrome.

Central obesity as a major determinant of increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in metabolic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as central obesity, high blood pressure and insulin resistance, all constituents of metabolic syndrome, have been associated with increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). Therefore, this marker of low-grade inflammation may play a major role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, data from a representative sample of urban adults was used to evaluate the association between CRP and metabolic syndrome, accounting for the type and number of its constituents. METHODS: Using random digit dialing, 1022 participants, aged 18-92 y, were selected. All participants completed a structured questionnaire comprising of information on social, demographic, behavioral and clinical aspects. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were recorded and a fasting blood sample collected. Metabolic syndrome was defined, according to the Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults, as the presence of three or more of the following characteristics: waist circumference greater than 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women; triglyceride levels > or = 150 mg/dl; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels < 40 mg/dl in men and < 50 mg/dl in women; blood pressure > or = 130/85 mm Hg; and serum glucose > or = 110 mg/dl. High-sensitivity CRP was assessed by immunonephelometric assay. After excluding 65 participants with CRP > or = 10 mg/l, 957 subjects (599 women and 358 men) remained for analysis. Geometric means were compared after adjustment for age, sex, alcohol consumption and smoking. RESULTS: Higher mean levels of CRP (2.34 vs 1.36, P < 0.001) were observed when metabolic syndrome was present. Also, mean CRP levels were significantly higher in the presence of central obesity (2.45 vs 1.24, P < 0.001), high blood pressure (1.76 vs 1.12, P < 0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (2.17 vs 1.32, P < 0.001) and high fasting glucose (1.96 vs 1.46, P = 0.032). We found a significant increasing trend (P < 0.001) in mean levels of CRP as the number of features of metabolic syndrome increased. The major contributing features for high CRP levels were central obesity and high blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Present data show that increasing severity of metabolic syndrome is associated with increasing CRP. Additionally, we found that central obesity and high blood pressure are the most important determinants of the low-grade chronic inflammation present in metabolic syndrome.

Prevalence and determinants of obesity in an urban sample of Portuguese adults.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and the determinants of obesity, and the associated cardiovascular risk factors in a random sample of non-institutionalised adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 1436 habitants of Porto (873 women and 563 men) aged 18-90 years. MEASUREMENTS: All participants answered a structured questionnaire comprising information on social, demographic, behavioural and clinical aspects. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure and fasting blood samples were obtained. Diet was assessed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire, and physical activity was evaluated using a questionnaire exploring all professional, domestic and leisure-time activities. When the body mass index was > or =30 kg/m2, the subject was considered as 'obese'. Proportions were age adjusted for the European population. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in women (26.1%) than men (13.9%). Regardless of gender, obesity increased with age, decreased with education, and was more frequent in married blue-collar workers and unemployed subjects. Smoking was more prevalent in subjects of normal weight, and a higher proportion of those reporting no regular exercise were obese. In men, obesity prevalence increased with increasing quartiles of energy intake, but no such changes were found in women. Compared with subjects of normal weight, obese men showed a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (53.3 vs 26.1%) and hypertriglyceridaemia (23.4 vs 9.0%). Also, hypertension (43.7 vs 30.7%), diabetes (7.6 vs 2.7%), hypertriglyceridaemia (27.1 vs 5.0%), and abnormal low-density lipoprotein (30.4 vs 21.4%) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (15.0 vs 5.3%) were more frequent in obese women. CONCLUSION: Obesity is a major public health issue in urban Portuguese populations, and obese individuals have many features of metabolic syndrome. Education and relative deprivation are modifiable factors that are significantly associated with obesity. However, no clear-cut relationship was found between physical activity and energy intake.

Nitroloside-containing foods and their possible effects on health and nutrition

Litrature survey appears to show that a diet rich in nitriloside may ba an answer to preventive medicineA survey of Philippine plant and other plant products for nitrilosides content was carried out using qualitative and quantitative tests. Results show that among the plants used in the Filipino diet, cassava, patani, chesa , ginger and singkamas were particularly rich in nitrilosides. Fresh sorghum grains were also found to be an excellent source of nitrilosideExperimental study of the effect of nitriloside on health and nutrition was made on rabbits and the results showed that the experimental animals fed raw cassava bark and leaves gained weight and improved their blood picture as compared with the control animals. The preliminary study on culture of cancer cells showed significant inhibition by nitriloside on the dehydrogenase using methylene blue as the inidicatorStudies are now undergoing to extract the nitriloside, known as linamarin from cassava. Can linamarin show a more significant improvement in the blood picture of experimental animals?. Will linamarin show any inhibition on the culture of P-388 leukemic cells? This we hope to find out. (Summary)