Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Synthetic Peptide [W7]KR12-KAEK Against Enterococcus faecalis Strains.

The emergence of infections caused by microorganisms in the oral cavity and increasing concerns regarding the use of antibiotics have resulted in the development of novel antimicrobial molecules, such as antimicrobial synthetic peptides. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of the native peptide KR-12 and its derivative, the synthetic peptide [W7]KR12-KAEK, against planktonic and biofilms Enterococcus faecalis strains. The methods used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity in planktonic cultures include minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration assays.

Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Type-A I in the Improvement of Mandibular Motion and Muscle Sensibility in Myofascial Pain TMD Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study assessed the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in mandibular range of motion and muscle tenderness to palpation in persistent myofascial pain (MFP) patients (ReBEC RBR-2d4vvv). Eighty consecutive female subjects with persistent MFP, were randomly divided into four groups ( = 20): three BoNT-A groups with different doses and a saline solution group (placebo control group). Treatments were injected bilaterally in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscle in a single session.

Fixation of free gingival grafts with cyanoacrylate glues: A histomorphometric and immunohistochemical study.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory process resulting from the use of two cyanoacrylate-based adhesives to stabilize grafts.

Methodology: A total of 45 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 15/group) treated with ethyl cyanoacrylate glue (TG1), octyl-2-cyanoacrylate glue (TG2) or suture threads (CG). After de-epithelialization in the anterior gingival region of the mandible, the graft was removed from the donor site (hard palate), taken to the recipient site and stabilized according to the protocol of each group.

C-type natriuretic peptide-induced relaxation through cGMP-dependent protein kinase and SERCA activation is impaired in two kidney-one clip rat aorta.

Aims: Hypertension underlies endothelial dysfunction, and activation of vasorelaxation signaling with low dependence on nitric oxide (NO) represents a good alternative for vascular modulation. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) causes relaxation by increasing cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) or Gi-protein activation through its natriuretic peptide receptor-B or -C, respectively. We have hypothesized that CNP could exerts its effects and could overcome endothelial dysfunction in two kidney-one clip (2K-1C) hypertensive rat aorta.

Composition and Natural History of Snakes from Etá Farm region, Sete Barras, south-eastern Brazil.

Approximately 140 snake species are known to occur in the Atlantic Forest with nearly half being endemic to this ecoregion. However, the Atlantic forest is one of the most threatened tropical ecoregions, with only 16% of its original area remaining as forest. This extensive habitat loss must have had a negative effect on its snake fauna.

Composition and natural history of the snakes from the Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio, southern Minas Gerais, Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil.

The Serra da Mantiqueira is one of the least inventoried physiographic areas of southeastern Brazil. There is great potential for detection of endemic species for which little or nothing is known about basic aspects of natural history. The Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio (PESP) within the Serra da Mantiqueira is an area of extreme biological importance because it houses mixed formations of grasslands, ombrophilous forests, and enclaves of Araucaria forests (mixed ombrophilous forest).

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome) as a differential diagnosis of hypereosinophilic syndromes.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a rare systemic disease situated between primary small vessel vasculitides associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) and hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES). Here, we present a case of EGPA in a 38-year-old male, with a previous diagnosis of asthma, who presented with fever, migratory lung infiltrates and systemic eosinophilia that was refractory to previous courses of antibiotics. This case highlights the importance of the primary care physician understanding the differential diagnosis of pulmonary eosinophilic syndromes.

Nitric oxide signaling and the cross talk with prostanoids pathways in vascular system.

Background: This review provides an overview of the cellular signaling of nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids in vascular cells and the possible cross talk between their pathways, mainly in hypertension, since the imbalance of these two systems has been attributed to development of some cardiovascular diseases. It also deals with the modulation of vasodilation induced by NO donors. NO is a well-known second messenger involved in many cellular functions.

Hypotensive effect and vascular relaxation in different arteries induced by the nitric oxide donor RuBPY.

NO donors are compounds that release NO that can be used when the endogenous NO bioavailability is impaired. The compound cis-[Ru(bpy)(py)(NO)](PF) (RuBPY) is a nitrite-ruthenium, since it has a NO in its molecule. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of RuBPY on arterial pressure, as well as on the vascular relaxation of different vascular arteries in renal hypertensive (2K-1C) and normotensive (2K) rats.

C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Induces Anti-contractile Effect Dependent on Nitric Oxide, Oxidative Stress, and NPR-B Activation in Sepsis.

Aims: To evaluate the role of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and natriuretic peptide receptor-B activation in C-type natriuretic peptide-anti-contractile effect on Phenylephrine-induced contraction in aorta isolated from septic rats.

Methods And Results: Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery was used to induce sepsis in male rats. Vascular reactivity was conducted in rat aorta and resistance mesenteric artery (RMA).

Mesothelin as a biomarker for ovarian carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

The objective of this work was to estimate the accuracy of mesothelin as a biomarker for ovarian cancer. A quantitative systematic review was performed. A comprehensive search of the Medline, LILACS, SCOPUS, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Biomed Central, and ISI Web of Science databases was conducted from January 1990 to June 2015.

Blood pressure variability provokes vascular β-adrenoceptor desensitization in rats.

Spontaneous variation in blood pressure is defined as 'blood pressure variability' (BPV). Sinoaortic denervation (SAD) is characterized by BPV without sustained hypertension. In the present study, we investigated whether BPV could be related to vascular β-adrenoceptor desensitization in rats.

Parental influence on children's answers to an oral-health-related quality of life questionnaire.

The aim of the study was to evaluate parental influence on children's answers to an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 84 pairs of 5-year-olds and parents/guardians. The participants were selected from a primary family healthcare center in Campina Grande, Brazil.

Hyperbilirubinaemia alone cannot distinguish a perforation in acute appendicitis.

Background: The objective of the study was to verify the accuracy of hyperbilirubinaemia as a marker for acute perforated appendicitis.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, IBECS, BIOSIS, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Congress Abstracts and Grey literature from January 1969 to July 2014. We included cross-sectional and cohort studies, prospective and retrospective, which evaluated hyperbilirubinaemia level in perforated appendicitis and compared them with histological analysis of all appendectomy specimens.

Accuracy of magnetic resonance in deeply infiltrating endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To estimate the accuracy of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).

Methods: A comprehensive search of the Medline, Pubmed, Lilacs, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Biomed Central, and ISI Web of Science databases was conducted from January 1990 to December 2013. The medical subject headings (MeSHs) and text words "deep endometriosis", "deeply infiltrating endometriosis", "DIE", "magnetic resonance", and "MRI" were searched.

Antimicrobial effect of the triterpene 3β,6β,16β-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene on planktonic cells and biofilms from Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.

This study evaluated the antimicrobial effect of 3β,6β,16β-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene (CLF1), a triterpene isolated from Combretum leprosum Mart., in inhibiting the planktonic growth and biofilms of Gram positive bacteria Streptococcus mutans and S. mitis.

Ruthenium complexes as NO donors for vascular relaxation induction.

Nitric oxide (NO) donors are substances that can release NO. Vascular relaxation induction is among the several functions of NO, and the administration of NO donors is a pharmacological alternative to treat hypertension. This review will focus on the physicochemical description of ruthenium-derived NO donor complexes that release NO via reduction and light stimulation.

Phenylephrine activates eNOS Ser 1177 phosphorylation and nitric oxide signaling in renal hypertensive rat aorta.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in the control of the vascular tone. This work aimed to evaluate the role of an α1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (PE) on eNOS activity and downstream signaling pathway activation in normotensive (2K) and renal hypertensive (2K-1C) intact-endothelium rat aortas. Concentration-effect curves were performed for PE in intact-endothelium aortas from 2K and 2K-1C rats, in the absence of or in the presence of NOS or soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor.

Gold nanoparticle modifies nitric oxide release and vasodilation in rat aorta.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role on several biological functions. Recently, it has been reported the possibility of modifying the NO release profile from the NO donors through its coupling to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Thus, AuNPs were synthesized and they were exposed to the NO donor ruthenium complex Cis-[Ru(bpy)2(NO)(4PySH)].

Decreased endothelial nitric oxide, systemic oxidative stress, and increased sympathetic modulation contribute to hypertension in obese rats.

We investigated the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) on autonomic cardiovascular parameters, vascular reactivity, and endothelial cells isolated from aorta of monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rats. Obesity was induced by administration of 4 mg/g body wt of MSG or equimolar saline [control (CTR)] to newborn rats. At the 60th day, the treatment was started with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 20 mg/kg) or 0.

Accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid Aβ(1-42) for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 65-70% of all dementia cases.

Objective: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid Aβ1-42 for the diagnosis of AD. A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, LILACS, Grey literature, and EMBASE was performed for papers published from January 1990 to August 2013.

Proposal of a new method to induce ventricular system dilation to simulate the features of hydrocephalus and provide an anatomical model for neuroendoscopy training.

Objective: Create an anatomical model which simulates the real condition of a hydrocephalus and which can be used as a tool in the training of neurosurgeons in neuroendoscopy techniques and anatomical structure study.

Methods: Case-control type study, with an experimental group consisting of ten brains, in which the injection of distilled water was performed; and the control group consisting of three brains with saline solution. Inclusion criteria were brains with no history of contagious diseases or traumatic injury.