Childhood Asthma Control Test and spirometry values in school-age children.

Objective: To determine the relationship between child and parent reports of asthma control using the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) and spirometry.

Methods: This descriptive study included 648 children ages 5-11 years from a school-based asthma program. Not well-controlled asthma was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and by FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) of 80% predicted or lower.

Role of Alginate Composition on Copper Ion Uptake in the Presence of Histidine or Beta-Amyloid.

The anomalous interaction between metal ions and the peptide beta-amyloid is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Metal-binding biopolymers, including polysaccharides, can elucidate the fundamental aspects of metal ions' interactions with biological tissue and their interplay in Alzheimer's disease. This work focuses on the role of the alginate composition on Cu(II) adsorption in the presence of histidine or β-amyloid, the peptide associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Frailty and risk of complications in head and neck oncologic surgery. Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Background: There is emerging evidence that frail individuals present a decreased physiological reserve, decreased ability to maintain homeostasis, and increased vulnerability to stressors. The concept of frailty has become increasingly recognized as a valuable measure in oncological surgical patients, including those with head and neck cancer. Preoperative screening for frailty may provide an individualized risk assessment that can be used by an interdisciplinary team for preoperative counseling and to improve outcomes.

Amino acid-functionalized chitosan beads for in vitro copper ions uptake in the presence of histidine.

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the anomalous binding involving amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and metal ions, such as copper, formed through histidine (His) residues. Herein, adsorption experiments were performed to test the in vitro ability of chitosan to uptake copper ions in the presence of histidine. The characterization of the beads was assessed before and after the adsorption process by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Delay in head and neck cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health outcomes.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created unprecedent challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Oncology services have been reorganized to decrease the risk of nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2, but changes in treatment pathways and follow-up cancer care can result in patients receiving suboptimal or delayed care. Herein, we describe a cross-sectional nested cohort study conducted to evaluate delays in care for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in post-treatment follow-up or palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeast Brazil and its impact on health outcomes.

Copper Ion Uptake by Chitosan in the Presence of Amyloid-β and Histidine.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is related to the anomalous binding that occurs between amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and copper ion, through imidazole ring of histidine (His), as stated in the literature. It is also known that high-affinity metal ion chelators can be pharmacologically used as a possible therapeutic approach. In this work, we tested the ability "in vitro" of chitosan (Chi) to reduce Aβ aggregation and Thioflavin T binding assay indicated that chitosan has affinity for Aβ and interferes in its aggregation.

Effect of a school-based asthma clinic on asthma outcomes.

The St. Louis Children's Hospital Healthy Kids Express Asthma (HKEA) program was developed to improve asthma control in children who attend schools with the highest asthma prevalence in the metropolitan area. The HKEA program differs from other programs because unscheduled visits occur at school without parents present.

Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia Increases Glutathione Levels in Postcardiac Arrest Patients.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms of tissue injury after cardiac arrest (CA). A decrease in antioxidant defenses may contribute to I/R injury. The present study aims to investigate the influence of mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) on levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants after CA.

Therapeutic Hypothermia Reduces Oxidative Damage and Alters Antioxidant Defenses after Cardiac Arrest.

After cardiac arrest, organ damage consequent to ischemia-reperfusion has been attributed to oxidative stress. Mild therapeutic hypothermia has been applied to reduce this damage, and it may reduce oxidative damage as well. This study aimed to compare oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses in patients treated with controlled normothermia versus mild therapeutic hypothermia during postcardiac arrest syndrome.

Asthma control and obesity in urban African American children.

Objective: To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI), gender, age, controller medication use, household smoke exposure, season, and allergic rhinitis status with asthma control in a group of lower income, African American children. We hypothesized that non-obese children would have better asthma control.

Methods: Baseline data from a longitudinal study of children in a school-based asthma program in a Midwest urban area were analyzed.

RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) regulates migration, differentiation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in human mesenchymal stem cells.

The membrane-anchored glycoprotein RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) inhibits expression and activity of certain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), thereby suppressing tumor cell metastasis. However, RECK's role in physiological cell function is largely unknown. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are able to differentiate into various cell types and represent promising tools in multiple clinical applications including the regeneration of injured tissues by endogenous or transplanted hMSCs.

Treatment of oxidative stress in brain of ovariectomized rats with omega-3 and lipoic acid.

Scope: Postmenopausal women are often affected by a group of metabolic disorders related to oxidative stress. Alternative treatments that can improve the quality of life of these women have been the subject of recent studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response to oxidative stress in the brains of rats following ovariectomy, and to determine enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant responses when the animals received 3 months of dietary supplementation.

Induction of ROS generation by fluconazole in Candida glabrata: activation of antioxidant enzymes and oxidative DNA damage.

In this study, we assessed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by subinhibitory concentration of fluconazole in susceptible and resistant Candida glabrata strains at stationary growth phase and measured their oxidative responses parameters: glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), consumption of hydrogen peroxide, and total glutathione, as well as oxidative damage in lipids, proteins, and DNA. Data showed that fluconazole increased generation of ROS and GPx and SOD enzymatic activity in treated cells; however, these enzymatic activities did not differ between resistant and susceptible strains. Susceptible strains exhibited higher GST activity than resistant, and when susceptible cells were treated with fluconazole, GST activity decreased.

Alpha-lipoic acid restores tear production in an animal model of dry eye.

The tear film comprises a major mechanism for protection of the ocular surface against harmful external agents. Disruption of tear production can lead to dry eye syndrome, causing damage ranging from mild discomfort to scarring of the ocular surface with irreversible vision impairment. The production of tears by the lacrimal gland is influenced by neuroendocrine, hormonal, and immunological factors.

Second canal in mesiobuccal root of maxillary molars is correlated with root third and patient age: a cone-beam computed tomographic study.

Introduction: There is little evidence supporting the use of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scanning in root canal anatomy investigation. This study aimed to investigate the presence of second mesiobuccal canals (MB2) in different thirds of the mesiobuccal root of first and second maxillary molars using CBCT scanning and to correlate findings with patient sex and age.

Methods: A total of 100 male and female adult patients with healthy, untreated, well-developed maxillary molars were enrolled.

Influence of temperature on the thirty-day chemical stability of extemporaneously prepared dexamethasone paste.

Dexamethasone, a high-potency synthetic glucocorticoid, is often used to treat various immunological and inflammatory conditions. Commercial preparations of dexamethasone facilitate administration to human patients. Veterinary use of dexamethasone may be complicated by the unavailability of commercial dosage forms.

Efficacy and safety of 10% HES 130/0.4 versus 10% HES 200/0.5 for plasma volume expansion in cardiac surgery patients.

Aim: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions are frequently used for perioperative volume replacement. Whereas older HES specimen tended to accumulate in the plasma and to cause negative effects on hemostasis, more recent products, e.g.

Phylogenetic relationships of Brazilian isolates of Pythium insidiosum based on ITS rDNA and cytochrome oxidase II gene sequences.

Pythium insidiosum is an aquatic oomycete that is the causative agent of pythiosis. Advances in molecular methods have enabled increased accuracy in the diagnosis of pythiosis, and in studies of the phylogenetic relationships of this oomycete. To evaluate the phylogenetic relationships among isolates of P.

Antifungal susceptibilities of Sporothrix albicans, S. brasiliensis, and S. luriei of the S. schenckii complex identified in Brazil.

We studied 40 strains of the species complex formerly classified as the single species Sporothrix schenckii to identify new species within this complex and evaluate their antifungal susceptibility profiles. Based on phenotypic tests (ability to grow at 37°C, colony diameters, and pigmentation of the colonies, as well as assimilation of sucrose and raffinose) and molecular assays (amplification of a fragment of the calmodulin gene), here we report the identification of S. albicans, S.

In vitro interactions between amphotericin B and other antifungal agents and rifampin against Fusarium spp.

Fusarium species are common hyaline soil saprophytes and plant pathogens that are opportunistic fungal pathogens of immunocompromised patients. The treatment for fusariosis remains uncertain with an unfavourable prognosis; new possibilities for treatment, such as various synergistic drug interactions, must be uncovered. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro interactions of amphotericin B with caspofungin, ketoconazole, 5-flucytosine, itraconazole, miconazole, rifampin, fluconazole, terbinafine and voriconazole against isolates of Fusarium spp.

Evaluation by digital subtraction radiography of induced changes in the bone density of the female rat mandible.

Objectives: To verify whether changes in bone mass induced by glucocorticoid and bisphosphonate can be detected by digital subtraction radiography of lateral X-rays in female rat mandibles.

Methods: 36 Rattus norvegicus (Wistar) females were randomly allocated to three groups: Group 1, control (n = 12); Group 2, induced osteopaenia (n = 12); and Group 3, induced osteopaenia plus risedronate (n = 12). Group 1 received subcutaneous saline solution (2 ml kg(-1)) injections for 12 weeks.

Optimal parameters for lateral oblique radiographs of rat mandibles.

Objective: To establish optimal exposure parameters for lateral oblique radiographs of rat mandibles using an intraoral X-ray machine.

Methods: A positioning apparatus, previously tested for its reproducibility, was used to obtain radiographs of four heads of formaldehyde-preserved Wistar rats. Radiographs were exposed at 50 kV and 8 mA using four size 2 films (Insight, Ektaspeed Plus, Ultraspeed and D-Speed; Eastman Kodak Co.

Reproducibility of and file format effect on digital subtraction radiography of simulated external root resorptions.

Objective: To evaluate, in simulated external root resorptions (ERR), two factors that may affect results of digital subtraction radiography (DSR): (1) intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility and (2) effects of digital file formats (TIFF, BMP and JPEG) on the estimation of mineral loss.

Methods: Eleven incisors were radiographed three times (NR, no resorption; SR, small--#1/4 round bur; and LR, large--#2 round bur) on standardized projections. The resulting images were reproduced and saved as TIFF, JPEG and BMP file formats.

[A rare cause of myocarditis in a 30-year-old patient].

Case Report: A 30-year-old male was admitted to hospital because of chest pain and raised cardiac enzymes. Coronary heart disease was excluded by coronary angiography. Assuming myocarditis serological testing was performed and showed markedly raised antibody titers against Coxiella Burnetii.

Mechanical restitution and recirculation fraction in cardiac myocytes and left ventricular muscle of adult rats.

Unloaded cell shortening was measured in electrically stimulated myocytes from adult rat hearts to compare the contractile response to stimulation with that in isometrically contracting left ventricular papillary muscles under similar experimental conditions, but preloaded to produce maximum twitch tension. Mechanical restitution in cells followed a biexponential function with time constants of 0.19 +/- 0.