Natural and experimental poisoning of goats with the pyrrolizidine alkaloid-producing plant Crotalaria retusa L.

Crotalaria retusa L. (rattleweed), estimated to contain about 4.96% monocrotaline (MCT) in the seed, was associated with a natural poisoning outbreak in goats.

Colour stability of aesthetic brackets: ceramic and plastic.

Background: The colour stability of aesthetic brackets may differ according to their composition, morphology and surface property, which may consequently influence their aesthetic performance.

Aims: To assess the colour stability of aesthetic brackets (ceramic and plastic) after simulating aging and staining.

Methods: Twelve commercially manufactured ceramic brackets and four different plastic brackets were assessed.

Morphological, functional and biochemical characterization of canine gingival fibroblasts.

As dogs are good models for in vivo studies, it is interesting to evaluate the behavior of canine gingival fibroblasts (CGF) in vitro, so that these cells could be seeded on a matrix and later studied in vivo. The aim of this study was to perform a morphological, functional and biochemical analysis of CGF, comparing it with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF), as well as to evaluate the change of their characteristics over several passages. Using gingival fibroblasts from 3 dogs and 3 humans in the subculture (Sub), first (P1), third (P3), fifth (P5) and seventh (P7) passages, the following parameters were assessed: cell morphology, spreading, adhesion, viability and total protein content.

Surgical treatment for infective endocarditis and hospital mortality in a Brazilian single-center.

Objective: We evaluated patients underwent cardiac valve surgery in the presence of infective endocarditis in an attempt to identify independent predictors of 30-day mortality.

Methods: We evaluated 837 consecutive patients underwent cardiac valve surgery from January 2003 to May 2010 in a tertiary hospital in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo (SP), Brazil. The study group comprised patients who underwent intervention in the presence of infective endocarditis and was compared to the control group (without infective endocarditis), evaluating perioperative clinical outcomes and 30-day all cause mortality.

Pulmonary and hepatic lesions caused by the dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid-producing plants Crotalaria juncea and Crotalaria retusa in donkeys.

The effects and susceptibility of donkeys to Crotalaria juncea and Crotalaria retusa poisoning were determined at high and low doses. Seeds of C. juncea containing 0.

Assessing the responsiveness of the Brazilian FIS to treatment for traumatic dental injury.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the responsiveness of the Brazilian version of the Family Impact Scale (B-FIS) to describe changes in the quality of life (QoL) after treatment for traumatic dental injury (TDI).

Methods: After applying the eligibility criteria, 156 patients from 2 to 14 years old, who were attending a dental trauma center, were selected over an 18-month period. QoL was evaluated at two different appointments: A1 (after TDI) and A2 (after TDI treatment).

Lower dental caries prevalence associated to chronic kidney disease: a systematic review.

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether there is any evidence in the literature referring to a lower prevalence of dental caries in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to healthy individuals.

Methods: A search of the PubMed Medline, Ovid Medline and Cochrane Library databases was performed using the MeSH terms "dental caries" and "chronic renal failure". To be eligible for entry in our study, controlled observational studies had to present a decayed, missing and filled index for primary teeth (dmft) and/or for permanent teeth (DMFT) in children and adolescents with CKD.

Effect of minimally invasive restorations on microorganism count in the oral cavity of a patient with early childhood caries.

Background: The effect of minimally invasive restorations on the microorganism count in the oral cavity of children with early childhood caries (ECC) has been only briefly discussed in the literature.

Case Report: This study presents the case of a child with ECC who was treated using a minimally invasive restorative approach and the patient's salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus spp. and Candida spp.

Reliability analysis of two methods for measuring active enamel demineralization: An in vitro study.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of two methods, namely, digital caliper [DC] and computerized image analysis software (Image Tool [IT] version 4.1) for measuring the area of an active enamel demineralization lesion. The effect on that measurement of a window that delimits the lesion was also assessed.

Immunophenotypic, immunocytochemistry, ultrastructural, and cytogenetic characterization of mesenchymal stem cells from equine bone marrow.

The aim of this study was to isolate, culture, and characterize mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from horse bone marrow (BM) using the techniques of flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, cytogenetics, and electron microscopy. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed the presence of MSCs with high expression of the CD90 marker, lower expression of the CD44 marker, and absent expression of the CD34 marker. In assays of differentiation, the positive response to osteogenic (OST), chondrogenic (CDG), and adipogenic (ADP) differentiation signals was observed and characterized by deposition of calcium-rich extracellular matrix (OST), proteoglycans and collagen II (CDG) and intracellular deposition of fat drops (ADP).

Tianeptine facilitates spreading depression in well-nourished and early-malnourished adult rats.

Nutritional status during development can modify the brain's electrophysiological properties and its response to drugs that reduce the serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft. Here we used cortical spreading depression (CSD) in the rat as a neurophysiological parameter to investigate the interaction between nutritional status and treatment with tianeptine, a serotonin uptake enhancer. From postnatal day 2 to 24, well-nourished and early-malnourished rat pups were s.

Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) improves endocrine and metabolic disorders in obese rats primed by early weaning.

Purpose: We showed that early weaned rats developed obesity, hyperleptinemia, leptin and insulin resistance at adulthood. Here, we studied the potential beneficial effects of Ilex paraguariensis aqueous solution upon body composition, glycemia, lipid and hormonal profiles, leptin signaling and NPY content.

Methods: To induce early weaning, lactating rats' teats were blocked with a bandage to interrupt lactation during the last 3 days (EW group), while control offspring had free access to milk throughout lactation (C group).

Inhibition of self-grooming induced by sleep restriction in dam rats.

Background & Objectives: Sleep restriction is a common feature of modern lifestyle and its effects can be extended to pregnancy. Several neurobehavioural consequences of sleep restriction during pregnancy have been reported, among which stand out perinatal depression and maternal fatigue, however, its effects over mother-infant relationship warrant further investigation. Thus, this study was aimed to evaluate the effects of sleep restriction during pregnancy over maternal behaviour and maternal aggression through animal models.

Topical effect of a medically prescribed pediatric antibiotic on dental biofilm: a cross-over, in situ study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the possible topical effect of a broad-spectrum antibiotic on dental biofilm formed in situ in the absence or presence of sucrose.

Methods: A crossover study was conducted in three phases of 14 days each, during which 11 volunteers wore palatal devices containing 6 enamel blocks covered with meshes to allow biofilm formation. Dental blocks were extraorally submitted to a 20% sucrose solution at three different frequencies of exposure (0, 3 and 8 times/day), and to a suspension of amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (A/CP) or a placebo (P) suspension at an 8-hour time interval application regimen.

Urgent minimal invasive treatment of a dental trauma in a child with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia with microplatelets, eczema, recurrent infections, and predisposition to autoimmune disease and malignancy. The aim of this study is to report an urgent minimal invasive treatment of a dental trauma in a pediatric patient with WAS. The conservative management was a success and did not cause any local nor systemic complications.

In vitro effect of paediatric liquid medicines on deciduous enamel exposed to biofilm.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the in vitro effects of paediatric liquid medicines on deciduous enamel exposed to biofilms.

Methods: Fragments (n = 25) of first primary molars were covered by nail varnish, leaving a 22 mm(2) exposure area. Specimens were fixed in polystyrene plates containing BHI broth media.

Effects of acute systemic administration of cannabidiol on sleep-wake cycle in rats.

Unlabelled: Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main components of Cannabis sativa and has a wide spectrum of action, including effects in the sleep-wake cycle.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to assess the effects on sleep of acute systemic administration of CBD.

Method: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups that received intraperitoneal injections of CBD 2.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on pain levels in patients with temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review.

Unlabelled: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are characterized by the presence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or masticatory muscle pain and dysfunction. Low-level laser is presented as an adjuvant therapeutic modality for the treatment of TMD, especially when the presence of inflammatory pain is suspected.

Objective: To systematically review studies that investigated the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the pain levels in individuals with TMD.

Effect of fluoride on tooth erosion around orthodontic brackets.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fluoride in prevention of tooth erosion around orthodontic brackets under erosive challenge. Edgewise brackets were bonded with Transbond™ XT composite on vestibular surface of 40 bovine incisors. The teeth were assigned to 4 groups (n=10): G1: Remineralizing saliva; G2: Erosive challenge; G3: Experimental group submitted to topical application of neutral fluoride gel (2% NaF) before erosive challenge; G4: Experimental group submitted to three daily applications of fluoride dentifrice (PFM 1500 ppmF) during erosive challenge.

Characterization of a new TiF(4) and β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex and its in vitro evaluation on inhibiting enamel demineralization.

Titanium tetrafluoride (TiF(4)) is an effective but instable caries preventive agent. As the stability problems could be minimized through the use of drug carriers this study aimed to prepare and characterize a new TiF(4) nanoinclusion complex and to evaluate its potential in inhibiting enamel demineralization under pH cycling conditions. The TiF(4) nanosystems were prepared using β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and sodium montmorillonite (MMTNa).

Phylogenetic relationships and selective pressure on gene families related to iron homeostasis in land plants.

Iron is involved in many metabolic processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis, and therefore an essential element for plant development. Comparative analysis of gene copies between crops and lower plant groups can shed light on the evolution of genes important to iron homeostasis. A phylogenetic analysis of five metal homeostasis gene families (NAS, NRAMP, YSL, FRO, and IRT) selected in monocots, dicots, gymnosperms, and bryophytes was performed.