The role of transforming growth factor β in cervical carcinogenesis.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is involved in virtually all cases of cervical cancer. However, HPV alone is not sufficient to cause malignant development. The effects of chronic inflammation and the interaction of immune components with the microenvironment infected with the high-risk HPV type (HR) may contribute to cancer development.

Advanced renal cell carcinoma management: the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group (LACOG) and the Latin American Renal Cancer Group (LARCG) consensus update.

Purpose: Renal cell carcinoma is an aggressive disease with a high mortality rate. Management has drastically changed with the new era of immunotherapy, and novel strategies are being developed; however, identifying systemic treatments is still challenging. This paper presents an update of the expert panel consensus from the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group and the Latin American Renal Cancer Group on advanced renal cell carcinoma management in Brazil.

Is the whitening effect of charcoal-based dentifrices related to their abrasive potential or the ability of charcoal to adsorb dyes?

Objectives: To evaluate if tooth color alteration of activated charcoal-based dentifrices may be attributed to the dye adsorption potential of charcoal (chemical action - C - slurry only) or to the association of dye adsorption with abrasion (chemo-mechanical action - CM- slurry/toothbrushing). Potential adverse effects in surface roughness, gloss, and wear were also assessed.

Methods: Bovine enamel/dentin specimens were randomly allocated into the groups according to treatments and test model (n = 15): deionized water (negative control- NC); Colgate Maximum Anticaries Protection (conventional toothpaste- positive control- PC); Colgate Luminous White Activated Charcoal (LW); Oral-B 3D White Therapy Charcoal (WT); Curaprox Black is White (BW); Dermavita Whitemax (Activated charcoal powder- WP).

Impact of primary dentition malocclusion on the oral health-related quality of life in preschoolers.

Background: Malocclusion is a condition frequently seen in primary dentition due to the interaction of environmental, genetic and behavioural factors. The occurrence of some types of malocclusions can have an impact on oral health-related quality of life in children. Hence, the present study aimed to verify the impact of primary dentition malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life in preschool children.

Caregiver overload and factors associated with care provided to patients under palliative care.

Objectives: To identify overload and associated factors among caregivers of adult patients receiving palliative care.

Methods: Descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study addressing 40 adults under palliative care and their respective caregivers enrolled in the Home Care System in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Data concerning the patients included demographic profile and Mini-Mental State Examination.

Driving simulators to evaluate road geometric design effects on driver behaviour: A systematic review.

Several factors can influence driver behaviour, and road geometry is one of them. A better understanding of driver-roadway interaction can enhance road design to create a safer traffic system. In this context, driving simulators are powerful tools that combine convenience and effectiveness in identifying drivers' responses to different geometry factors.

Relationship between breastfeeding patterns and intake of vitamin A and iron in children 6-12 months.

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between breastfeeding type in the first six months of life and intake of vitamin A and iron in children 6-12 months of age. It is a cohort study with 226 children. The type of breastfeeding from 1-6 months of life and the food intake from 6 to 12 months were evaluated.

The lack of PI3Kγ favors M1 macrophage polarization and does not prevent kidney diseases progression.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are major concerns in worldwide public health, and their pathophysiology involves immune cells activation, being macrophages one of the main players of both processes. It is suggested that metabolic pathways could contribute to macrophage modulation and phosphatidylinositol‑3 kinase (PI3K) pathway was shown to be activated in kidneys subjected to ischemia and reperfusion as well as unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Although PI3K inhibition is mostly associated with anti-inflammatory response, its use in kidney injuries has been shown controversial results, which indicates the need for further studies.

Brief psychoeducation for bipolar disorder: Evaluation of trophic factors serum levels in young adults.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of psychoeducation in serum levels of BDNF, NGF and GDNF in young adults presenting bipolar disorder (BD). This is a randomized clinical trial including 39 young adults (18-29 years) diagnosed with BD through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-CV). Participants were randomized in two treatment groups: usual treatment (medication) and combined intervention (medication plus psychoeducation).

Effect of Uncaria tomentosa extract on purinergic enzyme activities in lymphocytes of rats submitted to experimental adjuvant arthritis model.

Background: Considering that adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model of arthritis widely used for preclinical testing of numerous anti-arthritic agents, which were taken by a large number of patients worldwide, it is of great interest to investigate the therapeutic action of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Uncaria tomentosa extract. Moreover, there are no studies demonstrating the effect of U. tomentosa on the metabolism of adenine nucleotides published so far.

Assessing the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Brazilian Plants-Eremanthus erythropappus (Asteraceae), Plectrantuns barbatus, and P. amboinicus (Lamiaceae).

The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from three Brazilian plant species-leaves and branches of Eremanthus erythropappus (Asteraceae), leaves of Plectranthus barbatus, and leaves of P. amboinicus (Lamiaceae)-were determined. Analysis by GC/MS and determination of Kovats indexes both indicated δ-elemene (leaves-42.

The seasonal variation of the chemical composition of essential oils from Porcelia macrocarpa R.E. Fries (Annonaceae) and their antimicrobial activity.

This study investigates the impact of seasonal variation on the chemical composition of essential oils from the leaves of Porcelia macrocarpa (Annonaceae) obtained over the course of one year (January-December 2011) and the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the ripe fruits of the same plant. Furthermore, the essential oils of the leaves were investigated with respect to their antimicrobial activity. The essential oils of the leaves contain a mixture of monoterpenes, one diterpene and several sesquiterpenes.

[Vascularization in hepatic cirrhosis: an immunohistochemical study on necropsies].

Background: Fibrosis has been the most cited variable in cirrhosis, but major alterations in hepatic vascularization have been pointed as basic elements in the physiopathology of the illness and its complications as portal hypertension, hepatic failure and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: The present study aims at assessing microvascular density in 35 cases of necropsies of cirrhotic patients by immunohistochemical detection of endothelial marker CD34, comparing semi-quantification with morphometric quantitative method, also searching for a possible relation of vascular alterations with the main causal agents, injury patterns and major clinical complications.

Results: A significant association was detected between semi-quantitative and quantitative approach of microvessel density in parenchyma, but not in septa.