Publications by authors named "Mendes D"

Developing simple and effective approaches to detect tumor markers will be critical for early diagnosis or prognostic evaluation of prostate cancer treatment. Prostate‑specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been validated as an important tumor marker for prostate cancer progression including angiogenesis and metastasis. As a type II membrane protein, PSMA can be constitutively internalized from the cell surface into endosomes.

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Infants' smiling is considered an expression of affection, and an index of cognitive and socio-emotional development. Despite research advances in this area, there is much to explore on the ontogeny of smiling, its meaning and the context in which it is manifested early in life. This study aimed at: (a) investigating smiling patterns in these different developmental moments in early infancy, (b) analyzing patterns of association between babies' smiles and their mothers' affective behaviors, and (c) verifying whether babies can answer contingently, with smiles, to mothers' affective behaviors.

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Quantitative study aimed to identify the enterprising tendency of nurses at a university hospital and to relate them with age, length of work in the hospital and conclusion of the nursing course. This cross-sectional quantitative study was developed in 2010. All 60 nurses from the hospital answered the questionnaire General measure of Enterprising Tendency, which contains five categories.

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Understanding the molecular mechanism of prostate cancer progression from androgen dependence to independence may lead to developing more effective treatments against prostate cancer. Herein, our previous in vitro model was employed to assess the effects of continuous androgen-deprivation on developing the metastatic phenotype from androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells (LNCaP). The results indicated that long-term androgen deprivation resulted in overexpression of calpain 2 and increased expression of filamin A (FlnA), but not for calpain 1.

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Elucidating the role of androgen deprivation in the transition from androgen-dependence to independence may enable the development of more specific therapeutic strategies against prostate cancer. Our previous in vitro model was employed to further assess the effects of continuous androgen‑deprivation on prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) with respect to both androgen receptor (AR) and c-Met expression. The results indicated that long-term androgen deprivation resulted in a signaling pathway switch from AR to c-Met in androgen-sensitive cells, which was confirmed by immunofluorescence imaging and western blot analysis.

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Background: Patients presenting with Barrett's esophagus (BE) should be under life-long surveillance in an attempt to detect cancer in its early stages. Esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) is a new technique that enables a noninvasive evaluation of the esophagus.

Aims: To evaluate ECE effectiveness compared with methylene blue (MB) chromoendoscopy for the detection of esophageal lesions in which there was suspicion of cancer, the length and pattern of BE, and the presence of hiatal hernia.

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Despite the effectiveness of biologics approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, they have been associated with serious adverse events (AEs). Biologics are used under close supervision of health care professionals. In Portugal, they are legally required to report AEs occurring during the treatment.

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The age of the European population is rising and percentage of adults aged 65 years and older is projected to increase from 16% in 2000 to 20% in 2020. It has been estimated that older subjects spend approximately 19 to 20 h/d indoors. Older individuals may be particularly at risk for detrimental effects from pollutants, even at low concentrations, due to reduced immunological defenses and multiple underlying chronic diseases.

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Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the ability of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound for demonstrating the palate of fetuses at high risk for cleft palate.

Method: Fifty-seven fetuses at high risk for cleft palate were referred for specialist ultrasound at 12-40 weeks' gestation. A detailed assessment of palate was made using both two-dimensional and 3D ultrasounds on the axial plane.

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Objective: National epidemiological data on the oral health of elders was analysed to examine relationships between the need for oral treatment and external environment, the dental care delivery system, personal characteristics and subjective conditions of oral health.

Background: Brazil's universal public healthcare system is theoretically responsible to provide dental care to Brazilians of all ages. However, as dentists were integrated into public primary care facilities only in 2000, Brazilian seniors have accumulated needs.

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Horizontal root fractures usually are characterized by a fracture line that is perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth's root. Root fractures are diagnosed through clinical and radiographic examination. Treatment depends on the position of the fracture and the extent of root involvement.

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Disseminated leishmaniasis (DL) differs from other clinical forms of the disease due to the presence of many non-ulcerated lesions (papules and nodules) in non-contiguous areas of the body. We describe the histopathology of DL non-ulcerated lesions and the presence of CD4-, CD20-, CD68-, CD31- and von Willebrand factor (vW)-positive cells in the inflamed area. We analysed eighteen biopsies from non-ulcerated lesions and quantified the inflamed areas and the expression of CD4, CD20, CD68, CD31 and vW using Image-Pro software (Media Cybernetics).

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Cancer cells need to develop microvessels in order to grow and to establish metastatic foci. A role for the p53 protein in the regulation of the angiogenic process is suggested. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between immunohistochemical expression of microvessel density (MVD), measured by CD31 staining, and p53 protein with clinicopathologic factors, and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (n=70).

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The primary objective of this study was to examine the follicular and ovulatory responses following treatment with pFSH in association with ablation-induced or spontaneous follicular wave emergence or follicle deviation during diestrus in crossbred (Mangalarga×Arabian) and Brazilian Warmblood mares with a propensity for spontaneous multiple ovulations; secondary considerations were given to the collection of embryos. In Experiment 1, crossbred mares were administered (im) saline (control, n=7) or pFSH (25mg) when the largest follicle of the ablation-induced follicular wave reached ≥13mm (n=7) or ≥20mm (n=7) or, after pre-treatment ovulation (Day 0) on Day 6 (n=7). In Experiment 2, crossbred mares were administered (im) saline (control, n=10) or a larger dose of pFSH (50mg, n=7) when the largest follicle of the ablation-induced follicular wave reached ≥13mm.

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The polyphagous pests belonging to the genus Spodoptera are considered to be among the most important causes of damage and are widely distributed throughout the Americas'. Due to the extensive use of genetically modified plants containing Bacillus thuringiensis genes that code for insecticidal proteins, resistant insects may arise. To prevent the development of resistance, pyramided plants, which express multiple insecticidal proteins that act through distinct mode of actions, can be used.

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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Combretum leprosum is a species that is popularly used in Brazil as a healing agent to treat skin problems and lesions. In this study we investigated the possible potential of this extract to treat inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin conditions.

Materials And Methods: Classical models of skin inflammation such as TPA- and croton oil-induced mouse ear oedema were applied in order to verify the potential topical anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract from flowers of Combretum leprosum.

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We evaluate the curative efficacy of the ethanolic extract (EET) of roots from Arctium lappa (bardana) in healing of chronic gastric ulcers induced by 80% acetic acid in rats and additionally studies the possible mechanisms underlying this action. Oral administration of EET (1, 3, 10 and 30mg/kg) reduced the gastric lesion area in 29.2%, 41.

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The initial process of self development involves interaction with others and the establishment of relationships taking different paths depending on the socio-cultural context. Self-recognition and self-regulation are considered manifestations of this development between 18 and 24 months of age. This study aimed at analyzing the relationship between these two aspects, maternal beliefs about autonomy and relatedness, as well as identifying differences between boys and girls in this developmental stage.

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Aim: To investigate the association between depression, the normative conditions of oral health and serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphisms in a community-dwelling elderly sample.

Methods: Elderly adults living in a community (n=200) were submitted to an oral clinical examination. Depression was assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale.

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The genus Brachiaria comprises more than 100 species and is the single most important genus of forage grass in the tropics. Brachiaria brizantha, widely used in Brazilian pastures for beef and dairy production, is native to tropical Africa. As a subsidy to the breeding program underway in Brazil, cytological studies were employed to determine the chromosome number and to evaluate microsporogenesis in 46 accessions of this species available at Embrapa Beef Cattle (Brazil).

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A significant involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the process of keratinocyte proliferation is reported with many divergences. To determine the involvement of NO in the hyperproliferative process of epidermis in vivo, non-selective inhibitor (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester.HCl: L-NAME) and selective inhibitors for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) (Aminoguanidine: AG and 7-Nitroindazole: 7-NI, respectively) and a NO-donor (Sodium nitroprusside: SNP) were topically applied twice a day in mice ear treated with multiple applications of croton oil.

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Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) arises as a consequence of a sudden period of food shortage and is associated with loss of a person's body fat and wasting of their skeletal muscle. Many of those affected are already undernourished and are often susceptible to disease. Infants and young children are the most vulnerable as they require extra nutrition for growth and development, have comparatively limited energy reserves and depend on others.

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Background: Statins represent a class of drugs that effectively lowers cholesterol, however they also possess pleiotropic effects, like promotion of angiogenesis, prevention of bone loss, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.

Objectives: Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the activity of simvastatin topically applied in mice in acute and chronic skin inflammation models.

Methods: Skin inflammation was induced in mice ears by topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA).

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