Immediate effect of an elastomeric oral appliance on the neuromuscular coordination of masticatory muscles: a pilot study in healthy subjects.

To compare the electromyographic characteristics of masticatory muscles with and without a new elastomeric oral device proposed for masticatory muscle training, 10 healthy subjects aged 23 to 32 were examined. Surface electromyography of masseter and temporal muscles was performed during maximum teeth clenching without and with the device and during unilateral chewing with either gum or the device. During clenching, a significant increment of the overall muscular activity was promoted by the occlusal device in comparison with the intercuspal teeth clenching (P=0·05).

DNAJB6 induces degradation of beta-catenin and causes partial reversal of mesenchymal phenotype.

We showed that expression of MRJ (DNAJB6) protein is lost in invasive ductal carcinoma, and restoration of MRJ(L) restricts malignant behavior of breast cancer and melanoma cells. However, the signaling pathways influenced by MRJ(L) are largely unknown. Our observations revealed that MRJ(L) expression causes changes in cell morphology concomitant with down-regulation of several mesenchymal markers, viz.

Eudesmanolides and methyl ester derivatives from Dimerostemma arnottii.

The phytochemical investigation of Dimerostemma arnottii (Asteraceae) afforded, in addition to a known eudesmanolide, two unusual eudesmane methyl ester derivatives and a new eudesmanolide. Structural elucidation of the compounds was based on their 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic as well as HR-ESI-MS data. There is a remarkable similarity between the structures of the eudesmanes from D.

Recovery of silver residues from dental amalgam.

Unlabelled: Dental amalgam residues are probably the most important chemical residues generated from clinical dental practice because of the presence of heavy metals among its constituents, mainly mercury and silver.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop an alternative method for the recovery of silver residues from dental amalgam.

Material And Methods: The residue generated after vacuum distillation of dental amalgam for the separation of mercury was initially diluted with 32.

Influence of the actual diameter of the gastric pouch outlet in weight loss after silicon ring Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: an endoscopic study.

Some sort of restriction of the pouch emptying is supported by many surgeons to allow a sustained weight loss through the use of a ring placed circumferentially around the gastric pouch. Most previous studies focused on the length of the ring, not the actual diameter of the gastric pouch outlet. This study aims to evaluate the association between the actual diameter of the gastric pouch outlet and the weight loss in obese patients submitted to silicon ring Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Evaluation of neutrophilic activity in patients submitted to kidney transplantation.

Background: Cryoglobulinemia is frequent in renal transplant patients. The mononuclear and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) phagocytic systems are important for the clearance of cryoglobulin immune complexes. There might be a reduced phagocytic activity in transplant patients with cryoglobulinemia (CRYO+).

Determinants of C-reactive protein in individuals with very low socioeconomic status.

Background: Low socioeconomic (SE) status has been associated to inflammation and predictors of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been investigated by studies performed in developed countries. This study aimed to identify predictors of CRP in individuals of very low SE level in a developing country and evaluate whether CRP is related to SE status in this scenario.

Objective: Eight-two individuals of very low SE level were recruited from a poor, semi-rural community in Brazil.

Epidemiology and control of frontier malaria in Brazil: lessons from community-based studies in rural Amazonia.

We describe the epidemiology of malaria in a frontier agricultural settlement in Brazilian Amazonia. We analysed the incidence of slide-confirmed symptomatic infections diagnosed between 2001 and 2006 in a cohort of 531 individuals (2281.53 person-years of follow-up) and parasite prevalence data derived from four cross-sectional surveys.

Effect of relining on fiber post retention to root canal.

Unlabelled: One of the clinically relevant problems dentists face when restoring endodontically treated teeth is the mismatch between fiber post and post space diameters, which results in an excessively thick resin cement layer. Fiber post relining appears as a solution for this problem.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fiber post relining with composite resin on push-out bond strength.

Predictors of female urinary incontinence at midlife and beyond.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is an important middle age health issue and approximately 20% of women over 40 years of age have problems with continence. Urinary incontinence poses a significant negative impact on social functioning and quality of life to many individuals. It is estimated that around three million people are regularly incontinent in the UK with a prevalence of about 40 per 1000 adults.

Effect of different cements on the biomechanical behavior of teeth restored with cast dowel-and-cores-in vitro and FEA analysis.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that the type of cement used for fixation of cast dowel-and-cores might influence fracture resistance, fracture mode, and stress distribution of single-rooted teeth restored with this class of metallic dowels.

Materials And Methods: The coronal portion was removed from 40 bovine incisors, leaving a 15 mm root. After endodontic treatment and standardized root canal relief at 10 mm, specimens were embedded in polystyrene resin, and the periodontal ligament was simulated with polyether impression material.

Differentiation of typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli using colony immunoblot for detection of bundle-forming pilus expression.

Aims: The aim of study was to develop a colony immunoblot assay to differentiate typical from atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) by detection of bundle-forming pilus (BFP) expression.

Methods And Results: Anti-BFP antiserum was raised in rabbits and its reactivity was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy and by immunoblotting recognizing bundlin, the major pilus repeating subunit. The bacterial isolates tested in the colony immunoblot assay were grown in different media.

Prevalence of duplex collecting systems in familial vesicoureteral reflux.

Purpose: Duplication of the ureter and renal pelvis is the most common upper urinary tract anomaly in childhood with a reported incidence of 0.8%. Familial nature of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is well recognized with a prevalence of 27-51% in siblings of children with VUR and 66% rate of VUR in offsprings of parents with previously diagnosed VUR.

Evaluation of phagocytes in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Patients with atopic dermatitis frequently present recurrent infections by pyogenic bacteria or by intracellular microorganisms, suggesting an immune disorder.

Objective: Laboratorial investigation of phagocyte activity and chemotactic response by neutrophilic polymorphonuclear and mononuclear phagocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with atopic dermatitis from moderate to severe.

Methods: Through a transversal study, patients with atopic dermatitis from moderate to severe were selected.

A photographic system for the three-dimensional study of facial morphology.

Objectives: To test whether digital photographs supported by three-dimensional (3D) software are suitable for measuring the facial soft tissues of healthy subjects as compared with data obtained by a certified 3D computerized electromagnetic digitizer.

Materials And Methods: Three-dimensional soft tissue facial landmarks were obtained from the faces of 15 healthy young adults, using a 3D computerized electromagnetic digitizer and a new low-cost photogrammetry system. Twelve linear and 18 angular measurements were computed.

Dysthanasia: nursing professionals' perception.

Dysthanasia means slow and painful death without quality of life. This study aimed to know whether nurses identify dysthanasia as part of the final process of the lives of terminal patients hospitalized at an adult ICU. This is an exploratory-qualitative study.

Identification of enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli strains by immunoserological detection of intimin.

Aims: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against intimin in the detection of enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli isolates using immunoblotting.

Methods And Results: Polyclonal and Mabs against the intimin-conserved region were raised, and their reactivities were compared in enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and enterohaemorrhagic E.

Familial vesicoureteral reflux--is screening beneficial?

Purpose: The familial nature of vesicoureteral reflux is well recognized. Screening siblings for reflux is controversial. We identified a group of siblings of index patients with vesicoureteral reflux who are most likely to be affected.

15 STR loci frequencies in the population from Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil.

Allele frequencies for 15 short tandem repeats (STR) loci were determined with a sample of 3000 unrelated individuals from the population of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. The loci are most commonly used in forensic and paternity testing, being analyzed by the Powerplex 16 (Promega) commercial kit. The data shows that most polymorphic loci were Penta E and FGA.

Nasal base symmetry: a three dimensional anthropometric study.

Aim: The aim of this paper was to evaluate directional and fluctuating asymmetry, nostril and alar divergence in the nasal base of healthy young adults. To estimate nostril area and to investigate its relationships with cutaneous nasal area.

Methods: Three-dimensional plaster models of the nose of 20 young healthy white adults were obtained, digitized and mathematically reconstructed using Non Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) curves.

Functional study of the P32T ITPA variant associated with drug sensitivity in humans.

Sanitization of the cellular nucleotide pools from mutagenic base analogues is necessary for the accuracy of transcription and replication of genetic material and plays a substantial role in cancer prevention. The undesirable mutagenic, recombinogenic, and toxic incorporation of purine base analogues [i.e.

Results after supracricoid horizontal partial laryngectomy.

Objectives: This study analyzed oncological and functional results of supracricoid horizontal partial laryngectomy.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 20 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx who underwent SCPL between 1996 and 2005 in Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa Hospital of Sao Paulo, Brazil. There were 18 male and 2 female patients with ages ranging from 39 to 74 years (median=58 years), of whom 19 were smokers and 14 alcoholics.

Evaluation of the incidence of bladder perforation after transurethral bladder tumor resection in a residency setting.

Purpose: To evaluate prospectively the actual bladder perforation incidence during transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) performed by residents and to identify possible predisposing factors to such condition.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-four patients with bladder tumor were submitted to TURB in our academic institution in April 2006, and were prospectively studied. Procedures were all done by senior residents under an attending direct supervision.

Painful peripheral polyneuropathy after bariatric surgery. Case reports.

Background And Objectives: The number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery increases every year and the frequency of complications associated with this procedure has been increasing. The main complications reported are nutritional, metabolic, neurological, and psychological/psychiatric. Among the neurological complications, peripheral neuropathies are important due to their high incidence.