Aesthetical and Functional Rehabilitation for an Ankylosed Maxillary Canine-A Case Report.

As the functional and aesthetical importance of the canine cannot be overstated, the management of a missing canine is challenging. This case report describes the treatment of an infra-occluded ankylosed maxillary canine in a patient with previously failed orthodontic treatment. A 20-year-old patient sought a second opinion for orthodontic treatment failure.

Two- and three-dimensional symmetry of maxillary incisors: A clinical study.

Objective: To assess the 2D and 3D natural symmetry of the maxillary incisors.

Materials And Methods: Maxillary alginate impressions were taken of 59 young adult volunteers. Gender, orthodontic treatment history, and dominant hand were collected.

In-vivo repeatability of three intra-oral spectrophotometers.

Objective: The objective was to assess the repeatability of three spectrophotometers, based on the CIELCh factors and shadeguide reference measurements.

Materials And Methods: Color analysis was performed using three devices: Rayplicker, Easyshade 4, and Easyshade V. Five repeated measures were performed by the same operator, on the right central maxillary incisor of 30 patients.

Shear bond strength between standard or modified zirconia surfaces and two resin cements incorporating or not 10-MDP in their matrix.

Objective: This study aimed first to compare the shear bond strength between zirconia samples luted to enamel with a 10-MDP- containing resin cement (Panavia F2.0, Kuraray, Japan) and those luted with a resin cement using a separated 10-MDP monomer-containing bottle (Panavia V5, Kuraray, Japan). The second objective was to evaluate the bond stability after 150 days of aging in water, between enamel and zirconia ceramic surface enhanced with a glass-ceramic coating.

HLA-G*14 bp indel variant in autism spectrum disorder in a population from southern Brazil.

Altered immune response during pregnancy has been associated with ASD susceptibility. HLA-G is expressed by the trophoblast at the maternal/fetal interface and induces allogenic tolerance toward the fetus. A 14-bp insertion in the HLA-G 3'UTR (rs371194629) was associated with reduced levels of HLA-G.

Association between NKG2/KLR gene variants and epilepsy in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a set of neurodevelopmental disorders mainly characterized by repetitive, restrictive and stereotypical behaviors, and impaired communication skills. Several lines of evidence indicate that alterations of the immune system account for ASD development, including the presence of brain-reactive antibodies, abnormal T cell activation, altered cytokine levels in brain, cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood circulation, increased levels of circulating monocytes, and dysregulation in Natural Killer (NK) cells activity. Regarding NK cells, a lower cytotoxic activity, a higher level of activation and an increased number of these cells in individuals with ASD have been described.

Operator versus material influence on film thickness using adhesive resin cement or pre-heated resin composite.

Objective: There is a growing interest in using pre-heated composites instead of dual-cured cements when luting indirect restorations. This study evaluated the film thickness obtained from two pre-heated composites and two resin cements, by two different operators. The influence of the materials and the level of expertise of the operator were analyzed.

Analysis of a Protein Network Related to Copy Number Variations in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with strong genetic influences as evidenced by its high heritability. Submicroscopic variations (ranging from one kilobase to several megabases) in DNA, called copy number variations (CNVs), have been associated with psychiatric diseases, including ASD. We aimed to identify CNVs in children diagnosed with idiopathic ASD.

Effects of DRD2 splicing-regulatory polymorphism and DRD4 48 bp VNTR on crack cocaine addiction.

There is evidence that dopamine receptors D2 (DRD2) and D4 (DRD4) polymorphisms may influence substance use disorders (SUD) susceptibility both individually and through their influence in the formation of DRD2-DRD4 heteromers. The dopaminergic role on the vulnerability to addiction appears to be influenced by sex. A cross-sectional study with 307 crack cocaine addicts and 770 controls was conducted.

Evidence for Association Between OXTR Gene and ASD Clinical Phenotypes.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social behaviors and communication. Oxytocin and its signaling pathway are related to a range of human behaviors, from facial expression recognition to aggressive behaviors, and have been suggested as involved in the etiology of ASD. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of two polymorphisms (rs1042778, rs53576) at the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) on ASD diagnosis and on specific ASD-related clinical symptoms (seizures, panic, and aggressive behaviors).

Association between the Intron 8 VNTR Polymorphism of the DAT1 Gene and Crack Cocaine Addiction.

Background: This study aims to compare allele and genotype frequencies of a 30-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism of the DAT1 gene, located at intron 8, between adult crack cocaine users and nonaddicted individuals. Due to its involvement in drug addiction, this gene is a good candidate for molecular studies.

Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 239 current adult crack abusers or dependents from in- and outpatient clinics and 211 control individuals was collected in Brazil.

Music genetics research: Association with musicality of a polymorphism in the AVPR1A gene.

Musicality is defined as a natural tendency, sensibility, knowledge, or talent to create, perceive, and play music. Musical abilities involve a great range of social and cognitive behaviors, which are influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Although a number of studies have yielded insights into music genetics research, genes and biological pathways related to these traits are not fully understood.

Effects of crack cocaine addiction and stress-related genes on peripheral BDNF levels.

This study examined the effects of glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes on susceptibility to crack cocaine addiction and BDNF levels. Crack addicted patients who sought treatment (n = 280) and non-addicted individuals (n = 241) were assessed. Three SNPs in NR3C1 (rs6198, rs41423247, and rs10052957), three in CRHR1 (rs12944712, rs110402, and rs878886), and one in BDNF (rs6265) were genotyped.

The role of β3 integrin gene variants in Autism Spectrum Disorders--diagnosis and symptomatology.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) represent a group of very complex early-onset neurodevelopmental diseases. In this study, we analyzed 5 SNPs (rs2317385, rs5918, rs15908, rs12603582, rs3809865) at the β3 integrin locus (ITGB3), which has been suggested as a possible susceptibility gene, both as single markers and as part of haplotypes in 209 ASD children and their biological parents. We tested for association with the following: a) DSM-IV ASD diagnosis; b) clinical symptoms common in ASD patients (repetitive behaviors, echolalia, seizures and epilepsy, mood instability, aggression, psychomotor agitation, sleep disorders); and c) dimensional scores obtained with the Autism Screening Questionnaire and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale.

Crack cocaine users show differences in genotype frequencies of the 3' UTR variable number of tandem repeats of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1/SLC6A3).

Background: Due to the mechanism of action of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in drug addiction, the DAT1 gene is a potential candidate for molecular studies. This paper aims to compare the prevalence of allele and genotype frequencies created by the 3' UTR variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) of this gene between crack cocaine users and controls.

Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 237 current adult crack cocaine abusers or dependents (DSM-IV TR criteria) from in- and outpatient clinics in southern Brazil and 205 community controls were compared.

The Brazilian contribution to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder molecular genetics in children and adolescents.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric condition of children worldwide. This disorder is defined by a combination of symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Diagnosis is based on a sufficient number of symptoms causing impairment in these two domains determining several problems in personal and academic life.

Cathechol-O-methyltransferase Val(158)Met polymorphism is associated with disruptive behavior disorders among children and adolescents with ADHD.

COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism has been associated with both symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behavior disorders (DBD): that is, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) often comorbid with ADHD. The aim of this study was to test the association between COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism and the presence of DBD in children with ADHD (n = 516). Homozygous Val/Val children showed a higher prevalence of ADHD comorbid with DBD (χ(2) = 5.

[Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum in patients with congenital heart defects].

Background: there have been few studies evaluating the frequency of oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) in patients with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

Objective: to verify the frequency of OAVS in a sample of patients with major heart malformations.

Methods: we evaluated a prospective cohort of patients with CHD admitted in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) in Brazil.

Molecular imaging genetics of methylphenidate response in ADHD and substance use comorbidity.

Purpose: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) are highly comorbid and may share a genetic vulnerability. Methylphenidate (MPH), a dopamine transporter (DAT) blocker, is an effective drug for most ADHD patients. Although dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) and dopamine transporter (DAT1) genes have a role in both disorders, little is known about how these genes influence brain response to MPH in individuals with ADHD/SUDs.

A role for neurotransmission and neurodevelopment in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a moderate to high genetic component, probably due to many genes with small effects. Several susceptibility genes have been suggested on the basis of hypotheses that catecholaminergic pathways in the brain are responsible for ADHD. However, many negative association findings have been reported, indicating a limited success for investigations using this approach.

Further evidence for the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the serotonin receptor 1B gene.

Several evidences suggested that the serotonin 5-HT1B receptor gene (HRT1B) might be involved in the susceptibility to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Prior studies reported excess transmissions of the HRT1B gene 861G allele to affected ADHD children and of a haplotype block containing this variant and two functional promoter SNPs to probands with ADHD-inattentive subtype. However, some investigations did not replicate these findings.

A common haplotype at the dopamine transporter gene 5' region is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is the major site of methylphenidate action, which is one of the main drugs used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most association studies with ADHD focused in a VNTR at the 3'-untranslated region of the gene (3'UTR) presenting conflicting results. However, the most common explanation to inconsistent results is variable linkage disequilibrium with an adjacent functional variant, just a few number of DAT1 studies have reported LD structure across the gene.