The genomic ancestry of individuals from different geographical regions of Brazil is more uniform than expected.

Based on pre-DNA racial/color methodology, clinical and pharmacological trials have traditionally considered the different geographical regions of Brazil as being very heterogeneous. We wished to ascertain how such diversity of regional color categories correlated with ancestry. Using a panel of 40 validated ancestry-informative insertion-deletion DNA polymorphisms we estimated individually the European, African and Amerindian ancestry components of 934 self-categorized White, Brown or Black Brazilians from the four most populous regions of the Country.

The in-vitro and in-vivo inhibitory activity of biflorin in melanoma.

Biflorin, an ortho-naphthoquinone, is an active compound found in the roots of Capraria biflora L. It has been reported that biflorin presents anticancer activity, inhibiting both tumor cell line growth in culture and tumor development in mice. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of biflorin treatment using both in-vitro and in-vivo melanoma models.

Synthesis and anticancer activities of some novel 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-8-substituted-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3(5H)-ones.

A series of 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-8-substituted-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3(5H)-ones (3a-g) have been synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against four human cancer cell lines: MDA-MB-435 (breast), HL-60 (leukemia), HCT-8 (colon) and SF-295 (central nervous system). The results showed that the compounds 3b (2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-8-methyl-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3(5H)-one) and 3c (2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-8-bromo-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3(5H)-one) exhibited good cytotoxicity for three cell lines with IC(50) values lower than 5 μg/mL. Analysis of theoretical toxicity risks have shown medium tumorigenic and irritant risks related to 3b and 3c in contrast to doxorubicin, the positive control.

Temporal abscess after third molar extraction in the mandible.

Background: Dental infections resulting before or after third molar removal are complications in which the maxillofacial surgeon may have to initiate an earlier management. The severe dental infections resulting before or after this procedure is one of the few life-threatening complications in which the maxillofacial surgeon may have to initiate an earlier management. Infections involving the temporal space are rare and infrequently reported.

Photoelastic analysis of stress distribution of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion with and without separation of the pterygomaxillary suture.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the mechanical effect over teeth and bone structures of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) in photoelastic analogs by observing stress produced during Hyrax-type and Haas-type appliances activation.

Materials And Methods: Two photoelastic analogs were fabricated by use of birefringent materials to simulate an adult skull that contained teeth, bone, and maxillary sinus. Hyrax-type and Haas-type appliances were applied to the anchor teeth and incrementally activated.

Distribution of calcium, iron, copper, and zinc in two portions of placenta of teenager and adult women.

The placenta is fundamental for fetal development. The aim of this study was to determine Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn content in the fetal and maternal portions of the placentas of teenage and adult women. Measurement of the minerals was conducted using Synchrotron radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence.

Establishment and validation of an ELISA for the quantitation of HBsAg in recombinant hepatitis B vaccines.

Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for the determination of the in vitro potency of recombinant hepatitis B vaccines, which detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), have been used frequently as an alternative for traditional in vivo potency tests. With the constant need for validation procedures, an ELISA that could be employed to determine the in vitro potency of five recombinant hepatitis B vaccines simultaneously was established using two monoclonal antibodies. The use of two monoclonal antibodies produced "in house" specific for the small envelope protein S of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) resulted in the production of a highly specific, sensitive and stable ELISA.

Global pharmacogenomics: Impact of population diversity on the distribution of polymorphisms in the CYP2C cluster among Brazilians.

The impact of biogeographical ancestry, self-reported 'race/color' and geographical origin on the frequency distribution of 10 CYP2C functional polymorphisms (CYP2C8*2, *3, *4, CYP2C9*2, *3, *5, *11, CYP2C19*2, *3 and *17) and their haplotypes was assessed in a representative cohort of the Brazilian population (n=1034). TaqMan assays were used for allele discrimination at each CYP2C locus investigated. Individual proportions of European, African and Amerindian biogeographical ancestry were estimated using a panel of insertion-deletion polymorphisms.

Electrical characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Electrical characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) grown by chemical vapor deposition have been investigated as a function of the bias voltage, nanotubes length and temperature, in 2 and 4 terminal configurations. Nanotubes were deposited over metal electrodes using ac dielectrophoresis method. For better contacts between the nanotubes and electrodes, Ni and Pd films were deposited by an electroless deposition technique.

Synthesis and evaluation of quinonoid compounds against tumor cell lines.

Thirty two compounds were synthesized in moderate to high yields and showed activity against cancer cells HL-60 (leukemia), MDA-MB435 (melanoma), HCT-8 (colon) and SF295 (central nervous system), with IC(50) below 2 μM for some compounds. The β-lapachone-based 1,2,3-triazoles showed the best cytoxicity profile and emerge as promising anticancer prototypes. Insights about the reactive oxygen species (ROS) mechanism of anticancer action for some compounds were obtained by addition of 1-bromoheptane that deplete reduced glutathione (GSH) content and by using N-acetylcysteine that protects cells against apoptotic cellular death, as well by analysis of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation, and oxidative DNA damage after treatment detected by the comet assay with the bacterial enzymes formamidopyrimidine DNA-glycosylase (FPG) and endonuclease III (ENDOIII).

Dose-response evaluation of a novel essential oil against Mutans streptococci in vivo.

Research has demonstrated the need for identifying a novel antimicrobial agent for topical use in the pediatric dental population. The essential oil of Lippia sidoides Cham. (LSO) has been described as having favorable biological properties, and a broad in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial spectrum against bacteria and yeast infections.

Cytotoxicity of δ-tocotrienols from Kielmeyera coriacea against cancer cell lines.

In the search for new anti-cancer compounds, Brazilian Cerrado plant species have been investigated. The hexane root bark extract of Kielmeyera coriacea lead to a mixture of δ-tocotrienol (1) and its dimer (2). The structures of both compounds 1 and 2 were established based on detailed 1D and 2D NMR and EI-MS analyses.

Central odontogenic fibroma.

Odontogenic fibroma (OF) is a benign odontogenic tumor characterized by various amounts of odontogenic epithelium in a mature fibrous stroma. Two variants can be distinguished: an intraosseous or central OF (COF) and an extraosseous or peripheral. The intraosseous variant is an extremely rare tumor that presents clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic variable findings.

Pro-apoptotic activity of lipidic α-amino acids isolated from Protopalythoa variabilis.

Lipidic α-amino acids (LAAs) have been described as non-natural amino acids with long saturated or unsaturated aliphatic chains. In the continuing prospect to discover anticancer agents from marine sources, we have obtained a mixture of two cytotoxic LAAs (1a and 1b) from the zoanthid Protopalythoa variabilis. The anti-proliferative potential of 14 synthetic LAAs and 1a/1b were evaluated on four tumor cell lines (HCT-8, SF-295, MDA-MB-435, and HL-60).

Mandibular fractures in a group of Brazilian subjects under 18 years of age: A epidemiological analysis.

Objective: This study showed a retrospective analysis of the etiology, incidence and treatment of maxillofacial injuries in a pediatric and adolescent population of the State of Sao Paulo.

Methods: We analyzed 2986 medical records of victims of facial trauma under 18 years, treated between 1999 and 2008 by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Sao Paulo - Brazil. During this period, 757 patients under 18 were victims of maxillofacial trauma, of which, 112 patients had 139 lines of fracture in the mandible.

VKORC1 polymorphisms in Brazilians: comparison with the Portuguese and Portuguese-speaking Africans and pharmacogenetic implications.

Aims: The heterogeneity of the Brazilian population renders the extrapolation of pharmacogenomic data derived from well-defined ethnic groups inappropriate. We investigated the influence of self-reported 'race/color', geographical origin and genetic ancestry on the distribution of four VKORC1 SNPs and haplotypes in Brazilians. Comparative data were obtained from two major ancestral roots of Brazilians: Portuguese and Africans from former Portuguese colonies.

Basophils: new players in the cytokine network.

Basophils belong to a myeloid cell population that has been ignored for more than a century, mainly because of its paucity, its lack of specific markers, and the absence of experimental models. Given that in mice, even the mere existence of basophils was contested, they were alluded to as "histamine-producing cells" or "non-T non-B cells" in initial studies. It is now widely acknowledged that basophils respond to various IgE-dependent or -independent stimuli, and are engaged in a complex cross talk with a number of immunocompetent cells (T or B lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, endothelial cells…).

Comparative analysis of two different alar base sutures after Le Fort I osteotomy: randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the efficacy of a new alar base cinch suture by comparing it with the commonly used cinch suture described by Schendel and Delaire in Dr. William Bell's book.

Study Design: Thirty-five patients submitted to maxillary impaction and/or advancements of ≥ 3 mm were randomly divided into 2 groups.

Surgical approaches and fixation patterns in zygomatic complex fractures.

The aim of this research was to analyze the surgical approaches and methods of rigid fixation used to treat zygomatic complex (ZC) fractures over a 10-year period. One hundred fifty-three patients who underwent surgery to treat ZC fractures between 1999 and 2008 were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic information, signs, and symptoms of the fractures, classification, surgical approaches, and methods of internal fixation were obtained from the medical records.

High temperature AFM study of CAP 30/45 pen grade bitumen.

Bitumen is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons for which microstructural understanding is incomplete. In an effort to detail this microstructure, a asphalt cement sample (CAP 30/45) was analysed by thermal phase detection atomic force microscopy. Phase contrast and topography images showed that sample morphology is highly dependent on temperature.

Sialolipoma in minor salivary gland: case report and review of the literature.

Sialolipoma is a rare benign neoplasm characterized by a well-circumscribed mass composed of neoplastic mature adipose tissue and non-neoplastic salivary gland elements. A 72-year-old woman presented with a painless swelling located in the hard palate, which had been identified 15 days earlier. Microscopically, the tumor was well-circumscribed consisting of lobular proliferation of the lipomatous tissue with thin fibrous tissue septa containing clustered salivary gland elements.

Efficacy of eminectomy in the treatment of prolonged mandibular dislocation.

Surgery of the temporomandibular joint is indicated for different clinical situations, including internal derangements, hypomobility, hypermobility, pathology and trauma. Mandibular dislocation is an acute painful condition that causes severe functional limitation. Manual reduction, with or without pharmacological assistance, is the treatment of choice and should be performed as early as possible.

A 9-year retrospective study of dental trauma in Piracicaba and neighboring regions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of dentoalveolar trauma during a 9-year period in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Division at Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas in patients from the Piracicaba municipality and neighborhood regions in São Paulo, Brazil.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective epidemiologic study from January 1999 to December 2007 evaluated all patients who presented at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Division at Piracicaba Dental School with sustained oral and maxillofacial traumatic injuries associated with dentoalveolar trauma. Information regarding age, gender, etiology, use of protective devices such seatbelts, crash helmets, and presence of facial fractures and general trauma, oral condition, stage of dentition, date of trauma, drug abuse, type, teeth affected, and classification of the trauma were gathered from the medical files.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of synthetically derived tambjamines C and E - J, BE-18591, and a related alkaloid from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata.

In the first comprehensive biological assessment of the tambjamine class of marine alkaloids, synthetically derived samples of compounds 1-9 have been subjected to evaluation as antimicrobial agents and screened for their cytotoxic effects on various human cancer cell lines. Most were strongly active against the fungus Malassezia furfur (>amphotericin B) and showed considerable, but non-selective, antiproliferative activity against both human cancer and normal cell lines. Tambjamines I and J (6 and 7, resp.