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Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized peptides that have bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects on other bacteria. The use of bacteriocins has emerged as an important strategy to increase food security and to minimize the incidence of foodborne diseases, due to its minimal impact on the nutritional and sensory properties of food products. Gram-negative bacteria are naturally resistant to the action of bacteriocins produced by Gram-positive bacteria, which are widely explored in foods. However, these microorganisms can be sensitized by mild treatments, such as the use of chelating agents, by treatment with plant essential oils or by physical treatments such as heating, freezing or high pressure processing. This sensitization is important in food microbiology, because most pathogens that cause foodborne diseases are Gram-negative bacteria. However, the effectiveness of these treatments is influenced by several factors, such as pH, temperature, the composition of the food and target microbiota. In this review, we comment on the main methods used for the sensitization of Gram-negative bacteria, especially Salmonella, to improve the action of bacteriocins produced by Gram-positive bacteria.

This study analyzed the relationship between blood pressure and all-cause mortality according to objectively measured walking speed in a Mediterranean population-based sample of older persons. We used data from the longitudinal 'Peñagrande' Cohort Study, initiated in 2008 in a sex- and age-stratified random sample of 1250 people aged ⩾65 years living in Madrid (Spain). A total of 814 individuals participated in the first study wave. The average of two standardized blood pressure readings was used. Walking speed was measured over a 3-m walk and classified as faster (⩾0.8 m s(-1)) or slower. A total of 314 individuals were slower walkers, 475 were faster walkers and 25 did not complete the walk test. Cox proportional hazards models stratified by walking speed were used to assess the association between blood pressure and all-cause death. Non-linear relationship between BP and mortality was explored by a restricted cubic spline analysis. There were 171 deaths from study entry through 31 March 2013. Systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg were associated with higher mortality than blood pressure values above 140 and 90 mm Hg, respectively, but this association reached statistical significance only for systolic blood pressure and only in the slower walkers. In conclusion, systolic blood pressure levels <140 mm Hg were found associated with higher risk of total mortality among slower walkers in an old Spaniard population cohort.

Aim: Identify whether the degree of oral motor performance is related to the presence of teeth grinding and maximal bite force values in children with spastic cerebral palsy., Methods: Ninety-five spastic cerebral palsy children with and without teeth grinding, according to caregivers' reports, were submitted to a comprehensive oral motor performance evaluation during the feeding process using the Oral Motor Assessment Scale. Maximal bite force was measured using an electronic gnathodynamometer., Results: The teeth grinding group (n = 42) was younger, used anticonvulsant drugs, and was more frequently classified within the subfunctional oral motor performance category. Teeth grinding subfunctional spastic cerebral palsy children presented lower values of maximal bite force. The functional groups showing the presence or absence of teeth grinding presented higher values of maximal bite force compared with the subfunctional groups., Conclusion: In spastic cerebral palsy children, teeth grinding is associated with the worse oral motor performance., (© 2015 Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a key role in signaling in many cell types. However, little is known about the participation of HDACs, particularly sirtuins (SIRTs), in platelet reactivity., Objective: To investigate the role of HDACs in platelets, we examined the effects of SIRT inhibition on platelet function and protein acetylation in human platelets., Methods: We used washed platelets obtained from healthy subjects. Cambinol (SIRT1 and SIRT2 inhibitor), AGK2 (specific SIRT2 inhibitor) and EX527 (specific SIRT1 inhibitor) were used as SIRT inhibitors. Platelets were stimulated with collagen, thrombin, or U46619, and platelet responses were determined according to optical aggregometry findings, dense granule release, and cytosolic calcium levels (Fura-2AM fluorescence). Protein acetylation and phosphorylation were assessed by immunoblotting., Results: SIRT inhibition remarkably reduced platelet responses (aggregation, granule release, and cytosolic calcium level; P < 0.05). SIRT2 was present in platelets at the level of mRNA and protein, and its specific inhibition reduced platelet responses. The acetylated protein pattern observed in resting platelets changed during platelet aggregation. Inhibition of SIRT2 increased the acetylation of Akt kinase, which in turn blocked agonist-induced Akt phosphorylation and glycogen synthase kinase-3β phosphorylation, which are markers of Akt activity. Finally, collagen-induced aggregation provoked Akt acetylation., Conclusions: Regulation of protein acetylation by SIRT2 plays a central role in platelet function. The effects of SIRT2 are mediated in part by the acetylation and inhibition of Akt. These results open a new avenue for research into the control of platelet function, and may help to identify new therapeutic targets., (© 2015 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.)

The aim of this study was to compare different bacterial models for in vitro induction of non-cavitated enamel caries-like lesions by microhardness and polarized light microscopy analyses. One hundred blocks of bovine enamel were randomly divided into four groups (n = 25) according to the bacterial model for caries induction: (A) Streptococcus mutans, (B) S. mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus, (C) S. mutans and L. casei, and (D) S. mutans, L. acidophilus, and L. casei. Within each group, the blocks were randomly divided into five subgroups according to the duration of the period of caries induction (4-20 days). The enamel blocks were immersed in cariogenic solution containing the microorganisms, which was changed every 48 h. Groups C and D presented lower surface hardness values (SMH) and higher area of hardness loss (ΔS) after the cariogenic challenge than groups A and B (P < 0.05). As regards lesion depth, under polarized light microscopy, group A presented significantly lower values, and groups C and D the highest values. Group B showed a higher value than group A (P < 0.05). Groups A and B exhibited subsurface caries lesions after all treatment durations, while groups C and D presented erosion-type lesions with surface softening. The model using S. mutans, whether or not it was associated with L. acidophilus, was less aggressive and may be used for the induction of non-cavitated enamel caries-like lesions. The optimal period for inducing caries-like lesions was 8 days., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by recurrent seizures. It is a very common disease in which approximately 30% of patients do not respond favorably to treatment with anticonvulsants. Oxidative stress is associated with neuronal damage arising from epileptic seizures. The present study investigated the possible anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of a leaf extract of Vitis labrusca in an animal model of seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The animals received injections of V. labrusca extract (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle and, 30 minutes later, they received an injection of PTZ, and were then observed for 30 minutes. The latency time and tonic&mdash;clonic seizure time were registered. Oxidative damage in lipids and proteins was quantified in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus. It was observed that the leaf extract were capable of reducing lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation caused by PTZ at all doses tested.

Apuleia leiocarpa is a tree found in Caatinga that has great value in the timber industry. Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with several biotechnological applications. This study shows the isolation, characterization, and antibacterial activity of A. leiocarpa seed lectin (ApulSL). The lectin was chromatographically isolated from a crude extract (in 150 mM NaCl) by using a chitin column. ApulSL adsorbed to the matrix and was eluted using 1.0 M acetic acid. Native ApulSL was characterized as a 55.8-kDa acidic protein. SDS-PAGE showed three polypeptide bands, whereas two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed four spots. The peptides detected by MALDI TOF/TOF did not show sufficient homology (<30%) with the database proteins. Circular dichroism spectroscopy suggested a disordered conformational structure, and fluorescence spectrum showed the presence of tyrosine residues in the hydrophobic core. The hemagglutinating activity of ApulSL was present even after heating to 100 °C, was Mn(2+)-dependent, and inhibited by N-acetylglucosamine, D(-)-arabinose, and azocasein. ApulSL demonstrated bacteriostatic and bactericide effects on gram-positive and gram-negative species, being more effective against three varieties of Xanthomonas campestris (MIC ranging from 11.2 to 22.5 μg/mL and MBC of 22.5 μg/mL). The results of this study reinforce the importance of biochemical prospecting of Caatinga by revealing the antibacterial potential of ApulSL., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Surgery is one of the basic pillars in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The objective of the present study was to analyse the current state of the use of surgery in patients with HNSCC in Spain., Methods: Retrospective review of the hospital discharge reports of the patients with HNSCC treated surgically during the 2006-2011 period in Spain. We obtained the data from the Minimum Basic Data Set during the hospital discharge., Results: We obtained information on 26,629 hospital discharges, with a total of 27,937 surgical procedures. Overall, in our country about half of the patients with HNSCC receive surgical treatment of the primary tumour location. There were no significant changes in the number of surgical procedures throughout the study period. There was a smooth downward trend in the number and percentage of surgeries carried out in male patients, and a significant increase in those carried out in female patients throughout the study period. Among the total of surgical procedures, 15.7% were carried out in hospitals with a low level of complexity, 32.2% in hospitals with an intermediate complexity and 52.1% in centres of high complexity., Conclusions: Surgery is one essential pillar in the treatment of patients with HNSCC. In Spain about half of the patients with HNSCC receive surgical treatment for the primary location of the tumour., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Patología Cérvico-Facial. All rights reserved.)

A characteristic feature of Staphylococcus aureus is its ability to acquire resistance to antimicrobial agents. There is a need, therefore, for new approaches to combat this pathogen; for example, employing a combination of plant-derived products and antibiotics to overcome bacterial resistance. Indigofera suffruticosa is a plant popularly used to treat infections and has verified antimicrobial action. Here, we investigate the antimicrobial activity of different extracts from I. suffruticosa against S. aureus and their synergistic effects with erythromycin. Leaves of I. suffruticosa were extracted sequentially using diethyl ether, chloroform and acetone and the antimicrobial activity of each extract then tested against nine clinical isolates of S. aureus. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by microdilution tests, while the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) was assessed by checkerboard assay. All organic solvent extracts showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus strains. The acetone extract was the most potent inhibitor of S. aureus (MIC and MBC of 0.78 and 3.12 mg/mL), followed by the chloroform extract (MIC and MBC of 3.12 and 6.25 mg/mL). Furthermore, acetone or chloroform extracts of I. suffruticosa enhanced the activity of erythromycin against S. aureus (FIC ≤ 0.5). We conclude that organic extracts from leaves of I. suffruticosa, alone or combined with erythromycin, are promising natural products for the development of new anti-S. aureus formulations.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the induction of cell death and is associated with various pathologic disorders; therefore, the search for natural products that attenuate the effects produced by oxidant agents is greatly increased. Here, the protective effects of native lectin from Cratylia mollis seeds (pCramoll) and recombinant Cramoll 1 (rCramoll) against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in Vero cells were evaluated. Both lectins significantly attenuated the H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent way. The maximum protective effects were 96.85 ± 15.59% (rCramoll) and 59.48 ± 23.44% (pCramoll). The Live/Dead analysis showed a reduction in the percentage of dead cells from 65.04 ± 3.29% (H2O2) to 39.77 ± 2.93% (pCramoll) and 13.90 ± 9.01% (rCramoll). The deleterious effects of H2O2 on cell proliferation were reduced to 10.83% (pCramoll) and 24.17% (rCramoll). Lectins treatment attenuated the excessive superoxide production, the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and the lysosomal and DNA damage in H2O2-treated cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that pCramoll and rCramoll blocked H2O2-induced cytotoxicity through decreasing reactive oxygen species, restoring the mitochondrial potential, preventing the lysosomal damage and DNA fragmentation, and thus promoting cell survival and proliferation.

Peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) play important roles in host defense against Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens. In this study we evaluated the potentials of native (pCramoll or Cramoll 1,4) and recombinant (rCramoll) lectins from seeds of Cratylia mollis as immunomodulatory tools on mice PECs infected and non-infected with S. aureus. Both lectins significantly enhanced nitric oxide, superoxide and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α). pCramoll and rCramoll downregulated the induction of TNF-α and IL-6 and upregulated the expression of IL-1β, IFN-γ in S. aureus infected PECs. Phagocytic activity of S. aureus was also enhanced in 27.1% and 22.47% by pCramoll and rCramoll, respectively. Our results showed that pCramoll induced stronger effects than rCramoll, which could be explained by the different hemagglutinating activities of C. mollis isolectins and nature fragmentation, although the biologic meaning should be studied in detail using in vivo models. Future works will be focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in these actions, using in vitro and in vivo models, to support the use of these lectins as biotechnological tool in immunological studies.

Objective: To identify and analyze the necessary competencies in primary health care for attending to older adults., Method: An exploratory, descriptive, and quali-quantitative study was developed. Three rounds of the Delphi Technique were conducted with participants from primary health care services and a multidisciplinary committee. The first questionnaire asked participants to indicate the competencies needed for attending to older adults in primary health care. They were compiled into a list and added to a Likert Scale (from 1 to 5) for the second and third questionnaires. A consensus criterion of 70% was adopted., Results: Twenty eight competencies were reached by consensus and were classified into twelve domains., Conclusion: The competencies reflect Brazilian health care policy and constitute a reference for professional health practice and education when caring for the older adult in primary health care.

Purpose: Studies addressing the changes in craniofacial morphology of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) are important for a better understanding of the progression of this disease. The present objective was to identify major cephalometric abnormalities in these patients., Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional case-and-control study. The sample was composed of 2 types of study subjects (patients with MPS and normal subjects). The outcome variables were numerous cephalometric elements that measure facial height, dental positioning, facial growth pattern, and mandibular and maxillary positioning. The Student t test was used to compare the mean angular and linear measurements of the case and control groups and the level of significance was set at a P value less than .05. The Bonferroni method was used for adjustment of the P value (P<.003 was deemed significant)., Results: The control group consisted of randomly selected subjects matched to the patients with MPS for the demographic variables of gender and age. Seventeen patients with MPS were evaluated (64.7% female). The mean age of the sample was 13.29 years. One patient had MPS I, 8 had MPS IV, and 8 had MPS VI. The results showed important differences between groups in angular measurements (angle formed by the line between the sella and nasion [SN] and the plane of the gonion and gnathion, angle formed by the intersection of the gnathion point and the SN line, angle formed by the intersection of the long axis of the lower incisor with the line between the nasion and the B point, angle formed by the intersection of the long axes of the upper and lower incisors, and angle formed by the Frankfort horizontal plane with the mandibular plane) and linear measurements (condyle to A point, condyle to gnathion, pro-nasal ( Pn) point to the line between the pogonion and upper incisor, and the nearest point of the anterior half of the soft palate to the posterior pharyngeal wall). The angle formed by the SN line with the plane between the gonion and the gnathion and the distance from the condyle to the A point showed meaningful differences after Bonferroni adjustment., Conclusion: Patients with MPS present a tendency toward vertical growth that results in a dolichocephalic facial pattern. In addition, a smaller nasopharyngeal space was observed, a factor that might be responsible for the mouth breathing observed in these patients., (Copyright © 2014 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The relation between teeth-grinding and the use of drugs acting on the central nervous system of cerebral palsy (CP) patients has not yet been described. The aim of this research was to evaluate the presence or absence of teeth-grinding (sleep and/or awake periods) in normal and in CP children and adolescents, as well as the association of teeth-grinding and use of anticonvulsant drugs. The sample consisted of 207 children and adolescents, divided into three groups: G1, individuals with CP who did not take anticonvulsant drugs; G2, individuals with CP administered medications on a regular basis; and CG, normal individuals. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of teeth-grinding with some variables. No significant statistical differences were observed regarding the presence or absence of teeth-grinding when G1 and G2 were compared. However, compared with the CG, a statistically significant difference was determined, with the CG showing fewer children presenting teeth-grinding (P < 0·001). Among those children/adolescents prescribed drug therapy, the barbiturate group showed a greater frequency of teeth-grinding. CP children and adolescents show a greater and significant presence of grinding of the teeth compared with normal individuals. Subjects taking barbiturate drugs showed greater presence of teeth-grinding, than those who were taking medications from the other groups of anticonvulsant drugs., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We have investigated the presence of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor associated with lipid rafts in human platelets and the regulation of platelet function in response to TXA2 receptor agonists when lipid rafts are disrupted by cholesterol extraction. Platelet aggregation with TXA2 analogs U46619 and IBOP was almost blunted in cholesterol-depleted platelets, as well as αIIbβ3 integrin activation and P-selectin exposure. Raft disruption also inhibited TXA2-induced cytosolic calcium increase and nucleotide release, ruling out an implication of P2Y12 receptor. An important proportion of TXA2 receptor (40%) was colocalized at lipid rafts. The presence of the TXA2 receptor associated with lipid rafts in platelets is important for functional platelet responses to TXA2., (Copyright © 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Stomach cancer is the third most common cause of death worldwide, mainly affecting people with low socioeconomic status. In Brazil, we expect 20,390 new cases of stomach cancer in 2014, in both sexes, and according to the proportional distribution of the ten most prevalent types of cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer) expected for 2014, this type of cancer was estimated to be the fourth most common in men and sixth in women., Aim: To investigate and analyse the clinical and epidemiological profile of deaths caused by stomach adenocarcinoma in patients enrolled in the National Cancer Institute, Brazil., Methods: Cross-sectional study, with samples which consisted of data from the medical records of deaths from stomach cancer, enrolled in the period from 1 February 2009 to 31 March 2012 and who had died as of 30 April 2012., Statistical Analysis Used: The Epi Info ®, version 7., Results: We included 264 cases, mostly male. The mean age was 61.7 years. They were smokers, drinkers, white, and married, with elementary education and an income of one minimum salary. They had advanced stage disease (E IV), with symptoms characteristic of this phase, and the majority died within six months., Conclusion: The findings are similar to other studies. The advanced stage of the disease at the time of admission of the patients reflects the difficulty for users of the Unified Health System to access early diagnosis, demonstrating the need for efforts to identify groups and risk factors for the development of gastric cancer. Training of health professionals will facilitate planning and implementation of programmes for the prevention and control of disease, considering socioeconomic conditions, as seen in the sample, which is common among most users.

Introduction: Alcoholism causes psychological, behavioral and cognitive symptoms that need to be addressed together. The neuropsychological alterations among alcohol-dependent people are considered to make the therapeutic work complex and longer. A cognitive rehabilitation program is sometimes difficult to achieve with these patients. Functional results are often difficult to anticipate. However, the consequences of this therapeutic approach are multiple and there are many interactions between psycho-affective, behavioral and cognitive components. A neuropsychological approach can be used like a tool to improve metacognition. A bad contribution to treatment programs is often secondary to the illusion of a satisfying intellectual functioning. Patients' motivation for the therapeutic work is very changeable. A complete consciousness of impairments can help them to stay involved., Case Report: The following case shows the cognitive effects and secondary benefits associated with a neuropsychological work, which was carried out by a chronic ethylic patient with severe physical and cognitive symptoms. The patient aged 50, with a good qualification level (scientific section in the final year of secondary school, with no diploma, then attended a training program to become a croupier) was suffering from chronic alcoholism since his adolescence. He arrived in the closed unit after many hospitalizations in psychiatric and hepato-gastroenterology units. He had been showing mental confusion. He presented a frontal and subcortical profile of alcohol-related dementia according to Oslin's criteria. MRI revealed global cerebral atrophy, more pronounced on the fronto-parietal cortex with cerebellar leukoencephalopathy, but no pontine central myelinolysis. The neurocognitive program had two main lines: reducing attentional, executive and graphical deficits with training exercises (individual and group sessions) and compensating memory, and executive disorders with an external aid. The cognitive program had been assessed by means of repeated psychometric measures, behavior and metacognition estimated by direct clinical observations. The cognitive remediation was carried out during a 10-month hospitalization, and then in an outpatient rehabilitation setting over a 12-month period. The external individual sessions were associated with medical consultations and support for reintegration at home provided by the mobile psychiatric team., Results: The test results showed a significant improvement in attentional processes and executive functions. On graphic level, his writing was recovered after 10 months. Impairment within episodic memory processes-encoding was observed, and prospective memory was reinforced by external aids. At the end of the program, the use of an agenda proved to be effective even if updating was difficult once back home. Although a part of these effects could be expected, their psychological influence on the patient must be underlined: his perception of the alcohol related problem had been modified with more consciousness of the neurobiological consequences and a strong desire of personal implication. He worked a lot on his own (always under supervision) on cognitive exercises and succeeded in remaining abstinent for nearly 2 years. He died of complications of acute hepatitis., Discussion: All the cognitive assessments and rehabilitation results seem to have increased his participation in the global therapeutic care. Therapeutic tools used for cognitive work give a concrete picture of the consequences of alcohol consumption and the necessary time to retrieve brain capacities. Visible improvements in terms of reduction in disability-handicaps encouraged the patient, valued his efforts, and increased his determination to solve his alcohol related problem. Thus, cognitive programs can help to reduce passiveness and develop activeness. This patient regarded therapeutic difficulties as a challenge, not as an obstacle. We can reasonably assume the effect of the cognitive rehabilitation on the Persistence of the Cloninger's biosocial model. This increase in temperament corresponds to a certain form of tenacity, which would facilitate abstinence., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Hemophagocytic lymphohistio-cytosis (HLH) is a rare but serious medical condition with variable clinical outcome. HLH presents real diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to the treating physician despite the major advances in molecular laboratory testing and the immune-chemotherapeutic interventions. Here we present a unique case ofHLH in the setting of hemoglobin H disease provoked by disseminated Yersinia enterocolitica infection. The hemoglobinopathy led to an iron overload state, which provided an optimal milieu for the siderophilic bacterium, Y. enterocolitica, to disseminate. This over whelming infection triggered an uncontrolled and dysregulated inflammatory cytokine cascade with resulting clinical sequelae. The patient was treated conservatively without immunosuppressive therapy and recovered quickly. The long-term outcome of such cases needs further definition.

Background: Salivary osmolality reflects the hydration status of individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) necessary for an adequate unstimulated salivary flow rate., Aim: To investigate whether salivary osmolality could serve as a potential indicator of caries risk in children with spastic CP by displaying a stronger association with caries occurrence than salivary flow rate., Design: The convenience sample consisted of 65 children with CP aged 6-13 years old. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected using cotton roll, and salivary osmolality was measured using a freezing point depression osmometer. The children's oral motor performance was evaluated during the feeding process using the Oral Motor Assessment Scale. Caries occurrence was also evaluated according the World Health Organization criteria., Results: Motor skills were significantly associated with caries experience. Regarding the salivary parameters, osmolality presented a stronger association with caries experience than did the salivary flow rate. Children with worse oral motor performance presented a higher rate of caries occurrence., Conclusion: Osmolality exhibited a stronger association with caries occurrence than did salivary flow rate. This parameter, therefore, could be a potential caries risk indicator for spastic cerebral palsy children., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd, BSPD and IAPD.)

Objective: To systematically review the literature on the telehealth initiatives in telerehabilitation practices in children and adolescents from zero to 18 years old., Data Sources: Randomized and controlled clinical trials published in the past ten years (January 2002 to February 2012) in Medline/PubMed, Medline/BVS, PEDro and Cochrane Library databases. The descriptors "telemedicine", "rehabilitation" and "telehealth" were used in three different languages (English, Portuguese and Spanish)., Data Synthesis: From the 20 studies found in the literature, nine were included in this review. Most of the studies showed that telerehabilitation is able to produce better results in the treatment when compared to the traditional methods, providing less frequency of symptoms, better disease control, better quality of life and greater adherence to treatment., Conclusions: Telerehabilitation is a viable and effective strategy in the treatment of common diseases in children and adolescents. However, there are few studies on the subject in this age group. Although telehealth is already consolidated worldwide, there are no studies in Brazil that used the telerehabilitation in children and adolescents, which reinforces the need for more research and investments.

Parkia pendula seed lectin was used to treat cutaneous wounds of normal and immunocompromised mice, inducing cicatrization. Methotrexate (0.8 mg/kg/week) was used as immunosuppressive drug. Wounds were produced in the dorsal region (1 cm(2)) of female albino Swiss mice (Mus musculus), health and immunocompromised. Wounds were daily topically treated with 100 μL of the following solutions: (1) control (NaCl 0.15 M), (2) control Im (0.15 M NaCl), (3) P. pendula seed lectin (100 μg/mL), and (4) P. pendula seed lectin Im (100 μg/mL). Clinical evaluation was performed during 12 days. Biopsies for histopathology analysis and microbiological examinations were carried out in the second, seventh, and 12th days. The presence of edema and hyperemia was observed in all groups during inflammatory period. The first crust was detected from the second day, only in the groups treated with P. pendula seed lectin. Microbiological analysis of wounds from day 0 to day 2 did not show bacterium at P. pendula seed lectin group; however, Staphylococcus sp. was detected every day in the other groups. The lectin markedly induced a total wound closing at P. pendula seed lectin and P. pendula seed lectin Im groups on 11th day of evolution. The present study suggests that P. pendula seed lectin is a biomaterial potential to show pharmacological effect in the repair process of cutaneous wounds.

Background: Moebius syndrome (MS) is a rare congenital condition that is characterised by facial hypomimia and congenital strabismus caused by complete or partial impairment of the 6th and 7th cranial nerves. MS may be further associated with other nerves or malformations, mainly involving the extremities. The objective of this study was to quantify the decrease in oral motor performance in people with MS compared with normoreactive individuals using the Oral Motor Assessment Scale (OMAS)., Methods: The study group comprised 33 subjects between the ages of 2 and 20 years (average age: 10 ± 5 years) with MS along with 46 age- and gender-matched control subjects., Results: The study group displayed a lower average functional score than the control group (P < 0.0001). A significant lack of lip closure (P = 0.03) and anterior lingual seal during swallowing (P = 0.03) occurred in the study group; in most cases, the individuals with MS were classified as 'subfunctional'. In addition, individuals with MS in the older age group displayed better functional scores than those in the younger group (P = 0.05)., Conclusions: Functional damage to oral motor function in individuals with MS is evident, but differs among patients with respect to severity and the movements that are compromised. However, overall, improvements in the functional patterns of these individuals can be observed as they mature in age., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (MF), are the most common myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) in patients without the BCR-ABL1 gene rearrangement. They are caused by clonal expansion of haematopoietic stem cells and share, as a diagnostic criterion, the identification of JAK2V617F mutation. Classically, when other clinical criteria are present, a JAK2V617F negative case requires the analysis of Exon12&#95;JAK2 for the diagnosis of PV, and of MPL515K/L mutations for the diagnosis of ET and MF. Here, we evaluated 78 samples from Brazilian patients suspected to have MPN, without stratification for PV, ET or MF. We found that 28 (35.9%) are JAK2V617F carriers; from the 50 remaining samples, one (2%) showed an Exon12&#95;JAK2 mutation, and another (2%) was positive for MPLW515L mutation. In summary, the investigation of JAK2V617F, Exon12&#95;JAK2 and MPLW515K/L was relevant for the diagnosis of 38.4% of patients suspected to have BCR-ABL1-negative MPN, suggesting that molecular genetic tests are useful for a quick and unequivocal diagnosis of MPN.

Although it is one of the most threatened areas in the Earth, there are few studies on the biotechnological potential of the Caatinga. This work evaluated 36 extracts from 27 Caatinga plants for lectin and trypsin inhibitor activities. The presence of lectin was detected in 77.7% of samples by haemagglutinating assay. The highest values of specific haemagglutinating activity were found in extracts of leaves from Mimosa lewesii, Bauhinia acuruana and Manilkara rufula and in branches from Myracrodruon urundeuva. Trypsin inhibitor activity was detected in 63.9% of the tested extracts, strong inhibitory effect (>70%) being found in 11 samples. This work demonstrates that Caatinga is a potential source of bioactive plant proteins that can be isolated and studied for several applications. The biochemical prospecting of Caatinga is essential for collection of bioactive principles so as to add conservation value to the region.

This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of soft tissue oral manifestations in children during early childhood, according to age group, gender, and site in the oral cavity, and at correlating these oral manifestations with systemic alterations. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 586 children from 0 to 3 years of age (12.4 ± 11.8 months), 316 (53.9%) male and 270 (46.1%) female, in the city of Mauá, SP, Brazil. Examination was performed by a single examiner (Kappa Index = 0.90) according to World Health Organization criteria (WHO, 1997).The prevalence of oral manifestations in the soft tissues of children during early childhood was 34.8%. The age group showing statistical significance was 0-1 months old (56.4%). Epstein's pearls were significantly present (43.2%) in 0-1-month-old babies, and gingivitis in 12-24-month-olds (15.9%). The palate was the most affected region (16.7%). Infectious alterations were the most prevalent systemic alteration (20%). An association was observed between the presence of systemic alterations and the occurrence of oral manifestations. The prevalence of oral manifestations was 34.8%, regardless of gender, and was manifested mostly in 0-1-month-old babies. The palate was the most prevalent region, and the majority of oral manifestations were associated with systemic alterations.

Background: Previous data suggested that diabetic women were at greater risk for future cardiac events than diabetic men. Increasing awareness of coronary artery disease (CAD) in women and advances in the management of CAD may have changed this paradigm., Objective: To investigate gender differences in prognosis among patients with diabetes who were clinically referred for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI)., Methods: Patients with diabetes undergoing SPECT-MPI from 1996 to 2006 were followed for 5 years or until cardiac death or non-fatal myocardial infarction. Clinical characteristics and nuclear parameters were compared with χ (2) and t tests. Multivariable Cox regression controlled for baseline differences and tested the impact of gender on survival., Results: A total of 4,628 SPECT-MPI patients with diabetes (50% women, mean age 63 ± 12 years) were analyzed. There were 380 events, with rates higher in men (10% vs 7%, P < .001). Patients of either gender with abnormal scans had higher event rates than patients with normal scans. There were fewer cardiac events in diabetic females with no known CAD and normal scans compared to similar males (P = .044). However, diabetic males and females with known CAD had similar event rates for all degrees of perfusion abnormalities. Only age, history of heart failure, nuclear perfusion defect, and LVEF predicted survival; gender did not. LVEF ≤ 50% had the strongest association with cardiac events (hazard ratio = 2.518, 95% confidence interval, 1.922-3.298)., Conclusion: Cardiovascular outcomes among patients with diabetes, regardless of a history of CAD, were similar in women and men. The size and severity of stress-induced perfusion abnormalities predicted outcomes equally in both genders.

Aims: We studied the role of serine/threonine phosphatases (PSTPs) on αIIbβ3 signaling and the potential selectivity of the level of PSTP inhibition with okadaic acid (OA) on αIIbβ3 signaling for regulation of platelet aggregation and clot retraction., Main Methods: We used washed platelets from normal donors and OA as inhibitor of PSTPs. Clot retraction was induced by 1U/mL of thrombin. Reorganized cytoskeleton was isolated from Triton X-100 lysed platelets. The presence of proteins incorporated to the cytoskeleton was assayed by immunoblotting with specific antibodies., Key Findings: We found that both 100 and 500 nM OA blocked platelet mediated clot retraction. In contrast, only 500 nM OA inhibited thrombin-induced inside-out αIIbβ3 activation, platelet aggregation, and cytoskeletal reorganization. Among markers of αIIbβ3 outside-in signaling, 500 nM OA inhibited the incorporation to the cytoskeleton of syk, src, and FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase) tyrosine kinases and the incorporation and phosphorylation at Tyr(759) of the β3 chain of αIIbβ3, while 100 nM OA only inhibited the FAK translocation and its tyrosine phosphorylation., Significance: The level of inhibition of PSTPs by low or high OA concentration (33% and 73% inhibition, respectively) in intact whole cells differentially regulates platelet aggregation and integrin signaling, but have a common effect in blocking clot retraction. The latter may be associated with the presence of phosphorylated FAK in the cytoskeleton. This study reveals a novel target for anti-platelet treatment to block clot retraction without affecting the platelet hemostatic function by a partial inhibition of PSTPs., (© 2013.)

The genus Crossodactylodes comprises three species of Atlantic Rainforest endemic frogs strictly dependent on bromeliads where they spend their entire life cycle. The current geographic distribution of the genus covers highland areas of Atlantic Rainforest in the States of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil. We describe a new species of the genus from Parque Estadual do Pico do Itambé, at Santo Antônio do Itambé municipality, State of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Crossodactylodes itambe sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of traits: male SVL 16.2 ± 1.3 (14.0-17.6 mm, n = 10), female SVL 16.2 ± 1.0 (13.5-18.0 mm, n = 15); snout short, rounded in dorsal view, sloping in lateral view; absence of vocal sac and vocal slits in males; absence of vomerine teeth; males with upper arms and forearms hypertrophied; cloacal flap prominent, simple; dorsal skin coarsely granular. The new species inhabits rupicolous bromeliads in open areas of rocky fields, and is recorded in altitudes between 1836 and 2062 m above sea level. This record extends the genus distribution for about 325 km northwest from where it was known. Crossodactylodes sp. nov. is the only species of the genus that occurs in open field habitats (campos rupestres), in very high altitudes of a non-costal mountain range (the Espinhaço Range).

One of the objectives in the development of effective cancer therapy is induction of tumor-selective cell death. Toward this end, we have identified a small peptide that, when introduced into cells via a TAT cell-delivery system, shows a remarkably potent cytoxicity in a variety of cancer cell lines and inhibits tumor growth in vivo, whereas sparing normal cells and tissues. This fusion peptide was named killerFLIP as its sequence was derived from the C-terminal domain of c-FLIP, an anti-apoptotic protein. Using structure activity analysis, we determined the minimal bioactive core of killerFLIP, namely killerFLIP-E. Structural analysis of cells using electron microscopy demonstrated that killerFLIP-E triggers cell death accompanied by rapid (within minutes) plasma membrane permeabilization. Studies of the structure of the active core of killerFLIP (-E) indicated that it possesses amphiphilic properties and self-assembles into micellar structures in aqueous solution. The biochemical properties of killerFLIP are comparable to those of cationic lytic peptides, which participate in defense against pathogens and have also demonstrated anticancer properties. We show that the pro-cell death effects of killerFLIP are independent of its sequence similarity with c-FLIPL as killerFLIP-induced cell death was largely apoptosis and necroptosis independent. A killerFLIP-E variant containing a scrambled c-FLIPL motif indeed induced similar cell death, suggesting the importance of the c-FLIPL residues but not of their sequence. Thus, we report the discovery of a promising synthetic peptide with novel anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Prospective studies have suggested a negative impact of area deprivation on overall mortality, but its effect on cause-specific mortality and the mechanisms that account for this association remain unclear. We investigate the association of area deprivation, using Index of Multiple deprivation (IMD), with overall and cause-specific mortality, contextualising findings within a systematic review., Methods and Findings: We used data from 4,286 women from the British Women's Heart Health Study (BWHHS) recruited at 1999-2001 to examine the association of IMD with overall and cause-specific mortality using Cox regression models. One standard deviation (SD) increase in the IMD score had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.21 (95% CI: 1.13-1.30) for overall mortality after adjustment for age and lifecourse individual deprivation, which was attenuated to 1.15 (95% CI: 1.04-1.26) after further inclusion of mediators (health behaviours, biological factors and use of statins and blood pressure-lowering medications). A more pronounced association was observed for respiratory disease and vascular deaths. The meta-analysis, based on 20 published studies plus the BWHHS (n=21), yielded a summary relative risk (RR) of 1.15 (95% CI: 1.11-1.19) for area deprivation (top [least deprived; reference] vs. bottom tertile) with overall mortality in an age and sex adjusted model, which reduced to 1.06 (95% CI: 1.04-1.08) in a fully adjusted model., Conclusions: Health behaviours mediate the association between area deprivation and cause-specific mortality. Efforts to modify health behaviours may be more successful if they are combined with measures that tackle area deprivation.

An increasing number of biological activities presented by medicinal plants has been investigated over the years, and they are used in the search for new substances with lower side effects. Eugenia uniflora L. and Eugenia malaccensis L. (Myrtaceae) have many folk uses in various countries. This current study was designed to quantify the polyphenols and flavonoids contents and evaluate the immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potentials of fractions from E. uniflora L. and E. malaccensis L. It was observed that the polyphenol content was higher in ethyl acetate fractions. These fractions have high antioxidant potential. E. malaccensis L. seeds showed the largest DPPH radical scavenger capacity (EC50 = 22.62). The fractions of E. malaccensis L. leaves showed lower antioxidant capacity. The samples did not alter the profile of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide release. The results indicate that species of the family Myrtaceae are rich in compounds with antioxidant capacity, which can help reduce the inflammatory response.

Aim: Few studies specifically focus on elderly splenectomized immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients. Older patients with ITP and excellent health are often excluded from surgery splenectomy. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of splenectomy in elderly and non-elderly ITP patients and to examine the effect of age on therapeutic response., Material and Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of a series of 218 patients who had undergone splenectomy for ITP. We compared the data from the elderly group (≥65 yrs, 57 patients) with the young group (<65 yrs, 162 patients)., Results: Surgical technique (laparoscopy or open laparotomy splenectomy) was comparable between the two age groups. The adjusted risk of major bleeding following splenectomy for elderly patients was three times that for young patients (OR 3.05, 95% CI: 1.44-6.52). The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was longer for elderly than for young patients (8 d vs. 4 d, P < 0.001). However, we identified a subgroup of elderly ITP patients, those aged between 65 and 70 yrs who had undergone laparoscopic splenectomy, with a low risk of postoperative complications. Of the 218 patients, 89% achieved a favorable response to splenectomy. A favorable response was significantly less common in elderly than in young people (79% vs. 92%, P = 0.005). However, we observed an acceptable long-term control of ITP in the elderly group, in which the probability of maintaining response for 14 yrs after splenectomy was 56%., Conclusions: Patients aged ≥65 yrs experienced negative effects on safety and efficacy outcomes of splenectomy for ITP, but further studies are needed to identify predictors of postsplenectomy outcomes in this group., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons control locomotion and emotion and are affected in multiple psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). The homeodomain transcription factor Pitx3 is pivotal in mdDA neuron development and loss of Pitx3 results in programming deficits in a rostrolateral subpopulation of mdDA neurons destined to form the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), reminiscent of the specific cell loss observed in PD. We show here that in adult mice in which the gene encoding a second homeoprotein, engrailed 1 (En1), has been deleted, dramatic loss of mdDA neurons and striatal innervation defects were observed, partially reminiscent of defects observed in Pitx3(-/-) mice. We then continue to reveal developmental crosstalk between En1 and Pitx3 through genome-wide expression analysis. During development, both En1 and Pitx3 are required to induce expression of mdDA genes in the rostrolateral subset destined to form the SNc. By contrast, Pitx3 and En1 reciprocally regulate a separate gene cluster, which includes Cck, demarcating a caudal mdDA subset in wild-type embryos. Whereas En1 is crucial for induction of this caudal phenotype, Pitx3 antagonizes it rostrolaterally. The combinatorial action of En1 and Pitx3 is potentially realized through at least three levels of molecular interaction: (1) influencing each other's expression level, (2) releasing histone deacetylase-mediated repression of Nurr1 target genes and (3) modulating En1 activity through Pitx3-driven activation of En1 modulatory proteins. These findings show how two crucial mediators of mdDA neuronal development, En1 and Pitx3, interact in dopaminergic subset specification, the importance of which is exemplified by the specific vulnerability of the SNc found in PD.

Background: Salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) together with innate defenses such as α-amylase, provides the 'first line of defense' against pathogens present at mucosal surfaces. This study aimed to evaluate salivary α-amylase and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in whole saliva of spastic cerebral palsy (CP) individuals., Methods: Whole saliva was collected from 22 CP and 24 sibling volunteers with no neurological damage control groups (CG) (aged 7-14 years). The salivary flow rate, total protein and SIgA concentrations, and α-amylase activity were determined., Results: The CP group presented higher salivary flow rate (35%) and lower total protein concentration (18%) compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05). CPG had higher absolute (68%, μg SIgA/ml) and relative (55%, μg SIgA/mg prot and 108%, μg SIgA/min) concentrations of IgA compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05). CPG had lower relative α-amylase activity (15% mg malt/mg prot and 33%, mg malt/min) compared with the CG (P ≤ 0.05)., Conclusion: This study concluded that CP individuals presented alterations in the profile of salivary proteins involved in the defense system of the oral cavity., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction and Objectives: Few studies have used time-dependent correction to analyze the relationship between blood pressure and all-cause mortality, and to our knowledge none has been performed in older people from the Mediterranean area. This study aimed to estimate the relationship between baseline blood pressure and blood pressure as a time-dependent covariate with the risk of all-cause mortality in a population cohort of persons aged 65 or older in Spain., Methods: Data were taken from the population-based study "Aging in Leganés" with 17 years of follow-up, launched in 1993 in a random sample (n=1560) of persons aged ≥65 years. Mortality was assessed in 2010. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to examine the effects on mortality of blood pressure at baseline and of blood pressure as a time-dependent covariate., Results: The lowest mortality was observed at baseline systolic blood pressure of 136 mmHg and time-dependent covariate value of 147 mmHg. The highest risk of mortality for time-dependent covariates occurred with systolic blood pressure <115 mmHg and >93 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <80 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure over 85 mmHg did not increase the risk of death., Conclusions: Based on the dynamic association between blood pressure and mortality, a U-shaped relationship was found for systolic blood pressure and a negative relationship for diastolic blood pressure and all-cause mortality. The lowest mortality corresponded to a systolic blood pressure level slightly over the diagnostic hypertension value and suggests that a value of 140 mmHg is not adequate as a diagnostic and therapeutic threshold in an elderly population., (Copyright © 2012 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

The CATS protein (also known as FAM64A and RCS1) was first identified as a novel CALM (PICALM) interactor that influences the subcellular localization of the leukemogenic fusion protein CALM/AF10. CATS is highly expressed in cancer cell lines in a cell cycle dependent manner and is induced by mitogens. CATS is considered a marker for proliferation, known to control the metaphase-to-anaphase transition during the cell division. Using CATS as a bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen we identified the Kinase Interacting Stathmin (KIS or UHMK1) protein as a CATS interacting partner. The interaction between CATS and KIS was confirmed by GST pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization experiments. Using kinase assay we showed that CATS is a substrate of KIS and mapped the phosphorylation site to CATS serine 131 (S131). Protein expression analysis revealed that KIS levels changed in a cell cycle-dependent manner and in the opposite direction to CATS levels. In a reporter gene assay KIS was able to enhance the transcriptional repressor activity of CATS, independent of CATS phophorylation at S131. Moreover, we showed that CATS and KIS antagonize the transactivation capacity of CALM/AF10.In summary, our results show that CATS interacts with and is a substrate for KIS, suggesting that KIS regulates CATS function., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: This study aimed to describe certain common oral manifestations during early childhood that should be known by the pediatric dental surgeon., Background: The correct diagnosis and treatment of oral manifestations during early childhood is important for children's development. The pediatric dentist is responsible for maintaining oral health in children, since they change constantly during their development and growth., Case Report: Four cases of oral lesions are described, in which the diagnosis and related approach for each one is reported. The first was an acute primary herpetic gingivostomatitis, the second, pseudomembranous candidiasis, the third, chickenpox and the last was molluscum., Conclusion: Professionals who treat children in this age group must be able to diagnose and treat common oral manifestations when necessary and should refer the child to a pediatrician for effective treatment if the presence of any systemic alteration is suspected., Clinical Significance: Pathognomonic signs of the most common oral manifestations in early childhood should be known by dentists to improve early diagnosis and proper management.

Epilepsy, which is one of the most common neurological disorders, involves the occurrence of spontaneous and recurrent seizures that alter the performance of the brain and affect several sensory and behavioral functions. Oxidative damage has been associated with post-seizure neuronal injury, thereby increasing an individual's susceptibility to the occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders. The present study investigated the possible anticonvulsive and neuroprotective effects of organic and conventional yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), a plant rich in polyphenols, on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in Wistar rats. The behavioral and polyphenolic profiles of the yerba mate samples were also evaluated. Infusions of yerba mate (50mg/kg) or distilled water were given to rats for fifteen days by oral gavage. On the 15th day the animals were subjected to open field test, and exploratory behavior was assessed. Subsequently, 60mg/kg PTZ (i.p.) was administered, and animals were observed for the appearance of convulsions for 30min. Latency for the first seizure, tonic-clonic and generalized seizures time, frequency of seizures and mortality induced by PTZ were recorded. The animals were then sacrificed, and the cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus were quickly removed and frozen to study the neuroprotective effects of yerba mate. The oxidative damage in lipids and proteins, nitric oxide levels, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (Sod) and catalase (Cat) and non-enzymatic cellular defense (sulfhydryl protein) were quantified in all the tissues. The results showed that organic and conventional yerba mate infusions were able to reduce the frequency of seizures when compared to the PTZ group. Besides, organic yerba mate infusion decreases the tonic-clonic seizures time in relation to the PTZ group. It was also shown that organic and conventional yerba mate infusions reduced the oxidative damage in lipids and proteins and nitric oxide levels and prevented the decrease in Sod and Cat activities and sulfhydryl protein content when compared to the PTZ group in all the CNS tissues assayed. Organic and conventional yerba mate commercial samples did not change the behavior (locomotion, exploration or anxiety) of the treated animals. In both organic and conventional infusions, the presence of the polyphenols rutin, chlorogenic acid and their acyl derivatives were detected, which could be associated with the biological effects observed. These data indicate that yerba mate may provide new perspectives for the development of therapeutic approaches with natural compounds in the pharmaceutical area, both to reduce the convulsions' frequency and to minimize the neuronal damage associated with recurrent seizures., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Oxidative damages in hepatocytes may be caused by epilepsy and/or anticonvulsant drugs. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, characterized by recurrent seizures, which may increase the content of reactive oxygen species. Organic and conventional grape juices are rich in polyphenols, compounds with important antioxidant activity. It is hypothesized that organic and conventional purple grape juices may have protective effect against oxidative damage induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) (a standard convulsant drug) in the liver and serum of Wistar rats. Animals (n = 16 in each group) received, by gavage, saline, organic grape juice or conventional grape juice (10 μL/g of body weight) for 17 days. Subsequently, half of the rats in each group received PTZ (60 mg/kg). After 30 minutes, the animals were euthanized by decapitation. Liver and blood samples were isolated to evaluate oxidative parameters (lipid and protein oxidation, nitric oxide metabolite content, antioxidant defenses, and protein sulfhydryl content). The results of this study showed that although organic juice contains higher polyphenol content than conventional juice, both juices conferred protection against lipid and protein oxidative damage and limited the increase in PTZ-induced nitric oxide metabolite content in the liver and serum. In addition, both juices inhibited the PTZ-induced reduction in enzymatic antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) and sulfhydryl protein content in the liver and serum. In summary, both organic and conventional grape juices were able to reduce oxidative damage induced by PTZ in the liver and serum of Wistar rats., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Crataeva tapia is a plant popularly used for diabetes treatment, in Brazil. Progressive decline in renal and hepatic functions has been described in patients with diabetes mellitus, and mortality rate is increased in patients with chronic liver and renal disease. This study aimed to evaluate whether Crataeva tapia bark lectin (CrataBL) improves hyperglycemia and renal and hepatic damage in diabetic mice. CrataBL was purified by ion exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose, and intraperitoneal administration of CrataBL to alloxan-induced diabetic mice at dose of 10 mg/Kg/day and 20 mg/Kg/day for 10 days significantly reduced serum glucose levels by 14.9% and 55.9%, respectively. Serum urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were also significantly reduced after treatment with both doses of CrataBL. Furthermore, histological analysis of liver, kidney, and pancreas revealed an improvement in the tissue morphology upon treatment with CrataBL. The results suggest that CrataBL has a beneficial hypoglycemic activity and improves the renal and hepatic complications of diabetes. Therefore, this lectin may be a promising agent for the treatment of diabetes, and this might be the basis for its use in the folk medicine as an alternative treatment to manage diabetes-related complications such as hyperglycemia and tissue damage.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish a profile of the spelling patterns studied in students from public and private schools and to describe a word spelling task for clinical and educational settings., Methods: Eighty-two fourth grade students belonging to the elementary school of public and private schools in São Paulo, ranging in age from nine to ten years, took part in this study. The spelling task consisted of a list of ten high frequency words (HFW), ten low frequency words (LFW), and ten pseudowords (PW), in which the typology and number of spelling errors were described. To compare the average number of mistakes on the HFWs, LFWs, and PWs, we used an analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparisons (p<0.05). Using a cluster analysis, homogeneous groups were formed based on their performance., Results: Results indicated that the average number of mistakes in the LFWs was higher than in the HFWs (p=0.000) and PWs (p=0.000), and the number of mistakes in the HFWs was lower than in the PWs (p=0.009). The highest number of mistakes was found in the following categories: "others", "rule generalization", "omission", "voiced-voiceless", and "addition". There were no mistakes of the type "ão-am" and "blend-separation" in the HFWs., Conclusion: Spelling errors are a part of the process of learning to write, and students can show some variance in spelling performance. Furthermore, students need to be stimulated to analyze words and their aspects of phonology, morphology, and semantics. An analysis from the types of errors is not enough to plan intervention programs, but instead is necessary to understand the strategies that the child uses to write.

This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of Anadenanthera colubrina, Libidibia ferrea and Pityrocarpa moniliformis fruit extracts against clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The samples were active for all S. aureus strains (minimum inhibitory concentration: 0.38-3.13 mg mL⁻¹), including the multiresistant strain. The morphological changes suggested the cell wall as the main action target. The treated-cells also lose their ability to form aggregates. The analysis suggests cell wall impairment, which causes the loss of viability and death. This study showed for the first time the morphologic alterations involved in the anti-S. aureus action of fruits of A. colubrina, L. ferrea and P. moniliformis. These findings indicated that these fruit extracts are sources of bioactive compounds that can be used as antibacterial agents.

Cratylia mollis lectin has already established cytokine induction in Th1 and Th2 pathways. Thereby, this study aimed to evaluate Cramoll 1, 4 in IL-6, IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-23 induction as well as analyze immunologic memory mechanism by reinducing lymphocyte stimulation. Initially we performed a screening in cultured splenocytes where Cramoll 1, 4 stimulated IL-6 production 5x more than ConA (P < 0.05). The same behavior was observed with IL-22 where the increase was greater than 4x. Nevertheless, IL-17A induction was similar for both lectins. In PBMCs, the same splenocytes course was observed for IL-6 and IL-17A. Concerning the stimulation of IL-22 and IL-23 Cramoll 1, 4 was more efficient than ConA in cytokines stimulation mainly in IL-23 (P < 0.01). Analyzing reinduced lymphocyte stimulation, IL-17A production was higher (P < 0.001) when the first stimulus was realized with Cramoll 1, 4 at 1 μ g/mL and the second at 5 μ g/mL. IL-22 shows significant differences (P < 0.01) at the same condition. Nevertheless, IL-23 revels the best response when the first stimuli was realized with Cramoll1, 4 at 100 ng/mL and the second with 5 μ g/mL. We conclude that the Cramoll 1, 4 is able to induce IL-6, IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-23 cytokines in vitro better than Concavalin A, besides immunologic memory generation, being a potential biotechnological tool in Th17 pathway studies.

Background: Nutritional deficiencies, especially micronutrient deficiencies, can occur in obese individuals. Surgical treatment may aggravate or cause these deficiencies, depending on the type of procedure, food intake and the use of multivitamins, minerals or other supplements. The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutrient intake of women who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery., Methods: A cross-sectional, controlled study was conducted among 44 women after RYGB (operated-group, OG; mean years post-operation = 3.4) and a control group of 38 healthy women (non-operated group, NOG) matched by age and economic condition. The women reported their dietary intake using a 4-day record. The Dietary Reference Intakes was used as a reference., Results: The macronutrient contributions to dietary energy intake presented an acceptable distribution for proteins and carbohydrates. Lipid intake was high among women in the OG and the NOG (43.2 and 55.3 %, respectively). In the evaluation of micronutrients, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups for iron, zinc and vitamins B1 and B12. Both groups were at high risk for inadequate calcium intake, and the OG was at risk for inadequate zinc, iron and vitamin B1 intake., Conclusions: The nutrient intake of women who had undergone RYGB is very similar to that of non-operated women, with the exception of a reduced intake of iron, zinc and vitamins B1 and B12, which may be due to the difficulty of consuming meat and a balanced diet. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of appropriate nutritional intervention and the regular use of multivitamin and mineral supplements for these patients.

Objective: To evaluate bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) in women after Roux-en-Y (RYGB) gastric bypass., Subjects and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 48 women post-RYGB after three years, and 41 healthy women were evaluated., Evaluations: body mass index (BMI); physical activity; food intake; serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), osteocalcin, urinary calcium and BMD., Results: Significantly higher levels were observed for osteocalcin (p < 0.001), CTX (p < 0.001), and PTH (p < 0.001) in the RYGB group when compared with the control group; 25OHD deficiency/insufficiency was more frequent in the RYGB group (p = 0.010), even after adjusted for nutritional status, and it was associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism (p = 0.025); there was no difference in BMD between the groups. Energy (p = 0.036) and protein intake (p = 0.004) were lower in the RYGB group., Conclusion: Patients submitted to RYGB showed a significantly higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and increase in bone remodeling markers, with no difference in BMD status.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease of high prevalence in Western countries, with negative effects on quality of life. Surgery is indicated for patients with intolerance to continuous medication, prolonged treatment or control, or in complicated forms of the disease., Aim: To evaluate the quality of life of patients undergoing surgery by videolaparoscopy for gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment., Methods: Sample comprised 43 patients of both genders (mean age = 51.4 years). For quality of life evaluation was made using the questionnaire Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health Related Quality of Life, translated and validated into Portuguese. Data were analyzed by Epi Info version 3.5.1, using Duncan test and Pearson's correlation coefficient, with 5% for null hypothesis (p ≤ 0.05)., Results: Over 50% of participants showed good quality of life (scores <5 of the questionnaire), more than 90% indicated satisfaction with their health. A significant positive correlation between most variables related to heartburn and the time after surgery was observed (p ≤ 0.05)., Conclusion: Patients presented good quality of life and high level of satisfaction with their postoperative condition.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder worldwide. Studies have shown that recurrent seizures may increase the concentration of reactive oxygen species, which can lead to oxidative stress and neuronal damage. These seizures result in substantial deleterious effects on an individual's health. Organic and conventional grape juices are rich in polyphenols, compounds with important antioxidant activity. However, these juices could have differences in their polyphenol content. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects of organic and conventional grape juice treatments in Wistar rats against pentylenetetrazole (a convulsant drug)-induced damage. In addition, we evaluated potential behavioral changes in rats treated with the juices and the polyphenolic profile of those samples. Animals (n=16 in each group) received treatment with saline, organic or conventional grape juice for 17 days. On the eighteenth day, behavioral changes were evaluated by an open field test. Afterwards, half of the rats from each group received pentylenetetrazole and were observed for 30 min to evaluate possible seizure characteristics. The animals were subsequently killed by decapitation and their hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral cortex tissues were isolated. The results of this study showed that neither organic nor conventional grape juice altered the behavior parameters, and no statistical differences were observed in the seizure characteristics of the groups. Nevertheless, both juice types were able to protect from lipid and protein oxidative damage, decrease nitric oxide content and increase enzymatic (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (sulfhydryl protein) antioxidant defenses in brain tissues following pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. In general, organic juice showed superior results in each test, probably due to its higher polyphenol content relative to conventional juice. These results indicate that grape juices can provide further insight into natural neuroprotective compounds and may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for epileptic patients., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The ageing process transforms the histological composition of the dental pulp and may affect the response to pulp sensibility tests., Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of age on pulp response time and on pain intensity., Material and Methods: Fifty elderly patients and 50 young patients were selected. Different classes of teeth were evaluated. The pulp sensibility test was performed with a refrigerant spray. The pulp response time was measured in seconds and the pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scale., Results: The Spearman coefficient was calculated and detect a positive correlation between age and pulp response time for maxillary incisors, premolars, mandibular incisors, and mean (p < 0.05). On the contrary, there was a negative correlation between age and pain intensity for maxillary incisors, mandibular incisors, and mean (p < 0.05). Also, the results of elderly and young groups were compared by Mann-Whitney test. Significant difference was noted regarding the pulp response time for maxillary incisors, premolars, mandibular incisors, and mean (p < 0.05). Significant difference was detected regarding the pain intensity for mandibular incisors only (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Pulp response time increases when people get older while pain intensity decreases. There were variations among the classes of teeth., (© 2012 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

The use of high-power lasers has facilitated and improved human papillomavirus (HPV) treatment protocols and has also become very popular in recent years. This application has been more frequently used in hospitals, especially in gynecology. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of high-power diode laser to remove oral lesions caused by HPV and the consequent effects on virus load following the wound tissue healing process compared with one of the most conventional surgical techniques involving electrocautery. Surgeries were performed on 5 patients who had 2 distinct lesions caused by HPV. All patients were submitted to both electrocautery and high-power diode laser. Following a 20-day period, when the area was healed, sample material was collected through curettage for virus load quantitative analysis.Observation verified the presence of virus in all the samples; however, surgeries performed with the laser also revealed a significant reduction in virus load per cell compared with those performed with electrocautery. The ease when handling the diode laser, because of the flexibility of its fibers and precision of its energy delivery system, provides high-accuracy surgery, which facilitates the treatment of large and/or multifocal lesions. The use of high-power diode laser is more effective in treatment protocols of lesions caused by HPV.