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Objectives To analyse the expression of the CD44v6, p63, podoplanin and MMP-9, and their prognostic significance in patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas ( OSCC). Material and methods Immunohistochemistry technique was performed on 60 OSCC for detection of CD44v6, p63, podoplanin and MMP-9 proteins. Extent and intensity of staining were evaluated in tumour cells and were compared with patients' clinical-pathological characteristics and survival. Results CD44v6 expression was detected at the membrane of tumour cells of 94% cases. Nuclear expression of p63 protein was present in 96.5%. Podoplanin was observed at the membrane of tumour cells of 94% cases. MMP-9 was found in the cytoplasm of tumour cells in 83.7% cases. A high level of expression (67%-89%) in all four proteins was noted. Podoplanin was associated with the expression of MMP-9 ( P = 0.010) and both were associated with lymph node metastasis ( P = 0.011 and P = 0.018, respectively). Co-expression of podoplanin/ MMP-9 was an adverse independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival ( P = 0.008) and recurrence-free survival ( P = 0.042). Conclusion Podoplanin and MMP-9 together could contribute to tumour progression and dissemination of OSCC. Their combined overexpression showed an adverse effect on survival, suggesting that they could be regarded as important prognostic biomarkers in OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives To evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphorylated EGFR ( pEGFR), in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). We examined their utility as prognostic markers by relating to clinicopathological characteristics and the clinical outcome. Materials and Methods We analysed 74 primary OSCC and examined immunohistochemical expression of EGFR and pEGFR (phosphorylated at tyrosine 1173) using tissue microarray technology. Their role in survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression models. Results Epidermal growth factor receptor expression was observed in all cases, and pEGFR expression was observed in 41.1% of the cases. We found a significant correlation between EGFR and pEGFR expression ( P = 0.003). In the multivariable analysis for cause-specific survival, we found an independent prognostic value for pEGFR expression (HR 7.94, 95% CI 2.03-31.06, P = 0.003) and for clinical stage (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.10-7.53, P = 0.031). For recurrence-free survival, clinical stage (HR 6.59, 95% CI 1.36-31.90, P = 0.019) and tumour grade (HR 3.35, 95% CI 1.07-10.44, P = 0.037) presented independent prognostic value. Conclusion Epidermal growth factor receptor is highly expressed in OSCC and is phosphorylated in more than one-third of the cases. The independent value of pEGFR expression in cause-specific survival of OSCC suggests that this marker may serve as reliable biological marker to identify high-risk subgroups and to guide therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the periodontal conditions of removable partial denture (RPD) wearers, comparing direct and indirect abutment teeth, and the teeth not involved in the denture design before denture placement and 1 year later. Fifty patients (32 women and 18 men), average age 45, were assessed by the same examiner at the moment of denture insertion and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months later. The following items were verified in each assessment: probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI). PD and PI data were evaluated byanova test for linear trend followed by Tukey–Kramer post-test, while GI data were analysed by Friedman’s test. Results showed that the teeth not involved in the denture design were the least affected for all variables studied. It was also verified that PD and GI mean values increased from the initial assessment to 1 year of RPD wearing in every group, but that only PI showed a significant increase. This study indicated that direct and indirect retainer elements tend to undergo more damaging periodontal effects associated with RPD wearing when compared with non-abutment elements. Plaque index values were significantly higher after 1 year of denture use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has evaluated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic responses of etoricoxib, a selective COX-2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug combined with misoprostol in pre-clinical assays. Groups of animals (mice and rats) were subjected to rat's paw edema induced by carrageenan, and writhing and formalin tests in mice. Treatment with etoricoxib, misoprostol, and etoricoxib combined with misoprostol inhibited the inflammation process by 35%, 30%, and 61%, respectively in the rat paw edema induced by carrageenan with the greatest effects being obtained in the group treated with etoricoxib combined to misoprostol. In the writhing test, etoricoxib inhibited the number of writhes by 33%, and by 27% when combined with misoprostol. In the first phase of the formalin test (nociceptive), treatment with the combination of etoricoxib and misoprostol inhibited significantly this process by 45%, while in the second phase (inflammatory), etoricoxib inhibited this by 97%, the etoricoxib + misoprostol inhibited this by 78%, respectively. The responses observed have demonstrated that the combination of etoricoxib and misoprostol increased the anti-inflammatory response, but it did not show effect in the peripheral analgesic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a prospective study on the effectiveness of sulphasalazine for the treatment of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS), a disease characterized by the triad of symptoms labial such as facial edema, fissured tongue and facial palsy. Finding that sulphasalazine is the drug of choice in granulomatous disorders.

Cell wall fragments from both yeast-like and mycelial forms of the dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii were used as enzymatic preparations to study the synthesis and role of prenyl-phospho-sugars in these systems. In the presence of GDP ['4C] mannose two main products were formed. One of them was characterized as dolichol-monophosphate β-mannose on the following basis: solubility in organic solvents, behaviour upon paper chromatography, DEAF cellulose column chromatography, mild acid hydrolysis, alkali treatment, catalytic reduction and phenol degradation. The other product was identified as a glicoprotein containing a single mannose unit linked to a serine or threonine residue. It was degraded with pronase and by mild NaOH-NaBH treatment all the radioactivity was released as free mannitol. When UDP[C] glucose was employed as sugar donor two butanol soluble components were isolated. One of them (25%) was characterized as dolichol-monophosphate-ß-glucose on the basis of the same criteria as described above. The other one (75%) was neutral and was not studied in detail. Mycelial enzymes were about 40 times more active in the synthesis of the dolichol derivatives. In addition, large amounts of glycogen were detected. The role that both dolichol derivatives might play in glycoprotein biosynthesis is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to improve the efficiency of dairy cattle production, the University of Florida provides producers with information, support and leadership for the continued economic development and sustainability of the dairy industry. Dietary supplementation of lipids allowed for improved production and reproductive performance of dairy cows, especially during the summer. Other contributions in nutrition include use of citrus pulp as an energy source and DCAD diets for cows in the transition period and the realization of the importance of mineral nutrition in the summer. A greater understanding of the physiology and endocrinology of the estrous cycle and ovarian function has led to the development of reproductive management tools for synchronizing estrus for timed insemination. In addition, pioneering work led to the discovery of interferon-tau as the key protein involved in maternal recognition of pregnancy. Shortening of the dry period increased milk income and reduced the incidence of disorders associated with transition cows as they initiate a new lactation. Studies with bST in lactating cows helped with its promotion and utilization to increase milk yield and allowed for increased profit margins of dairy enterprises. Realization that heat stress reduced the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and lowered milk production led to studies to improve the ability of lactating cows to regulate their body temperature. These efforts included improving housing conditions through the use of shade, fans, sprinklers, water application rates, and cooling ponds and identification of the "slick hair" gene involved in thermoregulation. Incorporation of timed artificial insemination to eliminate heat detection and utilization of timed embryo transfer to bypass the sensitivity of early embryos to elevated temperature are management strategies used by producers to increase pregnancy rates in the summer. The Dairy Science program continues to improve dairy cattle efficiency while maximizing milk production and developing solutions for the changing needs of the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate how dietary fat sources enriched with oleic, trans-octadecenoic, linoleic, or linolenic acids affected the plasma and liver fatty acid profiles of Holstein heifers (n = 22) and cows (n = 32) during the summer season. Fat supplements were the following: 1) sunflower oil (SFO - Trisun, Humko Oil, 80% C18:1), 2) Ca salt of trans-octadecenoic acids (TRANS- EnerG TR, Virtus Nutrition, 57% trans 6-12), 3) Ca salt of vegetable oils (MEGRMegalac- R, Church & Dwight Co, 30% C18:2), and 4) linseed oil (LSO- Archer Daniels Midland, 56% C18:3 and 16% C18:2). Supplemental fats were fed at 1.35% of dietary DM beginning at 29 d prior to expected calving date. After calving, fats were fed at 1.5% (oils) and 1.75% (Ca salts) of dietary DM for 15 wk. Three blood samples collected on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule between 21 and 28 DIM were analyzed for fatty acids using gas chromatography. Liver samples were taken via biopsy on 2, 14±2, and 28±2 DIM, immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and kept at -800C for fatty acid analysis. Feeding high oleic sunflower oil did not affect the C18:1 concentrations of plasma (12.35%) or liver (21.8%). Cows fed TRANS fats had greater concentrations of plasma C18:1 trans isomers in liver tissue (1.0, 1.4, 1.0, and 1.0% for diets 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Concentrations of C18:2 were greater in cows fed MEGR (44.4%) compared to cows fed LSO (41.8%) but were not different from that of cows fed SFO (43.4%) or TRANS (45.2%). Cis-9, trans-11 CLA was greater in plasma (0.13, 0.13, 0.16, and 0.14%) and liver (0.41, 0.43, 0.50, and 0.47%) of cows fed MEGR compared to those fed SFO or TRANS. Cows fed LSO had greater concentrations of C18:3 (2.4, 2.5, 2.3, and 4.9%; 0.9, 0.9, 1.0, and 1.4%) and C20:5 (0.5, 0.5, 0.5, and 0.7%; 0.6, 0.6, 0.5, and 0.9%) in plasma and liver, respectively. Feeding dietary fats enriched with particular fatty acids resulted in increased concentrations of those fatty acids in the plasma and liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate how dietary fat sources of oleic, transoctadecenoic, linoleic, or linolenic acids affected bST, IGF-1, and PGF metabolite (PGFM) concentrations in plasma of Holstein heifers (n = 22) and cows (n = 32) during the summer season. Fat supplements were the following: 1) sunflower oil (SFO; Trisun, Humko Oil, 80% C18:1), 2) Ca salt of trans-octadecenoic acids (TRANS; EnerG TR, Virtus Nutrition, 57% trans 6-12 C18:1), 3) Ca salt of vegetable oils (MEGR; Megalac-R, Church & Dwight Co, 30% C18:2), and 4) linseed oil (LSO- Archer Daniels Midland, 56% C18:3 and 16% C18:2). Supplemental fats were fed at 1.35% of dietary DM beginning at 29 d prior to expected calving date. After calving, fats were fed at 1.5% (oils) and 1.75% (Ca salts) of dietary DM for 15 wk. Blood samples were taken thrice weekly during 7 wk for measurement of IGF-1 and bST and for the first 14 DIM for PGFM. Mean concentrations of plasma IGF-1 tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in heifers compared to cows (135 vs. 124 ng/ml) but did not differ among treatment groups (122, 135, 124, and 137 ng/ml for diets 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively). Concentrations of IGF-1 increased at a faster rate for animals fed polyunsaturated fats compared to those fed monounsaturated fats. Mean concentrations of bST were not different among treatments. Plasma concentrations of bST decreased from 7.0 to 4.1 ng/ml over DIM for primiparous cows except those fed MEGR, which increased from 7.3 to 8.3 ng/ml. For multiparous cows, bST concentrations also decreased over time but those fed MEGR decreased at a faster rate (treatment by parity by DIM interaction). Cows fed TRANS had a higher initial plasma concentration of PGFM (4065 vs. 2408 ng/ml) and decreased at a faster rate than cows fed SFO but both reached baseline by 9 DIM. The PGFM concentrations of cows fed MEGR decreased at a slower rate compared to cows fed LSO, reaching baseline 2 d later. Dietary fatty acids alter hormonal status of lactating dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]