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Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:31:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 We provide a comprehensive review of plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) in HIV-positive patients and report a case of HIV-associated oral plasmablastic lymphoma. We complied and discussed demographic, clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, therapeutic and prognostic features of 105 cases reported in English and Spanish literature. The inclusion criteria were documented cases of confirmed PBL of the oral cavity in HIV-positive patients. Only cases with definitive microscopic diagnosis of PBL and description of HIV infection were included. Reports with insufficient clinical information of the patients were excluded. The literature review revealed 105 cases of HIV-associated oral PBL in 46 published manuscripts. In addition, we reported the case of an aggressive oral PLB arising in a 30-year-old HIV-positive female. This study provides a comprehensive review of clinical and microscopical landscape of PBL. Additionally, our data suggest that case reports should be more rigorous and detailed about the clinical findings, in order to facilitate the understanding of the clinical presentation pattern of oral PBL. Educational Faculty of Francisco Beltrão União da Vitória 14 Oral Oncology Center São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Dentistry Department of Diagnosis and Surgery São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Dentistry Department of Oral Pathology São Leopoldo Mandic Institute and Research Center Department of Surgery and Integrated Clinic São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Dentistry Rua José Bonifácio Oral Oncology Center São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Dentistry Department of Diagnosis and Surgery São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Dentistry Department of Surgery and Integrated Clinic São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Dentistry Rua José Bonifácio

Few studies were performed on the volatile components' properties of propolis from native Brazilian stingless bees. This work sought to extract, chemically characterize, and evaluate of the antimicrobial properties of volatile oils from propolis of the stingless bees Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata (MQ) and Tetragonisca angustula (TA). The volatile oils from the pulverized propolis samples were obtained in a Clevenger apparatus and characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and to flame ionization detector (GC-FID). All samples showed promising activity against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, with MICs from 103 to 224 μg mL

The strategic approach of corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be associated with sustainable practices, being considered as a source of value creation that generates competitive advantage and superior performance for companies. This perspective notes that the use of economic, social, and environmental resources and capacities can individually contribute to improving business performance (BP). The present study analyzes the strategic influence of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of CSR on the performance of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Using a sample of 103 companies based in Brazil, the results indicate that SMEs can strategically use their resources and related capacities mainly for social and environmental issues, followed by the economic dimension of CSR, as an opportunity to create value and generate advantage competitive with rivals. Additionally, these three dimensions of CSR, with emphasis on the social aspect, can also provide better levels of BP in SMEs compared to competitors.

Liposoluble molecules are a group of compounds that display potent biological and therapeutic properties. The present study aimed to identify liposoluble molecules produced by Ganoderma lipsiense grown in red rice medium using solid-state fermentation (SSF) techniques, and to investigate the antigiardial and antibacterial activities potential of extracts in vitro. Eighteen fatty acids and derivatives were identified by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis in G. lipsense extract. Qualitative (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance) characterizations identified the steroid ergosta-6,22-diene-3β,5α,8α-triol in purified hexane subfraction (HEXsf) F19 isolated from hexane fraction (HEXf) of crude extract (CE). Ergosta-6,22-diene-3β,5α,8α-triol exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Giardia duodenalis throphozoites (93.6%) in in vitro assays. CE and HEXf inhibited 95.38% and 92.74% of the G. duodenalis throphozoites in 100 µg mL-1 , whereas CE and their fractions dichloromethane (DCMf) and ethyl acetate (EAf) showed antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus at 500 µg mL-1 . Importantly, some liposoluble compounds produced and identified in G. lipsiense are unpublished for this species. This is first report for the production of ergosta-6,22-diene-3β,5α,8α-triol by G. lipsiense and its antiparasitic activity.

Models of maturity in corporate social responsibility (CSRM) and in sustainable innovation (SIM) allow us to evaluate how a company is evolved in a given area, so that it can trace a strategic path of improvements in the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This study developed maturity models seeking to verify the influence of CSRM on the SIM and of these dimensions in the business performance (BP). The analysis, grounded on resource‐based theory, used structural equation modeling with a sample of 154 Brazilian companies. It was found that CSRM exerts influence on the SIM and that both positively influence the BP. The use of these models can assist companies in creating value, generating competitive advantage, and promoting superior performance.

Background The aim of the present study was to assess the periodontal condition of individuals with Down syndrome and the association with sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics and family perception of oral health. Methods This cross-sectional observational study was performed at a referral centre for dental assistance to disabled persons in Aracatuba, Brazil. Parents of the individuals were interviewed, and the visible plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were recorded by one periodontist in six sites per tooth of all teeth. The individual was the unit of analysis. The significance level was set at 5%. Results Sixty-four subjects (23.8 ± 8.3 years old) were included. Eighteen (28.1%) were diagnosed with gingivitis and 46 (71.9%) with periodontitis. In the multiple logistic regression final model, age and self-reported oral hygiene practices were associated with the occurrence of periodontitis. The chance of having periodontitis was 4.7 times higher among individuals older than 20 years and approximately 4 times higher in patients whose oral hygiene was performed by themselves and their parents, compared with those who performed oral hygiene alone. Sex, follow-up time in the centre, education, degree of participants' dependence, flossing and family history of periodontal disease were not associated with the occurrence of periodontitis. Higher levels of plaque and bleeding were observed for participants with parents reporting bad gingival health (76.2% and 46.9%) and deficient oral hygiene (79.5% and 47.3%). The perception of parents regarding gingival bleeding was correlated with higher bleeding detected clinically (P = 0.01; 50.1%). Conclusions The prevalence of periodontitis in individuals with Down syndrome is high and increases with age, even in the face of the parents' perception about their children's oral condition.

Objectives Hydroalcoholic propolis extracts from the bee species Melipona quadrifasciata have been shown to possess antimicrobial activity against different mollicute strains, but a methanolic extract (ME) could contain an increased diversity of non polar bioactive components with a potentially higher antimicrobial activity. Methods The ME obtained by maceration of the propolis sample was fractionated with solvents of different polarities and then purified by silica gel column chromatography through biomonitoring of its antimicrobial activity against mollicute strains. Results Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) enabled the identification of compounds using the NIST library. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the samples were determined by broth microdilution. Anti-adhesive assays were performed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae cells. The hexane (MIC = 62.5 mg/L) and dichloromethane (MIC = 125 mg/L) fractions presented the most promising results against M. pneumoniae. They were fractionated into 74 subfractions, and even the best ones did not show better results (MIC > 250 mg/L) than their original fractions, likely due to the loss of terpene compounds that seem to act in synergy. The dichloromethane subfraction FD4 was highlighted in the anti-adhesive assay with an inhibitory activity of 21.6%. Conclusions A synergistic effect of the nonpolar compounds in M. quadrifasciata propolis may be responsible for its antibacterial activity, but several purified components can improve its anti-adhesive properties.

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and disabling but seem particularly tractable to investigation with translational neuroscience methodologies. Neuroimaging has informed our understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety disorders, but research has been limited by small sample sizes and low statistical power, as well as heterogenous imaging methodology. The ENIGMA‐Anxiety Working Group has brought together researchers from around the world, in a harmonized and coordinated effort to address these challenges and generate more robust and reproducible findings. This paper elaborates on the concepts and methods informing the work of the working group to date, and describes the initial approach of the four subgroups studying generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia. At present, the ENIGMA‐Anxiety database contains information about more than 100 unique samples, from 16 countries and 59 institutes. Future directions include examining additional imaging modalities, integrating imaging and genetic data, and collaborating with other ENIGMA working groups. The ENIGMA consortium creates synergy at the intersection of global mental health and clinical neuroscience, and the ENIGMA‐Anxiety Working Group extends the promise of this approach to neuroimaging research on anxiety disorders., Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and disabling but seem particularly tractable to investigation with translational neuroscience methodologies. Neuroimaging has informed our understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety disorders, but research has been limited by small sample sizes and low statistical power, as well as heterogenous imaging methodology. The ENIGMA‐Anxiety Working Group has brought together researchers from around the world, in a harmonized and coordinated effort to address these challenges and generate more robust and reproducible findings. The ENIGMA consortium creates synergy at the intersection of global mental health and clinical neuroscience, and the ENIGMA‐Anxiety Working Group extends the promise of this approach to neuroimaging research on anxiety disorders.

The wine industry produces tons of pomace that, in a circular economy model, should be valorised. The phenols fraction of grape pomace represents a source of food colorants, but also of natural food preservatives. Furthermore, the pomace contains dietary fibre, unsaturated lipids, antioxidants and minerals that have been recognised as wholesome and technologically useful. The main drawback of using grape pomace is represented by its chemical and microbiological instability. Different authors proposed strategies to overcome these limitations, and different approaches for the use of grape pomace as an ingredient have been described. Here, we sum up the chemical and microbiological solutions for the stabilisation of grape pomace, describing the approaches used to transform this waste in a functional ingredient, and comparing the physiochemical characteristics of the resulting products. We further describe the studies concerning sensory aspects of the products by enriching animal fleshes with different pomace powder preparations.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to describe the periodontal profile of -candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS This cross-sectional prospective study was performed from March 2014 to March 2015. After an initial interview, eligible individuals were evaluated by the following clinical parameters: visible plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and clinical attachment level at six sites per tooth, excluding third molars. RESULTS Thirty-six candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were clinically assessed. Eight (22%) patients were diagnosed with gingivitis and 21 (58%) of them with periodontitis. The gingival bleeding was statistically correlated with the percentage of sites with visible plaque (p < 0.0001; r = 0.630) and did not correlate with the number of platelets (p = 0.643, r = -0.082). CONCLUSIONS The candidates for allogeneic HSCT studied showed a high prevalence of periodontal diseases with unmonitored local infection before transplantation.

The intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is thought to be closely related to ingrowth of new blood vessels. However, the impact of anti‐angiogenic factors in the maintenance of IVD avascularity remains unknown. Tenomodulin (Tnmd) is a tendon/ligament‐specific marker and anti‐angiogenic factor with abundant expression in the IVD. It is still unclear whether Tnmd contributes to the maintenance of IVD homeostasis, acting to inhibit vascular ingrowth into this normally avascular tissue. Herein, we investigated whether IVD degeneration could be induced spontaneously by the absence of Tnmd. Our results showed that Tnmd was expressed in an age‐dependent manner primarily in the outer annulus fibrous (OAF) and it was downregulated at 6 months of age corresponding to the early IVD degeneration stage in mice. Tnmd knockout (Tnmd − / −) mice exhibited more rapid progression of age‐related IVD degeneration. These signs include smaller collagen fibril diameter, markedly lower compressive stiffness, reduced multiple IVD‐ and tendon/ligament‐related gene expression, induced angiogenesis, and macrophage infiltration in OAF, as well as more hypertrophic‐like chondrocytes in the nucleus pulposus. In addition, Tnmd and chondromodulin I (Chm1, the only homologous gene to Tnmd) double knockout (Tnmd − / − Chm1 − / −) mice displayed not only accelerated IVD degeneration, but also ectopic bone formation of IVD. Lastly, the absence of Tnmd in OAF‐derived cells promoted p65 and matrix metalloproteinases upregulation, and increased migratory capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In sum, our data provide clear evidences that Tnmd acts as an angiogenic inhibitor in the IVD homeostasis and protects against age‐related IVD degeneration. Targeting Tnmd may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for attenuating age‐related IVD degeneration., Cartoon highlighting the hallmarks of Tnmd−/− intervertebral disc (IVD) phenotype. Tnmd−/− mice exhibited more rapid progression of age‐related IVD degeneration. These signs include lower disc height index, smaller collagen fibrils with lower compressive stiffness in the outer annulus fibrosus, reduced multiple IVD‐ and tendon/ligament‐related gene expression, induced angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration in outer annulus fibrous, as well as more hypertrophic‐like chondrocytes in the nucleus pulposus.

Monte Carlo methods are heuristic algorithms that use probabilities to select an outcome among several possible events in a given process. Monte Carlo methods are useful in polymer reaction engineering because they can predict the molecular architecture of polymers with details that cannot be easily captured by any other modeling technique. One of the advantages of Monte Carlo simulation is that one does not need to solve differential or algebraic equations to predict the microstructures of polymers. This article reviews the literature on steady-state and dynamic Monte Carlo methods in polymer reaction engineering. We hope to convince the readers that playing dice regularly can be a great asset to polymer reactors engineers.

Different values of the kinetic rate constants have been reported for initiator decompositions carried out in microwave and conventional batch reactors. The present work analyzes the confidence regions of kinetic parameters estimated for the thermal decomposition of two initiators, potassium persulfate (KPS) and 2-2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (V-50), which confirm the difference between the parameters obtained in microwave and conventional reactors. Moreover, by assuming no changes in kinetics under microwave heating, the temperature and volume of hot spots required to explain the apparent increase of kinetic rate constants are calculated. The results suggest that formation of hot spots may explain the observed effects without the occurrence of additional phenomena.

Integrins are cell surface receptors that connect extracellular matrix (ECM) components to the actin cytoskeleton and transmit chemical and mechanical signals into the cells through adhesion complexes. Integrin-activated downstream pathways have been implicated in the regulation of various cellular functions, including proliferation, survival, migration, and differentiation. Integrin-based attachment to the matrix plays a central role in development, tissue morphogenesis, adult tissue homeostasis, remodeling and repair, and disturbance of the ECM-integrin-cytoskeleton signaling axis often results in diseases and tissue dysfunction. Increasing amount of in vitro and in vivo evidences suggest that integrins are pivotal for proper development, function, and regeneration of skeletal tissues. In this paper, we will summarize and discuss the role of integrins in skeletogenesis and their influence on the physiology and pathophysiology of cartilage, bone, and tendon. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 102:13–36, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Although the link between altered stem cell properties and tissue aging has been recognized, the molecular and cellular processes of tendon aging have not been elucidated. As tendons contain stem/progenitor cells (TSPC), we investigated whether the molecular and cellular attributes of TSPC alter during tendon aging and degeneration. Comparing TSPC derived from young/healthy (Y-TSPC) and aged/degenerated human Achilles tendon biopsies (A-TSPC), we observed that A-TSPC exhibit a profound self-renewal and clonogenic deficits, while their multipotency was still retained. Senescence analysis showed a premature entry into senescence of the A-TSPC, a finding accompanied by an upregulation of p16INK4A. To identify age-related molecular factors, we performed microarray and gene ontology analyses. These analyses revealed an intriguing transcriptomal shift in A-TSPC, where the most differentially expressed probesets encode for genes regulating cell adhesion, migration, and actin cytoskeleton. Time-lapse analysis showed that A-TSPC exhibit decelerated motion and delayed wound closure concomitant to a higher actin stress fiber content and a slower turnover of actin filaments. Lastly, based on the expression analyses of microarray candidates, we suggest that dysregulated cell-matrix interactions and the ROCK kinase pathway might be key players in TSPC aging. Taken together, we propose that during tendon aging and degeneration, the TSPC pool is becoming exhausted in terms of size and functional fitness. Thus, our study provides the first fundamental basis for further exploration into the molecular mechanisms behind tendon aging and degeneration as well as for the selection of novel tendon-specific therapeutical targets. © 2013 The Authors.