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Abstract: Introduction: The use of calcium hydroxide is an effective step in killing bacteria that remain after cleaning and shaping procedures. It also induces hard-tissue formation and is effective for stopping inflammatory exudates. Methods: The aim of this study was to assay and to compare the influence of calcium hydroxide on periapical interstitial fluid from human root canals. The mRNA expression levels of the cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, and IL-10 as well as the chemokine MCP-1 were assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction immediately after root canal cleaning and 15 days later. Results: Levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-10, and the chemokine CCL2/MCP-1 were increased in teeth without endodontic dressings. With calcium hydroxide interappointment dressings, no statistically significant changes were observed in cytokine mRNA expression. However, when comparing teeth that received the medication with those that did not, expression levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, and IL-10 were statistically lower in those teeth that received calcium hydroxide. Conclusions: Analyses of cytokines and the chemokine CCL-2/MCP-1 demonstrated the benefits of calcium hydroxide as a root canal dressing because it impedes the increase of all mediators during the experimental time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: Lymphocytes, among many cells, express different sets of cytokines, chemokines, and receptors, which are considered important mediators of periapical immune response to infection. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mRNA expression of CD4+CD28+ and CD8+ T genes and the gene expression of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, IL-10, CCL2/MCP-1, CCL4, CCL5, CXCR4, CCR5, and receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) in periapical interstitial fluid from human root canal infections. The samples were collected immediately after root canal cleaning and 7 days later (restrained root canal bacterial load) to characterize those gene expressions. Results: Real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated significantly higher levels of CD4+CD28+ and CD8+ T-cell markers in the former root canal condition and an increase of IL-10 and CXCR4, followed by a decrease of proinflammatory cytokines such as RANKL, interferon-γ, IL-1β, and CCL5. Conclusions: Analyses of T-lymphocyte and cytokine expression in periapical area were able to show that distinct root canal conditions might play regulatory roles in controlling local immune/inflammatory processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: Failure in endodontic treatment is often caused by the persistence of microorganisms in the root canal after therapy. When treatment fails, an immune response develops that is characterized by an extensive network of immunologic mechanisms that lead to the production of cytokines and chemokines. Methods: The objective of this study was to determine the relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-10, and MCP-1 in periapical dental lesions refractory to treatment. Clinical samples were taken from teeth presenting periapical lesions refractory to endodontic treatment (the experimental group) or from healthy teeth with pulp vitality (the control group). Three paper points passing through the root apex (2 mm) were used to collect the samples. The total RNA was extracted from each sample, complementary DNA was synthesized, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the statistical significance of our findings (P < .05). Results: Significant differences in the levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, and MCP-1 mRNA expression were observed in cases refractory to endodontic treatment as compared with the control group. The expression of IL-1β mRNA was not significantly different between the groups. The expression of IL-10 mRNA was insignificant in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusions: A significantly increased expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17A, and MCP-1 mRNA was observed in the periapical immune response in cases of endodontic failure. These results suggest that a proinflammatory cytokine profile predominates in these types of dental lesions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on legal procedures involving social control and restrain regarding to freed African women and men who, in their status of ex-slaves, had no civil rights or citizenship and allegedly caused disruptive behavior among the still enslaved community in the Brazilian state of Bahia during the 19th century. Documents and legislation related to the issue are presented and discussed.

The article discusses a study which examined the epidemiology of Anaplasma marginale infection in cattle reared in south-western Brazilian Amazonia. The study included four- to 12-month-old cattle from seven microregions of Rondôonia State and two mesoregions of Acre State. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was utilized to asses the frequency of Anaplasma marginale infections. DNA extracted from blood clots showed 98.6 percent mean frequency of Anaplasma marginale infection. Study authors concluded that Anaplasma marginale in the cattle indicate enzootic stability and are comparable to those detected by immunodiagnosis in different endemic regions in Brazil.

Abstract: Introduction: The effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the prevalence of endodontic diseases in HIV-infected individuals have not been reported. Methods: The purpose of this study was to determine and compare sex, age, need for root canal treatment, CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts, HIV viral load, and antiretroviral therapy in 222 HIV-infected individuals who were monitored at an HIV Reference Center in Brazil. Results: One hundred sixty-six patients comprised the studied population; the rate of the need for endodontic treatment was 14.5%. There was a positive correlation between the CD4 + T-cells count (<500 cell/ mm3) and the need for endodontic treatment, but there was no statistical difference between the need for endodontic treatment and the HIV viral load or the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in T-cell counts. Of the population that needed endodontic treatment, 79.2% was taking the HAART regimen, and the majority of the studied population was female. Conclusion: We found that those HIV-infected individuals needing endodontic treatment had a lower CD4 + T-cell count, which probably correlated with a lower adherence to the HAART regimen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of experimental models of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been useful in understanding the complex pathogenesis of DM. Streptozotocin (STZ) injected in rats during the neonatal period has usually led to the major features described in diabetic patients (hyperglycemia, polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, and abnormal glucose tolerance) in a short period. Diabetes mellitus is a product of low insulin sensibility and pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction. Its process is characterized by a symptomless prediabetic phase before the development of the disease. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of diabetes induction regarding the cellular metabolic aspects of this model and its similarities with diabetes found in humans. Male Wistar rats (5-day old) were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (150 mg/kg) and followed up for 12 weeks. On the 12th week, animals were decapitated and peri-epididymal fat pads were excised for adipocyte isolation. The following studies were performed: insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy-d-[3H]glucose uptake; incorporation of d-[U-14C]-glucose into lipids and conversion into 14CO2; and insulin binding. The weight gain rate of the STZ-treated group became significantly lower by the eighth week. These rats developed polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, and glycosuria, and impaired glucose tolerance. Biological tests with isolated adipocytes revealed a reduction in the insulin receptor number and an impairment in their ability to oxidize glucose as well as to incorporate it into lipids. Interestingly, parallel to reduced body weight, the adipocyte size of STZ rats was significantly small. We concluded that apart of a decrease in pancreatic insulin content, this experimental model of DM promotes a remarkable and sustained picture of insulin resistance in adulthood that is strongly related to a loss in adipose mass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Aldosterone excess chronically induces oxidative stress and cell proliferation. Previously, a single study investigated primary aldosteronism (PA) in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), albeit without a matched control group., Methods: We conducted a propensity score matched case-control study to investigate the association between PA and PTC in individuals with arterial hypertension (HT). PA was investigated in 137 patients with PTC and HT. The control group included 137 (1:1) age, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched individuals with HT. We conducted a secondary analysis in which the controls were also matched according to HT stage., Results: The prevalence of PA was 29.20% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.91%-37.68%) in the PTC group and 20.44% (95% CI, 14.22%-28.35%) in the controls not matched for HT stage (p = 0.093). Although the PA prevalence was similar in both groups, the frequency of severe HT (stage III or resistant) was significantly lower in the PTC group (23%) compared to the hypertensive controls (73%, p < 0.001). After matching the controls by HT stage, the prevalence of PA in the PTC group was significantly higher compared to the hypertensive controls (9.56%; 95% CI, 5.39%-16.1%, p < 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, PTC was independently associated with PA in both unmatched hypertensive individuals (odds ratio [OR] 4.74; 95% CI, 2.26-10.55; p< 0.001) and in those matched for HT stage (OR 5.88, 95% CI, 2.79-13.37; p< 0.001)., Conclusion: PTC was an independent variable associated with a diagnosis of PA in hypertensive individuals. Therefore, we propose the association between PTC and HT as a new recommendation for PA screening regardless of HT severity., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com. See the journal About page for additional terms.)