Influence of the addition of nanohydroxyapatite to scaffolds on proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells: a systematic review of in vitro studies

One of the main challenges of tissue engineering in dentistry is to replace bone and dental tissues with strategies or techniques that simulate physiological tissue repair conditions. This systematic review of in vitro studies aimed to evaluate the influence of the addition of nanohydroxyapatite (NHap) to scaffolds on cell proliferation and osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. In vitro studies on human stem cells that proliferated and differentiated into odontogenic and osteogenic cells in scaffolds containing NHap were included in this study. Searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, OpenGrey, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were performed. The total of 333 articles was found across all databases. After reading and analyzing titles and abstracts, 8 articles were selected for full reading and extraction of qualitative data. Results showed that despite the large variability in scaffold composition, NHap-containing scaffolds promoted high rates of cell proliferation, increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity during short culture periods, and induced differentiation, as evidenced by the high expression of genes involved in osteogenesis and odontogenesis. However, further studies with greater standardization regarding NHap concentration, type of scaffolds, and evaluation period are needed to observe possible interference of these criteria in the action of NHap on the proliferation and differentiation of human stem cells.

Primeiro relato de Muscidifurax raptorellus Kogan & Legner, 1970 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) no Brasil / First report of Muscidifurax raptorellus Kogan & Legner, 1970) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in Brazil

This study reports the first occurrence of Muscidifurax raptorellus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in Brazil. Chicken manure samples, collected at two-week interval, were taken to the laboratory and the pupae were extracted by the method of flotation. Each pupa was placed in capsules of colorless gelatin until the emergence of dipterous or their parasitoids. In the study, ten pupae of Fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Fanniidae) were obtained, two of which yielded the parasitoid M. raptorellus . The percentage of parasitism was 5.0 percent.

Terapeutica intermitente masiva con metilprednisolona (TIM) en la nefropatia lupica. / Massive intermittent therapy with methylprednisolone (TIM) in lupus nephropathy

Se administraron dosis altas de metilprednisolona (pulsos) a diez pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistemico; ocho con glomerulonefritis proliferativa focal y uno con vasculitis cutanea. Los nueve pacientes con nefropatia rapidamente progresiva mejoraron o estabilizaron su funcion renal despues de la administracion de los pulsos. En todos los pacientes, incluida la paciente con vasculitis cutanea grave, desaparecieron las manifestaciones generales. Las anormalidades inmunologicas tambien mejoraron, observandose disminucion en los titulos de anticuerpos anti DNA y aumento en los niveles sericos de C3 y C4.Se concluye que la terapeutica intermitente masiva con metilprednisolona es util para evitar la progresion del dano renal en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistemico y nefropatia rapidamente progresiva