Experience with 808-nm diode laser in the treatment of 47 cases of oral vascular anomalies.

Treatment of oral vascular anomalies (OVA) has focused on minimally invasive techniques rather than radical surgery. We investigated the efficacy and safety of diode laser using the photocoagulation technique in the management of OVA. Forty-seven subjects with OVA were treated with forced dehydration with induced photocoagulation (FDIP) using diode laser (808 nm/4.5 W). This series consisted mostly of male (63.8%) and non-white (63.8%) patients with a mean age of 57.4 years. Varices (91.5%), venous malformations (6.4%), and hemangiomas (2.1%) with a mean size of 7.1 (±4.9) mm were the conditions treated. OVA presented as a nodular lesion (63.8%) involving mainly the lower lip (46.8%). Pulsed laser mode was used as standard and the number of applications varied from one to four sessions, with the majority requiring only one (83%) FDIP session. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that complete clinical healing can occur on the 15th day (n=9/29.5%), followed by the 20th (n=6/45.5%), and 30th (n=7/70.5%) days. Postoperative edema was observed in 31 (66%) patients, and recurrence of the lesion occurred in two (4.2%). Based on the data on complete clinical healing, minimal patient discomfort, and satisfactory esthetic results, we can confirm that FDIP by diode laser is a promising candidate for the safe and efficacious treatment of OVA.

Aqueous extract of Swietenia macrophylla leaf exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in a murine model of Parkinson's disease induced by 6-OHDA.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease affects 2% of the population aged over 65 years and is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the general population. The appearance of motor symptoms is associated with the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway. Clinically significant nonmotor symptoms are also important for severe disability with disease progression. Pharmacological treatment with levodopa, which involves dopamine restitution, results in a temporary improvement in motor symptoms. Among the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the disease are exacerbated oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. A phytochemical prospecting study showed that the aqueous extract of the leaves from Swietenia macrophylla (Melineaceae), known as mahogany, has polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity in a significantly higher percentage than leaf extracts from other Amazonian plants. Furthermore, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of aqueous extract of mahogany leaf has already been demonstrated in an in vitro model. In this study, we hypothesized that the aqueous extract of mahogany leaf (AEML) has a neuroprotective effect in a murine model of Parkinson's disease induced by 6-hydroxidopamine (6-OHDA), due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of its phenolic compounds. Methods: Mice were treated daily with the mahogany extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg, starting 7 days before 6-OHDA infusion until post-surgery day 7. Results and discussion: The animals from the 6-OHDA/mahogany group, which corresponds to animals injected with the toxin and treated with aqueous extract of the mahogany leaf, presented distinct behavioral phenotypes after apomorphine challenge and were therefore subdivided into 2 groups, 6-OHDA/mahogany F1 and 6-OHDA/mahogany F2. The F1 group showed a significant increase in contralateral rotations, whereas the F2 group did not show rotations after the apomorphine stimulus. In the F1 group, there was an increase, although not significant, in motor performance in the open field and elevated plus maze tests, whereas in the F2 group, there was significant improvement, which may be related to the lesser degree of injury to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. The TH+ histopathological analysis, a dopaminergic neuron marker, confirmed that the lesion to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway was more pronounced in 6-OHDA/mahogany F1 than in 6-OHDA/mahogany F2. Our main result consisted of signs of improvement in the inflammatory profile in both the F1 and F2 6-OHDA/mahogany groups, such as a lower number of IBA-1+ microglial cells in the ventral striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta and a reduction in GFAP+ expression, an astrocyte marker, in the dorsal striatum. In this study, several bioactive compounds in the aqueous extract of mahogany leaf may have contributed to the observed beneficial effects. Further studies are necessary to better characterize their applicability for treating chronic degenerative diseases with inflammatory and oxidative bases, such as Parkinson's disease.

Prognostic value of the expression and localization of cell proliferation and apoptosis markers in unicystic ameloblastomas.

The aim of this study was to verify whether the expression of cell proliferation and apoptosis markers in different types of unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) is associated with the location of neoplastic cells. Immunohistochemical study with a sample of 32 cases of UA, 11 cases of conventional ameloblastoma (CAM) and ten dental follicles (DF) cases was performed. Cell proliferation was assessed using Ki-67 status, and apoptosis by caspase-3 expression. Mural UA (MUA) showed a higher immunostaining of Ki-67 (p < 0.05) and a lower immunostaining of Caspase-3 (p < 0.05) compared with luminal and intraluminal subtypes of UA and CAM. The neoplastic cells of the MUA's cystic capsule showed a higher expression of Ki-67 protein (p < 0.0001) and a lower expression of Caspase-3 (p < 0.0001) compared with the lumen. DF showed lower Ki-67 and Caspase-3 immunostaining (p < 0.05) than neoplasms. The higher immunoexpression of Ki-67 and the lower immunoexpression of Caspase-3 in MUA, in the parenchyma cells within the cystic capsule, suggest an association between the biological behaviour and location of neoplastic cells in a tumour.

Facial soft tissue changes and volumetric analysis of upper airways in patients undergoing surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using a transpalatal distractor.

OBJECTIVE: To verify changes in facial soft tissue using the RadiANT-DICOM-viewer and Dolphin Imaging software, through linear measurements of tomographic points in a 3D reconstruction of the face and volumetric evaluation with three-dimensional measurements of the upper airways of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy undergoing Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion (SARME). METHODS: Retrospective, transverse, and descriptive study, through the analysis of computed tomography scans of the face of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy, treated from July 2019 to December 2022. The sample consisted of 15 patients of both sexes, aged 21-42 years old, who underwent surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using the transpalatal distractor. Analysis was performed through linear, angular, and three-dimensional measurements in millimeters, in the preoperative and late four-month postoperative period, in frontal 3D tomographic images of the face, in the region of the width of the nose and alar base and also angular measurement in the lateral tomography for the angle nasolabial and upper airways of rhinopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. RESULTS: There was an increase in nasal width with an average of 1.3467mm and an increase in the alar base with an average of 1.7333mm. A significant difference was found in the pre- and postoperative assessments of the measurements of nasal width, alar base and nasolabial angle, as well as the upper airways in all their extension. The results favour a better understanding of the professional and the patient regarding the diagnosis and management of patients with transverse maxillary width discrepancies. CONCLUSION: Although our study shows an increase in soft tissues after SARME, no aesthetic changes are observed clinically, and all patients report significant respiratory improvement. SARME may therefore contribute to the improvement of professionals working in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

Platelet-rich fibrin stimulates the proliferation and expression of proteins related to survival, adhesion, and angiogenesis in gingival fibroblasts cultured on a titanium nano-hydroxyapatite-treated surface.

OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the cell viability and expression of proteins related to angiogenesis, adhesion, and cell survival (vascular endothelial growth factor, paxillin, vinculin, fibronectin, and protein kinase B) in gingival fibroblasts that were cultured on titanium discs treated with or without nanohydroxyapatite and exposed to platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)-conditioned medium. METHODS: To obtain the conditioned medium, the PRF membranes were prepared and incubated for 48 h in a culture medium without fetal bovine serum. Analyses were performed at 24 and 48 h for the cells cultured on machined-titanium discs or surfaces treated with nanohydroxyapatite in a control medium or PRF-conditioned medium, resulting in four experimental groups (CT-TI, CT-NANO, PRF-TI, and PRF-NANO). RESULTS: A decrease in the viability of the gingival fibroblasts was not observed in any of the experimental groups. The PRF-NANO group showed significantly higher immunoexpression of paxillin and AKT at 24 and 48 h (p < 0.01). The same result was observed for vinculin expression at 24 h (p < 0.001). The expression of fibronectin at 48 h and VEGF at 24 and 48 h was significantly higher when the cells were exposed to the PRF-conditioned medium, regardless of the disc surface (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Gingival fibroblasts cultured on a nanohydroxyapatite-treated surface and in a PRF-conditioned medium showed a greater expression of proteins modulating adhesion, angiogenesis, and cell survival. Our results may contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms related to peri-implant soft tissue sealing.

Facial soft tissue changes and volumetric analysis of upper airways in patients undergoing surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using a transpalatal distractor

Abstract Objective To verify changes in facial soft tissue using the RadiANT-DICOM-viewer and Dolphin Imaging software, through linear measurements of tomographic points in a 3D reconstruction of the face and volumetric evaluation with three-dimensional measurements of the upper airways of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy undergoing Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion (SARME). Methods Retrospective, transverse, and descriptive study, through the analysis of computed tomography scans of the face of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy, treated from July 2019 to December 2022. The sample consisted of 15 patients of both sexes, aged 21-42 years old, who underwent surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using the transpalatal distractor. Analysis was performed through linear, angular, and three-dimensional measurements in millimeters, in the preoperative and late four-month postoperative period, in frontal 3D tomographic images of the face, in the region of the width of the nose and alar base and also angular measurement in the lateral tomography for the angle nasolabial and upper airways of rhinopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. Results There was an increase in nasal width with an average of 1.3467 mm and an increase in the alar base with an average of 1.7333 mm. A significant difference was found in the pre- and postoperative assessments of the measurements of nasal width, alar base and nasolabial angle, as well as the upper airways in all their extension. The results favour a better understanding of the professional and the patient regarding the diagnosis and management of patients with transverse maxillary width discrepancies. Conclusion Although our study shows an increase in soft tissues after SARME, no aesthetic changes are observed clinically, and all patients report significant respiratory improvement. SARME may therefore contribute to the improvement of professionals working in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. Level of evidence: Level 4.

Experience with 808-nm diode laser in the treatment of 47 cases of oral vascular anomalies

Abstract Treatment of oral vascular anomalies (OVA) has focused on minimally invasive techniques rather than radical surgery. We investigated the efficacy and safety of diode laser using the photocoagulation technique in the management of OVA. Forty-seven subjects with OVA were treated with forced dehydration with induced photocoagulation (FDIP) using diode laser (808 nm/4.5 W). This series consisted mostly of male (63.8%) and non-white (63.8%) patients with a mean age of 57.4 years. Varices (91.5%), venous malformations (6.4%), and hemangiomas (2.1%) with a mean size of 7.1 (±4.9) mm were the conditions treated. OVA presented as a nodular lesion (63.8%) involving mainly the lower lip (46.8%). Pulsed laser mode was used as standard and the number of applications varied from one to four sessions, with the majority requiring only one (83%) FDIP session. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that complete clinical healing can occur on the 15th day (n=9/29.5%), followed by the 20th (n=6/45.5%), and 30th (n=7/70.5%) days. Postoperative edema was observed in 31 (66%) patients, and recurrence of the lesion occurred in two (4.2%). Based on the data on complete clinical healing, minimal patient discomfort, and satisfactory esthetic results, we can confirm that FDIP by diode laser is a promising candidate for the safe and efficacious treatment of OVA.

Predicting Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: The Significance of Tumor Markers in the Peritoneal Washing.

PURPOSE: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignant tumor worldwide. Many attempts have been made over the years to investigate the relationship between tumor markers and the risk of recurrence. This study aims to explore the predictive value of tumor markers measured in peritoneal washing during staging laparoscopy, regarding peritoneal carcinomatosis and mortality within 1 year. METHODS: Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer, staged as at least usT2anyNM0 were submitted to staging laparoscopy in a Portuguese single center. CA 19.9, CEA, CA 125, and CA 72.4 were measured in the peritoneal washing after being harvested during staging laparoscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled. After 1 year, 20 patients did not recur (52.5%), 11 (28.9%) developed carcinomatosis, and 7 (18.4%) had distant metastasis. Mortality reached 23.7% (n = 9). A statistically significant prediction of carcinomatosis was obtained for CA 125 (cutoff: 107.6 U/mL (p = 0.019)) and CEA (cutoff: 2.0 ng/mL (p = 0.020)) with 87.5% and 75% sensitivity, respectively. Prediction of mortality was significant for CA 125 (cutoff: 103.8 U/mL (p = 0.044)) and CA 125 + CEA (p = 0.030). CEA and CA 125 had NPVs of 87.9% and 93.1% regarding PC, respectively. NPVs of 88.9% and 89.2% were met concerning mortality, for the same tumor markers. CONCLUSION: Performing the peritoneal liquid harvest during staging laparoscopy makes this analysis cost effective, reproducible, and does not add further morbidity. CA 125 and CEA, individually and in association, are good predictors of progression of disease and mortality within a year of staging laparoscopy in GC patients.

Sacral stress fracture in a young-adult, long-distance runner: an underestimated cause of low back pain.

Sacral stress fractures (SSFs) in physically active young patients are frequently misdiagnosed due to the lack of specificity of signs and symptoms. Over the last years, these injuries have been described as rare, although some studies report that the incidence of an SSF in athletes may be as high as 20%.We describe a case of a male long-distance runner in his late 20s with a 1-month undiagnosed SSF. The patient complaints included insidious right low back and buttock pain without trauma that started after running a marathon. MRI revealed an extensive area of bone marrow oedema in the right sacral ala consistent with an SSF.This case highlights the importance of investigating SSF in young-athlete patients who were otherwise healthy, using appropriate imaging modalities to assess the presence and morphology of a fracture.

Crucial role of carbon monoxide as a regulator of diarrhea caused by cholera toxin: Evidence of direct interaction with toxin.

The present study evaluated the role of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1)/carbon monoxide (CO) pathway in the cholera toxin-induced diarrhea and its possible action mechanism. The pharmacological modulation with CORM-2 (a CO donor) or Hemin (a HO-1 inducer) decreased the intestinal fluid secretion and Cl- efflux, altered by cholera toxin. In contrast, ZnPP (a HO-1 inhibitor) reversed the antisecretory effect of Hemin and potentiated cholera toxin-induced intestinal secretion. Moreover, CORM-2 also prevented the alteration of intestinal epithelial architecture and local vascular permeability promoted by cholera toxin. The intestinal absorption was not altered by any of the pharmacological modulators. Cholera toxin inoculation also increased HO-1 immunoreactivity and bilirubin levels, a possible protective physiological response. Finally, using fluorometric technique, ELISA assay and molecular docking simulations, we show evidence that CO directly interacts with cholera toxin, forming a complex that affects its binding to GM1 receptor, which help explain the antisecretory effect. Thus, CO is an essential molecule for protection against choleric diarrhea and suggests its use as a possible therapeutic tool.

An Inguinal Stomach.

Teaching Point: Although inguinal hernias are very common, stomach entrapment within an inguinal hernia is rare.

Detection and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes.

Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are remarkable zinc-dependent endopeptidases, critical for degrading components of the extracellular matrix, thus actively influencing cell migration. Their impact on intracellular parasites, such as the enigmatic protozoan Leishmania, elicits intriguing queries. This study explores into the untapped territory of MMP-2 and MMP-9 within Leishmania spp. promastigotes. Notably, we successfully detected and quantified these MMPs, while also evaluating their activity in two distinct Leishmania species-L. amazonensis (La) and L. braziliensis (Lb)-at various growth stages and isolated from distinct clinical tegumentar disease forms. The results unveiled the presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in both species, albeit with distinct localization patterns. Specifically, MMP-9 exhibited significantly higher gelatinolytic activity in La when compared to Lb. Moreover, our data cleverly illustrated the presence and release of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by La and Lb promastigotes, exposing their ability to invade and migrate within a collagen matrix. This pioneering study establishes a compelling correlation between MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their potential role in the dynamics of La and Lb infection. Suggesting their potential as prognostic markers for severe leishmaniasis and promising target molecules for therapeutic interventions, this research opens new avenues for combatting this debilitating parasitic disease.

Expression of stem cell markers SALL4, LIN28A, and KLF4 in ameloblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Ameloblastoma (AME) is a benign odontogenic tumour of epithelial origin characterised by slow but aggressive growth, infiltration, and recurrence; it is capable of reaching large dimensions and invading adjacent structures. Stem cell research has proven to be significant in the sphere of tumour biology through these cells' possible involvement in the aetiopathogenesis of this tumour. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed on AME, dentigerous cyst (DC), and dental follicle (DF) samples, and indirect immunofluorescence was performed on the AME-hTERT cell line to determine the expression of SALL4, LIN28A, and KLF4. RESULTS: Expression of proteins related to cellular pluripotency was higher in AME cells than in DC and DF cells. The analysis revealed that the proteins in question were mainly expressed in the parenchyma of AME tissue samples and were detected in the nuclei of AME-hTERT cells. CONCLUSIONS: Stem cells may be related to the origin and progression of AME.

Salivary glands adenoid cystic carcinoma: a molecular profile update and potential implications.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive tumor with a high propensity for distant metastasis and perineural invasion. This tumor is more commonly found in regions of the head and neck, mainly the salivary glands. In general, the primary treatment modality for ACC is surgical resection and, in some cases, postoperative radiotherapy. However, no effective systemic treatment is available for patients with advanced disease. Furthermore, this tumor type is characterized by recurrent molecular alterations, especially rearrangements involving the MYB, MYBL1, and NFIB genes. In addition, they also reported copy number alterations (CNAs) that impact genes. One of them is C-KIT, mutations that affect signaling pathways such as NOTCH, PI3KCA, and PTEN, as well as alterations in chromatin remodeling genes. The identification of new molecular targets enables the development of specific therapies. Despite ongoing investigations into immunotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and anti-angiogenics, no systemic therapy is approved by the FDA for ACC. In this review, we report the genetic and cytogenetic findings on head and neck ACC, highlighting possible targets for therapeutic interventions.

Salivary Markers Responses in the Post-Exercise and Recovery Period: A Systematic Review.

The use of saliva to monitor immune and hormonal responses in training, competitions, and during recovery is an easy and non-invasive alternative means of collecting samples compared to serum collection. Saliva can provide insight into a number of interesting biomarkers such as cortisol, testosterone, immunoglobulins, alpha-amylase, and melatonin, among others. High-intensity and exhaustive exercises, such as training or competition, provide variations in immune, protein and hormonal markers. An adequate recovery period, calming down, and recovery methods can contribute to a fast normalization of these markers, decreasing illness, as well as the likelihood of overtraining and injuries, but their effectiveness is still inconclusive. The aim of this review was to investigate the evidence of salivary markers in post-exhaustive exercise during the recovery period. This study is a systematic review from three electronic databases with studies from 2011 to 2021 within healthy humans. The search found 213 studies, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, while excluding duplicated studies, 14 studies were included in this review. The most cited salivary markers were cortisol and testosterone, as well as their ratio, alpha-amylase and IgA. Half of the studies applied a variety of recovery methods that showed controversial results over salivary markers' impact. However, they showed an impact on the markers from the exercise, which was still dependent on exercise intensity, methodology, and duration.

Management of oral leukoplakia with an 808-nm high-power diode laser: a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: High-power diode laser emerges as a promising approach to the treatment of oral leukoplakia (OL); however, its short- and long-term effects have been barely explored. This study evaluated the postoperative endpoints and the recurrence rate of high-power diode laser treatment in a well-defined series of patients with OL. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on 22 individuals comprising 31 OL. The lesions were irradiated using the following protocol: Indium-Gallium-Arsenide diode laser, 808 nm, continuous-wave mode, 1.5-2.0 W, 780.0 ± 225.1 J, and 477.1 ± 131.8 s. Postoperative pain was assessed with a visual analog scale at three endpoints. Clinical follow-up was performed on all patients and the Kaplan-Meier test was used to analyze the probability of recurrence. RESULTS: The series consisted mostly of women (72.7%) with a mean age of 62.8 years. A single laser session was performed in 77.4% of cases. The median score on the scale that assessed pain on the 1st, 14th and 42nd postoperative day was 4, 1, and 0, respectively. The mean follow-up period per lesion was 28.6 months (range: 2-53 months). A complete response was observed in 93.5% of OL cases, while 6.5% had recurrence. The probability of recurrence at 39 months was 6.7%. No patient experienced malignant transformation. CONCLUSION: High-power diode laser for the treatment of OL is safe and effective during the trans- and postoperative period. These findings represent an alternative approach to the management of OL, mainly because a low recurrence rate was observed.

Synchronous Gallstone Ileus and Bouveret's Syndrome: A Report of Two Rare Concurrent Complications of Gallstone Disease.

Cholecystoenteric fistulas occur as a result of a chronic inflammatory insult involving the gallbladder and the erosion of both its wall and a bowel segment. When the fistula develops, it creates a pathway for gallstones to migrate and cause an intestinal obstruction, known as gallstone ileus. When it obstructs the gastric outlet, a proximal variant of gallstone ileus occurs, known as Bouveret's syndrome. A 65-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a three-day history of epigastric and right upper quadrant pain and persistent vomiting, preceded by unintentional weight loss of 15 kg over three months. Endoscopic and complementary imaging studies identified a concurrent gastric outlet obstruction caused by a lodged gallstone in the duodenal bulb and gallstone ileus. The patient underwent an urgent exploratory laparotomy and was submitted to an enterolithotomy and gastrolithotomy. Due to a sudden deterioration on the fourth postoperative day, he underwent an emergent re-laparotomy that found fecal peritonitis and complete dehiscence of both closures. The patient was then managed with damage control surgery. An atypical gastric resection and enterectomy of the distal ileum were performed and the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit in temporary abdominal closure (laparostomy). The patient failed to improve and died on the same day. Ultimately, the patient's multiple comorbidities, including morbid obesity, malnutrition, and diabetes, contributed to poor tissue healing and the fatal outcome. Gallstone ileus and Bouveret's syndrome are two rare complications of cholecystoduodenal fistulas that have not yet been reported to occur simultaneously. Both intestinal and gastric obstruction makes the surgical approach the first-line treatment.

Immunoexpression of stem cell markers SOX-2, NANOG AND OCT4 in ameloblastoma.

Background: Ameloblastoma (AME) is characterized by a locally invasive growth pattern. In an attempt to justify the aggressiveness of neoplasms, the investigation of the role of stem cells has gained prominence. The SOX-2, NANOG and OCT4 proteins are important stem cell biomarkers. Methodology: To verify the expression of these proteins in tissue samples of AME, dentigerous cyst (DC) and dental follicle (DF), immunohistochemistry was performed and indirect immunofluorescence were performed on the human AME (AME-hTERT) cell line. Results: Revealed expression of SOX-2, NANOG and OCT4 in the tissue samples and AME-hTERT lineage. Greater immunostaining of the studied proteins was observed in AME compared to DC and DF (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The presence of biomarkers indicates a probable role of stem cells in the genesis and progression of AME.

Gene Expression and Immunochemistry Analysis of ADAMTS-1 and Versican in Ameloblastoma.

Background: Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally invasive odontogenic epithelial tumor, associated with a high recurrence rate after treatment. The action of enzymes of the metalloproteinase family is important to the degraded extracellular matrix, contributing to invasion. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the gene and protein expression of ADAMTS-1 and versican in ameloblastoma. Materials and Methods: Twenty cases of ameloblastoma (n = 20) and ten dental follicles (DF) (n = 10) were used as a source for immunochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR for determining the protein and mRNA expressions of the concerned genes, respectively. Moreover, western blot and indirect immunofluorescence analysis were performed in AME cells. Results: ADAMTS-1 and versican were overexpressed in DF than ameloblastoma by RT-PCR. However, in the immunolocalization analysis, ADAMTS-1 was expressed in ameloblastoma more than in DF and versican immunostaining obtained a similar pattern between ameloblastoma and DF. Indirect immunofluorescence detected the ADAMTS-1 and versican expression in cell lines derived from ameloblastoma. Western blot from cell lysate and conditioned medium detected ADAMTS-1 bands representing full-length and different processed forms. Monensin treatment confined ADAMTS-1 in the cell cytoplasm. Versican fragments also were detected in different compartments, intracellular and conditioned medium, allowing the versican process by ADAMTS-1. Conclusion: This study showed a distinct expression of ADAMTS-1 and versican in ameloblastoma and DF, with ADAMTS-1 protein higher expression observed in ameloblastoma and possibly cleaved versican. These findings suggested that ADAMTS-1 may participate in tumor invasion, especially for the degradation of substrates (versican) in the ECM.

A Plug-and-Play Solution for Smart Transducers in Industrial Applications Based on IEEE 1451 and IEC 61499 Standards.

In a cyberphysical production system, the connectivity between the physical entities of a production system with the digital component that controls and monitors that system takes fundamental importance. This connectivity has been increasing from the transducers' side, through gathering new functionalities and operating increasingly independently, taking the role of smart transducers, and from the applications' side, by being developed in a distributed and decentralized paradigm. This work presents a plug-and-play solution capable of integrating smart transducers compliant with the IEEE 1451 standard in industrial applications based on the IEC 61499 standard. For this, we implemented the NCAP module of the smart transducer defined in IEEE 1451, which, when integrated with 4diac IDE and DINASORE (development and execution tools compliant with IEC 61499), enabled a solution that presented automatically the smart sensors and actuators in the IDE application and embedded their functionalities (access to data and processing functions) in the runtime environment. In this way, a complete plug-and-play solution was presented from the connection of the transducer to the network until its integration into the application.