Impact of Compensating Curves on Mastication of Complete Denture Wearers: A Randomised Triple-Blind Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The application of occlusal concepts in prosthodontics is still under debate.This study assessed the impact of compensating curves on the comminution of complete denture wearers. METHODS: Seven edentulous subjects, aged 64.6 ± 2.0 years, were rehabilitated with new muco-supported complete dentures and tested in two occlusal plane settings: with and without compensating curves. A randomised triple-blind clinical trial was conducted, considering one-week and one-month as adaptation periods for dentures. After each trial, the subjects were crossed over to their respective groups. One-week was also chosen as the washout period, and after that, the subjects were re-examined. The masticatory performance and swallowing threshold were determined while chewing Optocal test food. The multiple sieve method was used for fractionation and granulometry. RESULTS: During the masticatory performance and swallowing threshold estimates, no differences were found between the median particle sizes obtained with the both occlusal plane conditions (P ⟩ 0.05). However, the swallowing threshold improved after one month, resulting in smaller particle sizes. Moreover, the chewing rates for the both test foods were also increased (P ⟨ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the compensating curves did not have an impact on the masticatory function of subjects wearing complete dentures.

Prediction of Rupture by Complete Blood Count in Tubal Ectopic Pregnancies Treated with a Single-Dose Methotrexate Protocol / Predição de ruptura por hemograma completo em gestações ectópicas tubárias tratadas com protocolo de dose única de metotrexato

Abstract Objective The availability of reliable and inexpensive markers that can be used to determine the risk of rupture during methotrexate (MTX) treatment in ectopic pregnancies (EPs) is considerable. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of systemic inflammatory markers such as leukocytes (or white blood cells, WBCs), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet distribution width (PDW), which are among the parameters of the complete blood count (CBC), in the prediction of rupture of EPs under MTX treatment. Materials and Methods A total of 161 patients with tubal EP who underwent a single-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocol were retrospectively analyzed, and the control group (n = 83) included patients cured by MTX, while the ruptured group (n = 78) included patients who were operated on for tubal rupture during the MTX treatment. The features of EP, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels, sonographic findings, and CBC-derived markers such as WBC, NLR, and PDW, were investigated by comparing both groups. Results The NLR was found to be higher in the ruptured group, of 2.92 ± 0.86%, and significantly lower in the control group, of 2.09 ± 0.6%. Similarly, the PDW was higher (51 ± 9%) in the ruptured group, and it was significantly lower a (47 ± 13%) in the control group (p < 0.05). Other CBC parameters were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Systemic inflammation markers derived from CBC can be easily applied to predict the risk of tubal rupture in Eps, since the CBC is an inexpensive and easy-to-apply test, which is first requested from each patient during hospitalization.

Resumo Objetivo A disponibilidade de marcadores confiáveis e baratos que podem ser usados para determinar o risco de ruptura durante o tratamento com metotrexato (MTX) em gestações ectópicas (GEs) é considerável. O objetivo do presente estudo é investigar o papel de marcadores inflamatórios sistêmicos, como leucócitos (ou glóbulos brancos, glóbulos brancos), a relação neutrófilo-linfócito (NLR) e largura de distribuição de plaquetas (PDW), que estão entre os parâmetros do hemograma completo (hemograma), na predição de ruptura de PEs sob tratamento com MTX. Materiais e Métodos Foram analisados retrospectivamente 161 pacientes com EP tubária submetidas a protocolo de dose única de metotrexato (MTX), sendo que o grupo controle (n = 83) incluiu pacientes curadas com MTX, enquanto o grupo roto (n = 78) incluíram pacientes operadas por ruptura tubária durante o tratamento com MTX. As características de EP, beta-gonadotrofina coriônica humana (β-hCG), achados ultrassonográficos e marcadores derivados de CBC, como WBC, NLR e PDW, foram investigados comparando os dois grupos. Resultados A RNL foi maior no grupo roto, de 2,92 ± 0,86%, e significativamente menor no grupo controle, de 2,09 ± 0,6%. Da mesma forma, o PDW foi maior (51 ± 9%) no grupo roto, e foi significativamente menor a (47 ± 13%) no grupo controle (p < 0,05). Outros parâmetros do hemograma foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos (p > 0,05). Conclusão Marcadores inflamatórios sistêmicos derivados do hemograma podem ser facilmente aplicados para predizer o risco de ruptura tubária na Eps, uma vez que o hemograma é um exame de baixo custo e fácil aplicação, solicitado primeiramente a cada paciente durante a internação.

Spermatogenesis in Nesotriatoma bruneri (Usinger 1944) (Hemiptera, Triatominae).

The Nesotriatoma genus consists of the species N. flavida N. bruneri and N. obscura, forming the Flavida complex. Variation in the size and morphological differences intraspecific of N. flavida led to the description of N. bruneri. Two years later, the same author proposed the synonymization of N. bruneri with N. flavida. Only in 1981 the specific status N. bruneri was recovered by means of morphological analysis of the genitalia. However, recently by genetic analysis, it was suggested that N. bruneri and N. flavida should be again synonymized. As Chagas disease has no cure, the main way to minimize the incidence of this disease is by vector control. Thus, grouping biological data from these hematophagous insects can assist in the development of vector control programs and mainly assist in taxonomic issues of synonymization. Thus, this paper describes spermatogenesis of N. bruneri. Three adult N. bruneri males were cytogenetically analyzed. The meiotic behavior observed for N. bruneri was very similar to that observed for the triatomine species with 23 chromosomes: during prophase, chromatin compaction was observed, the chromocenter composition was characterized (X1, X2 and Y), and the species karyotype was confirmed as 2n = 23 (20A + X1X2Y), as it was observed for N. flavida. Moreover, it was possible to observe anaphase and telophase. Thus, this study describes reproductive aspects of N. bruneri in order to contribute to the biological knowledge of these insects of epidemiological importance. Furthermore, this corroborates the synonymization of N. bruneri with N. flavida.

Diploid chromosome set of kissing bug Triatoma baratai (Hemiptera, Triatominae).

Triatomines are insects that are taxonomically included in the Hemiptera order and Triatominae subfamily. Based on phenotypic similarity, capacity hybridization, and genetic and ecological aspects, the triatomine species can be grouped into specific complexes and subcomplexes. However, these groupings have not been confirmed. Cytogenetic analyses are important cytotaxonomic tools for improving the taxonomic knowledge of triatomines. Thus, we examined the karyotype of Triatoma baratai and compared the results with those of other species in the Matogrossensis subcomplex in order increase the understanding of vector potential. We also examined the cytotaxonomic classification of this insect. Triatoma baratai, similarly to other species that currently compose the Matogrossensis subcomplex, contains 22 chromosomes (20A + XY). Here, we describe the diploid chromosome set of T. baratai. We confirmed their current classification in the Matogrossensis subcomplex and demonstrated that the species in this subcomplex present karyotype homogeneity.

Microtubule cytoskeleton behavior in the initial steps of host cell invasion by Besnoitia besnoiti.

Besnoitia besnoiti is a protozoan parasite responsible for bovine besnoitiosis. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that isolated B. besnoiti possesses a set of subpellicular microtubules, radiating from the apical end and extending for more than 2/3 of the cell body. Upon interaction with the host cell, B. besnoiti undergoes dramatic modifications of shape and surface, as revealed by atomic force microscopy, accompanied by a distinct tubulin labeling on the posterior region. In the host cell, the microtubule cytoskeleton shows a re-arrangement around the invading parasite suggesting a filamentous interaction with the parasite cytoskeleton during invasion.

Isolation of Besnoitia besnoiti from infected cattle in Portugal.

Besnoitia besnoiti, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite belonging to the phylum apicomplexa, is the causative agent of bovine besnoitiosis. Besnoitiosis is responsible for significant losses in the cattle industry of Africa and Mediterranean countries due to the high morbidity rate, abortion and infertility in males. The acute stage of disease is associated with the proliferative forms (tachyzoites) and is characterized by fever, whimpery, general weakness and swelling of the superficial lymph nodes. During the following chronic stage, a huge number of cysts are formed mainly in the subcutaneous tissues. This process is non-reversible, and chronic besnoitiosis is characterized by hyper-sclerodermia, hyperkeratosis, alopecia and, in bulls, atrophy, sclerosis and focal necrosis that cause irreversible lesions in the testis. In this paper we report on the identification of large cysts in the skin of a cow and a bull in Portugal, which presented loss of hair and enlargement and pachydermis all over the body. The observation of a two-layered cyst wall within the host cell, the encapsulation of the host cell by a large outer cyst wall, and the subcutaneous localization of the cysts within the host, were characteristic for B. besnoiti. The parasites were isolated from the infected animals and successfully propagated in Vero cells without prior passages in laboratory animals. Morphological characterization of B. besnoiti tachyzoites and the amplification of the 149 bp segment from the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), aided with specific primers, confirmed the identification of B. besnoiti.

Immunodiagnosis of Besnoitia besnoiti infection by ELISA and Western blot.

Besnoitia besnoiti, an obligate intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of bovine besnoitiosis. This infection may dramatically affect body condition and lead to irreversible infertility in males, resulting in important economical losses in livestock production. Identification of serologically positive animals is of major relevance to elaborate appropriate measures of control. While identification of clinical cases is relatively easy to carry out, the finding of subclinical forms of infection is more difficult, thus serology is considered as an appropriate diagnostic tool. In view to improve and validate immunodiagnosis, we evaluated an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), complemented with a Western blot (both using a somatic B. besnoiti-tachyzoite antigen) to detect anti-B. besnoiti antibodies in bovine sera. The comparative evaluation of the 2 methods, using 13 sera from animals affected by the chronic phase of besnoitiosis and 10 asymptomatic carriers, yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 87% for ELISA and 91% for Western blot analyses. Specificity was tested with sera from animals with confirmed Toxoplasma gondii (n=5) and Neospora caninum (n=12) infection, and with 64 negative sera from either an endemic or a non-endemic area. The ELISA specificity ranged between 96.4% and 98%, the Western blot specificity between 96.4% and 100%. The present study demonstrated that ELISA and Western blot, using in vitro generated somatic B. besnoiti antigen, is a useful tool combination to reliably detect animals that have been exposed to B. besnoiti infection, including both asymptomatic and symptomatic courses of disease.