Volume measurement of mandibular teeth pulp chamber as a prediction tool of gender and ethnicity in a Brazilian population / Medição do volume da câmara pulpar de dentes inferiores como ferramenta de predição de gênero e etnia em uma população brasileira

Objective: Forensic dentistry has used some methods for the human identification process. However, there is a need to study characteristics that are able to perform identification more specifically, increasing accuracy. Considering the role of dental arch assessment in prediction of gender and ethnicity, the purpose of this study was to assess the volume of pulp chamber as a mean to obtain new forensic evidence. Material and methods: For this task, 1.190 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were retrospectively selected and subdivided according to the population number, gender, age and ethnicity. All DICOM files were imported to the open-source software ITK-SNAP®(http://www.itksnap.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php). The segmentation process was performed in all pulp chamber aiming to obtain pulp tissue ́s volume. Results: As a result, the pulp chamber volume of mandibular canine teeth showed to be larger in white population than in non-white (P-value = 0.003) and in male individuals in comparison with female (P-value = 0.038). Conclusion: These results, however, must be confirmed by future studies with a larger sample size and by the assessment of other variables, including texture analysis and density of dental tissues. (AU)

Objetivo: A odontologia forense tem usado alguns métodos para o processo de identificação humana. Porém, há a necessidade de estudar características que consigam de forma mais específica realizar a identificação aumentando a precisão. Considerando o papel da avaliação da arcada dentária na predição de gênero e etnia, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o volume da câmara pulpar mandibular como meio de obtenção de novas evidências periciais. Material e métodos: Foram selecionadas 1.190 imagens de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) e subdivididas de acordo com o número da população, sexo, idade e etnia. Todos os arquivos em formato DICOM foram importados para o software de código aberto ITK-SNAP® (http://www.itksnap.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php) onde o processo de segmentação foi realizado em todas as câmaras pulpares visando a obtenção da volumetria. Resultados: Como resultado, o volume da câmara pulpar dos caninos inferiores mostrou-se maior na população branca do que na não branca (P-valor = 0,003), no sexo masculino em comparação ao feminino (P-valor = 0,038). Conclusão: Esses resultados, entretanto, devem ser confirmados por estudos futuros com maior tamanho amostral e pela avaliação de outras variáveis, incluindo análise de textura e densidade dos tecidos dentários. (AU)

Introduction of human gammaherpesvirus 8 genotypes A, B, and C into Brazil from multiple geographic regions

Variations in the open reading frame (ORF) K1 gene sequence of human gammaherpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has led to the identification of 6 major genotypic clades (A, B, C, D, E, and F) in specimens isolated from around the world. These clades exhibit clear clustering among individuals in different ethnic groups and from different geographic regions. The human population of Brazil varies greatly in ethnicity because of multiple immigration events from Africa, Europe, Asia, and indigenous communities. However, there is scant information about the HHV-8 genotypes currently circulating in Brazil. Here, we describe HHV-8 genotypic diversity in isolates from Brazilian HIV-infected patients living with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) by analysis of the complete ORF-K1 region. We also identified the most likely geographic origins of these different Brazilian genotypes. We extracted HHV-8 DNA (24 positive samples) from individuals with HIV/KS from the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, amplified the ORF-K1 gene using nested PCR (about 870 base pairs), performed sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and then calculated the mean genetic distances of Brazilian sequences from sequences in other regions of the world (523 sequences analyzed). Phylogenetic analysis showed that genotypes C, A, and B were present in 45.8 %, 29.2 % and 25 % of the isolates from Brazil, respectively. These isolates grouped into separate clades, rather than a single monophyletic cluster. Mean genetic distance analyses suggested that these genotypes were introduced into the Brazil multiple times from different geographical regions. HHV-8/A isolates appear to be from Ukraine, Russia, and the Tartar ethnic group; HHV-8/B isolates appear to be from Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo; and HHV-8/C isolates appear to be from Australia, Algeria, England, and French Guiana. These results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity and origins of HHV-8 strains circulating in Brazil, and will provide a foundation for further epidemiological and evolutionary studies of HHV-8

Retrospective analysis of the clinical behavior of oral hairy leukoplakia in 215 HIV-seropositive patients.

Oral manifestations are common findings in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients and frequently influence the overall health. Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is strongly associated with HIV infection demonstrating its relationship with the individual's immune status and progression of immunosuppression. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate OHL in HIV patients, analyzing its incidence, demographic aspects and possible changes in clinical and epidemiological profile of the disease over 17 years. The records of 1600 HIV-infected patients were reviewed. The data were correlated and analyzed, considering HIV exposure category, age, gender, harmful habits, CD4 level, use and type of antiretroviral. OHL was observed in 215 (13.4%) patients. Most were men in the fourth decade of life, 171 (79.5%) and 112 (52,1%) respectively, but an increase in the incidence of OHL among female patients and those in the fifth decade of life was observed. Tobacco smoking was the most frequent harmful habit reported by 114 (68%) patients. OHL occurred mostly in patients with CD4 counts between 200 and 500 cells/mm3 35 (55.5%). The lower incidence of OHL was found among patients using at least one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). OHL is related to CD4 count, use of ARVT and tobacco smoking and is also more prevalent in men in the fourth decade of life. These characteristics were recognized in absolute values, but when verifying the behavior over the years we noticed that the incidence of OHL is decreasing and its epidemiological characteristics changing.

Retrospective analysis of the clinical behavior of oral hairy leukoplakia in 215 HIV-seropositive patients

Abstract Oral manifestations are common findings in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients and frequently influence the overall health. Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is strongly associated with HIV infection demonstrating its relationship with the individual's immune status and progression of immunosuppression. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate OHL in HIV patients, analyzing its incidence, demographic aspects and possible changes in clinical and epidemiological profile of the disease over 17 years. The records of 1600 HIV-infected patients were reviewed. The data were correlated and analyzed, considering HIV exposure category, age, gender, harmful habits, CD4 level, use and type of antiretroviral. OHL was observed in 215 (13.4%) patients. Most were men in the fourth decade of life, 171 (79.5%) and 112 (52,1%) respectively, but an increase in the incidence of OHL among female patients and those in the fifth decade of life was observed. Tobacco smoking was the most frequent harmful habit reported by 114 (68%) patients. OHL occurred mostly in patients with CD4 counts between 200 and 500 cells/mm3 35 (55.5%). The lower incidence of OHL was found among patients using at least one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). OHL is related to CD4 count, use of ARVT and tobacco smoking and is also more prevalent in men in the fourth decade of life. These characteristics were recognized in absolute values, but when verifying the behavior over the years we noticed that the incidence of OHL is decreasing and its epidemiological characteristics changing.

Bovine serum albumin nanoparticle vaccine reduces lung pathology induced by live Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mice.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic human pathogen that causes severe infections in immunocompromised patients and also in cystic fibrosis patients. The aim of this work was to study if a bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with entrapped antigens extracted from P. aeruginosa would be able to protect mice from nasal infection by this pathogen. Mice were immunized via the subcutaneous route using P. aeruginosa antigens, empty nanoparticles or nanoparticles with entrapped P. aeruginosa antigens on days 0, 7 and 14. The total IgG antibody production and specific IgG1 and IgG2a titer were measured by ELISA. Immunized mice were challenged with live P. aeruginosa and their lungs were collected for histopathology studies. Our data showed that NPPa-vaccinated mice presented a high anti-Pseudomonas IgG1 and a low IgG2a antibody titles and decreased inflammatory signs, with significant reduction in intensity and concentration of inflammatory cells, lower hemorrhagic, edema and hyperemia signs in the lungs of challenge mice with live P. aeruginosa if compared to the other groups. Therefore, this formulation is able to induce a functional response in an animal model of infection and thereby is a promising platform for P. aeruginosa vaccines.