Metalloproteinases in Restorative Dentistry: An In Silico Study toward an Ideal Animal Model.

In dentistry, various animal models are used to evaluate adhesive systems, dental caries and periodontal diseases. Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that degrade collagen in the dentin matrix and are categorized in over 20 different classes. Collagenases and gelatinases are intrinsic constituents of the human dentin organic matrix fibrillar network and are the most abundant MMPs in this tissue. Understanding such enzymes' action on dentin is important in the development of approaches that could reduce dentin degradation and provide restorative procedures with extended longevity. This in silico study is based on dentistry's most used animal models and intends to search for the most suitable, evolutionarily close to Homo sapiens. We were able to retrieve 176,077 mammalian MMP sequences from the UniProt database. These sequences were manually curated through a three-step process. After such, the remaining 3178 sequences were aligned in a multifasta file and phylogenetically reconstructed using the maximum likelihood method. Our study inferred that the animal models most evolutionarily related to Homo sapiens were Orcytolagus cuniculus (MMP-1 and MMP-8), Canis lupus (MMP-13), Rattus norvegicus (MMP-2) and Orcytolagus cuniculus (MMP-9). Further research will be needed for the biological validation of our findings.

Microtensile resistance of an adhesive system modified with chitosan nanoparticles.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether 2.5% chitosan applied after dentin acid etching or incorporated into the adhesive system interferes with the microtensile strength of the interface tooth-resin. Subjects and Methods: Sixty healthy bovine teeth had the incisal thirds and the roots sectioned and were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 60). G1 (control): acid attack + Clearfil SE Bond + Z350 resin; G2: treatment with 2.5% chitosan + Clearfil SE Bond + Z350 resin; G3: treatment with 2.5% chitosan incorporated into dentin adhesive + Z350 resin. The stick-shaped specimens made in each group were randomly divided into two subgroups and subjected to degradation of the adhesive interface (with aging: specimens immersed in 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for 12 h and washed in distilled water for 1 h, and without aging). The groups were submitted to a microtensile strength test with a 0.5 mm/min speed until rupture. Statistical analysis of the data was performed according to normal distribution. Results: Microtensile data were obtained by calculating the area of each toothpick, obtaining values in megapascal. No aging: G1 - 5251.69, G2 - 5.52 ± 1.46, and G3 - 3.91 ± 1.21. With aging: G1 - 3.45 ± 1.29, G2 - 2.75 ± 0.78, and G3 - 3.53 ± 1.33. Statistical analysis showed that the aging factor and adhesive modification decreased the bonding strength of the resin-dentin (P = 0.001). As well, the interaction between the analyzed factors showed statistically significant differences (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Accelerated aging decreases the adhesion strength in G1, even when chitosan is previously applied to the adhesive system. However, when adding chitosan to the adhesive, adhesion remained similar after aging but lower when compared to the other groups.

Ecosystem approaches and health in Latin America.

Important environmental changes that have become increasingly pronounced in the last two centuries and that are seriously affecting human health require the development of integrated and participatory scientific approaches that can result in proposals for institutional and public policy changes. The purpose of this article is to offer some elements that can contribute to a line of reflection based on studies with ecosystem approaches in the Latin America context. The authors begin with a brief description of current scientific literature in public health that links ecosystems and human health in Latin America; next, they describe and compare the two prevailing trends that form the basis for the theoretical and methodological debates on ecosystem approaches; they also review the empirical research in Latin America or concerning Latin American countries in which an ecosystem approach has been adopted. The results point to limited scientific output on the interface between ecosystems and human health; aspects involving public participation and implementation of institutional changes and public policies are still in a rather incipient stage.