Diagnosis, management, and follow-up of extensive dermoid cyst of the submental region.

Dermoid cyst (DC) is a cystic lesion of developmental origin and uncertain etiology that rarely affects the floor of the mouth. We report a case of a large lesion found in the submental and submandibular region in a 25-year-old male patient. Computed tomography revealed extensive hypodense lesion in the submental and submandibular space without peripheral enhancement. The microscopical analysis showed a cystic cavity lined by orthokeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The cystic capsule was composed of dense fibrous connective tissue containing cutaneous attachments, such as sebaceous and sweat glands. The diagnosis of DC was made. The differential diagnosis of expansive sublingual lesions can be clinically challenging due to the similarity with several lesions frequently observed in this region. Herein, we describe a case of extensive DC arising in the floor of the mouth, presenting clinical, imaging, and microscopical features.

Experimentation with psychoactive substances by public school students.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of exposure to psychoactive substances in public students of basic education and its association with sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted from March to September 2015, involving 1,009 students of the basic and high school education in 20 public schools in the municipality of Aracaju, State of Sergipe, Brazil. The data have been compiled using questionnaires previously applied in national studies of the Brazilian Center for Psychotropic Drugs. The variables have been dichotomized for later logistic regression using the Chi-square test to analyze associations between experimentation with psychoactive substances and other sociodemographic variables; odds ratio and confidence intervals have also been calculated. The level of significance adopted was 5%. RESULTS: We have identified that 69.6% of the students have experimented alcohol and 12.4% cigarettes. Age (≥ 15 years) has shown a significant association with experimentation with alcohol (p < 0.001) and cigarettes (p = 0.02), acting as risk factor in both cases (OR = 2.34 and 1, 78, respectively), but it acted as a protective factor for the use of inhalants (p = 0.03 and OR = 0.58) and weight loss medication (p = 0.006 and OR = 0.44). Religious practice had a significant association with experimentation with alcohol (p = 0.01), functioning as a protective factor (OR = 0.56). CONCLUSIONS: We have concluded that the psychoactive substance most experienced by students was alcohol, followed by cigarettes, and chance for experimentation increases after the age of 15. Religious practice, in turn, acts as a protective factor for experimentation with alcohol. OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalência de exposição a substâncias psicoativas em estudantes do ensino básico de escolas públicas e sua associação com características sociodemográficas. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um inquérito transversal realizado de março a setembro de 2015, envolvendo 1.009 alunos do ensino fundamental e médio em 20 escolas públicas de Aracaju, São Cristóvão e Nossa Senhora do Socorro. Os dados foram compilados por meio de questionários aplicados anteriormente em estudos nacionais do Centro Brasileiro de Drogas Psicotrópicas. As variáveis foram dicotomizadas para posterior regressão logística com aplicação do teste Qui-quadrado para analisar associações entre a experimentação de substâncias psicoativas e outras variáveis sociodemográficas, e calculada a razão de chances e seus intervalos de confiança. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: Identificamos que 69,6% dos estudantes têm experimentado álcool e 12,4% cigarro. A idade dos alunos (≥ 15 anos) mostrou associação significativa com a experimentação de álcool (p < 0,001) e cigarros (p = 0,02), atuando como fator de risco em ambos os casos (OR = 2,34 e 1,78, respectivamente), mas atuando como fator de proteção para o uso de inalantes (p = 0,03 e OR = 0,58) e remédios para emagrecer (p = 0,006 e OR = 0,44). A prática religiosa apresentou associação significativa com a experimentação de álcool (p = 0,01), funcionando como um fator de proteção (OR = 0,56). CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que a substância psicoativa mais experimentada pelos estudantes foi o álcool, seguida do cigarro, e que a chance de experimentação aumenta a partir dos 15 anos. A prática religiosa, por sua vez, atua como fator de proteção à experimentação do álcool.

Effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Baccharis trimera on the proliferation of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy in rats.

PURPOSE:: To evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera leaves on the proliferative capacity of the liver after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. METHODS:: Twenty Wistar rats weighing between 300 and 450g were divided into two groups: control (HP) and test (HP100-rats that received the aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera for four days at a dose of 100 mg / kg / day). On the fifth day, animals from both groups underwent resection of 70% of the liver. Twenty-four hours later, they were sacrificed and the remnant liver was removed and prepared for studied through PCNA immunohistochemistry. Data analysis for comparison between the two groups was made through the non-parametric statistical test Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS:: In all the animals studied was found most abundant nuclear immunostaining positive hepatocytes interlobular located in regions of the liver. Quantitative analysis of PCNA-positive cells revealed positivity rate significantly higher mean (p = 0.02) in HP100 group (77.1 ± 13.6) compared to the HP group (45.8 ± 12.9). CONCLUSION:: DAdministration of aqueous extract of the leaves of Baccharis trimera 100 mg/kg of animal has a significant positive effect on liver regeneration in rats, 24 hours after hepatectomy (70%).

Hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis exerts protective effects on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in a rodent model.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common intestinal inflammatory disease with an etiology that is not well understood. Although the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (HERP) have been reported in various experimental models, its protective effect in models of UC have not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the chemopreventive effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (HERP) in acetic acid-induced colitis (AAIC) using a rodent model. The HERP was chemically characterised by HPLC/DAD analyses. Male rats were randomly assigned into four groups: sham, vehicle (with AAIC, treated with vehicle), P10 (with AAIC, treated with 10mg/kg HERP), and P100 (with AAIC, treated with 100mg/kg HERP). Treatments were performed for 7days, and colitis was induced on day seven. Animals were euthanized 24h after colitis induction and body weight, colon length, gross and histological scores, malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations in colon tissue, and the immunohistochemical expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were assessed. The major compounds found in HERP were liquiritigenin (68.8mg/g), formononetin (54.29mg/g), biochanin A (30.97mg/g), and daidzein (19.90mg/g). Rats treated with 10mg/kg HERP demonstrated significant decreases in MPO concentrations, gross and histological scores of tissue damage, and iNOS expression (p<0.05). Similarly, rats treated with 100mg/kg HERP demonstrated significant decreases in MPO levels (p<0.05) and histological scores of tissue damage (p<0.05). The results of this study indicate that oral administration of HERP attenuates AAIC in rats, which may be due to anti-inflammatory effects related to iNOS inhibition.

The effect of the aqueous extract Peumus boldus on the proliferation of hepatocytes and liver function in rats submitted to expanded hepatectomy.

PURPOSE:: To assess the effect of aqueous extract of Peumus Boldus (AEPB) on the liver proliferative response after parcial hepatectomy of 70% (PH) in rodents. METHODS:: Twenty Wistar rats were divided in two groups: AEPB100 (whose rats received 100mg/Kg of AEPB, once a day, orally, in 4 days prior to the first surgical procedure) and Vehicle (whose rats were treated similarly with distilled water). Both groups underwent PH. After 24 hours the remaining livers were removed for studying the proliferation of hepatocytes by Ki-67 and 2mL of blood were collected for serological assessment: cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total, direct and indirect bilirubin. All data were analyzed by Gaussian distribution. Statistically significant differences between mean values were analyzed using T Student's test. Non-Gaussian data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney's test. RESULTS:: The liver of all these rats presented positive staining of Ki-67, indicating liver proliferation. Laboratory results showed no significant difference in serum values between the analyzed groups. The analysis of Ki-67 was significantly more positive in AEPB100 group than in Vehicle group. CONCLUSION:: Aqueous extract of Peumus Boldus acute administration exerts significant positive effect on liver regeneration after 24h in rats that underwent parcial hepatectomy, while maintaining unchanged hepatic function.

Gelatin-based membrane containing usnic acid-loaded liposome improves dermal burn healing in a porcine model.

There are a range of products available which claim to accelerate the healing of burns; these include topical agents, interactive dressings and biomembranes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a gelatin-based membrane containing usnic acid/liposomes on the healing of burns in comparison to silver sulfadiazine ointment and duoDerme® dressing, as well as examining its quantification by high performance liquid chromatography. The quantification of the usnic acid/liposomes was examined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by performing separate in vitro studies of the efficiency of the biomembranes in terms of encapsulation, drug release and transdermal absorption. Then, second-degree 5cm2 burn wounds were created on the dorsum of nine male pigs, assigned into three groups (n=3): SDZ - animals treated with silver sulfadiazine ointment; GDU - animals treated with duoDerme®; UAL - animals treated with a gelatin-based membrane containing usnic acid/liposomes. These groups were treated for 8, 18 and 30days. In the average rate of contraction, there was no difference among the groups (p>0.05). The results of the quantification showed that biomembranes containing usnic acid/liposomes were controlled released systems capable of transdermal absorption by skin layers. A macroscopic assay did not observe any clinical signs of secondary infections. Microscopy after 8days showed hydropic degeneration of the epithelium, with intense neutrophilic infiltration in all three groups. At 18days, although epidermal neo-formation was only partial in all three groups, it was most incipient in the SDZ group. Granulation tissue was more exuberant and cellularized in the UAL and GDU groups. At 30days, observed restricted granulation tissue in the region below the epithelium in the GDU and UAL groups was observed. In the analysis of collagen though picrosirius, the UAL group showed greater collagen density. Therefore, the UAL group displayed development and maturation of granulation tissue and scar repair that was comparable to that produced by duoDerme®, and better than that produced by treatment with sulfadiazine silver ointment In addition, the UAL group showed increased collagen deposition compared to the other two groups.

Expression of Ki-67 and P16 INK4a in chemically-induced perioral squamous cell carcinomas in mice.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the influence of Ki-67 and P16INK4a proteins immunohistochemical expressions on the clinical and morphological parameters of perioral squamous cell carcinoma induced with 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) in mice. METHODS: we topically induced the lesions in the oral commissure of ten Swiss mice for 20 weeks, determining the time to tumors onset and the average tumor volume up to 26 weeks. In histopathological analysis, the variables studied were histological malignancy grade and the immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and P16INK4a proteins. The correlation between variables was determined by application of the Spearman correlation test. RESULTS: the mean time to onset of perioral lesions was 21.1 ± 2.13 weeks; mean tumor volume was 555.91 ± 205.52 mm3. Of the induced tumors, 80% were classified as low score and 20% high score. There was diffuse positivity for Ki-67 in 100% of lesions - Proliferation Index (PI) of 50.1 ± 18.0. There was a strong direct correlation between Ki-67 immunoreactivity and tumor volume (R = 0.702) and a low correlation with the malignancy score (R = 0.486). The P16INK4a protein expression was heterogeneous, showing a weak correlation with tumor volume (R = 0.334). There was no correlation between the immunohistochemical expression of the two proteins studied. CONCLUSION: in an experimental model of DMBA-induced perioral carcinogenesis, tumor progression was associated with the tumor proliferative fraction (Ki-67 positive cells) and with tumor histological grading, but not with P16INK4a expression. OBJETIVO: avaliar a influência da expressão imuno-histoquímica das proteínas Ki-67 e p16INK4a sobre parâmetros clínico-morfológicos em carcinomas espinocelulares periorais quimicamente induzidos com 9,10-dimetil-1,2-benzantraceno (DMBA) em modelo murino. MÉTODOS: as lesões foram induzidas topicamente na comissura labial de dez camundongos Swiss durante 20 semanas, sendo determinado o momento de surgimento dos tumores e volume tumoral médio até 26 semanas. Na análise histopatológica, as variáveis estudadas foram gradação histológica de malignidade tumoral e expressão imuno-histoquímica das proteínas Ki-67 e p16INK4a. A correlação entre as variáveis estudadas foi determinada pela aplicação do teste de correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: o tempo médio de surgimento das lesões periorais foi 21,1±2,13 semanas. Volume tumoral médio foi de 555,91±205,52mm3. Dos tumores produzidos, 80% foram classificados como de baixo escore e 20%, alto escore. Evidenciou-se positividade difusa para Ki-67 em 100% das lesões - índice de marcação (PI) de 50,1±18,0. Verificou-se correlação direta forte entre a imunoexpressão do Ki-67 e o volume tumoral (R=0,702) e fraca correlação com o escore de malignidade (R=0,486). A expressão da proteína p16INK4a foi heterogênea, mostrando fraca correlação com o volume tumoral (R=0,334). Não houve correlação entre a expressão imuno-histoquímica das duas proteínas estudadas. CONCLUSÃO: Em modelo experimental de carcinogênese perioral DMBA-induzida, a progressão tumoral está associada à fração proliferativa do tumor (células ki-67 positivas) e com a gradação histológica tumoral, porém não com a expressão da p16INK4a.

Effects of red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green LED on the healing process of third-degree burns: clinical and histological study in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green light-emitting diode (LED) on the healing process of skin burns through clinical and histopathologic analysis in rats. For this, 100 animals were randomly divided into five groups: G1-untreated control (CTR), G2-red laser (LVER), G3-infrared (LINF), G4-photodynamic therapy (PDT), and G5-green LED. Burn was induced on the dorsum of the rat and the treatment of the experimental groups was red light (10 J/cm(2), 10 s, 40 mW, and λ660 nm), infrared (10 J/cm(2), 10 s, 40 mW, and λ780 nm), green LED irradiation (60 J/cm(2), 10 s, λ520, and 550 nm), and photodynamic therapy (10 J/cm(2), 40 mW, and λ660 nm), the latter combined with methylene blue photosensitizer at concentration 0.5 µg/mL. Applications were performed daily until day prior to sacrifice of the animal at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days with intraperitoneal anesthetic overdose. The specimens collected were clinically examined and soon after processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Picrosirius for analysis under light and polarized light microscopy, respectively. Animals treated with LVER, LINF, PDT (p < 0.001), and LED (p < 0.05) stimulated production and maturation of collagen, and increased the consumption of food and water compared to the CTR (p < 0.001). Laser λ660 nm and λ780 nm showed the largest wound reductions in all groups (p = 0.001). In conclusion, red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green LED favored the healing process of third-degree burns in rats.

Bioassay-guided evaluation of Dioscorea villosa - an acute and subchronic toxicity, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory approach.

BACKGROUND: Dioscorea villosa (DV) has been used in Brazil as an alternative medicine to attenuate menopause symptoms, as well as for the treatment of joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis. In spite of the popular use of DV for the treatment of various disorders, there are limited scientific data regarding safety aspects of this herb. In this regard, we carried out to evaluated both antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in experimental models and assess the toxic effects of the acute (single dose) and subchronic (30 days) oral administration of dry extract of Dioscorea villosa in rodents. METHODS: The LC analyses were performed to assess the presence of the diosgenin in samples of DV. The antinociceptive study of DV was performed using models of acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced pain in mice. The anti-inflammatory study was accomplished by leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity. A dry extract of DV was tested at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg (per os or p.o.). The toxicological properties of the dry extract were evaluated by toxicity assays of acute (5 g/kg, single dose) and subchronic (1 g/kg/day, 30 days) treatment. Haematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were studied. The results are expressed as mean ± S.D., and statistical analysis of the data were performed with the Student's t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's test. In all cases differences were considered significant if p < 0.05. RESULTS: HPLC-DAD analysis of the extract from DV revealed the presence of diosgenin as the major compound. Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the amount of acetic acid-induced writhing in relation to the vehicle (p < 0.0001). In the first phase, using the formalin-induced neurogenic pain test, only the 400 mg/kg dose of DV showed significant inhibition of neurogenic pain (p < 0.001). In the second phase, 200 and 400 mg/kg of DV showed significant inhibition of inflammatory pain (p < 0.0001). Significant inhibition of leukocyte migration was observed with doses of 100 (p < 0.001), 200 (p < 0.01) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01). Haematological, biochemical and histopathological data obtained in both acute and subchronic toxicological assays revealed only unremarkable changes, which are unlikely to indicate DV toxicity with oral administration. CONCLUSION: We found that DV possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in rodent models. In addition, no acute or subchronic toxicity was evident when the herbal extract was administered orally. These results supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory diseases.

Effect of green propolis on oral epithelial dysplasia in rats.

UNLABELLED: Studies have demonstrated that flavonoid compounds of green propolis have antitumoral activity. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. AIMS: To evaluate the effect of a hydroalcoholic extract of green propolis (EPV) on chemically induced epithelial dysplasias in rat tongues. METHODS AND MATERIALS: DMBA was brushed on the lingual dorsum of rats 3x/week on alternate days--100 (PROP1), 200 (PROP2) and 300 mg/kg (PROP3) EPV was administered orally for 20 weeks. EPV or DMBA were replaced by their vehicles and applied as positive (TUM1 and TUM2) and negative controls (CTR1 and CTR2), respectively. The lingual epithelium was histologically analyzed and graded according a binary system and the WHO classification; the data were compared using ANOVA (*p<0.05). RESULTS: The EPV yield was 41% and the flavonoid yield was 0.95±0.44%. According to the Binary System, TUM1, TUM2 and PROP1 were considered high risk lesions, with significantly higher morphological alteration rates compared to the other groups (p<0.05), which were considered low risk lesions. Based on the WHO classification, moderate dysplasia was TUM1 and TUM2, mild dysplasia was PROP1, PROP2 and PROP3, and non-dysplastic epithelium was CTR1 and CTR2. CONCLUSION: EPV seems to play an important protective role against chemically-induced lingual carcinogenesis in rats.

Immunohistochemical assessment of myofibroblasts and lymphoid cells during wound healing in rats subjected to laser photobiomodulation at 660 nm.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the biomodulatory effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on myofibroblasts and T and B cells during wound healing. BACKGROUND DATA: Phtotobiomodulation using LLLT has been extensively applied to improve wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized artificial surgical wounds were made on the backs of 24 male rats. Half of them underwent LLLT (20 J/cm(2)) at 660 nm delivered for 7 d. At 8 and 14 d post-surgery the healing wounds were removed and immunohistochemical analysis of myofibroblasts, T cells, and B cells was carried out. The mean of each cell subset was calculated and compared to one another using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. RESULTS: The average number of myofibroblasts was statistically significantly higher in the irradiated group than in the non-irradiated group on the eighth (p = 0.001) but not the 14th (p = 0.555) day. B and T cells were significantly more conspicuous in the irradiated group on both the eighth (p = 0.004 and 0.02, respectively) and 14th days (p = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that LLLT facilitates myofibroblastic differentiation during the early stages of the cicatricial repair process. Furthermore, LLLT also appears to modulate the inflammatory response by downregulating lymphocytic proliferation during the wound healing process.