A dermatological assessment of pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem neurocutaneous syndrome with variable phenotypes. Recent updates of TSC diagnostic criteria reaffirmed the defined genetic diagnostic criterion as the finding of a pathogenic DNA alteration in either TSC1 or TSC2 genes. It also slightly modified definite clinical diagnostic criteria. TSC-associated skin lesions in infancy are important clinical signs to select individuals with possible TSC for a closer clinical follow-up and genetic testing. OBJECTIVE: To raise awareness of the updated TSC diagnosis criteria; to assess the frequency of skin lesions in TSC patients as well as the first dermatological presentation; and to associate the findings with either TSC1 or TSC2 mutations. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study. Clinical and genetic data were retrospectively collected from 37 TSC patients from a Brazilian University Hospital. Patients with skin signs were examined and prospectively assessed for 12 months. RESULTS: The earliest cutaneous lesions were hypomelanotic macules, which together with angiofibromas were the most frequent dermatological lesions. The total pathogenic DNA alteration ratio between TSC2 and TSC1 genes was 8:1. The frequency of a TSC2 pathogenic variant was 10-fold greater in the presence of ungual fibromas. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Small sample and a limited number of patients with TSC1 pathogenic variants. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be knowledgeable about TSC updated diagnostic criteria. Patients need to be followed up by a multidisciplinary team and treated accordingly. Early detection of cutaneous lesions is important for TSC diagnosis. A significant association between TSC2 gene pathogenic alterations and ungual fibromas is described.

Double blind randomized clinical trial comparing minimally- invasive envelope flap and conventional envelope flap on impacted lower third molar surgery

Background: The latest trend in surgery is to look for minimally invasive procedures, with fewer complications and a shorter recovery time. This study aims to compare the minimally- invasive envelope flap, with smaller incision and fewer dissection and the conventional envelope flap, with a 20mm incision, on impacted mandibular third molar surgery, focusing on the hypothesis that there were no differences in postoperative outcomes. Material and methods: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was designed to compare both incisions, focused on determining the approach with minor postoperative side-effects and minor impact on quality-of-life. A total of 60 patients were enrolled for the study if their presented impacted mandibular third molar and was 18-years-old or more. Both groups were evaluated from time elapsed on the surgery, maximum mouth opening, swelling and quality of life assessment. Results: The flap choice influenced facial swelling (p=0,03), pain on the first three days (p=0,037), interference with oral hygiene (p=0,019) and discomfort on speech (p=0,07). Chewing, swallowing, trismus, pain after seven days, postoperative complications and other quality-of-life arrangements were no different between groups. Conclusions: The minimally- invasive envelope flap could lead to a less painful experience for the patient, with fewer impact on the oral hygiene and speech discomfort. (AU)

Terapêutica adjuvante na modulação da resposta imune no tratamento da doença periodontal: uma revisão de literatura / Adjuvant therapeutic in the modulation of the immune response in the treatment of periodontal disease: a literature review

Introdução: A Doença Periodontal tem caráter multifatorial, já que depende de condições microbiológicas, imunogenéticas e sistêmicas do hospedeiro. Representa inflamação crônica das estruturas de suporte e proteção dental. Desencadeia uma complexa estimulação imunológica, bem como a produção de citocinas inflamatórias, que mediam a destruição óssea e de tecido conjuntivo, provocando perda dental e complicações à distância. A compreensão da etiopatogênese, permitiu os conceitos de modulação, que referem-se às modificações dos aspectos danosos da resposta inflamatória. Objetivo: O presente artigo tem como objetivo realizar uma revisão dos estudos sobre as principais terapêuticas adjuvantes na modulação da resposta imune frente à doença periodontal. Revisão de Literatura: Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura, onde foram selecionados artigos científicos em inglês, publicados entre os anos 2005 a 2020, por meio das bases de dados PubMed e ScienceDirect. No decorrer das buscas, foram utilizadas as palavraschaves "Inflamation", "Periodontal Disease", "Subantimicrobial Dose of Doxycycline", "Periodontal Disease", "Host Response Modulation". Resultados e Conclusão: A literatura é bem promissora em relação à terapia de controle complementar da doença periodontal. Dessa forma, novas pesquisas nessa área podem trazer inúmeros beneficos aos pacientes, sendo, assim, um novo caminho para o contorno da resistência bacteriana(AU)

Introduction: Periodontal disease has a multifactorial character, depending on the host's microbiological, immunogenetic and systemic conditions. It represents chronic inflammation of dental support and protection structures. It triggers a complex immune stimulation, as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines, which mediate bone and connective tissue destruction, causing tooth loss and complications at a distance. The understanding of etiopathogenesis allowed the concepts of modulation, which refers to the modifications of the harmful aspects of the inflammatory response. This article has the escape of conducting a review of studies on the main mechanisms of modulation against periodontal disease. Objective: This article aims to rev iew the studies on the main modulation mechanisms in the face of periodontal disease. Literature Review: A literature review was carried out in which scientific articles were selected in English, published between 2005 and 2020, through the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. During the searches, the keywords "Inflammation", "Periodontal Disease", "Subantimicrobial Dose of Doxycycline", "Periodontal Disease", "Host Response Modulation". Results and Conclusion: The literature is very promising with complementary control therapy for periodontal disease. Thus, new research in this area can bring countless benefits to patients, thus being a new way to bypass bacterial resistance(AU)

An Experimental Study Comparing the Expansion of Peripheral Blood Natural Killer (NK) Cells Cultured with Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cells, in the Presence or Absence of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs).

NK cells have been seen as potential agents in adoptive immunotherapy for cancer. The main challenge for the success of this approach is to obtain a great quantity of activated NK cells for adoptive transfer. The present study had aimed to evaluate the effect of a feeder layer of irradiated MSCs in the in vitro expansion of NK cells. MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow (BM) cells remaining in the bag and filter used in the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells. NK cells were obtained from peripheral blood (PB) of healthy volunteers. NK expansion and activation were stimulated by culture with artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) and IL-2, in the presence or absence of BM-MSCs. NK cell proliferation, phenotypic expression and cytotoxic activity were evaluated. Both culture conditions showed high NK purity with predominance of NK CD56brightCD16+ subset post expansion. However, cultures without the presence of MSCs showed higher NK proliferation, expression of activation markers (CD16 and NKG2D) and related cytotoxic activity. In this experimental study, the presence of a feeder layer of irradiated BM-MSCs interfered negatively in the expansion of PB-NKs, limiting their growth and activation. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms of NK-MSC interaction and its implications.

Magnesium, insulin resistance and body composition in healthy postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the association between magnesium (Mg), body composition and insulin resistance in 136 sedentary postmenopausal women, 50 to 77 years of age. METHODS: Diabetics, hypertensives and women on hormonal replacement therapy were excluded and the remaining 74 were divided according to BMI> or =25 (obese: OG) and BMI<25 kg/m(2) (non-obese: NOG). Nutritional data disclosed that intakes were high for protein and saturated fat, low for carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fat and Mg and normal for the other nutrients, according to recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Mg values in red blood cells (RBC-Mg) and plasma (P-Mg), were determined, as were fasting glucose, and insulin levels, Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA), body mass index (BMI), body fat percent (BF %), abdominal fat (AF) and free fat mass (FFM). RESULTS: RBC-Mg values were low in both groups when compared with normal values. There were significant differences in body composition parameters, HOMA and insulin levels, with higher basal insulin levels in OG. RBC-Mg was directly correlated with insulin, HOMA and FFM in both groups, according to Pearson correlations. HOMA in OG was also directly correlated with BMI, FFM and AF. In NOG, HOMA was only correlated with FFM. The low RBC-Mg levels observed were probably due to low Mg intake and to deregulation of factors that control Mg homeostasis during menopause. CONCLUSIONS: Both Mg deficit and obesity may independently lead to a higher risk for insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.