Effect of the probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effects of the local use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as monotherapy and as an adjuvant to the mechanical treatment of ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Periodontitis was induced in 72 rats via the installation of a ligature around the mandibular first molar. After 7 d, the ligature was removed and the rats were placed in one of the following groups: no treatment (C; n = 18); scaling and root planing (SRP; n = 18); local irrigation with probiotics (PRO; n = 18); and SRP followed by local irrigation with probiotics (SRP/PRO; n = 18). Six rats from each group were killed at 7, 15 and 30 d. The histological characteristics, alveolar bone loss (ABL) and immunolabeling of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and TRAP on the furcation area of the first molar were assessed. RESULTS: The PRO group showed features of acceleration of the tissue-repair process during the entire experiment. On day 15, there was less ABL in the SRP/PRO group compared with the C group. There were fewer TRAP-positive cells in the SRP and SRP/PRO groups at 30 d. There was less immunostaining for TNF-α in the PRO and SRP/PRO groups and less immunostaining for IL-1ß in the PRO group. However, there was more immunostaining for IL-10 in the PRO group on day 15. CONCLUSION: Local use of the probiotic did not result in any adverse effects on periodontal tissues. When used as monotherapy or as an adjuvant, the probiotic was effective at controlling periodontitis in rats.

[Perspectives of the culture and the extent of teaching in the nursing school at the Federal University of Bahia]. / As perspectivas da cultura e extensão no curso de enfermagem da universidade federal da Bahia.

The present article emphasizes the importance of the University to maintain the indisociability among its finality activities whereas, at the moment, this indisociability shows up in a non compensated form. It comprehends a brief retrospective analysis of the extension activities, reporting the actual projects and the extension perspective at the College of Nursing, Federal University of Bahia, directing the attention to the fact that extension ought to be developed through a process of articulation with teaching and research, as these activities are complementary and different, but never unequal hierarchically.

[Neurosurgical aspects of fronto-ethmoidal osteomas; report of 6 cases and review of the literature]. / Aspectos neurocirrgicos dos osteomas fronto-etmoidais; relato de 6 casos e revisão da literatura.

The cases of six patients with fronto-ethmoidal osteomas which have produced intracranial complications are reported. The patients have been divided in two groups depending on their clinical aspects, from cranio-facial deformities to exophtalmus, rinorrhea, pneumocephalus, meningitis and mucocele. A review of the literature is made and the importance of such lesions is stressed together with a critical analysis of the methods proposed for their surgical treatment. The results obtained with a frontal approach and a plastic closure of the dura were uniformelly good with restoration of functions in all patients.

[Giant cell tumors of the sphenoid bone. Report of 3 cases and review of the literature]. / Tumores de celulas gigantes do esfenoide Relato de 3 casos e revisão da literatura

Three cases of giant cell tumor of the sphenoid bone are reported together with a revision of the previously reported cases in the neurosurgical literature. The importance of this tumor in the neurosurgical pathology is stressed, mainly to the impossibility of a correct diagnosis on a clinical and radiological basis. A good prognosis is possible with a least agressive surgery, transphenoidal biopsy and decompression, folowed by radiotherapy.