PURPOSE: . The aim was to evaluate the effect of four acidic beverages on the roughness (Ra) and color change (ΔEab) of two brands of artificial teeth and a heat-polymerized acrylic resin (HPAR) for use in a prosthetic base. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . All materials were divided into 5 groups, according to the used acidic beverage (artificial saliva - control, red wine, orange juice, coke-based, and lemon juice-based soft drink). The immersion process was divided into two stages: T1 - immersion in the acidic solutions for 10 minutes for 14 days; T2 - after T1, the samples were immersed in grape juice for 14 days. The Ra of the samples was evaluated in a rugosimeter and the ΔEab in a spectrophotometer, before and after the immersions. The analysis of variance of one (ΔEab) and two factors (Ra) and Tukey were performed (α=.05). RESULTS: . There was a statistical difference for roughness after immersion (T1) for Trilux and Tritone teeth, regardless of the acid solution. For Trilux teeth, all acid solutions increased Ra (P<.05). For Tritone teeth, only the coke-based soft drink did not statistically change Ra. Grape juice (T2) altered Ra only of artificial teeth (P<.05). The color was changed for all materials, after T1 and T2. CONCLUSION . In general, the acidic solutions changed the Ra and ΔEab of HPAR and artificial teeth after T1. The grape juice altered the roughness only of the artificial teeth, promoting a clinically acceptable color change in the materials.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microhardness and surface roughness of composite resins before and after tooth bleaching procedures.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty specimens were prepared of each composite resin (Filtek Supreme XT and Opallis), and BisCover LV surface sealant was applied to half of the specimens. Thirty enamel samples were obtained from the buccal and lingual surfaces of human molars for use as the control group. The surface roughness and microhardness were measured before and after bleaching procedures with 35% hydrogen peroxide or 16% carbamide (n = 10). Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and the Fisher test (α = 0.05).RESULTS: Neither hydrogen peroxide nor carbamide peroxide treatment significantly altered the hardness of the composite resins, regardless of surface sealant application; however, both treatments significantly decreased the hardness of the tooth samples (p < 0.05). The bleaching did not cause any change in surface roughness, with the exception of the unsealed Opallis composite resin and dental enamel, both of which displayed an increase in surface roughness after bleaching with carbamide peroxide (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The microhardness and surface roughness of enamel and Opallis composite resin were influenced by bleaching procedures.
Composite Resins ; Dental Enamel ; Hardness ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; In Vitro Techniques ; Molar ; Tooth ; Tooth Bleaching ; Urea

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microhardness and surface roughness of composite resins before and after tooth bleaching procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty specimens were prepared of each composite resin (Filtek Supreme XT and Opallis), and BisCover LV surface sealant was applied to half of the specimens. Thirty enamel samples were obtained from the buccal and lingual surfaces of human molars for use as the control group. The surface roughness and microhardness were measured before and after bleaching procedures with 35% hydrogen peroxide or 16% carbamide (n = 10). Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and the Fisher test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Neither hydrogen peroxide nor carbamide peroxide treatment significantly altered the hardness of the composite resins, regardless of surface sealant application; however, both treatments significantly decreased the hardness of the tooth samples (p < 0.05). The bleaching did not cause any change in surface roughness, with the exception of the unsealed Opallis composite resin and dental enamel, both of which displayed an increase in surface roughness after bleaching with carbamide peroxide (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The microhardness and surface roughness of enamel and Opallis composite resin were influenced by bleaching procedures.

Objective: To compare the in vitro antiparasitic activity of aqueous extracts from Ziziphus joazeiro leaves and stem bark against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania braziliensis, and Leishmania infantum, as well as to evaluate its cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, in addition to identifying the chemical composition of the extracts. Methods: Ziziphus joazeiro leaf and stem bark aqueous extracts were prepared by cold extraction maceration and subjected to ultra-efficient liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole/time of flight system. The susceptibility assays used Trypanosoma cruzi CL-B5 strains and promastigote forms of Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum for antiparasitic activity of the extracts. Moreover, mammalian fibroblasts NCTC clone 929 were used for cytotoxicity analysis. Results: Terpenoid compounds, flavonoids and phenolic acid were identified in extracts. The stem bark aqueous extracts presented more significant results in terms of antiparasitic activity compared with the leaf aqueous extracts, especially against Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum promastigote forms with an IC50 < 500 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity evaluation showed moderate toxicity of the stem bark aqueous extracts, which is relevant information for the rational use of this plant part since it is widely used by the population. Conclusions: These preliminary results may contribute to the formulation of new therapeutic agents against this group of neglected diseases, so further investigations are required to delineate the mechanisms of action mainly of the aqueous extract of stem bark of Ziziphus joazeiro.

BACKGROUND: Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) is a source of aeroallergen that causes allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To describe an acute and chronic murine model of allergic asthma with Tp extract with no systemic sensitization and no use of adjuvant. METHODS: Mites from dust sample were cultured and a raw extract was produced. Female BALB/c mice (6-8 weeks) were challenged intranasally with Tp extract or Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline, for 10 consecutive days (acute protocol) or for 6 weeks (chronic protocol). Twenty-four hours after the last intranasal challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was performed for total and differential cells count, cytokine analysis, and eosinophil peroxidase activity. Lung tissue was also removed for histopathologic analysis. RESULTS: Tp extract has shown a significant increase in total cells count from BALF as well as an increase in absolute eosinophils count, eosinophil peroxidase activity, interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 levels, in both acute and chronic protocols. Peribronchovascular infiltrate, goblet cells hyperplasia and collagen deposition were shown in the airways of acute and chronic Tp-exposed mice. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the intranasal exposure to Tp extract, with no systemic sensitization and no use of adjuvants, induces a robust allergic inflammation in the lungs of mice, in both acute and chronic models. Our Tp extract seems to be a potent allergen extract which may be used in asthma model studies.
Acaridae ; Animals ; Asthma ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Collagen ; Dust ; Eosinophil Peroxidase ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Goblet Cells ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukins ; Lung ; Mice ; Mites

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) can change invasive breast carcinomas (IBC) and influence the patients’ overall survival time (OS). We aimed to identify IBC changes after NACT and their association with OS. Materials and Methods: IBC data in pre- and post-NACT samples of 86 patients were evaluated and associated with OS. Results: Post-NACT tumors changed nuclear pleomorphism score (p=0.025); mitotic count (p=0.002); % of tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells (p=0.016); presence of in situ carcinoma (p=0.001) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI; p=0.002); expression of estrogen (p=0.003), progesterone receptors (PR; p=0.019), and Ki67 (p=0.003). Immunohistochemical (IHC) profile changed in 26 tumors (30.2%, p=0.050). Higher risk of death was significatively associated with initial tumor histological grade III (hazard ratio [HR], 2.94), high nuclear pleomorphism (HR, 2.53), high Ki67 index (HR, 2.47), post-NACT presence of LVI (HR, 1.90), luminal B–like profile (HR, 2.58), pre- (HR, 2.26) and post-NACT intermediate mitotic count (HR, 2.12), pre- (HR, 4.45) and post-NACT triple-negative IHC profile (HR, 4.52). On the other hand, lower risk of death was significative associated with pre- (HR, 0.35) and post-NACT (HR, 0.39) estrogen receptor–positive, and pre- (HR, 0.37) and post-NACT (HR, 0.57) PR-positive. Changes in IHC profile were associated with longer OS (p=0.050). In multivariate analysis, pre-NACT grade III tumors and pre-NACT and post-NACT triple negative IHC profile proved to be independent factors for shorter OS. Conclusion NACT can change tumor characteristics and biomarkers and impact on OS; therefore, they should be reassessed on residual samples to improve therapeutic decisions.

To compare the in vitro antiparasitic activity of aqueous extracts from Ziziphus joazeiro leaves and stem bark against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania braziliensis, and Leishmania infantum, as well as to evaluate its cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, in addition to identifying the chemical composition of the extracts. Methods: Ziziphus joazeiro leaf and stem bark aqueous extracts were prepared by cold extraction maceration and subjected to ultra-efficient liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole/time of flight system. The susceptibility assays used Trypanosoma cruzi CL-B5 strains and promastigote forms of Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum for antiparasitic activity of the extracts. Moreover, mammalian fibroblasts NCTC clone 929 were used for cytotoxicity analysis. Results: Terpenoid compounds, flavonoids and phenolic acid were identified in extracts. The stem bark aqueous extracts presented more significant results in terms of antiparasitic activity compared with the leaf aqueous extracts, especially against Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum promastigote forms with an IC