Although dermal collagens appear increased in hypertrophic scars, this was not tested in tissue samples using objective methods. We compared the expression of types I and III collagen in hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic scars, at 6–12 and 18–24 months after burn using a quantitative method. Among 17 patients with extensive burns, 3 patients had acute scars, 8 had hypertrophic or non-hypertrophic scars at 6–12 months after burn, and 6 had hypertrophic or non-hypertrophic scars at 18–24 months after burn. After clinical assessment of scars using the Vancouver Scale, immunohistochemistry for types I and III collagens was performed. Images were captured with a laser scanning confocal microscope and the relative amounts of types I and III collagens were determined in superficial and deep dermis. The effects of time and scar type were assessed using two way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Collagen III scar/normal ratios were higher in hypertrophic scars at both time points (p=0.05). There were no differences in collagen I scar/normal ratios. Large variation was observed in scars during the acute phase regarding the expression of collagens. Easily accessed by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, type III collagen deposition may help in determining scar phenotype, differentiating hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic scars.

Introduction Technological resources are considered important for the practice and training in endodontics. It is not yet clear the extent of the insertion of these resources in predoctoral dental programmes and the effect of such resources to the general dentist training. Aim To evaluate the faculty perception regarding the insertion of technological resources, particularly rotary instruments, and the impact of such resources to the student's learning process graded at the end of predoctoral dental programmes in Brazil by the National Students Performance Exam (ENADE). Methods The endodontic department faculties in all 205 programmes that participated in the 2016 ENADE received a questionnaire by email. The institution, faculty credentials, and insertion of technologies in each programme were described, and an association between these data and the ENADE score was tested. Results 149 educators (72.7%) answered the form. From this total, 73.2% of them were from private institutions and 26.8% from public ones. Educators mix manual and rotary instrumentation to treat selected patients in 47.7% of the programmes. Most educators (89.9%) consider the utilisation of technology in endodontics as positive. Whilst there was not a significant association between the use of rotary instrumentation and better performance in ENADE, there was a significant association between the performance and the supply of special instruments by the institutions. Conclusion These results show that even though most faculties consider the insertion of technologies as positive, the factor that caused a significant impact to the training of the general dentist is the general infrastructure of the institutions.

No abstract

No abstract

In the atrioventricular canal (AVC) of the embryonic heart, endothelia undergo an epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). This EMT is a multi‐step event, wherein TGFß2 mediates activation while TGFß3 mediates cell invasion. BMP2 has an unclear role in this EMT. We examined in vivo and in vitro patterns of expression of EMT‐related genes. In the chick, EMT is seen at stage 17 although signaling processes begin at stage 14. Our objective is to identify critical transcription factor function during EMT. We examined mRNA for Sox8, Sox11, Sip1, Brachyury, Hey2 and Runx2 by qPCR. Starting at stage 14, Sox8 and Hey2 showed upregulation while Brachyury was downregulated. Sip1 and Runx2 were down‐regulated only after EMT was visible. Sox11 mRNA levels did not show significant change (stages 14‐20). We explored changes in expression after TGFβ2, TGFβ3 or BMP inhibition of AVC explants on collagen gels. Anti‐TGFβ2 treatment produced significant upregulation of Sox8 and down‐regulation of Sox11, Sip1 and Runx2 while anti‐TGFβ3 treatment caused significant down‐regulation of Sox8, Sip1 and Runx2. Noggin treatment caused significant upregulation of Sox8, Sox11, Sip1 and Hey2 and down‐regulation of Brachyury. Localization of these molecules showed they were present in AVC endothelium and mesenchyme at the analyzed stages. These data suggest that each of these transcription factors may play a role in cardiac EMT. NHLBI.Grant Funding SourceNHLBI