Part I was an overview of the role and function of proteoglycans and glycoproteins in the pulpo–dentin complex; part II will focus on enzymes, serum proteins, and growth factors. This review will discuss current knowledge regarding matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cathepsins, serum proteins, and growth factors in dentin and the related dentin–pulp complex in an attempt to better understand their nature, role, and function in the dentin extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. Dentin formation in physiological and pathological conditions has been widely studied. However, the regulation and involvement of non‐collageneous enzymes, serum proteins, and growth factors are still not completely elucidated. MMPs, a family of 23 endopeptidases in humans, are collectively capable of degrading virtually all ECM components, and their specific tissue inhibitors (TIMPs: tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases) participate in organo‐ and morphogenesis, physiological tissue turnover, and pathological tissue destruction. Similarly, the lysosomal cysteine proteinases (cathepsins) are capable of degrading ECM proteins such as collagen, laminin, fibronectin, and proteoglycans. These enzymes are implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, especially in diseases involving tissue re‐modeling states. Dentin also contains serum‐derived proteins (such as albumin, immunoglobulins, and transferrin), and a variety of growth factors in the mineralized ECM are available for release during demineralization or other injury. A detailed description of the components of the above‐mentioned dentin non‐collageneous proteins will be summarized in this literature review.

ObjectiveTo assess the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns associated with central nervous system infection with Cryptococcus sp. in relation to patient immune status.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective study of MRI data for 19 patients with neurocryptococcosis who underwent the examination between January 2000 and March 2014. The MRI characteristics examined included lesion topography, aspects of diffusion, T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, and contrast enhancement patterns.ResultsIn all cases, cryptococcal infection was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Of the 19 patients, 10 were immunocompromised and 9 were immunocompetent. Abnormal imaging patterns occurred alone or in conjunction with other manifestations. The imaging patterns found in immunocompromised patients included the following: leptomeningeal enhancement, in 6; pachymeningeal enhancement, in 3 (due to intracranial hypotension in 2); perivascular space involvement, in 4; granulomas, in 2; hydrocephalus, in 2; miliary nodules, in 1; and plexitis, in 1. In immunocompetent patients, the following imaging patterns were observed: leptomeningeal enhancement, in 5; perivascular space involvement, in 3; granulomas, in 3; cryptococcoma, in 1; ventriculitis, in 1; and hydrocephalus, in 1. In 2 immunocompetent patients, diffusion-weighted imaging showed diffusion restriction in cerebral cryptococcal granuloma.ConclusionIn both groups, the most common imaging finding was leptomeningeal enhancement, followed by dilatation of perivascular spaces with the presence of mucoid material. Rare presentations, such as miliary nodules, plexitis, ventriculitis, and pachymeningeal enhancement, were also observed. None of the imaging patterns common to immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients differed significantly in frequency between them.

• SN-FA appears insufficiently sensitive and specific to diagnose PD. • Radiologists must be careful when translating mean group results to clinical practice. • Imaging protocol and analysis standardization is necessary for developing reproducible quantitative biomarkers.

Study design: Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the shoulders of tetraplegic and paraplegic patients who attend rehabilitation program. Objectives: The objective of this study is to establish the usefulness of radiography as a trial exam for shoulder pain in spinal cord injured patients. Setting: Hospital das ClinicasFUNICAMP. Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Thirty-two shoulders of 16 patients were evaluated by clinical exam and radiography. Patients were divided into two groups: paraplegic and tetraplegic. A control group of 16 normal volunteer subjects was selected. Results: Shoulder pain was reported in 88.89% of tetraplegic and 42.85% of paraplegic. The time of injury ranged from 1.5-22 years (mean 7.88 years); patients had a mean age of 34.68 years (range, 21-57 years). The acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) space ranged from 0.03-0.7 cm on the right side and 0.15-0.7 cm on the left side, with a mean of 0.37 and 0.41 cm, respectively. No correlation was found between shoulder pain and gender, age or time since injury. There was a trend to correlation between shoulder pain and type of injury with tetraplegic having a tendency to pain symptoms. On average, tetraplegic had smaller ACJ. Conclusions: The small number of patients in this study did not allow us to confirm the hypothesis that X-ray finding may indicate risk for shoulder pain in spinal cord injury patients. A work with a greater number of subjects could demonstrate association between shoulder pain and the reduced acromioclavicular distance, making plain radiography a trial exam for spinal cord-injured patients.