No abstract

Pulse oximetry (PO) is a well-accepted non-invasive method for assessing vascular health, based on oxygen saturation (SaO(2) ) measurements. The objectives of this study were to design and build a custom-made PO dental sensor holder, to evaluate the effectiveness of PO in determining pulp blood flow in primary and permanent teeth, and to compare the SaO(2) levels obtained in teeth and on the little finger of patients. The PO sensor adapted to the custom-made sensor holder is termed as a device to position and hold the PO sensor. This study evaluated SaO(2) readings obtained in the pulp of 123 teeth of 84 children aged 4-13years. The teeth were divided into three groups: group I - primary teeth: 23 central incisors and 28 canines; group II - permanent teeth: 25 central incisors and 28 canines; and group III - endodontically treated teeth (control): 12 permanent central incisors and seven primary central incisors. The pulp blood flow and SaO(2) were measured and were compared with readings of the patient's finger. Data were analyzed by paired t-tests and Pearson's analysis method. The PO was able to identify all the clinically normal pulps contained in the sample, and all the endodontically treated teeth (controls) showed no response. The mean SaO(2) values were 85.27% in the teeth and 92.85% in the fingers. In conclusion, PO readings were effective in determining pulp blood flow in primary and permanent teeth. However, there was no correlation between the SaO(2) values in the fingers and in the teeth of the patients (P<0.05).

Fully developed leaves of Cryptochloa capillata (Swallen) Soderstrom, Raddia brasilienses Bertol and Pharus lappulaceus Aublet (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) were collected at Restinga de Jacarepiá, Environment Proctection Area of Massambaba, county of Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and studied by optical microscope. Leaf anatomy is described in order to contribute to the Poaceae family study. Anatomic features observed in the three studied species such as: midrib with complex vascular system, mesophyll consisting of tabular lobed chlorophyllous elements and fusoid cells, vascular bundles with double sheath, epidermis made up of long cells, short cells, micro-hairs, prickles and silica bodies correspond to the "bambusoid type" of leaf anatomy.

The aim of this study was to measure in vitro; the tensile bond strength of three intracanal posts used in anterior primary teeth. A total of 45 single rooted primary anterior teeth were selected for the study and the crowns sectioned leaving 1mm above the cement-enamel junction. The roots were then assigned to three groups according the type of retention used. All roots were endodonticaly treated, a 4-mm of the canal was cleansed and a base of glass ionomer cement was put at the bottom of the prepared canal. The roots were then prepared to receive intracanal posts using a # 4137 diamond bur (KG Sorensen) used in a depth of 3-mm of the length of the canal. All the prepared roots were acid etched with a 37% phosphoric acid gel for 15 seconds, rinsed, dried and the dentin adhesive Single Bond (3M) was applied. Group I received intracanal posts and cores made of composite resin (Filtek Z 250, 3M). Group II intracanal posts were made from a 0.6mm orthodontic wire bent as a Greek letter type (gamma), fixed with the Z 250 composite resin and cores were built with the same composite. Finally Group III received intracanal retention made of a fiber glass post (Fibrekor Post, Generic/Pentron) with 1.25mm diameter, fixed with Z 250 and cores were made like the other groups. The samples were submitted to tension in a universal- testing machine (Instron, model 4444). Statistical analysis (ANOVA) reveled that there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. On the basis of the results of this in vitro study it was concluded that the type of intracanal post did not interfere with the tensile strength and the most frequent type of failure was of adhesive type, corresponding to 74% of the sample.

Hemocytes mediate a series of immune reactions essential for bivalve survival in the environment, however, the impact of harmful algal species and their associated phycotoxins upon bivalve immune system is under debate. To better understand the possible toxic effects of these toxins, Crassostrea gigas hemocytes were exposed to brevetoxin (PbTx-2). Hemocyte viability, monitored through the neutral red retention and MTT reduction assays, and apoptosis (Hoechst staining) remained unchanged during 12 h of exposure to PbTx-2 in concentrations up to 1000 µg/L. Despite cell viability and apoptosis remained stable, hemocytes incubated for 4 h with 1000 µg/L of PbTx-2 revealed higher expression levels of Hsp70 (p < 0.01) and CYP356A1 (p < 0.05) transcripts and a tendency to increase FABP expression, as evaluated by Real-Time quantitative PCR. The expression of other studied genes (BPI, IL-17, GSTO, EcSOD, Prx6, SOD and GPx) remained unchanged. The results suggest that the absence of cytotoxic effects of PbTx-2 in Crassostrea gigas hemocytes, even at high concentrations, allow early defense responses to be produced by activating protective mechanisms associated to detoxification (CYP356A1 and possibly FABP) and stress (Hsp70), but not to immune or to antioxidant (BPI, IL-17, EcSOD, Prx6, GPx and SOD) related genes.