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Showing papers by "Rio de Janeiro State University published in 2006"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Benefits of anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and biological drugs during pregnancy and lactation, effects of these drugs on male and female fertility and possible long-term effects on infants exposed to drugs antenatally are discussed.
Abstract: Rheumatic diseases in women of childbearing years may necessitate drug treatment during a pregnancy, to control maternal disease activity and to ensure a successful pregnancy outcome. This survey is based on a consensus workshop of international experts discussing effects of anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and biological drugs during pregnancy and lactation. In addition, effects of these drugs on male and female fertility and possible long-term effects on infants exposed to drugs antenatally are discussed where data were available. Recommendations for drug treatment during pregnancy and lactation are given.

506 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
S. Schael1, R. Barate, R. Bruneliere, I. De Bonis  +1279 moreInstitutions (141)
TL;DR: In this paper, four LEP collaborations, ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL, have searched for the neutral Higgs bosons which are predicted by the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM).
Abstract: The four LEP collaborations, ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL, have searched for the neutral Higgs bosons which are predicted by the Minimal Supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). The data of the four collaborations are statistically combined and examined for their consistency with the background hypothesis and with a possible Higgs boson signal. The combined LEP data show no significant excess of events which would indicate the production of Higgs bosons. The search results are used to set upper bounds on the cross-sections of various Higgs-like event topologies. The results are interpreted within the MSSM in a number of “benchmark” models, including CP-conserving and CP-violating scenarios. These interpretations lead in all cases to large exclusions in the MSSM parameter space. Absolute limits are set on the parameter cosβ and, in some scenarios, on the masses of neutral Higgs bosons.

494 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
V. M. Abazov1, Brad Abbott2, M. Abolins3, Bobby Samir Acharya4  +814 moreInstitutions (74)
TL;DR: The D0 experiment enjoyed a very successful data-collection run at the Fermilab Tevatron collider between 1992 and 1996 as discussed by the authors, and the detector has been upgraded to take advantage of improvements to the Tevoton and to enhance its physics capabilities.
Abstract: The D0 experiment enjoyed a very successful data-collection run at the Fermilab Tevatron collider between 1992 and 1996. Since then, the detector has been upgraded to take advantage of improvements to the Tevatron and to enhance its physics capabilities. We describe the new elements of the detector, including the silicon microstrip tracker, central fiber tracker, solenoidal magnet, preshower detectors, forward muon detector, and forward proton detector. The uranium/liquid-argon calorimeters and central muon detector, remaining from Run I, are discussed briefly. We also present the associated electronics, triggering, and data acquisition systems, along with the design and implementation of software specific to D0.

425 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Para o rastreamento cognitivo de idosos atendidos em ambulatorios gerais pelo Mini-Exame do Estado Mental, a escolaridade devera ser considerada para a adocao do ponto de corte mais adequado.
Abstract: OBJETIVO: Avaliar as caracteristicas de medida do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental em idosos atendidos em um ambulatorio geral. METODOS: O total de 303 individuos (>65 anos) foi submetido a avaliacao geriatrica com varios instrumentos, inclusive o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental. Foram calculadas a sensibilidade, a especificidade, os valores preditivos positivo e negativo e a curva ROC. RESULTADOS: A sensibilidade, a especificidade, os valores preditivos positivo e negativo e a area sob a curva ROC foram 80,8%, 65,3%, 44,7%, 90,7% e 0,807, respectivamente (ponto de corte 23/24). O melhor ponto de corte para individuos analfabetos foi 18/19 (sensibilidade =73,5%; especificidade =73,9%), e para aqueles com instrucao escolar foi 24/25 (sensibilidade =75%; especificidade =69,7%). CONCLUSOES: Para o rastreamento cognitivo de idosos atendidos em ambulatorios gerais pelo Mini-Exame do Estado Mental, a escolaridade devera ser considerada para a adocao do ponto de corte mais adequado.

368 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of the biodiesel addition on the emission profile of mono-and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs and PAHs, respectively) was investigated with a heavy-duty diesel engine, fueled with pure diesel (D) and biodiesel blends (v/v).

231 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The extracutaneous form and the atypical forms are a challenge to a newly developed serological test, introduced as an auxiliary tool for the diagnosis of unusual clinical forms of sporotrichosis.
Abstract: For a long time sporotrichosis has been regarded to have a low incidence in Brazil; however, recent studies demonstrate that not only the number of reported cases but also the incidence of more severe or atypical clinical forms of the disease are increasing. Recent data indicate that these more severe forms occur in about 10% of patients with confirmed diagnosis. The less frequent forms, mainly osteoarticular sporotrichosis, might be associated both with patient immunodepression and zoonotic transmission of the disease. The extracutaneous form and the atypical forms are a challenge to a newly developed serological test, introduced as an auxiliary tool for the diagnosis of unusual clinical forms of sporotrichosis.

226 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The properties of Mn1−xFexAs are reported on that exhibit the colossal effect at ambient pressure, which brings layered magnetic regenerators with huge refrigerating power closer to practical applications around room temperature.
Abstract: The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is the basis for magnetic refrigeration, and can replace conventional gas compression technology due to its superior efficiency and environment friendliness1,2,3. MCE materials must exhibit a large temperature variation in response to an adiabatic magnetic-field variation and a large isothermal entropic effect is also expected. In this respect, MnAs shows the colossal MCE, but the effect appears under high pressures4. In this work, we report on the properties of Mn1−xFexAs that exhibit the colossal effect at ambient pressure. The MCE peak varies from 285 K to 310 K depending on the Fe concentration. Although a large thermal hysteresis is observed, the colossal effect at ambient pressure brings layered magnetic regenerators with huge refrigerating power closer to practical applications around room temperature.

199 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
V. M. Abazov1, Brad Abbott2, M. Abolins3, B. S. Acharya4  +593 moreInstitutions (80)
TL;DR: The first direct two-sided bound on the oscillation frequency was reported in this article, where a large sample of semileptonic decays corresponding to approximately 1 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity collected by the \dzer\ experiment in 2002--2006 during Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider was used.
Abstract: We report the first direct two-sided bound on the $B^0_s$ oscillation frequency using a large sample of $B^0_s$ semileptonic decays corresponding to approximately 1 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity collected by the \dzer\ experiment in 2002--2006 during Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The flavor (i.e., $B^0_s$ or $\bar{B}^0_s$) of the \bs meson at the time of production was found using an opposite-side tagging technique, and the flavor at the time of decay was determined from the charge of the muon in the partially reconstructed decay $\bs\to \mu^{+}D_{s}^{-}X$, $D_{s}^{-}\to \phi \pi^{-}$, $\phi\to K^{+}K^{-}$. A likelihood scan over the oscillation frequency, $\Delta m_s$, gives a most probable value of 19 ps$^{-1}$ and a range of $17 < \Delta m_s < 21$ ps$^{-1}$ at the 90% C.L. At $\Delta m_s=19$ ps$^{-1}$, the amplitude method yields a result that deviates from the hypothesis of an oscillation amplitude of zero by 2.5 standard deviations, corresponding to a two-sided C.L. of 1%.

167 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, surface sediment samples were collected in Guanabara Bay, one of the most prominent urban bays in SE Brazil, to investigate the spatial distribution of anthropogenic pollutants.
Abstract: Ninety-two surface sediment samples were collected in Guanabara Bay, one of the most prominent urban bays in SE Brazil, to investigate the spatial distribution of anthropogenic pollutants. The concentrations of heavy metals, organic carbon and particle size were examined in all samples. Large spatial variations of heavy metals and particle size were observed. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in the muddy sediments from the north western region of the bay near the main outlets of the most polluted rivers, municipal waste drainage systems and one of the major oil refineries. Another anomalous concentration of metals was found adjacent to Rio de Janeiro Harbour. The heavy metal concentrations decrease to the northeast, due to intact rivers and the mangrove systems in this area, and to the south where the sand fraction and open-marine processes dominate. The geochemical normalization of metal data to Li or Al has also demonstrated that the anthropogenic input of heavy metals have altered the natural sediment heavy metal distribution.

163 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the second-order kinetics of Pb2+ biosorption with dead Sargassum sp. as a biosorbent for aqueous solutions was studied.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Professional flossing in children with low fluoride exposures is highly effective in reducing interproximal caries risk, and should be extrapolated to more typical floss-users with care, since self-flossing has failed to show an effect.
Abstract: Our aim was to assess, systematically, the effect of flossing on interproximal caries risk. Six trials involving 808 subjects, ages 4 to 13 years, were identified. There were significant study-to-study differences and a moderate to large potential for bias. Professional flossing performed on school days for 1.7 years on predominantly primary teeth in children was associated with a 40% caries risk reduction (relative risk, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.76; p-value, < 0.001). Both three-monthly professional flossing for 3 years (relative risk, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-1.19; p-value, 0.32) and self-performed flossing in young adolescents for 2 years (relative risk, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-1.20; p-value, 0.93) did not reduce caries risk. No flossing trials in adults or under unsupervised conditions could be identified. Professional flossing in children with low fluoride exposures is highly effective in reducing interproximal caries risk. These findings should be extrapolated to more typical floss-users with care, since self-flossing has failed to show an effect.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: SeagrassNet as discussed by the authors is a monitoring program for seagrasses worldwide, which uses a standardized protocol for detecting change in seagras habitat to capture both seagrase parameters and environmental variables.
Abstract: Seagrasses are an important coastal habitat worldwide and are indicative of environmental health at the critical land–sea interface In many parts of the world, seagrasses are not well known, although they provide crucial functions and values to the world’s oceans and to human populations dwelling along the coast Established in 2001, SeagrassNet, a monitoring program for seagrasses worldwide, uses a standardized protocol for detecting change in seagrass habitat to capture both seagrass parameters and environmental variables SeagrassNet is designed to statistically detect change over a relatively short time frame (1–2 years) through quarterly monitoring of permanent plots Currently, SeagrassNet operates in 18 countries at 48 sites; at each site, a permanent transect is established and a team of people from the area collects data which is sent to the SeagrassNet database for analysis We present five case studies based on SeagrassNet data from across the Americas (two sites in the USA, one in Belize, and two in Brazil) which have a common theme of seagrass decline; the study represents a first latitudinal comparison across a hemisphere using a common methodology In two cases, rapid loss of seagrass was related to eutrophication, in two cases losses related to climate change, and in one case, the loss is attributed to a complex trophic interaction resulting from the presence of a marine protected area SeagrassNet results provide documentation of seagrass change over time and allow us to make scientifically supported statements about the status of seagrass habitat and the extent of need for management action

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of HO and its metabolites, carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin (BVD), in leukocyte rolling, adhesion and neutrophil migration during inflammatory processes is addressed.
Abstract: Background and purpose: Heme oxygenase (HO) activity is known to down-regulate inflammatory events. Here, we address the role of HO and its metabolites, carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin (BVD), in leukocyte rolling, adhesion and neutrophil migration during inflammatory processes. Experimental approach: Intravital microscopy was used to evaluate leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the mesenteric microcirculation of mice. TNFα and IL-1β were determined by ELISA and HO-1 protein expression by Western blot. Key results: Intraperitoneal challenge with carrageenan enhanced HO-1 protein expression in mesentery and bilirubin concentration in peritoneal exudates. Pretreatment of mice with a non-specific inhibitor of HO (ZnDPBG) or with a HO-1 specific inhibitor (ZnPP IX) enhanced neutrophil migration, rolling and adhesion on endothelium induced by carrageenan. In contrast, HO substrate (hemin), CO donor (DMDC) or BVD reduced these parameters. The reduction of neutrophil recruitment promoted by HO metabolites was independent of the production of chemotactic cytokines. Inhibitory effects of CO, but not of BVD, were counteracted by treatment with a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor, ODQ. Furthermore, inhibition of HO prevented the inhibitory effect of a nitric oxide (NO) donor (SNAP) upon neutrophil migration, while the blockade of NO synthase (NOS) activity by aminoguanidine did not affect the CO or BVD effects. Conclusions and Implications: Metabolites of HO decreased leukocyte rolling, adhesion and neutrophil migration to the inflammatory site by a mechanism partially dependent on sGC. Moreover, inhibition by NO of neutrophil migration was dependent on HO activity. British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 345–354. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706882


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The use of rimonabant after one year produces modest weight loss of approximately 5%.
Abstract: Rimonabant is the first drug of a new class of medications that seems to reduce body weight and improve risk factors for diseases of the blood vessels and heart in people who are overweight or obese. We found four studies which evaluated weight loss, occurrence of disorders and adverse effects of treatment. The four studies involved 6625 people comparing rimonabant 20 mg with rimonabant 5 mg and placebo, in combination with a hypocaloric diet after one or two years of treatment. Greater weight loss and improvement in risk factors were seen after 20 mg of rimonabant. These results have to be interpreted with caution though, due to high discontinuation rates of study participants and the overall low quality of the included studies. The authors conclude that: 1. average weight loss with rimonabant appears modest, and 2. more rigorous studies examining the efficacy and safety of rimonabant are required to fully evaluate the benefit risk ratio of this new drug. In Europe, rimonabant is contraindicated for patients with severe depression and/or patients who are treated with antidepressive medications. Rimonabant is furthermore not recommended for patients with other untreated psychiatric conditions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Despite lower absolute event rates in monotherapy patients, the relative risks of heart failure and new-onset diabetes favored valsartan, and these findings support the feasibility of comparative prospective trials in lower-risk hypertensive patients.
Abstract: In the main Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-Term Use Evaluation (VALUE) report, we investigated outcomes in 15 245 high-risk hypertensive subjects treated with valsartan- or amlodipine-based regimens In this report, we analyzed outcomes in 7080 patients (464%) who, at the end of the initial drug adjustment period (6 months), remained on monotherapy Baseline characteristics were similar in the valsartan (N=3263) and amlodipine (N=3817) groups Time on monotherapy was 32 years (78% of treatment exposure time) The average in-trial blood pressure was similar in both groups Event rates in the monotherapy group were 16% to 39% lower than in the main VALUE trial In the first analysis, we censored patients when they discontinued monotherapy ("censored"); in the second, we counted events regardless of subsequent therapy (intention-to-treat principle) We also assessed the impact of duration of monotherapy on outcomes No difference was found in primary composite cardiac end points, strokes, myocardial infarctions, and all-cause deaths with both analyses Heart failure in the valsartan group was lower both in the censored and intention-to-treat analyses (hazard ratios: 063, P=0004 and 078, P=0045, respectively) Longer duration of monotherapy amplified between-group differences in heart failure New-onset diabetes was lower in the valsartan group with both analyses (odds ratios: 078, P=0012 and 082, P=0034) Thus, despite lower absolute event rates in monotherapy patients, the relative risks of heart failure and new-onset diabetes favored valsartan Moreover, these findings support the feasibility of comparative prospective trials in lower-risk hypertensive patients

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There are three dimensions in the target issue: implications of the legacies, multi-generational transmission, repetition of the patterns, and myths and beliefs in each family system; seniors as active participants in the care-giving decision; and the support group as a key resource for the family.
Abstract: This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the main family caregivers of highly dependent elderly. Performed in a geriatric outpatient unit, the study used a content analysis methodology, and data were collected with interviews and 14 group sessions with 24 subjects. The following categories emerged: denial versus acceptance of the disease before and after diagnosis; how and why the main caregiver assumes this role; caregiver's characteristics; caregiver's experiences; meanings ascribed to care-giving; history of the caregiver's relationship to the elder before the disease; caregiver/elder relationship since onset of the disease; changes in the caregiver's life; changes in the family; and causes for the appearance of the disease. In conclusion, there are three dimensions in the target issue: (1) implications of the legacies, multi-generational transmission, repetition of the patterns, and myths and beliefs in each family system; (2) seniors as active participants in the care-giving decision; and (3) the support group as a key resource for the family.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results support the growing view that tropical stream food chains are primarily algal based, especially those in the tropics.
Abstract: Stable isotope studies of food webs in floodplains, large rivers, mangroves, and seagrasses have shown that, although a large proportion of the biomass may come from higher plants, microalgae provide a disproportionate amount of carbon assimilated by metazoan consumers. Evidence is building that this may also be the case for streams, especially those in the tropics. At the level of individual consumer species we also see that the apparent diet may not be reflected in the carbon assimilated. Tropical streams commonly have omnivore- detritivore species that potentially show this phenomenon. We tested these concepts in four moderately shaded sites in a stream in well-preserved Atlantic rainforest at Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro. We sampled aquatic insects, shrimps and fish as well as potential terrestrial and aquatic primary food sources. Carbon stocks from terrestrial sources predominated over carbon of algal origin (>99% of total). The primary sources of carbon showed distinctly different isotopic signatures: terrestrial sources had δ 13 C values close to −30‰, microalgae were −20‰ and macroalgae were −25‰. All fauna had δ 13 C values consistent with a carbon source derived from microalgae. Baetid mayflies and atyid shrimps exert a strong grazing pressure on periphyton and organic sediments but appear to assimilate predominantly microalgae. The palaemonid shrimp Macrobrachium olfersi also ingests large amounts of detritus of terrestrial origin, but apparently assimilates animal prey with algal δ 13 C signatures. These results support the growing view that tropical stream food chains are primarily algal based.

Journal ArticleDOI
15 Sep 2006-Toxicon
TL;DR: The results obtained can help in proteome studies, and the clones can be used to directly probe the genetic material from other snake species or to investigate differences in gene expression pattern in response to factors such as diet, aging and geographic localization.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the FOT is useful for detecting the respiratory mechanics modifications in COPD patients, and in the late stage of the airway obstruction increase, resistive parameters did not present statistically significant modifications, while reactive parameters seem to be more useful.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was concluded that metformin improved vascular endothelial reactivity in first-degree relatives with metabolic syndrome of type 2 diabetic patients, independently of its known antihyperglycemic effects.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE—Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of atherosclerosis seen in type 2 diabetic subjects. Metformin is commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and has known vasculoprotective effects beyond its hypoglycemic ones. We aimed to investigate the vascular effects of metformin in first-degree relatives with metabolic syndrome of type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The study included 31 subjects (age 38.3 ± 7.6 years and BMI 36.3 ± 5.2 kg/m2), who were first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients and who had metabolic syndrome and normal glucose tolerance. The subjects were randomly assigned 1:1 in a double-blind fashion to receive placebo (n = 15) or metformin (n = 16). Endothelial function was assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography, measuring forearm blood flow (FBF) and vascular resistance responses to three intra-arterial infusions of endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine 7.5, 15, and 30 μg/min) and independent (sodium nitroprusside 2, 4, and 8 μg/min) vasodilators. Weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist, and laboratory parameters (lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose [FPG]) were assessed at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS—The metformin and placebo groups did not differ in anthropometric, clinical, laboratory, and vascular measurements at baseline. The metformin group had decreased weight, BMI, systolic blood pressure, and FPG and improved lipid profile. Endothelium-dependent FBF responses were also improved, without any effect on endothelium-independent responses. There was no correlation between the improvement on FBF responses and the observed changes on anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory parameters. CONCLUSIONS—We concluded that metformin improved vascular endothelial reactivity in first-degree relatives with metabolic syndrome of type 2 diabetic patients, independently of its known antihyperglycemic effects.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of this study suggest that the FOT can be proposed as an alternative method for the assessment of the respiratory mechanics in asthmatic patients, representing a promising solution to the problem of effort dependence.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, computer modelling techniques are employed to investigate the adsorption of the citric acid molecule to a range of hydroxyapatite surfaces, and new interatomic potential parameters for the apatite/adsorbate interactions are presented.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Oct 2006-Clinics
TL;DR: An adipocyte-endothelium interaction might be an important mechanism of inflammation and vascular dysfunction in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome and lean controls.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that suitable surface treatments, such as employed here, may improve in vitro titanium bioactivity in a SBF solution at 37 degrees C and suggests a possibility of a further favorable in vivo response.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Portland cement and MTA demonstrated a similar ability to seal furcal perforations as well as preventing coronal leakage through repaired furcalperforations in molar teeth.
Abstract: De-Deus G, Petruccelli V, Gurgel-Filho E, CoutinhoFilho T. MTA versus Portland cement as repair material for furcal perforations: a laboratory study using a polymicrobial leakage model. International Endodontic Journal, 39, 293–298, 2006. Aim To compare the ability of Portland cement and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to prevent coronal leakage through repaired furcal perforations in molar teeth. Methodology The pulp chambers of 36 human mandibular molar teeth were accessed and the root canal orifices were located. The roots were horizontally sectioned in the middle third. Composite resin was used to fill the root canal orifices and the apical end of the roots. Perforations were created in the centre of the pulp chamber floor using a size 3 round bur. Thirty teeth were divided into two groups (n ¼ 15) and a further six teeth served as controls. In G1, all 15 perforation defects were repaired with MTA while in G2, Portland cement was used. Each tooth was inserted in a silicone tube (bacterial reservoir) with the region containing the perforation protruding through the end. The system was sterilized and placed in a glass flask containing sterile brain heart infusion medium (BHI). The reservoirs were filled with human saliva mixed in BHI and system was incubated at 37 � C and checked daily for the appearance of turbidity in the BHI broth during the following 50 days. The leakage data were analysed statistically by a log-rank test (P 0.05). Conclusion Portland cement and MTA demonstrated a similar ability to seal furcal perforations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results demonstrate that ATL-1 suppresses NAD(P)H oxidase-mediated ROS generation in EC, strongly indicating that lipoxins may play a protective role against the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract: Lipoxins and their aspirin-triggered carbon-15 epimers have emerged as mediators of key events in endogenous anti-inflammation and resolution. However, the implication of these novel lipid mediators on cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure has not been investigated. One of the major features shared by these pathological conditions is the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by vascular NAD(P)H oxidase activation. In this study, we have examined whether an aspirin-triggered lipoxin A (4) analog (ATL-1) modulates ROS generation in endothelial cells (EC). Pre-treatment of EC with ATL-1 (1 - 100 nM) completely blocked ROS production triggered by different agents, as assessed by dihydrorhodamine 123 and hydroethidine. Furthermore, ATL-1 inhibited the phosphorylation and translocation of the cytosplamic NAD(P)H oxidase subunit p47 (phox) to the cell membrane as well as NAD(P)H oxidase activity. Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy analyses showed that ATL-1 (100 nM) impaired the redox-sensitive activation of the transcriptional factor NF- kappaB, a critical step in several events associated to vascular pathologies. These results demonstrate that ATL-1 suppresses NAD(P)H oxidase-mediated ROS generation in EC, strongly indicating that lipoxins may play a protective role against the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that neonatal leptin treatment programmes both hyperleptinaemia and hyperinsulinaemia in adulthood, which leads to leptin resistance by reducing the expression of the hypothalamic leptin receptor.
Abstract: We previously showed that neonatal leptin treatment programmes higher body weight and food intake in adult rats. Here we investigate whether leptin treatment during lactation affects the anorectic effect of leptin on adult rats and their hypothalamic leptin receptors (OB-Rb) and whether those changes could have consequences on intermediary metabolism. When the offspring were born, pups were divided into two groups: the Lep group, injected daily with leptin (8 microg/100 g body weight, subcutaneously) for the first 10 d of lactation, and the control group, injected daily with saline. After weaning (day 21), body weight and food intake were monitored until the rats were 150 d old. Food intake was higher in the Lep group (approximately 14 %, P<0.05) from day 133 onwards, and body weight was higher (approximately 10 %, P<0.05) from day 69 onwards, compared with the control group. At 150 d of age, the rats were tested for food intake in response to either leptin (0.5 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally; groups CL and LepL) or saline (groups CSal and LepSal). The CL group showed a decrease in food intake, but no response was observed in the LepL group, suggesting leptin resistance. The Lep group demonstrated a decrease in OB-Rb expression (-40 %, P<0.05), hyperleptinaemia (+78 %, P<0.05), hyperinsulinaemia (+100 %, P<0.02), hypertriacylglycerolaemia (+17 %, P<0.05) and a higher protein content in the body (+16 %, P<0.05) without changes in fat mass and glycaemia. We conclude that neonatal leptin treatment programmes both hyperleptinaemia and hyperinsulinaemia in adulthood, which leads to leptin resistance by reducing the expression of the hypothalamic leptin receptor.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The coated carrier gutta-percha system Thermafil produced significantly higher PGFAs than lateral condensation and System B techniques.
Abstract: Aim To determine the percentage of gutta-percha-filled area (PGFA) in the apical third of root canals when filled with either Thermafil, System B or lateral condensation. Methodology Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were root filled as following: G1: lateral condensation (n = 20), G2: System B (n = 20) and G3: Thermafil system (n = 20). A horizontal section was cut 2 and 4 mm from the apical foramen of each tooth. The samples were prepared for microscopic analysis and photomicrographs of each apical surface were taken at a magnification of 50×. Through digital image analysis, the cross-sectional area of the canal and the gutta-percha was measured. The PGFA was calculated. The PGFA data obtained in the three groups were analysed using a nonparametric Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results Significant differences in PGFA were found between the Thermafil System (G3) and both System B (G2) and lateral condensation (G1) (P 0.05). Conclusions The coated carrier gutta-percha system Thermafil produced significantly higher PGFAs than lateral condensation and System B techniques.