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The tegument of Schistosoma mansoni is involved in essential functions for parasite survival and is known to stimulate immune responses in pre-clinical vaccine trials. Smtal-9, a member of the tegument-allergen-like (TAL) family, is one of the components of the tegument of schistosomula recognized by sera from immunized and protected mice. In this work, we assessed the role of Smtal-9 in parasite survival using the RNAi approach. Also, we cloned and expressed a recombinant form of Smtal-9 and evaluated its ability to induce protection in mice. Smtal-9 knockdown did not impact parasite survival in vitro, but significantly decreased schistosomula size. Additionally, significant reduction in both parasite and egg burdens were observed in mice inoculated with Smtal-9-knockdown schistosomula. Immunization using the Smtal-9 as an antigen conferred partial protection against challenge infection. Overall, our results indicate that Smtal-9 is a candidate target for drug and/or vaccine development due to its important role in parasite biology and survival.

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Sm16 is an immunomodulatory protein that seems to play a key role in the suppression of the cutaneous inflammatory response during Schistosoma mansoni penetration of the skin of definitive hosts. Therefore, Sm16 represents a potential target for protective immune responses induced by vaccination. In this work, we generated the recombinant protein rSm16 and produced polyclonal antibodies against this protein to evaluate its expression during different parasite life-cycle stages and its location on the surface of the parasite. In addition, we analyzed the immune responses elicited by immunization with rSm16 using two different vaccine formulations, as well as its ability to induce protection in Balb/c mice. In order to explore the biological function of Sm16 during the course of experimental infection, RNA interference was also employed. Our results demonstrated that Sm16 is expressed in cercaria and schistosomula and is located in the schistosomula surface. Despite humoral and cellular immune responses triggered by vaccination using rSm16 associated with either Freund's or alum adjuvants, immunized mice presented no reduction in either parasite burden or parasite egg laying. Knockdown of Sm16 gene expression in schistosomula resulted in decreased parasite size in vitro but had no effect on parasite survival or egg production in vivo. Thus, our findings demonstrate that although the vaccine formulations used in this study succeeded in activating immune responses, these failed to promote parasite elimination. Finally, we have shown that Sm16 is not vital for parasite survival in the definitive host and hence may not represent a suitable target for vaccine development.

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A cronologia de irrupção é de fundamental importância em se tratando da busca por uma oclusão balanceada. Contudo, certas patologias podem alterar a cronologia e com isso influenciar o estabelecimento da oclusão. O odontoma é o tipo mais comum de tumor odontogênico, sendo representado por 70% dos casos cuja formação é definida como má-formação benigna. A localização mais frequente é observada na região anterior da maxila, sendo o dente canino o mais envolvido, entretanto exceções tem sido observada. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a importância da inter-relação de especialidades no diagnóstico e conduta frente à alterações na cronologia de irrupção de dentes permanentes. Realizou-se revisão da literatura sobre a temática, nas bases Medline via PubMed, SciELO e Bireme, até novembro de 2017. Os descritores utilizados foram "pediatric dentistry", "unerupted" e "dental eruption". Pode-se constatar a existência de poucos trabalhos descrevendo a importância da inter-relação entre especialidades, sendo mais divulgados revisões de literatura sobre determinadas patologias, bem como relatos de casos, com as condutas frente a existência de tais patologias. Diante do exposto, acredita-se que quando as especialidades trabalham em conjunto, o desdobramento do caso clínico faz-se de forma adequada, beneficiando o prognóstico, além de melhorar a qualidade de vida do paciente.

The chronology of irruption has fundamental role when it is considered the balanced occlusion. However, some pathologies may alter the chronology and thereby influence the establishment of the occlusion. This study aimed to evaluate the importance of the interrelation of specialties in the diagnosis and management of changes in the chronology of permanent teeth eruption. In the first paper, a review of the literature on the subject was carried out in the Medline databases via PubMed, SciELO and Bireme, until November 2017. The descriptors used were "pediatric dentistry", "unerupted" e "dental eruption". It was possible to verify the existence of few studies describing the importance of the interrelation between specialties, being more published literature reviews on certain pathologies, as well as case reports, with managements used with such pathologies. It could be concluded that when the different specialties work together, the unfolding of the clinical case is done adequately, benefiting the prognosis, besides improving the quality of life of the patient.

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BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been linked to resistant hypertension, but the magnitude of this association and its independence of confounding have not been established. METHODS: Case patients were 63 patients with resistant hypertension (BP >or= 140/90 mm Hg using at least three BP-lowering drugs, including a diuretic), and control subjects were 63 patients with controlled BP receiving drug treatment. The primary outcome was the frequency of OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] >or= 10 episodes per hour) determined with a portable home monitor. The comparison of AHI episodes in patients truly normotensive, truly hypertensive, and in patients with white coat or masked hypertension, based on BP determined at office and by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) was a secondary outcome. RESULTS: Case patients and control subjects were well matched for confounding factors. OSAS was present in 45 case patients (71%) and in 24 control subjects (38%) [p < 0.001]. In a logistic regression model, OSAS was strongly and independently associated with resistant hypertension (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 11.7). The AHI of case patients with normal BP in ABPM (white coat hypertension) and control subjects with abnormal BP in ABPM (masked hypertension) was intermediate between the AHI of individuals with normal and abnormal BP measures in both settings (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude and independence of the risk of OSAS for resistant hypertension strengthen the concept that OSAS is a risk factor for resistant hypertension. Comorbid OSAS should be considered in patients with resistant hypertension.

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OBJETIVO: O talco é considerado um agente efetivo de pleurodese freqüentemente utilizado no tratamento de derrame pleural maligno. Entretanto, questiona-se sua segurança em relação à carcinogênese. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever as alterações ultra-estruturais encontradas nas pleuras de ratos submetidos à pleurodese com talco buscando esclarecer sua segurança em relação à carcinogênese. MÉTODO: Neste estudo randomizado foram utilizados seis ratos machos do tipo Wistar, pesando 250 g. Através de uma toracotomia mínima no quinto espaço intercostal esquerdo foi colocado lavado de talco em concentrações de 0,5mg (n=2) e 0,1 mg (n=2) de talco por grama de peso. Dois ratos foram apenas anestesiados e foi instilado solução fisiológica (NaCl 0,9 por cento) intrapleural para configurar o grupo controle. Os ratos foram mortos após 45 dias. As alterações morfológicas e morfométricas ultra-estruturais foram analisadas através de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. RESULTADOS: A análise ultra-estrutural das pleuras submetidas à talcagem demonstrou desorganização celular do tecido conjuntivo, evidenciando alterações nucleares, mitocondriais e espessamento da camada submesotelial. O grupo controle manteve a arquitetura celular preservada. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo revelou alterações da estrutura celular da pleura exposta ao talco quando comparado ao grupo controle.

BACKGROUND: Talc is considered an effective agent for pleurodesis often used in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. However, its safety related to carcinogenesis is questioned. The objectives are to describe ultra-structural alterations detected in pleurae of rats submitted to talc pleurodesis aiming at assessing its safety in relation to carcinogenesis. METHODS: In this randomized study, six Wistar rats weighing 250 g were used. Through a minimal thoracotomy into the fifth left interspace, it was inserted talc in 0.5 mg concentrations (n=2) and 0.1 mg (n=2) each gram weight. Two rats were only anesthetized and a physiological solution (NaCl 0.9 percent)was intrapleurally inserted to represent the control group. The rats were killed after 45 days. Ultra-structural morphological and morphometric alterations were analyzed by transmission electronic microscopy. RESULTS: Ultra-structural analysis of pleurae submitted to talc has shown cellular disorganization of the conjunctive tissue evidencing nuclear, mitochondrial alterations and submesothelial spacing. The control group has maintained the cellular architecture preserved. CONCLUSION: This study revealed alterations in the cellular structure of talc-exposed pleura when compared to the control group.