Intra-articular calcifications of the temporomandibular joint and associations with degenerative bone alterations

de Almeida, Daniela,de Souza, Patricia Schmidt Araujo Passos,de Mendonca, Luana Pereira,Verner, Francielle Silvestre,Devito, Karina Lopes Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2020 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.50 No.2

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to determine the prevalence of calcifications in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to evaluate any associations between the presence of such calcifications and degenerative bone alterations of the TMJ, sex, or age. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 1,058 CBCT exams were analyzed, and data regarding the presence and quantity of calcifications, the affected side, any degenerative alterations of the condyle, sex, and age were collected. To evaluate associations between the presence of calcifications and sex or age, the Fisher exact test or the Spearman correlation coefficient, respectively, was used. To assess the association between the presence of calcifications and joint bone alterations, the chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used. The significance level adopted was 5% (P<0.05). Results: Twenty-eight patients (2.7%) presented with TMJ calcifications, including 23 women (82.1%) and 5 men (17.9%). Significant correlations were found between the presence of calcifications and age (P<0.05) and between the presence of calcifications and the presence of condylar alterations (P<0.05), with 73.2% of patients with bone alterations having TMJ calcifications. Conclusion: It may be concluded that, although rare (with a prevalence of only 2.7%), intra-articular calcifications are associated with both degenerative bone alterations and age.

Characterization of Aspartate Aminotransferase Isoenzymes from Leaves of Lupinus albus L. cv Estoril

Martins, Maria Luisa Louro,De Freitas Barbosa, Miguel Pedro,De Varennes E Mendonca, Amarilis Paula Alberti Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2002 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.35 No.2

Two aspartate aminoransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) isoenzymes (AAT-1 and AAT-2) from Lupinus albus L. cv Estoril were separated, purified, and characterized. The molecular weight, pI value, optimum pH, optimum temperature, and thermodynamic parameters for thermal inactivation of both isoenzymes were obtained. Studies of the kinetic mechanism, and the kinetics of product inhibition and high substrate concentration inhibition, were performed. The effect of some divalent ions and irreversible inhibitors on both AAT isoenzymes was also studied. Native PAGE showed a higher molecular weight for AAT-2 compared with AAT-1. AAT-1 appears to be more anionic than AAT-2, which was suggested by the anion exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE showed a similar sub-unit molecular weight for both isoenzymes. The optimum pH (between 8,0 and 9.0) and temperature ($60-65^{\circ}C$) were similar for both isoenzymes. In the temperature range of $45-65^{\circ}C$, AAT-2 has higher thermostability than AAT-1. Both isoenzymes showed a high affinity for keto-acid substrates, as well as a higher affinity to aspartate than glutamate. Manganese ions induced an increase in both AAT isoenzymes activities, but no cooperative effect was detected. Among the inhibitors tested, hydroxylamine affected both isoenzymes activity by an irreversible inhibition mechanism.

Ethereal Extract of Pepper: Preventing Atherosclerosis and Left Ventricle Remodeling in LDL Receptor Knockout Mice

Leandro dos Santos,Leticia de Oliveira Maciel,Erika Kristina Incerpi Gracia,Evelise Aline Soares,Danielle Aparecida Quintino Si,Valerio Garrone Barauna,Heder Frank Gianotto Estrela,Carollayne Mendonca 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.26 No.1

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In this study we compared the effects of oral treatment with red pepper ethereal extracts or simvastatin on dyslipidemia, left ventricle remodeling, and atherosclerotic lesions of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice (LDLr<SUP>−/−</SUP>) fed a hyperlipidic diet. Forty 3-month-old male mice were distributed into four groups: control (C; animals fed a standard diet), HL (animals fed a hyperlipidic diet), and HL+P or HL+S (animals fed a hyperlipidic diet plus red pepper ethereal extracts or simvastatin, respectively). After 60 days, treatment with both red pepper ethereal extracts and simvastatin prevented dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic lesion progression, and left ventricle hypertrophy. Our results suggest a cardioprotective effect of red pepper ethereal extracts in LDLr<SUP>−/−</SUP> mice, which is comparable to the well-known effects of simvastatin.

Characterization of Aspartate Aminotransferase Isoenzymes from Leaves of Lupinus albus L. cv Estoril

Martins, Maria Luisa Louro,Mourato, Miguel Pedro de Freitas Barbosa,Mendonca, Amarilis Paula alberti de varennes e 생화학분자생물학회 1989 BMB Reports Vol.35 No.2

Two aspartate azninotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) isoenzymes (AAT-1 and AAT-2) from Lupines albus L. cv Estoril were separated, purified, and characterized. The molecular weight, pI value, optimum pH, optimum temperature, and thermodynamic parameters for thermal inactivation of both isaenzymes were abtained. Studies of the kinetic mechanism, and the kinetics of product inhibition and high substrate concentration inhibition, were performed. The effect of some divalent ions and irreversible inhibitors on both AAT isoenzymes was also studied. Native PAGE showed a higher molecular weight for AAT 2 compared with AAT 1. AAT 1 appears to be more anionic than AAT 2, which was suggested by the anion exchange chromatography SDS-PAGE showed a similar sub-unit molecular weight for both isoenzymes. The optimum pH (between 8.0 and 9.0) and temperature (60-65℃) were similar far both isoenzymes. In the temperature range of 45-65℃, AAT-2 has higher thermostability than AAT-1. Both isoenzymes showed a high affinity for keto-acid substrates, as well as a higher affinity to aspartate than glutamate. Manganese ions induced an increase in both AAT isoenzymes activities, but no cooperative effect was detected. Among the inhibitors tested, hydroxylamine affected both isoenzymes activity by an irreversible inhibition mechanism.

Clitoria ternatea L. as a Potential High Quality Forage Legume

Abreu, Matheus Lima Correa,Vieira, Ricardo Augusto Mendonca,Rocha, Norberto Silva,Araujo, Raphael Pavesi,Gloria, Leonardo Siqueira,Fernandes, Alberto Magno,Lacerda, Paulo Drude De,Junior, Antonio Gesu Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.2

Samples of Clitoria ternatea L. (Cunh$\tilde{a}$) were harvested at 35, 50, 70, and 90 d after a uniformity harvest in a field study designed as a completely randomized design with a total of 18 experimental plots. The dry matter yield of the whole plant was separated quantitatively into leaves, stems, and pods at each harvesting age. Chemical analyses and in vitro gas production kinetics were performed to assess the quality of the plant parts. Yields, chemical composition, and estimates of gas production parameters were analyzed by fitting a mixed statistical model with two types of covariance structures as follows: variance components and an unrestricted structure with heterogeneous variances. Fast and slow gas yielding pools were detected for both leaves and stems, but only a single pool was detected for pods. The homoscedasticity assumption was more likely for all variables, except for some parameters of the gas production kinetics of leaves and stems. There was no presence of typical pods at 35 and 50 d. In the leaves, the fibrous fractions were affected, whereas the non-fibrous fractions were unaffected by the harvesting age. The harvesting age affected the majority of the chemical constituents and gas kinetic parameters related to the stems. The leaves of this legume were the least affected part by the aging process.

Simulated occlusal adjustments and their effects on zirconia and antagonist artificial enamel

Alfrisany, Najm Mohsen,Shokati, Babak,Tam, Laura Eva,De Souza, Grace Mendonca The Korean Academy of Prosthodonitics 2019 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.11 No.3

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal adjustments on the surface roughness of yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) and wear of opposing artificial enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twenty-five Y-TZP slabs from each brand (Lava, 3M and Bruxzir, Glidewell Laboratories) with different surface conditions (Control polished - CPZ; Polished/ground - GRZ; Polished/ground/repolished - RPZ; Glazed - GZ; Porcelain-veneered - PVZ; n=5) were abraded (500,000 cycles, 80 N) against artificial enamel (6 mm diameter steatite). Y-TZP roughness (in ${\mu}m$) before and after chewing simulation (CS) and antagonist steatite volume loss (in $mm^3$) were evaluated using a contact surface profilometer. Y-TZP roughness was analyzed by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and steatite wear by two-way ANOVA and Tukey Honest Difference (HSD) (P=.05). RESULTS. There was no effect of Y-TZP brand on surface roughness (P=.216) and steatite loss (P=.064). A significant interaction effect (P<.001) between surface condition and CS on Y-TZP roughness was observed. GZ specimens showed higher roughness after CS (before CS - $3.7{\pm}1.8{\mu}m$; after CS - $13.54{\pm}3.11{\mu}m$), with partial removal of the glaze layer. Indenters abraded against CPZ ($0.09{\pm}0.03mm^3$) were worn more than those abraded against PVZ ($0.02{\pm}0.01mm^3$) and GZ ($0.02{\pm}0.01mm^3$). Higher wear caused by direct abrasion against zirconia was confirmed by SEM. CONCLUSION. Polishing with an intraoral polishing system did not reduce the roughness of zirconia. Wear of the opposing artificial enamel was affected by the material on the surface rather than the finishing technique applied, indicating that polished zirconia is more deleterious to artificial enamel than are glazed and porcelain-veneered restorations.