Seven 2-(N-cycloalkylamino-1,3-dithiocarbamoyl)-carboxylic acids and seven mesoionic 2-N-cycloalkylamino-5-alkyl-1,3-dithiolium-4-thiolates have been conveniently synthesized. They were characterized by elemental analysis, LR., U.V., mass and 'H NMR spectrometry, plus I3C N M R spectrometry in some cases. Important questions concerning the structure of the mesoionic compounds, relevant to mesoionic compounds in general, are addressed. In particular, we refer to the degree of separation of regions of positive and negative charge, bond orders, electron and charge delocalization and aromaticity. In this discussion we cite some of our X-ray diffraction and theoretical studies. We conclude that there are regions of positive and negative charge in which there is delocalization of electrons and charge with bond orders between 1 and 2. However, the shared regions are separated by what are essentially single bonds. Thus, they, and mesoionic compounds in general, should not be considered as formally aromatic. This is supported by estimates of Bird Aromaticity indices-experimentally based for two of the title mesoionic compounds-of the order of 50: substantially less than values for thiophene and pyrrole and much less than values for benzene and pyridine. Finally, based on this discussion, we introduce a new notation for the structures of mesoionic compounds which we believe more accurately represents both the bonding situation and the chemical patterns of reactivity of such compounds.

frequency of tooth brushing was similar among pregnant women in public and private services; the effects of pregnancy on oral health were not well known.

Serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured in a group of 132 normal boys distributed in stages 1-5 of puberty. A highly sensitive (0.005 ng/mL) immunofluorometric assay was developed and used in the study. PSA levels were generally undetectable in state I and rose sharply from stage II to III and from stage III to IV. A significant positive correlation was found between PSA and testosterone levels, PSA and LH levels, PSA and age, PSA and testicular volume, as well as PSA and pubertal stage. Our findings indicate that PSA levels measured with highly sensitive assays can be of utility in the hormonal evaluation of puberty in boys.

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ResumoOBJETIVO: o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a associação entre a osteoporose e a doença periodontal. MÉTODOS: foram incluídas 39 mulheres na pós-menopausa, que foram divididas em três grupos conforme categorização da massa óssea, por meio da avaliação da densidade mineral óssea, aferida pela absormetria de dupla emissão com raios X na área lombar (L1-L4): osso normal, osteopenia e osteoporose. Foi aplicado o índice de nível de inserção clínica (NIC) para todas as participantes no início da pesquisa e após um ano, por apenas um examinador. Os dados da situação periodontal foram submetidos à análise estatística com o teste t de Student pareado. RESULTADOS: o exame periodontal revelou que as mulheres na pós-menopausa com osteopenia apresentaram menor média do NIC no exame clínico periodontal inicial (2,1±1,1 mm), enquanto as pertencentes ao grupo osso normal mostraram menor perda dos tecidos de sustentação dos dentes após um ano (3,1±1,6 mm). Após a realização do tratamento estatístico, observou-se que não houve diferença significativa para a situação periodontal no osso normal, entretanto foi constatada diferença estatística nas pacientes do osteopenia e osteoporose, quando comparados os valores do NIC, nos dois períodos de avaliação. CONCLUSÕES: conclui-se que a osteoporose na pós-menopausa pode ser considerada como possível fator de risco para a doença periodontal.Abstract PURPOSE: to verify the association of osteoporosis with periodontal disease. METHODS: the study has included 39 postmenopausal women divided in three groups according to bone mass categories, through evaluation of mineral bone density (MBD), measured by X-ray double emission absorbimetry in the lumbar area (L1-L4): ): normal bone; osteopenia and osteoporosis. In all the participants the Clinical Insertion Level (CIL) index has been determined at the research onset and after one year, by the same examiner. The periodontal situation data have been submitted to statistical analysis with the paired t-Student test. RESULTS: the periodontal exam has shown that postmenopausal women in the osteopenia presented lower CIL at the initial periodontal clinical exam (2.1±1.1 mm), while the ones in the normal bone showed less teeth support tissue loss after one year (3.1±1.6 mm). The statistical analysis has shown that there was no significant difference for the periodontal situation in the normal bone, but there was significant statistical difference for the osteopenia and osteoporosis patients, when CIL values from both evaluation periods were compared. CONCLUSIONS: it is concluded that postmenopausal osteoporosis may be a possible risk factor for periodontal disease.

Recognition of gingival telangiectases as an important diagnostic marker of JDM leads us to suggest that identifying oral manifestations, which may be carried out by a paediatric dentist, contributes in establishing an early diagnosis and an immediate treatment of this condition.

Retinol-binding protein (RBP) is a low-molecular-mass protein (21 kDa), easily filtered in renal glomeruli and very efficiently reabsorbed by the proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs). In PCT dysfunction, high concentrations of RBP are found in urine. Several methods have been used to determine RBP in serum or urine. We describe the production, selection, labeling, and utilization of anti-RBP monoclonal antibodies in two- or one-step immunoenzymometric assays for the determination of RBP. The one-step assay has good precision, with within-run and between-run CVs < 6.6% and 5.9%, respectively. Comparison with radial immunodiffusion (x) showed good agreement: y = 0.068 mg/L + 0.899x (n = 24). Comparison between the one-step (y) and two-step (x) versions of the assay also showed a very good correlation: y = 212 micrograms/L + 0.910x. The one-step assay has been adopted for routine work; it detects transthyretin-bound as well as free RBP and may have clinical usefulness in evaluating the functional status of PCTs.

A sandwich-type ELISA was developed to quantify salivary, urinary and faecal secretory IgA (sIgA). The assay is based on binding of sIgA to microplates coated with anti-SC antibodies and reaction with peroxidase-labelled anti-IgA. The sensitivity of the technique was approximately 5 micrograms/L. Children, 1-6 years old (n = 142), were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 80) was composed of children living in a place with presumably low antigenic exposure conditions. Group 2 (n = 62) was composed of well-nourished (2A, n = 53) and malnourished children (2B, n = 9) living in a São Paulo slum with presumably high antigenic exposure. The subgroup 2A had salivary levels higher than group 1 and the ranges were similar to those found in the literature for older children and adults. The same subgroup presented a high incidence of undetectable faecal sIgA; their levels of urinary sIgA did not differ from group 1. The subgroup 2B did not have levels of salivary, urinary and faecal sIgA different from subgroup 2A. Our results suggest that environmental factors influence the ontogenesis of sIgA system.