Repositório RCAAP

PAIVA FILHO, Djalma Lima; ALCANTARA FILHO, Pedro de. Pescarias comerciais de lagostas com redes de espera, no Estado do Ceará (Brasil). Arquivos de Ciências do Mar. Fortaleza, v.15, n.1, p.41-44, jun. 1975.

OGAWA, Masayoshi et al. Conservação de lagostas inteiras do gênero Panulirus White. Arquivos de Ciências do Mar. Fortaleza, v.15, n.1, p.59-66. jun. 1975.

JOLY, Aylthon Brandão. In Memoriam Prof. Dr. Aylton Brandão Joly. Arquivos de Ciências do Mar. Fortaleza, v.15, n.2, dez. 1975.

MESQUITA, Antonio Luciano Lôbo de; GESTEIRA, Tereza Cristina Vasconcelos. Época de reprodução, tamanho e idade na primeira desova da lagosta Panulirus laevicauda (Latreille), na costa do Estado do Ceará (Brasil). Arquivos de Ciências do Mar. Fortaleza, v.15, n.2, p.93-96, dez. 1975.

Damos prosseguimento ao estudo da biologia pesqueira do pargo, Lutjanus purpureus Poey, no norte e nordeste brasileiros, iniciado a partir de 1966 ( Fonteles-Filho, 1969/1972; Ivo, 1973 a/b). Durante o ano de 1974, a frota pargueira baseada em portos do Estado do Ceará, desembarcou cerca de 4.315 toneladas de pargo, sendo de aproximadamente 500 toneladas, os desembarques efetuados em Recife (Estado de Pernambuco). Os dados do presente trabalho resultaram de amostragens biológicas de capturas efetuadas nas áreas de pesca do norte e nordeste brasileiros que foram desembarcadas em Fortaleza (Estado do Ceará), durante o ano de 1974 e de informações sobre as pescarias, observadas através de empresas de pesca e comandantes de barcos. As pescarias foram realizadas por barcos Motorizados, utilizando-se como aparelho de pesca a linha pargueira, de fio de nylon, tendo média 15 anzóis de números 3 a 6. A sardinha verdadeira, Sardinella brasiliensis Steindachner), importada da região centro-sul do Brasil, continua sendo a principal isca empregada.

In this article we investigate some factors which contribute to alleviate the poverty conditions of the clients of the CrediAmigo/BNB, as well as we estimate the velocity of ascension in this microcredit program, which is responsible for more than 65% of the market in Brazil. We use a logistic model for the probability of escaping poverty applied to the clients entering in the program with family per capita income below some traditional poverty lines. We found that the factors contributing to the rise of the poor are no different than the traditional factors for investors in the top of the production scale. That is, a higher probability of success occurs for those more endowed with human capital and productive collaterals. With respect to the features of the borrowings, we verified that short payment periods with median values for the initial credit facilitate the success of the micro entrepreneurs. We also estimated an average of escaping velocity of poverty around 8 and 9% a year during the first five years of program. This finding shows the high efficiency of the program which can be an important reference to development policies with focus both on market improvement and social inclusion.

This work aims to contribute to empirical literature on the Brazilian regional disequilibrium analyzing, the period after Real plan stabilization, the economic performance of each region of the country in terms of the growth pro-poor person - economic growth followed by reduction in the inequality - and of the social welfare. Using methodology of Kakwani, Neri and Son (2006), it extracted data of the National Research for Sample of Domiciles (PNAD/IBGE), the present study finds, for each one of the Brazilian’s region: (i) the growth and the inequality of the per capita familiar average income (ii) the evolution of the main indices of poverty (iii) the taxes of growth of the labor income and the corresponding decomposition in tax of job, number of hours worked for person, tax of participation of the labor force and productivity. (iv) the decomposition of the productivity in scholarship, return per year of study and redistribution of this return among the families. Beyond analyzing the regional performances of each one of these items and components, this research quantifies the growth pro-poor person and the social welfare associated to them, contributing, this way, for the agreement on the differences of economic performances among the regions of the country. The results show that the bigger impacts in the income and the social welfare was because of the tax of participation of workers for family and, mainly, to the productivity of them. Regarding to the productivity, it had reduction from 1995 to 2002 and increases from 2003. The increase of the productivity in all Brazilian regions from 2003 was caused by the additions in the average returns proceeding from the education of the workers.

Vulvar cancer, although a rare neoplasia, implicates in serious problems due to the extensive surgery and consequent mutilation. It affects primarily elderly women, and has been more frequent in young patients associated with HPV infection. With the aim to identify pertaining factors evaluated in the genesis and progression of this tumor, an evaluation was carried out by immunohistochemistry (StrepABC), to identify the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptor in the epithelia and stroma of 45 vulvar lesions, of which 22 are invasive squamous cell carcinomas (ISCC), 12 are high-grade intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 11 are low-grade intraepithelial lesions (LSIL). Furthermore p53 protein expression and the cell proliferating index, through MIB1, were evaluated. The cases came from the Cancer Institute of Ceará (CIC), the Hamilton Monteiro Laboratory of Pathology (HML) and the Laboratory of Pathology of UFC. A descriptive analysis of the parameters and their correlations were carried out with a statistical significance level of at least 95% (p ≤ 0,05). Results and inferences: 1 - Age: The ISCC occurred between the ages of 34 and 76 years (average 58.59 and median 60.5), the HSIL ranges from 18 to 59 years (average 40,91 and median 42) and the LSIL-papilloma within the ages of 18-58 (average 32.63 and median 32), in the expected age groups and interval ranges, according to the natural history reports of such lesions, highlighting the growing of ISCC in patients ever younger. 2 - Hormonal receptor: The nuclear receptors of estrogen and progesterone were detected in the three groups analyzed, with a growing tendency of tumoral progression, however without significant statistical correlation in the epithelia level. Thus they cannot be considered a predictive and prognostic factor in the follow-up of these lesions. However in the stroma the presence of nuclear immunostain is significant (more with ER) in the HSIL and ISCC, which can be important to the tumor growth. The high and frequent immunostain was also observed in the cytoplasm of keratinocytes of in situ carcinomas and keratinizing invasive squamous cell carcinoma. These findings will be evaluated in the future. 3 - p53: The expression of p53 was detected in all groups, ISCC (68,18%), HSIL (66,66%) and LSIL (63,63%), having more frequent high scores in carcinomas (53,33%) than in LSIL (0,00%). The behavior of HSIL is similar to the behavior of ISCC. It is evident that there is an accumulation alteration of p53 with the tumoral progression. 4 - MIB1- There were significant differences between ISCC and LSIL (p=0,00), also among HSIL and LSIL (p=0,03). There was no significant difference between ISCC and HSIL. This expresses the tendency of high index cell proliferation with tumoral progression. In addition, the independence of the variables, MIB1 and p53, were verified.

Squamous cells carcinomas are responsible for more than 90% of all cancer in the mucosa membranes of the mouth and the principal risk factor responsible is tobacco use. Certainly industrialized tobacco contains a lot of carcinogens able to cause chromosome breakage. The Micronucleus Assay in exfoliated cells was used to detect this initial breakage. It is simple, practical, inexpensive and non invasive technique. The objective of this study is to establish a trial text to monitoring smokers with risk to develop oral carcinoma. Epithelial smears was examined following the criteria described by Tolbert et al. (1991), micronucleus, binucleation and the cells presenting degenerative phenomena, indicative of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity sush as karyorrhexis, karyolysis, pycnosis, condensed cromatin, buds, broken-eggs, and nuclear vacuoles were analyzed. An intra-individual comparison was realized in patients with cancer (periphery of malign lesion and opposite side of lesion) another comparison characterized as interidividual compared healthy people (control group) and patients with oral carcinomas. The study showed that the side opposite of lesion (LOL) is non health mucosa and karyorrhexis is the best biomarker in this side. The specificity and sensibility of nuclear alterations was analyzed using ROC curve. The results show that karyorrhexis is the better specificity (80%) and sensibility (80%) all of them. The association between the nuclear alterations and risk factors show a higher significant statistical for tobacco use (p<0,001). In this study micronucleus, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, binucleation and nuclear vacuoles are valid to predict oral carcinoma.

In the 1990’s, copro-parasitological questionnaires were conducted with families of poor communities in Fortaleza-CE by the Parasitology Sector of the Pathology and Legal Medicine Department of Universidade Federal do Ceará. Recent studies in the same community show a clear change in intestinal parasitosis prevalence, however, without identifying the nature and importance of the interventions that occurred there. This present research assessed the current prevalence of intestinal parasites in that community and analyzed the factors that might have contributed to promote changes in the prevalence and that had a reflection on the health of the population. Home visits were made in Panamericano neighborhood, with interviews (semi-structured questionnaires) with those in charge for the families to obtain the sanitary and socio-economical data, and fecal samples were collected from children (from 0 through 12) for parasitological exams. Comparative analyses have been made through the same methods between the two periods: prior (1992-1996) and posterior (2010) to sanitary interventions. The results were found: in 1992-1996 (n=367), 16% of exams tested negative and 84% tested positive with Ascaris lumbricoides-53,7%, Trichuris trichiura-45,5%, hookworms-7,4%, Strongiloydes stercoralis-8,4%, Enterobius vermicularis – 2,5%, Hymenolepis nana – 12,5 %, Schistosoma mansoni – 0,5%, Giardia duodenalis – 22,1%, Entamoeba histolytica / E. dispar – 9,3%. The visits and interviews revealed sanitary and socio-economical features that favored the high prevalence of intestinal parasites. In 2010, 75% (354) tested negative and 25% tested positive with A. lumbricoides – 13,6%, T. trichiura – 9,3%, G. duodenalis – 4%, E. histolytica / dispar – 3%. The current time has lower prevalence and an improvement in the sanitary and socio-economical features in the community, with a correct destination to waste and an enhancement in water treatment and supply with lower exposal of children to intestinal parasites. So, we conclude that the improvement of sanitary conditions in the neighborhood reflect a clear change in the prevalence of intestinal parasites.

Gingival hyperplasia is an oral condition whose origin is attributed to the interaction of multiple factors: among them, genetic susceptibility; hormonal influences during puberty and pregnancy; therapy with drugs as varied as phenontoin, cyclosporine, diltiazen and anphetamines; action of proinflammatory cytokines, as TNF-α; and even neoplastic causes. Although excessive accumulation of dental plaque and chronic gingivitis have been included among predisposing factors for gingival hyperplasia, it is not yet known if preexisting gingivitis stimulates the gingival growth, or the hypertrophy promotes, due to the difficulties in dental hygiene, the accumulation of bacterial plaque and the consequent gingivitis, predisposing the individual to destructive periodontal disease. This study had the objective of evaluating if gingivitis is present in all gingival hyperplasia patients, and if the inflammation process responds satisfactorily to chlorhexidine treatment. Fourteen patients who were to undergo voluntary surgical treatment for gingival hyperplasia consented to participate in the study. The initial gingival biopsies were obtained from the patients before they underwent gingivectomy, to evaluate the inflammatory process by histology (H&E), and immunohistochemistry by Peroxidase-Anti-Peroxidase (PAP) method, utilizing monoclonal antibodies to cell markers CD43 (T cells), CD20 (B cells) and CD68 (macrophages). The patients were subsequently induced to perform mouthrinses 30 minutes after dental higiene, with 0.12% chlorhexidine for 30s during 10 days. Biopsies were then obtained from the gingival tissue removed by gingivectomy, for fresh histology and PAP evaluations. The results were as follows: i) all the patients with hyperplasia had ginigival inflammation in evolution, of histological grades 1 to 3; ii) the inflammatory process revealed presence of T cells (5.7 ± 2.07 per 6 microscopic fields), B cells (9.0±4.64), and macrophages (62.6± 16.44); iii) chlorhexidine treatment resulted histological reduction of inflammation, with a 40% decrease in macrophages (40.5 ± 9.15; p=0.05), and a moderate rise in T (8.25± 1.71) and B (12.75 ± 6.99) cells in the gingival tissue, revealing a decreased participation of macrophages, and possibly an increased engagement of lymphocytes in defenses. These observations suggest that there is a definite association between gingival hyperplasia and gingivitis, and that mouthrinses of chlorhexidine can be effective in diminishing the severity of gingival inflammation, in a majority (59%) of individuals.

This work has, as a main purpose or focal point, to explore a story: "Quantumland, the Republic of particles," a fiction created by the author, which also presents historical aspects, concepts and ideas of elementary particles physics aiming to offer a funny way to introduce the so-called Standard Model of particle physics to high school students. From the story presentation we try to show some essential features of the atomic theory, with the discoveries and concepts that led to our nowadays knowledge about elementary particles, and also to show some considerations about the status of the theory in modern physics. Guided by this core theme we developed two questionnaires that were applied to two high school classes in Fortaleza and in two different moments: one before and one after the story introduction. These questionnaires tried to test the students background concerning the most basic or essential contents involved in the theme. The work showed that the so-called Standard Model of Particle Physics, as the author had already experienced in his job as a physics teacher (and proved by means of questionnaires mentioned) is not a familiar theme for most high school students. Some students (the most well-informed) have at most "heard" something about quarks, spin, quantum energy, virtual particles or other terms of the typical jargon of physics, but most of them do not even have an adequate grasp of what was known as a elementary particle. As one of the conditions of Ausubel's Meaningful Reception theory that learning must be potentially significant or has to be logical and psychologically meaningful, we thought of a simple way, without appeals to mathematical formulae that could facilitate the student learning of the ideas and guide him to a constructive curiosity.

A associação do Linfoma de Hodgkin Clássico (LHc) com o vírus de Epstein-Barr (EBV) tem sido observada em vários países de diferentes condições sócio - econômicas. Recentemente usando-se técnica de Imunohistoquímica (IHQ) e Hibridização in situ (HIS) porções virais foi encontrada exclusivamente nas células características do Linfoma de Hodgkin que são as chamadas células de Reed-Sternberg (RS) e suas variantes chamadas células Hodgkin (H). Empregando estas técnicas nosso trabalho foi realizado de modo a fazer uma análise comparativa de uma amostra de 118 casos de origem do Ceará - Nordeste do Brasil e de diferentes regiões da França, sendo todos os pacientes de faixa etária entre 18 e 64 anos de idade. Com o propósito de convencionar parâmetros para análise comparativa e interpretação de resultados buscou-se alguns trabalhos de pesquisadores cujo objetivo maior era de avaliar o percentual dessa associação nos respectivos países onde observou- se uma escassez de trabalhos comparando dois ou mais países. A prevalência do EBV em lesões nodais de 37 pacientes do nordeste brasileiro com Linfoma de Hodgkin clássico foi comparada com 33 pacientes franceses.Houve predominância em pacientes brasileiros do sexo feminino (51,3%) e em pacientes franceses do sexo masculino (65,3%) sendo a média de idade similar em ambos os grupos (34,8 anos).Dos subtipos histológicos a Esclerose Nodular (EN) esteve presente em 23 casos brasileiros e em 29 franceses e Celularidade Mista (CM) em 11 brasileiros e 4 franceses. Depleção Linfocitária (DL) e não classificados foram raros. O LMP1 (Proteína de Membrana Latente) foi expresso nas células RS em 25 (67,5%) dos casos brasileiros e em 10 (30,3%) dos franceses e o Epstein-Barr encoded RNA (EBER) foi evidente em 75,6% de Brasil e 30,3% da França. A relação entre subtipo histológico e detecção viral foi mais freqüente no subtipo Celularidade Mista. Deduz-se com esses resultados que o EBV tenha uma maior participação na patogênese do LH Clássico nos casos do Ceará que em pacientes oriundos da França.

CARVALHO, Técia Vieira. Biomateriais à base de quitosana de camarão e bactérias para remoçao de metais traços e petróleo. 2006. 98f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências Marinhas Tropicais) - Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2006.

SOUSA, Rossana Cristina de Azevedo. Distribuição espacial dos poliquetas (ANNELIDA, POLYCHAETA) dos Recifes de arenito na praia da Pedra Rachada (Paracaru - Ceará). 2005. 70 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências Marinhas Tropicais) - Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2005.

NOGUEIRA, Vanessa Lúcia Rodrigues. Papel de proteínas na tinta liberada pela lesma-do-mar Aplysia dactylomela Rang 1828 os mecanismos de defesa do animal. 2005. 90 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências Marinhas Tropicais) - Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2005.

The Schistosomiasis is endemic in 76 countries and territories. In mid 2003, it was estimated that 779 million people were within the population at risk for schistosomiasis, 207 million people were infected. The laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis can be accomplished through methods for parasites, ranging from classics (Kato-Katz), a few that are still undergoing validation. This study was conducted to evaluate two coproscopic new methods for diagnosis of Schistosomiasis in residents of an area of low endemicity in Maranguape-Ceará, using the Kato-Katz as a reference and serology (ELISA) for screening of patients. We developed the following steps: knowing the area and dissemination of the project with residents in the locality; Home visit to signing the consent form and interview to collect epidemiologic data, blood collection for performing the serological method, distribution of the bottles for feces, only for participants who were reactive in serological testing, collection of stool samples and carrying out the methods coproscopic and finally, delivery of results of examinations and treatment of positive individuals. Comparing the results obtained by the Kato-Katz method and salt gradient was seen that the 13 positive (23.2%) found by both, 10 (76.9%) were diagnosed only by the saline gradient. Even when we compared the method of Kato-Katz and Helmintex of the 32 samples analyzed, 16 were positive (50%) for both, however, 12 (75%) of these individuals were diagnosed only by Helmintex. And when comparing the method the saline gradient with Helmintex in 32 individuals who completed these, 17 (53%) were positive by both techniques, 11 (64.7%) positive only in Helmintex. Thus, the methods of the Saline Gradiente and Helmintex were more effective in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis in locus study, when compared to the Kato-Katz, but on the way of implementing the techniques, they may not be suitable for large surveys epidemiological, but for specific studies in areas where the driver fails to achieve the goals.

Background: Beta thalassemia is a group of disorders, each resulting from a genetic defect in the rate of synthesis of one or more globin chains of hemoglobin (Hb). The imbalance in the production of globin chains can result in ineffective erythropoiesis, insufficient production of hemoglobin, hemolysis and anemia of varying degree. Beta thalassemia is more common in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, reflecting the participation of these peoples in the formation of the Brazilian population. The predominant mutations in Brazil are the IVS-I-1, IVS-I-6, IVS-I-110 and CD 39, which are associated with different clinical conditions and are mostly regionally specific. Objective: To characterize the clinical, hematological and molecular adults with beta thalassemia of the University Hospital Cantídeo Walter and followed at a referral center for Hematology of the state of Ceará (Hemoce). Methods: We analyzed 22 individuals with beta thalassemia, 7 intermediate and 15 minor, in both sexes, from February 2008 to September 2009. Clinical data and laboratory tests: blood count, levels of Hb A2 and Hb F, serum iron, total capacity and latent iron binding (CTLFe, CLLFe), ferritin and transferrin saturation index (IST) were obtained from medical records, diagnosis. About 5 mL of venous blood was collected in tubes containing EDTA anticoagulant for molecular study. The analysis of mutations was performed using the technique of chain reaction mediated by allele specific polymerase (PCR-AE), where we analyzed the following mutations: IVS-I-1, IVS-I-6, IVS-I-110 and CD 39. Statistical analysis was carried out in software R (version 2.7.0) and the level of significance was 5%. Results: Of 22 patients studied, 15 were patients with β thalassemia minor and seven intermediate. The age ranged 18-68 years with a mean of 44.7 years. 18.2% male and 81.8% female. The mutations were characterized in 68.2% of cases, which had the most frequent IVS-I-6, followed by the codon 39. The mutation IVS-I-1 was found in one patient and IVS-I-110 was not found. There was no significant clinical differences between the hematological and biochemical parameters. There was a discrepancy between phenotype and genotype in some patients, but no significant difference between mutations and clinical manifestations. Conclusions: The results of this study reinforce the dominance of the mutation IVS-I-6 in northeastern Brazil. Are recommended further studies to investigate the co-inheritance with α-thalassemia in these patients to justify the discrepancy between genotypes and phenotypes.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a entity where free disease and overal survive is prolonged by treatment and its molecular basis have been studied. In previus literature is described p53 as a protein that controls progress of celular cicle and TP 53 gene mutations prolong half-life of protein, modifing the mechanisms of apoptosis and regulation of celular proliferation. About of 50% of human cancers have TP53 mutations and the investigators believe that in the others the signaling mechanisms of p53 are altered by others ways. Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells stain for p53 frequently, but detection for TP53 gene mutation is rare. It’s not be well stabilished if p53 is a prognostic factor in Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There is no trial about p53 expression on Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Ceará state. Estrogen receptor were detected by imuno-histochemical analysis in normal bone marrow cells and others non-hematopoietic tissues. There is evidence that estrogen have a role on differentiation of B-cells and on regulation of apoptosis. If is Hodgkin’s lymphoma(HL) a B-cell neoplasm, with immune response seems to contribute in its pathogeny, its interesting to study the role of estrogen on Hodgkin’s lymphoma and its influence on this neoplasm behavior. We studied p53 and estrogen receptor expression in Hodgkin’s lymphoma on Ceará state. Were studied 39 cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma confirmed by histo-pathological studies and by immuno-histochemical analysis and a control group with 10 cases of benign linfonodal hyperplasia. The simples were stained with p53 and estrogen receptor(ER) α anti-bodies. The age of patitens varied between 5 and 63 years, 21% were males, the initial presentation of disease was cervical adenopathy on 59% of cases and B simptoms were present on 56% of patients. On classification by histological subtipes, 56% were classical HL nodular sclerosis, 27% mixed cellularity, 14% lymphocyte-rich and 3% were HL linfocyte predominance. In this sample, lymphocyte-depleted subtype was not found. Positive staining for p53 occurred on 53% of cases and 10% of control group. Estrogen receptor was negative in all cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but showed positive stainning in neutrophilic cells. In control group was founded ER positivity in 80% of cases, in histiocytic cells, with para-nuclear stainning and cytoplasmic diffuse. In conclusion, p53 expression occurs in more than 50% of Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases, as described previously, and there is expression of ERα in lymphoid tissue, but not on HL. There is persistent positivity in neutrophil cytoplasma. Another investigations are necessary to avaliate ERα and ERβ on RS cells and their role on the pathogenesis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Apical periodontitis, most frequent as a consequence of dental caries, is considered a pathological process of difficult control and cure, due to the involvement of immune system in its evolution and maintenance. The low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is lately being used as a therapeutic measure in some areas of Dentistry; however its mode of action and the consequent effects on apical periodontitis are not yet well understood. The objectives of the present study was to show a histological evaluation of the consequence of application of LLLT during the evolution of experimentally induced inflammatory apical lesion in rats, and evaluate the effect of use of LLLT as an auxiliary therapy to conventional endodontic treatment of established apical periodontitis, in the same experimental model. The study was performed in two stages: in the first phase, 40 adults, male Wistar rats were utilized, with four animals used as “sham-operated” control group (GC), and the other 36 animals divided into two groups of 18 each (G1 and G2), and subjected to induction of apical periodontitis by opening the crown of the left front molar and leaving the root pulp open to the oral cavity. The animals of G1 suffered only the induction of lesion, while those of G2 also received LLLT, at 830nm wave length and exit potency of 100 mW in the dental apical region, on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 (total irradiation dose of 28 J/cm2, at 5.6 J/cm2 per application). The animals were sacrificed in the following manner: one animal of the control group (GC) on each of the days 0, 10, 20 and 30, and six animals from each of the groups G1 and G2, on days 10, 20 and 30. In the second phase of the study, 12 animals constituted the following three experimental groups of four each (G3, G4 and G5): G3 – apical periodontitis induced and sacrificed 21 days later; G4 – apical periodontitis induced + treated with Calen® on day 21 of induction of lesion, and sacrificed 21 days later; and G5 – apical periodontitis + treated with Calen® + LLLT applied as in G2, and sacrificed 21 days later. Histological evaluations performed on the left mandibles revealed that animals of the control group (GC) did not have alterations in the periapical tissues. All the animals of G1 developed apical periodontitis, while the G2 animals treated with LLLT from day 0 of lesion induction revealed markedly more intense inflammatory lesions and greater alveolar bone loss in the periapical region, as compared to those of G1 which did not receive laser irradiation. Histological studies on the second phase groups G3, G4 and G5, demonstrated that animals treated with Calen® alone (G4), and with Calen® + LLLT (G5) presented less severe apical periodontitis on day 42 of induction of disease, when compared with those of G3 at day 21 of disease induction. More significantly, animals of G5, treated also with LLLT, revealed less intense apical periodontitis, than those of G4 which received only Calen® treatment. These evidences indicate that low-level laser irradiation, when employed as the only treatment for apical periodontitis, could present the risk of aggravating an ongoing inflammatory process; while its use as an adjunct therapy to conventional endodontic treatment seems to contribute to a better control of the periapical inflammatory disease. These preliminary, and apparently contradictory, results seem to suggest that LLLT may not, in fact, possess an anti-inflammatory potential attributed to it in occasional reports, but it likely exerts some stimulatory influence on the activity of immune cells engaged in the inflammatory disease process, or on those involved in the resolution of the inflammatory disease initiated by the conventional endodontic therapeutic measures.