Temporal variation in egg-capsule deposition by Nassarius vibex (Gastropoda: Nassariidae)

The morphology and the deposition periods of egg capsules by the bruised nassa Nassarius vibex were investigated on two beaches located on the southeast coast of Brazil. The nassariids were associated with the charru mussel Mytella charruana, which forms beds on soft mud-bottoms. A total of 1558 capsules were collected, only from the fronds of the green alga Ulva lactuca, 859 for Camaroeiro Beach and 699 for Cidade Beach. The mean sizes of the egg capsules and numbers of eggs or larvae per capsule were similar on the two beaches, as were the periods of capsule deposition. At Camaroeiro Beach, capsules first appeared in May 2006, reached a peak in August 2006, and disappeared in December 2006. At Cidade Beach, the first capsules were recorded in July 2006, with a peak in August 2006. A second peak was also observed at this beach between January 2007 and April 2007. The two periods of deposition recorded at the latter beach may indicate two periods of recruitment in the same year for N. vibex. Regarding the influence of intertidal level on capsule deposition, there was a significant difference in the number of capsules between the levels at Camaroeiro Beach (F= 7.445, p<0.05), and for the second capsule-deposition peak at Cidade Beach (F= 6.382, p<0.05). This study revealed a selective pattern of capsule deposition, with individuals of N. vibex using only fronds of U. lactuca. This process was influenced by the morphodynamics of the two beaches, with the nassariids maximizing the survival of embryos by depositing more capsules and more eggs per capsule in better-protected parts of the mytilid beds.

Capsule Locus Polymorphism among Distinct Lineages of Enterococcus faecalis Isolated from Canals of Root-filled Teeth with Periapical Lesions

Introduction: Although Enterococcus faecalis is a member of the normal microbiota, it is also a major cause of nosocomial infections. Some strains of E. faecalis produce capsule, which contributes to pathogenesis through evasion of host defenses, and its production is dependent on the capsule (cps) operon polymorphism. This study investigated cps locus polymorphism in distinct lineages of E. faecalis isolated from canals of root-filled teeth with periapical lesions. Methods: Twenty-two E. faecalis isolates were evaluated regarding the cps operon polymorphism and genetic diversity. The 3 known CPS types were determined by polymerase chain reaction. This information was correlated with multilocus sequence typing data, which were used to define genetic lineages. Results: cpsA and cpsB were the only detected genes within the cps operon in 62.5% of E. faecalis strains (14/22), indicative of genotype CPS 1, which lacks capsule expression. The essential genes in the cps operon for capsule production were detected in the remaining strains, whereas 3 belonged to genotype CPS 5 and 5 strains to genotype CPS 2. A total of 14 sequence types (STs) were resolved in 22 E. faecalis isolates. Comparison with the E. faecalis international multilocus sequence typing database revealed that 9 STs were previously found, and that the 5 STs were novel. Conclusions: Certain E. faecalis genotypes from canals of root-filled teeth with periapical lesions belong to lineages associated with capsule expression and production of multiple virulence factors, which might account for their increased pathogenic potential. (J Endod 2012;38:58-61)

Morphology of the gas bladder in thorny catfishes (Siluriformes: Doradidae)

The gross morphology of the gas bladder is described, illustrated, compared and categorized among 86 of 88 nominal valid and six undescribed species representing all 31 genera of Doradidae with comments on ontogenetic and taxonomic variation when observed. The putatively basal-most doradids exhibit an unmodified cordiform gas bladder. Derived taxa exhibit an impressive suite of modifications including the addition of a secondary bladder, pronounced reduction of the posterolateral chambers, internal trabeculae, associations with bony capsule-like expansions of the anterior (Weberian) vertebrae, and accessory diverticula varying widely in size, shape, abundance, and distribution. Intra-specific differences are minor, most often reflective of ontogenetic changes especially in large-size species, whereas inter-specific and inter-generic differences are significant, in many cases diagnostic, and suggestive of phylogenetic signal excepting instances of evident convergence such as gas bladder reduction in Rhynchodoras and all but one species of Leptodoras.

EVALUATION OF THE PASSIVE RESISTIVE TORQUE IN FEMALE ATHLETES WITH ANKLE SPRAIN

Introduction: The ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in athletes. Direct evaluation of the ligament laxity can be obtained through the objective measurement of extreme passive inversion and eversion movements, but there are few studies on the use of the evaluation of the passive resistive torque of the ankle to assess the capsule and ligaments resistance. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the inversion and eversion passive torque in athletes with and without ankle sprains history. Method: 32 female basketball and volleyball athletes (16.06 +/- 0.8 years old; 67.63 +/- 8.17 kg; 177.8 +/- 6.47 cm) participated in this study. Their ankles were divided into two groups: control group (29), composed of symptom-free ankles, and ankle sprain group, composed of ankles which have suffered injury (29). The resistive torque at maximum passive ankle movement was measured by the isokinetic dynamometer and the muscular activity by electromyography system. The athletes performed 2 repetitions of inversion and eversion movement at 5, 10 and 20 degrees/s and the same protocol only at maximum inversion movement. Results: The resistive passive torque during the inversion and eversion was lower in the ankle sprain group. This group also showed lower torques at the maximum inversion movement. No differences were observed between inversion and eversion movement. Conclusions: Ankle sprain leads to lower passive torque, indicating reduction of the resistance of the lateral ankle ligaments and mechanical laxity.

Estudo morfofuncional dos rins de cães da raça Golden Retriever afetados pela distrofia muscular (GRMD)

A Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne (DMD) é uma miopatia severa de caráter recessivo ligada ao cromossomo X e o modelo animal de estudo mais relevante é o Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy (GRMD). Além das severas alterações que ocorrem na musculatura estriada, muitos estudos mostram que outras estruturas, inclusive viscerais, podem se mostrar alteradas nesta patologia. Desta forma, este trabalho objetivou análisar e comparar possíveis alterações estruturais e funcionais do rim em cães GRMD. Neste modelo de estudo, foi possível observar a presença das faces convexa e côncava, do hilo renal e dos pólos craniais e caudais dos rins. O órgão mostrou-se envolto por uma cápsula fibrosa. Em um corte sagital do órgão, notou-se a presença das regiões cortical e medular e da pelve renal. Na análise microscópica foi possível identificar a zona medular e cortical com suas estruturas: os corpúsculos renais formados pelo glomérulo e pela cápsula de Bowman, os túbulos contorcidos proximais e distais, os ductos coletores, vasos sanguíneos e os segmentos das Alças de Henle. As dosagens séricas de creatinina e uréia encontram-se dentro dos limites de normalidade. Desta forma, de acordo com os nossos resultados, podemos concluir que os animais afetados estudados, não apresentaram alterações estruturais ou funcionais dos rins, o que nos permitir sugerir que apesar da ingestão hídrica comprometida, a estrutura renal, mantem- se preservada nos animais GRMD.

Morfologia e topografia do fígado e pâncreas de emas Rhea americana

As emas são aves ratitas nativas do continente sul americano, são consideradas aves primitivas do ponto de vista filogenético que constituem um grupo altamente especializado. Este estudo buscou caracterizar macro e microscopicamente o fígado e pâncreas de emas. O material foi coletado no Centro de Multiplicação de Animais Silvestres (CEMAS), na cidade de Mossoró-RN, Brasil, (Registro IBAMA n° 14.78912). Utilizaram-se 20 animais jovens com idade entre dois e seis meses independente do sexo. Em emas, o fígado se relacionava cranialmente com o ápice do coração, dorsalmente com os pulmões, esôfago e o proventrículo gástrico, caudalmente, com o ventrículo gástrico, o baço, o duodeno e parte do jejuno. Apresentava coloração vermelha escura e possuía apenas dois lobos, sendo o direito ligeiramente menor que o esquerdo. Histologicamente, era revestido por uma cápsula de tecido conjuntivo delgada e cada lóbulo hepático pôde ser identificado pela presença evidente de veias centrais, com muitos sinusoides comunicando-se com elas. O pâncreas, ventralmente, apresentava-se como uma fita fina, formado por um lobo dorsal e um lobo ventral. Longitudinalmente o pâncreas em emas localiza-se no mesentério dorsal desde o fígado até a flexura cranial do duodeno, mantendo-se preso às alças duodenais por ligamentos. Histologicamente, era composto por uma cápsula delgada de tecido conjuntivo denso, com discretos lóbulos separados por tecido conjuntivo capsular, compostos por estruturas tubuloalveolares e ductos. O fígado e pâncreas de emas apresentam padrão morfológico similar ao descrito para aves domésticas.

Biowaiver monographs for immediate-release solid oral dosage forms: Stavudine

Literature data relevant to the decision to allow a waiver of in vivo bioequivalence (BE) testing for the approval of immediate-release (IR) solid oral dosage forms containing stavudine (d4T) are reviewed. According to Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), d4T can be assigned to BCS class I. No problems with BE of IR d4T formulations containing different excipients and produced by different manufacturing methods have been reported and, hence, the risk of bioinequivalence caused by these factors appears to be low. Furthermore, d4T has a wide therapeutic index. It is concluded that a biowaiver is appropriate for IR solid oral dosage forms containing d4T as the single active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) provided that (a) the test product contains only excipients present in the IR d4T drug products that have been approved in a number of countries for the same dosage form, and (b) both test product and its comparator are either very rapidly dissolving or rapidly dissolving with similarity of dissolution profiles demonstrated at pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 101:1016, 2012

ANATOMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL STUDY OF THE MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT COMPLEX OF THE ELBOW

Objective: To carry out an anatomical study of the medial collateral ligament, an important elbow stabilizer in different degrees of elbow flexion-extension. Methods: Forty elbows were dissected in order to analyze the functional behavior of the anterior, posterior and transverse ligament bands during valgus stress maneuvers of the elbow in different degrees of flexion and extension. Two groups were determined; in the group GPA the posterior band of the ligament was sectioned initially, then the articular capsule and finally the anterior band; in group GAP this order was reversed. Results: Instability was observed in GPA only in the third stage, when there was a greater mean elbow's opening during the flexion (between 50 degrees and 70 degrees); in GAP the instability was present since the first stage; the degrees of flexion with greater instability were the same as in group GPA. Conclusion: The anterior band of the medial collateral ligament of the elbow is the most important stabilizer of the elbow valgus instability, and its principal action occurs between 50 degrees and 70 degrees of elbow flexion. Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic Studies Investigating a diagnostic test.

Infrared (810-nm) low-level laser therapy on rat experimental knee inflammation

Arthritis of the knee is the most common type of joint inflammatory disorder and it is associated with pain and inflammation of the joint capsule. Few studies address the effects of the 810-nm laser in such conditions. Here we investigated the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT; infrared, 810-nm) in experimentally induced rat knee inflammation. Thirty male Wistar rats (230-250 g) were anesthetized and injected with carrageenan by an intra-articular route. After 6 and 12 h, all animals were killed by CO(2) inhalation and the articular cavity was washed for cellular and biochemical analysis. Articular tissue was carefully removed for real-time PCR analysis in order to evaluate COX-1 and COX-2 expression. LLLT was able to significantly inhibit the total number of leukocytes, as well as the myeloperoxidase activity with 1, 3, and 6 J (Joules) of energy. This result was corroborated by cell counting showing the reduction of polymorphonuclear cells at the inflammatory site. Vascular extravasation was significantly inhibited at the higher dose of energy of 10 J. Both COX-1 and 2 gene expression were significantly enhanced by laser irradiation while PGE(2) production was inhibited. Low-level laser therapy operating at 810 nm markedly reduced inflammatory signs of inflammation but increased COX-1 and 2 gene expression. Further studies are necessary to investigate the possible production of antiinflammatory mediators by COX enzymes induced by laser irradiation in knee inflammation.

Qualitative study of young, adult, and aged wistar rats temporomandibular synovial membrane employing light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy

The aim of this study was to analyze the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial membrane at different ages using light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Under light microscopic analysis, the TMJ structures were observed such as condyle, capsule, disk, the synovial membrane collagen type, and cells distribution. In the scanning electron microscopy, the synovial membrane surface exhibited a smooth aspect in young animals and there was an increase with ageing in the number of folds. The transmission electron microscopic analysis showed more synoviocytes in the synovial layer in the young group and still a great number of vesicles and cisterns dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the aged group. In the three groups, a dense layer of collagen fibers in the synovial layer and cytoplasmic extensions were clearly seen. It was possible to conclude that synovial membrane structures in aged group showed alterations contributing to the decrease in joint lubrication and in the sliding between disk and joint surfaces. These characteristic will reflect in biomechanics of chewing, and may cause the TMJ disorders, currently observed in clinical processes. Microsc. Res. Tech. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Capsulorhexis rescue after peripheral radial tear-out: Quick-pull technique

We describe a technique to rescue the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) in cases in which complete radial tears make it impossible to use normal traction forceps. A circumferential path and rapid movement are applied in the plane of the anterior capsule in the direction of the center pupil. This technique was used in 50 cases. In 47, the CCC could be completed; in 3, it could not and surgery was continued with low-parameter phacoemulsification. No other intraoperative complications occurred.

Central giant cell granuloma

Background: Central giant cell granuloma is a benign condition of the jaws which may present an aggressive behavior. Case report: A 9-year-old boy was complaining of swelling in the floor of the mouth. A solid swelling was observed in the area of the lower incisors. From the radiographic exam, we observed a radiolucent image in the mandibular bone with well-defined limits extending from the apical region of tooth 33 to the apical region of tooth 42. Discussion: Due to the diagnosis and the age of the patient, we chose a conservative treatment, administering subcutaneous injections of calcitonin. During this treatment, no reduction to the lesion was observed. Therefore, we chose to treat the lesion with triamcinolone acetonide. Monthly follow-ups demonstrated good lesion reduction and the absence of any clinical symptoms during the first 2 years. After a 3-year follow-up, the patient returned, presenting mobility of the lower incisors. A significant increase in the size of the lesion was observed. After a biopsy, with the removal of tissuewhich had the appearance of a cyst capsule, microscopic analyses were found to be compatible with a secondarily infected cyst. Two months following this procedure, the patient did not present tooth mobility anymore and the oral mucosa presented a normal aspect. Following a radiographic exam, full lesion repair was observed. These conservative treatments should be the first option in cases of central giant cell granuloma and the patient must be observed for a long period of time, until no further clinical or radiographic signs of lesions are observed

Analysis of genetic lineages and their correlation with virulence genes in enterococcus faecalis clinical isolates from root canal and systemic infections

Introduction: Enterococcus faecalis is a member of the mammalian gastrointestinal microbiota but has been considered a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. In the oral cavity, it is commonly detected from root canals of teeth with failed endodontic treatment. However, little is known about the virulence and genetic relatedness among E. faecalis isolates from different clinical sources. This study compared the presence of enterococcal virulence factors among root canal strains and clinical isolates from hospitalized patients to identify virulent clusters of E. faecalis. Methods: Multilocus sequence typing analysis was used to determine genetic lineages of 40 E. faecalis clinical isolates from different sources. Virulence clusters were determined by evaluating capsule (cps) locus polymorphisms, pathogenicity island gene content, and antibiotic resistance genes by polymerase chain reaction. Results: The clinical isolates from hospitalized patients formed a phylogenetically separate group and were mostly grouped in the clonal complex 2, which is a known virulent cluster of E. faecalis that has caused infection outbreaks globally. The clonal complex 2 group comprised capsule-producing strains harboring multiple antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity island genes. On the other hand, the endodontic isolates were more diverse and harbored few virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. In particular, although more closely related to isolates from hospitalized patients, capsuleproducing E. faecalis strains from root canals did not carry more virulence/antibiotic genes than other endodontic isolates. Conclusions: E. faecalis isolates from endodontic infections have a genetic and virulence profile different from pathogenic clusters of hospitalized patients’ isolates, which is most likely due to niche specialization conferred mainly by variable regions in the genome.

Morfologia do funículo espermático em caprinos da raça Bhuj Brasileira

Estudamos em 40 caprinos adultos da raça Bhuj Brasileira os aspectos histológicos do funículo espermático. Observamos que este se acha envolvido por uma cápsula de tecido conjuntivo fibroelástico denso, de espessura variável, pregueada em alguns pontos, e revestida por mesotélio que circunda todo o conjunto vásculo-nervoso, e projeta-se para formar o mesoducto deferente. Em posição subcapsular, verifica- se uma camada de tecido conjuntivo fibroelástico frouxo, de espessura variável, que circunda parcialmente o funículo espermático, isolando nas regiões deferencial e abdeferencial, conjuntos vásculo-nervosos, responsáveis pela nutrição do epidídimo. Na região do mesoducto deferente, o tecido subcapsular acompanhado de tecido adiposo constitui a camada interna deste meso, formando a sua adventícia e abrigando vasos e nervos deferenciais. Na região abdeferencial, pequenos acúmulos de tecido adiposo são vistos de permeio aos vasos e nervos desta região. Entre as artérias, veias e nervos testiculares, bem como entre os vasos das regiões deferencial e abdeferencial, observa-se o tecido conjuntivo denso, intervascular, rico em fibras elásticas, que constitui as adventícias contínuas destes vasos. O arranjo vascular mostra que o segmento da artéria testicular, contido no funículo espermático, apresenta trajeto sinuoso. Estando envolvido pelo plexo venoso pampiniforme, formado por veias testiculares desprovidas de válvulas de calibres variados, apresentando amplas comunicações entre si. As veias responsáveis pela drenagem do epidídimo e ducto deferente estão localizadas em posição subcapsular deferencial e abdeferencial e mostram-se providas de válvulas. O trato das artérias testiculares no funículo espermático apresenta como média e desvio padrão 134,6±38,1cm à direita, e 137,0±33,9cm à esquerda, não existindo diferenças estatisticamente significantes ao nível de 5%, quando comparamos a média do segmento da artéria testicular contida no funículo espermático direito em relação ao esquerdo.

Phenotypic and genotypic features of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans isolated from patients with periodontal disease

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. In this study, the phenotypic and genotypic features of A. actinomycetemcomitans and the presence of genes involved in toxicity were determined. Sixty-five patients with periodontal pocket and 48 healthy subjects were evaluated. Biotyping, adherence and invasion, neuraminidase and biofilm production, presence of capsule and fimbria, as well as the presence of flp-1, apaH, ltx, and cdt genes were determined. Biotype II was the most prevalent. Sixty-six strains were adherent and 33 of them were able to invade KB cells. Sixty strains produced neuraminidase, and 55 strains biofilms. Strains showed capsule but not fimbriae. Forty-six strains were cytotoxic, and most strains harbored the apaH and flp-1 genes. LTX promoter and the ltxA gene were observed in all strains from periodontal patients. The cdtA gene was observed in 50 (71.4%) strains, cdtB in 48 (68.6%) strains, cdtC in 60 (85.7%), and cdtABC in 40 (57.1%) strains. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans harboring the cdtC gene from healthy subjects may represent a transitory microorganism in the oral microbiota. More studies are necessary to understand the real role of this microorganism in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease