Isolated right atrial appendage (RAA) rupture in blunt trauma – a case report and an anatomic study comparing RAA and right atrium (RA) wall thickness

Abstract Background Heart chambers rupture in blunt trauma is uncommon and is associated with a high mortality. The determinant factors, and the incidence of isolated heart chambers rupture remains undetermined. Isolated rupture of the right atrium appendage (RAA) is very rare, with 8 cases reported in the reviewed literature. The thin wall of the RAA has been presumed to render this chamber more prone to rupture in blunt trauma. Objective To report a case of isolated RAA rupture in blunt trauma, and to compare right atrium (RA) and RAA wall thickness in a necropsy study. Methods The thickness of RA and RAA wall of hearts from cadavers of fatal penetrating head trauma victims was measured. Our case of isolated RAA rupture is presented. The main findings of the 8 cases reported in the literature, and the findings of our case, were organized in a table. Result The comparison of the data showed that wall thickness of the RAA (0.53 ± 0.33 mm) was significantly thinner than that of RA (1.11 ± 0.42 mm) (p < 0.05). Comments In all these 9 cases of isolated RAA rupture, cardiac tamponade occurred, RAA rupture was diagnosed intraoperatively and sutured, and the patients survived. Main mechanisms hypothesized for heart chamber rupture include mechanical compression coincident with phases of cardiac cycle, leading to high hydrostatic pressure inside the chamber. Published series include numerous cases of RA rupture, and only a few cases of RAA rupture. Conclusion Thus, our data suggests that wall thickness is not a determinant factor for RA or RAA rupture in blunt trauma.

Finite element analysis of bonded model Class I 'restorations' after shrinkage

Objectives. The C-Factor has been used widely to rationalize the changes in shrinkage stress occurring at the tooth/resin-composite interfaces. Experimentally, such stresses have been measured in a uniaxial direction between opposed parallel walls. The situation of adjoining cavity walls has been neglected. The aim was to investigate the hypothesis that: within stylized model rectangular cavities of constant volume and wall thickness, the interfacial shrinkage-stress at the adjoining cavity walls increases steadily as the C-Factor increases. Methods. Eight 3D-FEM restored Class I 'rectangular cavity' models were created by MSC.PATRAN/MSC.Marc, r2-2005 and subjected to 1% of shrinkage, while maintaining constant both the volume (20 mm(3)) and the wall thickness (2 mm), but varying the C-Factor (1.9-13.5). An adhesive contact between the composite and the teeth was incorporated. Polymerization shrinkage was simulated by analogy with thermal contraction. Principal stresses and strains were calculated. Peak values of maximum principal (MP) and maximum shear (MS) stresses from the different walls were displayed graphically as a function of C-Factor. The stress-peak association with C-Factor was evaluated by the Pearson correlation between the stress peak and the C-Factor. Results. The hypothesis was rejected: there was no clear increase of stress-peaks with C-Factor. The stress-peaks particularly expressed as MP and MS varied only slightly with increasing C-Factor. Lower stress-peaks were present at the pulpal floor in comparison to the stress at the axial walls. In general, MP and MS were similar when the axial wall dimensions were similar. The Pearson coefficient only expressed associations for the maximum principal stress at the ZX wall and the Z axis. Significance. Increase of the C-Factor did not lead to increase of the calculated stress-peaks in model rectangular Class I cavity walls. (C) 2011 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protective effects of bone marrow mononuclear cell therapy on lung and heart in an elastase-induced emphysema model

We hypothesized that bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell (BMDMC) therapy protects the lung and consequently the heart in experimental elastase-induced emphysema. Twenty-four female C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally instilled with saline (C group) or porcine pancreatic elastase (E group) once a week during 4 weeks. C and E groups were randomized into subgroups receiving saline (SAL) or male BMDMCs (2 x 10(6), CELL) intravenously 3 h after the first saline or elastase instillation. Compared to E-SAL group, E-CELL mice showed, at 5 weeks: lower mean linear intercept, neutrophil infiltration, elastolysis, collagen fiber deposition in alveolar septa and pulmonary vessel wall, lung cell apoptosis, right ventricle wall thickness and area, higher endothelial growth factor and insulin-like growth factor mRNA expressions in lung tissue, and reduced platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, and caspase-3 expressions. In conclusion, BMDMC therapy was effective at modulating the inflammatory and remodeling processes in the present model of elastase-induced emphysema. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aerial organ anatomy of Smilax syphilitica (Smilacaceae)

Smilax L. in Brazil is represented by 32 taxa and it is a taxonomically difficult genus because the plants are dioecious and show wide phenotypic variation. The analysis and use of leaf anatomy characters is recognized as a frequently successful taxonomic method to distinguish between individual taxon, when floral material is absent or minute differences in flowers and foliage exist such as in Smilax. The aim of this study was to characterize the anatomical features of the aerial organs in Smilax syphilitica collected from the Atlantic Rainforest, in Santa Teresa-ES and the Smilax aff syphilitica from the Amazon Rainforest, in Manaus, Brazil. For this, a total of three samples of Smilax were collected per site. Sample leaves and stems were fixed with FAA 50, embedded in historesin, sectioned on a rotary microtome, stained and mounted in synthetic resin. Additionally, histochemical tests were performed and cuticle ornamentation was analyzed with standard scanning electron microscopy. S. syphilitica and S. aff syphilitica differed in cuticle ornamentation, epidermal cell arrangement and wall thickness, stomata type and orientation, calcium oxalate crystal type, and position of stem thorns. Leaf blades of S. syphilitica from the Amazon Rainforest have a network of rounded ridges on both sides, while in S. aff syphilitica, these ridges are parallel and the spaces between them are filled with numerous membranous platelets. Viewed from the front, the epidermal cells of S. syphilitica have sinuous walls (even more pronounced in samples from the Amazon); while in S. aff syphilitica, these cells are also sinuous but elongated in the cross-section of the blade and arranged in parallel. Stomata of S. syphilitica are paracytic, whereas in S. aff syphilitica, are both paracytic and anisocytic, and their polar axes are directed towards the mid-vein. Calcium oxalate crystals in S. syphilitica are prisms, whereas in S. aff syphilitica, crystal sand. Thorns occur in nodes and internodes in S. syphilitica but only in internodes in S. aff syphilitica. These features have proven to be of diagnostic value and may support a separation into two species, but future studies are needed to confirm that S. aff syphilitica is indeed a new taxon. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60(3): 1137-1148. Epub 2012 September 01.

EFEITO DA IDADE E POSIÇÃO DE AMOSTRAGEM NA DENSIDADE E CARACTERÍSTICAS ANATÔMICAS DA MADEIRA DE Eucalyptus grandis

The knowledge of the variations in the wood characteristics produced by eucalyptus trees according to age and sampling positions is essential for its proper use. This study had as objective to evaluate the influence of the age, longitudinal and radial positions on basic density and anatomical characteristics in Eucalyptus grandis wood. The trees were planted in 3x2 m spacing and fertilized with commercial fertilizers in planting, 6th and 12th months. According to basal area distribution, fifteen trees were selected (24, 36 and 72 months of age) - five trees per age. Disks at DBH position (1.3 m) were taken for fiber determination (length, wall thickness, lumen diameter and width) and vessels (tangential diameter, frequency and area occupied) and in other different sampling positions for basic density determination. Wood basic density increased from 0.43 to 0.46 g.cm(-3) as well as the trees age increases with a longitudinal variation model, characterized through a decrease in base-3m (0.42-0.49 -> 0.40-0.46 g.cm(-3)) and an increase to the top of the trunk (0.46 -> 0.54 g.cm(-3)) Fibers and vessels dimensions showed variations related to age and to pit-bark direction. Wood properties behavior and variations indicate that, until this period, the juvenile wood is being formed.

Prenatal retinoic acid improves lung vascularization and VEGF expression in CDH rat

OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the effects of antenatal retinoic acid on the pulmonary vasculature and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors (VEGFR) expression in a nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) model. STUDY DESIGN: Rat fetuses were exposed to nitrofen at gestational day 9.5 and/or all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) at gestational days 18.5-20.5. We assessed lung growth, airway, and vascular morphometry. VEGF, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 expression was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Continuous data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: CDH decreased lung to body weight ratio, increased mean linear intercept and mean transection length/airspace, and decreased mean airspace cord length. ATRA did not affect lung growth or morphometry. CDH increased proportional medial wall thickness of arterioles while ATRA reduced it. ATRA recovered expression of VEGF and receptors, which were reduced in CDH. CONCLUSION: Retinoic acid and VEGF may provide pathways for preventing pulmonary hypertension in CDH.

Diallel cross among fresh market tomato inbreeding lines

The general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and heterosis were studied in a complete diallel cross among fresh market tomato breeding lines with reciprocal excluded. Fifteen genotypes (five parents and ten hybrids) were tested using a randomized complete block design, with three replications, and the experiments were conducted in Itatiba, São Paulo state, Brazil, in 2005/06. The yield components evaluated were fruit yield per plant (FP), fruit number per plant (FN), average fruit weight (FW); cluster number per plant (CN); fruit number per cluster (FC), fruit wall thickness (FT) and number of locules per fruit (NL). Fruit quality components evaluated were total soluble solids (SS); total titratable acidity (TA); SS/TA ratio, fruit length (FL); fruit width (WI); length to width ratio (FL/WI). The data for each trait was first subjected to analysis of variance. Griffing's method 2, model 1 was employed to estimate the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities. Parental and hybrid data for each trait were used to estimate of mid-parent heterosis. For plant fruit yield, IAC-2 was the best parental line with the highest GCA followed by IAC-4 and IAC-1 lines. The hybrids IAC-1 x IAC-2, IAC-1 x IAC-4 and IAC-2 x IAC-4 showed the highest effects of SCA. High heterotic responses were found for fruit yield and plant fruit number with values up to 49.72% and 47.19%, respectively. The best hybrids for fruit yield and plant fruit number were IAC-1 x IAC-2, IAC-1 x IAC-4 and IAC-2 x IAC-5, for fruit yield and plant fruit number, the main yield components.

Correlations between yield and fruit quality characteristics of fresh market tomatoes

Genotypic, phenotypic and environmental correlations were estimated for all possible pairs among eleven characters of tomatoes. Fifteen treatments including five parents and ten hybrids of Instituto Agronômico (IAC) tomato breeding program were evaluated using a randomized complete block experimental design, with tree replications in Itatiba, São Paulo state, Brazil, during 2005/2006. The following traits were evaluated: fruit yield per plant (FP), fruit number per plant (FN), average fruit weight (FW), cluster number per plant (CN), fruit number per cluster (FC), number of locules per fruit (NL), fruit length (FL), fruit width (WI), fruit wall thickness (FT), total soluble solids (SS), and total titratable acidity (TA). The genotypic (rG), phenotypic (rF) and environmental correlations (rA) for two pairs of plant traits were estimated using the Genes© program. High similarity was found among the estimates of genotypic and phenotypic correlations. Positive and high phenotypic and genotypic correlations were observed between FP and the traits FN, FW and FT, and these associations contributed for yield increasing. FW and FT contributed to yield increase and should be considered together as primary yield components in tomato. Positive values of the genotypic and phenotypic correlations revealed that FP influenced FN with high direct effect and significant positive correlation. These traits may be included as the main selection criteria for tomato yield improvement.

Dexamethasone reduces bronchial wall remodeling during pulmonary migration of Strongyloides venezuelensis larvae in rats

Strongyloidiasis is an intestinal parasitosis with an obligatory pulmonary cycle. A Th2-type immune response is induced and amplifies the cellular response through the secretion of inflammatory mediators. Although this response has been described as being similar to asthma, airway remodeling during pulmonary migration of larvae has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of airway remodeling during Strongyloides venezuelensis (S. v.) infection and to determine the ability of dexamethasone treatment to interfere with the mechanisms involved in this process. Rats were inoculated with 9,000 S. v. larvae, treated with dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) and killed at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. Morphological and morphometric analyzes with routine stains and immunohistochemistry were conducted, and some inflammatory mediators were evaluated using ELISA. Goblet cell hyperplasia and increased bronchiolar thickness, characterized by edema, neovascularization, inflammatory infiltrate, collagen deposition and enlargement of the smooth muscle cell layer were observed. VEGF, IL1-beta and IL-4 levels were elevated throughout the course of the infection. The morphological findings and the immunomodulatory response to the infection were drastically reduced in dexamethasone-treated rats. The pulmonary migration of S. venezuelensis larvae produced a transitory, but significant amount of airway remodeling with a slight residual bronchiolar fibrosis. The exact mechanisms involved in this process require further study. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.