Reproductive strategy of the snapping shrimp Alpheus armillatus H. Milne-Edwards, 1837 in the South Atlantic: fecundity, egg features, and reproductive output

The family Alpheidae, composed by shrimps of relatively small size, popularly known as snapping shrimps, is the one of the most diverse decapod groups. These shrimps are found worldwide and Occur in tropical and subtropical waters, from the intertidal zone to great depths. We investigated reproductive aspects of Alpheus armillatus, in order to gather information on egg production, aiming to enhance knowledge of its reproductive strategies in a population in an intertidal area of the South Atlantic. Ovigerous females were collected under rocks, in May and July 2006 (dry season) and in November 2006 and March 2007 (rainy season). Egg production and reproductive output were analyzed and compared seasonally and during the period of embryonic development. Females measured on average 11.28 mm CL with a mean of 763 eggs and 0.11 mm(3) egg volume. The egg volume of this population was smaller than previous estimates for other species of snapping shrimps, but the mean egg number was higher. The volume of eggs doubled during the incubation period, but despite this increase, no significant loss of eggs was observed. Alpheus armillatus invests oil average about 12% of body weight in reproduction. The proportional investment in egg production IS Significantly higher in the rainy season when compared with the dry season (17.9% vs 4.8%), correlated with higher temperatures and increased food availability at this time. Our results corroborated the hypothesis of a pattern of egg production influenced by environmental conditions and intraspecific variability among the family Alpheidae, as a function of the biogeographic region.

Increase of gingival matured dendritic cells number in elderly patients with chronic periodontitis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory cell subset proportions in the upper gingival connective tissue, including mature dendritic cells (DC) in elderly and younger patients with generalized chronic periodontitis in order to further understand the effect of aging on gingival inflammatory phenomenon. Methods: Gingival tissue specimens presenting chronic periodontitis from 8 elderly patients aged >75 (test group, group T) and from 8 younger patients aged 50-60 (considered as controls, group C) were analysed by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against CD45RB, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD68, DC-SIGN, DC-LAMP molecules. The number of each immunolabelled cells subset was counted using image analysis. Results: The difference in the number of CD45RB + leucocytes in the upper gingival connective tissue between groups was not significant permitting to use it as reference. As compared. to group C, the lymphocyte subsets/CD45RB + leucocytes ratios tended to decrease in group T but the decrease was significant only for CD4 + T lymphocytes/ CD45RB + cells ratio (p < 0.03). On the opposite, the ratios of antigen-presenting cells DC-SIGN + cells/CD45RB + cells and DC-LAMP + cells/CD45RB + cells were significantly increased;(p < 0.03 and <0.0001, respectively) in group T. Moreover, in group T the DC-LAMP + cells/DC-SIGN + cells ratio was significantly increased (p < 0.05) showing an increased number of matured dendritic cells. Conclusion: During chronic periodontitis in elderly patients, our results show a decrease in the ratio of gingival CD4 + lymphocyte subset associated with an increase in the ratios of antigen-presenting cells subsets and more particularly maturated DC-LAMP + dendritic cells. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

XAS characterization of the RuO(2)-Ta(2)O(5) system local (crystal) structure

The influence of the preparation method on the structural properties of the RuO(2)-Ta(2)O(5) system was investigated. Both thin films on Ti substrates and powder samples of nominal composition Ti/RuO(2)-Ta(2)O(5) (Ru:Ta = 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 30:70, and 0:100 at.%) were prepared through thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors (DPP). The thin films and powder samples were investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). XANES analyses showed that Ru and Ta are present in the Ru(IV) and Ta(V) oxidation states. EXAFS signals of all the samples were analyzed, to obtain the average bond length (r), coordination number, and the Debye-Waller factor (sigma(2)) for each Ru-O, Ru-Ru, Ta-O nearest-neighbor. The first shell Ru-O distance was found at 1.91-1.92 angstrom with coordination number of 1.8-2.1, and at 2.01-2.02 angstrom with coordination number of 3.9-4.1. The Ta-O distance obtained for all the samples and in both modes (transmission and fluorescence) had significantly different values from the theoretical ones. The results revealed that the local structure around both the Ru and Ta sites are similar, and that they consist of distorted M-O(6) octahedra (where M = Ru or Ta). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

How Much Older Do You Get When a Wrinkle Appears on Your Face? Modifying Age Estimates by Number of Wrinkles

The present study investigated the influence of wrinkles on facial age judgments. In Experiment 1, preadolescents, young adults, and middle-aged adults made categorical age judgments for male and female faces. The qualitative (type of wrinkle) and quantitative (density of wrinkles and depth of furrows) contributions of wrinkles were analyzed. Results indicated that the greater the number of wrinkles and the depth of furrows, the older a face was rated. The roles of the gender of the face and the age of the participants were discussed. In Experiment 2, participants performed relative age judgments by comparing pairs of faces. Results revealed that the number of wrinkles had more influence on the perceived facial age than the type of wrinkle. A MDS analysis showed the main dimensions on which participants based their judgments, namely, the number of wrinkles and the depth of furrows. We conclude that the quantitative component is more likely to increase perceived facial age. Nevertheless, other variables, such as the gender of the face and the age of the participants, also seem to be involved in the age estimation process.

The systematic use of intraoperative vascular Doppler ultrasound during microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy improves precise identification and preservation of testicular blood supply

Objective: To evaluate the impact of systematic use of intraoperative Doppler ultrasound during microsurgical subinguinal varicocele repair. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Andrology laboratory and male infertility section of the urology department of a tertiary care hospital. Patient(s): Two hundred and thirteen men with clinical varicocele. Intervention(s): Subinguinal microsurgical varicocele ligation using an intraoperative vascular Doppler flow detector. Main Outcome Measure(s): Number of veins ligated, lymphatic spared, arteries identified or accidentally ligated. Result(s): A statistically significant greater number of arteries were identified and preserved when intraoperative vascular Doppler was used. In addition, the average number of internal spermatic veins ligated was statistically significantly greater in the same group. Accidental artery ligation occurred in two cases (1.1%) in which the Doppler was not applied. There was no statistically significant difference in number of lymphatics spared between groups. Conclusion(s): Our findings showed that concomitant use of intraoperative vascular Doppler during microsurgical varicocelectomy allows more arterial branches to be preserved, and more internal spermatic veins are likely to be ligated. This device should be considered an attractive tool to improve surgical outcomes and safety. (Fertil Steril (R) 2010; 93: 2396-9. (C)2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

Oral-Nasal-Ocular Cleft: The Greatest Challenge Among the Rare Clefts

Introduction: Number 3 cleft or oral-nasal-ocular cleft is a well-known entity that was described by Morian over a century ago. This malformation is a paranasal-medial orbitomaxillary cleft running across the lacrimal segment of the lower eyelid and over the lacrimal groove. The Tessier number 3 naso-ocular cleft represents one of the most difficult and challenging malformations to correct for the reconstructive surgeon. We have conducted a retrospective analysis of our series consisting of 21 cases. Objective: The objective was to review the functional outcome and aesthetic results of the different techniques applied for each case. Materials and Methods: From 1997 to 2007, 21 patients with a Tessier number 3 cleft were treated in our craniofacial units. The clinical findings, tomographic studies, and surgical procedures were reviewed and analyzed. We have discussed our protocol of the treatment. Results: We have treated facial malformation in 2 craniofacial centers. Fourteen patients were evaluated in the first year of their life, with an average age at presentation of 3 years. Twelve patients were female, and 9 were male; 6 patients had amniotic bands in limbs, 5 patients had an association with Tessier number 11 cleft, 3 patients with number 9 cleft, and 1 with number 7 cleft. Related to cleft lip, 10 patients had bilateral cleft lip, and 8 patients had unilateral cleft lip. Three patients did not have any involvement of the upper lip. The alar base was deviated upward in 19 patients, 11 cases had severe anatomic alteration with the lateral border of the ala above the medial canthus, and 8 cases had a mild dislocation. Nine cases of lacrimal duct obstruction and 8 cases of lacrimal duct extrophy were identified. Twelve patients had a lower eyelid coloboma of varying grades, and there were 2 cases of microblepharia. Aiming the soft tissue reconstruction, eyelid, nose, and upper lip were evaluated regarding their position, absence of tissue, and position of medial canthus and ala. Twelve of our patients underwent correction in the same moment, their medial canthus rotated upward and the ala downward, using the contralateral side as the reference. The lip was treated using a Millard-like technique. Neo-conjunctivorhinostomy was performed in the same moment in 2 patients or later in 1 case. Four patients had plagiocephaly due to the cranial involvement, and they were submitted to cranioplasty. Three had neurosurgical approach and advancement of the frontal bandeau. One adult patient received an acrylic plate to reshape the frontal area. Conclusions: Tessier number 3 cleft is one of the most difficult and challenging malformations to correct for the reconstructive surgeon. Besides the difficulties of its treatment, patients with Tessier number 3 cleft may achieve good results when the team has good skills.

The Tessier Number 5 Facial Cleft: Surgical Strategies and Outcomes in Six Patients

The Tessier no. 5 facial cleft is an extremely rare congenital malformation. Only 26 cases have been described In the English-language literature. The cleft begins In the upper lip just medial to the oral commissure, extending across the cheek as a groove ending at the junction of the middle and lateral thirds of the lower eyelid. The bone Involvement usually Includes an alveolar cleft in the premolar region, extends across the maxilla lateral to the Infraorbital nerve, up to the infraorbital rim and orbital floor. The goals of the surgical procedure Include reconstructing the lower eyelid, repositioning the lateral canthus, closure of the labiomaxillary cleft, and restoration of the skeletal continuity (including the orbital floor defect) with bone grafts. We present six patients with the Tessier no. 5 facial cleft who have been treated in our combined centers and discuss the surgical options and difficulties faced in the reconstruction of this rare and challenging craniofacial malformation. To date, we have treated six patients (two with bilateral and four with unilateral clefts). Three of the patients with unilateral clefting had an associated no. 4 cleft and one patient with a bilateral cleft had an associated no. 3 cleft. This paper represents the largest series to date documenting surgery for patients with the Tessier no. 5 facial cleft.

Surgical correction of Tessier number 0 cleft

The no. 0-14 cleft involves the midline of the face and cranium. It may include both a true and a false median cleft lip, with or without associated hypotelorism or hypertelorism. The no. 0 cleft is the most common of the craniofacial clefts. The objective of this study was to review the functional outcome and aesthetic results of the different techniques applied for each case. We have conducted a retrospective analysis of our series consisting of 32 cases of Tessier no. 0 cleft, in the period between 1997 and 2007. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with the true median cleft and those with the false median cleft. The clinical findings, lip malformation, alveolar cleft, nasal appearance, septal involvement, associated deformities, and surgical procedures, were all reviewed. Holoprosencephaly was present in 9 cases, with a false median cleft upper lip and an absence of the premaxilla, septum, and columella (only 1 patient underwent lip and columella reconstruction at 2 years of age). Nine patients had an incomplete median cleft lip. Seven of these cases had associated median alveolar cleft, and 1 had an intranasal tumor, associated with lipoma of corpus callosum, characteristic of the Pai syndrome. Six cases of a bifid nose were seen, 2 of which were associated with an alveolar median cleft and hypertelorism. An isolated median alveolar cleft was present in 7 cases, 2 of them associated with a no. 30 cleft. This article presents a large series of Tessier no. 0 cleft, describing the differences between the false and the true median cleft. The surgical procedures may vary in relation to the type of involvement.

Spontaneous tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with Jaccoud`s arthropathy

Tendon rupture has rarely been described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. From observation of three cases of Jaccoud`s arthropathy with tendon rupture, and considering that this arthropathy is more related to an inflammatory process of the tendon sheath than to synovitis per se, the intention of this study was to review the cases of tendon rupture in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, in the hope of determining the frequency of Jaccoud`s arthropathy associated with this complication. Systematic review using MEDLINE, Scielo and LILACS databases (1966 to 2009) and the following keywords: systemic lupus erythematosus, tendon rupture, Jaccoud`s arthropathy. Secondary references were additionally obtained. Additionally, three Brazilian systemic lupus erythematosus patients who developed tendon rupture are described. Only 40 articles obtained fulfilled the previously established criteria. They were all case reports; the number of cases reported was 52 which, together with the three cases presented herein add up to 55 cases. Forty-six patients were women aged between 19 and 71 years, with a mean age of 40.1 +/- 12.4 years, and the average duration of the disease was 10 years. The most frequently observed rupture sites were the patellar and Achilles` tendons. While almost all patients described were on various doses of corticosteroids, 16 patients concomitantly had Jaccoud`s arthropathy (29%). In conclusion, the association between Jaccoud`s arthropathy and tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus has been underestimated. As almost one-third of the systemic lupus erythematosus patients with tendon rupture also have Jaccoud`s arthropathy, this arthropathy may be recognized as risk marker for tendon rupture. Lupus (2010) 19, 247-254.

Impact of number of vessels disease on outcome of patients with stable coronary artery disease: 5-year follow-up of the medical, angioplasty, and bypass surgery study (MASS)

Objective: To evaluate whether the number of vessels disease has an impact on clinical outcomes as well as on therapeutic results accordingly to medical, percutaneous, or surgery treatment in chronic coronary artery disease. Methods: We evaluated 825 individuals enrolled in MASS study, a randomized study to compare treatment options for single or multivessel coronary artery disease with preserved left ventricular function, prospectively followed during 5 years. The incidence of overall mortality and the composite end-point of death, myocardial infarction, and refractory angina were compared in three groups: single vessel disease (SVD n = 214), two-vessel disease (2VD n = 253) and three-vessel disease (3VD n = 358). The relationship between baseline variables and the composite end-point was assessed using a Cox proportional hazards survival model. Results: Most baseline characteristics were similar among groups, except age (younger in SVD and older in 3VD, p < 0.001), lower incidence of hypertension in SVD (p < 0.0001), and lower levels of total and LDL-cholesterol in 3VD (p = 0.004 and p = 0.005, respectively). There were no statistical differences in composite end-point in 5 years among groups independent of the kind of treatment; however, there was a higher mortality rate in 3VD (p < 0.001). When we stratified our analysis for each treatment option, bypass surgery was associated with a tower number of composite end-point in all groups (SVD p < 0.001, 2VD p = 0.002, 3VD p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, we found higher mortality risk in 3VD comparing to SVD (p = 0.005, HR 3.14, 95%Cl 1.4-7.0). Conclusion: Three-vessel disease was associated with worse prognosis compared to single-or two-vessel disease in patients with stable coronary disease and preserved ventricular function at 5-year follow-up. In addition, event-free survival rates were higher after bypass surgery, independent of the number of vessels diseased in these subsets of patients. (c) 2008 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Long-Term Results of Percutaneous Bilioenteric Anastomotic Stricture Treatment in Liver-Transplanted Children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term results of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and biliary drainage in children with isolated bilioenteric anastomotic stenosis (BAS) after pediatric liver transplantation. Sixty-four children underwent PTC from March 1993 to May 2008. Nineteen cholangiograms were normal; 10 showed intrahepatic biliary stenosis and BAS, and 35 showed isolated BAS. Cadaveric grafts were used in 19 and living donor grafts in 16 patients. Four patients received a whole liver, and 31 patients received a left lobe or left lateral segment. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed in all patients. Indication for PTC was based on clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings. In patients with isolated BAS, dilation and biliary catheter placement, with changes every 2 months, were performed. Patients were separated into 4 groups according to number of treatment sessions required. The drainage catheter was removed if cholangiogram showed no significant residual stenosis and normal biliary emptying time after a minimum of 6 months. The relationship between risk factors (recipient`s weight < 10 kg, previous exposure to Cytomegalovirus, donor-recipient sex and weight relations, autoimmune disease as indication for transplantion, previous Kasai`s surgery, use of reduced liver grafts, chronic or acute rejection occurrence) and treatment was evaluated. Before PTC, fever was observed in 46%, biliary dilation in 23%, increased bilirubin in 57%, and increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in 100% of patients. In the group with BAS, 24 of 35 (69%) patients had histopathologic findings of cholestasis as did 9 of 19 (47%) patients in the group with normal PTC. Of the 35 patients, 23 (65.7%) needed 1 (group I), 7 needed 2 (group II), 4 needed 3 (group III), and 1 needed 4 treatment sessions (group IV). The best results were observed after 1 treatment session, and the mean duration of catheter placement and replacement was 10 months. The primary patency rate was 61.2%, and the recurrence rate was 34.3% (group I). Seven patients (7 of 35; 20%) had their stricture treated with a second treatment session (group II). The average drainage time in group II was 24 months. During a period > 20 months, 4 patients (4 of 35; 11.4%) required 1 additional treatment session (group III), and 1 patient (1 of 35; 2.9%) had a catheter placed at the end of the study period (group IV). Drainage time in group I was significantly shorter than those in groups II, III, and IV (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant relation between therapeutic response and the selected risk factors (p > 0.05). The majority of complications, such as catheter displacement and leakage, were classified as minor; however, 2 patients (5.7%) with hemobilia were noted. Complications increased according to the need for reintervention. In conclusion, balloon dilation and percutaneous drainage placement is safe and effective, and it has long-term patency for children with BAS after liver transplantation. Because of prolonged treatment time, reintervention may be necessary, thereby increasing the complication rate. Balloon dilation and percutaneous drainage placement should be considered as the first treatment option because of its minimally invasive nature.

Characterization of Adherent Umbilical Cord Blood Stromal Cells Regarding Passage, Cell Number, and Nano-biomarking Utilization

Adherent umbilical cord blood stromal cells (AUCBSCs) are multipotent cells with differentiation capacities. Therefore, these cells have been investigated for their potential in cell-based therapies. Quantum Dots (QDs) are an alternative to organic dyes and fluorescent proteins because of their long-term photostability. In this study we determined the effects of the cell passage on AUCBSCs morphology, phenotype, and differentiation potential. QDs labeled AUCBSCs in the fourth cell passage were differentiated in the three mesodermal lineages and were evaluated using cytochemical methods and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Gene and protein expression of the AUCBSCs immunophenotypic markers were also evaluated in the labeled cells by real-time quantitative PCR and flow cytometry. In this study we were able to define the best cellular passage to work with AUCBSCs and we also demonstrated that the use of fluorescent QDs can be an efficient nano-biotechnological tool in differentiation studies because labeled cells do not have their characteristics compromised.

Evaluation of the cytogenetic effects of I-131 preceded by recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) in peripheral lymphocytes of Wistar rats

The present study was carried out to investigate the cytogenetic effects of therapeutic exposure to radioiodine preceded by rhTSH in an animal model. Three groups of Wistar rats (n = 6) were used: one group was treated only with I-131 (11.1 MBq/animal); the other two groups received rhTSH (1.2 mu g/rat of either Thyrogen or rhTSH-IPEN, respectively) 24 h before administration of radioiodine. The percentage of lymphocytes with chromosome aberrations and the average number of aberrations and of dicentrics per cell were determined on blood samples collected 24 h, 7 and 30 days after administration of I-131. The data show that the treatment with radioiodine alone or associated with rhTSH resulted in a greater quantity of chromosome alterations in relation to basal values after 24 h, with a gradual decline after 7 and 30 days of treatment. An increase in chromosome alterations was also seen after rhTSH treatment alone. Neither of the treatments, i.e., with I-131 alone or associated with hormone, resulted in an aneugenic effect or influenced the kinetics of cellular proliferation in rat blood lymphocytes. There was no significant difference between the cytogenetic effects of Thyrogen and rhTSH-IPEN treatment. These data suggest that the treatment with radioiodine, associated or not with rhTSH, affects to a limited extent a relatively small number of cells although the occurrence of late stochastic effects could not be discarded.

Predictors of higher number of stages in Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head

BACKGROUND - Squamous cell carcinomas of the skin of the bead are better treated with Mobs micrographic surgery which has the lowest recurrence rates and allows spare normal tissue. There are some characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma that can be related to a higher number of surgical stages. OBJECTIVE - To study characteristic of head squamous cell carcinoma that predicts a higher number of Mohs surgical stages. METHODS - A retrospective analysis of 51 squamous cell carcinomas of the bead treated with Mobs surgery was performed to determine risk factors for a higher number of surgical stages. The characteristics analyzed were clinical limits, morphology, recurrence, histological differentiation and size and compared to the number of surgical stages. The analysis was performed by Fisher`s exact test and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS - The recurrent squamous cell carcinomas showed a tendency for a higher number of stages (p=0,081). The Odds Ratio for a higher number of Mobs stages was three for inaccurate limits; although not statistically significant, it corroborates clinical and previous publication. CONCLUSION - Clinical characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma as recurrence and inaccurate limits would not predict, but could indicate tendency of a higher number of Mobs micrographic surgery stages.

Treatment of ring slippage after gastric bypass: long-term results after endoscopic dilation with an achalasia balloon (with videos)

Background: Silastic rings are used in gastric bypass procedures for the treatment of obesity, but ring slippage may lead to gastric pouch outlet stenosis (GPOS). Conventional management has been ring removal through abdominal surgery. Objective: To describe a novel, safe, minimally invasive, endoscopic technique for the treatment of GPOS caused by ring slippage after gastric bypass. Design: Case series. Setting: Federal University of Pernambuco and sao Paulo University. Patients: This study involved 39 consecutive patients who-were screened for inclusion. Intervention: Endoscopic dilation with an achalasia balloon. Main Outcome Measurements: Technical success and safety of the procedure. Results: Among the 39 patients, 35 underwent endoscopic dilation at the ring slippage site for the relief of GPOS. The 4 patients who did not undergo endoscopic dilation underwent surgical removal of the ring, based on the exclusion criteria. The endoscopic approach was successful in 1 to 4 sessions in 100% of cases with radioscopic control (n = 12). The duration of the procedures ranged from 5 to 30 minutes, and the average internment was 14.4 hours. Dilation promoted either rupture (65.7%) or stretching (34.3%) of the thread within the ring, thereby increasing the luminal diameter of the GPOS. Complications included self-limited upper digestive tract hemorrhage (n = 1) and asymptomatic ring erosion (n = 4). There were no recurrences of obstructive symptoms during the follow-up period (mean of 33.3 months). Limitations: This was not a randomized, comparison study, and the number of patients was relatively small. Conclusion: The technique described promotes the relief of GPOS with low overall morbidity and avoids abdominal reoperation for ring removal. (Gastrointest Endosc 2010;72:44-9.)