Análise fractal da vasculatura arteriolar e venular da retina em pessoas sem doença ocular

Although it has been suggested that retinal vasculature is a diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) fractal, no study has been dedicated to standardizing its fractal analysis . The aims of this project was to standardize a method to estimate the fractal dimensions of retinal vasculature and to characterize their normal values; to determine if this estimation is dependent on skeletization and on segmentation and calculation methods; to assess the suitability of the DLA model and to determine the usefulness of log-log graphs in characterizing vasculature fractality . To achieve these aims, the information, mass-radius and box counting dimensions of 20 eyes vasculatures were compared when the vessels were manually or computationally segmented; the fractal dimensions of the vasculatures of 60 eyes of healthy volunteers were compared with those of 40 DLA models and the log-log graphs obtained were compared with those of known fractals and those of non-fractals. The main results were: the fractal dimensions of vascular trees were dependent on segmentation methods and dimension calculation methods, but there was no difference between manual segmentation and scale-space, multithreshold and wavelet computational methods; the means of the information and box dimensions for arteriolar trees were 1.29. against 1.34 and 1.35 for the venular trees; the dimension for the DLA models were higher than that for vessels; the log-log graphs were straight, but with varying local slopes, both for vascular trees and for fractals and non-fractals. This results leads to the following conclusions: the estimation of the fractal dimensions for retinal vasculature is dependent on its skeletization and on the segmentation and calculation methods; log-log graphs are not suitable as a fractality test; the means of the information and box counting dimensions for the normal eyes were 1.47 and 1.43, respectively, and the DLA model with optic disc seeding is not sufficient for retinal vascularization modeling

Encoding mechanisms based on fast oscillations in the retina of the cat and their dependencies on anesthesia

Processing in the visual system starts in the retina. Its complex network of cells with different properties enables for parallel encoding and transmission of visual information to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and to the cortex. In the retina, it has been shown that responses are often accompanied by fast synchronous oscillations (30 - 90 Hz) in a stimulus-dependent manner. Studies in the frog, rabbit, cat and monkey, have shown strong oscillatory responses to large stimuli which probably encode global stimulus properties, such as size and continuity (Neuenschwander and Singer, 1996; Ishikane et al., 2005). Moreover, simultaneous recordings from different levels in the visual system have demonstrated that the oscillatory patterning of retinal ganglion cell responses are transmitted to the cortex via the LGN (Castelo-Branco et al., 1998). Overall these results suggest that feedforward synchronous oscillations contribute to visual encoding. In the present study on the LGN of the anesthetized cat, we further investigate the role of retinal oscillations in visual processing by applying complex stimuli, such as natural visual scenes, light spots of varying size and contrast, and flickering checkerboards. This is a necessary step for understanding encoding mechanisms in more naturalistic conditions, as currently most data on retinal oscillations have been limited to simple, flashed and stationary stimuli. Correlation analysis of spiking responses confirmed previous results showing that oscillatory responses in the retina (observed here from the LGN responses) largely depend on the size and stationarity of the stimulus. For natural scenes (gray-level and binary movies) oscillations appeared only for brief moments probably when receptive fields were dominated by large continuous, flat-contrast surfaces. Moreover, oscillatory responses to a circle stimulus could be broken with an annular mask indicating that synchronization arises from relatively local interactions among populations of activated cells in the retina. A surprising finding in this study was that retinal oscillations are highly dependent on halothane anesthesia levels. In the absence of halothane, oscillatory activity vanished independent of the characteristics of the stimuli. The same results were obtained for isoflurane, which has similar pharmacological properties. These new and unexpected findings question whether feedfoward oscillations in the early visual system are simply due to an imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the retinal networks generated by the halogenated anesthetics. Further studies in awake behaving animals are necessary to extend these conclusions

Aspectos anatômicos do olho e neuroquímicos da retina do mocó (Kerodon rupestris)

The visual system is an important link between the animal and the environment, com profound influences on the habits and lifestyle in various habitats. Adaptive mechanismsto the temporal niche are present in the visual system of many vertebrates, involving changins in ocular dimensios and design, retinal cell distribution and organization of neurochemical circuits related to the retinal resolution or sensitivity. The sensory system of the eye is represented by the retina, whose organization is responsible by receipty, initial analysis, and transmission of the information to the brain. The knowledge of the position of the eyes in the head and the distribution of retinal cells allow to identify adaptive aspects of each species to its visual field, which is characteristic to the ecological niche it occupies. In this research, we study eye anatomical characteristics and retina neurochemical features of the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris), a tipical Brazilian rodent from the suborder Hystricomorpha, family Caviidae. The rock cavy has lateral eyes well constitute bony orbit and well differentiated extrinsic muscle. The study of the descriptive and morphometric anatomy of the showed mean values of axial diameter 10.7±0,5mm and equatorial diameter 11.6±0.7mm. The pupil is slit shaped and the lens has mean axial diameter 5.4±0.03 mm, corresponding to ~45% of the axial diameter of the eye. The posterior nodal distance and the retinal magnification factor were estimated at 6.74 mm e 118 μm/grau, respectively. Flat mounts were processed for Nissl stain, and the topographic distribution of ganglion cells showed a moderate visual band, just below the optic disc, with higher density in the ventral retina. Retinal vertical sections and flat mounts were processed for immunohistochemistry to visualize tyrosine hydroxilase (TH) and thus two types of TH+ cells were detected. Type 1 cells had strong TH-immunoreactivity, the body cell varied from 120.047 to 269.373 μm2 stratifying in the sublamina 1 of the IPL. Type 2 cells were weakly TH-imunoreactive, had cell body located mostly in the IPL, varying from 54.848 to 177.142 μm2, constituting ~10% of the TH+ cells. Both cell types exhibited similar topographic distribution with higher density found in a horizontal band along of the naso-temporal axis in the dorsal retina. The total population of dopaminergic cells was 2,156±469,4 cells, occupying an average area of 198,164 μm2. The presence of cones and rods was detected by immunohistochemistry in vertical sections and flat mounts. S cones density is around 10 times smaller than L cones, with different degree of spatial organization. Other retinal neuronal populations of the rock cavy were also detected in vertical sections with specific markers. Comparative analysis of the anatomical characteristics of the rock cavy eye 12 suggest that it was designed to acquire higher sensitivity to light, at expense of image sharpness, compatible with a vision at mesopic conditions. Additionally, the distribution of the 2 subtypes of dopaminergic cells in a naso-temporal band in the dorsal retina seems suitable to a gain in sensitivity, coherent with an animal with predominantly crepuscular activity pattern

Influência do pré-aquecimento na adaptação marginal de dois materiais seladores de fóssulas e fissuras, analisada através de tomografia de coerência ótica

Among the non-invasive techniques employed in the prevention of caries highlights the sealing pits and fissures which is a conservative maneuver, in order to obliterate them to protect them from attack acid bacteria. Influenced by the studies of pre-heating composite resin, which has experienced great improvement in some of their physical properties, this study aimed to evaluate in vitro the superficial and internal marginal adaptation of different materials and sealants in pre-heating or not. A total of 40 extracted human third molars (n=10) that had their occlusal surfaces prepared to receive sealant. We tested two types of sealing materials: resin sealant (Fluoroshield) and low-viscosity resin (Permaflo), where 50% of previously received heated material and the other half received sealant material at room temperature. All samples were subjected to thermal cycling and pH, simulating a cariogenic oral environment, and later were analyzed appliance OCT (optical coherence tomography). The images obtained alterations were recorded and analyzed statistically. Change was considered as the emergence of bubbles, gaps and cracks in the sealant. Comparisons of the same material, assessing the fact that it is not sealed or preheated material, as well as comparisons between different materials subjected to the same temperature were carried out. The nonparametric Tukey test was used (p < 0,05). The results showed that there was statistically significant difference between both the materials analyzed, as between the situations in which the sealant material was submitted (preheated or not). On the issue of marginal adaptation and internal surface, seen through Optical coherence tomography, may suggest that there is a difference between the use of one type or another of the sealing material analyzed, with superiority attributed to resin Permaflo compared to sealant Fluroshield, telling is the same for the different techniques used

Um retrato do marginal brasileiro mediante o trabalho do ator com as personagens de Plínio Marcos em “Navalha na carne"

This thesis presented is to research the actor's work in the construction of physical actions, according to the methodology developed by Constantin Stanislavski in his analysis of dramatic action, called "method of physical action", applied to questions of scenic representation of the Brazilian marginal, according to the look "cruel" and realistic / naturalistic Plinio Marcos playwright. Based on the circumstances given by Pliniano universe, the intention is to contribute to the reflection on the actor's work on the scene with the marginal characters in "Razor in the Flesh", highlighting some important aspects, to assist in the construction of this fictional world. You want to create conditions for the formation of an actor that leverages the scene the contradictions and conflicts of this work. The research aims from the theoretical and practical study as a methodological hypothesis, producing critical reflection from the creative process of the agent with the realization of a scenic experiment focused on psychophysical technique of this Russian pedagogue. Thus, we intend to have a look at the method of physical actions focusing on his last great contribution to the work, especially the procedure of active analysis by doing a reading from "Razor in the Flesh" through this creative scenic exercise, extending the studies concerning the actor's art. This research is a general explanation about the trajectory of Stanislavski to his encounter with the physical action, while, highlights the inconsistencies of understanding of his work around the world. Stanislavski initially developed the "method" having as a backdrop, the realist aesthetic - a dialogue relationship between reality and the scene - through a style which creates a theatrical reality, and consequently, artistic, not literally naturalistic way through an integral mimicry. That is, the representation of work in realistic theater aesthetics should be developed in order to create a theatrical reality. Stanislavski believes that theater is convention, since the actor's work on himself should encourage this second nature, scenic.