Optical filters and resonant cavities based on di-ureasil organic–inorganic hybrids

Sol–gel derived poly(oxyethylene)/siloxane organic–inorganic di-ureasil hybrids containing different amounts (20–60% mol) of methacrylic acid (McOH) modified zirconium oxo-clusters (Zr-OMc) were processed as thin films and transparent and shape controlled monoliths. Laser direct writing was used to create channel waveguides, Bragg gratings, Fabry–Perot cavities and optical filters. The resulting Fabry–Perot optical cavity displays a free spectral range of 16.55 GHz and a fringe intensity contrast of 5.35 dB. Optical rejection values between 6.7 and 10.4 dB were obtained by varying the amount of the Zr-OMc oxo-clusters.

Effects of Er, Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on external adaptation of restorations in caries-affected cavities

This study evaluated the effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on the external adaptation of composite resin restorations in caries-affected cavities. Mixed class V cavity preparations were performed in 36 intact human third molars, in half of which caries was artificially induced. Both healthy and carious dentin were etched with 35% phosphoric acid (Ultradent Products Inc., South Jordan, Utah, USA), and the teeth were divided into three groups, i.e., (a) untreated etched dentin, (b) application of the Er, Cr:YSGG laser and (c) use of chlorhexidine as an adjunct in the bonding process. Restorations were fabricated with Z350 XT FiltekTM composite resin (3M ESPE) and subsequently the specimens were subjected to thermocycling to simulate artificial ageing. Quantitative analysis of external adaptation was performed by scanning electron microscopy in both healthy and affected dentin using epoxy resin replicas. It was concluded that the application of laser and chlorhexidine did not affect the percentages of marginal adaptation of class V restorations. Furthermore, thermocycling may influence adaptation values.

Ability of different methods to fill retrograde cavities with MTA.

The Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has excellent biological property. However, its consistency makes it difficult to be inserted into retrograde cavities. Objective:To evaluate the ability of different methods to fill retrograde cavities with MTA. Material and methods: Root canals of thirty single-rooted resin teeth were prepared and filled. After the cut of 3 mm short of apical third, retrograde cavities with 3 mm deep were prepared using an ultrasound device and retrotips (CVD, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil). The retrograde preparation was evaluate by using an operative microscope (D.F. Vasconcellos, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). The teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10), according to the method: 1) condenser (Trinity, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); 2) MTA applicator (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) + condenser; 3) condenser associated with ultrasound (CVD, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil). After the filling of retrograde cavities with white MTA (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil), teeth were radiographed using a digital system (Kodak RVG 6000, Rochester, NY, USA). The images were analyzed by UTHSCSA Image Tool 3.0 software. The percentage of filling was calculated by the proportion between the total area of retrograde cavity and the filled area. The radiographic density mean of each third of retrograde cavity filled with MTA was measured by using the histogram tool of the software. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests, with 5% of significance. Results: There was no difference in percentage of filling among the groups (p > 0.05) (approximately 85%). By comparing the thirds, the condenser and MTA applicator groups showed higher density for apical and middle third than cervical third (p < 0.05). The ultrasound group presented similar density among the thirds. Conclusion: The filling ability was similar for the studied methods. Ultrasound promoted better distribution of MTA in retrograde cavity, but did not increase the density of material.

Nesting architecture and population structure of the fungus-growing ant Cyphomyrmex transversus (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini) in the Brazilian coastal zone of Ilheus, Bahia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Internal Architecture and Population Size of Acromyrmex subterraneus molestans (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Nests: Comparison Between a Rural and an Urban Area

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Species diversity of yeast in oral colonization of insulin-treated diabetes mellitus patients

The aim of this study was to investigate oral yeast colonization, antifungal susceptibility and strain diversity in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients (175), as well as to evaluate the influence of dental prostheses. Oral rinse samples were cultured on selective media, in order to isolate, count and identify the yeasts recovered. More than half of the diabetic subjects (53%) carried significant amounts of Candida cells in the buccal cavity and these organisms were recovered at higher densities in diabetics wearing dentures. A total of 93 yeast strains were isolated from these patients, including: Candida spp. (n = 89); Pichia (n = 02); Trichosporon (n = 1), and Geotrichum (n = 1). C. albicans represented 56% of these strains, non-albicans Candida 39.8%, and other genera of yeast 4.3%. C. albicans was prevalent, followed by C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. rugosa and C. guilliermondii. Agar disk-diffusion tests of the susceptibility of non-albicans Candida and other genera of yeast to fluconazole showed resistance in 21.9%, mainly in C. rugosa (100%), C. glabrata (57%) and C. krusei (50%). Local oral factors, such as the presence of dentures, in association with diabetes, seemed to have the effect of increasing the amount and variety of Candida species in the oral cavities, mainly those with lower drug susceptibilities.

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of aluminium alloys after corrosion testing

The 2024 and 7050 aluminium alloys used as aircraft components were subjected to laboratory corrosion tests in sodium chloride solution, Light-microscope examinations make it possible to characterise morphological aspects of the localised corrosion. Image analysis was used to determine both depth and width of pits over corroded surfaces. It has been concluded that the annealing could reduce the pit growth in both alloys, by means of grains recrystallization or recovery. The 2024 alloy also tends to present an exfoliation mechanism, mainly throughout non-recrystallized and recrystallized grain boundaries, increasing the width and sustaining the depth of pit cavities during exposition to saline atmosphere. SEM and EDS analysis reveal the morphology and elemental distribution of the corrosion products formed after immersion corrosion test. Some of these products were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. For 2024, Al(OH)(3), MS(OH)(2) and Cu2O were found. AI(OH)(3) and Cu2O were also found in 7050 samples.

Extraocular muscle fixation to porous polyethylene orbital implants using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Urgent Endovascular Treatment of Thoraco-abdominal Aneurysms Using a Sandwich Technique and Chimney Grafts - A Technical Description

Introduction: So far the only endovascular option to treat patients with thoraco abdominal aortic aneurysms is the deployment of branched grafts. We describe a technique consisting of the deployment of standard off-the- shelf grafts to treat urgent cases.Material and Methods: The sandwich technique consists of the deployment of ViaBahn chimney grafts in combination with standard thoracic and abdominal aortic stent grafts. The chimney grafts are deployed using a transbrachial and transaxillary access. These coaxial grafts are placed inside the thoracic tube graft. After deployment of the infrarenal bifurcated abdominal graft a bridging stent-a short tube graft is positioned inside the thoracic graft further stabilizing the chimney grafts.Results: 5 patients with symptomatic thoraco abdominal aneurysms were treated. There was one Type I endoleak that resolved after 2 months. In all patients 3 stentgrafts had to be used When possible all visceral and renal branches were revascularized. A total number of 17 arteries were reconnected with covered branches. During follow up we lost one target vessel the right renal artery.Conclusion: The sandwich technique in combination with chimney grafts permits a total endovascular exclusion of thoraco abdominal aortic aneurysms. In all cases off-the shelf products and grafts could be used. The number of patients treated so far is still too small to draw further more robust conclusions with regard to long term performance and durability. (C) 2010 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microbiological evaluation of different strategies for management of snakes in captivity

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Loss of vision secondary to obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report

Objective: To report a rare case of self-inflicted eye injury secondary to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Method: Case report.Results: A 41 year-old patient had significant bilateral visual loss and blunt trauma through touching his ocular cavities due to recurrent doubts regarding their shape and urges to check the format of bones and cartilages. Differential diagnosis with tic disorders is discussed, and the patient's treatment approach is described.Conclusion: Although rare, severe clinical complications can occur in OCD. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

O uso de implantes orbitários de polietileno granulado de ultra-alto peso molecular no reparo de cavidades anoftálmicas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Repair of the anophthalmic cavity of rats with synthetic hydroxyapatite

We placed spheres of synthetic hydroxyapatite (calcium chloride combined with sodium phosphate) in the eviscerated or enucleated orbital cavity of rats in order to evaluate the biocompatibility of this material with the orbital cavity. The study was conducted on 50 albino rats, 25 of which were submitted to enucleation and 25 to evisceration of one eye. The animals were sacrificed 7, 15, 21, 30 and 60 days after surgery and the orbital content was submitted to histopathological examination. A reaction of the young granulation tissue type was observed first. The hydroxyapatite was gradually surrounded by a granulomatous macrophage inflammatory response and covered with dense connective tissue that formed a sort of mesh septating and supporting progressively smaller blocks of the substance. The same type of reaction was observed in the enucleated and eviscerated cavities. We conclude that synthetic hydroxyapatite is an inert nonallergenic material which is appropriate for volume replacement in the anophthalmic cavity

Implantes de polietileno gel e poroso em cavidade anoftálmica de coelhos

OBJETIVO: Comparar implantes de polietileno poroso no estado sólido e gel em cavidades enucleadas. MÉTODOS: Trinta e seis coelhos albinos foram submetidos à enucleação do olho direito, recebendo esferas de polietileno poroso (18 animais) ou gel (18 animais), de 12 mm de diâmetro. Os animais foram avaliados semanalmente por exame clínico e mensalmente por ultra-sonografia modo B, realizada 30, 60 e 90 dias após a cirurgia, tendo sido os animais sacrificados aos 90 dias. Após o sacrifício, o conteúdo orbitário foi removido e examinado histologicamente. RESULTADOS: Cinco animais (27,2%) que receberam os implantes de polietileno poroso tiveram extrusão do implante. Houve extrusão em 94,4% dos animais que receberam a esfera de polietileno gel, tendo-se observado que o diâmetro das esferas gel extruídas encontrava-se aumentado em relação ao diâmetro da esfera implantada. A ultra-sonografia mostrou que o implante de polietileno poroso se vascularizou e que o gel não, o que foi confirmado pelo exame histológico. CONCLUSÃO: Esferas de polietileno no estado gel sofrem hidratação e aumentam de volume, sendo necessário conhecer o seu tamanho final antes da implantação. A ultra-sonografia permite conhecer a vascularização do implante, podendo ser usada na avaliação da integração esfera-hospedeiro.