Sperm ultrastructure and a new type of spermiogenesis in two species of Pimelodidae, with a comparative review of sperm ultrastructure in Siluriformes (Teleostei : Ostariophysi)

During spermiogenesis, the spermatids of the pimelodid species Pimelodus maculatus and Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum show a central flagellum development, no rotation of the nucleus, and no nuclear fossa formation, in contrast to all previously described spermatids of Teleostei. These characteristics are interpreted as belonging to a new type of spermiogenesis, named here type III, which is peculiar to the family Pimelodidae. In P. maculatus and P. fasciatum, spermatozoa possess a spherical head and no acrosome; their nucleus contains highly condensed, homogeneous chromatin with small electron-lucent areas; and a nuclear fossa is not present. The centriolar complex lies close to the nucleus. The midpiece is small, has no true cytoplasmic channel, and contains many elongate and interconnected vesicles. Several spherical to oblong mitochondria are located around the centriolar complex. The flagellum displays the classical axoneme (9 + 2) and no lateral fins. Only minor differences were observed among the pimelodid species and genera. Otherwise, spermiogenesis and spermatozoa in the two species of Pimelodidae studied exhibit many characteristics that are not found in other siluriform families, mainly the type III spermiogenesis. (C) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

ASPECTOS ETIOLOGICOS DA HIPERNASALIDADE CONSEQUENTE A PARALISIA DE PALATO MOLE - RELATO DE 6 CASOS

The authors studied the main aspects of etiology of the palate paralysis in six children suffering from soft palate paralysis. They emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary approach in the management of patients with this disease. In the author's cases the most likely etiologies were: neuropathy post-viral epidemic parotitis, tumors localized in the posterior cerebral fossa and idiopathic. They concluded that it is extremely important in these patients a detailed otorhinolaryngologic, neurologic and fonoaudiologic examinations.

Apert syndrome: Analysis of associated brain malformations and conformational changes determined by surgical treatment

Apert Syndrome, also called acrocephalosyndactylia type 1, is characterized by craniostenosis with early fusion of sutures of the vault and/ or cranial base, associated to mid-face hypoplasia, symmetric syndactylia of the hands and feet and other systemic malformations. CNS malformations and intracranial hypertension are frequently observed in these patients. Early surgical treatment aims to minimize the deleterious effects of intracranial hypertension. Fronto-orbital advancement, the usual surgical technique, increases the intracranial volume and improves the disposition of encephalic structures previously deformed by a short skull. This study analyzes CNS alterations revealed by magnetic resonance in 18 patients presenting Apert Syndrome, and the conformational alterations in the encephalic structures after surgical treatment. The patients' age in February 2001 ranged from 14 to 322 months (m=107). Image study included brain magnetic resonance showing ventricular enlargement in five cases (27.8%), corpus callosum hypoplasia in five cases (27.8%), septum pellucidum hypoplasia in five cases (27.8%), cavum vergae in two cases (11.1%) and, arachnoid cyst in the posterior fossa in two cases (11.1%). Absence of CNS alterations was noted in 44.4% of cases. A corpus callosum morphologic index was established by dividing its height by its length, which revealed values that ranged from 0.4409 to 1.0237. The values of this index were correlated to the occurrence or absence of surgical treatment (p=0.012; t=2.83). Data analysis allowed the conclusion that the corpus callosum morphologic measure quantified the conformational alterations of the cerebral structures determined by the surgical treatment.

Naso-orbicular tissue necrosis by Streptococcus parasanguis in a patient with Fanconi anemia: Clinical and laboratory aspects

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by pancytopenia and progressive hypoplasia of the bone marrow. A 23-year-old woman with FA showed severe pancytopenia and developed an abscess on the infraorbicular region on the right side of the face that progressed to phlegmon and caused tissue necrosis of the nostrils, nasal septum, nasal fossa, and posterior orbital region. Laboratory examination showed Streptococcus parasanguis as the etiologic agent of the phlegmon. Supportive treatment was recommended due to donor incompatibility for bone marrow transplant. The intraoral examination showed spontaneous gingival bleeding, edema of the interdental papillae, hematomas on the superior and inferior lips, bacterial and fungal infections, and adequate oral hygiene. The patient was treated with the administration of an antibiotic (imipenem), an antifungal (amphotericin B), and mouth washing with antiseptic solutions. Periodontal prophylaxis and orientation to and control of oral hygiene and diet were also used during the remission period. For functional and esthetic rehabilitation of the alar regions and nasal dorsum, an acrylic resin nasal prosthesis was made, supported by a spectacle frame.

Skull and mandible formation in the cuckoo (Aves, Cuculidae): Contributions to the nomenclature in avian osteology and systematics

The study of the contributions of different bones to the formation of the skeleton in birds is necessary: (1) to establish homologies in comparative anatomy; (2) to delimit each bone structure correctly, mainly in relation to the skull and mandible where the bones are fused to each other in adults; and (3) to standardize nomenclature in avian osteology. In this paper at least one young specimen belonging to each sub-family of Cuculidae was examined in order to identify each bone in terms of boundaries and contributions to skull and mandible formation. These cuckoos specimens were also compared with adults and young of turacos and hoatzin. The results show little variation of skull and jaw among the young cuckoos studied compared with the variations among adult specimens. However, it provides new suggestions for the boundaries and nomenclature of certain osseous structures in the skull and mandible of birds, specifically fissura zona flexoria craniofacialis, prominetia frontoparietalis, crista temporalis transversa, processus squamosalis, fossa laterosphenoidalis, tuberculum laterosphenoidale and processus retroangularis. This study also provides more reliable homologies for use in cladistic analysis and above all it contributes to the phylogenetic position of Cuculidae within Neognathae, specifically the skull formation suggest that turacos and hoatzin are more similar to each other than either is to the cuckoos. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.

Hindlimb unloading producing effects on bone biomechanical properties in mature male rats

Aging is associated with decline in muscle mass and strength and reduced bone density. Age-related bone loss is a primary factor in osteoporosis and all individuals are potential candidates for osteoporosis because bone loss with aging occurs in men and women, but less studied in men. To examine the appropriateness of hindlimb elevation, by tail suspension as a model for diminished mechanical loading, and to determine the influence of age on bone responsiveness to skeletal unloading, we use dual X ray absorptiometry (DXA) and digital radiographic images to analyze the response of the femur from mature rats to biomechanical loads. Femurs from male Wistar rats (9-mo-old) were scanned using DXA and DIGORA and measures obtained in ephipyseal and diaphyseal regions of interest. The mechanical testing was divided into compression load to fracture the head and a three-point bending load to fracture the femur middiaphysis. In femoral epiphysis from hindlimb unload (HU), animals presented significant differences between mineral bone content and density assessed by DXA. Detailed regions of femoral epiphysis (head, throcanteric fossa, throcanter and metaphysis) presented significant lower values from radiographic density. Only compressive load necessary to fracture the femoral head neck was also significantly diminished in HU animals. Disuse induced, as in elderly patients, deterioration of the trabecular bone architecture with critical effect on bone fragility. Rats with 21 days of hindlimb unloading can simulate disuse, suggesting that certain sub-regions of their aging bones are more susceptible to fracture, while other, i.e. diaphyses, are not.

Hallazgos clínico-radiológicos de la articulación temporomandibular en pacientes con artritis reumatoide

Aim of present paper is to describe and to assess the Clinicoradiological findings of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in a group of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sample included 61 patients with a mean age of 54 years and 5 months. All of them were interrogated and clinically examined and then underwent to a radiographic examination of both TMJs, using the transcranial projection technique, with the closed mouth and in maximal opening. Study includes the TMJ syndrome founded such as pain, tumefaction, luxation, clicking, and a limited oral opening. The study of radiographic features showed the presence of changes in condyle surface and temporal fossa, in condylar motility, and articulation space. We conclude that in patients presenting with rheumatoid arthritis is frequent the presence of clinicoradiological findings in the TMJ, and that patient's age and gender and the activity level and the RA course time, are factors influencing in TMJs general status.

Bone structure, strength and microhardness resulting after hindlimb unloading in rats

Introduction: Bone strength is influenced by a number of different determinants, such as mass, size, geometry and also by the intrinsic material properties of the tissue. Aims: The structure and mechanical properties of the femur were analyzed in aged (14 mo-old) animals submitted to hindlimb unloading (HU) for 21 days. Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into Control and HU groups and the femur was submitted to dual X ray absorptiometry (DXA), DIGORA radiographic density, mechanical compression testing and Knoop microhardness analyse in cortical and cancellous bone. Results: Femurs from HU group presented significantly lower failure load, decreased bone mineral density (BMD)/bone mineral content (BMC) in whole bone; proximal/distal epiphysis and middiaphyseal cortical bone measured by DXA were similar in the two groups; radiographic density from areas in proximal epiphysis was significantly lower in HU group, and microhardness measured at periosteal and endosteal levels were also signifcantly diminished in HU compared with Control group. Conclusion: Disuse induced damage in the trabecular femoral bone architecture with decisive effect on the head and trochanteric fossa, which became weaker. Bone diaphyseal cortical hardness also suffered effect of unloading, probably related to osteocyte/osteoblast activity.

Analysis of mandibular position using different methods of location.

There has been much discussion regarding the ideal position of the condyle in the mandibular fossa. Although the centric relation position (CR) is used as a reference, some authors do not believe that it is physiologic. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate in a group of asymptomatic individuals the position of the condyle in the mandibular fossa at maximum intercuspation (MI), with a occlusal splint and with a Lucia jig between the teeth. It was analyzed by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), transcranial radiography imaging and analysis of horizontal axis of rotation from casts mounted on an articulator. The results showed that even if patients had mandibular displacement in positions of CR, habitual maximum intercuspation and with the occlusal splint, confirmed by means of the analysis of the horizontal axis of rotation, the images showed no statistically significant differences among condylar positions. It can therefore be concluded that the positions analyzed were similar and that transcranial radiography seems to be a reliable method for analyzing condylar position.

Vascularização arterial e venosa do linfonodo poplíteo em cães

Poplíteo lympho nodes in the dogs is placed, to the right and the left in popliteo an appointed space fossa, in distal part of the muscles femoral biceps, laterally and semi-tendinous, medially, projecting in the height of the face volume of the joint to femoro tibial e femoro patellar (joint of the knee). In this study twenty and five dogs, males and females adult, originating the Araçatuba municipal kennel had been used whose captures had been effected by the animal sanitary defense of this city. The arterial vessels destined to this structure always derive, of both the sides, the femoral artery distal volume and vary of 10 the 1, more frequently of 2 (7 times, 28%) to the right and of 6 the 2, equally more frequently of 2 (8 times, 32%). So soon as one has still to right 5 and 6 branches (3 times, 12%), 1, 7 and 10 (1 time, 4%). Relatively to the veins derived from this lympho nodes, always converges to the lateral safena vein, these vessels oscillates between 9 and 2, more frequently of 3 (6 times, 24%), to the right and of 12 the 2, more frequently of 3 (10 times, 40%) to the left. Thus, others deriving branches of popliteo lympho nodes right and that if they insert in the above-mentioned vein are in number of 2 and 5 (5 times, 20%), 4 and 6 (2 times, 8%) and 8 and 9 (1 time, 4%). In spite of, to the left side it is examined in number de 2 branches (6 times, 24%), 4 (4 times, 16%), 6 (3 times, 12%) and finishing 9 and 12 branches (1 time, 4%). The size of popliteo lympho node in seropositive dogs for Visceral Leishmaniasis can meets enters 7,8 × 3,8 × 6,1 a 50,0 × 20,7 × 28,5, in mm, being average 26,18 × 10,5 × 15,97 mm for right and 26,98 × 11,14 × 15,25 mm for left (concerning the measures dorsoventral, latero-lateral and cranial-caudal, respectively).

Joint sounds in complete denture wearers. Literature review.

Long-term denture wearers can present with prosthesis instability, reduced occlusal vertical dimension and incorrect positioning of the jaw. This can lead to muscular changes and joint vibration. This study presents the main considerations related to joint vibrations in partially or totally edentulous patients. Occlusal treatment improves the disc-condyle relationship in the mandibular fossa. Furthermore, a detailed clinical exam and anamnesis must be performed to identify the dysfunction and its etiology, so that appropriate treatment can be provided.

Cranial osteology of Picini (Aves: Piciformes: Picidae)

The Picini is composed of 26 species of woodpeckers from the old world that are grouped into seven genera. Given the absence of detailed studies on the cranial osteology of the Picini, the purpose of this study is to describe the cranial osteology of 14 species of Picini from six genera and to compare these species with each other, with other species of woodpeckers and with other bird groups. The results of the analysis of the bone structures of the skull of the Picini indicate that there are seven outstanding characteristic of bones involved in the functional mechanistics of the jaw apparatus. In the ossa cranii, these include the frontal overhang, the postorbital process, the extension of the parietal versus the frontal region and the temporal fossa. In the ossa faciei, these include the rostral expansion of the pterygoid, the ventral palatine fossa and the orbital process of the quadrate bone. For all of the structures associated with the cranial osteology of the investigated species, there is a clear distinction between the species of the genus Picus and the other species studied. Blythipicus rubiginosus, Chrysocolaptes lucidus, Reinwardtipicus validus, Gecinulus viridis and the species of the genus Dinopium exhibit additional particularities. © 2012 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Ovarian Fibrothecoma in Mare - Case Report

A 5-year-old Mangalarga mare was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Veterinary Medical School in Botucatu with a complaint of a persistent 2-month ovarian follicle which had grown progressively to 20 cm in diameter. Ultrasonography showed a circular, cystic structure in the right ovary, whose wall was thickened and interior was filled with anechoic content. Ovarian neoplasia was suspected, and a unilateral ovariectomy was performed through the paralumbar fossa, using general anesthesia through inhalation. Histopathological evaluation concluded that the ovarian enlargement was caused by a fibrothecoma. The present report describes features of fibrothecoma, which is extremely rare in the equine species. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anatomical study of the retroarticular process in dry human skulls

Introduction: The retroarticular process is a bony prominence formed by the thickening of the lateral border of the mandibular fossa, forming the posterior wall of the temporomandibular joint. Since little is known and discussed about the retroarticular process, our aim was to study its presence, shape and size, relating these findings to the shape of the skulls according to the horizontal cephalic index. Materials and Methods: We used 400 dry human skulls of the Institute of Science and Technology - UNESP Anatomy Laboratory. Each skull was classified in brachycranics, mesocranics or dolichocranics, and then positioned on a craneostat to measure the height of the retroarticular process from its lower extremity to the auriculo-orbital plane. The width was obtained by measuring the base of the process on its longer lateral axis. Results: The retroarticular process was found bilaterally in 397 skulls (99.25%). All the processes were classified into the following shapes: pyramidal (35.55%), tubercular (31.78%), mammilar (20.73%), crest-like (9.05%) and molar shape (2.89%); 254 skulls (63.50%) showed the same type of process at the right and left sides (Kappa=0.496, moderate agreement). The average height and width were 5.28 mm and 12.81 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The retroarticular process was found in almost all the skulls examined. There are no significant evidences about the relationship among the presence, shape and size of the retroarticular process and the shape of the skulls according to the horizontal cephalic index. However, our findings led us to infer that there would be a functional relationship between the process and the temporomandibular joint.

Compressão extrínseca da artéria poplítea em indivíduos assintomáticos atletas e não atletas

Pós-graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia - FMB