Photographic assessment of nasal morphology following rapid maxillary expansion in children

Objective: The aim of the present study was to use facial analysis to determine the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nasal morphology in children in the stages of primary and mixed dentition, with posterior cross-bite. Material and Methods: Facial photographs (front view and profile) of 60 patients in the pre-expansion period, immediate post-expansion period and one year following rapid maxillary expansion with a Haas appliance were evaluated on 2 occasions by 3 experienced orthodontists independently, with a 2-week interval between evaluations. The examiners were instructed to assess nasal morphology and had no knowledge regarding the content of the study. Intraexanniner and interexanniner agreement (assessed using the Kappa statistic) was acceptable. Results: From the analysis of the mode of the examiners' findings, no alterations in nasal morphology occurred regarding the following aspects: dorsunn of nose, alar base, nasal width of middle third and nasal base. Alterations were only detected in the nasolabial angle in 1.64% of the patients between the pre-expansion and immediate post-expansion photographs. In 4.92% of the patients between the immediate post-expansion period and 1 year following expansion; and in 6.56% of the patients between the pre-expansion period and one year following expansion. Conclusion: RME performed on children in stages of primary and mixed dentition did not have any impact on nasal morphology, as assessed using facial analysis.

Correlation between morphology and function of the upper lip: a longitudinal evaluation

In order to evaluate the relationship between the morphology of the upper lip and muscle activity in a sample of 38 subjects (17 males and 21 females) with Angle Class II division 1 malocclusions, cephalometric and electromyographic analyses were conducted. The sample was subdivided into either predominantly nose or mouth breathers. The individuals were evaluated at two different periods, with a 2 year interval. At the first observation, the subjects were 11 years to 14 years 11 months of age and at the second observation, 13 years 4 months to 16 years 6 months of age. Height and thickness of the upper lip were measured on lateral cephalograms with the aid of a digital pachymeter. For each individual, electromyographic records were obtained of the orbicularis oris superior muscle at rest and in a series of 12 movements. The electromyographic data were normalized as a function of amplitude, for achievement of the percentage value of each movement. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were applied.The results showed some correlation between morphology and muscle function (at a confidence level of 95 per cent). However, as the values of the correlation coefficient (r) were too low to establish associations between variables, it was concluded that the dimensions of the upper lip are not correlated with muscle activity.

Effect of Er : YAG and diode lasers on the adhesion of blood components and on the morphology of irradiated root surfaces

Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the adhesion of blood components on root surfaces irradiated with Er:YAG (2.94 mu m) and GaAlAs Diode (808 nm) lasers and the effects on the morphology of irradiated root surfaces.Methods: One hundred samples of human teeth were obtained. They were previously planed and scaled with manual instruments and divided into five groups of 20 samples each: G1 (control group) - absence of treatment; G2 - Er:YAG laser (7.6 J/cm(2)); G3 - Er:YAG laser (12.9 J/cm(2)); G4 - Diode laser (90 J/cm(2)) and G5 - Diode laser (108 J/cm(2)). After these treatments, 10 samples of each group received a blood tissue but the remaining 10 did not. After laboratory treatments, the samples were obtained by SEM, the photomicrographs were analysed by the score of adhesion of blood components and the results were statistically analysed (Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test).Results: In relation to the adhesion of blood components, the study showed no significant differences between the control group and the groups treated with Er:YAG laser (p = 0.9633 and 0.6229). Diode laser radiation was less effective than control group and Er:YAG laser radiation (p < 0.01).Conclusion: None of the proposed treatments increased the adhesion of blood components in a significant way when compared to the control group. Although the Er:YAG laser did not interfere in the adhesion of blood components, it caused more changes on the root surface, whereas the Diode laser inhibited the adhesion.

Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG and Er:YAG laser irradiation on the adhesion of blood components on the root surface and on root morphology

The aim of this study was to conduct an in vitro evaluation, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), of the adhesion of blood components on root surfaces irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG (2.78 mu m) or Er:YAG (2.94 mu m) laser, and of the irradiation effects on root surface morphology. Sixty samples of human teeth were previously scaled with manual instruments and divided into three groups of 20 samples each: G1 (control group) - no treatment; G2 - Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation; G3 - Er:YAG laser irradiation. After performing these treatments, blood tissue was applied to 10 samples of each group, whereas 10 samples received no blood tissue application. After performing the laboratory treatments, the samples were observed under SEM, and the resulting photomicrographs were classified according to a blood component adhesion scoring system and root morphology. The results were analyzed statistically (Kruskall-Wallis and Mann Whitney tests, alpha = 5%). The root surfaces irradiated with Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers presented greater roughness than those in the control group. Regarding blood component adhesion, the results showed a lower degree of adhesion in G2 than in G1 and G3 (G1 x G2: p = 0.002; G3 x G2: p = 0.017). The Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatments caused more extensive root surface changes. The Er:YAG laser treatment promoted a greater degree of blood component adhesion to root surfaces, compared to the Er,Cr:YSGG treatment.

Influence of the Angle of Irradiation of the Er,Cr:YSGG Laser on the Morphology, Attachment of Blood Components, Roughness, and Root Wear: In Vitro Study

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Irradiation on Root Surfaces for Adhesion of Blood Components and Morphology

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Presence and morphology of the molar tubercle according to dentition, hemi-arch and sex

The purpose of this study was to assess the presence and the degree of expression of the molar tubercle according to sex, dentition and hemi-arches. Study casts of 126 patients were assessed, and those were under orthodontic treatment at the University of Franca, UNIFRAN; they were from both sexs, from 4 to 13 years old. The upper second primary molars and the upper first permanent molars, from both sides, were evaluated regarding the presence and the degree of expression of the molar tubercle. For an association study, the qui-square test was utilized. The concordance about the presence or absence of the molar tubercle according to dentition, hemi-arch and sex, was estimated by the Kappa Statistics. There was a sexual dimorphism concerning the presence/absence of the molar tubercle (p=0.009), however there was no significant association between the degree of expression of the tubercle and the sex (p=0.791). The molar tubercle was more frequently observed in the male sex, in upper second primary molars and in the form of depression. There was a significant and "moderate" concordance between the left and right sides in primary dentition (k=0.596), there was a "good" concordance in permanent dentition (k=0.708) and a "weak" and significant concordance between the presence of the molar tubercle and dentition (k=0.207).

Contribution to the study of aortic mural structure of opossum (Didelphis albiventris)

Opossum is considered one of the most primitive mammals, with transition evolutive characteristics. In mammals, the aorta artery is referred as the main body blood vessel. The arteries wall structural organization follows a basic pattern, being contituted of three tunics: Intima, Median and Adventicial. After euthanasia, three samples of opossum had segments from the aorta artery ascendent, thoracic descending and abdominal descending portions removed, fixed in phormalin at 10% for 48 hours. Then, the material was washed in alcohol 70% several times, dehydrated in alcohois of growing concentrations, diafanized in xylol and included in "paraplast". Cuts with 5 to 7 mu m of thickness were placed in histological laminae and submitted to color methods of Hematoxilin-Eosin, Masson, Mallory and Calleja Tricromics. It was observed that in the different portions ascendent, thoracic and abdominal descending of aorta, the intima tunic presents much thick, made up of a layer of smooth muscular cells and elastic fibers, forming a limiting internal elastic membrane. In the three portions studied, the median tunic was the most evident layer, constituted of colagen fibers, smooth muscular cells arranged in a circular manner and elastic fibers, showing a variation in the mural elements proportion. It was evidenced the presence of a external elastic lamina, marking the transition between the median and adventicial tunic, formed by elastic fibers condensation. The aortic adventicial tunic showed to be little organized, having in its structure predominantely colagen fibers beans with some isolated smooth muscular fibers or in small fascicules among a few elastic fibers.

Morphometric and morphological analysis of neuromuscular junction alterations in the denervated rat diaphragm

The morphological and structural alterations that occur in the neuromuscular junctions of the denervated rat diaphragm were studied. Fifteen adult male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) aged about 60 days and with a mean weight of 200 g were used. Chronically denervated diaphragms were obtained and the animals were sacrificed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of denervation. The left antimere of the diaphragm was denervated by section of the phrenic nerve and the right antimere was used as control. Each antimere was divided into three fragments: one was used for histochemical (nonspecific esterase) and morphometric study of neuromuscular junctions, and the other two were used for transmission and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Histochemical analysis of the diaphragm neuromuscular junctions after denervation showed only small changes in junction morphology. However, these junctions became smaller and elongated and presented less visible contours with increasing time of denervation. Ultrastructural analysis of neuromuscular junctions after 12 weeks showed more or less organized junctional folds on the muscle fiber surface. The junctional cytoplasm exhibited important alterations such as mitochondrial degeneration and the presence of numerous filaments. SEM revealed the presence of deep primary synaptic grooves with peripheral excavations which housed the nerve terminal boutons and exhibited internally the secondary synaptic clefts present among the junctional folds of the sarcolemma. This study showed that some of the morphological changes demonstrated in other denervated striated skeletal muscles are not repeated at the same intensity or in the same temporal pattern in the rat diaphragm.

Ultrastructural study of acrosome formation in mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Spermatogenesis is a complex and very well organized process lasting from 30 to 75 days in mammals. The spermatogenic process has been described mainly in laboratory mammals, such as the rat, while correspondent studies in wild animals are scarce. The gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is a small rodent native of the arid regions of Mongolia and China. Few reports are available on reproduction in the male Mongolian gerbil. The present study provides the first description of the ultrastructural alterations in spermatid cytoplasm and nucleus, with particular reference to acrosome formation in gerbils. The testes were processed by conventional transmission electron microscopy technique. Based on the development of the acrosomal system and changes in nuclear morphology, the transformation of spermatids in spermatozoon was divided into 15 steps. There were four phases in the spermiogenesis process in the gerbil: Golgi, cap, acrosomal and maturation phases. This provides the foundation for a variety of future studies of the spermiogenesis of this animal. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Semi-hypogeal germination in Pachyrhizus ahipa (Wedd.) parodi (Fabaceae: Phaseoleae): seedling and sapling morphology

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

Unique Derived Features in Spermiogenesis and Sperm Morphology Supporting a Close Relationship between the Species of Hollandichthys and Rachoviscus (Characiformes: Characidae)

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

Morphology and histology of male and female reproductive systems in the inseminating species Scoloplax distolothrix (Ostariophysi : Siluriformes : Scoloplacidae)

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

Combined effect of the finasteride and doxazosin on rat ventral prostate morphology and physiology

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

Male and female reproductive morphology in the inseminating genus Astroblepus (Ostariophysi: Siluriformes: Astroblepidae)

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