An in vitro evaluation of apicoectomies and retropreparations using different methods

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

Genetic polymorphism of Streptococcus mutans in Brazilian family members

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

The center of the incisive papilla for the selection of complete denture maxillary anterior teeth in 4 racial groups

Objectives: To evaluate the use of the center of the incisive papilla as a guide for the selection of the proper width of maxillary dentures in 4 racial groups. Method and Materials: One hundred sixty stone casts were obtained from impressions of the maxillary arch of white, black, mixed, and Asian subjects. The occlusal surfaces of the casts were photocopied and the images placed on a digitizer. The most anterior and posterior points of the papilla and cusp tips of the canines were digitized. Dentofacial Planner Plus software was used to calculate the distance from a line passing through the cusp tips of the canines to the center of the papilla, defined as the midpoint of the anterior and posterior points of the papilla. The selection error (in millimeters) due to the clinical application of the method of the incisive papilla was calculated and analyzed. Results: In all studied racial groups, there was no coincidence between the center of the incisive papilla and the canine line. The utilization of the center of the papilla would lead to the selection of wider artificial teeth. In 24.9% of the white, 19.3% of the mixed, 32.9% of the black, and 15.5% of the Asian populations, errors greater than 4 mm would be present with the utilization of the papilla. Conclusion: The method of the center of the incisive papilla is not accurate, but may aid in initial artificial teeth selection for the racial groups studied. (Quintessence Int 2008;39:841-845)

Influence of light guide tip used in the photo-activation on degree of conversion and hardness of one nanofilled dental composite

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of Ultrasonic and ErCr:YSGG Laser Retrograde Cavity Preparation

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

Modelos de minimização de biomassa residual

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

Anatomia de ápices radiculares de feijão cv. carioca submetidos a níveis de boro em solução nutritiva

Foram estudadas as alterações anatômicas em ápices radiculares do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Carioca), quando submetidos a diferentes níveis de boro em solução nutritiva. Através de um experimento inteiramente casualizado, foram realizados três tratamentos como se segue: T1 0,50 mg L-1 de boro (testemunha); T2 0,25 mg L-1 de boro (nível intermediário); T0 omisso em boro; sendo feitas amostragens em três estágios sucessivos de desenvolvimento da planta, no decorrer de seu ciclo. As alterações foram avaliadas efetuando-se secções longitudinais de ápices radiculares, sendo analisados comparativamente por meio de estudo cito-histológico com o emprego de microscópio de luz. Considerando como testemunha as plantas submetidas ao nível de 0,50 mg L-1 de boro na solução nutritiva, pôde-se verificar que a omissão desse micronutriente, na solução nutritiva, provocou inibição da divisão e alongamento celular, hipertrofia de células, desorganização de elementos vasculares em raiz, impedindo que a planta completasse seu ciclo, morrendo ao redor do 55o. dia após o transplante. O nível de 0,25 mg L-1 de boro, na solução nutritiva, embora tenha provocado desorganização no ápice radicular, não impediu o desenvolvimento da planta.

Application of C-banding in two Arachis wild species, Arachis pintoi Krapov. and W.C. Gregory and A-villosulicarpa Hoehne to mitotic chromosome analyses

Two wild diploid (2n = 20 chromosomes) and self-pollinating Arachis species, Arachis Pintoi Krapov and W.C.Gregory and A. villosulicarpa Hoehne were submmited to C-band technique to karyotype analyses. Root tips were employed in the analyses. Morphometric data chose that chromosome lengths varied from 3.12 in A. villosulicarpa to 1.45 in A. Pintoi. Karyotype formula obtained was 10sm to A. Pintoi and 9sm + 1m to A. villosulicarpa. There was a predominance of pericentromeric C-band in all mitotic metaphasic chromosomes in both species. Besides C-band values, both species still did not differ in respect to chromosome absolute and relative lengths, centromeric index, symmetry index and total karyotype haploid length. C-band and morphometric data did not show strong or significant differences which could separate these two species of peanut which belong to evolutive different sections.

A new species of Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes : Characidae) from rio Portuguesa, rio Orinoco basin, Venezuela

A new species of Hyphessobrycon is described from tributaries of the rio Portuguesa, rio Orinoco Basin, Venezuela. The new species is diagnosed from congeners by the presence of two large hooks on each side of the anal fin in adult males ( processes of last unbranched and first branched anal-fin rays), distal third of caudal-fin black except for its distal tips ( which are hyaline), anal-fin rays v, 19-21, and dorsal-fin rays ii, 8. Comments on its generic status and putative relationships are provided.

Endogenous and exogenous polyamines in the organogenesis in Curcuma longa L.

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

Effects of temperature on lung and blood gases in the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus

The effects of temperature on lung and blood gases were measured in the South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus). Arterial blood and lung gas samples were obtained from chronically cannulated animals at 15, 25, and 35 degrees C. As expected for reptiles, arterial pH fell with increased temperature (0.018 U degrees C-1 between 15 and 25 degrees C and 0.011 U degrees C-1 between 25 and 35 degrees C) while lung gas PCO2 rose from 5.8 mmHg at 15 degrees C to 13.2 mmHg at 35 degrees C. Concurrently, lung gas PO2 declined from 132 mmHg at 15 degrees C to 120 mmHg at 35 degrees C, and arterial PO2 increased from 33 to 76 mmHg in that temperature range. Arterial haemoglobin O-2 saturation rose from 0.53 at 15 degrees C to 0.83 at 25 degrees C but became slightly reduced (0.77) with a further elevation of temperature to 35 degrees C. Arterial haemoglobin concentration increased from 1.96 to 2.53 mM between 15 and 35 degrees C, consistent with higher demands on oxygen delivery to tissues at elevated temperatures. Moreover, the substantial increase of haemoglobin O-2 saturation between 15 and 25 degrees C conforms to the idea that reduction of the central vascular right-to-left shunt (pulmonary bypass of systemic venous return) is associated with high metabolic demands. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The unequal influences of the left and right vagi on the control of the heart and pulmonary artery in the rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Localized matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity in the rat ventral prostate during the first week of postnatal development

The initial events in prostatic morphogenesis involve cell proliferation, epithelial canalization and outgrowth toward the stroma. We have hypothesized that stromal rearrangement takes place at the sites of epithelial growth and branching and that this rearrangement involves the action of gelatinases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to characterize structural aspects of epithelial growth during the first week of postnatal development of the rat ventral prostate and to investigate the expression, localization and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 during this period by histological, ultrastructural and immunocytochemical analysis, in addition to gel zymography, in situ zymography and Western blotting. An increasing complexity of prostatic architeture was observed within the first postnatal week. Concurrently, the stroma became more organized and some cells differentiated into smooth muscle cells. Reticulin fibers appeared in a basket-like arrangement around both growing tips and epithelial sprouts, associated with a fainter staining for laminin. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were detected. MMP-2/MMP-9 expression decreased during the first week. Developing epithelial cords showed strong and difuse gelatinolytic activity. This activity coincided with the distribution of MMP-2 as determined by immunocytochemistry. on the other hand, MMP-9 was rather concentrated at the epithelial tips. These results suggest that gelatinolytic activity (with contribution of both MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the epithelium and at the epithelium-stroma interface are at least in part responsible for the tissue remodeling that allows epithelial growth and its projection into the surrounding stroma.

High fat-induced obesity associated with insulin-resistance increases FGF-2 content and causes stromal hyperplasia in rat ventral prostate

Obesity affects sex hormone secretion, which can negatively influence prostatic structure, homeostasis, and disease. This investigation aimed to evaluate the repercussions of obesity induced by a high-fat diet on the rat prostate, with or without treatment with the aromatase inhibitor, Letrozole. Adult Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet (20% saturated fat, O) for 15 weeks to induce obesity or received a balanced diet (4% fat, C). Then, a group of C and O rats were daily treated with Letrozole (1 mg/kg b.w. per day) for 2 weeks (CL and OL, respectively). Subsequently, ventral prostate was processed for analysis by transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. Obesity decreased 70% of the testosterone plasma level. The prostate showed epithelial atrophy and dilated acini in the intermediate portion and epithelial wrinkling in the distal tips. The relative frequency of smooth muscle alpha-actin in the O group increased by 67%. Ultrastructurally, epithelial cells in obese animals presented altered secretory organelles, lipid droplets, and thicker subjacent fibromuscular layer. Letrozole treatment caused a partial restoration of the prostatic changes caused by obesity. Obesity increased the prostatic content of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) by 150%, and Letrozole treatment increased this protein even more in the control and obese groups. This investigation shows that obesity provokes structural and ultrastructural changes in the epithelium of rat prostate; these changes might affect gland homeostasis and physiology. The epithelial and smooth muscle cell hyperplasia and increased FGF-2 expression observed in this experimental model of obesity/insulin-resistance might explain the high frequency of benign prostatic hyperplasia in insulin-resistant men.

A new species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leiuperidae) from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, with comments on the geographic distribution of Pseudopaludicola canga Giaretta & Kokubum, 2003.

A new species of Pseudopaludicola is described from the state of Mato Grosso, western Brazil. The new species inhabits the transition zone between Brazilian Cerrado and Amazon rainforest in northern Mato Grosso, and is characterized by its medium size (snout-vent length 12-17 mm), lack of T-shaped terminal phalanges, toe tips not expanded laterally, presence of two antebrachial tubercles, and smooth upper eyelids. The advertisement call of the new species consists of a series composed of 11-74 non-pulsed notes. Mean dominant frequency is 3938 Hz. Each note presents a slight ascendant frequency modulation in its first half, and another ascendant modulation in its last half. We also present new data on the distribution and conservation status of Pseudopaludicola canga.