Mucociliary clearance and its relation with the level of physical activity in daily life in healthy smokers and nonsmokers

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

Photodynamic Effects of Curcumin Against Cariogenic Pathogens

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

A Review of Analytical Techniques for Determination of Glimepiride: Present and Perspectives

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

Permian stromatolites associated with bivalve coquina beds-Angatuba, SP, Brazil (Teresina Formation, Parana Basin)

Silicified stromatolites have been described in the Permian Teresina Formation, Passa Dois Group, of the Parana Basin. These stromatolites occur as blocks in the Fazenda Monte Alegre area at the headwaters of the creek known as Corrego Catanduva in the municipality of Angatuba. These blocks originate from the Serra de Angatuba region and were recognized in a road that was cut in the midst of sandstones and siltites. The stromatolites are isolated bioherms that are domed to subspherical with a flat base in profile and a rounded to lenticular shape in plan view. The stromatolites exhibit a reddish coloration and are composed of microcrystalline quartz. Lamination is continuous, non-columnar, and anastomosed, showing parallel to divergent growth; however, divergent columns also occur, especially at the tops of the bioherms. The lamination is fine and well preserved, with alternating light and dark laminas. Microfossils of filamentous cyanobacteria are preserved and were related to the genera Microcoleus and Rivularia. Silicified bivalves occur in association with the stromatolites and are preserved in the form of coquina beds and rare isolated specimens within the bioherms. The described specimens belong to the Pinzonella illusa biozone, with representatives of the species Pinzonella illusa, Angatubia cowperesioides, and Houldausiella elongata. The formation environment of these stromatolites is associated with tidal plains of shallow, brackish, relatively calm, warm waters of good luminosity with the presence of weak currents. There was likely a low level of predation, and the environment may have been hypersaline. The coquina beds associated with the stromatolites indicate a probable proximal tempestite, i.e., they were formed near the coastline. The stromatolites were originally composed of carbonates, although these were replaced by silica during early diagenesis.

Effects of soil management systems on soil microbial activity, bulk density and chemical properties

Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos de diferentes sistemas de uso e manejo na densidade do solo nas suas propriedades químicas e na atividade microbiana em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (Oxisol). As amostras de solo foram retiradas de parcelas dos seguintes tratamentos: cerrado denso preservado, pastagem de Brachiaria decumbens degradada (20 anos), plantio direto com rotação de culturas (8 anos) e sistema convencional com rotação de culturas anuais (10 anos). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com dez repetições. O uso contínuo de plantio direto resultou em mais alta taxa de C-biomassa microbiana e menor perda relativa de carbono pela respiração basal, podendo determinar, desta forma, maior acúmulo de C no solo a longo prazo. Proporcionou, ainda, melhoria na densidade aparente e nas propriedades químicas do solo. Assim, o sistema plantio direto, com manejo de culturas, mostrou ser uma alternativa para a conservação e manutenção das condições físicas e do potencial produtivo de solos de cerrado.

Effect of unsaturated fatty acids on myocardial performance, metabolism and morphology

Diets rich in saturated fatty acids are one of the most important causes of atherosclerosis in men, and have been replaced with diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) for the prevention of this disorder. However, the effect of UFA on myocardial performance, metabolism and morphology has not been completely characterized. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of a UFA-rich diet on cardiac muscle function, oxidative stress, and morphology. Sixty-day-old male Wistar rats were fed a control (N = 8) or a UFA-rich diet (N = 8) for 60 days. Myocardial performance was studied in isolated papillary muscle by isometric and isotonic contractions under basal conditions after calcium chloride (5.2 mM) and ss-adrenergic stimulation with 1.0 mu M isoproterenol. Fragments of the left ventricle free wall were used to study oxidative stress and were analyzed by light microscopy, and the myocardial ultrastructure was examined in left ventricle papillary muscle. After 60 days the UFA-rich diet did not change myocardial function. However, it caused high lipid hydroperoxide (176 +/- 5 vs 158 +/- 5, P < 0.0005) and low catalase (7 +/- 1 vs 9 +/- 1, P < 0.005) and superoxide-dismutase (18 +/- 2 vs 27 +/- 5, P < 0.005) levels, and discrete morphological changes in UFA-rich diet hearts such as lipid deposits and mitochondrial membrane alterations compared to control rats. These data show that a UFA-rich diet caused myocardial oxidative stress and mild structural alterations, but did not change mechanical function.

Mechanical, biochemical, and morphological changes in the heart from chronic food-restricted rats

Food restriction (FR) has been shown to induce important morphological changes in rat myocardium. However, its influence on myocardial performance is not completely defined. We examined the effects of chronic FR on cardiac muscle function and morphology. Sixty-day-old Wistar-Kyoto rats were fed a control (C) or a restricted diet (daily intake reduced to 50% of the amount of food consumed by the control group) for 90 days. Myocardial performance was studied in isolated left ventricular (LV) papillary muscle. Fragments of the LV free wall were analysed by light microscopy, and the ultrastructure of the myocardium was examined in the LV papillary muscle. The myocardial collagen concentration was also evaluated. FR decreased body weight (BW) and LV weight (LVW); the LVW/BW ratio was higher in the restricted group (C, 1.86 +/- 0.17 mg/g; FR, 2.19 +/- 0.31 mg/g; p < 0.01). In the FR animals, the cardiac fibers were polymorphic, some of them were of small diameter and others presented lateral infoldings; the ultrastructural alterations were focal and included reduction of sarcoplasmic content, absence and (or) disorganization of myofilaments and Z line, numerous electron dense and polymorphic mitochondria, and deep infoldings of the plasma membrane. The hydroxyproline concentration was higher in the FR animals (p < 0.01). FR prolonged the contraction and relaxation time of the papillary muscle and did not change its ability to contract and shorten. In conclusion, although a 90-day period of FR caused striking myocardial ultrastructural alterations and increased the collagen concentration, it only minimally affected the mechanical function.

Is Reinke's Edema a Precancerous Lesion? Histological and Electron Microscopic Aspects

The objectives of this study were to evaluate morphologic alterations and precancerous lesions in Reinke's edema. Patients included were 54 smokers with bilateral Reinke's edema submitted to surgery in the Otolaryngology Department, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Brazil, between 2002 and 2006. All specimens were evaluated by light microscopy and five contralateral lesions were also evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The main histological alterations were edema (100%), inflammation (81.48%), basal membrane (bm) thickening (77.77%), and vessel proliferation (75.92%). Epithelium alterations were classified as grade 0 (11.11%), grade 1 (70.37%), grade 2 (14.81%), and grade 3 (3.70%). In the case included in grade 3 classification, microinvasive carcinoma was detected. SEM showed epithelial surface with some cellular desquamation, few microridges, and a polished and impermeable surface aspect. TEM showed epithelial hyperplasia, basal cells with different sizes, widening of the intercellular spaces, abnormal desmosome architecture, thickening of the bm, some electron-dense vesicles, and points of interruption. The morphological alterations presented in this study are not specific to Reinke's edema but this lesion can be the site of different grades of dysplasia and carcinoma, justifying the importance of periodic laryngeal endoscopic exams and meticulous histological analysis.

Comparison of synthetic hydroxyapatite and porous polyethylene implants in eviscerated rabbit eyes

Purpose: Synthetic hydroxyapatite and porous polyethylene (Polipore) spheres were placed in rabbits' eviscerated cavities to evaluate tissue reaction and volume maintenance.Methods. Fifty-six Norfolk albino rabbits underwent unilateral evisceration and implantation of synthetic hydroxyapatite (H group, 28 animals) or porous polyethylene spheres (P group, 28 animals). Postoperative reactions, animal behavior, and socket conditions were monitored. Light microscopy and morphometric evaluation with statistical analysis of the exenterated orbits were performed at 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 days. Scanning electron microscopy was appraised 7, 60, and 180 days after surgery.Results: Two animals from the H group and 1 from the P group had extrusion 7 days after surgery. Throughout the experimental period, the synthetic hydroxyapatite caused more inflammation than the porous polyethylene material. Ingrowth in the sphere occurred 7 to 15 days after the surgery in both groups, and the tissue reaction became denser at approximate to60 to 90 days, when bony metaplasia began in the H group. Volume maintenance was better in the P group and with a smaller pseudocapsule surrounding the implanted sphere than in the H group.Conclusions: Clinical findings demonstrated mild inflammation inside the sphere and in the pseudocapsule surrounding it and better cavity volume maintenance in the P group animals. The authors consider porous polyethylene a more suitable material than synthetic hydroxyapatite for use in anophthalmic cavity reconstruction.

Cytotoxicity and Regenerative Proliferation as the Mode of Action for Diuron-Induced Urothelial Carcinogenesis in the Rat

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

Decrease in the number and apoptosis of alveolar bone osteoclasts in estrogen-treated rats

Bone is a mineralized tissue that is under the influence of several systemic, local and environmental factors. Among systemic factors, estrogen is a hormone well known for its inhibitory function on bone resorption. As alveolar bone of young rats undergoes continuous and intense remodeling to accommodate the growing and erupting tooth, it is a suitable in vivo model for using to study the possible action of estrogen on bone. Thus, in an attempt to investigate the possibility that estrogen may induce the death of osteoclasts, we examined the alveolar bone of estrogen-treated rats.Fifteen, 22-d-old female rats were divided into estrogen, sham and control groups. The estrogen group received estrogen and the sham group received corn oil used as the dilution vehicle. After 8 d, fragments containing alveolar bone were removed and processed for light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-an osteoclast marker. Quantitative analysis of the number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts per mm of bone surface was carried out. For detecting apoptosis, sections were analyzed by the Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) method; TUNEL/TRAP combined methods were also used.The number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts per mm of bone surface was significantly reduced in the estrogen group compared with the sham and control groups. TRAP-positive osteoclasts exhibiting TUNEL-positive nuclei were observed only in the estrogen group. In addition, in the estrogen group the ultrastructural images revealed shrunken osteoclasts exhibiting nuclei with conspicuous and tortuous masses of condensed chromatin, typical of apoptosis.Our results reinforce the idea that estrogen inhibits bone resorption by promoting a reduction in the number of osteoclasts, thus indicating that this reduction may be, at least in part, a consequence of osteoclast apoptosis.

Degree of conversion of nanofilled and microhybrid composite resins photo-activated by different generations of LEDs

Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the degree of conversion (DC) of four composite resins, being one nanofilled and 3 microhybrid resins, photo-activated with second- and third-generation light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Material and methods: Filtek (TM) Z350 nanofilled composite resins and Amelogen (R) Plus, Vit-l-escence (TM) and Opallis microhybrid resins were photo-activated with two second-generation LEDs (Radii-cal and Elipar Free Light (TM) 2) and one third-generation LED (Ultra-Lume LED 5) by continuous light mode, and a quartz halogen-tungsten bulb (QHT, control). After 24 h of storage, the samples were pulverized into fine powder and 5 mg of each material were mixed with 100 mg of potassium bromide (KBr). After homogenization, they were pressed, which resulted in a pellet that was evaluated using an infrared spectromer (Nexus 470, Thermo Nicolet) equipped with TGS detector using diffuse reflectance (32 scans, resolution of 4 cm(-1)) coupled to a computer. The percentage of unreacted carbon-carbon double bonds (% C=C) was determined from the ratio of absorbance intensities of aliphatic C=C (peak at 1637 cm-1) against internal standard before and after curing of the specimen: aromatic C-C (peak at 1610 cm-1). Results: The ANOVA showed a significant effect on the interaction between the light-curing units (LCUs) and the composite resins (p<0.001). The Tukey's test showed that the nanofilled resin (Filtek (TM) Z350) and Opallis when photo-activated by the halogen lamp (QTH) had the lowest DC compared with the other microhybrid composite resins. The DC of the nanofilled resin (Filtek (TM) Z350) was also lower using LEDs. The highest degrees of conversion were obtained using the third-generation LED and one of second-generation LEDs (Elipar Free Light (TM) 2). Conclusions: The nanofilled resin showed the lowest DC, and the Vit-l-escence (TM) microhybrid composite resin showed the highest DC. Among the LCUs, it was not possible to establish an order, even though the second-generation LED Radii-cal provided the lowest DC.

Nd:YAG Laser Irradiation of Etched/Unetched Dentin Through an Uncured Two-step Etch-and-Rinse Adhesive and its Effect on Microtensile Bond Strength

Purpose: To evaluate whether Nd:YAG laser irradiation of etched and unetched dentin through an uncured adhesive affected the microtensile bond strength (pTBS).Materials and Methods: Flat dentin surfaces were created in 19 extracted human third molars. Adper Single Bond (SB) adhesive was applied over etched (groups 1 to 3) or unetched dentin (groups 4 to 6). The dentin was then irradiated with a Nd:YAG laser through the uncured adhesive, using 0.75 or 1 W power settings, except for the control groups (groups 1 and 4). The adhesive was light cured and composite crowns were built up. After 24 h, the teeth were sectioned into beams, with cross-sectional areas of 0.49 mm(2), and were stressed under tension. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 5%). Dentin surfaces of fractured specimens and the interfaces of untested beams were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results: Acid etching, laser irradiation, and their interaction significantly affected bonding (p < 0.05). Laser irradiation did not improve bonding of etched dentin to resin (p > 0.05). However, higher pTBS means were found on unetched lased dentin (groups 5 and 6), but only in comparison to group 4, where neither lasing nor etching was performed. Groups 4 to 6 showed the lowest pTBS means among all groups tested (p < 0.05). Laser irradiation did not change the characteristics of the hybrid layers created, while solidification globules were observed on lased dentin surfaces under SEM.Conclusion: Laser irradiation of dentin through the uncured adhesive did not significantly improve the pTBS in comparison to the suggested manufacturer's technique.

Morphological and morphometric study of the opossum's dorsal root ganglia neurons

The ultrastructural characteristics and the morphometric evaluation of the different types of neurons present in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the South American opossum (Didelphis albiventris) were studied. Four adult male animals were used and the neurons from cervical and lumbar DRG were removed and processed for histological and transmission electron microscopy observations. The morphometric data were obtained from serial sections stained by H/E and Masson's trichrome. The number of neurons in cervical and lumbar DRG was 22 300 and 31 000, respectively. About 68% of the cervical neurons and 62.5% of the lumbar neurons presented areas up to 1300 mu m(2) and were considered as the small neurons of the DRG. The ultrastructural observations revealed two morphological types of neurons: clear large neurons and dark small neurons. The nuclei of both cell types are spherical and the chromatin is disperse and rarefected. The cytoplasm of the dark small neuron is more electron dense and shows a regular distribution of small mitochondria and many rough reticulum cisterns in the periphery. A small Golgi apparatus was close to the nucleus and many disperse neurofilaments occupy most parts of the cytoplasm. Smooth reticulum cisterns are rare and lipofucsin-like inclusions are present at some points. In the clear large neurons, the organelles are homogenously scattered through the cytoplasm. The neurofilaments are close packed forming bundles and small mitochondria and rough reticulum cisterns are disperse. Lipofucsin-like inclusions are more frequent in these cells.

Metodologia para germinação de sementes de Leonurus sibiricus L

O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar a influência de diferentes temperaturas, o comportamento fotoblástico e a absorção de água de sementes de Leonurus sibiricus L. Essa espécie medicinal é originária da Índia, distribuída pela Ásia, África e América, utilizada no tratamento de reumatismo, problemas dermatológicos e respiratórios. Para tanto, as sementes foram submetidas a temperaturas entre 5 a 40ºC, com intervalos de 5ºC, e alternadas de 20/30, 20/25 e 25/30ºC, com 5 repetições de 50 sementes cada, em condições de luz e escuro. No estudo da absorção de água as sementes foram colocadas para germinar na temperatura de 20ºC e na presença da luz e pesadas para avaliar o ganho de água durante todo o processo germinativo, até a protrusão da radícula. Pelos resultados verificou-se que os maiores porcentuais de germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação ocorreram na temperatura constante de 20ºC, e nas temperaturas alternadas 20/25, 25/30, 25/30ºC sob luz. Houve germinação na temperatura mínima de 10ºC e na máxima 40ºC. No ensaio de absorção de água verificou-se que as sementes iniciam a protrusão da radícula com 65 horas de exposição e seguem padrão trifásico na curva de absorção. O modelo estatístico ajustado para a espécie foi y = 1,869 (1 - 0,414 exp ( -0,201t) + exp [-2,397 + 0,037 (t - 65)], com R²= 0,9998.