Bone regeneration in cranioplasty and clinical complications in rabbits with alloxan-induced diabetes

This research evaluated the bone repair process in surgical defects created on the parietal bones of diabetic rabbits using the guided bone regeneration technique to observe the effects of alloxan in the induction of diabetes mellitus. Twenty-four adult rabbits were divided into three study groups: control (C), diabetic (D) and diabetic associated to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane (D-PTFE). For diabetes induction the animals received one dose of monohydrated alloxan (90 mg/kg) by intravenous administration in the auricular or femoral vein. In group D-PTFE the membrane covered both the floor and the surface of the bone defect. In groups D and C, the bone defect was filled up with blood clot. The specimens were fixed in 10% formol and prepared for histomorphometric analysis. The results showed that the 90 mg/kg dose of monohydrate alloxan was sufficient to promote diabetes mellitus when administered in the auricular vein. Bone regeneration was slower in the diabetic group when compared with the control and diabetic-PTFE groups, but there was no significant statistical difference between the two experimental groups (D and D-PTFE). The oral and general clinical complications among the diabetics were weight loss, polyuria, polyphagia and severe chronic gingivitis.

Heteropicnotic chromatin and nucleolar activity in meiosis and spermiogenesis of Limnogonus aduncus (Heteroptera, Gerridae): a stained nucleolar organizing region that can serve as a model for studying chromosome behavior.

Males of Limnogonus aduncus were found to have the sex chromosome system X0 and chromosome number 2n = 23 (22A + X0). Testis cells were stained with lacto-acetic orcein and silver nitrate so that changes in the morphology and degree of staining of the heteropicnotic chromatin and the nucleolar material could be observed during meiosis and spermiogenesis. These structures share the same nuclear position and could be seen until almost the end of spermiogenesis. A chromosome region stained with silver nitrate was indicative of a nucleolar organizing region (NOR), which is rarely detected in Heteroptera with this technique. The NOR is located at one end of a single member of an autosome pair. The finding of this stained region enabled us to observe that the telomeric association of sister chromatids that characterizes the Heteroptera does not include the chromosome ends, where NORs are located; we also observed in anaphase that the chromosome end through which it is pulled to the pole is the one containing the NOR. Another observation was that the single nucleolar body present in the cells at anaphase never goes to the cell pole that does not receive the NOR. We conclude that L. aduncus is a good model for cytogenetic studies involving nucleolar activity and also may be useful for studying the mechanisms of activation and inactivation of kinetic activity at the chromosome ends. Although the chromosomes of Heteroptera are known to be holocentric, whether kinetic activity is restricted to one or involves both chromosome ends is still not well understood.

Effects of Long-Term FK 506 Therapy on the Alveolar Bone and Cementum of Rats

Cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK 506) exert complex, incompletely understood actions on bone. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of long-term tacrolimus therapy on the periodontium. Rats were treated for 60, 120, 180, and 240 days with daily subcutaneous injections of 1 mg/kg body weight of FK 506. After the experimental period, we obtained serum levels of calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). After histological processing, the alveolar bone and cementum, as well as volume densities of bone (Vb) and osteoclasts (Vo), were assessed at the regions of the lower first molar. There was a tendency toward a statistically significant decrease in ALP levels with FK 506; however, serum calcium levels increased during the long periods. At 60, 180, and 240 days of treatment with FK 506, we did not observe Vb and Vo alterations. At 120 days of treatment, there was an evident decrease in Vb, but it did not show alveolar bone loss. We did not observe any alterations of cementum among rats treated with FK 506. It may be concluded that FK 506 administration did not induce side effects on the periodontium. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Leaching of Ni and Cu from mine wastes (tailings and slags) using acid solutions and A. ferrooxidans

The objective of this work is to evaluate the acidic and biological leaching of tailings containing Ni/Cu from a flotation and smelting plant. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, strain LR, was used for bioleaching at pH 1.8 and chemical controls were run parallel to that. The acidic leaching was done within 48 hours at pH 0.5 and 1.0. In the slag inoculated flasks the redox potential was high (600 mV), thus indicating oxidative bacterial activity, however, the obtained results after 15 days showed only around 13% Ni and 8% Cu extractions, which were not different to those of the controls. For the flotation tailings bioleaching extractions were approximately 45% for Ni and 16% for Cu while differing figures were obtained for the chemical controls. These were 30% and 12% respectively. Here we could observe that the presence of bacterial activity led to a higher solubility of Ni. Acid leaching of slag showed higher nickel and copper extractions: 56% and 24% respectively at pH 0.5 and 21% and 11% at pH 1.0. However, the acid consumption was 320 and 150 Kg/ton of slag, respectively, both much higher than in bacterial assays. These results indicated that Ni and Cu solubilization from the slag is acid dependent no matter the redox potential or ferric iron concentration of the leaching solution. For flotation tailings, acid treatment showed extractions of 23% for Ni and 16% for copper at pH 0.5 and 22% and 28%, respectively at pH 1.0. The acid consumption was also higher: 220 and 120 Kg/ton, at pH 0.5 and 1.0, respectively. Based on own findings we could observe that acid leaching is found to be more effective for slag, though the acid consumption is much higher, while for the flotation tailings, bacterial leaching seems to be the best alternative. © (2009) Trans Tech Publications.

Geographic distribution and parturition of mabuya arajara Rebouças-Spieker, 1981 (Squamata, sauria, scincidae) from Ceará, northeastern Brazil

Mabuya arajara Rebouças-Spieker, 1981 has been considered an endemic species from the southern of state of Ceará, restricted to the Deciduous Dry Forests in the slopes of Plateau of Araripe (Chapada do Araripe). Here, we present an updated distributional map for the species and demonstrate that its range is not restricted as formerly believed. In addition, we had an opportunity to observe a gravid female and we describe aspects regarding parturition and number of offspring for the species.

Lidar observation campaign of sugar cane fires and industrial emissions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Brazil has an important role in the biomass burning, with the detection of approximately 100,000 burning spots in a single year (2007). Most of these spots occur in the southern part of the Amazon basin during the dry season (from August to november) and these emissions reach the southeast of the country, a highly populated region and with serious urban air pollution problems. With the growing demand on biofuels, sugarcane is considerably expanding in the state of São Paulo, being a strong contributor to the bad air quality in this region. In the state of São Paulo, the main land use are pasture and sugarcane crop, that covers around 50% and 10% of the total area, respectively. Despite the aerosol from sugarcane burning having reduced atmospheric residence time, from a few days to some weeks, they might get together with those aerosol which spread over long distances (hundreds to thousands of kilometers). In the period of June through February 2010 a LIDAR observation campaign was carried in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to observe and characterize optically the aerosols from two distinct sources, namely, sugar cane biomass burning and industrial emissions. For this purpose 2 LIDAR systems were available, one mobile and the other placed in a laboratory, both working in the visible (532 nm) and additionally the mobile system had a Raman channel available (607 nm). Also this campaign counted with a SODAR, a meteorological RADAR specially set up to detect aerosol echoes and gas-particle analyzers. To guarantee a good regional coverage 4 distinct sites were available to deploy the instruments, 2 in the near field of biomass burning activities (Rio Claro and Bauru), one for industrial emissions (Cubatão) and others from urban sources (São Paulo). The whole campaign provide the equivalent of 30 days of measurements which allowed us to get aerosol optical properties such as backscattering/extinction coefficients, scatter and LIDAR ratios, those were used to correlate with air quality and meteorological indicators and quantities. In this paper we should focus on the preliminary results of the Raman LIDAR system and its derived aerosol optical quantities. © 2010 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering.

Aerosols monitoring in Rio Claro, Brazil: Using lidar and air pollution analyzers

Brazil has an important role in the biomass burning aerosol activity. During the Dry Season (June-September) of 2009 an aerosol profiling campaign was carried out using a backscattering and Raman lidar system in Rio Claro-SP, Brazil (22°23'S and 47°32'W). The main goal of this campaign was to observe the biomass burning aerosol load due to sugarcane crops and also study the air dispersion conditions, planetary boundary and mixed layer daily evolution. In this paper we aim to present the preliminary results of the influence of this type of aerosol over the city of Rio Claro-SP, Brazil and one case study to evaluate the aerosol profile in a biomass burning episode that occurred in July, 2009. On July 15 an intense burning was observed about 300 m away from the lidar location. Throughout the measurements it was observed that the plumes reached up to 900 m, and that there was a time gap between the plumes. The gas analyzers showed a strong influence of this burning as it was noticed in the measurements of CO, NO x and nephelometer, whereas the PM10 did not have due to this burning, possibly because the particulate was deposited further from the emission source, not being detected by the equipment. © Sociedad Española de Óptica.

Histochemical and ultrastructural analysis of hepatic glycogen and collagen fibers in alloxan-induced diabetic rats submitted to long-term physical training

Alterations in liver functions are common among diabetic patients, and many symptoms in the liver have been reported, including changes in glycogen stores and in the amount of collagen fibers. The practice of physical training and its morphological effects in this organ, however, are scarcely studied. In order to observe the morphological effects of alloxan-induced diabetes and the alterations arising from the practice of long-term chronic physical training in the liver, samples were collected and processed, and then analyzed by means of the histochemical techniques Periodic Acid-Schiff and Picrosirius-Hematoxylin, and ultrastructural cytochemical test of Afzelius. Through evaluation of the tissue, it was observed a drastic reduction in hepatic glycogen stores of sedentary diabetics, recovered in trained diabetic rats. Furthermore, it was detected a decrease in the content of perisinusoidal collagen fibers in the diabetic liver, also recovered due to the development of a training protocol. On ultrastructural level, cytochemical analysis confirmed the loss of glycogen and the recovery obtained by training. In conclusion, the practice of a long-term chronic physical training protocol may be considered an important assistant in the treatment of diabetes, mitigating the occurrence of possible damages to liver tissue. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Prevalence of chewing side preference in the deciduous, mixed and permanent dentitions

Aim: This study evaluated the prevalence of the chewing side preference (CSP) in the deciduous, mixed and permanent dentitions. Materials and methods: Three-hundred subjects were divided in three groups (n = 100): Group 1 - children with deciduous dentition; group 2-children with mixed dentition; group 3 - subjects with permanent dentition. The CSP was determined using a direct method (visual observation) developed by McDonnell et al. (2004). Descriptive statistic was used to observe the prevalence of CSP. The Pearson's Chi-square was used to investigate signicant associations between gender, presence of CSP and preferred side (right/left). Results and conclusion: Eighty-seven percent of group 1 had a CSP. Eighty-two percent of group 2 had a CSP. Seventy-six percent of group 3 had a CSP. There was no statistically significant association between presence of CSP and gender in all groups. There was no statistically significant association between preferred side (right/left) and gender in all groups. Clinical significance: There is a higher prevalence of subjects in deciduous, mixed and permanent dentition that presented chewing side preference. The early diagnosis of the presence of chewing side preference can prevent the unilateral chewing pattern with prophylactic therapy applied to the first teeth (deciduous).

Biocompatibility analysis of Bioglass® 45S5 and Biosilicate® implants in the rabbit eviscerated socket

Purpose: Bioactive glass and bioactive glass-ceramic cone implants were placed in the rabbit eviscerated socket to assess their biocompatibility. Methods: Fifty-one Norfolk albino rabbits underwent evisceration of the right eye followed by implantation of cones made from Bioglass® 45S5 (control group) and two types of bioactive glass-ceramic (Biosilicate®), a single- and a two-phase bioactive glass-ceramic implants into the scleral cavity. Postoperative reactions, animal behavior and socket conditions were monitored daily. Clinical exam, biochemical evaluations, and orbit computed tomographic scan were done at 7, 90, and 180 days post-procedure. After that, the animals were euthanized, and the orbital content was removed and prepared to light microscopy with morphometric evaluation and scanning electron microscopy examination. Statistical analysis was done by parametric and non-parametric analysis of variance, complemented by Dunn's and Tukey's tests (p<0.05). Results: All animals did not develop systemic toxicity throughout the experimental period and also did not have orbit infection, implant migration or extrusion. Morphological analysis demonstrated pseudocapsule around all implants. Bioglass® and single-phase Biosilicate® implants induced less inflammation and pseudocapsule formation than two-phase Biosilicate® cones. Seven days post-procedure, the inflammatory reaction was intense and gradually decreased throughout the experiment. Tissue reaction was least intense in animals receiving Bioglass® implants. Conclusions: We observe discrete differences among the studied materials, with best responses obtained with use of Bioglass® 45S5 and single-phase Biosilicate®. The authors agree these implants might be useful in the management of the anophthalmic socket. © 2012 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

First telemetry study of bush dogs: Home range, activity and habitat selection

Context The bush dog (Speothos venaticus) is difficult to observe, capture, and study. To date, indirect evidence and opportunistic field observations have been the primary sources of information about the species' ecology. Field data are urgently needed to clarify the species' ecological requirements, behaviour and movement patterns. Aims The present study uses 13 months of telemetry data from a group of bush dogs to begin to address questions about area requirements, habitat preferences and movement patterns of this difficult-to-study species. Methods We tracked a group of bush dogs (two adults, one juvenile, four young) in an area of intact and altered Cerrado (woodlandsavanna biome) in eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil (Nova Xavantina District). Key results The group had a total home range of 140km2 (fixed kernel 95%), with smaller seasonal 'subareas' (areas used for 12 months before moving to another area, with repetition of some areas over time) and demonstrated a preference for native habitats. Conclusions The bush dog's home range is greater than that of other canids of the same size, even correcting for group size. Patterns of seasonal movement are also different from what has been observed in other South American canids. Implications From our observations in the Brazilian savanna, bush dogs need large tracks of native habitat for their long-term persistence. Although the present study is based on a single pack, it is highly relevant for bush dog conservation because it provides novel information on the species' spatial requirements and habitat preferences. © 2012 CSIRO.

The effect of laminin-1-doped nanoroughened implant surfaces: Gene expression and morphological evaluation

Aim. This study aimed to observe the morphological and molecular effect of laminin-1 doping to nanostructured implant surfaces in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods. Nanostructured implants were coated with laminin-1 (test; dilution, 100 g/mL) and inserted into the rabbit tibiae. Noncoated implants were used as controls. After 2 weeks of healing, the implants were removed and subjected to morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gene expression analysis using the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. SEM revealed bony tissue attachment for both control and test implants. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of osteoblast markers RUNX-2, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, and collagen I was higher (1.62-fold, 1.53-fold, 1.97-fold, and 1.04-fold, resp.) for the implants modified by laminin-1 relative to the control. All osteoclast markers investigated in the study presented higher expression on the test implants than controls as follows: tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (1.67-fold), calcitonin receptor (1.35-fold), and ATPase (1.25-fold). The test implants demonstrated higher expression of inflammatory markers interleukin-10 (1.53-fold) and tumour necrosis factor-α (1.61-fold) relative to controls. Conclusion. The protein-doped surface showed higher gene expression of typical genes involved in the osseointegration cascade than the control surface. © 2012 Humberto Osvaldo Schwartz-Filho et al.

Oral health-related quality of life and satisfaction before and after treatment with complete dentures in a Dental School in Brazil

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of treatment with new complete dentures on oral health-related quality of life and satisfaction of edentulous patients attending the Prosthodontic Department in a Dental School in Brazil. Methods: A total of 70 edentulous subjects (37-86 years) treated by undergradute students at the Araçatuba Dental School, University of State of São Paulo, were accessed. A specific questionnaire for edentulous patients (EDENT) based on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-EDENT) was applied to collect information on patient oral health-related quality of life. Questions related to the personal satisfaction of the edentulous patients with their complete dentures were also included. The patients were accessed before the treatment, and 3 months after receiving the new dentures. Results: After rehabilitation with new complete dentures, all domains of OHIP-EDENT showed significant improvements. There was also a significant improvement in patient satisfaction after placement of new complete dentures. Furthermore, it was possible to observe association between upper denture satisfaction and age. Conclusion: Conventional complete dentures may have a positive impact on oral health-related quality of life and satisfaction of edentulous patients. © 2012 Japan Prosthodontic Society.

Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical determinants of uric acid in free-living adults

Background: High plasma uric acid (UA) is a prerequisite for gout and is also associated with the metabolic syndrome and its components and consequently risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Hence, the management of UA serum concentrations would be essential for the treatment and/or prevention of human diseases and, to that end, it is necessary to know what the main factors that control the uricemia increase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the main factors associated with higher uricemia values analyzing diet, body composition and biochemical markers. Methods. 415 both gender individuals aged 21 to 82 years who participated in a lifestyle modification project were studied. Anthropometric evaluation consisted of weight and height measurements with later BMI estimation. Waist circumference was also measured. The muscle mass (Muscle Mass Index - MMI) and fat percentage were measured by bioimpedance. Dietary intake was estimated by 24-hour recalls with later quantification of the servings on the Brazilian food pyramid and the Healthy Eating Index. Uric acid, glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, gamma-GT, albumin and calcium and HDL-c were quantified in serum by the dry-chemistry method. LDL-c was estimated by the Friedewald equation and ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) by the immunochemiluminiscence method. Statistical analysis was performed by the SAS software package, version 9.1. Linear regression (odds ratio) was performed with a 95% confidence interval (CI) in order to observe the odds ratio for presenting UA above the last quartile (♂UA > 6.5 mg/dL and ♀ UA > 5 mg/dL). The level of significance adopted was lower than 5%. Results: Individuals with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m§ssup§2§esup§ OR = 2.28(1.13-4.6) and lower MMI OR = 13.4 (5.21-34.56) showed greater chances of high UA levels even after all adjustments (gender, age, CRP, gamma-gt, LDL, creatinine, urea, albumin, HDL-c, TG, arterial hypertension and glucose). As regards biochemical markers, higher triglycerides OR = 2.76 (1.55-4.90), US-CRP OR = 2.77 (1.07-7.21) and urea OR = 2.53 (1.19-5.41) were associated with greater chances of high UA (adjusted for gender, age, BMI, waist circumference, MMI, glomerular filtration rate, and MS). No association was found between diet and UA. Conclusions: The main factors associated with UA increase were altered BMI (overweight and obesity), muscle hypotrophy (MMI), higher levels of urea, triglycerides, and CRP. No dietary components were found among uricemia predictors. © 2013 de Oliveira et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Structural refinement, growth mechanism, infrared/Raman spectroscopies and photoluminescence properties of PbMoO4 crystals

Lead molybdate (PbMoO4) crystals were synthesized by the co-precipitation method at room temperature and then processed in a conventional hydrothermal (CH) system at low temperature (70 °C for different times). These crystals were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, micro-Raman (MR) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images were employed to observe the shape and monitor the crystal growth process. The optical properties were investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD patterns and MR spectra indicate that these crystals have a scheelite-type tetragonal structure. Rietveld refinement data possibilities the evaluation of distortions in the tetrahedral [MoO 4] clusters. MR and FT-IR spectra exhibited a high mode ν1(Ag) ascribed to symmetric stretching vibrations as well as a large absorption band with two modes ν3(Eu and Au) related to anti-symmetric stretching vibrations in [MoO 4] clusters. Growth mechanisms were proposed to explain the stages involved for the formation of octahedron-like PbMoO4 crystals. UV-Vis absorption spectra indicate a reduction in optical band gap with an increase in the CH processing time. PL properties of PbMoO4 crystals have been elucidated using a model based on distortions of tetrahedral [MoO4] clusters due to medium-range intrinsic defects and intermediary energy levels (deep and shallow holes) within the band gap. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.