Histological Characterization and Immunohistochemical Localization of Ki-67 and VEGF Factors in Bitches' Corpus Luteum at Cyclic and Early and Late Gestational Diestrous

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

From doubly labelled water to half-life; validating radio-isotopic rubidium turnover to measure metabolism in small vertebrates

The doubly labelled water method (DLW) is widely used to measure field metabolic rate (FMR), but it has some limitations. Here, we validate an innovative technique for measuring FMR by comparing the turnover of isotopic rubidium (86Rb kb) with DLW depletion and the rate of CO2 production (V·co2) measured by flow-through respirometry (FTR) for two dunnart species (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae), Sminthopsis macroura (17 g) and Sminthopsis ooldea (10 g). The rate of metabolism as assessed by V·co2 (FTR) and 86Rb kb was significantly correlated for both species (S. macroura, r2 = 0·81, P = 1·19 × 10-5; S. ooldea, r2 = 0·63, P = 3·84 × 10-4), as was V·co2 from FTR and DLW for S. macroura (r2 = 0·43, P = 0·039), but not for S. ooldea (r2 = 0·29, P = 0·168). There was no relationship between V·co2 from DLW and 86Rb kb for either species (S. macroura r2 = 0·22, P = 0·169; S. ooldea r2 = 0·21, P = 0·253). We conclude that 86Rb kb provided useful estimates of metabolic rate for dunnarts. Meta-analysis provided different linear relationships between V·co2 and 86Rb kb for endotherms and ectotherms, suggesting different proportionalities between metabolic rate and 86Rb kb for different taxa. Understanding the mechanistic basis for this correlation might provide useful insights into the cause of these taxonomic differences in the proportionality. At present, it is essential that the relationship between metabolic rate and 86Rb kb be validated for each taxon of interest. The advantages of the 86Rb technique over DLW include lower equipment requirements and technical expertise, and the longer time span over which measurements can be made. The 86Rb method might be particularly useful for estimating FMR of groups for which the assumptions of the DLW technique are compromised (e.g. amphibians, diving species and fossorial species), and groups that are practically challenging for DLW studies (e.g. insects). © 2013 British Ecological Society.

Induction of ankylosis in the incisor for orthodontic tooth movement in rats

Background/Aim: The present research evaluated the induction of ankylosis and the eruption rate in rat incisors, with the aim of achieving stable anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) of the molars. Material and methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were used. In the Experimental group, the right superior incisor of each animal was extracted, denuded of the PDL and the dental papilla, and reimplanted. The Control group was the left superior incisors. The eruption rate was measured at 7, 10, 12, 14, and 16 days after replantation. NiTi closed springs with a 50cN release force were installed for additional 9 days, and the eruption rate was determined. Then, the rats were sacrificed, and ankylosis was examined by microscopic analysis. Differences with P < 0.01 were defined as statistically significant. Results: The eruption rates were 0 and 0.39 mm day-1 in the Experimental group and Control group, respectively. All incisors of the Experimental group showed ankylosis according to histological analysis. Conclusions: The methodology used to induce ankylosis in this study was effective for anchoring the incisors during the OTM of rat molars, eliminating the undesirable effects consequent to continuous eruption. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Oral health status of people living with HIV/AIDS attending a specialized service in Brazil

Verify factors that influence the oral health status of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Brazil. The study was cross-sectional and includes 177 HIV-positive individuals, who answered questionnaire on the sociodemographic conditions, HIV aspects, habits, and satisfaction with the service. The oral health data were collected by means of the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, use and need of dentures, and the Community Periodontal Index. Average number of the DMFT was 17.64. Most HIV-positive patients presented good periodontal status, 35.0% used dentures, 41.5% needed denture in the maxilla, and 62.0% in the mandible. In the multivariate analysis, older age and dissatisfaction with health care were associated with nonuse of dentures. The abandonment of the use of antiretroviral therapy increased the risk of PLWHA presenting more than three decayed teeth. Poor oral health of the PLWHA was mainly influenced by sociodemographic factors and use and satisfaction with service.