Gingival lesions diagnosed as pemphigus vulgaris in an adolescent. Case report

Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is a fairly common disorder in which the gingivae show chronic desquamation. Originally considered to be related to hormonal changes at menopause, since many of the patients are middle-aged women, DG is now recognized to be mainly a manifestation of a number of disorders ranging from vesiculobullous diseases to adverse reactions to a variety of chemicals or allergens. Desquamative gingivitis can be an important early clinical manifestation of serious systemic diseases such as pemphigus vulgaris. The authors present a case that illustrates the importance of a specific diagnosis in patients with desquamative gingival lesions previously treated for 6 months as classical gingivitis. Gingival biopsy showed histologic patterns typical of pemphigus vulgaris. The patient was treated with systemic and topical corticosteroids in association with miconazole the patient is now under control with low-close systemic corticosteroids. Proper recognition of lesions in the oral mucosa leads, in several situations, to an early diagnosis of a systemic disease.

Influence of potassium nutrition and the nitrate ammonium ratio on the putrescine and spermidine contents in banana vitroplants

Potassium (K) is required in high doses by the banana (Musa sp.) plant and interacts with other nutrient elements in which banana tissues are maintained under in vitro condition as a consequence modifications in the plant metabolism take place mainly in nitrogen (N) compounds, such as proteins, amino acids, and secondary compounds. When K is present in concentrations lower than that required, diamines such as putrescine and poliamines are formed. This metabolic disorder can also be correlated with the presence of different inorganic N forms, such as nitrate (NO3) and ammonium (NH4), and the ratios between both ions as well. In order to follow the physiological performance of the interrelationships, K/putrescine and of the NO3/NH4 ratio in the tissue of banana vitroplantlets, shoot apex of two banana cvs. Nanica and Prata Ana were maintained in modified MS medium in the presence of six different doses of K: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mM. After the period of tissue proliferation the cultures were transferred to rooting media containing the same different K doses. Dry matter, K, putrescine, and spermidine contents and their accumulation were determined in the shoots and roots of the vitroplantlets and in the shoot apex of the explant donor cultivar as well as the corresponding values for the whole vitroplantlets calculated. The data were statistically analyzed. The contents and accumulations of putrescine and spermidine in banana tissues were enhanced as K concentration decreased in the medium: four times (0.19% of the dry matter) for cv. Nanica and eight times (0.25% of the dry matter) for cv. Prata Ana. This behavior was not only related to the K depletion but to the NO3/NH4 ratio as well.

Ps-He scattering using the three-state positronium close-coupling approximation

A three-state target elastic positronium close-coupling approximation (CCA) is employed to investigate Ps-He scattering in the energy range 0-200 eV with and without electron exchange. Low-lying phase shifts below the first excitation threshold and the total integrated cross sections using both the models are reported. Estimation of integrated excitation cross sections for Ps(1s --> 2s) and Ps(1s --> 2p) using CCA are presented for the first time. The present total cross sections are in good agreement with the measured data in the incident Ps energy range 20-30 eV.

Adubação nitrogenada na cultura do milho safrinha

Pesquisas com a cultura do milho (Zea mays L.) plantado em época normal, em solos argilosos de regiões tropicais, sugerem que as perdas de N do solo pela lixiviação não são significativas. A persistência da forma amoniacal nos solos tropicais tem sido maior que se supunha e, fisiologicamente, foi demonstrado que a absorção de N é mais intensa nos estádios iniciais das plantas. Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do manejo do fertilizante nitrogenado na cultura do milho plantado na época denominada safrinha, foram plantados, em 3 de fevereiro de 1999, em um Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro, textura argilosa, em Jaboticabal, SP, dois híbridos de milho (o simples, C333B e o duplo, C444). Foram aplicados 0, 30, 60 e 90 kg/ha de N (uréia), em duas épocas: no plantio e após a emergência, quando as plantas atingiram cinco a seis folhas. A colheita foi efetuada em 7 de julho de 1999, quando foram avaliadas as características agronômicas e o teor de nutrientes nas folhas. em relação à época extemporânea, não houve efeito das doses nem da forma de aplicação do N, nas características de rendimento de grãos, massa de mil grãos, índice de colheita, altura das plantas e espigas, número de fileiras de grãos por espiga e número de grãos. Os teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S e Zn, determinados nas folhas do milho, não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos, pois os valores permaneceram dentro das faixas de teores tidos como adequados.

Gill infection of Leporinus macrocephalus Garavello & Britski, 1988 (Osteichthyes: Anostomidae) by Henneguya leporinicola n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae). Description, histopathology and treatment

Piauçus (Leporinus macrocephalus) criados em viveiro de 300 m² (densidade de 10 peixes/m²) apresentavam sinais de asfixia e mortalidade diária de 27 peixes. Exemplares com 8 cm em média foram examinados quanto à presença de lesões e seus possíveis agentes. Muco da superfície corporal e fragmentos de órgãos foram colhidos e examinados à microscopia de luz, em esfregaços a fresco ou corados ou em cortes histológicos. O exame dos esfregaços mostrou a presença de inúmeros esporos entre as lamelas secundárias dos filamentos branquiais, identificados como Henneguya leporinicola n.sp (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae). À histopatologia verificou-se marcada hiperplasia epitelial com preenchimento dos espaços entre as lamelas secundárias, congestão e teleangiectasia sinusoidal. Observou-se ainda hiperplasia de células caliciformes e inúmeros cistos do parasito, com até 70,3 mim de diâmetro, localizados entre as lamelas secundárias, recobertos ou não pelo epitélio hiperplásico. Estabelecido o diagnóstico foram realizadas três aplicações de formalina na dose de 10 ml/m³ de água. Após 15 dias da última dose do tratamento, os peixes foram novamente examinados, constatando-se a eficácia das medidas adotadas para interromper a mortalidade, a enfermidade e combater o parasitismo. As únicas alterações teciduais presentes nas brânquias nesse último exame foram moderada congestão sinusoidal e discreta hiperplasia epitelial na base das lamelas secundárias.

A chromene and prenylated benzoic acid from Piper aduncum

In addition to nerolidol, 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone, methyl 2,2-dimethyl-8-(3'-methyl-2'-butenyl)-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate, methyl 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate and methyl 8-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate, two new natural products were isolated from the leaves of Piper aduncum, 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylic acid and 3-(3',7'-dimethyl-2',6 '-octadienyl)-4-methoxybenzoic acid. The structures of the isolates were established based on analysis of spectroscopic data, including ES-MS. The DNA-damaging activity of the isolated compounds was also investigated against mutant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of ZnO on the sintering and stabilization of ZrO2 center dot MgO system

The sintering of ZrO2. MgO . ZnO powder has been investigated by TMA (Thermal Mechanical Analyser) and its phases analysed by XRD (X-ray diffraction pattern). The data obtained from sintering was studied by the Bannister equation and its dominant sintering mechanism was calculated. It was observed that the ZnO addition in the ZrO2. MgO solid solution lead to increased zirconia stabilization, According to the vacancies model, the ZnO addition did not lead to zirconia phases stabilization (PSZ). An analysis of the rate control in the initial stage of the sintering (region I) showed a mechanism of volume diffusion type. In other regions (regions II and III), the grain growth did lead to the Bannister equation deviation, which was observed by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). These results were different from those demonstrated by other authors who studied the ZrO2. Y2O3 solid solution and obtained a mechanism of grain boundary diffusion type. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier B.V. Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.

SrBi2Nb2O9 thin films deposited by dip coating using aqueous solution

A new approach for SrBi2Nb2O9 (SBN) thin films synthesis using aqueous solution was successfully experienced. The deposition solution was prepared from Sr-Bi-Nb mixed-citrate solution, requiring no special atmosphere and using common reagents. Films were deposited by dip coating onto Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrates and hear treated at temperatures ranging from 300 to 700 degrees C. The process of formation and crystallization of SrBi2Nb2O9 thin films, prepared by the aqueous solution method have been studied with particular emphasis on the microstructure of crystallized films. Crystalline phases formation were followed by grazing incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), microstructure characterization was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface roughness were observed using atomic for ce microscopy (AFM). To reach the desired thickness, substrates were dipped in the deposition solution twice, forming double-layered films. The thickness of each layer ranged from 80 to 100 nm. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. Limited. All rights reserved.

Theoretical analysis of aqueous residues incineration with oxygen enriched flames

The use of oxygen to enrich the oxidizer can be an attractive alternate to increase incineration rates of a combustion chamber originally designed to operate with air. For a certain fuel now rate, if some incineration parameters are held constant (as combustion chamber temperature, turbulence level, and residence time), an increase of incineration rates becomes possible with injection of oxygen. This work presents a theoretical evaluation of combustion air enrichment in a combustion chamber designed to incinerate aqueous residues using methane as fuel and air as oxidizer. Detailed chemistry was employed to predict pollutants formation. The overall process was investigated using the PSR routine from the CHEMKIN library. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. Ltd.

Synthesis of nanocrystalline tetragonal zirconia by a polymeric organometallic method

A polymeric precursor method based on the Pechini process was successfully used to synthesize zirconia-12 mol% ceria ceramic powders, the influence of the main process variables (citric acid-ethylene glycol ratio, citric acid-total oxides ratio and calcination temperature) on phase formation and powder morphology (surface area and crystallite size) were investigated. The thermal decomposition behavior of the precursor is presented. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of powders revealed a crystalline tetragonal zirconia single-phase, with crystallite diameter ranging from 6 to 15 nm. The BET surface areas were relatively high, reaching 95 m(2) g(-1) Nitrogen adsorption/desorption on the powders suggested that nonaggregated powders could be attained, depending on the synthesis conditions. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.