Comparative study between two techniques of incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh in rabbits

OBJETIVO: Comparar duas técnicas de tratamento da hérnia incisional em coelhos utilizando a tela de polipropileno apoiando um reforço peritônio - aponeurótico ou suturada nas bordas do anel herniário 'em ponte . MÉTODOS: Foram operados 60 coelhos para a produção de hérnia incisional, em uma incisão mediana de 4 centímetros. Após 30 dias, metade dos animais foram operados com o fechamento primário da parede, com colocação de uma tela de polipropileno apoiando o reforço e a outra metade dos animais com a colocação da tela suturada nas bordas do anel herniárioem ponte . Os animais foram avaliados com 30 (M1), 60 (M2)e 90 (M3) dias de pós-operatório. Os parâmetros analisados foram a evolução clínica, análise da força de ruptura da cicatriz, estudo macroscópico, análise microscópica e morfométrica. RESULTADOS: Não foram observadas diferenças significantes com relação a força de ruptura e estudos histológicos nos dois grupos e vários momentos estudados. Não houve diferença estatística com relação às complicações, embora os animais que receberam a telaem ponte tiveram aderências mais firmes e intensas à parede abdominal. CONCLUSÕES: As duas técnicas utilizadas para correção da hérnia incisional em coelhos não mostraram diferenças significantes quanto a força de ruptura, análise histológica e morfométrica. O número de complicações foi semelhante, porém a aderência de órgãos da cavidade abdominal à área de cicatriz foi muito mais intensa no grupo em que a tela foi colocadaem ponte .

DNA viruses in human cancer: An integrated overview on fundamental mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis

The first experimental data suggesting that neoplasm development in animals might be influenced by infectious agents were published in the early 1900s. However, conclusive evidence that DNA viruses play a role in the pathogenesis of some human cancers only emerged in the 1950s, when Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was discovered within Burkitt lymphoma cells. Besides EBV, other DNA viruses consistently associated with human cancers are the hepatitis B virus (HBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV). Although each virus has unique features, it is becoming clearer that all these oncogenic agents target multiple cellular pathways to support malignant transformation and tumor development. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Cold Renal Ischemia: Comparison of Efficacy Between Two Techniques of Cooling, in a Swine Model

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

Techniques of digital image analysis for histological quantification of melanin

A análise morfométrica da melanina tecidual pode subsidiar quantitativamente a pesquisa em discromias. Os autores demonstram três técnicas de análise de imagem digital que permitem a identificação dos pixels equivalentes à melanina na epiderme pela coloração de Fontana-Masson, possibilitando o cálculo da sua porcentagem nas diferentes camadas da epiderme, e discutem os principais elementos relacionados à análise e a necessidade de rigorosa padronização do processo.

Comparative Analysis of 2 Techniques of Double-Gloving Protection During Arch Bar Placement for Intermaxillary Fixation

Purpose: This study was conducted to comparatively evaluate, in a prospective and randomized manner, 2 techniques for providing double-gloving protection during arch bar placement for intermaxillary fixation. Materials and Methods: A total of 42 consecutive patients in whom application of an Erich bar was indicated for intermaxillary fixation were equally divided into 2 groups. In group 1, 2 sterile surgical gloves were used; in group 2, a nonsterile disposable inner glove was used under a sterile surgical glove. Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and binomial statistical tests were used to analyze the findings. Results: A total of 103 perforations were found in the outer gloves (47 in group 1 and 56 in group 2), along with 5 perforations in inner gloves in both groups (α = .01). No significant statistical difference was found between groups in terms of inner glove perforations (α = .05). The nondominant hand presented with 70.9% of the perforations, statistically significant to 1%. Conclusions: Both double-gloving techniques were found to provide effective clinician protection. The use of a nonsterile disposable glove under the surgical glove is possible for less-invasive procedures, offering the same safety as using 2 sterile surgical gloves while decreasing operational costs. This method does not eliminate the need to change gloves when a perforation is suspected or noted during the surgery, however. © 2007 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Evaluation of bond strength and thickness of adhesive layer according to the techniques of applying adhesives in composite resin restorations

Adhesive restorations have increasingly been used in dentistry, and the adhesive system application technique may determine the success of the restorative procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the application technique of two adhesive systems (Clearfil SE Bond and Adper Scotchbond MultiPurpose) on the bond strength and adhesive layer of composite resin restorations. Eight human third molars were selected and prepared with Class I occlusal cavities. The teeth were restored with composite using various application techniques for both adhesives, according to the following groups (n = 10): group 1 (control), systems were applied and adhesive was immediately light activated for 20 seconds without removing excesses; group 2, excess adhesive was removed with a gentle jet of air for 5 seconds; group 3, excess was removed with a dry microbrush-type device; and group 4, a gentle jet of air was applied after the microbrush and then light activation was performed. After this, the teeth were submitted to microtensile testing. For the two systems tested, no statistical differences were observed between groups 1 and 2. Groups 3 and 4 presented higher bond strength values compared with the other studied groups, allowing the conclusion that excess adhesive removal with a dry micro-brush could improve bond strength in composite restorations. Predominance of adhesive fracture and thicker adhesive layer were observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in groups 1 and 2. For groups 3 and 4, a mixed failure pattern and thinner adhesive layer were verified. Clinicians should be aware that excess adhesive may negatively affect bond strength, whereas a thin, uniform adhesive layer appears to be favorable. (Quintessence Int 2013;44:9-15)

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of importin-alpha from Neurospora crassa

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

Cell localization of the anti-inflammatory protein annexin 1 during experimental inflammatory response

The localization of the glucocorticoid-inducible protein annexin 1 (ANX-1) in leukocytes during the process of experimental inflammation has been studied using immunocytochemistry. ANX-1 immunoreactivity was detected in extravasated neutrophils and eosinophils as well as in resident tissue mast cells. Following injection of carrageenin, the mesenteric tissue was highly inflamed with large presence of leukocytes (predominantly neutrophils with a small percentage of eosinophils) adherent to post-capillary venules and extravasated in the perivascular tissue. ANX-1 immunoreactivity was detected in the cytosol of neutrophils and eosinophils mainly associated with granules and/or vesicles. A good degree of localization in the endosomes was observed in the neutrophils, In both cell types, some ANX-1 immunoreactivity in the nucleus and in the plasma membrane was also detected. Resident mast cells were also activated. Mast cells were positive for ANX-1, without apparent changes in protein content in relation to their activation status. Degranulated mast cells still presented ANX-1 associated with the granule matrix. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the presence of ANX-1 in leukocytes that play a central role in the host inflammatory response. These are the extravasating polymorphonuclear cells, or the resident mast cells. These data provide morphological support to the notion that endogenous and exogenous ANX-1 are able to modulate the reactivity of these cell types, and more generally, of the experimental inflammatory reaction.

Biomechanical in vitro evaluation of three stable internal fixation techniques used in sagittal osteotomy of the mandibular ramus: a study in sheep mandibles

Among the osteotomies performed in orthognathic surgery, the sagittal osteotomy of the mandibular ramus (SOMR) is the most common, allowing a great range of movements and stable internal fixation (SIF), therefore eliminating the need of maxillomandibular block in the postoperative period. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical resistance of three national systems used for SIF in SOMR in sheep mandibles. Material and methods: The study was performed in 30 sheep hemi-mandibles randomly divided into 3 experimental groups, each containing 10 hemi-mandibles. The samples were measured to avoid discrepancies and then subjected to SOMR with 5-mm advancement. In group I, 2.0x12 mm screws were used for fixation, inserted in an inverted "L" pattern (inverted "L" group). In group II, fixation was performed with two 2.0x12 mm screws, positioned in a linear pattern and a 4-hole straight miniplate and four 2.0x6.0 mm monocortical screws (hybrid group). In group III, fixation was performed with two-hole straight miniplates and eight 2.0x6.0 mm monocortical screws (mini plate group). All materials used for SIF were supplied by Osteosin - SIN. The hemimandibles were subjected to vertical linear load test by Kratos K2000MP mechanical testing unit for loading registration and displacement. Results: All groups showed similar resistance during mechanical test for loading and displacement, with no statistically significant differences between groups according to analysis of variance. Conclusion: These results indicate that the three techniques of fixation are equally effective for clinical fixation of SOMR.

Localization and delocalization of energy in a Peyrard-Bishop chain

This paper studies energy localization conditions in lattices of the type proposed by Peyrard and Bishop. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous lattices are analyzed and the role of interfaces in the latter is emphasized. Simulations allowed us to identify critical energy values for the existence of localization. After a certain energy value, it is possible to observe the loss of energy localization along the chain.

Detection of volatile organic compounds using a polythiophene derivative

Conjugated polymers have been subject of great interest in the recent literature from both fundamental point of view and applied science perspective. Among the several types of conjugated polymers used in recent investigations, polythiophene and its derivatives have attracted considerable attention over the past 20 years due to their high mobility and other remarkable solid-state properties. They have potential applications in many fields, such as microelectronic devices, catalysts, organic field-effect transistors, chemical sensors, and biosensors. They have been studied as gas and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensors using different principles or transduction techniques, such as optical absorption, conductivity, and capacitance measurements. In this work, we report on the fabrication of gas sensors based on a conducting polymer on an interdigitated gold electrode. We use as active layer of the sensor a polythiophene derivative: poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and analyzed its conductivity as response for exposure to dynamic flow of saturated vapors of six VOCs [n-hexane, toluene, chloroform, dichloromethane, methanol, and tetrahydrofuran (THE)]. Different responses were obtained upon exposure to all VOCs, THF gave the higher response while methanol the lower response. The influence of moisture on the measurements was also evaluated. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Metodologia para identificação do componente fundamental da tensão da rede baseada no algoritmo recursivo da TDF

Considerando a crescente utilização de técnicas de processamento digital de sinais em aplicações de sistemas eletrônicos e ou de potência, este artigo discute o uso da Transformada Discreta de Fourier Recursiva (TDFR) para identificação do ângulo de fase, da freqüência e da amplitude das tensões fundamentais da rede, independente de distorções na forma de onda ou de transitórios na amplitude. Será discutido que, se a freqüência fundamental das tensões medidas coincide com a freqüência a qual a TDF foi projetada, um simples algoritmo TDFR é completamente capaz de fornecer as informações requeridas de fase, freqüência e amplitude. Dois algoritmos adicionais são propostos para garantir seu desempenho correto quando a freqüência difere do seu valor nominal: um deles para a correção do erro de fase do sinal de saída e outro para identificação da amplitude do componente fundamental. Além disto, destaca-se que através dos algoritmos propostos, independentemente do sinal de entrada, a identificação do componente fundamental pode ser realizada em, no máximo, 2 ciclos da rede. Uma análise dos resultados evidenciados pela TDFR foi desenvolvida através de simulações computacionais. Também serão apresentados resultados experimentais referentes ao sincronismo de um gerador síncrono com a rede elétrica, através dos sinais fornecidos pela TDFR.

H-2 and H-infinity - norm control of intelligent structures using LMI techniques

Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) is a powerful too] that has been used in many areas ranging from control engineering to system identification and structural design. There are many factors that make LMI appealing. One is the fact that a lot of design specifications and constrains can be formulated as LMIs [1]. Once formulated in terms of LMIs a problem can be solved efficiently by convex optimization algorithms. The basic idea of the LMI method is to formulate a given problem as an optimization problem with linear objective function and linear matrix inequalities constrains. An intelligent structure involves distributed sensors and actuators and a control law to apply localized actions, in order to minimize or reduce the response at selected conditions. The objective of this work is to implement techniques of control based on LMIs applied to smart structures.