Regional 3D superimposition to assess temporomandibular joint condylar morphology

Objectives: To investigate the reliability of regional three-dimensional registration and superimposition methods for assessment of temporomandibular joint condylar morphology across subjects and longitudinally.Methods: The sample consisted of cone beam CT scans of 36 patients. The across-subject comparisons included 12 controls, mean age 41.3 +/- 12.0 years, and 12 patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis, mean age 41.3 +/- 14.7 years. The individual longitudinal assessments included 12 patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis, mean age 37.8 +/- 16.7 years, followed up at pre-operative jaw surgery, immediately after and one-year post-operative. Surface models of all condyles were constructed from the cone beam CT scans. Two previously calibrated observers independently performed all registration methods. A landmark-based approach was used for the registration of across-subject condylar models, and temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis vs control group differences were computed with shape analysis. A voxel-based approach was used for registration of longitudinal scans calculated x, y, z degrees of freedom for translation and rotation. Two-way random intraclass correlation coefficients tested the interobserver reliability.Results: Statistically significant differences between the control group and the osteoarthritis group were consistently located on the lateral and medial poles for both observers. The interobserver differences were <= 0.2 mm. For individual longitudinal comparisons, the mean interobserver differences were <= 0.6 mm in translation errors and 1.2 degrees in rotation errors, with excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.75).Conclusions: Condylar registration for across-subjects and longitudinal assessments is reliable and can be used to quantify subtle bony differences in the three-dimensional condylar morphology.

Efficacy of hyaluronic acid binding assay in selecting motile spermatozoa with normal morphology at high magnification

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the hyaluronic acid (HA) binding assay in the selection of motile spermatozoa with normal morphology at high magnification (8400x).Methods: A total of 16592 prepared spermatozoa were selected and classified into two groups: Group I, spermatozoa which presented their head attached to an HA substance (HA-bound sperm), and Group II, those spermatozoa that did not attach to the HA substance (HA-unbound sperm). HA-bound and HA-unbound spermatozoa were evaluated according to the following sperm forms: 1-Normal morphology: normal nucleus (smooth, symmetric and oval configuration, length: 4.75+/-2.8 mu m and width: 3.28+/-0.20 mu m, no extrusion or invagination and no vacuoles occupied more than 4% of the nuclear area) as well as acrosome, post-acrosomal lamina, neck, tail, besides not presenting a cytoplasmic droplet or cytoplasm around the head; 2-Abnormalities of nuclear form (a-Large/small; b-Wide/narrow; c-Regional disorder); 3-Abnormalities of nuclear chromatin content (a-Vacuoles: occupy >4% to 50% of the nuclear area and b-Large vacuoles: occupy >50% of the nuclear area) using a high magnification (8400x) microscopy system.Results: No significant differences were obtained with respect to sperm morphological forms and the groups HA-bound and HA-unbound. 1-Normal morphology: HA-bound 2.7% and HA-unbound 2.5% (P = 0.56). 2-Abnormalities of nuclear form: a-Large/small: HA-bound 1.6% vs. HA-unbound 1.6% (P = 0.63); b-Wide/narrow: HA-bound 3.1% vs. HA-unbound 2.7% (P = 0.13); c-Regional disorders: HA-bound 4.7% vs. HA-unbound 4.4% (P = 0.34). 3. Abnormalities of nuclear chromatin content: a-Vacuoles >4% to 50%: HA-bound 72.2% vs. HA-unbound 72.5% (P = 0.74); b-Large vacuoles: HA-bound 15.7% vs. HA-unbound 16.3% (P = 0.36).Conclusions: The findings suggest that HA binding assay has limited efficacy in selecting motile spermatozoa with normal morphology at high magnification.

Morphological regional differences of epithelial cells along the midgut in Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius (Lepidoptera : Crambidae) larvae

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

Experimental pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in the Syrian hamster: morphology and correlation of lesions with the immune response.

A model for pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in the hamster is described. The disease was induced by intratracheal inoculation of 1.7 x 10(5) viable yeast forms of P. brasiliensis. Lung histopathology, dissemination lesions and humoral and cellular immune responses were investigated at intervals up to 24 weeks after infection. Humoral immunity was studied by immunodiffusion and complement fixation tests. Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated in vitro by the macrophage migration inhibition test in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin and P. brasiliensis soluble antigen, and in vivo by the paracoccidioidin test. Thirty out of 35 infected animals (85.7%) developed pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis. Dissemination lesions were observed in regional lymph nodes (82.8%), liver (8.5%) and spleen (5.7%). Lung involvement was mainly around bronchi and vessels. Regional lymph nodes were severely involved from the fourth week on, acquiring a pseudotumoral aspect at later stages. Specific antibodies were detected from the fourth week on, with titres increasing progressively. The cellular immune response to phytohaemagglutinin was intact throughout the experiment and the response to P. brasiliensis antigen was already detectable by the second week and remained positive to the end of the experiment. The skin test became positive from the fourth week on. Inoculation by the intratracheal route represents a highly effective way of infecting hamsters with P. brasiliensis, with the induction of localized disease, good antibody production and intact cell immunity.

Inclusion complex of S(-) bupivacaine and 2-hydroxypropyl- β-cyclodextrin: Study of morphology and cytotoxicity

Local anesthetics (LA) belong to a class of pharmacological compounds that attenuate or eliminate pain by binding to the sodium channel of excitable membranes, blocking the influx of sodium ions and the propagation of the nerve impulse. S (-) bupivacaine (S(-) bvc) is a local anesthetic of amino-amide type, widely used in surgery and obstetrics for sustained peripheral and central nerve blockade. This article focuses on the characterization of an inclusion complex of S(-) bvc in 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). Differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-Ray diffraction analysis showed structural changes in the complex. In preliminary toxicity studies, the cell viability tests revealed that the inclusion complex decreased the toxic effect (p<0.001) produced by S(-) bvc. These results suggest that the S(-) bvc:HP-β-CD inclusion complex represents a promising agent for the treatment of regional pain.

Regional odontodysplasia: Case report

Regional odontodysplasia (RO) is a rare developmental anomaly involving both mesodermal and ectodermal dental components in a group of contiguous teeth. It affects the primary and permanent dentitions in the maxilla and mandible or both jaws. Generally it is localized in only one arch. The etiology of this dental anomaly is uncertain. Clinically, affected teeth have an abnormal morphology, are soft on probing and typically discolored, yellow or yellowish-brown. Radiographically, the affected teeth show a ghostlike appearance. This paper reports the case of a 5-year-old girl presenting this rare anomaly on the left side of the maxillary arch, which crossed the midline. The primary maxillary left teeth (except for the canine) and the primary maxillary right central incisor were missing due to previous extractions. The permanent teeth had a ghostlike appearance radiographically. The treatment performed was rehabilitation with temporary partial acrylic denture and periodic controls. In the future, the extraction of affected permanent teeth and rehabilitation with dental implants will be evaluated. The presentation of this case adds valuable information to pediatric dentists to review special clinical and radiographic features of RO, which will facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with this condition.

Distribuição regional de gás e tecido na síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda: consequências do efeito da pressão expiratória final positiva

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Decifrando a função de processos ecológicos e evolutivos na distribuição local e regional de artrópodes em plantas

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

Inclusion complex of S(-) bupivacaine and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: study of morphology and cytotoxicity

Local anesthetics (LA) belong to a class of pharmacological compounds that attenuate or eliminate pain by binding to the sodium channel of excitable membranes, blocking the influx of sodium ions and the propagation of the nerve impulse. S (-) bupivacaine (S(-) bvc) is a local anesthetic of amino-amide type, widely used in surgery and obstetrics for sustained peripheral and central nerve blockade. This article focuses on the characterization of an inclusion complex of S(-) bvc in 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD). Differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-Ray diffraction analysis showed structural changes in the complex. In preliminary toxicity studies, the cell viability tests revealed that the inclusion complex decreased the toxic effect (p<0.001) produced by S(-) bvc. These results suggest that the S(-) bvc:HP-ß-CD inclusion complex represents a promising agent for the treatment of regional pain. Keywords: S(-) bupivacaine; cyclodextrin; inclusion complex.