The influence of the scout upon the decision-making process of recruited workers in three Acromyrmex species (Formicidae : Attini)

We examined how the information communicated by a scout worker influences the plant species transported by recruited workers in Acromymex balzani, Acromyrmex rugosus, and Acromyrmex crassispinus, three species of leaf-cutting ant that have different substrate and habitat preferences. We verified that certain plant species were more likely to be transported than others and that recruitment occurs. We found that recruited workers were more likely to transport non-preferred plant species when they were recruited to these by scout workers. The results suggest that the scout worker can communicate information about plant identity to recruited workers, but that recruited workers integrate the information communicated with their own experience during the decision-making process. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Influence of apical patency and filling material on healing process of dogs' teeth with vital pulp after root canal therapy

Foi propósito deste trabalho observar o processo de reparo de dentes de cães após obturação dos canais com dois cimentos diferentes, fazendo ou não a patência apical. Após uma sobreinstrumentação, os canais receberam um curativo de uma solução de corticosteróide-antibiótico por 7 dias, com o objetivo de obter invaginação de tecido conjuntivo para dentro dos canais. Após esse período, esse tecido foi totalmente removido em metade dos casos (grupos com patência apical) e preservados no restante dos casos (grupos sem patência apical). Os canais foram obturados pela técnica da condensação lateral empregando um cimento a base de hidróxido de cálcio (Sealer Plus) ou um cimento de Grossman (Fill Canal). Os animais foram sacrificados por overdose anestésica 60 dias após o tratamento endodôntico e as peças anatômicas foram obtidas e preparadas para análise histológica. Os dados obtidos foram analisados com base em diversos parâmetros histomorfológicos. Os resultados foram melhores nos grupos sem patência apical (p=0,01) do que nos grupos com patência. Dentre os cimentos estudados, os melhores resultados foram observados com o cimento Sealer Plus (p=0,01). em conclusão, tanto a patência apical (presença ou ausência) quanto o tipo de material obturador de canal influíram no processo de reparo apical de dentes de cães com polpas vitais após tratamento endodôntico. O emprego de um cimento a base de hidróxido de cálcio em dentes sem patência apical promoveu os melhores resultados, dentre as condições experimentais propostas.

Influence of Orthodontic Dental Movement on the Healing Process of Teeth With Periapical Lesions

The purpose of this study was to histomorphologically evaluate (in dog's teeth) the influence of tooth movement in the healing of chronic periapical lesions. Thirty roots of incisors and premolars of two dogs (1-year-old) were used in this research. After pulpectomy, the root canals remained exposed to the oral environment for 6 months for achievement of periapical lesions. Twenty root canals were biomechanically prepared and received a calcium hydroxide dressing for 14 days before being filled with gutta-percha points and Sealapex sealer. After root canal treatment, some incisors were submitted to orthodontic movement, whereas the other roots remained without orthodontic movement. The orthodontic appliance was removed at 5 months and 15 days after treatment, the dogs were killed 15 days later and the specimens were prepared for histomorphological analysis. The results showed that the orthodontic movement delayed, but did not hinder, the periapical healing process. (J Endod 2006;32:115-119)

Influence of irrigation and intracanal dressing on the healing process of dogs' teeth with apical periodontitis.

Dogs' teeth with apical periodontitis were treated endodontically, Dakin's solution being used in an experimental group as the irrigation solution, and camphorated paramonochlorophenol as an intracanal dressing. For a second group of teeth, the irrigation solution used was physiologic saline, dry cotton only being placed into the pulpal chamber to take the place of an intracanal dressing. In a second visit, overinstrumentation and a new application of the same kind of dressing were performed, the root canals being then filled with gutta-percha cones and zinc oxide-eugenol cement. Other specimens were treated, in one visit, where physiologic saline or Dakin's solution were the irrigation solutions. The animals were sacrificed 6 months after the obturation of the root canals. Histologic exams showed better results for the experimental group where Dakin's solution and camphorated paramonochlorophenol had been used, with signs of repair characterized by newly formed cementum and bone tissue, as well as a marked reduction in size of the periapical lesions. No differences were seen in the results with physiologic saline or Dakin's solution as irrigants.

Healing process of incisor teeth of diabetic rats replanted after storage in milk

Several local factors that influence the healing process of replanted teeth have been investigated. However, it remains unclear how systemic alterations, such as diabetes mellitus, affect the prognosis of these cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing process of incisors of non-controlled diabetic rats replanted after storage in bovine long shelf-life (UHT) whole milk. Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to receive an endovenous injection of either citrate buffer solution (group I - control; n = 16) or streptozotocin dissolved in citrate buffer solution to induce diabetes (group II; n = 16). After confirmation of the diabetic status by analysis of the glycemic levels, the maxillary right incisor of each animal was extracted and immersed in milk for 60 min. The root canals of teeth were then instrumented, and were filled with a calcium hydroxide-based dressing and replanted into their sockets. All animals received systemic antibiotic and were killed by anesthetic overdose 10 and 60 days after replantation. The specimens containing the replanted teeth were removed, fixed, decalcified, and embedded in paraffin. Semi-serial 6-mu m-thick sections were obtained and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histologic and histometric analyses. The results showed that the connective tissue adjacent to the root surface was less organized in the diabetic animals than in the control animals in both periods; the root dentin was less severely affected by root resorption in the diabetic rats; there were no significant differences between the control and diabetic groups regarding the occurrence of replacement resorption and inflammatory resorption.

Healing process of dog teeth after post space preparation and exposition of the filling material to the oral environment

Foi propósito deste estudo analisar a influência da infiltração marginal coronária no comportamento dos tecidos periapicais de dentes de cães após obturação de canal e preparo para pino. Quarenta canais de dentes de cães foram instrumentados e obturados pela técnica da condensação lateral com cones de guta percha e os cimentos Roth e Sealer 26. Após preparo para pino, o remanescente da obturação foi protegido ou não com um plug do cimento temporário Lumicon. Após exposição ao meio oral por 90 dias, os animais foram sacrificados e as peças preparadas para análise histomorfológica. A técnica de Brown e Brenn mostrou 70% de casos com infiltração de microrganismos para o cimento Roth e 20% com o Sealer 26. Quando um plug de Lumicon foi empregado ocorreu 30% de casos de infiltração de microrganismos com o cimento Roth e 0,0% com o cimento Sealer 26. Reação inflamatória crônica foi mais freqüentemente observada com o cimento Roth do que com o Sealer 26. Foi concluído que o plug de Lumicon é eficiente no controle da infiltração coronária (p=0.05) e que o Sealer 26 foi mais biocompatível e selou melhor os canais radiculares do que o cimento Roth (p=0.01).

Effect of diclofenac sodium on the healing process of end-to-end anastomosis in carotid arteries of rabbits. Histopathological and biomechanical studies

Aim. Diclofenac sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used to attenuate painful inflammatory reactions in surgery. However, it may delay healing in the skin and gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Diclofenac in vascular healing. Methods. Ninety rabbits had their carotid arteries sectioned and reconstructed by end-to-end anastomosis with interrupted sutures. The animals were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 30 each and treated by intramuscular route with saline (control), 5 mg/kg/day of diclofenac sodium (DS-5), and 10 mg/kg/day of diclofenac sodium (DS-10). Treatment began on the day of surgery and lasted 4 days. Angiography, biomechanical properties (failure load, failure elongation, yield point, yield point elongation, and stiffness were obtained from the load/elongation curve), macroscopic and histological examinations (hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, Calleja, Picrossirius-red), and scanning electron microscopy were studied in both arteries on the 3rd and 15th postoperative days. Results. No significant differences in biomechanical properties were observed either in the 3 groups or the experimental times. The carotid artery healing process was similar in the 3 groups. Conclusion. Diclofenac sodium did not cause alterations nor delayed carotid artery healing.

Healing Process of Autogenous Bone Graft in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Treated With Losartan: An Immunohistochemical and Histomorphometric Study

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

Anaerobic bio-digestion of concentrate obtained in the process of ultra filtration of effluents from tilapia processing unit

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of the process of biodigestion of the protein concentrate resulting from the ultrafiltration of the effluent from a slaughterhouse freezer of Nile tilapia. Bench digesters were used with excrements and water (control) in comparison with a mixture of cattle manure and effluent from the stages of filleting and bleeding of tilapias. The effluent obtained in the continuous process (bleeding + filleting) was the one with highest accumulated population from the 37th day, as well as greatest daily production. Gases composition did not differ between the protein concentrates, but the gas obtained with the use of the effluent from the filleting stage presented highest methane gas average (78.05%) in comparison with those obtained in the bleeding stage (69.95%) and in the continuous process (70.02%) or by the control method (68.59%).

Secretory process of salivary glands of female Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks fed on resistant rabbits

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

Characterization of the motor performance in infants with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy in process of rehabilitation: the importance of the proactivity of caregivers

Introduction: The progress in technology, associated to the high survival rate in premature newborn infants in neonatal intensive care units, causes an increase in morbidity. Individuals with CP present complex motor alterations, with primary deficits of abnormal muscle tone affecting posture and voluntary movement, alteration of balance and coordination, decrease of force, and loss of selective motor control with secondary problems of contractures and bone deformities.Objective: The aim of this work is to describe the spontaneous movement and strategies that lead infants with cerebral palsy to move.Methods: Seven infants used to receive assistance at the Essential Stimulation Center of CIAM (Israeli Center for Multidisciplinary Support - Philanthropic Institution), with ages ranging between six and 18 months with diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (CP) were assessed.Results: The results show the difficulty presented by the infants with respect to the spontaneous motor functions and the necessity of help from the caregiver in order to perform the functional activity (mobility). Prematurity prevails as the major risk factor among the complications.Conclusion: The child development can be understood as a product of the dynamic interactions involving the infant, the family, and the context. Thus, the social interactions and family environment in which the infant live may encourage or limit both the acquisition of skills and the functional independence.

Magnetic images of the disintegration process of tablets in the human stomach by ac biosusceptometry

Oral administration of solid dosage forms is usually preferred in drug therapy. Conventional imaging methods are essential tools to investigate the in vivo performance of these formulations. The non-invasive technique of ac biosusceptometry has been introduced as an alternative in studies focusing on gastrointestinal motility and, more recently, to evaluate the behaviour of magnetic tablets in vivo. The aim of this work was to employ a multisensor ac biosusceptometer system to obtain magnetic images of disintegration of tablets in vitro and in the human stomach. The results showed that the transition between the magnetic marker and the magnetic tracer characterized the onset of disintegration (t(50)) and occurred in a short time interval (1.1 +/- 0.4 min). The multisensor ac biosusceptometer was reliable to monitor and analyse the in vivo performance of magnetic tablets showing accuracy to quantify disintegration through the magnetic images and to characterize the profile of this process.

Analysis of systemic inflammatory response in the carcinogenic process of uterine cervical neoplasia

The inflammatory response is an active process in cervical cancer and may act in the progression and/or regression of the lesion. At the site of inflammation, macrophages and neutrophils are present as well as cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. This study aims to evaluate the inflammatory response levels in women with cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) and with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. Serum samples obtained from women without evidence of disease (n = 30), with CIN (n = 30) and with SCC of the cervix (n = 30) were analyzed for the activities of N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) by enzymatic assay and the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma by ELISA assay. The activities of NAG and MPO and the level of TNF-alpha were higher in women with CIN compared to the women with SCC. The levels of IFN-gamma were lower in the group of women with CIN compared to the group with SCC. There was not a significant association between the degree of the CIN and the staging of the SCC of the cervix and the degree of inflammation as assessed by the levels of inflammatory markers. The inflammatory response was inversely correlated with the progression of the carcinogenic process. In the three groups, the control group, women with CIN and women with invasive SCC, there was no association between the degree of preinvasive lesions and staging of the SCC of the cervix. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Lack of influence of the Schneiderian membrane in forming new bone apical to implants simultaneously installed with sinus floor elevation: an experimental study in monkeys

Aim: To describe the early healing processes around the implants installed after elevation of the sinus mucosa applying the lateral access technique without the use of grafting material.Material and methods: Immediately after the elevation of the maxillary sinus Schneiderian membrane by the lateral approach in eight monkeys, implants were installed without the use of grafting material. The healing of the tissue around the implants was evaluated after 4, 10, 20 and 30 days. Ground sections were prepared and analyzed histologically.Results: After 4 days of healing, the formation of coagulum and provisional matrix was documented within the elevated area. At 10-day interval, sprouts of woven bone were in continuity with the parent bone, and partly in contact with the implant surface at the base of the augmented area. While bone-to-implant contact increased after 20 and 30 days, the area underneath the Schneiderian membrane appeared reduced in volume and condensed toward the apex of the implants. The sinus mucosa was to some extent collapsed onto the implant surface and on the newly formed bone.Conclusions: The void initially occupied by the coagulum after sinus membrane elevation shrank substantially during the observation period. A lack of influence of the Schneiderian membrane in bone formation apical to implants was documented in the early phase of healing.

Repair process of surgical defects filled with autogenous bone grafts in tibiae of diabetic rats

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