Repair of the anophthalmic cavity of rats with synthetic hydroxyapatite

We placed spheres of synthetic hydroxyapatite (calcium chloride combined with sodium phosphate) in the eviscerated or enucleated orbital cavity of rats in order to evaluate the biocompatibility of this material with the orbital cavity. The study was conducted on 50 albino rats, 25 of which were submitted to enucleation and 25 to evisceration of one eye. The animals were sacrificed 7, 15, 21, 30 and 60 days after surgery and the orbital content was submitted to histopathological examination. A reaction of the young granulation tissue type was observed first. The hydroxyapatite was gradually surrounded by a granulomatous macrophage inflammatory response and covered with dense connective tissue that formed a sort of mesh septating and supporting progressively smaller blocks of the substance. The same type of reaction was observed in the enucleated and eviscerated cavities. We conclude that synthetic hydroxyapatite is an inert nonallergenic material which is appropriate for volume replacement in the anophthalmic cavity

Gelatinous polyethylene in the treatment of the anophthalmic cavity

PURPOSE: Gelatinous polyethylene (GP) has been used as an orbital implant to evaluate volume maintenance and tissue reaction in the anophthalmic socket in a rabbit model. METHODS: Twenty-eight Norfolk white rabbits underwent unilateral evisceration with placement of 2ml GP (GP group - 16 animals) or 2ml 0.9% sodium chloride solution (Control group - 12 animals). Animal behavior, postoperative tissue response and socket conditions were evaluated. The animals were sacrificed at 7, 15, 30 and 60 days after the surgery and the bulbs were enucleated; volume maintenance and histopathological evaluation were done in the enucleated bulbs. The results were submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: All animals showed normal behavior. The orbital volume maintenance was better in the GP group. Histopathology in the GP animals showed mild tissue inflammation throughout the evaluation period and a thin pseudocapsule formation surrounding the orbital implant material. CONCLUSION: The clinical findings, good orbital volume maintenance and mild inflammatory tissue response make GP a good choice to replace the lack of volume in anophthalmic socket reconstruction.

Amniotic Fluid Interleukin-1 Beta and Interleukin-6, but not Interleukin-8 Correlate with Microbial Invasion of the Amniotic Cavity in Preterm Labor

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

Light microscopy and computer three-dimensional reconstruction of the blood capillaries of the enamel organ of rat molar tooth germs

We performed a light microscope and a computer three-dimensional reconstruction study of serial sections of the molar enamel organ of 3- and 5-day-old rats perfused with Indian ink through the arterial system. The tooth germs were fixed in Bouin's solution, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. For the three-dimensional reconstruction, light micrographs of the serial sections were digitized, and aligned using the serial EM Align software downloaded from http://synapses.bu.edu/tools/. After alignment, the boundaries of the India-ink-filled blood vessels were manually traced with a mouse using the software IGL trace (version 1.26b), also downloaded from the above website. After tracing, a three-dimensional representation of the blood vessel contours was generated in a VRML format and visualized with the help of the software Cortona Web3D viewer (version 4.0) downloaded from http://www.parallelgraphics.com/products/cortona. Our results showed that in regions where ameloblasts are polarized the capillaries are arranged in three distinct levels: (1) penetrating and leaving capillaries in relation to the outer enamel epithelium; (2) capillaries crossing and branching inside the stellate reticulum; and (3) capillaries branching and anastomosing profusely within the stratum intermedium, thereby forming an extensive capillary plexus intimately associated with the cells of the stratum intermedium. The existence of a conspicuous capillary plexus intermingled with cells of the stratum intermedium, as shown in our results, suggests that some molecules produced by cells of the stratum intermedium could be released into the capillary plexus and thereafter carried to the dental follicle.

Anatomy of the oral cavity of hylid larvae from the genera Aplastodiscus, Bokermannohyla, and Hypsiboas (Amphibia, anura): Description and systematic implications

Internal larval oral anatomy was used to explore morphological diversity and its contribution to the systematics of the genera Aplastodiscus, Bokerinannohyla, and Hypsiboas, belonging to the tribe Cophomantini. Internal oral morphology was examined for tadpoles of 12 species. All species have a large pair of infralabial papillae on the buccal floor and other papillae on the prelingual region. In Aplastodiscus and Bokerinannohyla, the large infralabial papillae have digitiform secondary projections. The number and arrangement of the buccal floor papillae varies among species, but they are more numerous in Aplastodiscus and Bokerinannohyla. The arrangement of the postnarial papillae is variable, but in Aplastodiscus and Bokerinannohyla, they show a definite, inverted V-shape pattern. The lateral ridge papillae are more complex in larvae of Bokertnannohyla with long digitiform secondary projections. Tadpoles of only Aplastodiscus albofrenatus, Aplastodiscus eugenioi, and Bokerinannohyla luctuosa have papillae on the buccal roof arena and larvae of all species have lateral roof papillae except Hypsiboas albomarginatus and Hypsiboas cinerascens. Larvae of Aplastodiscus, Bokermannohyla, and Hypsiboas presumably share the presence of vacuities anterior to the internal nares; although this character state is clearly synapomorphic within hylids, it is still uncertain whether it is exclusive of these three genera or whether it is present in the other genera of the tribe Cophomantini (Hyloscirtus and Myersiohyla). The inclusion of internal oral anatomy characters, such as the narial vacuities, in systematic studies is certainly valuable because it will provide additional information toward the understanding of phylogenetic relationships.

An objective reconstruction of the chain of contagion

North's clustering method, which is based on a much used ecological model, the nearest neighbor distance, was applied to the objective reconstruction of the chain of household-to-household transmission of variola minor (the mild form of smallpox). The discrete within-household outbreaks were considered as points which were ordered in a time sequence using a 10-40 day interval between introduction of the disease into a source household and a receptor household. The closer points in the plane were assumed to have a larger probability of being links of a chain of household-to-household spread of the disease. The five defining distances (Manhattan or city-block distance between presumptive source and receptor dwellings) were 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 m. The subchain sets obtained with the five defining distances were compared with the subchains empirically reconstructed during the field study of the epidemic through direct investigation of personal contacts of the introductory cases with either introductory or subsequent cases from previously affected households. The criteria of fit of theoretical to empirical clusters were: (a) the number of clustered dwellings and subchains, (b) number of dwellings in a subchain and (c) position of dwellings in a subchain. The defining distance closet to the empirical findings was 200 m, which fully agrees with the travelling habits of the study population. Less close but acceptable approximations were obtained with 100, 300, 400 and 500 m. The latter two distances gave identical results, as if a clustering ceiling had been reached. It seems that North's clustering model may be used for an objective reconstruction of the chain of contagious whose links are discrete within-household outbreaks. © 1984.

Increased implantation and pregnancy rates obtained by placing the tip of the transfer catheter in the central area of the endometrial cavity

The influence of endometrial cavity length (ECL) on implantation and pregnancy rates after 400 embryo transfers was studied prospectively in a population with the indication of IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The tip of the transfer catheter was placed above or below the half point of the ECL in a randomized manner. Two analyses were performed: (i) absolute position (AP); embryo transfers were divided into three groups according to the distance between the end of the fundal endometrial surface and the catheter tip (DTC - distance tip catheter): AP 1 (n = 212), 10-15 mm; AP 2 (n = 158), 16-20 mm; and AP 3 (n = 30), ≥21 mm. (ii) relative position (RP) - embryo transfers were divided into four groups according to their RP [RP = (DTC/ECL) × 100]: RP 1 (n = 23), ≤40%; RP 2 (n = 177), 41-50%; RP 3 (n = 117), 51-60%; and RP 4 (n = 83), ≥61%. Analysis based on relative distance revealed significantly higher implantation and pregnancy rates (P < 0.05) in more central areas of the ECL. However, analysis based on absolute position did not reveal any difference. In conclusion, the present results demonstrated that implantation and pregnancy rates are influenced by the site of embryo transfer, with better results being obtained when the catheter tip is positioned close to the middle area of the endometrial cavity. In this respect, previous analysis of the ECL is the fundamental step in establishing the ideal site for embryo transfers.

Implantation sites after embryo transfer into the central area of the uterine cavity

A total of 63 pregnancies (47 singleton, 15 twin, 1 triplet) from intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were analysed. In all embryo transfers, the catheter was introduced into the endometrial cavity guided by abdominal ultrasound, with the catheter tip placed at the middle point of the endometrial cavity. Gestational sacs (GS) were located 21-24 days after transfer (gestational age = 5 weeks) by two-dimensional and three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound. The uterine cavity was divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower. Furthermore, the upper region was subdivided into right, middle and left areas, and the middle region was subdivided into right and left areas. The frequency of gestational sacs in each area was evaluated. In singleton pregnancies 66.0% (31/47) of the GS were detected in the upper region, 29.8% (14/47) in the middle region and 4.2% (2/47) in the lower region. In multiple pregnancies (twins and triplet) 45.5% (15/33) of the GS were detected in the upper region, 51.5% (17/33) in the middle region and 3.0% (1/33) in the lower region. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that when embryos are transferred to the central area of the uterine cavity there is an increase in implantation rate in the middle region compared with the rate expected in naturally conceived pregnancies (9-15%).

Conservative reconstruction of the smile by orthodontic, bleaching, and restorative procedures

The following is a clinical case report of a patient whose chief complaint was the presence of generalized spacing in the maxillary anterior segment following orthodontic treatment. After meticulous clinical analyses and discussions of the clinical procedures to be adopted, dental bleaching was performed in both arches with 10% hydrogen peroxide (Opalescence Trèswhite Supreme 10% Hydrogen Peroxide - Ultradent Products, Inc., South Jordan, USA) after the conclusion and stabilization of orthodontic treatment. Then, the orthodontic appliance was removed and the diastemas in the maxillary anterior teeth were closed with Amelogen Plus (Ultradent Products, Inc., South Jordan, USA) resin composite. It was observed that the association of orthodontic, bleaching, and restorative procedures was capable of restoring dental shape, function, and esthetics, allowing the patient to smile without hesitation.

Reconstruction of the Environmental Quality Fuzzy Index

In the world stage, the environmental condition has been a big public policies issue. A clear understanding of the parameters that determine the state of the environment is essential for estimation of the quality of life of the population, not least since ecosystems are highly complex. Consequently, definition of public policies demands the use of evaluation tools that can combine and quantify information in a clear way. The use of indicators and indices that are able to translate the complexity of environmental conditions in cities into simpler terms has been increasingly effective in decision-making, since they assist in general evaluation of the situation in question, identification of priority actions and anticipation of future trends. In an attempt to evaluate the environmental conditions of the Brazilian city, Sorocaba, an Environmental Quality Fuzzy Index (IFQAmb) was proposed. In this work this methodology is improved. After reviewing the IFQAmb methodology, a number of changes in the index are proposed. Additional variables are suggested, derived from a State Environment Department program whose objective is to grant municipalities the title of Municipio Verde e Azul (Green and Blue City). In addition, a new rule base is being drafted to enable consideration of all possibilities, since in the existing version the use of specific criteria eliminates a significant number of rules. The changes seek to define with clarity and precision the conceptual aspects and structure of the IFQAmb, so that it can provide an even more effective evaluation of environmental performance, guiding future actions in order to improve the living conditions of the population of Sorocaba.

Reconstruction of the gravitational wave signal h(t) during the Virgo science runs and independent validation with a photon calibrator

The Virgo detector is a kilometer-scale interferometer for gravitational wave detection located near Pisa (Italy). About 13 months of data were accumulated during four science runs (VSR1, VSR2, VSR3 and VSR4) between May 2007 and September 2011, with increasing sensitivity. In this paper, the method used to reconstruct, in the range 10 Hz-10 kHz, the gravitational wave strain time series h(t) from the detector signals is described. The standard consistency checks of the reconstruction are discussed and used to estimate the systematic uncertainties of the h(t) signal as a function of frequency. Finally, an independent setup, the photon calibrator, is described and used to validate the reconstructed h(t) signal and the associated uncertainties. The systematic uncertainties of the h(t) time series are estimated to be 8% in amplitude. The uncertainty of the phase of h(t) is 50 mrad at 10 Hz with a frequency dependence following a delay of 8 mu s at high frequency. A bias lower than 4 mu s and depending on the sky direction of the GW is also present.

Reconstruction of the Alveolar Buccal Bone Plate in Compromised Fresh Socket after Immediate Implant Placement Followed by Immediate Provisionalization

ObjectiveThe aim of this clinical report was to reestablish the buccal bone wall after immediate implant placement. The socket defect was corrected with autogenous bone, and a connective tissue graft was removed from the maxillary tuberosity to increase the thickness, height, and width of the buccal bone and gingival tissue followed by immediate provisionalization of the crown during the same operation.Clinical ConsiderationsA 66-year-old patient presented with a hopeless maxillary left central incisor with loss of the buccal bone wall. Atraumatic, flapless extraction was performed, and an immediate implant was placed in the extraction socket followed by preparation of an immediate provisional restoration. Subsequently, immediate reconstruction of the buccal bone plate was performed, using the tuberosity as the donor site, to obtain block bone and connective tissue grafts, as well as particulate bone. Finally, immediate provisionalization of the crown followed by simple sutures was performed. Cone-beam computed tomography and periapical radiographs were taken before and after surgery. After 4 months, the final prosthetic crown was made. After a 2-year follow-up, a satisfactory aesthetic result was achieved with lower treatment time and morbidity.ConclusionThis case demonstrates the effective use of immediate reconstruction of the buccal bone wall for the treatment of a hopeless tooth in the maxillary aesthetic area. This procedure efficiently promoted harmonious gingival and bone architecture, recovered lost anatomical structures with sufficient width and thickness, and maintained the stability of the alveolar bone crest in a single procedure.Clinical SignificanceIf appropriate clinical conditions exist, immediate dentoalveolar restoration may be the most conservative means of reconstructing the buccal bone wall after immediate implant placement followed by immediate provisionalization with predictable healing and lower treatment time.

Reconstruction of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus using bovine bone matrix: histological study with monkeys

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the repair process in the reconstruction of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus of monkeys with bovine bone matrix. Four adult Cebus apella monkeys underwent an ostectomy of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus. The frontal sinus mucosa and the nasofrontal duct were not manipulated. Reconstruction occurred with implants of bovine bone matrix laminae measuring 2.0 x 2.5 cm and 0.4 mm thick, stabilized under pressure in the lateral wall of the frontal sinus. The monkeys were sacrificed over a period of 150 days and routine laboratory procedures were followed for hematoxylin-eosin staining and histologic evaluation of the specimens. Neoformed bone tissue was observed in contact with the frontal sinus mucosa and the bovine bone matrix. The frontal sinus mucosa remained whole without fibrous tissue or cystic formations. There was no occurrence of cellularization as well as revascularization of the bovine bone matrix, though it has permitted bone conduction on this surface. It was possible to conclude that the demineralized bovine bone matrix was biotolerable, being incorporated into the bone without the presence of inflammatory cells with characteristics of inertness and antigenicity and behaved as an osteoconductive material.