Emprego de escama de sardinha (Sardinella brasiliensis - STEIDACHNER, 1859), conservada em glicerina, em ceratoplastias lamelares experimentais em cães

Estudou-se experimentalmente a escama de sardinha (Sardinella brasiliensis) como substituto de córneas no reparo de ceratectomias superficiais em cães. Utilizaram-se 14 animais, machos e fêmeas, sem raça definida, com peso médio de 10 kg, considerados sadios. Analisaram-se, macro e microscopicamente, as córneas receptoras bem como o material implantado aos 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 e 60 dias de pós-operatório. As evidências clínicas para a enxertia lamelar mostraram fotofobia e blefarospasmo mais incidentes nos períodos iniciais e intermediários, com tendência à regressão nos tardios. Revelaram edema discreto e igualmente regressivo; neoformação vascular mais incidente nas fases intermediárias e pouco nas tardias. O estudo microscópico evidenciou quadro reacional compatível com padrão benigno a exemplo do que fora visto macroscopicamente. Ambos retrataram boa adesividade da prótese, epitélio e estroma neoformados, sob e sobrepostos a ela. A transparência das córneas receptoras, junto às zonas de enxertia, manteve-se por 14 dias. Para a enxertia interlamelar, observou-se quadro reacional pouco significativo. Para ambas as enxertias, não foram observados sinais de extrusão do material implantado. A escama de sardinha pode ser empregada para fins tectônicos, com bons resultados em ceratoplastias lamelares em cães.

Histopathological biomarkers in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) infected with aeromonas hydrophila and treated with antibiotics

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

Physicochemical Characterization and Rheological Behavior Evaluation of the Liquid Crystalline Mesophases Developed with Different Silicones

This article presented physicochemical characterization and rheological behavior evaluation of the liquid crystalline mesophases developed with different silicones. There were prepared 5 ternary systems, which were carried out the determination of the relative density, the electric conductivity and polarized light microscopy analysis, being selected two systems to promote the Preliminary Stability Tests. The results showed that System 1 obtained the major liquid crystal formation and a higher stability. The temperature influences in the systems stability and phases structure. In hot oven, observed oneself the mixture of lamellar and hexagonal phase, for both systems.

Desenvolvimento de sistemas líquido-cristalinos empregando silicone fluido de co-polímero glicol e poliéter funcional siloxano

DEVELOPMENT of LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE SYSTEMS USING SILICON GLYCOL COPOLYMER and POLYETHER FUNCTIONAL SILOXANE. For the construction of the phase diagrams, the method of the aqueous titration was used. There were prepared 5 ternary diagrams, varying the surfactant and the oil phase. The liquid-crystalline phases were identified by polarized light microscopy. The formulations prepared with silicon glycol copolymer, polyether functional siloxane (PFS) and water (S(1)) and with diisopropyl adipate, PFS and water (S(4)) presented liquid-crystalline phases with lamellar arrangement. Moreover, after 15 days in hot oven (37 degrees C), the formulations presented hexagonal arrangement, evidencing the influence of the temperature in the organization of the system.

Structural Properties Induced by the Composition of Biocompatible Phospholipid-Based Microemulsion and Amphotericin B Association

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

Development and In Vitro Evaluation of Surfactant Systems for Controlled Release of Zidovudine

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Surfactant systems for nasal zidovudine delivery: structural, rheological and mucoadhesive properties

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Wear resistance of experimental titanium alloys for dental applications

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

Influence of glycemic control on fetal lung maturity in gestations affected by diabetes or mild hyperglycemia

Objective. To evaluate the influence of glycemic control on fetal lung maturity in pregnancies affected by diabetes or mild hyperglycemia. Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. Level III maternity center. Population. A total of 187 pregnant women were submitted to routine amniocentesis for the assessment of fetal lung maturity up to 72 hours before delivery. Methods. Fetal lung maturity thresholds were: Clements-positive at a dilution of 0.5; OD(650) nm >= 0.15; and lamellar body count (LBC) >= 32,000/mu l. The relation of test results with adequate (<= 6.7 mmol/l) or poor (> 6.7 mmol/l) glycemic mean (GM) at term and at preterm was evaluated. Main outcome measure. Delay in fetal lung maturity when glycemic control was poor. Results. Glycemic control was adequate in 146 (78.1%) women. Clements maturity rates were higher at term (91.9%) than at preterm (64.7%) when GM <= 6.7 mmol/l (p < 0.001), but not when control was inadequate. LBC median was higher at term (99.0; 62.0-154.0) than at preterm (66.5; 40.5-108.25) (p = 0.009) when GM <= 6.7 mmol/l, while GM > 6.7 mmol/l did not lead to any difference between these rates at term or preterm. When glycemic control was adequate, OD(650) nm medians at term and at preterm were similar. However, when GM > 6.7 mmol/l, OD(650) nm median at term (0.29; 0.22-0.40) was higher than that observed at preterm (0.15; 0.12-0.18) (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Our results suggest that in term pregnancies routine amniocentesis for the assessment of fetal lung maturity should be abandoned. In preterm pregnancies, or when glycemic control is inadequate it is recommended.

Modelos experimentais de deficiência limbar em coelhos: análise clínica

Objetivo: Comparar em coelhos três modelos experimentais de destruição das células germinativas (CG) do limbo corneano quanto a aspectos clínicos. Métodos: Foram utilizados 54 coelhos, 108 olhos, subdivididos em 3 grupos experimentais: (G1), (G2) e (G3), cada um formado pelos OE de 18 coelhos, submetidos às técnicas experimentais (T1), (T2) e (T3), respectivamente, e um grupo controle, formado pelos 54 olhos contralaterais (OD). Nas três técnicas foi utilizado o n-heptanol. Na T1, o n-heptanol foi aplicado por 5 minutos, para remoção do epitélio límbico. Na T2, além da aplicação do n-heptanol, realizou-se peritomia e remoção da conjuntiva perilímbica até 4 mm do limbo, juntamente com a escarificação do tecido episcleral. Na T3, além dos procedimentos da T2, foi realizada dissecção lamelar do limbo abrangendo aproximadamente 1,5 mm na periferia da córnea e 2 mm na superfície escleral. em todas as córneas dos animais foram estudados seis parâmetros clínicos: neovascularização, perda da transparência, irregularidade da superfície, reparação epitelial, erosão ou defeito epitelial, granuloma e outras lesões corneanas. Resultados: A neovascularização corneana iniciou-se mais precocemente com a T1 e T2; ocorreu em 100% dos casos com as três técnicas, de forma não homogênea, variando de leve a intensa; permaneceu estável a partir do 28º dia até o final do experimento (56º dia), foi maior nos quadrantes superior e inferior e menor nos quadrantes nasal e temporal. A perda da transparência e a irregularidade da superfície corneana foram menores com a T1 que com a T2 e T3, que foram similares entre si. Houve, nas três técnicas experimentais, latência de três dias para o início da reepitelização, que se completou com a T1 no 7º dia e com a T2 e T3 no 14º dia. Erosão epitelial corneana e granuloma corneano foram encontradas de forma similar nas três técnicas experimentais. Conclusões: A T2 e T3 mostraram-se adequadas como possíveis modelos de ampla remoção das CG límbicas, levando a resultados similares nos diversos parâmetros estudados. A T1 se mostrou adequada como modelo de remoção parcial do epitélio límbico. Ocorreu conjuntivalização e neovascularização nas três técnicas experimentais.

Lung morphology and growth of rats exposed to tobacco smoke and alcohol

OBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos morfológicos da exposição crônica à inalação de fumaça do tabaco e o do consumo de álcool nos pulmões e no crescimento de ratos. MÉTODOS: Sessenta ratos Wistar machos foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: controle, tabaco, álcool e tabaco + álcool, e acompanhados por um período de 260 dias. No final do periodo foi realizada análise morfológica dos pulmões por microscopia óptica e eletrônica. O crescimento dos ratos foi investigado através da medição do comprimento focinho-ânus, peso corporal e índice de massa corporal. RESULTADOS: Os três grupos expostos às drogas apresentaram peso e comprimento significativamente menores que os do grupo controle. As percentagens de bronquiolite e alveolite, e o diâmetro alveolar médio foram maiores nos grupos expostos à fumaça do tabaco, mas sem significancia estatística quando comparadas ao grupo controle. A microscopia eletrônica revelou apoptose mais intensa e lesões degenerativas no grupo de fumantes, enquanto lesões degenerativas nos corpos lamelares foram mais intensas com a associação de ambas as drogas. CONCLUSÕES: Este modelo experimental mostrou alterações morfológicas observadas por microscopia eletrônica, principalmente devido à exposição ao tabaco. Tanto o alcool como o tabaco prejudicaram o crescimento dos animais, o tabaco mostrando um efeito maior sobre o comprimento e o álcool sobre o peso corporal.

Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Peri-Implant Bone Repair: A Histologic Study in Dogs

The present study evaluated the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on pen-implant bone healing. A total of 9 mongrel dogs received 36 dental implants with sandblasted acid-etched surface in lower jaws in a split-mouth design: in the PRP group (n = 18 implants) the implants were placed in association with PRP, and in the control group (n = 18 implants) the implants were placed without PRP. Biopsies were obtained and prepared for histologic and histometric analysis after 15, 30, and 55 days of healing. The biopsies retrieved at 15 days showed delicate bone trabeculae formed by immature bone with presence of numerous osteoblasts for both groups. At 30 days the trabeculae presented reversal lines and evident lamellar disposition, where some thread spaces were filled by bone and dense connective tissue. At 55 days, bone healing was not altered in the control group, and histologic aspects were variable for the group treated with PRP. There was no significant difference between the groups for bone-to-implant contact (P > .05). PRP did not enhance bone formation around sandblasted acid-etched implants.

Ectopic mineralization of articular cartilage in the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana and its possible involvement in bone closure

Mineralization of the articular cartilage is a pathological condition associated with age and certain joint diseases in humans and other mammals. In this work, we describe a physiological process of articular cartilage mineralization in bullfrogs. Articular cartilage of the proximal and distal ends of the femur and of the proximal end of the tibia-fibula was studied in animals of different ages. Mineralization of the articular cartilage was detected in animals at 1 month post-transformation. This mineralization, which appeared before the hypertrophic cartilage showed any calcium deposition, began at a restricted site in the lateral expansion of the cartilage and then progressed to other areas of the epiphyseal cartilage. Mineralized structures were identified by von Kossa's staining and by in vivo incorporation of calcein green. Element analysis showed that calcium crystals consisted of poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite. Mineralized matrix was initially spherical structures that generally coalesced after a certain size to occupy larger areas of the cartilage. Alkaline phosphatase activity was detected at the plasma membrane of nearby chondrocytes and in extracellular matrix. Apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL (TDT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling) reaction in some articular chondrocytes from mineralized areas. The area occupied by calcium crystals increased significantly in older animals, especially in areas under compression. Ultrastructural analyses showed clusters of needle-like crystals in the extracellular matrix around the chondrocytes and large blocks of mineralized matrix. In 4-year-old animals, some lamellar bone (containing bone marrow) occurred in the same area as articular cartilage mineralization. These results show that the articular cartilage of R. catesbeiana undergoes precocious and progressive mineralization that is apparently stimulated by compressive forces. We suggest that this mineralization is involved in the closure of bone extremities, since mineralization appears to precede the formation of a rudimentary secondary center of ossification in older animals.

Ultrastructure of the ducts of the reproductive tract of males of Melipona bicolor bicolor Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apinae, Meliponini)

The present paper describes the ultrastructural features of seminal vesicle, post-vesicular vas deferens and ejaculatory duct of Melipona bicolor bicolor from newly emerged and mature males. Although the results do not show very consistent morphological signs of secretory activity by the epithelium of these organs, lipidic droplets and lamellar granules present in mature males' seminal vesicles and the vacuoles present in post-vesicular vas deferens are probably secretion. Besides, the spermatozoa in the lumen are immersed in a material of characteristic structure, which must be produced in superior regions of the reproductive system of immature males, not studied here. The presence of sperm cells, apparently in cytoplasm vesicles of seminal vesicle and post-vesicular vas deferens, suggests spermiophagy by their epithelium.

New morphological data on fat bodies of semi-engorged females of Amblyomma cajennense (Acari : Ixodidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)