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.

Fracture strength of bovine incisors after intra-radicular treatment with MTA in an experimental immature tooth model

Aim To evaluate, using an experimental immature tooth model, the fracture resistance of bovine incisors submitted to different reinforcement treatments with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).Methodology An immature tooth model was created by sectioning the coronal and apical portions of 40 bovine incisors 8 mm above and 12 mm below the cementoenamel junction. The root canals were irrigated with 1.0% sodium hypochlorite. They were enlarged both coronally and apically using number 703 carbide burs (ISO: 500-104-168-007-021) and their internal diameter was standardized to 2.1 mm. The specimens were assigned to four groups (n = 10): GI-control (without filling); GII-apical MTA plug + filling with gutta-percha and endodontic sealer; GIII-filling with MTA; GIV-apical MTA plug + filling with MTA + metallic post (Reforpost I). A polyether impression material was used to simulate the periodontal ligament. The specimens were submitted to a compressive load at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm min(-1) in a servo-hydraulic universal testing machine (MTS 810) applied at 45 degrees to the long axis of the tooth until failure. Data were submitted to statistical analysis by the Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% significance level.Results GIV presented the highest fracture resistance (32.7N) and differed significantly from the other groups (P < 0.05). No statistically difference was found between GII (16.6N) and GIII (23.4N) (P > 0.05). GIII had a significantly higher fracture resistance than GI (P < 0.05).Conclusions the use of MTA + metallic post as an intra-radicular reinforcement treatment increased the resistance to fracture of weakened bovine teeth in an experimental immature tooth model.

Crescimento radicular e aéreo de cultivares de arroz de terras altas em função da calagem

This work aimed to evaluate root growth, shoot development and nutrient absorption efficiency by rice cultivars Caiapo and Maravilha as affected by lime application. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with treatments set up by Caiapo and Maravilha cultivars in combination with the base saturation (V%) of 10%, 40% and 70%. The experiment was in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. The number of tillers, root length, root dry matter, leaves and stems, leaf content and macronutrients absorption efficiency were evaluated. Comparing cultivars, Maravilha cultivar presented higher root dry weight, root length, number of stems, dry matter of stems and shoot than Caiapo cultivar, as well as accumulated more nutrients in the shoots. on the other hand, nutrient contents were higher in the cultivar Caiapo compared to Maravilha. Maravilha cultivar shows greater root and shoot growth while Caiapo shows higher nutrient absorption efficiency from the soil. The base saturation of 40% is the most effective for both cultivars.

Concentração, proporção molar e taxa de produção de ácidos graxos voláteis (AGV) no rúmen de bovinos alimentados com diferentes níveis de concentrado na dieta

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Interaction of the nonionic surfactant C12E8 with high molar mass poly(ethylene oxide) studied by dynamic light scattering and fluorescence quenching methods

Dynamic light scattering has been used to investigate ternary aqueous solutions of n-dodecyl octaoxyethylene glycol monoetber (C12E8) with high molar mass poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The measurements were made at 20 °C, always below the cloud point temperature (Tc) of the mixed solutions. The relaxation time distributions are bimodal at higher PEO and surfactant concentrations, owing to the preacute of free surfactant micelles, which coexist with the slower component, representing the polymer coil/micellar cluster comptex. As the surfactant concentration is increased, the apparent hydrodynamic radius (RH) of the coil becomes progressively larger. It is suggested that the complex structure consists of clusters of micelles sited within the polymer coil, as previously concluded for the PEO-C12E8-water system. However. C12E8 interacts less strongly than C12E8 with PEO; at low concentrations of surfactant the complex does not contribute significantly to the total scattered intensity. The perturbation of the PEO coil radius with C12E8 is also smaller than that in the C12E8 system. The addition of PEO strongly decreases the clouding temperature of the system, as previously observed for C12E8/PEO mixtures in solution Addition of PEO up to 0.2% to C12E8 (10 wt %) solutions doss not alter the aggregation number (Nagg) of the micelles probably because the surfactant monomers are equally partitioned as bound and unbound micelles. The critical micelle concentration (cmc), obtained from the I1/I3 ratio (a measure of the dependence of the vibronic band intensities on the pyrene probe environment), does not change when PEO is added, suggesting that for neutral polymer/surfactant systems the trends in Nagg and the cmc do not unambiguously reflect the strength of interaction.

Loss of space and dental arch length after the loss of the lower first primary molar: A longitudinal study

The premature loss of primary teeth may harm the normal occlusal development, although there are debates relating to the necessity of using space maintainer appliances. The aim of the study is to evaluate the changes in the dental arch perimeter and the space reduction after the premature loss of the lower first primary molar in the mixed dentition stage. The sample consists of 4 lower arch plaster models of 31 patients, within the period of pre-extraction, 6, 12 and 18 months after the lower first primary molar extraction. A reduction of space was noted with the cuspid dislocation and the permanent incisors moving toward the space of the extraction site. It was concluded that the lower first molar primary premature loss, during the mixed dentition, implicates an immediate placement of a space maintainer.

A comparison of molar root canal preparation using stainless-steel and nickel-titanium instruments

Fifty-four extracted human mandibular molars were embedded and sectioned at two levels. The reassembled mesial root canals were prepared with stainless-steel hand K-files (Flexofiles) and either Nitiflex or Mity nickel-titanium hand K-files using a push-pull anticurvature filing technique. Each of the three experimental groups contained 36 mesial canals randomly distributed. Superimposed pre- and postinstrumentation cross-sectional root images were magnified using a stereomicroscope and transferred to a computer for measurement and statistical analysis. The direction and extent of canal center movement were evaluated. At the apical level, the groups produced no significant difference of direction of canal center movement. In cervical sections, all groups tended to move in a distolingual direction. The three groups, however, produced no significant difference in the cervical sections in the extent of canal center movement. In apical sections, Nitiflex produced the least canal center movement. Copyright © 1999 by The American Association of Endodontists.