Kinetics of zinc uptake and anatomy of roots and leaves of coffee trees as affected by zinc nutrition

Zinc (Zn) uptake kinetics and root and leaf anatomy were studied in coffee trees grown in nutrient solutions with or without Zn. Leaves and roots were sampled and cuts were made in the medium part of the leaves and in root tips and observed under an optical microscope. Plants grown without Zn showed an increase in root and in root stele diameter. There was also an increase in epidermis thickness and in the cross-sectional area of the cortex and stele due to Zn deficiency, but the diameter of xylem vessels was decreased. An increase in root cortex and stele diameter provided for an increased surface for nutrient uptake. Accordingly, C(min) was decreased from 13.8 to 3.4 mu mol L(-1) and V(max) increased from 0.50 to 2.1 mu mol cm(-2) h(-1) .

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.

Orthodromic transposition of the temporal muscle for facial paralysis: Made easy and better

The authors present a modified technique of transposition of temporal muscle for reanimation of facial paralysis. Fourteen cases illustrate the simplicity, advantages, and excellent esthetic and functional results of this method.

First record of petrified Permian pecopterids from the Parana Basin, Brazil (Corumbatai Formation, Passa Dois Group, northeastern State of São Paulo): Morphology, anatomy and paleoecological implications

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

Oral-Facial-Digital Syndrome Type 1: Oral Features in 12 Patients Submitted to Clinical and Radiographic Examination

Objective: To evaluate the oral features in individuals with oral-facial-digital syndrome type 1 (OFD 1), previously diagnosed by the Genetic Sector of the Hospital of Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies of the University of São Paulo (HRAC-USP).Design: Twelve patients with OFD 1 were examined clinically and radiographically; their medical files were also evaluated.Results: Associated oral malformations were observed in all patients (100%). The most frequent findings were tongue hamartomas, multiple buccal frena, asymmetric lips, asymmetric tongue, and bilateral maxillary gingival swelling. Interestingly, atrophy of the maxillary midline frenum was also observed in all the individuals examined.Conclusions: Several extra and intraoral alterations were observed in patients with OFD 1. The authors suggest the inclusion of atrophy of the maxillary midline frenum as a commonly found characteristic of OFD 1.

The implications of microsurgical anatomy for surgical approaches to the sellar region

The knowledge of the normal anatomy and variations regarding the management of tumors of the sellar region is paramount to perform safe surgical procedures. The sellar region is located in the center of the middle cranial fossa; it contains complex anatomical structures, and is the site of various pathological processes: tumor, vascular, developmental, and neuroendocrine. We review the microsurgical anatomy (microscopic and endoscopic) of this region and discuss the surgical nuances regarding this topic, based on anatomical concepts.

Development, characterization and clinical use of a biodegradable composite scaffold for bone engineering in oro-maxillo-facial surgery

We have developed a biodegradable composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications with a pore size and interconnecting macroporosity similar to those of human trabecular bone. The scaffold is fabricated by a process of particle leaching and phase inversion from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and two calcium phosphate (CaP) phases both of which are resorbable by osteoclasts; the first a particulate within the polymer structure and the second a thin ubiquitous coating. The 3-5 mu m thick osteoconductive surface CaP abrogates the putative foreign body giant cell response to the underlying polymer, while the internal CaP phase provides dimensional stability in an otherwise highly compliant structure. The scaffold may be used as a biomaterial alone, as a carrier for cells or a three-phase drug delivery device. Due to the highly interconnected macroporosity ranging from 81% to 91%, with macropores of 0.8 similar to 1.8 mm, and an ability to wick up blood, the scaffold acts as both a clot-retention device and an osteoconductive support for host bone growth. As a cell delivery vehicle, the scaffold can be first seeded with human mesenchymal cells which can then contribute to bone formation in orthotopic implantation sites, as we show in immune-compromised animal hosts. We have also employed this scaffold in both lithomorph and particulate forms in human patients to maintain alveolar bone height following tooth extraction, and augment alveolar bone height through standard sinus lift approaches. We provide a clinical case report of both of these applications; and we show that the scaffold served to regenerate sufficient bone tissue in the wound site to provide a sound foundation for dental implant placement. At the time of writing, such implants have been in occlusal function for periods of up to 3 years in sites regenerated through the use of the scaffold.

FLORAL ANATOMY of XYRIDS (POALES): CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, TAXONOMY, and PHYLOGENY

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anatomy of the male reproductive system of Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae).

The reproductive system of male Phrynops geoffroanus adults is macroscopically described and the variation in testicular biometry is evaluated. A pair of oval testes is connected by the efferent ductules to the epididymis, which continue as deferent ducts, which emerge in the penis. The volume of the gonads showed the highest averages during spring and summer months. GSI varied significantly throughout the year, with the highest averages observed in the months that correspond to the end of spring and the beginning of summer, when the reproduction of the species takes place, and the lowest averages were seen in winter, suggesting a cyclical testicular activity.

Contribution of the study of the styloid prominence in the posterior tympanic cavity

70 human temporal bones were analyzed with the aid of an otologic microscope. The styloid prominence was found to be extremely variable in shape, location and occurrence. Depending on the degree of development, the prominence establishes important relationships with the sinus tympani, with the fossula of the cochlear fenestra, and with the suprapyramidal recess. Serial sections were used to study the relationship of the styloid process with the facial nerve inside the bony mass of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone.