Autologous transplantation of adult adipose derived stem cells into rabbit urethral wall

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

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among Brazilian white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris)

Considering that Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of global importance which affects several animal species including humans, the current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii among 72 white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from Botucatu Municipality (22 degrees 53'S 48 degrees 26'W), São Paulo State, Brazil. The investigation was carried out from January 2008 to December 2009, when the animals had their blood samples collected and subjected to the modified agglutination test (MAT); 12 specimens had brain samples bioassayed in mice. Seroprevalence was 5.5% (n = 4) and bioassays were negative. Older animals had higher prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii. Opossums in closer contact with the urban environment are likely more exposed to T. gondii than animals from the sylvatic environment. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

White piedra: molecular identification of Trichosporon inkin in members of the same family

INTRODUÇÃO: Piedra branca é micose superficial causada por fungos do gênero Trichosporon e caracterizado por nódulos firmemente aderidos à haste do pêlo. MÉTODOS: Os autores relatam casos familiares encaminhados como pediculose. Foram utilizados cultura em ágar Mycosel® e identificação molecular. RESULTADOS: Exame micológico revelou a infecção por Trichosporon spp. A identificação molecular demonstrou se tratar do Trichosporon inkin. CONCLUSÕES: Piedra branca e infecção pelo T. inkin são raramente relatados na região sudeste do Brasil. A identificação molecular é essencial para correta determinação de espécies no gênero Trichosporon.

Genetic group x ambient temperature interaction effects on physiological responses and growth performance of rabbits

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

Reproductive responses of rabbit does to a supplemental lighting program

The objective was to investigate whether the productivity of rabbit does can be improved, when natural photoperiod is decreasing, by adopting a supplemental lighting program. Three experiments were conducted involving two groups: control, submitted to the natural decreasing photoperiod, and supplemented with a lighting program which provided 14 h light/24 h beginning at 10 weeks of age. In the first experiment, 20 nulliparous does, 10 from each group, were euthanized 8 h after being presented to a buck; the overall number of follicles, whose diameter exceeded I mm, was determined macroscopically. The right ovaries were collected, histologically analyzed, and electronically measured. In the second experiment, 30 nulliparous does, 15 from each group, were presented to a buck (day 1). Receptive does were euthanized on day 8 to evaluate embryonic survival (number of normal embryos/ovulation rate). In the third experiment, 48 nulliparous does, 24 from each group, were followed from the first presentation to the buck until the weaning of the first litter. The effect of treatment on reproductive and body weight traits of does, and litter performance traits, at birth and weaning, was evaluated. The average number of follicles whose diameter exceeded 1 mm was higher in the treatment group (12.05 +/- 1.07 vs. 8.63 +/- 1.00, P=0.03 7). Receptive does of the treatment group had heavier ovaries relative to those of the control group (790 +/- 59 vs. 470 +/- 64 mg, P=0.004), whereas no treatment difference regarding this trait was found for non-receptive ones. Treatment had a favorable effect on pregnancy rate of total exposed and of receptive does (80.0% vs. 33.3%, P=0.01, and 92.3% vs. 50.0%, P=0.02, respectively). The number of underdeveloped embryos was lower (0.067 +/- 0.380 vs. 2.500 +/- 0.455, P=0.004), embryonic survival up to day 8, and uterus weight was higher in the treatment group (0.839 +/- 0.075 vs. 0.534 +/- 0.087, P=0.033 and 13.83 +/- 0.72 vs. 10.99 +/- 0.84, P=0.037, respectively). Number of presentations tended to be lower (1.32 +/- 0.17 vs. 1.75 +/- 0.16, P=0.077) and adjusted litter size in the first reproductive cycle tended to be higher (7.09 +/- 0.89 vs. 5.22 +/- 0.68, P=0.091) in the treatment group relative to the control.

Radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging at 0.5 Tesla of mechanically inducedosteoarthritis in rabbit knees

In the present experimental study we assessed induced osteoarthritis data in rabbits, compared three diagnostic methods, i.e., radiography (XR), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and correlated the imaging findings with those obtained by macroscopic evaluation. Ten young female rabbits of the Norfolk breed were used. Seven rabbits had the right knee immobilized in extension for a period of 12 weeks (immobilized group), and three others did not have a limb immobilized and were maintained under the same conditions (control group). Alterations observed by XR, CT and MRI after the period of immobilization were osteophytes, osteochondral lesions, increase and decrease of joint space, all of them present both in the immobilized and non-immobilized contralateral limbs. However, a significantly higher score was obtained for the immobilized limbs (XT: P = 0.016, CT: P = 0.031, MRI: P = 0.0156). All imaging methods were able to detect osteoarthritis changes after the 12 weeks of immobilization. Macroscopic evaluation identified increased thickening of joint capsule, proliferative and connective tissue in the femoropatellar joint, and irregularities of articular cartilage, especially in immobilized knees. The differences among XR, CT and MRI were not statistically significant for the immobilized knees. However, MRI using a 0.5 Tesla scanner was statistically different from CT and XR for the non-immobilized contralateral knees. We conclude that the three methods detected osteoarthritis lesions in rabbit knees, but MRI was less sensitive than XR and CT in detecting lesions compatible with initial osteoarthritis. Since none of the techniques revealed all the lesions, it is important to use all methods to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Evaluation of Centrifuged Bone Marrow on Bone Regeneration Around Implants in Rabbit Tibia

Objective: To evaluate the bone regeneration of cervical defects produced around titanium implants filled with blood clot and filled with centrifuged bone marrow (CBM) by means of histomorphometric analysis.Materials and Methods: Twelve rabbits received 2 titanium implants in each right tibia, with the upper cortical prepared with a 5-mm drill and the lower cortex with a 3-mm-diameter drill. Euthanasia was performed to allow analysis at 7, 21, and 60 days after operation. The samples were embedded in light curing resin, cut and stained with alizarin red and Stevenel blue for a histomorphometric analysis of the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and the bone area around implant (BA). The values obtained were statistically analyzed using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test (P = 0.05).Results: At 60 days postoperation, the groups had their cervical defects completely filled by neo-formed bone tissue. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding BIC and BA during the analyzed periods.Conclusion: There was no difference in the bone repair of periimplant cervical defects with or without the use of CBM. (Implant Dent 2012;21:481-485)

Histometric Analysis of Bone Repair in Bone-Implant Interface Using a Polylactic/Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer Associated With Implants in Rabbit Tibia

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

Bioglass Associated With Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Rabbit Maxillary Sinus: Histomorphometric, Densitometric, and Fractal Analysis

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of autogenous bone graft (AB) and bioglass (BG) associated or not with leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) in the rabbit maxillary sinus (MS) by histomorphometric and radiographic analysis. Twenty rabbits divided into 2 groups (G1, G2) were submitted to sinus lift surgery. In G1, 10 MS were grafted with AB and 10 MS were grafted with BG. In G2, 10 MS were grafted with AB + LP-PRP and 10 MS were grafted with BG + LP-PRP. After 90 days, the animals were killed and specimens were obtained, x-rayed, and submitted to histomorphometric, radiographic bone density (RD) and fractal dimension analysis. Radiographic bone density mean values (SD), expressed as aluminum equivalent in mm, of AB, BG, AB + LP-PRP, and BG + LP-PRP groups were 1.79 (0.31), 2.04 (0.39), 1.61 (0.28), and 1.53 (0.30), respectively. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between BG and AB, and BG + PRP and BG. Fractal dimension mean values were 1.48 (0.04), 1.35 (0.08), 1.44 (0.04), and 1.44 (0.06), respectively. Significant differences were observed between BG and AB, and AB + LP-PRP and BG. Mean values for the percentage of bone inside MS were 63.30 (8.60), 52.65 (10.41), 55.25 (7.01), and 51.07 (10.25), respectively. No differences were found. No correlations were observed among percentage of bone, RD and FD. Histological analysis showed that MS treated with AB presented mature and new bone formation. The other groups showed minor bone formation. Within the limitations of this study, the results indicated that at a 90-day time end point, AB yielded better results than AB + LP-PRP, BG, and BG + LP-PRP and should be considered the primary material for MS augmentation.

Biological Performance of Chemical Hydroxyapatite Coating Associated With Implant Surface Modification by Laser Beam: Biomechanical Study in Rabbit Tibias

Purpose: Considering the potential of the association between laser ablation and smaller scale hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings to create a stable and bioactive surface on titanium dental implants, the aim of the present study was to determine, by the removal torque test, the effects of a surface treatment created by laser-ablation (Nd:YAG) and, later, thin deposition of HA particles by a chemical process, compared to implants with only laser-ablation and implants with machined surfaces.Materials and Methods: Forty-eight rabbits received I implant by tibia of the following surfaces: machined surface (MS), laser-modified surface (LMS), and biomimetic hydroxiapatite coated surface (HA). After 4, 8, and 12 weeks of healing, the removal torque was measured by a torque gauge. The surfaces studied were analyzed according to their topography, chemical composition, and roughness.Results: Average removal torque in each period was 23.28, 24.0, and 33.85 Ncm to MS, 33.0, 39.87, and 54.57 Ncm to LMS, and 55.42, 63.71 and 64.0 Ncm to HA. The difference was statistically significant (P < .05) between the LMS-MS and HA-MS surfaces in all periods of evaluation, and between LMS-HA to 4 and 8 weeks of healing. The surface characterization showed a deep, rough, and regular topography provided by the laser conditioning, that was followed by the HA coating.Conclusions: Based on these results, it was possible to conclude that the implants with laser surface modification associated with HA biomimetic coating can shorten the implant healing period by the increase of bone implant interaction during the first 2 months after implant placement. (C) 2009 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 67:1706-1715, 2009

The Influence of Calcium Chloride on the Setting Time, Solubility, Disintegration, and pH of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and White Portland Cement with a Radiopacifier

This study evaluated the influence of addition of 10% calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) on the setting time, solubility, disintegration, and pH of white MTA (WMTA) and white Portland cement (WPC). A test of the setting time was performed following the #57 ADA specifications and a test of the final setting time according to the ASTM. For the solubility tests disintegration and pH, Teflon rings were filled with the cements and weighed after setting. After 24 h in a desiccator, they were once again weighed. Thereafter, they were immersed in MiliQ water for 24 and 72 h and 7, 14, and 28 days, with maintenance in the desiccator and weighing between periods. The pH of water in which the rings were immersed was measured immediately after contact with them and in the other periods. The addition of CaCl(2) provided a significant reduction (50%) in the initial setting time of cements. The final setting time of WMTA was reduced in 35.5% and the final setting time of WPC in 68.5%. The WMTA with CaCl(2) absorbed water and gained weight with time, except for in the 24-h period. The addition of CaCl(2) to the WPC reduced its solubility. The addition of CaCl(2) increased the pH of WMTA in the immediate period and at 24 and 72 h and for WPC in the immediate period and at 24 h. The addition of CaCl(2) to WMTA and WPC reduced the setting times and solubility of both and increased the pH of cements in the initial periods. (J Endod 2009;35:550-554)

Skeletal muscles with antagonistic muscular actions: morphological, contractile and metabolic characteristics

The muscles can perform the same function in a specific segment (muscles of fast and slow contraction), and at the same time be antagonistic in relation to muscular action (flexors or extensors). The present research aimed to study the morphology, frequency and metabolism of fiber types and the contractile characteristics of extensor and flexors muscles of rabbit. We studied muscles anterior tibialis (AT), flexor digitorum supeficialis (FDS), extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and posterior tibialis (PT). The muscles were submitted to the techniques HE, NADH-TR and myofibrillar ATPase. In EDL and PT extensor muscles, the frequencies of red (SO + FOG) and white fibers (FG) were 68.77% and 31.23% versus 58.87% and 41.13%, respectively. In the AT and FDS flexor muscles, these frequencies were 75.14% and 24.86% versus 73.89% and 26.11%, respectively. In extensor muscles, the percentage of slow contraction fibers was 8.05% in EDL and 9.74% in PT, and in fast contraction, 91.95% in EDL and 90.26% in PT. In flexors, the slow contraction frequencies were 12.35% in AT and 8.17% in FDS, and in fast contraction, 87.65% and 91.83%, respectively. Skeletal muscles with antagonistic muscular actions (flexors and extensors) the morphological, contractile and metabolic characteristics are identical.