Phenolic compounds in leaves of Alchornea triplinervia: anatomical localization, mutagenicity, and antibacterial activity

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

Species diversity of yeast in oral colonization of insulin-treated diabetes mellitus patients

The aim of this study was to investigate oral yeast colonization, antifungal susceptibility and strain diversity in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients (175), as well as to evaluate the influence of dental prostheses. Oral rinse samples were cultured on selective media, in order to isolate, count and identify the yeasts recovered. More than half of the diabetic subjects (53%) carried significant amounts of Candida cells in the buccal cavity and these organisms were recovered at higher densities in diabetics wearing dentures. A total of 93 yeast strains were isolated from these patients, including: Candida spp. (n = 89); Pichia (n = 02); Trichosporon (n = 1), and Geotrichum (n = 1). C. albicans represented 56% of these strains, non-albicans Candida 39.8%, and other genera of yeast 4.3%. C. albicans was prevalent, followed by C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. rugosa and C. guilliermondii. Agar disk-diffusion tests of the susceptibility of non-albicans Candida and other genera of yeast to fluconazole showed resistance in 21.9%, mainly in C. rugosa (100%), C. glabrata (57%) and C. krusei (50%). Local oral factors, such as the presence of dentures, in association with diabetes, seemed to have the effect of increasing the amount and variety of Candida species in the oral cavities, mainly those with lower drug susceptibilities.

Morphological Features of the Apical Region in the Principal Cells of Mongrel Dog Epididymis

The epithelial principal cells are the predominant cell type of the epididymis. These cells have been shown to be both secretory and endocytic cells. The apical region of the cytoplasm of principal cells in the mongrel dog are located close to the cell apex and tubular lumen, and shown microvilli at the luminal border and present a endocytic apparatus, that consists of coated pits and vesicles, endosomes of varying size, multivesicular bodies, and lysosomes. The endosomes, multivesicular bodies and lysosomes contained the electron-dense patches. These results suggest that principal cells of the epididymis in the dog as possess a highly developed endocytic apparatus play a role in endocytosis. These cells function are similarly to the related in other mammals, in performing endocytosis.

Expressão imuno-histoquímica das proteínas IFN-γ e TGF-β1 em cistos radiculares e cistos dentígeros

Odontogenic cysts are pathologic cavities covered by odontogenic epithelium and filled by liquid, desquamated cells or other materials. The intraosseous lesions, such as radicular cyst and dentigerous cyst, present a potential of expansion capable of promoting the destruction of the surrounding osseous tissue. The mechanisms related to this process of expansion are the proliferation of cystic epithelium, the increase of the osmolarity of the cystic fluid and the synthesis of reabsorption factors such as IFN-γ and TGF-β1. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the immunohistochemical expression of IFN-γ and TGF-β1 between radicular cysts and dentigerous cysts in order to understand the role and behavior of these proteins in the expansion of these cysts. We selected 20 cases of radicular cyst and 20 cases of dentigerous cyst chosen from the files of UFRN s Laboratory of Oral Pathology. After analyzing the clinical data, the cases underwent the routine staining technique (HE) and immunohistochemistry for the appearance of IFN-γ and TGF-β1 in the epithelium and capsule of these cysts. The statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test revealed no statistically significant difference in immunoexpression of IFN-γ between the epithelium (p = 0.565) and capsules (p = 0.414) of radicular cysts and dentigerous cysts. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference of immunoexpression of TGF-β1 between the epithelium (p = 0.620) and capsules (p = 0.056) of radicular cysts and dentigerous cysts. The Wilcoxon test revealed no statistically significant difference between IFN-γ and TGF-β1 imunoexpressions in the epithelium (p = 0.225) and capsules (p = 0.370) of radicular cysts. There was no statistically significant difference between IFN-γ and TGF-β1 imunoexpressions in the epithelium (p = 0.361) of dentigerous cysts. However, there was a statistically significant difference between IFN-γ and TGF-β1 immunoexpressions in the capsule (p = 0.001) of dentigerous cysts, being TGF-β1 the factor which presented the most significant immunoexpression. Given these results, we conclude that there was no difference in immunohistochemical expression of IFN-γ and TGF-β1 between radicular and dentigerous cysts and that TGF-β1 was more significant than the IFN-γ in the capsule of dentigerous cysts

Dinâmica reprodutiva e parasitária de quatro espécies de peixes das águas costeiras do Sudoeste do Oceano Atlântico, Brasil

The present study investigated the reproductive dynamics and parasitism of four species of marine fishes: serra Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus brasiliensis, Atlantic leatherjacks, Oligoplites saurus and O. palometa,, and Atlantic bumper, C. chrysurus, during the period of August, 2005 to July, 2007, in the coastal waters of Southwest Atlantic Ocean, Brazil. The collected fish samples were measured, weighed, dissected, the gonads were weighed and examined to separate the sex. The gonadosomatic index (GSI), fecundity, type of spawning, the breeding season, the macro and microscopic characterization of the gonads were determined. The ectoparasites from the branchial chambers and bucal cavity of the fish were collected, measured, weighed and identified. The sex ratio of the study fish species were approximately 1M:1F, however, there was a predominance of males of O. palometa (3M:2F). The GSI of fishes varied according to their reproductive cycle and the stage of gonadal maturation. The highest values of GSI and the spawning period coincided with the rainy period of the region. The females presented total spawning and the fecundity was positively correlated with the weight of the ovary and the body. Four stages of development of the gonads immature, maturing, mature and spent were identified macroscopically and histological analyses of ovaries revealed the different phases of oocyte development. Three species of isopod parasites were identified in the study fishes: Livoneca redmmanni, Rocinela signata and Cimothoa spinipalpa. The first two species occurred in the branchial cavities of C. chrysurus and S. brasiliensis. The isopod C.spinipalpa (a new species) was registered for the first time in the bucal cavity of O. saurus and O. palometa. The parasitic isopods preferred the branchial chambers and the bucal cavity of the host fishes as these were protected microhabitats. The isopods parasitized the immature, maturing and mature fishes. The prevalence of infection of isopods in the hosts varied from 16 to 21%, though in O. palometa it was 60%. In the rainy period the highest isopod parasitic occurrence was registered, however, this did not prejudice the normal reproductive cycle of the host fish.

Influência do estado nutricional materno em vitamina A sobre os níveis de imunoglobulina A no colostro humano

Mothers with good vitamin A nutritional status during gestation and lactation are better able to nourish and protect their infant with maternal milk. Our hypothesis is that women with more serum retinol have more retinol and secretory immunoglobulin A in colostrum. 190 healthy puerperal women from a Brazilian public maternity were recruited and divided according to the cutoff point for serum retinol (30 μg/dL). A number of the women was supplemented with 200000 UI (60 mg) of retinyl palmitate in the immediate postpartum. Serum and colostrum were collected on the 1st day postpartum and colostrum again on the following day. Retinol (serum and colostrum) was analyzed by HPLC and SIgA (colostrum) by turbidimetry. The mothers presented with adequate biochemical indicators of nutritional status, according to serum retinol (44.6 μg/dL). There were significant differences (p= 0.0017 and p= 0.043, respectively) in retinol and SIgA levels in the colostrum of mothers with serum retinol > 30 μg/dL and < 30 μg/dL. The concentration of SIgA in the colostrum of non-supplemented mothers on the 1st day postpartum was 822.6 mg/dL, decreasing after 24 hours to 343.7 mg/dL. Supplemented mothers showed levels of SIgA in colostrum of 498.9 mg/dL on the 2nd day postpartum (p= 0.00006). The colostrum of women with good vitamin A nutritional status had more retinol and SIgA. Additionally, maternal supplementation increases the levels of SIgA in colostrum. The higher levels of SIgA on the 1st day postpartum showed the importance of early breastfeeding, given that it provides considerable immunological benefits to newborn infants

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of aluminium alloys after corrosion testing

The 2024 and 7050 aluminium alloys used as aircraft components were subjected to laboratory corrosion tests in sodium chloride solution, Light-microscope examinations make it possible to characterise morphological aspects of the localised corrosion. Image analysis was used to determine both depth and width of pits over corroded surfaces. It has been concluded that the annealing could reduce the pit growth in both alloys, by means of grains recrystallization or recovery. The 2024 alloy also tends to present an exfoliation mechanism, mainly throughout non-recrystallized and recrystallized grain boundaries, increasing the width and sustaining the depth of pit cavities during exposition to saline atmosphere. SEM and EDS analysis reveal the morphology and elemental distribution of the corrosion products formed after immersion corrosion test. Some of these products were identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. For 2024, Al(OH)(3), MS(OH)(2) and Cu2O were found. AI(OH)(3) and Cu2O were also found in 7050 samples.

Extraocular muscle fixation to porous polyethylene orbital implants using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Direct effects of colchicine on myocardial function - Studies in hypertrophied and failing spontaneously hypertensive rats

The aging spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is a model in which the transition from chronic stable left ventricular hypertrophy to overt heart failure can be observed. Although the mechanisms for impaired function in hypertrophied and failing cardiac muscle from the SHR have been studied, none accounts fully for the myocardial contractile abnormalities. The cardiac cytoskeleton has been implicated as a possible cause for myocardial dysfunction. If an increase in microtubules contributes to dysfunction, then myocardial microtubule disruption by colchicine should promote an improvement in cardiac performance. We studied the active and passive properties of isolated left ventricular papillary muscles from 18- to 24-month-old SHR with evidence of heart failure (SHR-F, n=6), age-matched SHR without heart failure (SHR-NF, n=6), and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n=5). Mechanical parameters were analyzed before and up to 90 minutes after the addition of colchicine (10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) mol/L). In the baseline state, active tension (AT) developed by papillary muscles from the WKY group was greater than for SHR-NF and SHR-F groups (WKY 5.69+/-1.47 g/mm(2) [mean+/-SD], SHR-NF 3.41+/-1.05, SHR-F 2.87+/-0.26; SHR-NF and SHR-F P<0.05 versus WKY rats). The passive stiffness was greater in SHR-F than in the WKY and SHR-NF groups (central segment exponential stiffness constant, K-cs: SHR-F 70+/-25, SHR-NF 44+/-17, WKY 41+/-13 [mean+/-SD]; SHR-F P<0.05 versus; SHR-NF and WKY rats). AT did not improve after 10, 20, and 30 minutes of exposure to colchicine (10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) mol/L) in any group. In the SHR-F group, AT and passive stiffness did not change after 30 to 90 minutes of colchicine exposure (10(-4) mol/L). In summary, the data in this study fail to demonstrate improvement of intrinsic muscle function in SHR with heart failure after colchicine. Thus, in the SHR there is no evidence that colchicine-induced cardiac microtubular depolymerization affects the active or passive properties of hypertrophied or failing left ventricular myocardium.

Microbiological evaluation of different strategies for management of snakes in captivity

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Loss of vision secondary to obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report

Objective: To report a rare case of self-inflicted eye injury secondary to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Method: Case report.Results: A 41 year-old patient had significant bilateral visual loss and blunt trauma through touching his ocular cavities due to recurrent doubts regarding their shape and urges to check the format of bones and cartilages. Differential diagnosis with tic disorders is discussed, and the patient's treatment approach is described.Conclusion: Although rare, severe clinical complications can occur in OCD. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

O uso de implantes orbitários de polietileno granulado de ultra-alto peso molecular no reparo de cavidades anoftálmicas

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

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

Implantes de polietileno gel e poroso em cavidade anoftálmica de coelhos

OBJETIVO: Comparar implantes de polietileno poroso no estado sólido e gel em cavidades enucleadas. MÉTODOS: Trinta e seis coelhos albinos foram submetidos à enucleação do olho direito, recebendo esferas de polietileno poroso (18 animais) ou gel (18 animais), de 12 mm de diâmetro. Os animais foram avaliados semanalmente por exame clínico e mensalmente por ultra-sonografia modo B, realizada 30, 60 e 90 dias após a cirurgia, tendo sido os animais sacrificados aos 90 dias. Após o sacrifício, o conteúdo orbitário foi removido e examinado histologicamente. RESULTADOS: Cinco animais (27,2%) que receberam os implantes de polietileno poroso tiveram extrusão do implante. Houve extrusão em 94,4% dos animais que receberam a esfera de polietileno gel, tendo-se observado que o diâmetro das esferas gel extruídas encontrava-se aumentado em relação ao diâmetro da esfera implantada. A ultra-sonografia mostrou que o implante de polietileno poroso se vascularizou e que o gel não, o que foi confirmado pelo exame histológico. CONCLUSÃO: Esferas de polietileno no estado gel sofrem hidratação e aumentam de volume, sendo necessário conhecer o seu tamanho final antes da implantação. A ultra-sonografia permite conhecer a vascularização do implante, podendo ser usada na avaliação da integração esfera-hospedeiro.

Estudo comparativo entre as esferas de silicone gelatinosas e rígidas em cavidade eviscerada de coelho

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar a biocompatibilidade de esferas de silicone gelatinosas e rígidas em cavidades evisceradas de coelhos. MÉTODOS: Trinta coelhos tiveram o olho direito eviscerado com implantação de esferas de silicone gelatinosas (Grupo I) ou rígidas (Grupo II). Foi realizada avaliação clínica diária, ultrassonografia da cavidade orbitária, análise histológica e morfométrica da pseudocápsula que se formou ao redor dos implantes aos 7, 30 e 90 dias após a cirurgia, com avaliação estatística dos resultados. RESULTADOS: Houve boa integração das esferas com os tecidos orbitários e semelhança de resposta tecidual com ambas as esferas. Duas esferas de silicone gelatinosas e uma rígida extruíram. A pseudocápsula que se formou ao redor das esferas gelatinosas foi mais organizada, com espessura e reação inflamatória menores que a observada nas esferas rígidas. CONCLUSÕES: Esferas de silicone gelatinosas e rígidas tiveram boa integração tecidual em cavidades evisceradas de coelhos.