Frugivory on Margaritaria nobilis L.f. (Euphorbiaceae): poor investment and mimetism.

Dehiscent fruits of Euphorbiaceae usually have two stages of seed dispersal, autochory followed by myrmecochory. Two stages of Margaritaria nobilis seed dispersal were described, the first stage autochoric followed by ornithocoric. Their dehiscent fruits are green and after they detached from the tree crown and fall on the ground, they open and expose blue metallic cocas. We studied the seed dispersal system of Margaritaria nobilis in a semi-deciduous forest in Brazil. In 80 h of focal observations, we recorded only 12 visits of frugivores, however the thrush Turdus leucomelas was the only frugivore that swallowed the fruits on the tree crown. Pitylus fuliginosus (Fringilidae) and Pionus maximiliani (Psittacidae) were mainly pulp eaters, dropping the seeds below the tree. on the forest floor, after fruits dehiscence, jays (Cyanocorax chrysops), guans (Penelope superciliaris), doves (Geotrygon montana) and collared-peccaries (Pecari tajacu) were observed eating the blue diaspores of M. nobilis. Experiments in captivity showed that scaly-headed parrots (Pionus maximiliani), toco toucans (Ramphastos toco), jays (Cyanochorax chrysops), and guans (Penelope superciliaris) consumed the fruits and did not prey on the seeds before consumption. The seeds collected from the feces did not germinate in spite of the high viability. The two stages of seed dispersal in M. nobilis resembles the dispersal strategies of some mimetic species. However M. nobilis seeds are associated with an endocarp, it showed low investment in nutrients, and consistent with this hypothesis, M. nobilis shared important characteristics with mimetic fruits, such as bright color display, long seed dormancy and protection by secondary compounds.

Morfoanatomia e ontogênese do pericarpo de Manihot caerulescens Pohl e M. tripartita Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

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

Implante lobar autólogo pós pneumonectomia: modelo experimental em cães

OBJETIVO: Estudar no implante lobar autólogo a eficiência da anastomose brônquica simples, a perfusão pulmonar e as complicações devido a desproporção doador/receptor. MÉTODOS: Estudou-se 15 cães submetidos à pneumonectomia esquerda, e reimplante do lobo caudal. Estudou-se a perfusão pulmonar e a anastomose brônquica, respectivamente, por cintilografia e por broncografia. O sacrifício ocorreu aproximadamente 200 dias após a cirurgia para o estudo das anastomoses e medidas de volumes e pesos pulmonares. RESULTADOS: Quatro cães foram a óbito, um por deiscência precoce de anastomose brônquica, 1 com infecção e outros 2 por infarto pulmonar devido a oclusão da veia pulmonar no local da anastomose. A perfusão relativa do pulmão direito e esquerdo foram em média respectivamente 72,7% e 27,3%. A broncografia não mostrou nem estenose nem outras alterações na anastomose brônquica. No momento do sacrifício o lobo caudal ocupava totalmente a cavidade pleural sem que houvesse evidentes desvios do mediastino. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo mostrou que a sutura brônquica término-terminal desprotegida não levou a complicações anastomóticas. Não houve complicações pelo fato do lobo implantado ter ocupado somente metade da cavidade pleural. As complicações mais importantes foram o infarto pulmonar e deiscência total da parede torácica. Tanto a broncografia como a cintilografia se mostraram eficientes respectivamente, para o estudo da anastomose brônquica e da perfusão relativa do pulmão funcionante in vivo.

Evaluation of polymethylmethacrylate as ocular implant in rabbits subjected to evisceration

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of a double-setting alpha-tricalcium phosphate cement in eviscerated rabbit eyes

Purpose: To evaluate the macroscopy, microstructure, and tissue reaction of a double-setting a-tricalcium phosphate bone cement used as an intraocular implant in rabbits.Methods: the internal and external surface of the double-setting a-tricalcium phosphate implant was analyzed macroscopically and by scanning electron microscopy. Twelve New Zealand rabbits received 12-mm implants made of double-setting alpha-tricalcium phosphate cement after unilateral evisceration. Clinical evaluation was performed daily for the first 15 days after surgery and at 15-day intervals until the end of the study period. For histopathologic analysis, 3 animals per experimental period were submitted to enucleation at 15, 45, 90, and 180 days.Results: on gross inspection, the external surface of the implant was solid, smooth, and compact. The microarchitecture was characterized by the formation of columns of hexagonal crystals with interconnecting channels forming micropores. No wound dehiscence, signs of infection, or implant extrusion were observed in any animal throughout the study period. Histologic examination revealed the formation of fibrovascular tissue surrounding the implants, and there were signs of minimal integration of the surface limiting the fibrocellular cap with the space previously occupied by the implant.Conclusions: the double-setting alpha-tricalcium phosphate implant behaved as an inert and nonintegratable material. The lack of incorporation of this material by fibrovascular tissue is related to its characteristics of compactness and high resistance.

Bone regeneration at implants placed into extraction sockets of maxillary incisors in dogs

AimTo compare the influence of autologous or deproteinized bovine bone mineral as grafting material on healing of buccal dehiscence defects at implants installed immediately into the maxillary second incisor extraction socket in dogs.Material and methodsIn the maxillary second incisor sockets of 12 Labrador dogs, implants were installed immediately following tooth extraction. A standardized buccal defect was created and autologous bone particles or deproteinized bovine bone mineral were used to fill the defects. A collagen membrane was placed to cover the graft material, and the flaps were sutured to fully submerge the experimental areas. Six animals were sacrificed after 2 months, and six after 4 months of healing. Ground sections were obtained for histological evaluation.ResultsAfter 2 months of healing, all implants were osseointegrated. All buccal dehiscence defects were completely filled after 2 months irrespective of the augmentation material (autologous bone or Bio-Oss (R)) applied. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) on the denuded implant surfaces was within a normal range of 30-40%. However, the newly formed tissue at 2 months was partially resorbed (> 50% of the area measurements) after 4 months.ConclusionsApplying either autologous bone or deproteinized bovine bone mineral to dehiscences at implants installed immediately into extraction sockets resulted in high degree of regeneration of the defects with satisfactory BIC on the denuded implant surface.To cite this article:De Santis E, Botticelli D, Pantani F, Pereira FP, Beolchini M, Lang NP. Bone regeneration at implants placed into extraction sockets of maxillary incisors in dogs.Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22, 2011; 430-437.

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

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A new interpretation of the defense glands of neotropical Ruptitermes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae)

Suicidal altruism has been reported for some species of eusocial insects, in which the individual dies in defense of the society. The termites of the genus Ruptitermes are known for the suicidal behavior of the workers which liberate a sticky defensive secretion by body bursting. In the present paper it is given a new interpretation of the defense glands of Neotropical Ruptitermes based on the morphological analysis of three species collected at Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. Before the current study, the suicidal defensive behavior was attributed to the dehiscence of the salivary gland reservoirs. The defense or dehiscent glands of Neotropical Ruptitermes are pair structures rounded in shape that are independent of the salivary glands. The dehiscent glands consist of multiple secretory units that are kept together by thin connective tissue. Each secretory unit is composed of one cell generally with one peripheral nucleus and characteristic secretion. The three species studied here present some histological differences in the secretory units, probably related to the chemical composition of the secretion.

Extrusão dos implantes em portadores de cavidade anoftálmica

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of patients with anophthalmic cavity who developed sphere extrusion. Methods: A retrospective observational study was done evaluating 37 patients with anophthalmic cavity and sphere extrusion at the Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu-UNESP. Results: Extrusion was observed in enucleated and eviscerated cavities. The majority of the patients had the eye removed because of phthisis bulbi or trauma and the extrusion happened 1 or 2 years after the surgery. Extrusion was preceded by conjunctival dehiscence and exposure of the sphere and occurred with all used implants. Conclusion: Complications after orbital implant placement are a possibility. Dehiscence and sphere extrusion may happen and another surgery would be necessary. The patient and the ophthalmologist have to be prepared for this.

Physiological maturity of Cnidosculus quercifolius Pax & K. Hoffm. seeds

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

Postharvest characteristics and treatments to overcome latex exuded from cut flowers of lotus

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is a perennial herbaceous aquatic ornamental plant with potential to be used as a new cut flower for the Brazilian ornamental market. It shows exotic and attractive flowers and has a strong market appeal, once it is known as a symbol of purity, holiness and immortality. However, flowers have a short-vase life. Lotus flower stem exudes a large quantity of sticky milky sap from the cut surface, which is produced in laticifers, spatially associated with both xylem and phloem. It has been reported that latex coagulates on the cut surface preventing or reducing water absorption and reducing flowers' vaselife, requiring treatments to stop the flow of latex. The objective of this study was to report observations of lotus postharvest characteristics and evaluate treatments to overcome latex flow. The experiment was conducted as a complete randomized design with three replications of four stems in each vase and eight treatments; a control (distilled water), pretreatment of cut stem-ends with hot water (40° C/1 minute), boiling water (3 seconds), isopropyl alcohol 90% (10 minutes) or citric acid (pH = 2.8/1h) and, maintenance of stems in a holding solution of Tween® 20 (0.01%), citric acid (200 mg L-1) or Tween® 20 (0.01%) plus citric acid (200 mg L-1). Treatments had no significant effect on flowers vaselife which was only about three days, although isopropyl alcohol, hot and boiling water completely stopped latex flow. Cut stem-ends pretreated with citric acid (pH = 2.8/1 h) showed a significantly higher relative water content of petals compared to others treatments. The senescence symptom of lotus cut flowers was mainly characterized by abscission of turgid petals and dehiscence of stamens without any visual change of petal color and brightness.

Vasectomia no sistema público de saúde: Características dos candidatos e variáveis associadas

Objective: This study aimed to characterize candidates undergo vasectomy in the public health system, Araçatuba- SP and to study related variables. Methods: We surveyed 300 medical patients and vasectomized contacted by telephone to assess several characteristics. The variables analyzed for the study were age, marital status, education, religion, monthly family income and per capita, number of living children, reason for seeking treatment method, contraceptive use, marital relationship quality, decision time (date of intent to perform the procedure) and not because of the procedure. Data were pooled for the analysis of results. Results: The age of the candidates ranged from 23 to 65 years (mean 36.86 years) and average 2.56 living sons. The average monthly family income was R$ 1.079,15, with average per capita income of R$ 249,07. The couple's contraception before the procedure was on account of the woman who used oral anti-conception (84%). The complication rate with the method was around 6.04%, the biggest complication was dehiscence (77.7% of cases of complications), these being mainly during the first 100 cases. Conclusion: Vasectomy is a very effective contraceptive method, with low complication rate and low cost, should be encouraged by the public health system as a means of family planning policy.

Aspectos clínicos do enxerto conjuntival 360° e do implante da membrana amniótica criopreservada no tratamento de úlceras de córnea em cães

To evaluate the clinical application of implant of the canine cryopreserved amniotic membrane (DMEM plus DMSO 1:1) and 360° conjunctival flap in the treatment of progressive corneal ulceration. 10 dogs of the different breeds, males and females, aging four months to four years old with deep corneal ulceration and different clinical progression were divided in two groups: G1=360° conjunctival graft (n=5) and G2=implant of amniotic membrane, sutured at the edge of the ulcer with epithelial side facing up, associated with the third eyelid flap (n=5). The comparative analysis between groups was: complications, blepharospasm, ocular secretion, corneal vascularization, epithelial defect and corneal opacification in six moments (first emergency care, surgery and 3, 7, 15 and 30 days of postoperative). Without epithelial defect was evaluated quality of the scar. It was used score scale for subjective to qualify of the ocular signs. In G1, it was observed the non-adherence of the conjunctival graft to the ulcer (n=2), dehiscence of the suture (n=2), anterior synechia (n=2) and intense chemosis (n=1). In G2, it was not observed these complications. It was not significant difference between the groups to others ocular parameters, but it was different among the start and end moments of the same groups (ocular secretion, corneal vascularization, epithelial defect). The corneal opacity was more intense in G1. According to the clinical results, the cryopreserved amniotic membrane implant proved to be as effective in the corneal ulceration in comparison to the 360° conjunctival flap, because probably, the membrane promoted a trophic support for epithelialization, anti-inflamatory effect associated with important to the end result phenotype.

Efeito da corrente elétrica contínua isolada e da iontoforese transdermal, associada ao zinco, sobre a resistência mecânica e o conteúdo de hidroxiprolina de cicatrizes realizadas na pele de ratos diabéticos aloxânicos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Implante da membrana amniótica criopreservada em associação ou não com transplante de limbo no tratamento de úlceras profundas de córnea em cães

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)