Biomechanical corneal changes induced by different flap thickness created by femtosecond laser

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the creation of corneal flaps at different thicknesses on the biomechanical properties of swine corneas. METHOD: Twelve swine eyes were obtained to form two groups: 100 μm flap thickness and 300 μm flap thickness. Each eye was submitted to the following examinations: raster topography to investigate corneal curvature alterations, ocular response analyzer to investigate corneal hysteresis change, optical coherence tomography to measure central corneal and flap thickness and sonic wave propagation velocity as a measure of stiffness, before and immediately after flap creation. After flap amputation, surface wave velocity measurements were repeated. RESULTS: Measured flap thicknesses were statistically different for thin and thick flap groups, with an average of 108.5 + 6.9 and 307.8 + 11.5 μm respectively. Hysteresis and corneal resistance factor did not change significantly after flap creation in the thin flap group. With thicker flaps, both parameters decreased significantly from 8.0 +1.0 to 5.1 +1.5 mmHg and from 8.2 + 1.6 to 4.1 +2.5 mmHg respectively. Simulated keratometry values increased in the thick flap group (from 39.5 + 1 D to 45.9+1.2 D) after flap creation but not in the thin flap group (from 40.6 + 0.6 D to 41.4+ 1.0 D). Regarding surface wave velocity analysis, the surgical procedures induced statistically lower results in some positions. CONCLUSION: In the experimental conditions established by this model, thicker flaps presented a greater biomechanical impact on the cornea.National Institutes of Health (NIH)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Exact closed form analytical solutions for vibrating cavities

For one-dimensional vibrating cavity systems appearing in the standard illustration of the dynamical Casimir effect, we propose an approach to the construction of exact closed-form solutions. As new results, we obtain solutions that are given for arbitrary frequencies, amplitudes and time regions. In a broad range of parameters, a vibrating cavity model exhibits the general property of exponential instability. Marginal behavior of the system manifests in a power-like growth of radiated energy.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure

Structurally Related Monoterpenes p-Cymene, Carvacrol and Thymol Isolated from Essential Oil from Leaves of Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) Protect Mice against Elastase-Induced Emphysema

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction and inflammation. Natural products, such as monoterpenes, displayed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities and can be used as a source of new compounds to COPD treatment. Our aim was to evaluate, in an elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice, the effects of and underlying mechanisms of three related natural monoterpenes (p-cymene, carvacrol and thymol) isolated from essential oil from leaves Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae). Methods: Mices received porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and were treated with p-cymene, carvacrol, thymol or vehicle 30 min later and again on 7th, 14th and 28th days. Lung inflammatory profile and histological sections were evaluated. Results: In the elastase-instilled animals, the tested monoterpenes reduced alveolar enlargement, macrophages and the levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and collagen fibers, MMP-9 and p-65-NF-kappa B-positive cells in lung parenchyma (p < 0.05). All treatments attenuated levels of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha but only thymol was able to reduced exhaled nitric oxide (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Monoterpenes p-cymene, carvacrol and thymol reduced lung emphysema and inflammation in mice. No significant differences among the three monoterpenes treatments were found, suggesting that the presence of hydroxyl group in the molecular structure of thymol and carvacrol do not play a central role in the anti-inflammatory effects.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Laboratorio de Investigacao Medica, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, University of Sao Paulo (LIM)Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, BR-09913030 Diadema, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Med, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Exact Sci & Earth, BR-09913030 Diadema, BrazilFed Univ ABC, Ctr Nat Sci & Humanities, BR-09606045 Santo Andre, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biosci, Campus Baixada Santista, BR-11015020 Santos, SP, BrazilDepartment of Biological Science, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, BrazilDepartment of Exact Science and Earth, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, BrazilDepartment of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista, Santos 11015-020, SP, BrazilCNPq: 300546/2012-2CNPq: 304465/2012-7CNPq: 476877/2012-1CNPq: 306278/2015-4FAPESP: 2011/51739-0FAPESP: 2013/02881-4FAPESP: 2008/55359-5FAPESP: 2015/11936-2FAPESP: 2014/25689-4LIM: LIM20Web of Scienc

Antibacterial Activity of Root-end Filling Materials

Svrha istraživanja bila je ocijeniti i usporediti antibakterijsku učinkovitost pet retrogradnih punila korijenskih kanala. Materijal i metode: Metodom difuzije u agru ocijenjena je zona inhibicije bakterijskog rasta na podlozi pet retrogradnih punila korijenskih kanala: Pro Root MTA, cementa Portland, Super-EBA, IRM-a, Sealera 26 te amalgama. Za ciljane mikroorganizme bilo je odabrano pet anaeroba (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Parvimonas micra, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Propionibacterium acnes i Eubacterium saburreum) te dva fakultativna (Actinomyces viscosus i Enterococcus faecalis). Rezultati: Sealer 26 postigao je najveću inhibiciju rasta. Punila IRM i Super-EBA spriječila su rast samo Porphyromonas gingivalis, ali učinak je bio znatno slabiji u usporedbi s djelovanjem Sealera 26. Kao neučinkovita antibakterijska sredstva pokazali su se MTA, cement Portland i amalgam. Zaključak: Rezultati istraživanja potvrdili su da Sealer 26 ima najjače antibakterijsko djelovanje u usporedbi s ostalim često upotrebljavanim apikalnim punilima korijenskih kanala.Purpose: The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the antibacterial effectiveness of five root-end filling materials. Material and methods: The agar diffusion method was employed to evaluate the inhibition zone provided by the following root-end filling materials: Pro Root MTA, Portland cement, Super-EBA, IRM, Sealer 26, and silver amalgam. The target microorganisms included five anaerobic bacterial species (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Parvimonas micra, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Propionibacterium acnes and Eubacterium saburreum) and two facultative bacterial species (Actinomyces viscosus and Enterococcus faecalis). Results: Sealer 26 demonstrated the largest inhibitory effects on all species tested. IRM and Super-EBA were inhibitory only to P. gingivalis, but this effect was far less pronounced as compared to Sealer 26. MTA, Portland cement, and amalgam proved ineffective against all species tested. Conclusion: These findings revealed that Sealer 26 has more pronounced antibacterial effects when compared to other commonly used root-end filling materials

Antibacterial Activity of Root-end Filling Materials

Svrha istraživanja bila je ocijeniti i usporediti antibakterijsku učinkovitost pet retrogradnih punila korijenskih kanala. Materijal i metode: Metodom difuzije u agru ocijenjena je zona inhibicije bakterijskog rasta na podlozi pet retrogradnih punila korijenskih kanala: Pro Root MTA, cementa Portland, Super-EBA, IRM-a, Sealera 26 te amalgama. Za ciljane mikroorganizme bilo je odabrano pet anaeroba (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Parvimonas micra, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Propionibacterium acnes i Eubacterium saburreum) te dva fakultativna (Actinomyces viscosus i Enterococcus faecalis). Rezultati: Sealer 26 postigao je najveću inhibiciju rasta. Punila IRM i Super-EBA spriječila su rast samo Porphyromonas gingivalis, ali učinak je bio znatno slabiji u usporedbi s djelovanjem Sealera 26. Kao neučinkovita antibakterijska sredstva pokazali su se MTA, cement Portland i amalgam. Zaključak: Rezultati istraživanja potvrdili su da Sealer 26 ima najjače antibakterijsko djelovanje u usporedbi s ostalim često upotrebljavanim apikalnim punilima korijenskih kanala.Purpose: The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the antibacterial effectiveness of five root-end filling materials. Material and methods: The agar diffusion method was employed to evaluate the inhibition zone provided by the following root-end filling materials: Pro Root MTA, Portland cement, Super-EBA, IRM, Sealer 26, and silver amalgam. The target microorganisms included five anaerobic bacterial species (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Parvimonas micra, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Propionibacterium acnes and Eubacterium saburreum) and two facultative bacterial species (Actinomyces viscosus and Enterococcus faecalis). Results: Sealer 26 demonstrated the largest inhibitory effects on all species tested. IRM and Super-EBA were inhibitory only to P. gingivalis, but this effect was far less pronounced as compared to Sealer 26. MTA, Portland cement, and amalgam proved ineffective against all species tested. Conclusion: These findings revealed that Sealer 26 has more pronounced antibacterial effects when compared to other commonly used root-end filling materials

Presença de Aedes aegypti em Bromeliaceae e depósitos com plantas no Município do Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Relata-se a freqüência de vegetais Bromeliaceae e de outros criadouros com plantas positivos para Aedes aegypti durante dois ciclos operacionais (tratamento focal) consecutivos no Município do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, cujos períodos foram de 12 de novembro de 2000 a 9 de março de 2001 e 12 de março de 2001 a 15 de junho de 2001. O trabalho destaca as implicações epidemiológicas oriundas da crescente utilização dessas plantas para fins decorativos.The frequency of Bromeliaceae and other plant breeding places where Aedes aegypti can be found is reported during two consecutive operational cycles (focal treatment) in the city of Rio de Janeiro. These cycles took place from November 12 2000 to March 9 2001 and from March 12 2001 to June 15 2001. This study concentrates on the epidemiological implications resulting from the growing use of these plants as decorative living objects