Implants of polyanionic collagen matrix in bone defects of ovariectomized rats

In recent years, there has been a great interest in the development of biomaterials that could be used in the repair of bone defects. Collagen matrix (CM) has the advantage that it can be modified chemically to improve its mechanical properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of three-dimensional membranes of native or anionic (submitted to alkaline treatment for 48 or 96 h) collagen matrix on the consolidation of osteoporosis bone fractures resulting from the gonadal hormone alterations caused by ovariectomy in rats subjected to hormone replacement therapy. The animals received the implants 4 months after ovariectomy and were sacrificed 8 weeks after implantation of the membranes into 4-mm wide bone defects created in the distal third of the femur with a surgical bur. Macroscopic analysis revealed the absence of pathological alterations in the implanted areas, suggesting that the material was biocompatible. Microscopic analysis showed a lower amount of bone ingrowth in the areas receiving the native membrane compared to the bone defects filled with the anionic membranes. In ovariectomized animals receiving anionic membranes, a delay in bone regeneration was observed mainly in animals not subjected to hormone replacement therapy. We conclude that anionic membranes treated with alkaline solution for 48 and 96 h presented better results in terms of bone ingrowth1913411348sem informaçãosem informaçã

Morphological characterization of a human glioma cell l ine

A human malignant continuous cell line, named NG97, was recently established in our laboratory. This cell line has been serially subcultured over 100 times in standard culture media presenting no sign of cell senescence. The NG97 cell line has a doubling time of about 24 h. Immunocytochemical analysis of glial markers demonstrated that cells are positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein, and negative for vimentin. Under phase-contrast microscope, cultures of NG97 showed cells with variable morphological features, such as small rounded cells, fusiform cells (fibroblastic-like cells), and dendritic-like cells. However, at confluence just small rounded and fusiform cells can be observed. At scanning electron microscopy (SEM) small rounded cells showed heterogeneous microextentions, including blebs and filopodia. Dendritic-like cells were flat and presented extensive prolongations, making several contacts with small rounded cells, while fusiform cells presented their surfaces dominated by microvilli. We believe that the knowledge about NG97 cell line may be useful for a deeper understanding of biological and immunological characteristics of gliomas

RATOS ESPONTANEAMENTE HIPERTENSOS E NEUROPATIAS PERIFÉRICAS

Modelo do Estudo: O presente estudo é uma revisão de literatura sobre o modelo de hipertensão espontânea e as conseqüências da hipertensão para o sistema nervoso periférico, somático e autonômico. Importância do problema: Hipertensão é o principal fator de risco para acidente vascular cerebral e demência vascular, por causar importantes mudanças cerebrovasculares, tornando o cérebro propenso a infartos, microaneurismas e isquemias. As principais mudanças causadas no sistema nervoso central (SNC) pela hipertensão, incluem: diminuição do volume cerebral, aumento no volume dos ventrículos e perda neuronal. Além das alterações no cérebro, a hipertens ão causa outros danos que culminam em uma série de alterações patológicas renais e outras doenças, as quais sustentam a elevação da pressão arterial, aumento da freqüência cardíaca, e aumento da resistência vascular periférica. O rato espontaneamente hipertenso (SHR) é reconhecido como um excelente modelo de hipertensão experimental e pode servir como modelo de estudos clínicos da hipertensão essencial humana. Embora esse modelo tenha sido bastante explorado em termos fisiológicos, estudos morfológicos, quando presentes, se limitam aos vasos. Mesmo quando nervos periféricos foram estudados morfologicamente nesses animais, os vasos epineurais, perineurais e endoneurais foram o alvo do estudo. Raros são os estudos que envolvem as fibras nervosas nesse modelo de hipertensão. Comentários: Recentemente, estudamos as alterações do nervo depressor aórtico (NDA) em SHR. Nossos resultados mostraram redução do tamanho das fibras mielínicas e redução do tamanho e número das fibras amielínicas, comparados aos controles normotensos da linhagem Wistar-Kyoto. Outro estudo recente do nosso laboratório mostrou que, embora os níveis pressóricos dos SHR machos, bem como a freqüência cardíaca, sejam muito superiores aos das fêmeas, não há diferença morfológica nos nervos vagos cervicais entre SHR machos e fêmeas. Ainda, fazemos uma descrição morfológica e morfométrica do nervo sural de SHR, fornecendo parâmetros morfológicos para posteriores estudos funcionais.    Type of the study: The present study is a literature review about the spontaneous hypertension animal model, and the consequences of the hypertension to the peripheral nervous system, somatic and autonomic. Importance of the topic: Hypertension is the main risk factor to stroke and vascular dementia, due to important cerebrovascular changes that may lead to cerebral microaneurysms, infarction and acute ischemia. The main central nervous system changes due to hypertension are the reduction of the cerebral volume, increase of the ventricles volume and loss of neurons. Moreover, hypertension causes renal alterations and other pathologies that might sustain the high blood pressure, the tachycardia and the elevation of the peripheral vascular resistance. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is recognized as an excellent model of the human essential hypertension. Nevertheless, despite that this animal model has been widely explored in terms ofphysiological studies, morphological studies, when available, are limited to the vessels. Even when periphera  nerves are being explored, the epineural, perineural and endoneural vessels are the subject of the studies. Information on the alterations of the myelinated and unmyelinated fibers in this model of hypertension is scanty. Comments: Recently, we studied the morphology and morphometry of the aortic depressor nerve (ADN) in SHR and our results have demonstrated a reduction of the myelinated fibers size and a reduction of the number and size of the unmyelinated fibers, compared to the normotensive controls Wistar-Kyoto. Another recent study from our laboratory showed that, despite the significantly higher blood pressure and heart rate on male SHR, compared to female SHR, there are no morphological differences on the vagus nerves between males and females. Also, we have described the morphological and morphometric characteristics of the sural nerve in SHR, thus providing morphological background for further functional studies.   

Emprego do torniquete de rommel modificado na oclusão temporária dos vasos renais, em nefrectomia parcial laparoscópica em suínos

O artigo não apresenta resumo

<body> <font color="#009900"> <b>Cultura de osteoblastos sobre membranas de colágeno polianiônico: avaliação preliminar do potencial de indução da formação de tecido ósseo visando reparação tecidual</b></body>

Atualmente, observa-se a alta de incidência de lesões provocadas por traumas e choques mecânicos causados por diferentes fatores, caracterizadas principalmente pelas fraturas ósseas. Desta maneira, existe um interesse no desenvolvimento de biomateriais que possam ser utilizados como implantes no do tecido ósseo, e que atuem como indutores do processo de reparação óssea. Matrizes extracelulares tridimensionais compostas de colágeno apresentam a vantagem de poder ser modificadas em suas propriedades mecânicas e fisiológicas por métodos físicos ou químicos, resultando em matrizes carregadas positivo ou negativamente. O presente trabalho visa avaliar a capacidade das membranas tridimensionais de colágeno polianiônico e nativo no processo de consolidação de fraturas com perda de massa óssea. Utilizamos osteoblastos cultivados sobre esses biomateriais antes do implante no crânio de ratos linhagem Rowett nude. Observamos que os osteoblastos cultivados sobre o colágeno polianiônico foram capazes de formar tecido semelhante ao ósseo nas membranas e preencher a área lesada nos implantes realizados nos animais. Concluímos que as membranas de colágeno polianiônico são uma alternativa viável para a reconstrução tecidual e engenharia de tecidos. Palavras chave: Colágeno polianiônico, regeneração tecidual, cultura de células, osteoblastos, tecido ósseo. ABSTRACTAt present, There are a high of incidence of wounds promoted by traumas and mechanical shocks caused by different factors, characterized mainly by bone fractures. Of this way, exist an interest in the development of biomaterials that can be used as implants in bone tissue for bone repair. Three-dimensional extracellular matrices composed of collagen present the advantage of be able to will be modified in his physiological and mechanical estates by physical or chemical approaches, resulting in positive or negatively loaded matrices. The present work is going to evaluate the capacity of the three-dimensional membranes of native and polyanionic collagen in the fractures consolidation trial with loss of bone mass. We used osteoblasts cultured on those biomateriais before of its implants in the skull of Rowett nude lineage mice. We observe that the osteoblasts cultured on polyanionic collagen were capable to form a bone-like tissue structure in the membranes and fill the damaged area in implants carried out in animals. We conclude that the polyanionic collagen membranes are a viable alternative for the tissue reconstruction and engineering. Key words: Polyanionic collagen, tissue regeneration, cell culture, osteoblasts, bone tissue</div

Perception Of Bci Assistive Technology By Post-ischemic Stroke Patients

Stroke is the leading cause of acquired physical impairment in adult in the world. One person in six seconds is having a stroke somewhere in the world. It is estimated that one-third of stroke victims will be handicapped, and will require assistive technology of some sort. There are many BCI therapeutic resources in development that can be used for treating patients who have any physical challenge. The objective of this study is to explore the perception of BCI assistive technology by the post-stroke patients that have sequelae. We applied a home developed questionnaire and conducted a semi-structured interview by phone to explore the perception of patients towards BCI procedures. We studied seven post-ischemic stroke patients (4 men) with a mean age of 63 years (range 34-80 years). Six subjects had incomplete basic education and only one subject had completed high school. The median Rankin score was 3 (range 2-4). We found positive to very positive perception on the usage of BCI. A pleasant experience was described by all patients and no complaints were reported. Most subjects misinterpreted the research procedures regarding them as part of their treatment. In conclusion, the overall perception of BCI by the stroke patients was positive, and there is a willingness of trying this type of technology in particular when physicians are part of the BCI implementation process. © 2013 IEEE.Mackay, J., Mensah, A.G., (2004) The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke, , World Health OrganizationNicolas-Alonso, L.F., Gomez-Gil, J., Brain computer interfaces, a review (2012) Sensors, 12 (2), pp. 1211-1279Wolpaw, J.R., Birbaumer, N., McFarland, D.J., Pfurtscheller, G., Vaughan, T.M., Brain-computer interfaces for communication and control (2002) Clin. Neurophysiol., 113, pp. 767-791Guger, C., Harkam, W., Hertnaes, C., Pfurtscheller, G., Prosthetic control by an EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) (1999) Presented at the AAATE 5th Eur. Conf. Adv. Assistive Technol., , Düsseldorf, GermanyContreras, J.L., Vidal, A.P., Agashe, H., Paek, A., Restoration of whole body movement: Toward a noninvasive brain-machine interface system (2012) IEEE Pulse, 3 (1), pp. 34-37. , JanuaryFifer, M.S., Acharya, S., Benz, H.L., Mollazadeh, M., Crone, N.E., Thakor, N.V., Toward electrocortico graphic control of a dexterous upper limb prosthesis: Building brain-machine interfaces (2012) Pulse, IEEE, 3 (1), pp. 38-42. , JanBirbaumer, N., Ghanayim, N., Hinterberger, T., Iversen, I., Kotchoubey, B., Kübler, A., Perelmouter, J., Flor, H., A spelling device for the paralysed (1999) Nature, 398, pp. 297-298Li, H., Li, Y., Guan, C., An effective BCI speller based on semi supervised learning (2006) Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2006. EMBS '06. 28th Annual International Conference of the IEEE, pp. 1161-1164. , Aug. 30 2006-Sept. 3Rebsamen, B., Burdet, E., Guan, C., Zhang, H., Teo, C.L., Zeng, Q., Laugier, C., Ang Jr., M.H., (2007) Controlling A Wheelchair Indoors Using Thought, 22, pp. 18-24Bastos, T.F., Muller, S.M.T., Benevides, A.B., Sarcinelli-Filho, M., Robotic wheelchair commanded by SSVEP, motor imagery and word generation (2011) Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC, 2011 Annual International Conference of the IEEE, pp. 4753-4756. , Aug. 30 2011-Sept. 3Wolpaw, J.R., Brain-computer interfaces as new brain output pathways (2007) The Journal of Physiology, 579, pp. 613-619Lebedev, M.A., Nicolelis, M.A.L., Brain-machine interfaces: Past, present and future (2006) Trends in Neurosciences, 29 (9), pp. 536-546McFarland, D.J., Wolpaw, J.R., Brain-computer interface operation of robotic and prosthetic devices (2008) Computer, 41 (10), pp. 52-56. , OctGomez-Rodriguez, M., Grosse-Wentrup, M., Hill, J., Gharabaghi, A., Scholkopf, B., Peters, J., Towards brain-robot interfaces in stroke rehabilitation. Rehabilitation robotics (ICORR) (2011) 2011 IEEE International Conference on, pp. 1-6. , June 29 2011-JulyBuch, E., Weber, C., Cohen, L.G., Braun, C., Dimyan, M.A., Ard, T., Mellinger, J., Birbaumer, N., Think to move: A neuromagnetic brain-computer interface (BCI) system for chronic stroke (2008) Stroke, 39, pp. 910-917. , MarThe UK-TIA aspirin trial: Interim results (1988) Br Med J, 296, pp. 316-320. , UK-TIA Study Grou

Implants of polyanionic collagen matrix in bone defects of ovariectomized rats

In recent years, there has been a great interest in the development of biomaterials that could be used in the repair of bone defects. Collagen matrix (CM) has the advantage that it can be modified chemically to improve its mechanical properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of three-dimensional membranes of native or anionic (submitted to alkaline treatment for 48 or 96 h) collagen matrix on the consolidation of osteoporosis bone fractures resulting from the gonadal hormone alterations caused by ovariectomy in rats subjected to hormone replacement therapy. The animals received the implants 4 months after ovariectomy and were sacrificed 8 weeks after implantation of the membranes into 4-mm wide bone defects created in the distal third of the femur with a surgical bur. Macroscopic analysis revealed the absence of pathological alterations in the implanted areas, suggesting that the material was biocompatible. Microscopic analysis showed a lower amount of bone ingrowth in the areas receiving the native membrane compared to the bone defects filled with the anionic membranes. In ovariectomized animals receiving anionic membranes, a delay in bone regeneration was observed mainly in animals not subjected to hormone replacement therapy. We conclude that anionic membranes treated with alkaline solution for 48 and 96 h presented better results in terms of bone ingrowth

Detection of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Carriers in a Sample of the Brazilian Population

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy is a common autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene. Identification of spinal muscular atrophy carriers has important implications for individuals with a family history of the disorder and for genetic counseling. the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of carriers in a sample of the nonconsanguineous Brazilian population by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Methods: To validate the method, we initially determined the relative quantification of DHPLC in 28 affected patients (DHPLC values: 0.00) and 65 parents (DHPLC values: 0.49-0.69). Following quantification, we studied 150 unrelated nonconsanguineous healthy individuals from the general population. Results: Four of the 150 healthy individuals tested (with no family history of a neuromuscular disorder) presented a DHPLC value in the range of heterozygous carriers (0.6-0.68). Conclusions: Based on these results, we estimated there is a carrier frequency of 2.7% in the nonconsanguineous Brazilian population, which is very similar to other areas of the world where consanguineous marriage is not common. This should be considered in the process of genetic counseling and risk calculations. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, BaselFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)FAEPAUniv São Paulo, Dept Neurosci & Behav Sci, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040900 Ribeirao Preto, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Genet, BR-14040900 Ribeirao Preto, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, Div Neurol, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Neurol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Neurol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc