Avaliação de um recobrimento de baixa espessura processado pela deposição assistida por feixe iônico como alternativa para a incorporação de biocerâmicas em implantes dentários: estudo em cães

Thin-film bioceramic coatings are potential alternatives to overcome the limitations provided by other commercially available coating techniques like PSHA, where variable bioceramic dissolution added to a metalloceramic weak link are process- inherent. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the overall and site specific (to 0.5 mm from implant surface) levels of osseoactivity around a thin-film (IBAD processed) coated titanium alloy implant versus a non surface modified (sand-blasted/acid etched) titanium alloy implant in a canine model. The surgical model comprised the proximal tibiae epiphyses with four implants placed in each limb remaining for 2 and 4 weeks in-vivo. 10 mg/Kg oxytetracycline was administered 48 hours prior to euthanization. The limbs were retrieved by sharp dissection, reduced to blocks, and subsequently nondecalcified processed for fluorescent microscopy. Micrographs (20x mag) were acquired around the implant perimeter and merged for overall biological response evaluations, and four micrographs (40x mag. subdivided in rectangles) were acquired along one of the implant sides for tetracycline labeled area fraction quantification. The results showed biocompatible and osseoconductive properties for the thin-film coated and uncoated titanium alloy implants. Tetracycline labeled area fraction analyses showed that the thin-film coated implants presented significantly higher overall and site specific osseoactivity levels at 2 and 4 weeks. The site specific osseoactivity values were significantly higher compared to overall values for control and thin-film coated implants at both times in-vivo. According to the results obtained in this study, thin-film coated implants enhanced biological response at the early implantation times evaluated.Recobrimentos biocerâmicos de baixa espessura são potenciais alternativas para compensar as limitações de outros recobrimentos biocerâmicos disponíveis comercialmente como o plasma spray de hidroxiapatita, onde a dissolução desigual e a presença de uma fraca interface metal-cerâmica são problemas inerentes ao seu processamento. O propósito desta investigação foi determinar os níveis de atividade óssea total e específica a uma área (0.5 mm da superfície do implante) ao redor de um implante de liga de titânio (superficie jateada seguida de ataque ácido) recoberto com um filme biocerâmico de baixa espessura processado através de deposição auxiliada por feixe iônico, contra um implante de liga de titânio sem recobrimento biocerâmico em cães. O modelo cirúrgico utilizou a epífise proximal da tibia, com quatro implantes colocados em cada uma, onde permaneceram por um período de 2 e 4 semanas. Oxitetraciclina (10 mg/Kg) foi administrada 48 horas antes dos animais serem sacrificados. As tíbias foram dissecadas, reduzidas a blocos, e processadas para análise em microscópio ótico. Microfotografias com aumento de 20x foram obtidas da região perimetral do implante e foram alinhadas para análise da resposta biológica total. Subsequentemente, quatro micro-fotografias com aumento de 40x, sub- divididas em retângulos, foram obtidas de um dos lados do implante para quantificação da área marcada por tetraciclina. Os resultados mostraram biocompatibilidade e osseocondutividade dos implantes de liga de titânio com ou sem filme biocerâmico de baixa espessura. Análise da área marcada por tetraciclina mostrou que os implantes com recobrimento apresentaram uma maior atividade óssea total e específica ao redor do implante em 2 e 4 semanas. Os valores de atividade óssea específica à área adjacente à superfície do implante foram significantemente maiores comparados aos valores obtidos em regiões afastadas dos implantes com ou sem recobrimento biocerâmico. De acordo com os resultados obtidos neste estudo, concluímos que os implantes com recobrimento biocerâmico de baixa espessura aumentaram a resposta biológica após 2 e 4 semanas de tempo de implantação

The use of video, computer and internet games by a sample of college students from the University of São Paulo

OBJETIVO: Avaliar uso de jogos eletrônicos (videogames, jogos de computador e internet) em uma amostra de universitários. MÉTODO: Um questionário a respeito de comportamentos relacionados ao uso de jogos eletrônicos, contendo a escala Problem Videogame Playing (PVP), foi aplicado em 100 alunos da Universidade de São Paulo (USP). RESULTADOS: A maioria (83%) relatou ter jogado no último ano, dentre a qual 81,9% eram homens, 51,8% jogavam de 1 a 2 horas por sessão; 74,4% afirmaram que jogar não interfere em seus relacionamentos sociais e 60,5%, que o uso de jogos violentos não influencia sua agressividade. Os estudantes dividiram-se entre jogadores ocasionais e frequentes, diferenciando-se por duração de cada sessão, jogo preferido, motivação para jogar, e influência do jogo na vida social. Cerca de 5% relataram só parar de jogar quando interrompidos, normalmente jogar mais de 4 horas por sessão e se relacionar mais com amigos virtuais, sugerindo maior envolvimento com a atividade. Na escala PVP, 15,8% da amostra preencheu mais da metade dos itens, indicando consequências adversas associadas ao uso dos jogos eletrônicos. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se que o uso de jogos eletrônicos é comum entre os estudantes da USP e que uma parcela apresenta problemas relacionados ao excesso de jogo.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of electronic games (video games, computer and internet games) in a sample of college students. METHOD: A questionnaire on behaviors related to the use of electronic games, including the Problem Videogame Playing (PVP) scale was filled in by 100 students from University of São Paulo (USP). RESULTS: The majority (83%) reported playing electronic games within the last year, among which, 81,9% were men, 51,8% played between 1 and 2 hours per session; 74,4% reported that the practice of electronic games does not interfere on their social relationships and 60,5% that the use of violent games does not have an effect over their animosity. The sample was divided into occasional players and frequent ones, differing in terms of duration of session, preferred games, motivation for playing and influence of the game in their social life. About 5% reported to stop playing only when interrupted, normally play more than 4 hours by section and have more virtual relationships and friends, suggesting more involvement with the activity. As to the PVP scale, 15,8% of the sample met 5 itens or more, indicating adverse consequences associated to the use of electronic games. CONCLUSION: It was noticed that the use of electronic games is common among USP students and a part of them present problems related to excessive gaming

Early bone healing around implant surfaces treated with variations in the resorbable blasting media method. A study in rabbits

Objective: this study aimed to histomorphologically and histomorphometrically evaluate the in vivo response to three variations in the resorbable blasting media (RBM) surface processing in a rabbit femur model. Study Design: screw root form implants with 3.75 mm in diameter by 8 mm in length presenting four surfaces (n=8 each): alumina-blasted/acid-etched (AB/AE), bioresorbable ceramic blasted (TCP), TCP + acid etching, and AB/AE + TCP were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The implants were placed at the distal femur of 8 New Zeland rabbits, remaining for 2 weeks in vivo. After sacrifice, the implants were nondecalcified processed to 30 micro m thickness slides for histomorphology and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) determination. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA at 95% level of significance considering implant surface as the independent variable and BIC as the dependent variable. Results: SEM and AFM showed that all surfaces presented rough textures and that calciu-hosohate particles were observed at the TCP group surface. Histologic evaluation showed intimate interaction between newly formed woven bone and all implant surfaces, demonstrating that all surfaces were biocompatible and osseoconductive. Significant differences in BIC were observed between the AB/AE and the AB/AE + TCP, and intermediate values observed for the TCP and TCP + Acid surfaces. Conclusion: irrespective of RBM processing variation, all surfaces were osseoconductive and biocaompatible. The differences in BIC between groups warrant further bone-implant interface biomechanical characterization

Electrochemotherapy in the treatment of neoplasms in dogs and cats

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a technique that combines chemotherapy with local application of specific electric pulses with the aim of increasing the permeability of the plasma membrane in a reversible way, improving the influx of chemotherapeutic drugs into the cytoplasm and potentiating their cytotoxic effects. This technique has broadened the range of possible treatments for oncological patients, either on its own or as adjuvant to surgical procedures. It is especially useful in tumors located in regions with only a small surgical safety margin, such as the limb extremities, skull, oral cavity, neck and perianal region, among others. ECT makes it feasible to perform procedures more conservatively, or even to perform otherwise infeasible procedures, by expanding the margins without removing healthy tissues. The objective of this paper is to provide a brief bibliographic review of the principles, applications and future possibilities of electrochemotherapy, helping to disseminate pertinent information about this relatively new technique for the treatment of cancer

4-aminopyridyl-based lead compounds targeting CYP51 prevent spontaneous parasite relapse in a chronic model and improve cardiac pathology in an acute model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

BackgroundChagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is the leading cause of heart failure in Latin America. The clinical treatment of Chagas disease is limited to two 60 year-old drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole, that have variable efficacy against different strains of the parasite and may lead to severe side effects. CYP51 is an enzyme in the sterol biosynthesis pathway that has been exploited for the development of therapeutics for fungal and parasitic infections. In a target-based drug discovery program guided by x-ray crystallography, we identified the 4-aminopyridyl-based series of CYP51 inhibitors as being efficacious versus T.cruzi in vitro; two of the most potent leads, 9 and 12, have now been evaluated for toxicity and efficacy in mice.Methodology/principal findingsBoth acute and chronic animal models infected with wild type or transgenic T. cruzi strains were evaluated. There was no evidence of toxicity in the 28-day dosing study of uninfected animals, as judged by the monitoring of multiple serum and histological parameters. In two acute models of Chagas disease, 9 and 12 drastically reduced parasitemia, increased survival of mice, and prevented liver and heart injury. None of the compounds produced long term sterile cure. In the less severe acute model using the transgenic CL-Brenner strain of T.cruzi, parasitemia relapsed upon drug withdrawal. In the chronic model, parasitemia fell to a background level and, as evidenced by the bioluminescence detection of T. cruzi expressing the red-shifted luciferase marker, mice remained negative for 4 weeks after drug withdrawal. Two immunosuppression cycles with cyclophosphamide were required to re-activate the parasites. Although no sterile cure was achieved, the suppression of parasitemia in acutely infected mice resulted in drastically reduced inflammation in the heart.Conclusions/significanceThe positive outcomes achieved in the absence of sterile cure suggest that the target product profile in anti-Chagasic drug discovery should be revised in favor of safe re-administration of the medication during the lifespan of a Chagas disease patient. A medication that reduces parasite burden may halt or slow progression of cardiomyopathy and therefore improve both life expectancy and quality of life

Seroprevalence against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle in Bolivia

This study determined seroprevalence against bovine leukaemia virus and investigated the risk factors with the seropositivity of the virus in dairy cattle in Bolivia. Ninety-eight farms in five different provinces in Santa Cruz Department were visited to study 1823 dairy cattle. Questionnaire interviews, blood sampling and inspection of skin were performed at each study farm. Individual-cattle sera were analysed using the agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) diagnostic method for the detection of antibody against bovine leukaemia virus. The overall percentage of test positive against bovine leukaemia virus was 29% (95% confidence interval: 27-31%). One percent of the study dairy cattle had the subcutaneous lesions. There were statistical differences for percentage of test positive against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle between provinces (p<0.001). The seropositivity in relation to the existence of subcutaneous lesions indicated statistical significance (p = 0.023). Knowledge of the provincial difference of seropositivity against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle would be used to determine the resource allocation for preventive measures in the study area. In the preventive measures, serological tests against bovine leukaemia virus for the cattle with subcutaneous lesions, which would be a potential indicator of the infection of bovine leukaemia, should be prioritised.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Seroprevalence against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle in Bolivia

This study determined seroprevalence against bovine leukaemia virus and investigated the risk factors with the seropositivity of the virus in dairy cattle in Bolivia. Ninety-eight farms in five different provinces in Santa Cruz Department were visited to study 1823 dairy cattle. Questionnaire interviews, blood sampling and inspection of skin were performed at each study farm. Individual-cattle sera were analysed using the agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) diagnostic method for the detection of antibody against bovine leukaemia virus. The overall percentage of test positive against bovine leukaemia virus was 29% (95% confidence interval: 27-31%). One percent of the study dairy cattle had the subcutaneous lesions. There were statistical differences for percentage of test positive against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle between provinces (p<0.001). The seropositivity in relation to the existence of subcutaneous lesions indicated statistical significance (p = 0.023). Knowledge of the provincial difference of seropositivity against bovine leukaemia virus in dairy cattle would be used to determine the resource allocation for preventive measures in the study area. In the preventive measures, serological tests against bovine leukaemia virus for the cattle with subcutaneous lesions, which would be a potential indicator of the infection of bovine leukaemia, should be prioritised.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Sealing Capability and SEM Observation of the Implant-Abutment Interface

To evaluate the sealing capability of external hexagon implant systems and assess the marginal fit, two groups (n = 10 each) were employed: SIN (Sistema de Implantes Nacional, Brazil) and Osseotite, (Biomet 3i, USA). Sealing capability was determined by placing 0.7 μL of 1% acid-red solution in the implant wells before the torque of their respective abutments. Specimens were then placed into 2.5 mL vials filled with 1.3 mL of distilled water with the implant-abutment interface submerged. Three samples of 100 μL water were collected at previously determinate times. The absorbance was measured with a spectrophotometer, and the data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA (P < .05) and Tukey's test. Marginal fit was determined using SEM. Leakage was observed for both groups at all times and was significantly higher at 144 hrs. SEM analysis depicted gaps in the implant-abutment interface of both groups. Gaps in the implant-abutment interface were observed along with leakage increased at the 144 hrs evaluation period

Serological survey of post-campaign vaccination against the rabies in dogs of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

Durante la campaña de vacunación antirrábica masiva realizada en Santa Cruz, Bolivia, en agosto de 2007, 369.000 perros (82% de la población canina estimada) fueron vacunados durante 2 días con vacunas hechas en Cerebro de Ratón Lactante (CLR) Fuenzalida-Palacios. Desde entonces se han registrado 7 casos de rabia humana, además, el número de casos de rabia canina se ha reducido de 866 casos reportados el año 2006 a 516. Por esta razón, se realizó una encuesta serológica 3 meses después de la vacunación, colectando 320 muestras de sangre de perros con dueños seleccionados al azar, para determinar la respuesta inmune humoral. Tres meses después de la vacunación, el 20,94% de los perros tenían anticuerpos neutralizantes contra la rabia de > 0,5 Ul/ml. Al respecto se determinó que los animales mayores a un año estaban más protegidos que los menores (p0,05). De acuerdo con las recomendaciones de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud las campañas de vacunación deben contemplar coberturas no menores a 80 % para que tengan el efecto deseado. De nuestro estudio se desprende que existe una deficiente protección inmune contra la rabia en la población de canes vacunados de todas las zonas evaluadas, lo cual pone de manifiesto la susceptibilidad a aumentar los casos de rabia canina en la ciudad.During a 2 days massive anti-rabies vaccination campaign held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia in August 2007, 369,000 dogs (82% of the estimated canine population) were vac- cinated with vaccines made of suckling mouse brain (CLR) Fuenzalida-Palacios. Since then there have been 7 cases of human rabies, moreover, the number of canine rabies cases have been reduced from 866 cases reported in 2006 to 516. For this reason, a serological survey was performed 3 months after vaccination, collecting 320 samples from dogs with owners selected at random to determine the humoral immune response. Three months after vaccina- tion, 20.94% of the dogs had rabies neutralizing antibodies of &gt; 0.5 IU / ml. We found that animals older than a year were more protected than younger ones (p &lt;0.01), but when sex of the dogs was evaluated it showed no statistical association with protection (p&gt; 0.05). Ac- cording to the recommendation of Panamerican Health Organization for rabies vaccination campaign, an effective coverage against the disease should be &gt; 80%. Our results demonstrate a deficient immune protection against rabies in the population of dogs vaccinated in all areas evaluated, which shows increased susceptibility to canine rabies in the city.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Dinâmica espacial de lagoas marginais presentes no rio Aiuruoca, MG, em períodos de cheia e seca

Floodplains are lands periodically covered with water when rivers overflow their banks. In the tropics, a large portion of fish communities uses the floodplains as habitats for feeding, reproduction, and refuge. For this reason, these habitats are priority for fish conservation and management. The present work aims to analyze the classification resulting from object-based method of floodplains, estimating the connectivity with Aiuruoca river. The study required 2 images of Landsat TM sensor, with 30 meters of spatial resolution all obtained in 2001. Given its efficiency to detect floodplain changes and its automated character, this method seems to constitute an operational tool adequate for floodplain monitoring. Lagoas marginais são utilizadas por comunidades de peixes como habitat, alimentação, reprodução e refúgio. Por esta razão estes ambientes são considerados prioritários à conservação e manejos. O presente estudo objetivou realizar a classificação orientada a objeto no intuito de localizar as lagoas marginais presentes no entorno do rio Aiuruoca, identificando a conexão destas ao rio em períodos de cheia e seca. Utilizou-se duas imagens Landsat 5TM, com 30 metros de resolução espacial do ano 2001, representativas do período de cheia e seca, com uma área de estudo de 3.342 km2. A classificação resultou em valores de precisão global variando de 98,9% para a época de cheia e em 98,8% para a época de seca, e de 63% e 52% de precisão pelo índice de Kappa para épocas de cheia e seca, respectivamente. Os resultados indicaram alterações no número, área e na conectividade de  lagoas marginais para os períodos de chuva e seca. Este método se mostrou bastante adequado na identificação de lagoas marginais e possui grande importância no monitoramento das alterações dos ciclos a que estes ambientes estão submetidos, possibilitando o estudo da dinâmica e a possibilidade de utilização no monitoramento e gestão destes ambientes