Histologic and Histomorphometric Analysis of Posterior Region of the Human Temporomandibular Disc

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze histologic and histomorphometric features of the articular disc in groups with and without disc displacement. Study design A sample of 39 temporomandibular joints TMJs (31 case specimens, 8 control specimens) from 28 patients (mean age 31.2 years) were recruited for this study. The patients were considered to be affected and treated surgically with disc repositioning when presenting painful clinical signs of disc displacement after unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment for at least 6 months. Of the control patients, 4 presented condyle fracture which required opening to be reduced for treatment, and 4 displayed active condyle hyperplasia. The posterior region of the disc was removed and sent for histologic and histomorphometric analysis. Histologic (hematoxylin-eosin) and histomorphometric (picro-Sirius red) analyses were performed. Statistically significant differences between the analyzed groups were accessed through the chi-squared test (P ≤ .05). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to observe the differences between mean values when variables did not present normal distribution [Kolmogorov-Smirnov(a) test]. Results There were no significant differences between the groups in relation to the parameters studied by histologic and histomorphometric analysis (using or not using polarization). Conclusions To the limits of this study, there were no significant histologic and histomorphometric differences in the articular disc between groups with and without TMJ dysfunction

Iron-Fortified Drinking Water Studies for the Prevention of Children's Anemia in Developing Countries

Anemia and iron deficiency should receive special attention considering their high prevalence and serious consequences. For prevention, globally it is recommended to increase dietary iron intake, iron fortification of industrialized foods, and medical iron supplementation. Food fortification for the prevention of iron deficiency in developing countries should consider carriers locally available and consumed daily, requiring limited infrastructure and technology. Drinking water is the iron carrier we have been working for years for the prevention of iron deficiency and anemia in small children in Brazil. It was shown that studies with iron-fortified drinking water were proved to be effective on children's anemia prevention. Water is found everywhere, consumed daily by everyone may be easily fortified with simple technology, is low priced and was effective on the prevention of children's anemia. Fortification of drinking water with iron was locally implemented with the direct participation of the government and community. Government authorities, health personnel and population were part of the project and responsible for its community implementation. The mayor/municipality permitted and supported the proposal to supply it to children at their day-care centers. To keep the children drinking water iron fortified supply an officially authorized legislation was also approved

Caracterização de painéis laminados colados produzidos com taliscas de bambu (Guadua magna) nativo do Cerrado

Panels were produced with strips of bamboo (Guadua magna) in layers crossed at angles of 90° and bonded with phenol-formaldehyde or PVA based resin, glued in three and five plies. The panels were tested and the physical and mechanical properties determined. The tests were primarily related to the commercial adhesives used as well as the number of layers of bamboo used. The density ranged from 0.690 to 0.768 g.cm-3. Panels bonded with PVA resin showed low mechanical strength, with MOR between 6.7 and 7.8 MPa. Those bonded with phenol-formaldehyde adhesive showed high strength, with modulus of rupture (MOR) ranging from 55.5 to 87.0 MPa, which is excellent for boards similar to wood-based panels. Panels with phenolic resin also had reduced thickness swelling, up to 8.4%. The panels made with three layers showed higher resistance to bending than those made with five layers. © 2015, Federal University of Lavras. All rights reserved

Schistosoma mansoni Tegument Protein Sm29 Is Able to Induce a Th1-Type of Immune Response and Protection against Parasite Infection

Schistosomiasis is the most important human helminth infection in terms of morbidity and mortality. Although the efforts to develop a vaccine against this disease have experienced failures, a new generation of surface antigens revealed by proteomic studies changed this scenario. Our group has characterized the protein Sm29 described previously as one of the most exposed and expressed antigens in the outer tegument of Schistosoma mansoni. Studies in patients living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis revealed high levels of IgG1 and IgG3 anti-Sm29 in resistant individuals. In this study, confocal microscope analysis showed Sm29 present in the surface of lung-stage schistosoluma and adult worms. Recombinant Sm29, when used as vaccine candidate, induced high levels of protection in mice. This protection was associated with a typical Th1 immune response and reduction of worm burden, liver granulomas and in intestinal eggs. Further, microarray analysis of worms recovered from vaccinated mice showed significant down-regulation of several genes encoding previously characterized vaccine candidates and/or molecules exposed on the surface, suggesting an immune evasion strategy of schistosomes under immune attack. These results demonstrated that Sm29 as one of the important antigens with potential to compose a vaccine against schistosomiasis

Anuloplastia mitral com tira de pericárdio bovino resultados de 18 anos

PURPOSE: Prosthetic annuloplasty rings are currently used in mitral reconstruction. Posterior annuloplasty with a bovine pericardial strip is a technique largely used in the Heart Institute of University of São Paulo Medical School. The purpose of the study was to analyze the late results of mitral valve repair with posterior annuloplasty using a bovine pericardial strip. METHODS: Between January 1984 and December 2002, 273 patients underwent mitral valve repair with posterior pericardial annuloplasty in the Heart Institute of University of São Paulo Medical School. One hundred and forty four (52.7%) were women and ages ranged between 1 and 76 years (38.3 ± 21.1). Rheumatic fever was present in 52.0% of the patients. Associated techniques were employed in 26.0% of the patients, and the most frequent was chordal shortening (9.2%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 3.3% (9 patients), with the major cause being low cardiac output (6 patients). Actuarial survival was 55.1% ± 16.8% in 18 years. During the 18-year follow-up: patients were free from the following: reoperation (59.1% ±± 13.9%, (percent +/- Standard Error), thromboembolism (97.4% ± 2.3%), hemolysis (99.2% ± 0.2%), and endocarditis (99.6% ± 1.0%). In the late follow-up period, 83.9% were classified as New York Heart Association functional class I. CONCLUSIONS: Late results with mitral valve repair with posterior annuloplasty using a bovine pericardial strip were satisfactory. The technique is feasible, reproducible, and cost effective.OBJETIVO: Anéis protéticos para anuloplastia são usados nas plásticas da valva mitral de forma rotineira. A anuloplastia posterior com tira de pericárdio bovino é uma técnica largamente utilizada no Instituto do Coração - HC - FMUSP. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os resultados tardios da plástica da valva mitral com a utilização desta técnica na nossa instituição. MÉTODOS: Entre janeiro de 1984 e dezembro de 2002, 273 pacientes foram submetidos a plástica da valva mitral com anuloplastia posterior no Instituto do Coração. Foram excluídos os pacientes submetidos a outros procedimentos no anel posterior. Cento e quarenta e quatro (52,7%) eram do sexo feminino e a idade variou entre 1 e 76 anos (média: 38,3 ± 21,1 anos). Em 52% dos pacientes, havia história de febre reumática. Técnicas associadas para reconstrução valvar foram empregadas em 26% dos casos, sendo a mais utilizada, o encurtamento de cordas (9,2%). RESULTADOS: A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 3,3% (9 casos). A principal causa de óbito foi baixo débito cardíaco (6 pacientes). A sobrevida actuarial foi de 55,1 ± 16,8% (percent +/- Standard Error) em 18 anos, sobrevida livre de reoperação, tromboembolismo, hemólise e endocardite foram respectivamente de 59,1 ± 13,9%, 97,4 ± 2,3%, 99,2 ± 0,2%, 99,6 ± 1,0% em 18 anos. No seguimento tardio, 83,9% dos pacientes se encontravam em classe funcional I (NYHA). CONCLUSÕES: Concluímos que os resultados tardios foram satisfatórios. A técnica é fácil, reprodutível e de baixo custo

Development of a pneumatic consolidometer: compaction modeling, penetrometry and tensile strength of soil aggregates

A compactação é um dos processos responsáveis pela degradação física do solo que pode ocasionar a perda da sustentabilidade da produção agrícola. Assim, é fundamental dispor de estratégias instrumentais para quantificar as propriedades físicas que são influenciadas pela compactação e utilizadas para avaliar a qualidade do solo. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: desenvolver um consolidômetro com propulsão pneumática de baixo custo; avaliar sua funcionalidade mediante estudo do comportamento compressivo de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico de textura argilo-arenosa sob plantio direto; e avaliar o potencial de utilização da propulsão pneumática para determinações de resistência do solo à penetração (RP) e de resistência tênsil de agregados (RT). A avaliação do comportamento compressivo do solo foi realizada mediante curvas de compressão, utilizando amostras indeformadas, obtidas das posições de amostragem relativas à linha e à entrelinha da cultura de aveia-preta. Nessas amostras, foram realizados ensaios de compressão uniaxial em condição de teor de água correspondente ao potencial mátrico de -10 kPa, sendo determinados o índice de compressão (IC) e a pressão de preconsolidação (&#963;p), bem como suas relações com outras propriedades físicas do solo. A RP foi determinada em amostras indeformadas de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico de textura franco-arenosa sob citros. Para as determinações da RT foram utilizados agregados de dois solos: um Argissolo Acinzentado distrófico arênico coeso e um Argissolo Amarelo distrófico arênico. Os resultados mostram que a densidade do solo, antes do ensaio de compressão uniaxial, foi maior (p < 0,05) para a entrelinha da cultura de aveia-preta. A curva de compressão foi sensível às alterações estruturais do solo entre as posições de amostragem; a &#963;p e o IC indicaram, respectivamente, maior capacidade de suporte de carga e menor suscetibilidade à compactação (p < 0,05) para a entrelinha da cultura de aveia-preta. A utilização de propulsão pneumática não influenciou os resultados da RP e da RT. Isso permite concluir que a curva de compressão do solo, a RP e a RT podem ser determinadas utilizando o equipamento desenvolvido neste estudo.Soil compaction is one of the processes responsible for soil physical degradation that may result in the loss of sustainability of agricultural production. Therefore, it is important to have instrumental strategies to quantify soil physical properties that are influenced by soil compression and used to assess soil quality. The objectives of this study were to: (i) develop an inexpensive pneumatic consolidometer, (ii) evaluate its functionality by the study of the compressive behaviour of a sandy clay Rhodic Hapludox under no-tillage, (iii) evaluate the potential use of pneumatic propulsion to determine penetration resistance (PR) and tensile strength of aggregates (TS) using the proposed consolidometer. Compression curves based on undisturbed soil sampled in and between rows under black oat were used to evaluate the soil compressive behaviour. Uniaxial compression tests were performed in these samples at a soil water content corresponding to a matric potential of -10 kPa and used to determine the compression index (CI) and preconsolidation pressure (&#963;p) and their correlations with other soil physical properties. PR of undisturbed samples of a sandy loam soil under citrus was determined. Aggregates from two Ultisols were used to determine TS in a hardsetting and a non-hardsetting horizons. Results showed that soil bulk density before the uniaxial compression test was higher (p < 0.05) in-between the black oat rows. The compression curve was sensitive to differences in soil structure between sampling positions, and &#963;p and CI indicated, respectively, higher load support and less susceptibility to compaction (p < 0.05) in-between the black oat rows. The use of pneumatic propulsion did not influence the results of PR and TS. Therefore, the soil compression curve, PR and TS can be determined with the equipment developed in this study

Agronomic Characteristics of Common Bean Genotypes Influenced by the Use of Boron

Boron is an indispensable micronutrient for common bean culture, requiring careful studies in relation to the need and time of application since it presents a narrow range between deficiency and toxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of boron application at different times in common bean culture. An experiment was carried out in Gurupi-Tocantins, with four replicates in a factorial scheme 7 x 4, with seven cultivars (Aporé, Diplomata, IPR-Corujinha, IPR-Chopim, IPR-Gralha, CNFC 10467 and Sapphire) and four application times (T1- absence of boron application, T2- application of boron at 15 DAE -days after emergence-, T3- application of boron at 25 DAE, T4- Application of boron at 35 DAE). There was a significant interaction between the time of application of boron and genotypes for the characteristics of one hundred grains and grain yield. There is a difference between genotypes regarding the efficiency and use of boron. The most appropriate times for boron application, taking into account productivity, are 15 DAE for cultivars CNFC 10467 and Diplomata, and 25 DAE for Aporé and IPR-Chopim. Boron fertilization at 35 DAE is not recommended due to the non-responsiveness of the crop

Iron-Fortified Drinking Water Studies for the Prevention of Children&apos;s Anemia in Developing Countries

Anemia and iron deficiency should receive special attention considering their high prevalence and serious consequences. For prevention, globally it is recommended to increase dietary iron intake, iron fortification of industrialized foods, and medical iron supplementation. Food fortification for the prevention of iron deficiency in developing countries should consider carriers locally available and consumed daily, requiring limited infrastructure and technology. Drinking water is the iron carrier we have been working for years for the prevention of iron deficiency and anemia in small children in Brazil. It was shown that studies with iron-fortified drinking water were proved to be effective on children&apos;s anemia prevention. Water is found everywhere, consumed daily by everyone may be easily fortified with simple technology, is low priced and was effective on the prevention of children&apos;s anemia. Fortification of drinking water with iron was locally implemented with the direct participation of the government and community. Government authorities, health personnel and population were part of the project and responsible for its community implementation. The mayor/municipality permitted and supported the proposal to supply it to children at their day-care centers. To keep the children drinking water iron fortified supply an officially authorized legislation was also approved