Effect of disinfectant agents on dimensional stability of elastomeric impression materials.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Difficulties in sterilizing impressions by traditional methods have led to chemical disinfection as an alternative, and some studies have shown that disinfectants may adversely affect impressions. PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of disinfection methods on the dimensional stability of 6 elastomeric materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Impression materials were submitted to the following treatments: immersion in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 minutes, immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde solution for 30 minutes, and no immersion (control). After treatments, impressions were poured, and respective stone casts were measured with a Nikon Profile projector and compared with the master model. RESULTS: The elastomeric materials had different reproduction capacities, and the disinfecting treatments did not differ from the control

BhSGAMP-1, a Gene That Encodes an Antimicrobial Peptide, Is Developmentally Regulated by the Direct Action of 20-OH Ecdysone in the Salivary Gland of Bradysia hygida (Diptera, Sciaridae)

Recently we have shown that BhSGAMP-1 is a developmentally regulated reiterated gene that encodes an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and is expressed exclusively in the salivary glands, at the end of the larval stage. We show, for the first time, that a gene for an AMP is directly activated by 20-OH ecdysone. This control probably involves the participation of short-lived repressor(s). We also found that the promoter of BhSGAMP-1 is not equipped with elements that respond to infection, provoked by the injection of microorganisms, in the salivary glands or in the fat body. We produced polyclonal antibodies against the synthetic peptide and found that the BhSGAMP-1 peptide is secreted in the saliva. The BhSGAMP-1 gene was also activated during the third larval molt. These facts confirm our hypothesis that this preventive system of defense was selected to produce an environment free of harmful microorganisms in the insect`s immediate vicinity, during molts. genesis 47:847-857, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.FAPESP[01/13232-0]FAPESP[07/53654-7]FAEPACNP

Apoptosis and recognition of senescent cells in a compound ascidian: a comparison with Vertebrates.

Programmed cell death by apoptosis is a fundamental process in the develop-ment and tissue homeostasis of Vertebrates. Although widespread among meta-zoans, few data are available on the role of apoptosis in invertebrates. Ascidians are tunicates belonging to the phylum Chordata and, therefore, closely related to Vertebrates. We studied the expression of markers related to apoptosis and recognition of senescent cells in this group of organisms. Adult zooids of the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri are cyclically resorbed and replaced by zooids of new blastogenic generations. Take-over lasts about 20 h and is characterised by massive apoptosis in zooid tissues. During this period, a significant increase in the amount of phagocytes engulfed with dying cells or cell debris, as compared to mid-cycle stages, occurs. In addition, a significant higher frequency of cells expressing Bax, Fas and FasL, and of Bcl-2-negative cells is observed. These observations are consistent with the occurrence of both mitochondria-independent and mitochondria-dependent pathways of cell death induction. The amount of cells expressing phosphatidylserine and anti-CD36 on their surface increased as colonies approach take-over. As both these markers are involved in the recognition of effete cells by phagocytes, results strongly suggest that fundamental recognition mechanisms are well conserved throughout Chordate evolution

Two cases of double-outlet left ventricle detected prenatally.

Double-outlet left ventricle is an exceedingly rare congenital heart defect. Its prenatal detection and precise anatomical definition are challenging for a variety of reasons and have never been previously reported. Here described are 2 cases of prenatally diagnosed double-outlet left ventricle. The technical limitations of prenatal diagnosis and its implications for the surgical management of patients affected by such a rare condition are discussed

Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction of High‐Purity Lignin from a Corn Stover Hydrolysate

A lactic acid/chlorine chloride-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) was used for the extraction of high-purity lignin (up to 94.7 %) in high yield (up to 75 %) from the hydrolysis/fermentation residue corn stover hydrolysate (CSH), which was generated from a pilot-plant-scale biorefinery. A range of extraction conditions were investigated, which involved varying reaction temperature, time, and DES composition. The relationship between lignin yield, purity, and structural characteristics with DES treatment conditions was determined. The extraction of high-purity lignin from hydrolysis/fermentation residues presents a promising approach for enhancing the economic feasibility of a lignocellulose biorefinery. It was also determined that DES extraction can produce lignin with a controlled range of molecular weight and functional group conten

What can we learn from systematic segmental analysis of fetal heart by postmortem micro-CT: Is it time to change approach?

Background: Postmortem analysis of fetal heart is crucial but challenging. Alternative techniques to autopsy have been studied. We investigate micro-CT diagnostic accuracy in the analysis of fetal heart coming from early and late termination of pregnancy. Methods: Micro-CT and autopsy analyzed human fetal heart using twenty-six indices of cardiac anatomy derived from segmental approach. Sub-analysis of smaller specimens was performed. Primary outcome is the agreement between techniques. Secondary outcomes are sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. Indices are defined “visible” or “non-visible” (primary end point) and “normal”, “abnormal” or “non-diagnostic” (secondary end point). Results: Fifty-five cases were included. Agreement was 74.5% and 65.2% for primary end point and 93.3% and 91.8% for secondary end point in general population and in the group of smaller specimens, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were 92.8%, 51.8%, 67.1%, 87.2% in the general population and 92.8%, 47.8%, 54.3%, 90.9% in the subgroup of smaller specimens for primary end point. They were 97.3%, 68.3%, 95.1%, 80.0% in the general population and 95.7%, 75.6%, 94.2%, 81.0% in the subgroup of smaller specimens for secondary end point. 86.1% and 91.5% of indices defined as “non-diagnostic” at autopsy would be visible by micro-CT in the two studied populations. Conclusion: Micro-CT represents a valid alternative to autopsy for postmortem evaluation of human fetal heart. We proposed to use micro-CT for initial analysis of fetal heart and to perform autopsy only in unsolved cases or if histological analysis is needed