Evaluation of Sensitivity in Specific Points of the Areola and Nipple of Patients Submitted to Reduction Mammoplasty With Periareolar Dermis Release: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: To date, studies on periareolar dermis release have recorded the areola sensitivity as a mean. Despite being clinically reported by patients, specific points of the areola may present sensitivities not detected when researchers only consider mean values. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the pressure sensitivity at specific points of the nipple-areola complex and compare these values with the mean value measured in the areolas of patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty with periareolar dermis release. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial of 39 consecutive patients (78 breasts) who underwent surgery for treatment of breast hypertrophy; the same surgical technique was used for all patients. In each patient, 1 breast was assigned to a control group and the other to an experimental group. The periareolar dermis release was performed in the experimental group (39 breasts). Pressure sensitivity was tested with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments on the papilla and at 4 specific points of the areola. The evaluations were conducted preoperatively and at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The group comparisons show a statistically significant difference in sensitivity at the medial point of the areola and in the papilla at 3 weeks postoperation. This difference disappeared in the 1-year evaluation. This recovery profile also occurs when areola sensitivity corresponds to a mean value. The sensitivity significantly decreased at the lower point of the areola up to 1 year postoperation in the control and experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: The periareolar dermis release did not compromise the pressure sensitivity at the points evaluated in the nipple-areola complex. The mean areola sensitivity differed from the sensitivity at the lower point of the areola.

Nuclear parameters and chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes from the palpebral conjunctiva of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

OBJECTIVE: To study parameters related to nuclear morphology and chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes from the inferior palpebral conjunctiva of dogs with and without keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). ANIMALS STUDIED: Thirty-two dogs (64 eyes) were included in the study. Based on the tear production measured by Schirmer tear test 1, the dogs were distributed into control and KCS groups. PROCEDURES: Epithelial cells and lymphocytes were collected by conjunctival brush cytology, fixed on glass slides, and subjected to the Feulgen reaction, a topochemical method specific for DNA/chromatin. Feulgen-stained cells were studied by microscopy and video image analysis to establish nuclear size (area and perimeter) and shape (relative nuclear roundness factor = RNRF), DNA content (ploidy), and compaction and texture of chromatin. RESULTS: Conjunctival samples in the KCS group showed infiltration of inflammatory and immune cells. Micronuclei, snake-like chromatin, aberrant chromosomes, and goblet cells were not detected. Compared with the controls, cells on the conjunctival surface of dogs with KCS showed altered nuclei. Conjunctival epithelial cells were more affected by KCS (changes in nuclear size, shape, DNA content, and chromatin compaction) than lymphocytes (changes in chromatin compaction, only). Significant chromatin decompaction was observed in both conjunctival epithelial cells and lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that KCS promotes chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes on the conjunctival surface of dogs. The changes described in this study are different from those reported for conjunctival cell nuclei of human KCS patients.