Anaerobic neonatal meningitis: A diagnostic challenge.

The most commonly identified pathogens related to bacterial meningitis are group B streptococcus and gram-negative enteric flora; anaerobic sepsis and meningitis are very rare. We report a case on a preterm and extremely low-birth weight infant who developed meningitis caused by Bacteroides fragilis and his mother who had postpartum sepsis also caused by the same agent.

Macrolgae as an indicator of the environmental health of the Pirangi reefs, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

The coral reefs of Pirangi beach have suffered the impact of anthropic actions, mainly those related to tourism. To evaluate these effects, algal samples were collected at nine stations, distributed along the reef fringe. The macrobenthic community (algae/coral) was identified through photographic methods. A total of thirty species of algae, five species of coral, and one species of mollusk were identified. In areas of intense tourist activity, small algae were predominant, while in areas without human interference, foliose algae were predominant. Cluster analysis of the organisms revealed a pattern in spatial distribution into five zones: (1) a submerged zone with very diverse flora, (2) a zone with a predominance of Caulerpa racemosa, (3) a zone with high coverage of Sargassum vulgare, (4) a trampled zone with bare spaces, small algae and Zoanthus sociatus, and (5) a zone with predominance of Palythoa caribaeroum. The results show that human disturbances of the natural order can result in a different distribution model for benthic organisms in reefs. Moreover, these results allow us to infer that the area studied has undergone changes resulting from human activities and that the differences in biological composition can be used as an important indicator of the health of the Pirangi reef.

Early bone healing and biomechanical fixation of dual acid-etched and as-machined implants with healing chambers: an experimental study in dogs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biomechanical fixation, bone-to-implant contact (BIC), and bone morphology of screw-type root-form implants with healing chambers with as-machined or dual acid-etched (DAE) surfaces in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animal model included the placement of machined (n = 24) and DAE (n = 24) implants along the proximal tibiae of six mongrel dogs, which remained in place for 2 or 4 weeks. Following euthanasia, half of the specimens were subjected to biomechanical testing (torque to interface failure) and the other half were processed for histomorphologic and histomorphometric (%BIC) assessments. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way analysis of variance at the 95% confidence level and the Tukey post hoc test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: At 4 weeks, the DAE surface presented significantly higher mean values for torque to interface failure overall. A significant increase in %BIC values occurred for both groups over time. For both groups, bone formation through the classic appositional healing pathway was observed in regions where intimate contact between the implant and the osteotomy walls occurred immediately after implantation. Where contact-free spaces existed after implantation (healing chambers), an intramembranous-like healing mode with newly formed woven bone prevailed. CONCLUSIONS: In the present short-term evaluation, no differences were observed in BIC between groups; however, an increase in biomechanical fixation was seen from 2 to 4 weeks with the DAE surface.

Effects of platelet-rich plasma on healing of alveolar socket: split-mouth histological and histometric evaluation in Cebus apella monkeys.

CONTEXT: The prediction of implant treatment is directly influenced by the quality of the remaining bone after tooth extraction. AIMS: The purpose of this experimental study was to, histologically and histometrically, evaluate the bone repair process in the central areas of extraction sockets filled with platelet-rich plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four young adult male Cebus apella monkeys were used. The extraction of both right and left inferior second premolars was accomplished. After extraction, in one of the extraction sockets, coagulum was maintained while in the other it was removed; the alveolus was dried with gauze compress and filled up with platelet concentrate. For PRP production, Sonnleitner's protocol was followed. The specimens for histological and histometric assessment were obtained in 30, 90, 120 and 180 days intervals. RESULTS: In 30 days new bone formation was intense in both experimental and control sockets and no significant differences were observed between the two groups. After 90 days of the extraction, while the control group showed signs of decrease in osteogenesis, in the experimental unit, the process of bone formation and fibroblast-like cell proliferation remained intense. After 120 days, the PRP treated socket was occupied by large trabeculae of bone. After 180 days, the control unit was occupied mostly with bone marrow. The experimental unit remained occupied with large amounts of bone tissue. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to conclude that bone repair was enhanced by the use of platelet- rich plasma in alveolar sockets.

Dynamics of phosphorus and nitrogen through litter fall and decomposition in a tropical mangrove forest.

Distribution, dynamics and mass budget of phosphorus and nitrogen in a red mangrove forest were studied in the Potengi mangrove forest in northern Brazil (lat. 5 degrees 42' and 5 degrees 53'S, long. 35 degrees 5' and 35 degrees 25'W). Tidal hydrology, net primary productivity, leaf litter decomposition rate and standing stock of leaf litter in a red mangrove forest were measured. The results showed that the main reservoir for total P and total N was the sediment with 309 kg ha(-1) and 4619 kg ha(-1) (77% and 95% of the total P and N content in the mangrove forest), respectively, for the two elements. Total P and total N in Rhizophora mangle trees accounted for 145+/-14 kg ha(-1) and 216+/-23 kg ha(-1) (23% and 5% of the total P and N in the mangrove forest). The estimated average export rates for P and N through leaf litter are 0.5 kg ha(-1)yr(-1) and 1.6 kg ha(-1)yr(-1) respectively. Our measurements support previous results in concluding that mangrove forests efficiently retain P and N.

Psicanalise, teoria sistêmica e o princípio da homeostase / Psychoanalysis, systemic theory and the homeostasis principle

Os autores associam o conceito de saúde/doença mental ao de homeostase (complementariedade de funçöes psíquicas). Enfatizam que esta associaçäo se refere ao indivíduo, à família e ao grupo social, conforme se privilegie a compreensäo do indivíduo (psican lise) ou da relaçäo grupal (teoria sistêmica). Apresentam e analisam três modelos de psicoterapia - o do pecado, o do crescimento, e o médico - propostos por Satir, a partir dos padröes teóricos da psican lise e da teoria sistêmica. Por fim, comparam estes dois padröes teóricos, concluindo que säo complementares na compreensäo do adoecer psíquico individual e/ou grupal e no seu tratamento

Psicanalise, teoria sistemica e o principio da homeostase

Os autores associam o conceito de saude/doenca mental ao de homeostase (complementariedade de funcoes psiquicas). Enfatizam que esta associacao se refere ao individuo, a familia e ao grupo social, conforme se privilegie a compreensao do individuo (psicanalise) ou da relacao grupal (teoria sistemica). Apresentam e analisam tres modelos de psicoterapia - o do pecado, o do crescimento, e o medico - propostos por Satir, a partir dos padroes teoricos da psicanalise e da teoria sistemica. Por fim, comparam estes dois padroes teoricos, concluindo que sao complementares na compreensao do adoecer psiquico individual e/ou grupal e no seu tratamento.