[Implantation of flakes of castor oil resin in rat dental alveolus]. / Implante de um floculado de resina de mamona em alvéolo dental de rato.

The purposes of the present study were: 1) to investigate the biocompatibility of a natural resin (made of fatty acids extracted from Ricinus communis) implanted in the dental alveolus of rats and 2) to verify any possible interference of that material in the osseous healing following tooth extraction. The resin (AUG-EX, Poliquil Araraquara Polímeros Químicos LTDA, Araraquara--SP) was placed inside de alveoli immediately after extraction of the upper right incisors. The animals were sacrificed 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks after extraction or extraction + implantation. The hemi-maxillae were decalcified and processed for paraffin embedding. Longitudinal 6-micrometer-thick semi-serial sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin were obtained. Histologic examination showed particles of irregular shape and variable size (700-1200 microns) localized in the medium/cervical alveolar thirds, with a scanty but persistent foreign body reaction. From the second week on, as the relative volume of bone trabeculae increased, it was seen in close contact with the surface of the implanted material in some regions. Histometric analysis (differential point counting method), used to quantify the healing process in the apical third, showed a small but significant decrease (13%-20%) in new bone formation in the implanted rats. In conclusion, the results show that, in spite of its biocompatible nature, the studied resin hinders the post-extration healing process.

Prolonged immobilization-induced stress delays alveolar bone healing. A histometric study in rats.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of prolonged immobilization-induced stress on reparative bone formation, using the rat alveolar healing as an experimental protocol. Stress was attained by immobilization for 2 hours a day, beginning three days before extraction of the upper right incisors and continuing until sacrifice. The stress condition was assayed on the basis of plasma corticosterone concentration (measured by double-antibody radioimmunoassay), which increased by 2.5 to 4 times in rats submitted to immobilization. The volume density of neoformed bone filling the alveolar socket was quantified by a histometric differential point-counting method 7 to 21 days following tooth extraction. Stress caused a significant delay in reparative bone increment, somewhat related to impairment of coagulum remission and/or organization.

A histometric study in rats of the effect of the calcium antagonist amlodipine on bone healing after tooth extraction.

The purpose was to investigate whether amlodipine, a second-generation calcium antagonist used for the treatment of hypertension and angina, interferes with healing of rat alveolar bone. A progressive increase in volume density of new bone filling the socket was quantified by a histometric differential point-counting method 7-42 days after tooth extraction. The results showed a 20-30% decrease in bone volume fraction in the alveolus of amlodipine-treated animals from 7 days on, in addition to a higher (7-35%) volume fraction of connective tissue and a tendency toward an increase in the volume fraction of persisting coagulum. If confirmed in humans, the knowledge of a deleterious effect of Ca-channel blockers in hindering alveolar bone healing would be important in planning oral operations involving bone tissue, including those for device implantation.

Antireproductive effect of the calcium channel blocker amlodipine in male rats.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether treatment of male rats with the calcium antagonist amlodipine, used in the treatment of hypertension and angina, interferes with the reproductive function of male rats. Amlodipine treatment (0.04 mg amlodipine besylate/rat/day for 30 days) decreased plasma follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone but not luteinizing hormone or prolactin concentrations (measured by double-antibody radioimmuno-assay). A significant reduction (23%) was observed in sperm density (sperm suspension collected from the cauda epididymidis) as well as in the amount of mature spermatids (14%) and Sertoli cells (9%) counted in seminiferous tubule cross-sections (400 x magnification). The results reveal the deleterious effects of subacute amlodipine treatment on the reproductive function of male rats.

The importance of glucose for the freezing tolerance/intolerance of the anuran amphibians Rana catesbeiana and Bufo paracnemis.

Several species of terrestrially hibernating frogs, turtles and insects have developed mechanisms, such as increased plasma glucose, anti-freeze proteins and antioxidant enzymes that resist to freezing, for survival at subzero temperatures. In the present study, we assessed the importance of glucose to cryoresistance of two anuran amphibians: the frog Rana catesbeiana and the toad Bufo paracnemis. Both animals were exposed to -2 degrees C for measurements of plasma glucose levels, liver and muscle glycogen content, haematocrit and red blood cell volume. Frogs survived cold exposure but toads did not. Blood glucose concentration increased from 40.35 +/- 7.25 to 131.87 +/- 20.72 mg/dl (P < 0.01) when the frogs were transferred from 20 to -2 degrees C. Glucose accumulation in response to cold exposition in the frogs was accompanied by a decrease (P < 0.05) in liver glycogen content from 3.94 +/- 0.42 to 1.33 +/- 0.36 mg/100 mg tissue, indicating that liver carbohydrate reserves were probably the primary carbon source of glucose synthesis whereas muscle carbohydrate seems unimportant. In the toads, the cold-induced hyperglycaemia was less (P < 0.05) pronounced (from 27.25 +/- 1.14 to 73.72 +/- 13.50 mg/dl) and no significant change could be measured in liver or muscle glycogen. Cold exposition had no effect on the haematocrit of the frogs but significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the haematocrit of toads from 20.0 +/- 2.1% to 5.8 +/- 1.7% due to a decreased red blood cell volume (from 1532 +/- 63 to 728 +/- 87 mm3). When toads were injected with glucose, blood glucose increased to levels similar to those of frogs and haematocrit did not change, but this failed to make them cryoresistent. In conclusion, the lack of cold-induced glucose catabolism may not be the only mechanism responsible for the freeze intolerance of Bufo paracnemis, a freeze-intolerant species.

The importance of glucose for the freezing tolerence/intolerence of the anuran amphibians Rana catesbeiana and Bufo paracnemis

Several species of terrestrially hibernating frogs, turtles and inserts have developed mechanisms, such as increased plasma glucose, anti-freeze proteins and antioxidant enzymes that resist to freezing, for survival at subzero temperatures. In the present study, we assessed the importance of glucose to cryoresistance of two anuran amphibians: the frog Rana catesbeiana and the toad Bufo paracnemis. Both animals were exposed to -2 degrees Celsius for measurements of plasma glucose levels, liver and muscle glycogen content, haematocrit and red blood cell volume. Frogs survived cold exposure but toads did not. Blood glucose concentration increased from 40.35 + 7.25 to 131.87 + 20.72 mg/dl (P < 0.01) when the frogs were transferred from 20 to -2 degrees Celsius. Glucose accumulation in response to cold exposition in the frogs was accompanied by a decrease (P < 0.05) in liver glycogen content from 3.94 + 0.42 to 1.33 + 0.36 mg/100 mg tissue, indicating that liver carbohydrate reserves were probably the primary carbon source of glucose synthesis whereas muscle carbohydrate seems unimportant. In the toads, the cold-induced hyperglycaemia was less (P < 0.05) pronounced (from 27.25 + 1.14 to 73.72 + 13.50 mg/dl) and no significant change could be measured in liver or muscle glycogen. Cold exposition had no effect on the haematocrit of the frogs but significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the haematocrit of toads from 20.0 + 2.1 per cent to 5.8 + 1.7 per cent due to a decreased red blood cell volume (from 1532 + 63 70 728 + 87 mm3). When toads were injected with glucose, blood glucose increased to levels similar to those of frogs and haematocrit did not change, but this failed to make them cryoresistent. In conclusion, the lack of cold-induced glucose catabolism may not be the only mechanism responsible for the freeze intolerance of Bufo paracnemis, a freeze-intolerant species.

Clinical and histological evaluation of granuloma gravidarum: case report.

Granuloma gravidarum is a benign lesion of the oral mucosa which occurs during pregnancy. This case report presents the clinical and histological evaluation and treatment of a granuloma gravidarum in a patient in the 9th month of pregnancy.

Histologic and histometric evaluation of rat alveolar wound healing around polyurethane resin implants.

The biocompatibility of polyurethane resin-implants derived from castor bean (Ricinus communis) was analyzed in the rat dental alveolus. Histometric evaluation of trial areas adjacent to the implants showed, by week 1, the polymer granules encircled by a conspicuous capsule and surrounded by immature connective tissue. By weeks 2 and 3, the implants were surrounded by less prominent fibrous capsules and most of the tested area was occupied by mature trabecular bone. By week 6, the fibrous capsule was thinner and the tested area was almost totally covered with bone, which in several places was in close contact with the implants. The results suggest that the material is compatible, as it was progressively integrated into alveolar bone in the wound-healing process.

Histological evaluation of the biocompatibility of a glass-ionomer cement in rat alveolus.

A type III glass-ionomer cement (Vidrion F), currently used as fast-setting lining material and fissure sealant, was implanted into rat dental alveolus immediately after tooth extraction and its biocompatibility was analysed in terms of incorporation into alveolar bone in the wound healing process. Histological and histometric evaluation of trial areas adjacent to the implants showed that by week 1 the glass-ionomer granules were encircled by a conspicuous capsule surrounded by immature connective tissue. By week 3 the implants were surrounded by a less prominent fibrous capsule and most of the tested area was occupied by mature trabecular bone. By week 6 the fibrous capsule was thinner and the tested area was almost totally covered by bone, which was in close contact with the implanted material in several places. Quantitative data confirmed progressive new bone formation in parallel with a decrease in the percentage fraction of connective tissue in the trial areas around the implants. The results revealed that the tested material is biologically compatible, being progressively incorporated into alveolar bone in the wound healing process. The quantitative evaluation of alveolar wound healing around a glass-ionomer implant may provide an experimental model for future comparative studies carried out with other biomaterials.

Histometric analysis of rat alveolar wound healing.

The chronology of alveolar wound healing was analyzed by a standard stereological method (point-counting volumetry) in normal rats. The upper right incisors were extracted and the animals were killed 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. A light camera was used to determine the volume fraction of histologic components in the apical, middle and cervical thirds of the alveolus. Progressive bone neoformation was quantified, in parallel to a decrease in percent volume of connective tissue. A significantly smaller volume fraction of bone trabeculae in the cervical third of the socket was observed at all periods except the 6th week. The present histometric data show that bone neoformation continued to proceed beyond the 3rd postoperative week.

Chronology of alveolar healing following immediate implantation of Ricinus communis polyurethane resin: histometric analysis in rats.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether granules of Ricinus communis polyurethane resin implanted immediately after tooth extraction interfere with the time course of alveolar wound healing in rats. Progressive bone neoformation in parallel to a decrease in the volume fraction of connective tissue was quantified by a histometric method 1, 2, 3, and 6 weeks after tooth extraction. In spite of the biocompatible nature, the presence of polyurethane resin granules in the cervical third led to a small (9-22%) but significant delay in bone formation in the middle and apical alveolar thirds from the second week on, as compared to controls.

Immediate implantation of glass-ionomer cement granules increases osteogenesis during rat alveolar wound healing.

A study was conducted to determine whether granules of type III glass-ionomer cement (currently used as a fast-setting lining material and fissure sealant) implanted immediately after tooth extraction interfere with the time course of alveolar wound healing. Histologic examination of the entire socket showed normal progression of the healing process. Progressive bone neoformation in parallel with a decrease in the volume fraction of connective tissue was quantified by a histometric method up to 6 weeks after tooth extraction. The presence of glass-ionomer granules in the cervical third led to a small delay in bone formation by the first week but not thereafter, as also observed in the remaining regions of the alveolus (middle and apical thirds) which tended, in contrast, to show a larger amount of trabecular bone from the third week onwards. These results show that the material does not hinder the wound healing process, and in fact favors bone neoformation.

Light and scanning electron microscopic study of the digestive tract in the catfish Pseudoplatystoma Corruscans Agassiz, 1829 (Pisces, Pimelodidae)

O trato digestivo do surubin Pseudoplatystoma corruscans foi estudado morfologicamente utilizando a microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura (MEV), além de técnicas histoquímicas. O epitélio estratificado do palato e faringe está constituído de uma camada basal com células indiferenciadas de núcleos elípticos de posiçäo central; uma camada média constituída de células intermediárias indiferenciadas, células gigantes acidófilas e células mucosas; e uma camada superficial de células achatadas. O esôfago apresenta estrutura semelhante, com células gigantes acidóficas menos numerosas e células poilimorfonucleares entre as células da camada basal, ao MEV, o palato evidenciou vários sulcos, sendo que a porçäo superficial está constituída de células hexagonais ou poligonais, em cuja área apical está presente as microcristas. A parte superficial da faringe apresenta células com microcristas dispostas concentricamente. O esôfago mostrou pregas longitudinais complexas, um epitélio estratificado cujas células apresentam microcristas irregulares. Os carbohidratos presentes nas células do tracto digestivo foram identificados como sendo mucosubstâncias neutras e ácidas

Hydroxylapatite and tricalcium phosphate implants in the dental alveolus of rats. A histometric study.

The objective of the present study was to analyze histomorphometrically the biological behavior of microgranular hydroxylapatite (HA 40), and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) implanted in the dental alveolus of rats. All three materials retarded alveolar repair when compared to controls, since less bone was formed during all periods of study. Nevertheless, MIC and TCP showed higher compatibility than HA 40.

Effect of acyclovir on rat fetus palate mucosa.

Five pregnant rats were treated during organogenesis with sc injections of acyclovir (50 mg/kg body weight) on days 9, 10 and 11 of pregnancy. The fetuses (N=62) were evaluated on day 20 of gestation and presented decreased body weight as well as delayed differentiation of fetal rat palate epithelium, with increased nuclear volume, decreased cytoplasmic and cellular volumes, decreased epithelial and keratin thicknesses, and increased cellular numerical density.

[Hemangioendothelioma of the lip]. / Hemangioendotelioma do lábio.

Hemangioendothelioma is a relatively uncommon tumor of the oral cavity. This article reviews the literature on hemangioendothelioma and presents one additional case of this neoplasm found on the lip.

Dental pain and sleep. Experimental study on guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).

The relationship between pain and sleep was studied by using electrocorticograms (ECoG) taken from guinea pigs submitted to noxious stimulation (NS) of the dental pulp of the upper incisors, after local application of serotonin (5-HT) to the obex (a brain region inductive to sleep). The results showed that the dental electrical stimulation of the sleepy animal was capable of keeping this animal in a state of vigilance and excitation, suggesting that the trigeminal system probably acts on the sleep regulating centers.

Protein synthesis in wound after tooth extraction in pancreatectomized diabetic rats.

The incorporation of alanine C14 in protein synthesis was analyzed in recently formed alveolar tissue after tooth extraction in partially-pancreatectomized diabetic rats. The incorporation of alanine C14 was higher in diabetic animals than in treated diabetic and control groups. The results can be explained by a delay in bone tissue repair.