Morphological changes in the anterior vaginal wall caused by aging: a scanning electron microscopy study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Collagen is a protein that confers robustness and resilience to several tissues. In the female reproductive system, collagen plays a critical role in maintaining the health and function of the vaginal walls. Aging leads to collagen reduction, which may cause vaginal dryness, irritation, and prolapse. We aim to analyze the structure and profile of collagen in the anterior vaginal wall of healthy pre-menopausal (pre-M) and post-menopausal (post-M) women under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). METHODS: Fragments of the anterior vaginal wall were collected and processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Histological preparations were performed at first with Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin stain. Decellularized preparations were conducted, and the specimens were placed under an SEM to allow observation of the 3D organization of collagen. RESULTS: Decellularized preparations of the pre-M specimens showed a vaginal wall with an irregular subepithelial layer, organized with ECM projections. The subepithelium evidenced the network of collagen fibrils, which seemed to support the epithelium as a basal layer. In specimens of post-M, a fusion of a network of fibrils from different direction axes was evidenced, with plate formation observed in the subepithelial plane, disfiguring the structural organization of fibrils. CONCLUSIONS: Older specimens showed a remodeling of collagen organization in comparison with younger samples of the anterior vaginal wall.

Grape Leucoanthocyanidin Protects Liver Tissue in Albino Rabbits with Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common ailment. It is usually found in association with diabetes or obesity. There are no approved drugs to treat this condition. The study of flavonoid consumption has increased over the decades due to their antioxidative properties, although the literature is scarce when it comes to their effects in liver tissue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of leucoanthocyanidin in nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis. Thirty male albino rabbits were divided in 3 groups. Group 1 had a regular commercial diet. The second group had a regular diet and 10 mL of egg yolk and 1.5 g of pure cholesterol. The rabbits of the third group were on the same regimen as the second, but were also treated with grape leucoanthocyanidin (50 mg/kg/day) for 100 days. On the last day of the experiment, the animals were euthanized, and the livers excised and fixated in a 10% formalin solution. Afterwards, fragments of each liver were removed and histologically processed and analyzed. The stereological evaluation showed that leucoanthocyanidin reduced NAFLD in comparison with the nontreated group. This was also observed in the histological analysis of the liver tissue, as the treated group had less foci of fatty tissue. Leucoanthocyanidin may therefore be a promising substance to treat NAFLD, although further studies are needed.

Suboptimal debridement quality produced by the single-file F2 ProTaper technique in oval-shaped canals.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine whether the debridement quality of the single-file F2 ProTaper instrumentation technique is comparable to a full conventional ProTaper sequence in both round and oval-shaped root canals. METHODS: Fifty-four recently extracted vital lower incisors were instrumented with either a full range of ProTaper Universal instruments in rotary motion (group 1) or with the single-file F2 ProTaper technique in reciprocating motion (group 2). Teeth were previously classified as round or oval-shaped by means of bidirectional radiographs, resulting in 24 round canals, 24 oval canals, and 12 controls. After instrumentation, the roots were demineralized, and the apical 3 mm was multi-sliced and processed for histologic examination. The percentage of residual pulp tissue (PRPT) was calculated with the aid of image analysis software. Univariate analysis of variance was used to verify the variables influencing PRPT. RESULTS: Both canal shape and technique significantly influenced PRPT (P < .05). Oval-shaped canals displayed much more PRPT than round canals in both techniques (P < .05). The difference in PRPT between the techniques depended on the root canal shape, since a significant interaction between canal shape and technique was observed (P < .05). Group 1 displayed considerably less PRPT in oval canals than group 2 (P < .05), whereas in round canals no significant difference was found between the 2 techniques (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The single-file F2 ProTaper technique displayed similar PRPT to the full range of ProTaper instruments in round canals. However, the debridement quality of the single-file F2 ProTaper technique was suboptimal in oval canals.