Bubble plastic use in rats hernioplasty: Uso do plástico bolha em hernioplastias de ratos.

Purpose: Despite the high frequency of hernioplasties worldwide, their complications and recurrences are still a challenge to be overcome. The search for prostheses that aim to promote the correction of hernia defects has been a challenge. For this purpose, the materials used in hernioplasties must be biocompatible, promote the formation of little or no peritoneal adhesion, possess compatible texture and flexibility, providing the necessary resistance to protect the viscera and allow the movement of the abdomen. Methods: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bubble plastic (low density polyethylene, LDPE) as a material for the correction of hernia in the abdominal wall. For this, twenty male rats (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar variety) were used and divided into four groups of five animals. The animals were evaluated at 7, 15, 30 and 90 days after surgery according to clinical, thermographic and morphological parameters (macroscopic and microscopic). Results: The results showed that the bubble plastic induced inflammatory reaction in the initial period (7 day), followed by a reduction (30 day) to increase considerably at 90 days after the operation. Conclusion: So, bubble plastic can be used for temporary implants (up to 30 days).

Effects of large pressure amplitude low frequency noise in the parotid gland perivasculo-ductal connective tissue.

INTRODUCTION: In tissues and organs exposed to large pressure amplitude low frequency noise fibrosis occurs in the absence of inflammatory signs, which is thought to be a protective response. In the parotid gland the perivasculo-ductal connective tissue surrounds arteries, veins and the ductal tree. Perivasculo-ductal connective tissue is believed to function as a mechanical stabilizer of the glandular tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to quantify the proliferation of perivasculo-ductal connective tissue in large pressure amplitude low frequency noise-exposed rats we used sixty Wistar rats which were equally divided into 6 groups. One group kept in silence, and the remaining five exposed to continuous large pressure amplitude low frequency noise: g1-168h (1 week); g2-504h (3 weeks); g3-840h (5 weeks); g4-1512h (9 weeks); and g5-2184h (13 weeks). After exposure, parotid glands were removed and the perivasculo-ductal connective tissue area was measured in all groups. We applied ANOVA statistical analysis, using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: The global trend is an increase in the average perivasculo-ductal connective tissue areas, that develops linearly and significantly with large pressure amplitude low frequency noise exposure time (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: It has been suggested that the biological response to large pressure amplitude low frequency noise exposure is associated with the need to maintain structural integrity. The structural reinforcement would be achieved by increased perivasculo-ductal connective tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, these results show that in response to large pressure amplitude low frequency noise exposure, rat parotid glands increase their perivasculo-ductal connective tissue.

Introdução: Em tecidos e órgãos expostos a ruído de baixa frequência de alta amplitude ocorre fibrose na ausência de sinais inflamatórios, que se pensa ser uma resposta protetora. No tecido conjuntivo perivasculo-ductal da glândula parótida seguem artérias, veias e a árvore ductal. Crê-se que o tecido conjuntivo perivasculo-ductal funcione como um estabilizador mecânico do tecido glandular.Material e Métodos: Para quantificar a proliferação de tecido conjuntivo perivasculo-ductal em ratos expostos a ruído de baixafrequência de alta amplitude foram utilizados 60 ratos Wistar igualmente divididos em seis grupos. Um grupo mantido em silêncio, e os restantes 5 expostos a ruído de baixa frequência de alta amplitude continuamente: g1-168h (1 semana); g2-504h (3 semanas); g3-840h (5semanas); g4-1512h (9 semanas) e g5-2184h (13 semanas). Após a exposição, as parótidas foram removidas e o tecido conjuntivo perivasculo-ductal foi medido em todos os grupos. Foi efectuada análise estatística com ANOVA por SPSS 13.0.Resultados: A tendência é um aumento global das áreas do tecido conjuntivo perivasculo-ductal, que se desenvolve de forma linear e significativa com o tempo de exposição (p < 0,001).Discussão: Tem sido sugerido que a resposta biológica à exposição ao ruído de baixa frequência de alta amplitude está associada à necessidade de manter a integridade estrutural. O reforço estrutural seria conseguido através do aumento do tecido conjuntivo perivasculo-ductal.Conclusões: Assim, estes resultados mostram que o tecido conjuntivo perivasculo-ductal aumenta em resposta à exposição ao ruído de baixa frequência de alta amplitude.

Considerações sobre a sexualidade dos idosos nos textos gerontológicos / Considerations about elderly sexuality in gerontologic texts

Resumo Tanto a velhice, quanto a idéia de ciclo de vida, e também o saber geronto-geriátrico são histórica e socialmente construídos. Quando pretende afirmar cientificamente a melhor forma de viver em idade avançada, este campo de conhecimento pode tornar-se uma instância reguladora do social. A associação entre manutenção da atividade sexual na velhice e qualidade de vida é encontrada em vários textos geronto-geriátricos. Apesar de reconhecerem os complexos aspectos biopsicossociais da sexualidade, esses textos, de uma maneira geral, propõem intervenções individuais sobre as pessoas idosas e não mudanças sociais, caracterizando um lócus de reprivatização do envelhecimento. Defendemos que tanto a produção acadêmica, quanto as intervenções propostas, possam ser pautadas no respeito ao pluralismo que a sexualidade encerra e que os gerontólogos e geriatras contribuam, individual e coletivamente, para propor mudanças em padrões culturais opressores.

Abstract Old age, as the idea of life cycle, and the gerontological-geriatric knowledge are historically and socially built. While aiming to confirm scientifically the best way to live in old age, this field of study can become a regulatory social instance. There is association between sexual activity in old age and quality of life in many gerontological-geriatric texts. Although those texts recognize the complex bio-psycho-social aspects of sexuality, they recommend individual interventions on elderly people and no social changes, characterizing a locus ofreprivatization of aging. In our viewpoint, both academic production as the recommended interventions should be guided by respect to the pluralism of sexuality, and that geriatric health care providers contribute, individually and collectively, to suggest changes in opressive cultural standards.

Noise-induced gastric lesions: a light and scanning electron microscopy study of the alterations of the rat gastric mucosa induced by low frequency noise.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to low frequency noise (LFN) can lead to vibroacoustic disease (VAD), recognized as a systemic disease with lesions in a broad spectrum of organs. Although gastrointestinal complaints are common among individuals exposed to noise, only few studies tried to evaluate the digestive lesions. The authors performed this study in order to investigate gastric lesions in an animal model of VAD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adult Wistar rats were exposed to continuous LFN. After five weeks they were sacrificed. The stomachs were studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and compared with stomachs of animals kept in silence. RESULTS: Superficial erosions were present in the noise-exposed animals. Massive cell death of the gastric epithelium was observed, both by light and electron microscopy. DISCUSSION: The erosions, reflecting cellular degeneration and death, occurred without inflammation, similar to what has been observed in other LFN-exposed organs.

[Primary biliary cirrhosis associated arthritis]. / Artropatia associada à cirrose biliar primária.

We present two cases of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) in which joint manifestations preceded the diagnosis of liver disease. The authors discuss the clinical features of PBC--associated arthritis the current role of corticosteroids in this subset of patients.