Solvent-detergent filtered (S/D-F) fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate minipools prepared in a newly designed integral disposable processing bag system.

Solvent-detergent (S/D) viral inactivation was recently adapted to the treatment of single plasma donations and cryoprecipitate minipools. We present here a new process and a new bag system where the S/D reagents are removed by filtration and the final products subjected to bacterial (0.2 microm) filtration. Recovered and apheresis plasma for transfusion (FFP) and cryoprecipitate minipools (400 +/- 20 mL) were subjected to double-stage S/D viral inactivation, followed by one oil extraction and a filtration on a S/D and phthalate [di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)] adsorption device and a 0.2 microm filter. The initial and the final products were compared for visual appearance, blood cell count and cell markers, proteins functional activity, von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers and protein profile by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Tri (n-butyl) phosphate (TnBP) was quantified by gas chromatography and Triton X-45 and DEHP by high-performance-liquid chromatography (HPLC). General safety tests were by 6.5 mL/kg intravenous injection in rats. The treated plasmas and cryoprecipitates were very clear and the protein content and functionality, VWF multimers and SDS-PAGE profiles were well preserved. TnBP and Triton X-45 were < 1 and <25 ppm, respectively, and DEHP (about 5 ppm) was less than it was in the starting materials. Blood cell counts and CD45, CD61 and glycophorin A markers were negative. There was no enhanced toxicity in rats. Thus, plasma and cryoprecipitate can be S/D-treated in this new CE-marked disposable integral processing system under conditions preserving protein function and integrity, removing blood cells, S/D agents and DEHP, and ensuring bacterial sterility. This process may offer one additional option to blood establishments for the production of virally inactivated plasma components.

Correlation between temporomandibular joint temporal component pneumatization and morphology: analysis by cone beam computed tomography.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a correlation exists between temporal bone pneumatization and the morphology of the articular eminence and glenoid fossa. A sample of 100 cone beam computed tomography scans was used, for a total of 200 temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Paracoronal and parasagittal images of the TMJ were evaluated by two examiners. For all TMJ, pneumatization was classified in the mid-lateral direction using a score of 0 or 1, and in the anteroposterior direction using a score ranging from 0 to 3. The inclination and height of the articular eminence and the thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa were obtained. Pneumatization was found in the mid-lateral direction in 83.5% of the cases and in the anteroposterior direction in 88%. The age of the patient and side did not influence the prevalence or degree of pneumatization (P=0.051-0.953), but female patients showed more pneumatization in the mid-lateral direction than male patients (P=0.014). The presence of pneumatization did not affect articular eminence and mandibular fossa morphology. It is concluded that the presence and extent of pneumatization of the TMJ temporal component does not affect its morphology. However, professionals should be aware of the high prevalence of pneumatization and take this into account when performing TMJ assessment.

Bone healing in critical-size defects treated with platelet-rich plasma activated by two different methods. A histologic and histometric study in rat calvaria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze histologically the influence of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) coagulated with two different activators on bone healing in surgically created critical-size defects (CSD) in rat calvaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight rats were divided into three groups: C, PRP-C and PRP-T. An 8 mm diameter CSD was created in the calvarium of each animal. In group C, the defect was filled by a blood clot only. In groups PRP-C and PRP-T, the defect was filled with PRP activated with either calcium chloride or thromboplastin solution, respectively. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 8 per subgroup) and killed at either 4 or 12 weeks postoperatively. Histologic and histometric analyses were performed. The amount of new bone formed was calculated as a percentage of the total area of the original defect. Percentage data were transformed into arccosine for statistical analysis (analysis of variance, Tukey's post hoc test, p < 0.05). RESULTS: No defect completely regenerated with bone. Group PRP-C had a statistically greater amount of bone formation than groups C and PRP-T at both time points of analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups C and PRP-T. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the type of activator used to initiate PRP clot formation influences its biological effect on bone healing in CSD in rat calvaria.

Evolutionary conservation of actin-binding proteins in Trypanosoma cruzi and unusual subcellular localization of the actin homologue.

The actin cytoskeleton controls pivotal cellular processes such as motility and cytokinesis, as well as cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions. Assembly and spatial organization of actin filaments are dynamic events regulated by a large repertoire of actin-binding proteins. This report presents the first detailed characterization of the Trypanosoma cruzi actin (TcActin). Protein sequence analysis and homology modelling revealed that the overall structure of T. cruzi actin is conserved and that the majority of amino-acid changes are concentrated on the monomer surface. Immunofluorescence assays using specific polyclonal antibody against TcActin revealed numerous rounded and punctated structures spread all over the parasitic body. No pattern differences could be found between epimastigotes and trypomastigotes or amastigotes. Moreover, in detergent extracts, TcActin was localized only in the soluble fraction, indicating its presence in the G-actin form or in short filaments dissociated from the microtubule cytoskeleton. The trypanosomatid genome was prospected to identify actin-binding and actin-related conserved proteins. The main proteins responsible for actin nucleation and treadmilling in higher eukaryotes are conserved in T. cruzi.

Evaluation of enamel dental restoration interface by optical coherence tomography.

Evaluation of molar dental restorations on enamel is performed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) with 10 microm resolution. Images of approximately 50 microm failure gaps in the restorations are demonstrated and the OCT images are compared with x-ray and optical microscopy pictures. The results demonstrate the potential of the technique for clinical evaluation of dental restorations.

PTTL method applied to UV radiation detection during refractive surgery using excimer laser.

The method of phototransferred thermoluminescence (PTTL), using CaSO(4):Dy pellets produced at IPEN as sensitive material, was used to detect the spread laser radiation inside the surgery room during refractive surgical procedures using ArF excimer lasers. The purpose of this work was to study the viability of performing the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure detection of patients and the hospital's surgical staff during a refractive surgery. The CaSO(4):Dy pellets were positioned at different distances from the laser source inside the surgery room: patient's ( congruent with 0.15 m), surgeon's ( congruent with 0.5 m) and nurse's ( congruent with 1.0 m) foreheads, lateral ( congruent with 1.5 m) and back ( congruent with 4.0 m) walls. The measurements of PTTL were carried out at two different conditions: five surgeries, each one taking approximately 10 min, and during a period of 4 h (cumulative), when several operations were performed. The detectors positioned as far as 4.0 m from the UV laser source were sensitised, making the UVR detection feasible at large source-detector distances. The absorbed energy was detected in the range from 40 microJ to 30 mJ during a surgery. This result indicates that the method studied can be used to detect the spread UVR.

Levels and determinants of early neonatal mortality in Natal, northeastern Brazil: results of a surveillance and case-control study.

An institution-based surveillance and nested case-control study was conducted in Natal, Northeastern Brazil to estimate the level and determinants of early neonatal mortality. The early neonatal mortality rate was 25.5 per 1000 live-birth, 75% of early neonatal deaths were premature low birthweight infants, and the mortality rates were 591 and 318 per 1000 respectively, for preterm small for gestational age (PT-SGA) and preterm appropriate for gestational age (PT-AGA) infants. Mortality was 50 per 1000 for term low birthweight, and 8.6 for term normal birthweight AGA infants. In addition to prematurity and low birthweight, the main risk factors associated with early neonatal death were maternal smoking, complications during pregnancy or intrapartum, and inadequate antenatal care. The associations were weaker for prepregnancy factors such as single marital status or low maternal body weight, and no significant associations were observed with socioeconomic status. These findings suggest that in this population, efforts to reduce early neonatal death should focus on improved maternal care and the prevention of prematurity.

PIP: To facilitate health service planning, a surveillance and case-control study were conducted of births in 3 hospitals and 2 maternity clinics in the city of Natal in northeastern Brazil. The surveillance study revealed 285 early neonatal deaths among the 111,171 singleton live births recorded in the study institutions from September 1984-February 1986, for a rate of 25.5/1000. 75% of these early neonatal deaths involved premature infants. The mortality rates were 591/1000 for preterm small-for-gestational age infants and 318/1000 for preterm appropriate-for-gestational age infants, while this rate was 50/1000 for term low-birthweight infants and only 8.6/1000 for term normal birthweights infants. The case-control study indicated that the maternal risk factors of body weight under 50 kg and single parent status significantly increased the likelihood of early neonatal mortality, while maternal age, parity, prior reproductive loss, and socioeconomic status did not have a significant effect on this outcome. Pregnancy-related factors that substantially increased the risk of early neonatal death included smoking, bleeding during the first or second trimester, toxemia, less than 5 prenatal care visits, and congenital malformations. These pregnancy-related risks exerted a more substantial effect than maternal characteristics, suggesting the feasibility of a strategy focused on preventing preterm births through prenatal care rather than a high-risk approach of screening women prior to pregnancy.

The radiographic platform: a new method to evaluate root canal preparation in vitro.

An in vitro method for evaluating root canal preparation in curved canals is presented. Based on Schneider's method, this technique makes it possible to obtain the position of the instrument before and after instrumentation in the same X-ray film. The use of the radiographic platform is a valuable research and teaching aid.

SEM analysis of smear layer removal after manual and automated handpiece root canal preparation.

Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the smear layer removal after root canal preparation by a manual technique and by an automated handpiece, the Canal Finder System (CFS). When 1% sodium hypochlorite was used as the irrigating solution, both manual and CFS techniques showed root canal walls with a dense smear layer obscuring the dentinal tubules entrance plus a large amount of debris. Root canal walls of the group of teeth treated with a chelating agent (EDTA) for 5 min and a final flush, after the preparation, with 1% sodium hypochlorite as an irrigating solution showed the cervical, middle and apical thirds extremely smooth and clear.