Repair of Critical Size Bone Defects Using Synthetic Hydroxyapatite or Xenograft with or without the Bone Marrow Mononuclear Fraction: A Histomorphometric and Immunohistochemical Study in Rat Calvaria.

Bone defects are a challenging clinical situation, and the development of hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials is a prolific research field that, in addition, can be joined by stem cells and growth factors in order to deal with the problem. This study compares the use of synthetic hydroxyapatite and xenograft, used pure or enriched with bone marrow mononuclear fraction for the regeneration of critical size bone defects in rat calvaria through histomorphometric (Masson's staining) and immunohistochemical (anti-VEGF, anti-osteopontin) analysis. Forty young adult male rats were divided into five groups (n = 8). Animals were submitted to critical size bone defects (Ø = 8 mm) in the temporoparietal region. In the control group, there was no biomaterial placement in the critical bone defects; in group 1, it was filled with synthetic hydroxyapatite; in group 2, it was filled with xenograft; in group 3, it was filled with synthetic hydroxyapatite, enriched with bone marrow mononuclear fraction (BMMF), and in group 4 it was filled with xenograft, enriched with BMMF. After eight weeks, all groups were euthanized, and histological section images were captured and analyzed. Data analysis showed that in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 (received biomaterials and biomaterials plus BMMF), a significant enhancement in new bone matrix formation was observed in relation to the control group. However, BMMF-enriched groups did not differ from hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials-only groups. Therefore, in this experimental model, BMMF did not enhance hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials' potential to induce bone matrix and related mediators.

Evaluation of the temperature of posterior lower limbs skin during the whole body vibration measured by infrared thermography: Cross-sectional study analysis using linear mixed effect model.

BACKGROUND: Whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) has been shown to improve muscular strength and power, and increase peripheral blood flow. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of the skin temperature (Tsk) on regions of the lower limbs from an acute bout of WBVE. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Cross-sectional study approved by local ethics committee (Certificado de Apresentação para Apreciação Ética-CAAE-19826413.8.0000.5259) and Trial registration (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos-REBEC-RBR-738wng). Using Infrared thermography (IRT), Tsk and thermal symmetry of the posterior lower extremities (thigh, knee, calf and heel) were examined in 19 healthy participants. IRT was assessed during 60-second WBVE exposures of 0, 30 and 50 Hz. From the adjusted linear mixed effects model, vibration frequency, time and regions of the lower extremity were significant (p<0.001). However, the variable laterality was not significant (p = 0.067) and was excluded from the adjusted statistical model. The adjusted model was significant (p<0.00001) and all variables in the model were significant (p<0.01) indicating that Tsk decreases with time, independently of the vibration frequency. The value of the Pseudo-R-Squared for the model was 0.8376. The presented mathematical model of the current study may be useful to justify the patterns observed for all vibration frequencies between and 0 and 50 Hz. The main limitations of the study were the reduced time of the intervention and not having evaluated other regions of the body. CONCLUSIONS: The acute exposure of 60-second mechanical vibration has effect on the behavior of Tsk of the posterior region of the lower limbs, which is likely to be associated with a decrease on the blood flow due to WBVE. It is speculated that during WBVE a greater supply of blood is required where the body responds by shunting blood flow from the skin to working muscle in the first seconds of exercise. Further investigative work is required to verify this hypothesis.

Erythema multiforme in leprosy

The clinical course of leprosy is often interrupted by reactions, which are acute inflammatory episodes that can be classified as type I or type II. Type II reactions can present as cutaneous lesions that resemble erythema multiforme (EM). EM is classically associated with drug allergies or pre-existing viral infections. However, the differential diagnostic criteria of the diverse causative agents remain controversial. The aim of this study was to determine both the clinical relevance and the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the EM-like lesions during the course of type II leprosy reactions. Twenty-seven skin biopsies were taken from typical EM-like lesions of multibacillary patients and reviewed; their histological features were correlated to their clinical aspects. Then, a computer-assisted morphometric analysis was performed to measure the extent of angiogenesis during these acute episodes. The histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the EM lesions revealed that they shared the same features that have been previously described for ENL, including immunopositivity in the identical cell-mediated immune markers. Our results point to leprosy as the cause of the EM-like lesions in our patients. Therefore, leprosy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of EM.

Erythema multiforme in leprosy.

The clinical course of leprosy is often interrupted by reactions, which are acute inflammatory episodes that can be classified as type I or type II. Type II reactions can present as cutaneous lesions that resemble erythema multiforme (EM). EM is classically associated with drug allergies or pre-existing viral infections. However, the differential diagnostic criteria of the diverse causative agents remain controversial. The aim of this study was to determine both the clinical relevance and the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the EM-like lesions during the course of type II leprosy reactions. Twenty-seven skin biopsies were taken from typical EM-like lesions of multibacillary patients and reviewed; their histological features were correlated to their clinical aspects. Then, a computer-assisted morphometric analysis was performed to measure the extent of angiogenesis during these acute episodes. The histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the EM lesions revealed that they shared the same features that have been previously described for ENL, including immunopositivity in the identical cell-mediated immune markers. Our results point to leprosy as the cause of the EM-like lesions in our patients. Therefore, leprosy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of EM.

Appetite-related hormone levels in obese women with and without binge eating behavior / Hormônios reguladores do apetite em mulheres obesas com e sem compulsão alimentar

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of appetite-related hormones (peptide YY3-36, total ghrelin, leptin and insulin) before and after consumption of a meal in obese women with and without binge eating episodes and normal weight women. METHODS: Twenty-five women aged 32-50 years were invited to participate in this study, including 9 normal weight women without binge eating episodes (20-25kg/m², group 1), 9 obese women with binge eating episodes (³30kg/m², group 2), and 7 obese women without binge eating episodes (group 3). Four blood samples were collected from each participant, one being 60 minutes before and three being 15, 45 and 90 minutes after a meal. The composition of the meal was 55 percent carbohydrates, 15 percent protein and 30 percent lipids. RESULTS: Group 3 presented increased HOMA-IR (M=2.5, SD=1.04) when compared with group 1 (M=1.5, SD=0.53) and group 2 (M=1.8, SD=0.58), p=0.04. Body mass index (p<0.0001), leptin (p<0.0001) and insulin (p=0.01) were higher in group 3 than in the other groups before and after the meal. Additionally, total ghrelin (p=0.003) and PYY3-36 (p=0.02) levels were lower in group 2 than in the other groups before and after the meal. After adjustment for body mass index, only the lower PYY3-36 level of group 2 remained statistically different from the other groups (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that lower levels of PYY 3-36 are associated with binge eating in obese women.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, antes e após a refeição, as concentrações séricas de hormônios ligados ao controle do apetite (peptídeo YY3-36, grelina total, leptina e insulina) em mulheres obesas com e sem episódios de compulsão alimentar e compará-las às mulheres de peso normal. MÉTODOS: Vinte e cinco mulheres com idade entre 32 e 50 anos foram convidadas a participar deste estudo, incluindo 9 mulheres com peso normal (20-25kg/m²) sem episódios de compulsão alimentar (grupo 1), 9 mulheres obesas (³30 kg/m²) com episódios de compulsão alimentar (grupo 2) e 7 mulheres obesas sem episódios de compulsão alimentar (grupo 3). Foram coletadas quatro amostras de sangue pós-prandiais a 60 minutos (1 hora antes), bem como 15, 45 e 90 minutos após uma refeição composta de 55 por cento de carboidratos, 15 por cento de proteínas e 30 por cento de lipídeos. RESULTADOS: O maior HOMA-IR foi observado no grupo 3 (M=2,5, DP=1,04) quando comparado ao grupo 1 (M=1,5, DP=0,53) e ao grupo 2 (M=1,8, DP=0,58), p=0,04. O índice de massa corporal (p<0,0001), a leptina (p<0,0001) e a insulina (p=0,01) foram maiores no grupo 3 antes e após a refeição. A grelina total (p=0,003) e o PYY3-36 (p=0,02) foram menores no grupo 2 antes e após a refeição. Após o ajuste do índice de massa corporal, apenas a baixa concentração de PYY3-36 no grupo 2 manteve-se estatisticamente diferente entre os grupos (p=0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que níveis baixos do PYY-3-36 estejam associados à compulsão alimentar em mulheres obesas.

Leptin/adiponectin ratio in obese women with and without binge eating disorder.

BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue-derived hormones are involved in the pathophysiology of eating disorders and other mental disorders. Studies have suggested that the serum leptin/adiponectin ratio is highly correlated with BMI. Furthermore, it is associated with a number of metabolic processes and inflammatory markers that are involved in obesity and mental disorders, such as the physiopathology of binge eating disorder (BED). We investigated whether variations in leptin and adiponectin serum concentrations differed between adult women with and without BED before and after a meal. METHODS: The study group was composed of 8 normal weight women (20-25 kg/m2) without BED, 8 obese women (>/=30 kg/m2) with BED, and 7 obese women without BED (non-BED). Blood samples were collected before and after the consumption of a meal composed of 55% carbohydrates, 15% protein, and 30% lipids. RESULTS: Body mass index (p<0.0001), leptin (p<0.0001) and the leptin/adiponectin ratio (p<0.0001) were higher in obese non-BED women than in obese BED and normal weight groups. Adiponectin (p=0.01) concentrations were lower in the obese BED group than in the other groups before and after the meal. CONCLUSIONS: The hypoadiponectinemia followed by the altered levels of leptin in obese BED woman may predispose these subjects to an inadequate energy balance, which could promote weight gain and an increased food intake in woman that may contribute to obesity and binge eating in these subjects.

Long-term effects of overfeeding during lactation on insulin secretion--the role of GLUT-2.

Overnutrition during critical developmental periods is believed to be a risk factor for the emergence of metabolic disorders in adulthood. The present study investigated the effects of pups overfeeding during lactation on offspring's insulin secretion. To study the consequences of overnutrition early in life in rats, litter size reduction has been shown to be an appropriate experimental model. To induce early postnatal overnutrition, litter size was reduced to three pups per litter at the third day following birth [overfed group (OG)]. In the control group (CG), the litter size was adjusted to 10 pups per litter. Metabolic parameters and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were assessed. OG pups ingested more milk at 10 and 21 days and had an augmented food intake at 1 year compared to the CG. Consistently, body weight, body fat, and fasting plasma levels of insulin were higher in 1-year-old OG rats. In addition, OG rats exhibited enhanced insulin secretion, accompanied by elevated content of GLUT-2 in pancreatic islets compared to CG. These findings indicate that early postnatal overnutrition during a critical developmental period in life may program permanent alterations in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.

Associação de POMC, NPY e IRS2 hipotalâmicos com padrões de comportamento alimentar em ratos Wistar normais e sobrepeso / Association of POMC, NPY and hypothalamic IRS2 with patterns of eating behavior in overweight and normal Wistar rats

O comportamento alimentar de uma espécie é determinado por um conjunto de características filogenéticas, ontogenéticas, e epigenéticas, e regulado por fatores internos e externos ao organismo. Os fenômenos naturais que regem a vida no nosso planeta são periódicos em sua maioria, e a oferta de alimentos não é exceção. Cada safra é seguida de uma entressafra, e este ritmo sincroniza diversos outros ritmos, exógenos e endógenos, capazes de determinar a sobrevivência de espécies. Uma das estratégias adaptativas mais primitivas e bem sucedidas na dinâmica oscilatória da natureza, é o acúmulo de reservas. Nossa espécie, nos últimos 50 anos, vive uma situação de grande oferta de alimentos, período este extremamente pequeno, se visto sob a ordem de grandeza da evolução humana. Este fenômeno tem sido determinante na prevalência do depósito de energia e em decorrência, do surgimento da obesidade e suas consequentes patologias. O hipotálamo está intimamente associado à homeostase energética e ao comportamento alimentar. No núcleo arqueado hipotalâmico encontram-se populações neuronais orexigênicas e anorexigênicas, dentre as quais, as que expressam os neuroreceptores POMC, NPY e o substrato de receptor de insulina IRS2. A modificação da expressão destas proteínas tem sido associada à alterações do comportamento alimentar, bem como à impressão e programação metabólica, capazes de induzir obesidade em ratos adultos. A correlação desta circuitaria neuronal com o comportamento alimentar, porém, ainda não está suficientemente compreendida. A detecção do estado de fome-saciedade nos ratos, fundamental no estudo da neurofisiologia relacionada ao comportamento alimentar, vem sendo obtida via de regra, por meio de procedimentos complexos de observação comportamental. O presente estudo contribui para o conhecimento de padrões de alimentação determinados por condições nutricionais, e sua relação com a expressão neurofisiológica hipotalâmica dos neurônios POMC, NPY e IRS2 ...

The feeding behavior of a specie is determined by a group of phylogenetic, ontogenetic, and epigenetic features, and regulated by internal and external factors to the organism. The natura phenomena that govern life in our planet are mainly periodic, and the food stocks is not an exception. Each harvest is followed by a time between harvests, and this rhythm synchronizes other several exogenous and endogenous rhythms, capable of determining the survival of species. One of the most primitive strategies of adaptative evolution of species, and what usually happens regarding the oscillatory dynamics of nature, is the reserve accumulation. Our species, in the last 50 years, has been living a situation of great food offer, such period is exremely small if analysed under the greatness order of the human evolution. This phenomenon has been decisive in the prevalence of the energy deposit and, in consequence, determining the appearance of obesity and its consequent pathologies. The hypothalamus is intimately associated to the energy homeostasis and the feeding behavior. In the arcuate nucleous are orexigenic and anorexigenic neuronal populations, that express the neuroreceptors POMC, NPY and insulin receptor substratum IRS2. The modification of these proteins expression, has been associated to alterations of the feeding behavior, as well as to the metabolic imprinting and programming, capable to induce obesity in adult rats. The correlation of this neuronal circuits with the alimentary behavior, however, it is not yet sufficiently understood. The detection of the hunger-satiation state in the rat, crucial in the neurophysiology studies related to the alimentary behavior, has been obtained through complex procedures of behavioral observation. The present study contributed to the knowledge of certain feeding patterns for nutritional conditions, and its relationship with the neurophysiological expression of POMC, NPY and IRS2 neurons. Using the metabolic programming ...

Electron microscopy and morphometric analyses of microtubules in two differently sized types of axons in the protocerebral tract of a crustacean.

Despite several reports on the morphology and functions associated with the morphometry of the vertebrate axoplasm cytoskeleton, the subject has not been thoroughly explored in invertebrates. In vertebrates, among many other functions, microtubules (MTs) serve as scaffolding for axon assembly, and neurofilaments (NFs) as the elements that determine the axon caliber. Intermediate filaments have never been described by electron microscopy in arthropods, although NF proteins have been revealed in the MT side-arms of the axoplasm of certain species, such as the crab Ucides cordatus. Thus, it is not known which elements of the cytoskeleton of invertebrates are responsible for determination of the axon caliber. We studied, by electron microscopy and morphometric analyses, the MT and axon area variability in differently sized axons of the protocerebral tract of the crab Ucides cordatus. Our results revealed differences in the distance between MTs, in MT density and number, and in the areas of differently sized axons. The number of MTs increases with the axon area, but this relationship is not directly proportional. Therefore, MT density is greater in smaller axons than in medium axons, similar to the morphometry of the vertebrate axon MT. The distance between MTs is, however, directly related to the axonal area. On the basis of the results shown here, and on previous reports by us and others, we suggest that MTs may be involved in the determination of the axon caliber, possibly due to the presence of NF proteins found in the side-arms.

Effect of a chayotte (Sechium edule) extract on the labeling of red blood cells and plasma proteins with technetium-99m: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Sechium edule (chayotte) is used as food or as medication in popular medicine. The labeling of blood elements with technetium-99m (99mTc) has been altered by drugs (synthetic and natural). Some authors have reported biological effects concerning the chayotte. We have evaluated the influence of chayotte extracts (macerated and infusion) on the labeling of blood elements with 99mTc. In vitro study, blood was incubated with the extracts, (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100% v/v). In in vivo study, the animals were treated with the extracts (100% v/v), as drinking water (15 and 60 days) and samples of blood were withdrawn. The blood samples were incubated with stannous chloride and with 99mTc. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated, also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) separated. There was a (p < 0.05) decrease in the radioactivity in BC, IF-BC and IF-P with the infusion (100%) and a slight decrease in the uptake of 99mTc by BC and a strong decrease in the fixation in IF-P with the macerated when the extracts were administrated in vivo (15 days). In 60 days, there was a decrease in BC (98.77 to 53.53%), in IF-BC (90.36 to 21.20%) and in IF-P (77.20 to 11.01%). In vitro study no alterations on the labeling of blood elements were found, however, we have found alterations on the fixation of 99mTc in the in vivo study, probably, due to the metabolization of chayotte capable to induce the generation of active metabolites.

Differences in Brazilian strains of Schistosoma mansoni evaluated by means of morphometric analysis of cercariae of both sexes

Morphometrics of Brazilian strains (BH, SJ and CMO) of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae were obtained with a computerized image analyzer (IMAGE PRO PLUS, MEDIA CYBERNETICS), considering the following characters: body area, tail, furcae, oral and ventral suckers and distance between them. For statistical analysis, the variance test (one-way Anova) was applied and significant differences of p< 0.05 were considered. All morphometric values in the BH strain were significantly higher (p< 0.05) than in the others. Lower values were obtained in females of SJ strain for all characters, excepting the body area. Only this character showed to be significantly different in males and females of the three strains. Specimens of both sexes in the BH and SJ strains showed significant differences regarding all characters. It was observed that this morphometric analysis permits the characterization of strains and also the sex identification in S. mansoni cercariae. Due to its feasibility, this method can be applied as a tool in laboratories devoid of more complex equipment

Schistosoma mansoni Sambon 1907: morphometric differences between adult worms from sympatric rodent and human isolates

A computer software for image (IMAGE PRO PLUS, MEDIA CYBERNETICS) was utilized in male and females adult worms aiming the morphological characterization of Schistosoma mansoni samples isolated from a sylvatic rodent, Nectomys squamipes and humans in Sumidouro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and recovered from Mus musculus C3H/He. The following characters for male's testicular lobes were analyzed: number, area, density, larger and shorter diameter, longer and shorter axis and perimeter and extension; for females: area, longer and shorter axis, larger and smaller diameter and perimeter of the eggs and spine; oral and ventral suckers area and distance between them in both sex were determined. By the analysis of variance (one way ANOVA) significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in all studied characters, except for the density of testicular lobes. Significant differences (p<0.05) were detected for all characters in the female worms. Data ratify that sympatric isolates present phenotypic differences and the adult female characters are useful for the proper identification of S. mansoni isolates.