Qualitative analysis of preputial and vaginal bacterial microbiota in owl monkeys (Aotus azarai infulatus) raised in captivity.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the aerobic bacteria of the preputial and vaginal microbiota in owl monkeys that have been raised in captivity and to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of these bacteria by gender and social organization. METHODS: Thirty clinically healthy Aotus azarai infulatus were used. A total of 134 samples were collected, 60 from the preputial mucosa and 74 from the vaginal mucosa. An automated system of bacterial identification was used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcus intermedius and Proteus mirabilis were the microorganisms that were most frequently identified according to gender and social organization. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated gram-positive bacteria was similar in both sexes. However, the gram-negative strains had some differences. The aerobic bacterial population of the vaginal and preputial microbiota is similar in owl monkeys, and there are no differences in the number and bacterial species according to sex and social organization.

Effect of age and number of parturitions on uterine and ovarian variables in owl monkeys.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the uterine and ovarian volumes of owl monkeys in different age groups with different numbers of live births and to analyze the interaction between both. METHODS: We performed pelvic ultrasound exams to compare the uterine measurements with weight, age (infant, juvenile, subadult, young adults, and adults) and the number of live births (nulliparous, primiparous, and multiparous) and to compare the ovarian measurements with weight and age. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The uterine volume (UV) was directly proportional to the number of parturitions, which was the most important factor in the uterine growth of adult females (P < 0.05). The body weight and age of the animals showed a high positive correlation with UV (r = 0.5354, r = 0.6489, P < 0.01), respectively. The volume of the ovaries grew in proportion to the age of the females (P < 0.05). Puberty was the period of greatest uterine and ovarian growth.

Hematological, hepatic, and renal evaluation in Aotus azarai infulatus.

BACKGROUND: Knowing the physiological ranges of certain hematological and biochemical parameters is necessary for understanding the alterations caused by pathogenic agents and establishing differences between states of health and disease. Hematological evaluations and clinical chemistry were performed on livers and kidneys from owl monkeys with different sexes and age ranges. METHODS: Forty-one healthy owl monkeys were evaluated (26 males and 15 females) in three different age groups (AG1=3months to 1 year old; AG2=2-6years old; AG3=over 7years old). The animals received physical exams, abdominal ultrasounds, and clinical laboratory tests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences were observed in hematocrit and hemoglobin values between males and females. The levels of alkaline phosphatase in the tissues were significantly influenced by age. There was also a sex influence on blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. The results show that some hematological and clinical chemistry parameters in owl monkeys may be influenced by sex and age.

Enhanced initial bone regeneration with inorganic polyphosphate-adsorbed hydroxyapatite.

Inorganic polyphosphate (poly(P)) can promote binding between fibroblast growth factors and their receptors and enhance osteoblastic cell differentiation and calcification. This study evaluated the possibilities for poly(P) adsorbed onto interconnected porous calcium hydroxyapatite (IP-CHA) as a new bone regeneration material. Prepared 1%, 5%, 25% and 50% poly(P)/IP-CHA composites showed the elution peak of poly(P) between 15 and 20 min, respectively, with the highest value from 50% poly(P)/IP-CHA in vitro. Histologically, at 1 week of placement into the femur of rabbits, granulation tissue had penetrated into the pores in all composites and IP-CHA as a control. In contrast, at 2 weeks of placement, newly formed lamellar bone was found in all groups, although a higher amount of bone regeneration was obviously formed in the 25% and 50% poly(P)/IP-CHA with a significantly higher value of bone regeneration ratio of 50% poly(P)/IP-CHA. These results indicate that 25% and 50% poly(P)/IP-CHA composites may enhance initial bone regeneration.

Effect of combined application of bFGF and inorganic polyphosphate on bioactivities of osteoblasts and initial bone regeneration.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and inorganic polyphosphate (poly(P)) have been recognized as therapeutic agents that enhance bone regeneration. It has also been shown that poly(P) may enhance the mitogenic activity of bFGF. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the combined effect of bFGF and poly(P) on bioactivities of osteoblasts and initial bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with bFGF, poly(P) or bFGF+poly(P), then subjected to cell proliferation assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurement, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Alizarin S Red staining. In an in vivo study, bFGF-, poly(P)- and bFGF+poly(P)-modified interconnected porous hydroxyapatite (IPHA) complexes were fabricated, and placed into the femurs of rabbits to evaluate new bone formation histologically and histomorphometrically. The highest enhancement of cell proliferation were observed in those treated with bFGF+poly(P) on days 5 and 7. Cells treated with bFGF+poly(P) also exhibited increased ALP activity on days 5 and 10, up-regulated mRNA levels of osteocalcin and osteopontin, and enhanced calcification when compared to the non-treated cells. In vivo, the highest bone formation ratio was observed in bFGF+poly(P)-modified IPHA complexes. This study indicated that co-application of bFGF and poly(P) may provide enhanced bone formation by modulating cell proliferation and the mineralization process. It is anticipated that a combined application of bFGF and poly(P) can provide a novel method for bone regeneration in clinical use.

Leaching of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in fly ash from municipal solid waste incinerators to a water system.

In order to predict how much polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs) are leached from fly ash by rain water when fly ash is disposed, leaching of PCDDs/Fs from a fly ash obtained from a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) was investigated by packing the ash in a column and eluting with water. In the beginning of the elution, PCDDs/Fs associated with water-soluble particulates in the ash were eluted, whereas in the latter half, those associated with water slightly soluble particles were eluted, judging from the comparison of PCDDs/Fs in eluate fractions with those transferred to solutions from the original ash by stepwise batch methods with water and 2N hydrochloric acid. The amounts of PCDDs/Fs eluted from the ash column were 2.9% and 1.7% of those extracted from the original ash, respectively, while large amounts of PCDDs/Fs were contained in the fly ash in the column after the elution, suggesting that PCDDs/Fs in water-insoluble particulates of the ash would not be eluted by water.

Skeletal fluorosis from eating soil.

A woman with chronic pyelonephritis developed progressive muscular weakness and bone pain. For twenty years she had habitually ingested fluoride-rich soil. Osteosclerosis was found on x-ray examination, and fluorosis was confirmed by bone biopsy. Renal failure augmented skeletal retention of excessive fluoride intake which, in turn, appears to have intensified symptomatic renal osteodystrophy. Skeletal fluorosis from this unexpected source has not been previously described.

Necrotizing fasciitis. Importance of roentgenographic studies for soft-tissue gas.

Twenty-six patients with necrotizing fasciitis were treated during a nine-year period. Twenty-one (81%) had diabetes mellitus and 19 (73%) had gas in their soft tissues from nonclostridial infection. Although crepitation was found by physical examination in only five patients, roentgenographic examination of the involved site disclosed gas in every patient in whom it was subsequently found at surgery. Previous studies have not used roentgenography to search for soft-tissue gas. The 21 diabetic patients in our series had a mortality of 19%, the lowest yet reported. This suggested that roentgenographic study of cases with fasciitis permits earlier diagnosis and favorably affects outcome.

Micro-determination of total phthalate esters in biological samples by gas-liquid chromatography.

A method was investigated in which all of the phthalate esters in biological samples were determined as phthalic acid by gas-liquid chromatography. The method is based on the separation of phthalate esters from the sample with n-hexane, saponification of the esters with an alkaline ethanolic solution to give phthalic acid, purification of the acid by extraction with diethyl ether and column chromatography using silica gel, and conversion of the acid into bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) phthalate with a 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol solution containing boron trifluoride. The derivative obtained is highly sensitive to an electron-capture detector, giving a sensitivity of 0.1 pg. Biological samples fortified with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate at levels of 5-100 ppb were analyzed, with recoveries of 70-100%.

Detection of sodium alkanesulphonates and alkylbenzenesulphonates by polyamide thin-layer chromatography.

A thin-layer chromatographic method was investigated in which two series of sodium alkanesulphonates (C4-C18) and alkylbenzenesulphonates (C0-C14) were separated. All of the compounds tested were clearly separated on polyamide layers with aqueous ammonia-pyridine and aqueous ammonia-pyridine-methanol systems and detected with high sensitivity by spraying with a pynacryptol yellow reagent and then observing under UV light (253.6nm).