Structural and ultrastructural study of the anterior portion of the nasal septum and inferior nasal concha.

We used scanning electron microscopy to study and compare the histologic and ultrastructural aspects of the mucosa of the anterior portion of the septum (APS) and the anterior portion of the inferior concha (APINC) in 10 healthy adults and 10 cadavers. We found that (1) in most cases, the types of epithelium were generally the same in both areas--pseudostratified cylindrical ciliated epithelium with goblet cells (respiratory epithelium), stratified cuboidal epithelium, and stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium; (2) the APINC had more respiratory epithelium than the APS; (3) the APS had more squamous epithelium than the APINC; (4) the basement membrane of the APINC was thicker than that of the APS; (5) moderate chronic inflammatory infiltrate was more common in the APINC, and mild infiltrate was more common in the APS; and (6) the APINC had more mucous glands and the APS had more serous glands.

Obtenção de matriz mineral de osso bovino e a comprovação de sua biocompatibilidade / Obtaintion of mineral matrix of bovine bone and its proof of its biocompatibility

A estrutura óssea bonina, tanto na condição de tecido cortical como medular, viabiliza através de processo termo-químico a obtenção de material mineral rico em cálcio e fósforo com características funcionais plenemente adequadas para sua aplicação como enxerto reabsorvível e condutor para reparações de defeitos ósseos. A implantação de cilindros deste material em tíbia de coelho com posterior análise histológica por microscopia de luz, eletrônica e fluorescência, comprovam a integração biocompatível com a matriz óssea original e o estímulo condutor na neoformação tecidual rico em atividade celular para a reparação óssea do leito receptor

The structure of the bilaminar zone in the human temporomandibular joint: a light and scanning electron microscopy study in young and elderly subjects.

The bilaminar zone (BZ) in the human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of toothed adults (GI) and toothless, elderly humans (GII) were analysed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In both groups the BZ consists of an upper and a lower stratum of connective tissue separated by a vascularized middle region. The superior stratum contains bundles of collagen fibres disposed in different directions. The fibres are fairly thick and transversely oriented immediately posterior to the TMJ disc. The initial part of the inferior stratum contains curved bundles of collagen fibres oriented anterio-posteriorly. From the middle to the posterior part of the inferior stratum, the fibres are right-aligned in GI and clearly sinuous in nature in GII. In both groups, the middle and posterior portions of the middle region are distinguished by the presence of vessels and vascular spaces. Loosely arranged connective and adipose tissues are also evident. The vascular spaces are wider in GII than in GI. The predominance of type I collagen fibres is clear in all regions of the BZ in both groups. The elastic fibres lie parallel to the collagen fibres in both groups and they are thicker and more abundant in GI, apparently decreasing in GII.

The structure of the bilaminar zone in the human temporomandibular joint: a light and scanning electron microscopy study in young and elderly subjects / Estrutura da zona bilaminar na articulação temporomandibular humana: um estudo leve e microscopia eletrônica de varredura e assuntos antigos

The bilaminar zone (BZ) in the human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of toothed adults (GI) and toothless, elderly humans (GII) were analysed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In both groups the BZ consists of an upper and a lower stratum of connective tissue separated by a vascularized middle region. The superior stratum contains bundles of collagem fibres disposed in diferent directions. The fibres are fairly thick and transversely oriented immediately posterior to the TMJ disc. The initial part of the inferior stratum contains curved bundles of collagem fibres oriented anterio-posteriorly. From the middle to the posterior part of the inferior stratum, the fibres are right-aligned in GI and clearly sinuous in nature in GII. In both groups, the middle and posterior portions of the middle region are distinguished by the presence of vessels and vascular spaces. Loosely arranged conective and adipose tissues are also evident. The vascular spaces are wider in GII than in GI. The predominance of type I collagen fibres is clear in all regions of the BZ in both groups. The elastic fibres lie parallel to the collagen fibres in both groups and they are thicker and more abundant in GI, apparently decreasing in GII

Corrosion casts of young rabbit palatine mucosa angioarchitecture.

The microvascular system arrangement of the palatine mucosa in young rabbits was studied using vascular corrosion casts. Specimens were obtained by injecting low viscosity resin. Superficial microvessels were observed mainly by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The blood microvessels showed differing features in the areas considered palatine rugae, inter-rugal areas and posterior region of the palatine raphe. Larger vessels were noted in deeper layers. Several capillary loops were distributed all over the palatine rugal surface. In spite of being a young animal, the rabbit's palatine mucosa demonstrated a complex angioarchitecture.

Angioarchitectural arrangements in corrosion cast of the nasal septum of the Mongolian gerbil.

The three-dimensional architecture of the vascular network of the nasal septum of the gerbil rat was studied using the corrosive resin cast technique. The angioarchitecture of the nasal septum observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that a vascular network is disposed in the lamina propria. The capillaries, arterioles, venules and arteries were closely observed in different areas of the nasal septum mucosa.

Biocompatibility of the polyurethane resin of the castor bean inserted into the alveolar bone of the dog.

The biocompability of the polyurethane resin of the castor bean (Ricinus vulgaris) was studied following its insertion into the alveolar bone of dogs, after extraction of their premolar teeth. The resin was left to polymerise in the dental alveolus. Excess of material due to polymerisation was removed and polishing was employed to smooth and adapt the occlusal surface to the margins of the alveolar bone. This allowed a perfect suture of the mucosa together with the periosteum. The resin remained in the dental alveolus for 90 days. It was observed that the polyurethane was replaced by osteoid and bone tissues and no immune or inflammatory reactions were detected. There has been work on and discussion about the use of the polyurethane in grafts, prostheses and orthoses. Attention was paid to all the surgical steps, in particular the preservation of the periosteal integrity. Further research is being followed in our Department in order to test the biocompatibility of the material presented in this paper when used together with metallic or ceramic implants.

Effects of pre- and postnatal protein deprivation on rat's hard palatine mucosae: a scanning electron microscopic study of the connective tissue papillae.

The primary (connective tissue papillae) and secondary projections of the subepithelial connective tissue of the lamina propria were studied in the hard palate of normal (control group), and in protein-deficient pups (experimental group) obtained through maternal protein deprivation during pregnancy and lactation. At birth, the primary projections in the control group are more developed in width whereas in the experimental group they are thin with a crest-like shape. On day 7 of lactation, the primary projections are abundant, well developed and regularly arranged in the control group. They are few in number and are irregular in shape and disposition in the experimental group. The secondary projections are located posterior to the primary ones in the control group and are intercalated with them in the experimental group. On day 21 of lactation, the characteristic foliate aspect of the primary projections are noted in the control group. In the experimental group they remain thin with a crest-like aspect.

A study of different calcification areas in newly formed bone 8 weeks after insertion of dental implants in rabbit tibias.

In orofacial implantology there are many types of implants for the different systems. Among these is the implant surface type, e.g., a screw type, cylindrical and laminar. Furthermore, the implants are different in their dimensions, their metal composition, their surface condition, such as smooth, grit or layered surfaces and in their methods of application. Two different self-tapping implants, one smooth and the other grit-blasted, are screwed into the bone, and another one with a plasma of titanium coating, which is also in a screw form but with greater spaces between the screw threads are compared. The greatest amount of bone deposition in the bone/implant interface was encountered in the latter one, the smooth surfaced implant being in second place. All of these systems can alter the implant healing process and to demonstrate this, we injected bone markers in the rabbits over different periods of time so as to observe the different areas of bone deposition in the tibias where the implants had been inserted. The bone tracers used were Alizarin, Calcein and Xylenol-orange. The amount of deposition was calculated by using the method of surface morphometry.

Three-dimensional angioarchitecture of tongue corrosion casts from normal young rats.

The three-dimensional architecture of the vascular network of the rat's lingual papillae has been studied employing the corrosive resin cast technique. The casts of the microvasculature of these types of papillae (the small conical filiform, true filiform, fungiform and vallate papillae) have been observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microvascular arrangements of the filiform papillae consist of well-defined simple or twisted capillary loops. The fungiform papillae have a cylindrical form with a central hole, and the capillary network gives shape to the whole papilla. Finally, the capillary bed of the oval-shaped vallate papilla with its characteristic network and small hairpin-like loops was also examined.

Ultrastructure of the parotid and submandibular glands of the Old World Marten (Carnivora; Mustelidae).

The morphology of the parotid and submandibular glands in the marten, a carnivore, were studied and analyzed under a transmission electron microscope. The nature of the granules in both glands, as well as in the acini and in the secretory tubules, is rather mucous. The structure of the secretory tubules is very characteristic, especially the striated ones. The myoepithelial cells are close to the acini and tubules and covered by the basement membrane separating them from the connective tissue, which enhances its epithelial origin. The cytoplasm of the basal parts of the acinar and tubular cells is abundant and separates the nucleus from the secretion granules. Although the morphology of the salivary glands of many carnivores is known, those of the parotid gland of the marten present peculiar characteristics, since they produce a rather mucous saliva and the granules, when forming, are far from the base as well as from the apex of the secretory cells. The submandibular gland contains granules of different densities, an aspect that in general resembles that of other animals.

Three-dimensional images of the mouse submandibular gland: an HRSEM study.

The three-dimensional characteristics of the intracellular components of acinar cells were revealed using the osmium-DMSO-osmium method. The specimens were macerated in diluted osmium after being fractured in DMSO solution. The stacks of the Golgi apparatus, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are clearly seen. The lamellae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, located around the nuclei and the Golgi apparatus, are shown in three-dimensional images. At high magnification, the mitochondria clearly reveal their cristae mitochondriales.

Scanning electron microscopy study of the interface epithelium-connective tissue surface of the lingual mucosa in Calomys callosus.

The characteristics of the interface epithelium-connective tissue of the lingual mucosa of Calomys callosus was studied by employing scanning electron microscopy after removal of the epithelial cells. In the anterior part, the connective tissue papillae of filiform papillae are distributed at random in their original configuration, and the round-shaped fungiform papillae are scattered among the filiform papillae. In the middle part, the filiform papillae present several rod-shaped projections. In the posterior part, the vallate papilla are oval in shape, and the connective tissue reveals a large ridge separated by deep lateral grooves. The posterior adjacent area is a flat surface and shows several openings of salivary gland ducts. The foliate papillae are formed by several small ridges separated by grooves. In the areas adjacent to the foliate papilla, small pointed and laminar papillae were observed.

On the size of Hassall's corpuscles in human fetuses.

The areas of prevailingly solid (SHC) and prevailingly cystic (CHC) Hassall's corpuscles in the thymuses of both male and female fetuses 16-39 weeks old were established. The results show that the mean areas of the Hassall's corpuscles increase with fetal age, with the greatest difference between the 16-19 week and 20-23 week age groups. The data indicate that the thymus represent an organ showing a developmental pattern similar to other organs like the spleen's relative growth in human fetus, whose functions are different during the fetal period, being necessary to study its growth in distinct short periods to determinate differentials growth coefficients.

Scanning electron microscopy of the lingual mucosa of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus.

The lingual mucosa of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, was studied by scanning electron microscopy in order to analyse its morphology. The tongue of the armadillo is long and thin, and has filiform, fungiform and vallate papillae. In the anterior part of the tongue and near the vallate papillae, single or bifurcated filiform papillae are found. The vallate papillae are located on the dorsal surface of the middle third of the tongue, and have two or four slender extremities. The fungiform papillae are elliptical or rounded, and are concentrated mainly on the tip and lateral surface of the tongue, reaching as far as the middle third of the dorsal surface. Their surfaces are flat and smooth on the dorsal side, with some taste pores. Their taste buds are located near the vallum. In the material for which freeze-cracking was used, the epithelial layer showed a characteristic mucosal structure, with many epithelial papillae containing blood vessels and bundles of collagen fibers. The basal epithelial surface of the tongue mucosa showed irregular projections that are rounded or polygonal in shape, with a depression in the center. These depressions varied in diameter.

Scanning electron microscopy of the Rhodnius neglectus (Hemiptera) labial salivary glands after starvation.

Labial salivary glands are found in the majority of insects. They are relatively large, extend back into the thorax, and in Rhodnius, they are cherry red in color due to a pigment derived from traces of hemoglobin absorbed form the gut. In most insects they are acinous shaped, with long excretion channels that present differentiated regions which from salivary reservoirs. The glands may be relatively simple or complexly branched and convoluted. In Rhodnius they are described as being unilobed with no traces of division. The main duct leaves the gland at its anterior extremity. The acini have different kinds of cells but all of them are seen as sources of secretion. Our material has a different shape due to the fact that the animals spent 20 days under starvation conditions. New data are also obtained through treatment with collagenase and HCl. The importance of the study of these glands lies in the fact that it will further understanding of the transmission of Chagas' disease.