Morphological characteristic of premature infants’s kidneys with opened Ductus Arteriosis (by the autopsy).

Background. Kidney has protracted nephrogenesis and depend on hemodynamic changes on the highest level in support of natural transition to extrauterine circulation. Fetal communications like Ductus Arteriosus take part in the shunting from the aorta to the pulmonary artery. Increase of this shunting of the blood leads to hyperperfusion with hypoxic changes of some development systems of organs with protracted morphogenesis so like kidneys. Objective. To determine the features of postnatal morphogenesis of the kidneys in premature infants with a gestational age of 25 to 35 weeks on the background of an open ductus arteriosus. Methods. 21 autopsy material premature infant’s kidney which were fixed by 10%-formalin and then were subjected to the standard histological procedures. Slides were stained by hematoxylin and eosin. We used the complex of histological and morphometric methods. There were created 3-demenshional models of kidney’s fragments. We carried out biometrical and statistical analysis. Results. During our research it was determines that the changes of the volume of the functional parenchyma of the kidney and the diameter of the Ductus Arteriosus became in inverse relationship. The wider the duct the smaller the volume of the functional parenchyma because of atrophic and necrotic changes during the late stages of glomerulo- and tubulogenesis. These changes could be distinguished by the quantitative density of development on three germinate layers of the cortex of kidney. Сonclusion. Summing up, it determined the retardation of glomerulogenesis particularly superficial area of the cortex because of the opened Ductus Arteriosus.

Photosensitization of a subcutaneous tumour by the natural anthraquinone parietin and blue light

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anticancer treatment involving administration of a tumour-localizing photosensitizer, followed by activation by light of a suitable wavelength. In previous work, we showed that the natural anthraquinone (AQ) Parietin (PTN), was a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of leukemic cells in vitro. The present work aimed to analyze the photosensitizing ability of PTN in the mammary carcinoma LM2 cells in vitro and in vivo in a model of subcutaneously implanted tumours. Photodynamic therapy mediated by parietin (PTN-PDT) (PTN 30 µM, 1 h and 1.78 J/cm2 of blue light) impaired cell growth and migration of LM2 cells in vitro. PTN per se induced a significant decrease in cell migration, and it was even more marked after illumination (migration index was 0.65 for PTN and 0.30 for PTN-PDT, *p < 0.0001, ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test), suggesting that both PTN and PTN-PDT would be potential inhibitors of metastasis. Fluorescence microscopy observation indicated cytoplasmic localization of the AQ and no fluorescence at all was recorded in the nuclei. When PTN (1.96 mg) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide was topically applied on the skin of mice subcutaneously implanted with LM2 cells, PTN orange fluorescence was strongly noticed in the stratum corneum and also in the inner layers of the tumour up to approximately 5 mm. After illumination with 12.74 J/cm2 of blue light, one PDT dose at day 1, induced a significant tumour growth delay at day 3, which was not maintained in time. Therefore, we administered a second PTN-PDT boost on day 3. Under these conditions, the delay of tumour growth was 28% both on days 3 and 4 of the experiment (*p < 0.05 control vs. PTN-PDT, two-way ANOVA, followed by Sidak’s multiple comparisons test). Histology of tumours revealed massive tumour necrosis up to 4 mm of depth. Intriguingly, a superficial area of viable tumour in the 1 mm superficial area, and a quite conserved intact skin was evidenced. We hypothesize that this may be due to PTN aggregation in contact with the skin and tumour milieu of the most superficial tumour layers, thus avoiding its photochemical properties. On the other hand, normal skin treated with PTN-PDT exhibited slight histological changes. These preliminary findings encourage further studies of natural AQs administered in different vehicles, for topical treatment of cutaneous malignancies.

Topical Application of the Anthraquinone Parietin and Blue Light Illumination Induces Delayed Cell Growth and Necrosis in the Deeper Layers of a Subcutaneously Implanted Tumour

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anticancer treatment involving administration of a tumour-localizing photosensitizer, followed by activation by light of a specific wavelength.In previous work, we showed that the natural anthraquinone (AQ) Parietin (PTN), was a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of leukemic cells in vitro. The present work aimed to analyze the photosensitizing ability of PTN in the mammary carcinoma LM2 cells in vitro and in vivo in a model of subcutaneously implanted tumours.Photodynamic therapy mediated by Parietin (PTN-PDT) (PTN 30 µM, 1 h and 1.78 J/cm2 of blue light) impaired cell growth and migration of LM2 cells in vitro. PTN per se induced a significant decrease in cell migration, and it was even more marked after illumination (migration index was 0.65 for PTN and 0.30 for PTN-PDT), suggesting that both PTN and parietin-mediated PDT would be potential inhibitors of metastasis.Fluorescence microscopy observation indicated cytoplasmatic localization of the AQ and no fluorescence at all was recorded in the nuclei.When PTN (1.96 mg) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide was topically applied on the skin of mice subcutaneously implanted with LM2 cells, PTN orange fluorescence was strongly noticed in the stratum corneum and also in the inner layers of the tumour up to approximately 5 mm. After illumination with 12.74 J/cm2 of blue light, one PDT dose at day 1, induced a significant tumour growth delay at day 3, which was not maintained in time. Therefore, we administered a second PTN-PDT boost on day 3. Under these conditions, the delay of tumour growth was 28 % both on days 3 and 4 of the experiment.Histology of tumours revealed massive tumour necrosis up to 4 mm of depth. Intriguingly, a superficial area of viable tumour in the 1 mm superficial area, and a quite conserved intact skin was evidenced. We hypothesize that this may be due to PTN aggregation in contact with the skin and tumour milieu of the most superficial tumour layers, thus avoiding its photochemical properties.On the other hand, normal skin treated with PTN-PDT exhibited slight histological changes. These preliminary findings encourage further studies of natural AQs administered in different vehicles, for topical treatment of cutaneous malignancies.

Prevalence and predictors of scar contracture-associated re-hospitalisation among burn inpatients in China

Scar contracture, a common destructive complication causing increased re-hospitalisation rate of burn survivors and aggravated burden on the medical system, may be more seriously in Chinese population because of their higher susceptibility to scar formation. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of scar contracture-associated re-hospitalisation among Chinese burn inpatients. This cross-sectional study screened burn inpatients hospitalised during 2013 to 2018 through the Hospital Quality Monitoring System database, among whom re-hospitalised for scar contracture were identified. Variables including sex, age, occupations, burn area, burn site and surgical treatment were analysed. Potential predictors of scar contracture-associated re-hospitalisation among burn inpatients were determined by univariate regression analyses. Of the 220,642 burn inpatients, 2146 (0.97%) were re-hospitalised for scar contracture. The re-hospitalised inpatients were predominantly men and blue-collar workers, showing younger median age at the time of burns, larger burn sizes, and higher percentage of surgical treatment compared other burn inpatients. Significant univariate predictors of scar contracture-associated re-hospitalisation included male sex, age < 50 years, blue-collar work, ≥ 40% total body superficial area burned, inhalation injured, and surgical treatment. Scar contracture is an intractable complication and a significant factor to increase re-hospitalisation rate among Chinese burn inpatients.

Texture Analysis of Dried Droplets for the Quality Control of Medicines

The quality control of medicines guarantees the effectiveness of treatments for diseases. We explore the use of texture analysis of patterns in dried droplets as a tool to readily detect both impurities and changes in drug concentration. Four types of medicines associated with different routes of administration were analyzed: Methotrexate, Ciprofloxacin, Clonazepam, and Budesonide. We use NaCl and a hot substrate at 63 ∘C to promote aggregate formation and to reduce droplet drying time. Depending on the medicine, optical microscopy reveals different complex aggregates such as circular to oval splatters, fern-like islands, crown shapes, crown needle-like and bump-like patterns as well as dendritic branched and star-like crystals. We use some physical features of the stains (as the stain diameter and superficial area) and gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) to characterize patterns of dried droplets. Finally, we show that structural analysis of stains can achieve 95% accuracy in identifying medicines with 30% water dilution, while it achieves 99% accuracy in detecting drugs with 10% other substances.

FORMA E TAMANHO DE SEMENTES DE DUAS VARIEDADES DE ABÓBORAS DURANTE A SECAGEM

A cultura da abóbora é de grande importância para alimentação. Nos moldes da agricultura atual, a precisão de equipamentos é essencial para o êxito das atividades de pós colheita. Objetivou-se definir a forma e tamanho de duas variedades de abóboras em diferentes teores de água durante a secagem. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Instituto Federal Goiano – Campus Iporá. As sementes foram submetidas à secagem em estufa com ventilação de ar forçado a 45 °C, até atingir o teor de água de 0,0731 para cv. Rajada e 0,0711 para o AC 53 (base seca, b.s.). Foram avaliados comprimento, largura, espessura, circularidade, esfericidade, volume, diâmetro geométrico, área superficial, área projetada, relação superfície-volume e índice de contração volumétrica. A redução do teor de água proporciona a redução dos eixos ortogonais, esfericidade, volume, diâmetro geométrico, área superficial, área projetada e índice de contração volumétrica, aumento relação superfície volume durante o processo de secagem em sementes de abóbora. Nenhuma equação adequou-se aos dados de circularidade, sendo o valor médio para o AC 53 de 53,72% e para rajada de 60,24%. A equação que melhor representa a contração volumétrica da cv. Rajada é a equação Polinomial e para o AC 53, a de Bala & Woods. Palavras-chave: Secagem; propriedades físicas; cv. Rajada; cv. AC 53. Shape and size of seeds of two varieties of pumpkins during drying ABSTRACT: The pumpkin culture is of great importance for food. In the mold of today's agriculture, the precision of equipment is essential for the success of post-harvest activities. The objective was to define the shape and size of two varieties of pumpkins in different water levels during drying. The experiment was developed at the Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Iporá. The seeds were submitted to oven drying with forced air ventilation at 45 °C, until reaching a moisture content of 0.0731 for cv. Rajada and 0.0711 for AC 53 (db). Length, width, thickness, circularity, sphericity, volume, geometric diameter, surface area, projected area, surface-volume ratio and volumetric contraction index were evaluated. The reduction of the moisture content provides the reduction of the orthogonal axes, sphericity, volume, geometric diameter, surface area, projected area and volumetric contraction index, increase in the surface volume ratio during the drying process in pumpkin seeds. No equation fit the circularity data, with the mean value for AC 53 being 53.72% and for Rajada 60.24%. The equation that best represents the volumetric contraction of cv. Blast is the Polynomial equation and for AC 53, Bala & Woods. Keywords: drying; physical properties; cv. Rajada; cv. AC 53.

Root Trait Variability in Coffea canephora Genotypes and Its Relation to Plant Height and Crop Yield

Coffee breeding based on root traits is important to identify productive genotypes under adverse environmental conditions. This study assessed the diversity of root traits in Coffea canephora and its correlation with plant height and crop yield. Undisturbed soil samples were collected down to 60 cm from 43 coffee genotypes, in which one of them was propagated by seed and all others by stem cutting. The roots were washed, scanned, and processed to quantify root length density, root volume, root superficial area, and root diameter. Additionally, plant height and crop yield were also assessed. Root length density ranged from 40 to 1411 mm cm−3, root volume from 6 to 443 mm3 cm−3, root superficial area from 61 to 1880 mm2 cm−3, and root diameter from 0.6 to 1.1 mm. Roots were concentrated in the topsoil (0–20 cm) for most genotypes. In deeper depths (30–60 cm), root length density, root volume, and root superficial area were higher in genotypes 14, 25, 31, and 32. Positive correlations were found between root traits and both plant height and crop yield. The results of this work may contribute to the overall cultivation of C. canephora, specially for crop breeding in adverse environmental conditions.

A NOVEL IMPRESSION TECHNIQUE FOR FLABBY RIDGE MANAGEMENT IN EDENTULOUS PATIENTS – A CASE REPORT

Patients presenting with flabby or displaceable tissue continue to challenge even the most competent dental practitioners A fibrous or flabby ridge is a superficial area of mobile soft tissue affecting the maxillary or mandibular alveolar ridges. It can develop when hyperplastic soft tissue replaces the alveolar bone and is a common finding particularly in the upper anterior region of long-term denture wearers. Masticatory forces can displace this mobile denture-bearing tissue, leading to altered denture positioning and loss of peripheral seal. Under compression, the denture bearing area will exhibit localised mobility around the flabby tissue. Unless managed appropriately, such “flabby ridges” adversely affect the support, retention, and stability of complete dentures. Many impression techniques have been proposed to help overcome this difficulty Selective impression techniques have long been used in such cases, ensuring the displaceable tissue is recorded 'at rest'. Subsequently, the denture will maintain its peripheral seal during function This article presents a case report for prosthodontic rehabilitation of a patient with flabby ridge with a window tray impression technique, modified with dual trays.

Relationship between Textural Parameters of Lamellar Products Obtained by Acid Activation of Pure and Commercial Vermiculites and Their Iron and Water Content

The relationship between textural parameters (specific superficial area (SBET) and porosity (Vp)) of lamellar products obtained from HNO3-activated vermiculites and their iron and water content has been established. Two commercial vermiculites, one thermoexfoliated commercial vermiculite, and one pure vermiculite were nitric-acid-treated at 4 and 8 M concentrations for 1, 3, and 7 days. Untreated and treated samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and N2 physisorption analysis. The untreated vermiculites showed a direct relationship between their iron content and the values of SBET, Vp, and pore size; an inverse relationship was observed in the case of the treated samples. The iron content may prevent further leaching of cations but not water loss, therefore forming lamellar products with lower SBET and Vp values. The SBET and Vp values of the studied thermoexfoliated sample were higher than those of the starting sample. The SBET and Vp values of the activated thermoexfoliated sample were lower than those of the activated non-thermoexfoliated sample.

Vapor-Phase Axial Deposition Synthesis of SiO2 and SiO2-TiO2 Sponge-Shaped Nanostructures

Amorphous silica can be synthesized with controlled dimensions and morphologies by the Vapor-phase Axial Deposition (VAD) method, so we performed an exploratory study for verifying the possibility of using this technique for the obtention of a sponge-shaped ramified nanostructure with high superficial area. We were successful in synthesizing SiO2 and SiO2-TiO2 with this desired morphology and characterized the materials by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction. The obtained ceramics present pores of adequate dimensions for the use as microfiltration devices and proved to be capable of adsorbing important commercial dyes. These materials show physical characteristics that make them promising for applications on liquid and gas separations, and as very selective photocatalysts for chemical reactions and for waste and water treatment.