RESUMO
El síndrome X frágil (SXF) es un trastorno ligado al cromosoma X, en el brazo largo Xq27.3, que provoca diversas alteraciones como problemas de conducta, deficiencia intelectual, macroorquidia, pabellones auditivos grandes y prominentes, paladar profundo y ojival, prognatismo mandibular, maloclusión y anomalías dentarias. El objetivo de este informe fue presentar el caso clínico de una paciente de 16 años con SXF, leucodermia, que se sometió a un tratamiento ortopédico funcional de los maxilares para la corrección del apiñamiento dentario. En el examen clínico se observaron timidez, ansiedad, inestabilidad emocional, trastornos conductuales esporádicos asociados a discapacidad intelectual leve, alteraciones craneofaciales y oclusales. Luego del estudio, evaluación radiográfica panorámica y trazados cefalométricos, se decidió instalar un dispositivo ortopédico funcional de maxilar, tipo Pistas Planas Indirectas, para posterior tratamiento ortodóncico correctivo. Bien al inicio del tratamiento se observó dificultad de comprensión y colaboración por parte de la paciente y su responsable (madre) y, luego de 5 meses, aún con mejoras en las funciones estomatognáticas, se inició el tratamiento ortodóntico con dispositivo fijo, el que fue concluido luego de dos años. El éxito del tratamiento de ortopedia funcional de los maxilares y/u ortodóntico, principalmente en el SXF, se basa en el abordaje comportamental y motivación en todas las etapas del tratamiento por el profesional, así como en un ambiente familiar colaborativo.
The Fragile-X Syndrome (FXS) is a disorder linked to X chromosome, on the long arm Xq27.3, causing several changes such as behavioral problems, intellectual disability, macroorchidism, large and prominent auricles, deep and ogival palate, mandibular prognathism, increased mandibular angle, malocclusion, and dental anomalies. The objective was to present a case of a 16-year-old patient with FXS, leukoderma, submitted to orthopedic functional maxillary treatment to correct dental crowding. In general, clinical examination, behavioral changes such as shyness, anxiety, emotional lability, sporadic disturbances of behavior associated with mild mental disabilities were remarkable. After panoramic radiographic evaluation and cephalometric tracings, it was decided to install the functional orthopedic appliance of the jaws, Indirect Flat Planes type, for later corrective orthodontic treatment. At beginning of treatment, there was a difficulty in understanding and collaborating, not only from the patient's side but also from the mother's. After five months, even with the improvement in stomatognathic functions, orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance was started, which was concluded after two years. Success of functional and / or orthodontic jaw orthopedics treatment, especially in FXS, is based on behavioral approach and motivation in all stages, by the professional as well as a collaborative family environment.
RESUMO
The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the proliferative behavior of rabbit corneal epithelium and establish if any particular region was preferentially involved in epithelial maintenance. [3H]-thymidine was injected intravitreally into both normal eyes and eyes with partially scraped corneal epithelium. Semithin sections of the anterior segment were evaluated by quantitative autoradiography. Segments with active replication (on) and those with no cell division (off) were intermingled in all regions of the tissue, suggesting that the renewal of the epithelial surface of the cornea followed an on/off alternating pattern. In the limbus, heavy labeling of the outermost layers was observed, coupled with a few or no labeled nuclei in the basal stratum. This suggests that this region is a site of rapid cell differentiation and does not contain many slow-cycling cells. The conspicuous and protracted labeling of the basal layer of the corneal epithelium suggests that its cells undergo repeated cycles of replication before being sent to the suprabasal strata. This replication model is prone to generate label-retaining cells. Thus, if these are adult stem cells, one must conclude that they reside in the corneal basal layer and not the limbal basal layer. One may also infer that the basal cells of the cornea and not of the limbus are the ones with the main burden of renewing the corneal epithelium. No particular role in this process could be assigned to the cells of the basal layer of the limbal epithelium.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Coelhos , Epitélio Corneano/anatomia & histologia , Epitélio Corneano/fisiologia , Limbo da Córnea/citologia , Células-Tronco/fisiologia , Autorradiografia , Proliferação de Células , Movimento Celular/fisiologia , Córnea/anatomia & histologia , Olho/anatomia & histologia , Injeções Intravítreas , Timidina , TrítioRESUMO
The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the proliferative behavior of rabbit corneal epithelium and establish if any particular region was preferentially involved in epithelial maintenance. [3H]-thymidine was injected intravitreally into both normal eyes and eyes with partially scraped corneal epithelium. Semithin sections of the anterior segment were evaluated by quantitative autoradiography. Segments with active replication (on) and those with no cell division (off) were intermingled in all regions of the tissue, suggesting that the renewal of the epithelial surface of the cornea followed an on/off alternating pattern. In the limbus, heavy labeling of the outermost layers was observed, coupled with a few or no labeled nuclei in the basal stratum. This suggests that this region is a site of rapid cell differentiation and does not contain many slow-cycling cells. The conspicuous and protracted labeling of the basal layer of the corneal epithelium suggests that its cells undergo repeated cycles of replication before being sent to the suprabasal strata. This replication model is prone to generate label-retaining cells. Thus, if these are adult stem cells, one must conclude that they reside in the corneal basal layer and not the limbal basal layer. One may also infer that the basal cells of the cornea and not of the limbus are the ones with the main burden of renewing the corneal epithelium. No particular role in this process could be assigned to the cells of the basal layer of the limbal epithelium.
Assuntos
Epitélio Corneano/anatomia & histologia , Epitélio Corneano/fisiologia , Limbo da Córnea/citologia , Células-Tronco/fisiologia , Animais , Autorradiografia , Movimento Celular/fisiologia , Proliferação de Células , Córnea/anatomia & histologia , Olho/anatomia & histologia , Injeções Intravítreas , Masculino , Coelhos , Timidina , TrítioRESUMO
How is the corneal epithelium restored when all of it plus the limbus have been eliminated? This investigation explored the possibility that this may be achieved through the conjunctival epithelium. The corneal epithelium of the right eye of 12 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was totally scraped followed by surgical excision of the limbus plus 1.0-1.5 mm of the adjacent conjunctiva. Antibiotics and corticosteroids were applied for 1 week after surgery. Histological and immunohistochemical techniques were used to monitor the events taking place on the eye surface 2 weeks and 1, 3 and 6 months thereafter. Initially, the corneal surface was covered by conjunctival-like epithelium. After 1 month and more prominently at 3 and 6 months an epithelium displaying the morphological features of the cornea and reacting with the AE5 antibody was covering the central region. It is likely that the corneal epithelium originated from undifferentiated cells of the conjunctiva interacting with the corneal stroma.
Assuntos
Córnea/fisiologia , Reepitelização/fisiologia , Animais , Córnea/cirurgia , Desbridamento , Epitélio Corneano/fisiologia , Epitélio Corneano/cirurgia , Limbo da Córnea/cirurgia , Masculino , CoelhosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The Brazilian public health system requires competent professionals sensitive to the needs of the population. The Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) provides a two-year faculty development programme for health professions educators, aiming to build leadership in education to improve health. A partnership with governmental initiatives and FAIMER was established for meeting these needs. This paper describes the initial process evaluation results of the Brazilian FAIMER Institute Fellowship (FAIMER BR). METHODS: Data were analysed for the classes 2007-2010 regarding: application processes; innovation project themes; retrospective post-pre self-ratings of knowledge acquisition; and professional development portfolios. RESULTS: Seventeen of 26 Brazilian states were represented among 98 Fellows, predominantly from public medical schools (75.5%) and schools awarded Ministry of Health grants to align education with public health services (89.8%). One-third (n = 32) of Fellows' innovation projects were related to these grants. Significant increases occurred in all topic subscales on self-report of knowledge acquisition (effect sizes, 1.21-2.77). In the follow up questionnaire, 63% of Fellows reported that their projects were incorporated into the curriculum or institutional policies. The majority reported that the programme deepened their knowledge (98%), provided new ideas about medical education (90%) and provided skills for conflict management (63%). One-half of the Fellows reported sustained benefits from the programme listserv and other communications, including breadth of expertise, establishment of research collaboration and receiving emotional support. CONCLUSION: Contributors to initial programme success included alignment of curriculum with governmental initiatives, curriculum design merging educational technology, leadership and management skills and central role of an innovation educational project responding to local needs.
Assuntos
Academias e Institutos/organização & administração , Educação Médica/organização & administração , Cooperação Internacional , Brasil , Currículo/normas , Avaliação Educacional , Bolsas de Estudo/organização & administração , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Liderança , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Estados UnidosRESUMO
PURPOSE: To describe the presence of iris neovascularization in a rabbit-model of retinal neovascularization induced by the intravitreal injection of latex-derived angiogenic fraction microspheres (LAF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight New Zealand rabbits received one intravitreal injection of PLGA (L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres with 50 ug of LAF in the right eye (Group A). Microspheres without the LAF (0.1 ml) were injected in controls (Group B; n = 8). Follow-up with clinical evaluation and iris fluorescein angiography was performed after 4 weeks when eyes were processed for light microscopy. RESULTS: All eyes from Group A showed significant vascular dilation, conjunctival hyperemia and neovascularization on the iris surface, after LAF injection. No vascular changes were observed in Group B. CONCLUSIONS: The intravitreal injection of microspheres containing the LAF can induce rubeosis iridis in rabbits and could be used as a simple experimental model for iris neovascularization.
Assuntos
Indutores da Angiogênese/toxicidade , Glaucoma Neovascular/etiologia , Iris/irrigação sanguínea , Látex/toxicidade , Neovascularização Patológica/induzido quimicamente , Indutores da Angiogênese/administração & dosagem , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Progressão da Doença , Portadores de Fármacos , Feminino , Angiofluoresceinografia , Fundo de Olho , Glaucoma Neovascular/patologia , Injeções Intravítreas , Iris/efeitos dos fármacos , Ácido Láctico , Látex/administração & dosagem , Microesferas , Neovascularização Patológica/complicações , Neovascularização Patológica/patologia , Ácido Poliglicólico , Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico e Ácido Poliglicólico , Coelhos , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
PURPOSE: To create a retinal neovascularization experimental model using intravitreal injection of microspheres loaded with latex-derived angiogenic fraction. METHODS: Thirty-two albino New Zealand rabbits, divided in 4 groups of 8 animals, were enrolled in this study. Rabbits in groups I, II, and III received one intravitreal injection of PLGA (L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres with 10, 30, and 50 microg of latex-derived angiogenic fraction into their right eyes, respectively, and group IV received 0.1 ml of microspheres without the angiogenic fraction. Weekly follow-up with ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography was performed; the rabbits were sacrificed in the 4th week and their eyes processed for light microscopy. RESULTS: All eyes from group I demonstrated increased retinal vascular tortuosity, observed from 14 days after injection and maintained for 28 days, otherwise without new vessels detection. All group II eyes showed vascular changes similar to group I. Fifty percent of the eyes from group II rabbits developed retinal neovascularization 21 days after injection. All eyes from group III demonstrated significant vascular tortuosity and retinal new vessels 2 weeks after injection, progressing to fibrovascular proliferation and tractional retinal detachment. No vascular changes or retinal new vessels were observed in group IV eyes. Light microscopy confirmed the existence of new vessels previously seen on fluorescein angiography, in retinal sections adjacent to the optic disc, not observed in sections at the same area in the control group. CONCLUSION: Thirty- and 50-microg microspheres containing latex-derived angiogenic fraction injected into the vitreous cavity induced retinal neovascularization in rabbits.
Assuntos
Indutores da Angiogênese/toxicidade , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Látex/toxicidade , Neovascularização Retiniana/induzido quimicamente , Vasos Retinianos/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Portadores de Fármacos , Feminino , Angiofluoresceinografia , Ácido Láctico , Microesferas , Oftalmoscopia , Ácido Poliglicólico , Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico e Ácido Poliglicólico , Coelhos , Neovascularização Retiniana/diagnóstico , Vasos Retinianos/patologiaRESUMO
The trabecular meshwork (TM) is the main outflow pathway in the mammalian eye. Oxidative damage to TM cells has been suggested to be an important cause of impairment of TM functions, leading to deficient drainage of aqueous humor, with deleterious consequences to the eye. Transferrin, a metalloprotein involved in iron transport, has been characterized as an intrinsic eye protein. Since transferrin is implicated in the control of oxidative stress, the objective of the present study was to determine if a bovine TM cell line (CTOB) synthesizes and secretes transferrin. The CTOB cell line was cultured in the presence of 35S-methionine and the incubation medium was submitted to immunoprecipitation. Total RNAs from CTOB and isolated bovine TM (freshly isolated, incubated or not) were subjected to the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the amplification products were sequenced. Also, both CTOB and histological TM preparations were processed for transferrin immunolocalization. A labeled peptide of about 80 kDa, the expected size for transferrin, was immunopurified from CTOB samples obtained from the incubation assays. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing experiments detected the presence of transferrin mRNA in CTOB and isolated bovine TM. Reactivity to antibodies against transferrin was observed both in CTOB and TM. The results obtained in all of these experiments indicated that the TM is capable of synthesizing and secreting transferrin. The possible implications for the physiology of the eye are discussed.
Assuntos
Animais , Bovinos , Malha Trabecular , Transferrina/biossíntese , Transferrina , Linhagem Celular , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Imunoprecipitação , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Análise de Sequência de RNA , Malha Trabecular/metabolismo , Transferrina/genéticaRESUMO
The trabecular meshwork (TM) is the main outflow pathway in the mammalian eye. Oxidative damage to TM cells has been suggested to be an important cause of impairment of TM functions, leading to deficient drainage of aqueous humor, with deleterious consequences to the eye. Transferrin, a metalloprotein involved in iron transport, has been characterized as an intrinsic eye protein. Since transferrin is implicated in the control of oxidative stress, the objective of the present study was to determine if a bovine TM cell line (CTOB) synthesizes and secretes transferrin. The CTOB cell line was cultured in the presence of 35S-methionine and the incubation medium was submitted to immunoprecipitation. Total RNAs from CTOB and isolated bovine TM (freshly isolated, incubated or not) were subjected to the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the amplification products were sequenced. Also, both CTOB and histological TM preparations were processed for transferrin immunolocalization. A labeled peptide of about 80 kDa, the expected size for transferrin, was immunopurified from CTOB samples obtained from the incubation assays. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing experiments detected the presence of transferrin mRNA in CTOB and isolated bovine TM. Reactivity to antibodies against transferrin was observed both in CTOB and TM. The results obtained in all of these experiments indicated that the TM is capable of synthesizing and secreting transferrin. The possible implications for the physiology of the eye are discussed.
Assuntos
Malha Trabecular/metabolismo , Transferrina/biossíntese , Transferrina/metabolismo , Animais , Bovinos , Linhagem Celular , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Imunoprecipitação , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Análise de Sequência de RNA , Transferrina/genéticaRESUMO
The treatment of vitreoretinal diseases is limited and, nowadays, new drug delivery approaches have been reported in order to increase drug bioavailability. The objective of the current study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of a biodegradable dexamethasone acetate implant inserted into the vitreous of rabbits and to evaluate its potential signs of toxicity to the rabbits' eyes. The results showed that the intravitreous drug concentration remained within the therapeutic range along the 8-week period of evaluation. The system under study was not toxic to the normal rabbit retina, and no significant increase in intraocular pressure was observed.
Assuntos
Dexametasona/análogos & derivados , Glucocorticoides/farmacocinética , Retina/metabolismo , Corpo Vítreo/metabolismo , Implantes Absorvíveis , Animais , Disponibilidade Biológica , Dexametasona/farmacocinética , Dexametasona/toxicidade , Implantes de Medicamento , Eletrorretinografia/efeitos dos fármacos , Glucocorticoides/toxicidade , Masculino , Coelhos , Retina/efeitos dos fármacos , Corpo Vítreo/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
To evaluate the effect of manual lymphatic drainage on technetium-99m-labeled dextran (99mTcDx) transport, 16 patients with lymphedema of lower extremities underwent two lymphscintigraphy exams by injecting 99mTcDx intradermally into the first interdigital space of the affected extremity. The first was a control examination at rest followed by an examination which included a manual lymphatic drainage session after the injection of the 99mTcDx. Images were obtained 45 minutes and three hours after the injection of the radioisotope. Extremity volumes were also measured before and after the drainage session. The findings from the examinations were assessed in a quantitative, semiquantitative and qualitative manner and compared without and with drainage. The analyses of the extremities' circumference before and after the drainage by paired t-test revealed a significant decrease. The analyses of the quantitative, semi-quantitative and qualitative evaluations evidenced no significant difference, without or with drainage, within the 45-minute and three-hour periods. Thus, manual lymphatic drainage caused an effective reduction in the circumference of the extremities but did not have a significant effect in the transport of 99mTcDx.
Assuntos
Dextranos , Drenagem , Linfedema/diagnóstico por imagem , Linfocintigrafia , Compostos de Organotecnécio , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Extremidade Inferior/patologia , Linfedema/terapia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Valor Preditivo dos TestesRESUMO
Floating-Harbor syndrome is a rare genetic disorder of unknown aetiology. It was described for the first time in 1973. The syndrome is characterized mainly by short stature, delay in speech development and characteristic facial features. This article describes a report of a case of the syndrome and emphasizes the oral aspects, including descriptions of soft tissues, teeth, occlusion, stage of dental development and findings on examination of the temporomandibular joint. The treatment provided and its outcome is also described. Hopefully this information will be compared with findings from other patients in the future to assist in clarifying the phenotype of the Floating-Harbor syndrome.
Assuntos
Nanismo/patologia , Fácies , Distúrbios da Fala/patologia , Criança , Anormalidades Craniofaciais/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Má Oclusão/patologia , Boca/patologia , Fenótipo , Síndrome , Articulação Temporomandibular/patologia , Erupção Dentária/fisiologiaRESUMO
Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de 22 pacientes embarazadas intervenidas quirúrgicamente por cuadro de apendicitis aguda en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile en un periodo de 4 años. La enfermedad se presentó en 1: 373 nacimientos, con predominio en el segundo trimestre, con una media de edad materna de 29.9 años y un promedio de 20.3 semanas de gestación. Se utilizo técnica quirúrgica clásica y laparoscópica sin complicaciones. Hubo un caso que se complicó con mortalidad fetal por sepsis.
Assuntos
Humanos , Feminino , Gravidez , Apendicite/cirurgia , Apendicite/diagnóstico , Apendicite/epidemiologia , Complicações na Gravidez , Segundo Trimestre da Gravidez , Terceiro Trimestre da GravidezRESUMO
Different from most mammalian species, the optic nerve of the rabbit eye is initially formed inside the retina where myelination of the axons of the ganglion cells starts and vascularization occurs. Astrocytes are confined to these regions. The aforementioned nerve fibers known as medullated nerve fibers form two bundles that may be identified with the naked eye. The blood vessels run on the inner surface of these nerve fiber bundles (epivascularization) and, accordingly, the accompanying astrocytes lie mostly facing the vitreous body from which they are separated only by the inner limiting membrane of the retina. The arrangement of the astrocytes around blood vessels leads to the formation of structures known as glial tufts. Fragments (N = 3) or whole pieces (N = 3) of the medullated nerve fiber region of three-month-old male rabbits (Orictolagus cuniculus) were fixed in glutaraldehyde followed by osmium tetroxide, and their thin sections were examined with a transmission electron microscope. Randomly located discontinuities (up to a few micrometers long) of the basement membrane of the inner limiting membrane of the retina were observed in the glial tufts. As a consequence, a direct contact between the astrocyte plasma membrane and vitreous elements was demonstrated, making possible functional interactions such as macromolecular exchanges between this glial cell type and the components of the vitreous body.
Assuntos
Astrócitos/ultraestrutura , Retina/ultraestrutura , Corpo Vítreo/ultraestrutura , Animais , Astrócitos/fisiologia , Membrana Basal/ultraestrutura , Comunicação Celular , Masculino , Microscopia Eletrônica , Fibras Nervosas/ultraestrutura , Coelhos , Corpo Vítreo/fisiologiaRESUMO
Different from most mammalian species, the optic nerve of the rabbit eye is initially formed inside the retina where myelination of the axons of the ganglion cells starts and vascularization occurs. Astrocytes are confined to these regions. The aforementioned nerve fibers known as medullated nerve fibers form two bundles that may be identified with the naked eye. The blood vessels run on the inner surface of these nerve fiber bundles (epivascularization) and, accordingly, the accompanying astrocytes lie mostly facing the vitreous body from which they are separated only by the inner limiting membrane of the retina. The arrangement of the astrocytes around blood vessels leads to the formation of structures known as glial tufts. Fragments (N = 3) or whole pieces (N = 3) of the medullated nerve fiber region of three-month-old male rabbits (Orictolagus cuniculus) were fixed in glutaraldehyde followed by osmium tetroxide, and their thin sections were examined with a transmission electron microscope. Randomly located discontinuities (up to a few micrometers long) of the basement membrane of the inner limiting membrane of the retina were observed in the glial tufts. As a consequence, a direct contact between the astrocyte plasma membrane and vitreous elements was demonstrated, making possible functional interactions such as macromolecular exchanges between this glial cell type and the components of the vitreous body
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Coelhos , Astrócitos , Retina , Corpo Vítreo , Astrócitos , Membrana Basal , Comunicação Celular , Microscopia Eletrônica , Fibras Nervosas , Corpo VítreoRESUMO
A practical method for the radioisotope labeling aimed at the study of the proliferative behavior of astrocytes was described. It consisted in injecting 20 microCi of (3)H-thymidine into the vitreous body and tracing by autoradiography labeled astrocytes located both inside and outside the retina, e.g. optic nerve and neighboring parts of the central nervous system. The paraffin sections were immunostained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) previous to autoradiographic processing. The semiquantitative analysis of labeled astrocytes was carried out on autoradiographs of semithin sections of rabbits killed as early as 6 h and as late as 3 months after the single intravitreal injection of (3)H-thymidine. Compared with the technique of labeling astrocytes by systemic administration (single injection or continuous infusion) of (3)H-thymidine into small animals, the method described herein has the following outstanding features: (i) it is much more economical in terms of the amount of labeled precursor used per animal; (ii) the labeling of the astrocytes is obtained as early as 6 h and remains up to 3 months after injection; (iii) the immunolabeling of the astrocytes is compatible with autoradiography; (iv) it is less risky to the experimental animal and to the environment; (v) it can be used in animals much larger than rats or mice.
Assuntos
Astrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Divisão Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Retina/efeitos dos fármacos , Timidina , Trítio , Corpo Vítreo/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Artefatos , Astrócitos/citologia , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Autorradiografia , Axônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Axônios/metabolismo , Axônios/ultraestrutura , Divisão Celular/fisiologia , Núcleo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Núcleo Celular/ultraestrutura , Proteína Glial Fibrilar Ácida/metabolismo , Imuno-Histoquímica , Masculino , Coelhos , Retina/citologia , Retina/metabolismo , Timidina/farmacocinética , Fatores de Tempo , Trítio/farmacocinética , Corpo Vítreo/metabolismoRESUMO
We investigated the structural organization of the choroid especially with regard to the presence of extravascular smooth muscle (EVSM) cells in albino rabbits. The eyes were fixed by intracardiac perfusion and processed for light, confocal, and electron microscopy. An unlabeled monoclonal antibody against alpha-actin of smooth muscle and a horseradish-peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody were used for immunodetection of smooth muscle actin by light microscopy. For confocal microscopy, whole mount choroids were immunostained with a fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated (FITC) antibody. Our investigations revealed that the choroidal vessels are enveloped by bundles of EVSM. In contrast to the circular orientation of the smooth muscle cells of the tunica media of the choroidal vessels, the cells of the EVSM system were oriented longitudinally along the external surface of the vessel wall. The EVSM cells were strongly immunopositive for smooth muscle alpha-actin and exhibited a green fluorescence of the FITC-labeled anti-alpha-actin antibody. Individual cells were elongated and spindle-shaped, had the usual ultrastructural features of smooth muscle cells and, in places, were organized as 20 layers. EVSM cells were present throughout the thickness of the choroid, but not between the fenestrated endothelial lining of the choriocapillaris and Bruch's membrane, and extended from the optic nerve to the ciliary body where they merged with the ciliary muscles. Based on the three dimensional organization, immunoreactivity, and cellular and subcellular features of the EVSM system as well as information in the literature, we hypothesize that, functionally, this system, in conjunction with the choroidal vasculature, contributes to the myogenic control of choroidal blood flow and tissue volume, and also affects the intraocular pressure as well as the refractive and accommodative state of the eye.
Assuntos
Corioide/anatomia & histologia , Músculo Liso/ultraestrutura , Actinas/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Desmina/imunologia , Fluoresceína-5-Isotiocianato , Peroxidase do Rábano Silvestre , Masculino , Microscopia Confocal , Microscopia Eletrônica , Músculo Liso/imunologia , CoelhosRESUMO
The purpose of the present investigation was to establish a method for the morphological characterization and location of the several types of astrocytes in the rabbit retina. Whole retinas were incubated with unlabeled antibody to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and, afterwards, treated with secondary antibody labeled according to the requirements for the visualization of the antigen-antibody reaction either with the confocal or transmission electron microscope. Specimens treated similarly to the latter were osmium enhanced and analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The different immunohistochemical approaches led to the conclusion that the cells selectively visualized with the SEM are astrocytes. The higher resolution and depth of focus of this instrument allowed a better morphological characterization and a more precise location of the astrocytes in the several levels of the inner portion of the rabbit retina. The method described herein, in which pre-embedding immunohistochemistry for GFAP on rabbit retinas was associated with osmium enhancement and examination with SEM, proved to be reliable and efficient for the morphological characterization and location of astrocytes.
Assuntos
Astrócitos/metabolismo , Astrócitos/ultraestrutura , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Coelhos/anatomia & histologia , Retina/citologia , Retina/metabolismo , Animais , Imuno-Histoquímica , Masculino , Microscopia Confocal , Microscopia EletrônicaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To study blood pressure distribution according to the new classification criteria of the JNC VI. To study the other cardiovascular risk factors related to blood pressure stage. METHOD: A cross sectional survey was undertaken in a medical center in Guadeloupe in 1999. The study included 1016 consecutive adult subjects. Blood pressure measurements were done with an automated oscillometric method (dynamap). RESULTS: A total of 609 women and 407 men participated in the study. Hypertension (systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication) was present in 326 subjects (32.1%). Hypertension was more frequently found in men than in women (p = 0.008). Over the whole sample, 53.1% had optimal or normal blood pressure, 14.9% had high normal blood pressure, 16.1% were stage 1 hypertension and 15.9% were stage 2 or 3 hypertension or were on antihypertensive medication. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl) increased significantly with increasing blood pressure in men (p = 0.002) and women (p < 0.001). Prevalence of dyslipidemia (total cholesterolemia > or = 240 mg/dl or HDL-cholesterol < 35 mg/dl or currently receiving antihyperlipidemic therapy) increased significantly with increasing blood pressure in both sex (p < 0.001). The same trend was found for prevalence of obesity (BMI (30 kg/m2) in both sex (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this population with a high prevalence of hypertension, we showed that hypercholesterolemia and obesity increased significantly with increasing blood pressure. We also showed that caring for high blood pressure should be part of a global caring of the patient looking for other cardiovascular risk factors.