Alberto Álvarez Suárez

Morphology of the european sea bass (dicentrarchus labrax) tongue

The European sea bass, a member of the Moronidae family, is a food fish, considered one of the first models for the intensive breeding in salt water. It has nowadays an important and increasing presence in the international fishing markets. Sea basses are carnivorous, feeding on little fishes and invertebrates. Considering the important role of the tongue during the intraoral transport and the swallowing of food, scarce data are present in literature about its morphology. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphology of the tongue by means of scanning electron and light microscopy. Adult sea basses were obtained from the aquarium of the Sicilian Center of Experimental Ichthyiopathology of the University of Messina. The fishes were anaesthetized with MS 222 and the heads were then quickly removed and processed for the paraffin embedding and SEM processing. Three different tongue regions could be distinguished: an apex, a body, and a root. Scanning electron and light microscopy showed the presence of numerous canine‐like teeth, surrounded by taste buds and numerous fungiform and conical papillae. The teeth were curved and their tips were posteriorly oriented. The results confirm, in teleosts too, the fundamental role of the tongue in the mechanics of food ingestion. Moreover, the presence of taste buds demonstrates the interaction of food processing and taste. These data could be a potential source to identify new and better methods of nutrition in the breeding of this fish. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012.

Rhodopsin expression in the zebrafish pineal gland from larval to adult stage.

The zebrafish pineal gland plays an important role in different physiological functions including the regulation of the circadian clock. In the fish pineal gland the pinealocytes are made up of different segments: outer segment, inner segment and basal pole. Particularly, in the outer segment the rhodopsin participates in the external environment light reception that represents the first biochemical step in the melatonin production. It is well known that the rhodopsin in the adult zebrafish is well expressed in the pineal gland but both the expression and the cellular localization of this protein during development remain still unclear. In this study using qRT-PCR, sequencing and immunohistochemistry the expression as well as the protein localization of the rhodopsin in the zebrafish from larval (10 dpf) to adult stage (90 dpf) were demonstrated. The rhodopsin mRNA expression presents a peak of expression at 10 dpf, a further reduction to 50 dpf before increasing again in the adult stage. Moreover, the cellular localization of the rhodopsin-like protein was always localized in the pinealocyte at all ages examined. Our results demonstrated the involvement of the rhodopsin in the zebrafish pineal gland physiology particularly in the light capture during the zebrafish lifespan.

Orthoimplants: an alternative treatment for SAHS?

AbstractNumerous sleep studies have been published recently regarding the use of intraoral devices (ODs) for the treatment of sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). The effectiveness of these devices varies, however, according to the series studied (patient characteristics, parameters assessed, type of device, etc.). Two factors should always be assessed: the presence of an appropriate dental support and a possible temporomandibular joint pathology which can, on occasions, contraindicate the use of these devices.ObjectivesTo use orthoimplants as orthodontic anchorages for intermaxillary elastic bands which allow a mandibular advancement to be performed as an alternative treatment to ODs in SAHS patients without appropriate dental support.Materials and methodsFour orthoimplants were placed in an edentulous SAHS patient who did not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The mandible is pushed forward using orthodontic elastic bands anchored to the orthoimplants.Results and conclusionsAlthough more studies are still required, orthoimplants could be an alternative treatment for reducing snoring and the apnea–hypopnea index and increasing SaO2, which should be considered for patients who do not tolerate CPAP and lack appropriate dental support for attaching intraoral devices.

The photoreceptive cells of the pineal gland in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The zebrafish pineal gland plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the circadian rhythm through the melatonin secretion. The pinealocytes, also called photoreceptive cells, are considered the morphofunctional unit of pineal gland. In literature, the anatomical features, the cellular characteristics, and the pinealocytes morphology of zebrafish pineal gland have not been previously described in detail. Therefore, this study was undertaken to analyze the structure and ultrastructure, as well as the immunohistochemical profile of the zebrafish pineal gland with particular reference to the pinealocytes. Here, we demonstrated, using RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy, the expression of the mRNA for rhodopsin in the pineal gland of zebrafish, as well as its cellular localization exclusively in the pinealocytes of adult zebrafish. Moreover, the ultrastructural observations demonstrated that the pinealocytes were constituted by an outer segment with numerous lamellar membranes, an inner segment with many mitochondria, and a basal pole with the synapses. Our results taken together demonstrated a central role of zebrafish pinealocytes in the control of pineal gland functions. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011.

Rodlet cells development in the intestine of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The enigmatic rodlet cells (RCs) are characterized by conspicuous inclusions named “rodlets”. They were discovered over 100 years ago and were considered as parasites but shortly afterward interpreted as endogenous cells. The RCs have been described in different tissues of marine and freshwater teleosts, but their origin and function remain unknown. This work was designed to an ultrastructural study on RCs development and distribution in intestinal epithelium of Dicentrarchus labrax. Three different stages of RCs development from early precursor cells to mature phase were observed, as well as a migration and finally an extrusion of their contents. In this study, the immature cells were found near the basal epithelium membrane. They were mainly identified by a rough endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisternae, by developing rodlets and a thin fibrillar coat. The maturing RCs, localized in the middle zone of the epithelium, appeared to be undergoing a reorganization of the cell organelles. The mature RCs, placed near the free surface, showed a thick subplasmalemmar fibrillar coat. Most of the organelles were aggregated at the cell apex with a basally located nucleus. A cellular polarity was more evident. One of the most conspicuous features was the occurrence of mature rodlets club‐sac in shape orientated toward the cell apex. Adhesive junctions between surface epithelial cells and RCs, while discharging their contents, were seen. We have connected morphological figures and distribution to different stages of development in RCs, supporting the hypothesis of their secretory function. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012.

Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD®) to Treat Sleet Apnoea-Hypopnoea Syndrome and Chronic Snoring

This paper presents a structural and clinical validation of Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), whose design was inspired by a need detected in patients suffering from Sleep Apnoea-Hypopnoea Syndrome and/or chronic snoring. The main objective of MAD is to advance or move the jaw with respect to the maxilla, in order to keep the airway open or released to a sufficient degree, in such a manner that its fortuitous or unconscious closure is prevented. It is, therefore, an effective device to treat Sleep Apnoea-Hypopnoea Syndrome and chronic snoring. The validation of MAD was conducted in two different ways: (1) Structurally, by applying the finite element model, which evidenced aptness from a structural point of view, in terms of resistance, as required by the MAD load. This study had not been developed to date in any MAD. (2) Clinically, by carrying out polisomnographic tests (40 patients); and statistically by analyses, which registered significant results (p<0,05) in patients using MADs. The use of MAD resulted in an average increase in the volume of the upper airway of 34% in the patients studied.

A Study of Frictional and Biomechanical Forces in a Trapezoidal Bracket versus Rectangular Bracket and Periostin Activity

This paper presents a study of the frictional and biomechanical forces in a trapezoidal versus rectangular bracket. The main aim is to validate the novel and innovative bracket design (utility model U-2013 30 854 applied for on: 8th July 2013. The scope of protection of this utility model covers Spain, France and Portugal).

Are the Orthodontic Basis Wrong? Revisiting Two of the Keys to Normal Oclusion (Crown Inclination and Crown Angulation) in the Andrews Series

C. Jimenez-Caro1,2, F. de Carlos1,2, A.A. Suarez1,3, J.A. Vega4 and J. Cobo1,2 1Instituto Asturiano de Odontologia, Oviedo 2Departamento de Cirugia y Especialidades Medico-Quirurgicas (seccion de Odontologia), Universidad de Oviedo 3Departamento de Construccion e Ingenieria de la Fabricacion (Seccion de Ingenieria Mecanica), Universidad de Oviedo 4Departamento de Morfologia y Biologia Celular, Universidad de Oviedo Spain