Fausto Pierdoná Guzen

Sciatic nerve grafting and inoculation of FGF-2 promotes improvement of motor behavior and fiber regrowth in rats with spinal cord transection

PURPOSE Failure of severed adult central nervous system (CNS) axons to regenerate could be attributed with a reduced intrinsic growing capacity. Severe spinal cord injury is frequently associated with a permanent loss of function because the surviving neurons are impaired to regrow their fibers and to reestablish functional contacts. Peripheral nerves are known as good substrate for bridging CNS trauma with neurotrophic factor addition. We evaluated whether fibroblastic growth factor 2 (FGF-2) placed in a gap promoted by complete transection of the spinal cord may increase the ability of sciatic nerve graft to enhance motor recovery and fibers regrow. METHODS We used a complete spinal cord transection model. Rats received a 4 mm-long gap at low thoracic level and were repaired with saline (control) or fragment of the sciatic nerve (Nerve) or FGF-2 was added to nerve fragment (Nerve+FGF-2) to the grafts immediately after complete transection. The hind limbs performance was evaluated weekly for 8 weeks by using motor behavior score (BBB) and sensorimotor tests-linked to the combined behavior score (CBS), which indicate the degree of the motor improvement and the percentage of functional deficit, respectively. Neuronal plasticity were evaluated at the epicenter of the injury using MAP-2 and GAP-43 expression. RESULTS Spinal cord treatment with sciatic nerve and sciatic nerve plus FGF-2 allowed recovery of hind limb movements compared to control, manifested by significantly higher behavioral scores. Higher amounts of MAP-2 and GAP-43 immunoreactive fibers were found in the epicenter of the graft when FGF-2 was added. CONCLUSIONS FGF-2 added to the nerve graft favored the motor recovery and fiber regrowth. Thus, these results encourage us to explore autologous transplantation as a novel and promising cell therapy for treatment of spinal cord lesion.

Mediodorsal thalamic nucleus receives a direct retinal input in marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus): a subunit B cholera toxin study.

The mediodorsal thalamic nucleus is a prominent nucleus in the thalamus, positioned lateral to the midline nuclei and medial to the intralaminar thalamic complex in the dorsal thalamus. Several studies identify the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus as a key structure in learning and memory, as well as in emotional mechanisms and alertness due to reciprocal connections with the limbic system and prefrontal cortex. Fibers from the retina to the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus have recently been described for the first time in a crepuscular rodent, suggesting a possible regulation of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus by visual activity. The present study shows retinal afferents in the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of a new world primate, the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), using B subunit of cholera toxin (CTb) as an anterograde tracer. A small population of labeled retinofugal axonal arborizations is consistently labeled in small domains of the medial and lateral periphery of the caudal half of the mediodorsal nucleus. Retinal projections in the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus are exclusively contralateral and the morphology of the afferent endings was examined. Although the functional significance of this projection remains unknown, this retina-mediodorsal thalamic nucleus pathway may be involved in a wide possibility of functional implications.

A cytoarchitectonic and TH-immunohistochemistry characterization of the dopamine cell groups in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area and retrorubral field in the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris)

The 3-hydroxytyramine/dopamine is a monoamine of the catecholamine group and it is a precursor of the noradrenaline and adrenaline synthesis, in which the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase acts as a rate-limiting enzyme. The dopaminergic nuclei retrorubral field (A8 group), substantia nigra pars compacta (A9 group) and ventral tegmental area (A10 group) are involved in three complex circuitries named mesostriatal, mesocortical and mesolimbic, which are directly related to various behavioral manifestations such as motor control, reward signaling in behavioral learning, motivation and pathological manifestations of Parkinsons disease and schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to describe the delimitation of A8, A9 and A10 groups and the morphology of their neurons in the brain of the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris), a typical Brazilian Northeast rodent belonging to the suborder Hystricomorpha, family Caviidae. Coronal and sagittal sections of the rock cavy brains were submitted to Nissl staining and TH immunohistochemistry. The organization of these dopaminergic nuclei in the rock cavy brain is very similar to that found in other animals of the Rodentia order, except for the presence of the tail of the substantia nigra, which is found only in the species under study. The results revealed that, apart some morphological variations, A8, A9 and A10 groups are phylogenetically stable brain structures.

Nuclear organization of the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area and retrorubral field of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): A cytoarchitectonic and TH-immunohistochemistry study

It is widely known that the catecholamine group is formed by dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline. Its synthesis is regulated by the enzyme called tyrosine hydroxylase. 3-hydroxytyramine/dopamine (DA) is a precursor of noradrenaline and adrenaline synthesis and acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. The three main nuclei, being the retrorubral field (A8 group), the substantia nigra pars compacta (A9 group) and the ventral tegmental area (A10 group), are arranged in the die-mesencephalic portion and are involved in three complex circuitries - the mesostriatal, mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways. These pathways are involved in behavioral manifestations, motricity, learning, reward and also in pathological conditions such as Parkinsons disease and schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to perform a morphological analysis of the A8, A9 and A10 groups in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus - a neotropical primate), whose morphological and functional characteristics support its suitability for use in biomedical research. Coronal sections of the marmoset brain were submitted to Nissl staining and TH-immunohistochemistry. The morphology of the neurons made it possible to subdivide the A10 group into seven distinct regions: interfascicular nucleus, raphe rostral linear nucleus and raphe caudal linear nucleus in the middle line; paranigral and parainterfascicular nucleus in the middle zone; the rostral portion of the ventral tegmental area nucleus and parabrachial pigmented nucleus located in the dorsolateral portion of the mesencephalic tegmentum. The A9 group was divided into four regions: substantia nigra compacta dorsal and ventral tiers; substantia nigra compacta lateral and medial clusters. No subdivisions were made for the A8 group. These results reveal that A8, A9 and A10 are phylogenetically stable across species. As such, further studies concerning such divisions are necessary in order to evaluate the occurrence of subdivisions that express DA in other primate species, with the aim of characterizing its functional relevance.

Plasticity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Mouse Bone Marrow in the Presence of Conditioned Medium of the Facial Nerve and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2

A number of evidences show the influence of the growth of injured nerve fibers in peripheral nervous system as well as potential implant stem cells (SCs). The SCs implementation in the clinical field is promising and the understanding of proliferation and differentiation is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the plasticity of mesenchymal SCs from bone marrow of mice in the presence of culture medium conditioned with facial nerve explants and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). The growth and morphology were assessed for over 72 hours. Quantitative phenotypic analysis was taken from the immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), protein OX-42 (OX-42), protein associated with microtubule MAP-2 (MAP-2), protein β-tubulin III (β-tubulin III), neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), and neurofilament 200 (NF-200). Cells cultured with conditioned medium alone or combined with FGF-2 showed morphological features apparently similar at certain times to neurons and glia and a significant proliferative activity in groups 2 and 4. Cells cultivated only with conditioned medium acquired a glial phenotype. Cells cultured with FGF-2 and conditioned medium expressed GFAP, OX-42, MAP-2, β-tubulin III, NeuN, and NF-200. This study improves our understanding of the plasticity of mesenchymal cells and allows the search for better techniques with SCs.

Nursing and head injury: literature systematic review study

ABSTRACT Objective : to analyze the scientific research about the nursing care for Traumatic Brain Injury – TBI, with the perspective of the advent of the improvements in upon the guide of strategic canes in the hospital. Methodology : this is about a descriptive study of systematic review a literature it was performed as a search in the information platform databases LILACS, BDENF and MEDLINE, for descriptors Nursing Brain Injuries and Craniocerebral Trauma. To refine the search was conducted the intersection of keywords in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The inclusion criteria for articles were that they were published in national and international independent of which the journal during the period January 2000 to January 2010 and available in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Results : there were nineteen articles five in Spanish, seven in English and seven in Portuguese. The biggest majority of work was restrict the collected facts characterize the quantity of victims from TBI and the efficiency of the strategic cares that was considered as a more efficient recovery in the hospital. Conclusions : The small number of published articles express the nursing shortage has knowledge in neurology. Moreover, it’s necessary check the chosen way to the neurological nursing. That’s not frequent and has given wrong information about the clinical practice inside of the hospital rather than a comprehensive health care . Descriptors : nursing; brain injuries; craniocerebral trauma. RESUMO Objetivo : analisar a producao cientifica sobre a assistencia de Enfermagem as vitimas de Traumatismo Cranioencefalico - TCE, tendo como perspectiva o advento de melhorias no tocante a planificacao de estrategias de cuidado em âmbito hospitalar. Metodologia : trata-se de um estudo descritivo, do tipo revisao sistematica da literatura. Foi realizada uma busca nas bases de dados LILACS, BDENF e MEDLINE, pelos descritores Enfermagem, Traumatismos Encefalicos e Traumatismos Craniocerebrais. Para refinamento da busca, foi realizado o cruzamento dos unitermos nos idiomas ingles, espanhol e portugues. Os criterios de inclusao dos artigos eram que os mesmos estivessem publicados em periodicos nacionais e internacionais independente do qualis , durante o periodo de Janeiro de 2000 a Janeiro de 2010 e disponiveis no idioma ingles, espanhol ou portugues. Resultados : foram encontrados 19 artigos, sendo cinco em espanhol, sete em ingles e sete em portugues. A grande maioria dos trabalhos restringe-se a caracterizar a demanda das vitimas de TCE e/ou a validar estrategias de cuidados que vislumbrem uma melhor recuperacao no âmbito hospitalar. Conclusoes : O numero reduzido de trabalhos publicados expressa a carencia que a enfermagem tem de conhecimentos no âmbito da neurologia. Alem disso, e preciso (re)discutir o rumo tomado por essas pesquisas, pois elas tem demonstrado uma supervalorizacao das praticas clinicas intra-hospitalares em detrimento a uma assistencia integral. Descritores: enfermagem; traumatismos encefalicos; traumatismos craniocerebrais. RESUMEN Objetivo : analizar la literatura cientifica sobre los cuidados de enfermeria para la lesion cerebral traumatica - TEC, con la perspectiva de la llegada de mejoras en relacion con la planificacion de estrategias de atencion en el hospital. Metodologia : este estudio es una revision descriptiva y sistematica de la literatura. Se realizo una busqueda en la bases de datos LILACS, BDENF y MEDLINE, los descriptores para la Enfermeria, y Lesiones Cerebrales Craneocerebrales Trauma. Para refinar la busqueda se llevo a cabo el cruce de palabras clave en Ingles, espanol y portugues. Los criterios de inclusion para que los articulos fueron publicados en nacionales e internacionales independientes de la que la revista durante el periodo comprendido desde enero 2000 hasta enero 2010 y disponibles en Ingles, espanol y portugues . Resultados : se encontraron diecinueve articulos, cinco en espanol, siete en Ingles y siete en portugues. La gran mayoria del trabajo se limita a caracterizar la demanda de victimas de TCE y / o validar las estrategias de atencion que contemplen una mejor recuperacion en el hospital. Conclusiones : el pequeno numero de trabajos publicados que expresan la escasez de enfermeras tiene conocimiento de la neurologia. Tambien, es necesario (re)examinar el camino recorrido por la investigacion en enfermeria neurologica. Ademas no son frecuentes, han mostrado una sobreestimacion en el hospital de la practica clinica en vez de una atencion integral de salud. Descriptores : enfermeria; las lesiones cerebrales; traumatismo craneoencefalico.

State of the art in the treatment of mandibular fractures caused by firearms: case report

Injuries to the face represent a significant risk to the health of the individual, mainly because of its significance, both functional, because it houses sensory organs and part of the respiratory and digestive systems, as well as esthetic. In this scenario, gunshot wounds in this location cause great concern on account of the magnitude of the damage, and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology team must act so that the treatment enables the rehabilitation of the patient in the shortest possible time, with a minimum of complications and sequelae. The objective of this study is to report a clinical case of a 19-year-old female patient with a comminuted fracture of the mandible body caused by a firearm projectile, treated immediately with stable internal fixation using the 2.00 mm plate-screw system for simplification of the fracture and a 2.4 mm reconstruction locking-plate on the bone gap. Relevant aspects of the surgical technique and tactics are reviewed and long-term follow-up of the patient is presented. Indexing terms: Firearms. Internal fixation of fractures. Mandible. Therapeutics.

Topographic specializations of catecholaminergic cells and ganglion cells and distribution of calcium binding proteins in the crepuscular rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris) retina

The rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris) is a crepuscular Hystricomorpha rodent that has been used in comparative analysis of retinal targets, but its retinal organization remains to be investigated. In order to better characterize its visual system, the present study analyzed neurochemical features related to the topographic organization of catecholaminergic cells and ganglion cells, as well the distribution of calcium-binding proteins in the outer and inner retina. Retinal sections and/or wholemounts were processed using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), GABA, calbindin, parvalbumin and calretinin immunohistochemistry or Nissl staining. Two types of TH-immunoreactive (TH-IR) cells were found which differ in soma size, dendritic arborization, intensity of TH immunoreactivity and stratification pattern in the inner plexiform layer. The topographic distribution of all TH-IR cells defines a visual streak along the horizontal meridian in the superior retina. The ganglion cells are also distributed in a visual streak and the visual acuity estimated considering their peak density is 4.13 cycles/degree. A subset of TH-IR cells express GABA or calbindin. Calretinin is abundant in most of retinal layers and coexists with calbindin in horizontal cells. Parvalbumin is less abundant and expressed by presumed amacrine cells in the INL and some ganglion cells in the GCL. The topographic distribution of TH-IR cells and ganglion cells in the rock cavy retina indicate a suitable adaptation for using a broad extension of its inferior visual field in aspects that involve resolution, adjustment to ambient light intensity and movement detection without specialized eye movements.

Pattern of tyrosine hydroxylase expression during aging of mesolimbic pathway of the rat

Senescence is a physiological and progressive event that leads to the impairment of normal functions of the organism. The nervous system is one of the most affected systems during aging, presenting both structural and functional alterations associated with a decline in normal brain functions. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the impact of senescence on the mesolimbic pathway (nucleus accumbens - NAc and ventral tegmental area - VTA) of the rat, through immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) enzyme, in young (3 months old), middle-aged (10 months old) and aged animals (18 months old). There was a significant decrease in the TH-immunoreactivity across NAc in aged animals as compared to the young and middle-aged ones, as revealed by optical densitometry. Medium and caudal regions of the VTA in the young animals possessed a higher number of TH-immunoreactive neurons as compared to the more aged groups. Comparisons among VTA regions in young animals revealed a difference in the number of cell bodies when the medium region was compared to the rostral and caudal regions whilst in both the middle-aged and aged groups comparisons between rostral vs caudal and medium vs caudal regions were significant. Our results show that aging impacts the mesolimbic pathway across its rostrocaudal axis, with a decrease of TH-reactivity in NAc and loss of neurons in VTA. These events may be involved with behavioral alterations observed throughout aging.

Expansion and Phenotypic Changes of Mouse Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Cells Cultured with FGF-2 and Facial Nerve-Conditioned Medium

Eudes Euler de Souza Lucena ; Hécio Henrique Araújo de Morais; Dayane Pessoa de Araújo ; José Rodolfo Lopes de Paiva Cavalcanti; Eduardo Pereira de Azevedo; Dinalva Brito de Queiroz; Marco Antônio Botelho; Amália Cinthia Meneses do Rêgo; Irami Araújo Filho ; Carlos Augusto Galvão Barboza; Expedito Silva do Nascimento Júnior ; Miriam Stela Maris de Oliveira Costa; Jeferson de Sousa Cavalcante 4 & Fausto Pierdoná Guzen