Luis Antônio Suita de Castro

Morphologic Analysis of the Root Apex in Human Teeth

INTRODUCTION To determine the morphologic shape and position of the root apex and the major foramen in maxillary and mandibular teeth. METHODS A total of 845 maxillary and mandibular human teeth root specimens were evaluated. Each root specimen was measured at each root apex by using a calibrated microscope at a magnification of 20x. The anatomic parameters evaluated included the position of the root apex and the major foramen (in the center, buccal, lingual, mesial, or distal) and shapes of peripheral contours of the major foramen (rounded, oval, asymmetric, and semilunar) and root apex (rounded, flat, beveled, and elliptical). All data were summarized, and means, frequencies, and percentages were calculated for each group of specimens (incisors, canines, premolars, and molars). RESULTS The most frequent root apex morphology in maxillary and mandibular teeth was the round shape (35.1%). The most frequent shape of the apical foramen was round (52.9%) or oval (25.2%). The major location of both the root apex (39.7%) and the major foramen (58.4%) was in the center of the root. CONCLUSION The most frequent root apex morphology and apical foramen in the maxillary and mandibular teeth was the round followed by the oval shape. The most prevalent location of the root apex and the major foramen was in the center followed by the distal position.

Propagação vegetativa do pessegueiro por alporquia

The propagation of fruit species is based on vegetative multiplication in order to maintain the characteristics of the original plant. The technique of air layering has been used in other species, however there is no report of its use in peaches trees. This work aimed to develop a methodology by using this technique in this species. The experiment took place in the period of June to September, 2001 at Embrapa - Clima Temperado, Pelotas, RS. The air layering technique was tested in four different periods using two cultivars: Chirua and Maciel. The plants used in the period I (06/06) were dormant. In all the order periods, the plants had flower buds, either at balloon stage or opened (periods II and III - 06/26 and 07/16), while in the period IV (08/08) they were already fruiting. The results indicated that this technique can be used in peach.

Ultrastructure of pitted keratolysis

A 20‐year‐old man presented with pitted keratolysis (PK), demonstrating the typical crateriform pits on the hallux ( Fig. 1 ), ball of the foot, and on the interdigital surface. The involved keratin specimen was obtained by a shaving technique and processed for transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy. The patient, who wore only sports shoes, had hyperhidrosis plantaris. He was treated with topical erythromycin with good results. Bacterial cultures from the lesions showed Corynebacterium sp.

Ecthyma‐like phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides

A case of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides in a 50‐year‐old housewife is described. The clinical presentation was an ecthyma‐like crusted lesion on the back of her left hand. Scanning electron microscopy of the culture showed the conidiophores and the limoniform or ellipsoidal conidia, with a slightly verrucous surface. The lesion was removed surgically, with no relapses after 6‐month follow up.

Indução de resistência sistêmica à antracnose em feijoeiro-comum pela raça delta avirulenta de Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the potential of the avirulent delta race of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum as a protector against virulent races of this fungus and induce systemic resistance to anthracnose in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Four common bean cultivars were evaluated for changes in the activities of beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase at two common bean developmental stages, V2 and R6, three days after the infection with delta race of C. lindemuthianum, in comparison with control applications of water and salicylic acid. The plants were then infected with a spore suspension of 33/95, a virulent C. lindemuthianum patotype and reevaluated five days later for the enzyme activities. Significant increases in the activities of both beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase were observed after inoculation of inductive fungus at the two evaluation periods, at both plant development stages. The activities of both beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase varied among cultivars and among plant development stages. A significant correlation was observed between the disease severity and the enzyme activity. The avirulent delta race of C. lindemuthianum reduced the severity of anthracnose on common bean and may have the potential to control the disease.

Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: clinical, Histological and ultrastructural aspects

A 12-year-old boy with difficulty in wound healing and scars of unusual appearance was examined. Thin, shiny and protruding skin, characterizing pseudotumoral lesions, was observed on his knees and elbows. Loose joints and increased skin elasticity were also observed. Light microscopy showed rare collagen bundles and loosely dispersed collagen fibers. Irregularly distributed elastic tissue was observed, and transmission electron microscopy revealed disorganized collagen fibers. In cross sections under high magnifications, fibers of varying diameters could be seen, as well as an irregular fiber outline. Scanning electron microscopy of the dermis showed disorganized collagen fibers, which were rarely arranged in bundles. Isolated and crossed-over fibers were also found.

Água aquecida e radiação UV-C no controle pós-colheita de Cryptosporiopsis perennans em maçãs

The objective of this work was to assess the colonization of Cryptosporiopsis perennans in the epidermis of apples and the efficiency of heated water and UV-C radiation application to control this pathogen. In apples inoculated with C. perennans, the colonization of lenticels and adjacent areas by the pathogen was observed by electronic scanning microscopy. The sensitivity of C. perennans conidia was evaluated in aqueous suspension, at temperatures of 28, 45, 50 and 55 o C for 15 and 30 s, and at UV-C radiation doses of 0.018, 0.037, 0.075, 0.150, 0.375, 0.750, 1.500 and 3.000 kJ m -2 . The effects of UV-C radiation doses at 0.375, 0.750 and 1.500 kJ m -2 and heated water at 50 o C, sprayed during 15 and 30 s were evaluated for controlling C. perennans in apples inoculated with the pathogen. The fungus produced abundant mycelium and conidia in lenticels and adjacent areas on the epidermis of the apples. The heated water at 50 o C during 15 s and a 0.750 kJ m -2 UV-C radiation dose reduced conidia survival in more than 99%. Heated water sprayed at 50 o C during 15 s and a UV-C radiation dose of 0.375 kJ m -2 control C. perennans in apples.

Papulöse akantholytische Dyskeratose

ZusammenfassungDie papulöse akantholytische Dyskeratose ist eine sehr seltene Dermatose, die histologisch eine suprabasale Spaltung mit akantholytischen und dyskeratotischen Zellen zeigt, was dem klassischem Bild des Morbus Darier entspricht, jedoch ist sie erworben und ohne genetische Grundlage. Eine 40-jährige Patientin zeigte ca. 200 kleine keratotische Papeln an beiden Unterschenkeln, deren histologische Untersuchung in das Bild der Keratosis follicularis hineinpasste. Die elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung zeigte eine verminderte Desmosomenzahl und eine perinukleäre Verteilung der Tonofilamente. Die Läsionen sprachen auf Kryotherapie mit offenem Verfahren gut an.AbstractPapular acantholytic dyskeratosis is a very rare skin disease, which shows a suprabasilar cleft with acantholytic and dyskeratotic cells, simulating the light microscopic picture of Darier disease. In this condition, the lesions are acquired without a genetic basis. We observed a 40-year-old woman with about 200 papules on the lower aspects of her legs; histological examination showed changes similar to Darier disease. Transmission electron microscopy showed a reduced number of desmosomes and perinuclear distribution of tonofilaments. The lesions were successfully treated with cryotherapy with spray technique.

Elastic tissue damage in cephalic acquired cutis laxa.

Cutis laxa is a rare condition characterized by diminished elastic tissue. We report the histological changes from a 22‐year‐old male patient, who presented since 4 years hanging and inelastic facial skin, giving him an older appearance. The palpebral, preauricular and submandibular skin obtained after a facelift were examined. Conventional light microscopy with hematoxylin‐eosin staining showed perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates and crossed‐over collagen fibers. With Weigert staining, a lessening of elastic fibers with fragmentation, shortening and clumping was seen. The oxytalanic fibers in the papillary dermis were also affected, ranging from absence or reduction to flattening with clumping of the fibers, giving an irregular contour to the basal membrane zone. These findings were more intense in the palpebral skin. Transmission electronic microscopy showed reduction of the elastic fibers, a granular degeneration of the elastic tissue was found and collagen fibers were normal. Similar to light microscopy, at the ultrastructural level, the basal membrane has an irregular contour.

Light and electron microscopy of eruptive collagenoma

Connective tissue nevi may be multiple or solitary, sporadic or familial. Eruptive collagenoma is a variant of the acquired collagenomas characterized by multiple sclerotic papules with an acute onset. A 13‐year‐old girl reported that in the past year, small asymptomatic lesions began to appear in her skin, 30 lesions were seen in the trunk, 5 in the cervical region and 1 in the face. Light microscopy with hematoxylin and eosin staining showed sparse collagen fibers, with Weigert staining diminished elastic tissue was observed. Scanning electron microscopy of the dermis showed individualized collagen fibers forming waved compact masses and not bundles. Transmission electron microscopy also showed sparse and loose collagen fibers with different diameters in cross sections.