Abstract Purpose: To analyze, histomorphologically, the influence of the geometry of nanostructured hydroxyapatite and alginate (HAn/Alg) composites in the initial phase of the bone repair. Methods: Fifteen rats were distributed to three groups: MiHA - bone defect filled with HAn/Alg microspheres; GrHA - bone defect filled with HAn/Alg granules; and DV - empty bone defect; evaluated after 15 days postoperatively. The experimental surgical model was the critical bone defect, ≅8.5 mm, in rat calvaria. After euthanasia the specimens were embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, picrosirius and Masson-Goldner’s trichrome. Results: The histomorphologic analysis showed, in the MiHA, deposition of osteoid matrix within some microspheres and circumjacent to the others, near the bone edges. In GrHA, the deposition of this matrix was scarce inside and adjacent to the granules. In these two groups, chronic granulomatous inflammation was noted, more evident in GrHA. In the DV, it was observed bone neoformation restricted to the bone edges and formation of connective tissue with reduced thickness in relation to the bone edges, throughout the defect. Conclusion: The geometry of the biomaterials was determinant in the tissue response, since the microspheres showed more favorable to the bone regeneration in relation to the granules.

A new study about corrosion behavior of CoCrMo alloy used as implant material exposed to the physiological serum and Hank's solution in different temperatures, electrolyte compositions and immersion time were simulated, using open circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization curves (PPC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS.) From the results, it can be concluded that CoCrMo biomaterial is influenced by electrolyte composition and temperature, and the passive films were more protective when formed in presence of physiological serum. Comparing the Ecorr for both solutions, it is possible to verify that the Hank's solution presented values more negative for the two studied temperatures (25 and 37 °C), indicating a greater susceptibility to the corrosion process. Regarding the results of potentiodynamic polarization, the ipass, decreased as function of time, indicating a more protective passive film at 25 °C. In regards to the physiological serum, the highest ipass values at 37 ºC evidenced the formation of a less stable passive film. The different behavior of ipass in Hank's solution may be related to the competitiveness between a possible film of D-glucose and oxides of the alloy metals. EIS studies suggest that the film formed in presence of physiological serum is nobler than that with Hank's solution.

RESUMO Este trabalho investigou o processo de hidrólise química de poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET) em meio alcalino; especificamente de garrafas incolores e coloridas pós-uso. A reciclagem química de embalagens PET pós-uso ainda é muito pouco explorada no Brasil, não sendo tão diferente do que está sendo praticado em outros países. Dentre variáveis possíveis de investigação, aquelas estudadas neste trabalho foram a concentração de hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) e a cor do PET. A reação de despolimerização do PET pós-uso foi realizada na concentração de 1,0, 3,0, 5,0, 7,5 e 10,0 mol L-1 de NaOH, sendo que em 7,5 mol L-1 foi aquela que mostrou os melhores resultados, relativamente à extensão da reação e à pureza do monômero recuperado, o ácido tereftálico (TPA). A reação também foi feita para PET de cores diferentes, na concentração de 7,5 mol L-1 de NaOH, cujos resultados mostraram um menor desempenho quando comparados com aqueles obtidos para o PET não colorido. Esse resultado sugere ser devido à presença de corantes, que pela estrutura química dos mesmos, competem pelo ataque nucleofílico do íon hidroxila (OH-), durante a reação de hidrólise do PET. As análises por Espectrofotometria no Infravermelho (FTIR), Difração de Raios X (DRX) e Termogravimétrica (TGA/DTG) confirmaram que os produtos de reação resultaram em TPA, uma vez que os espectros foram coincidentes com aqueles do TPA comercial. O crescente consumo de embalagens PET e o descarte ambiental aleatório precisam de soluções rápidas; os resultados do presente trabalho são importantes e corroboram com o avanço da pesquisa para a reutilização de matéria prima.

ABSTRACT This work investigated the chemical hydrolysis process of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in alkaline medium; specifically, colorless and colored post-consume bottles. The chemical recycling of post-consume PET bottles is still very little explored in Brazil, not being so different from what is being practiced in other countries. Among possible variables of investigation, in this work was studied the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration and the PET color. The post-consume PETdepolymerization reaction was performed at the concentrations of 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mol L-1 NaOH, and in 7.5 mol L-1was the one that showed the best results, regarding the extent of the reaction and the purity of the recovered monomer, terephthalic acid (TPA). The reaction was also made for PET of different colors at the concentration of 7.5 mol L-1 NaOH, whose results showed a lower performance when compared to those obtained for non-colored PET. This result suggests that it is due to the presence of dyes, which, due to their same chemical structure, compete for nucleophilic attack of the hydroxyl ion (OH-) during the hydrolysis reactionof of PET. Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as Thermogravimetric (TGA / DTG) analysis confirmed that the reaction products resulted in TPA, since the spectra were coincident with those of the commercial TPA. The increasing consumption of PET packaging and aleatory environmental disposal need quick solutions; the results of this work are important and corroborate with the advance of the research for reutilization of raw material.

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the biocompatibility and osteoconductivity in surgical defects of sheep tibias filled with 1% strontium-containing nanostructured hydroxyapatite microspheres (SrHA), stoichiometric hydroxyapatite without strontium microspheres (HA), or blood clots. Santa Ines sheep were subjected to three perforations on the medial side of the left tibia. The biomaterials were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) before implantation and by X-Ray Microfluorescence (µFRX) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) after sheep tibias implantation. Surgical defects were filled with blood clots (control), SrHA (Group 1) or HA (Group 2). After 30 days, 5-µm bone blocks were obtained for histological evaluation, and the blocks obtained from 1 animal were embedded in methylmethacrylate for undecalcified sections. Mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate remained mild in all experimental groups. Giant cells were observed surrounding biomaterials particles of both groups and areas of bone formation were detected in close contact with biomaterials. All groups showed newly formed bone from the periphery to the center of the defects, which the control, HA and SrHA presented 36.4% (± 21.8), 31.2% (± 14.7) and 26.2% (± 12.9) of newly formed bone density, respectively, not presenting statistical differences. In addition, the connective tissue density did not show any significant between groups. The SrHA showing a higher volume density of biomaterial (51.2 ± 14.1) present in the defect compared to HA (32.6 ± 8.5) after 30 days (p = 0.03). Microspheres containing 1% SrHA or HA can be considered biocompatible, have osteoconductive properties and may be useful biomaterials for clinical applications.

It was recently shown that the crystallinity of extracted bone mineral samples from the fin bones of zebrafish could increase over storage time. This would have implications in many studies in which the samples need to be stored until analysis. The aim of this study was to further evaluate if the crystallinity of extracted bone mineral increases over storage time. The extracted mineral was a biological bone-like apatite produced in osteoblast cell cultures. The overall characterization of the mineral was done by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In order to evaluate possible changes in crystallinity over storage time, the same sample was analyzed by X-ray diffraction immediately after mineral extraction and after 18 months of storage. In conclusion, no statistically relevant changes were observed over storage time, although the occurrence of a slight increase in crystallinity could be discussed in the stored mineral sample.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a aplicabilidade da técnica de histerectomia vaginal em úteros sem prolapso. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo de 220 pacientes submetidas à histerectomia vaginal no período de janeiro de 2004 a julho de 2010, pela Equipe de Cirurgia Vaginal e do Assoalho Pélvico. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 44,4 anos e tiveram, em média, 3 partos (0-10 partos). A cirurgia foi realizada mesmo em casos de cirurgias abdominais prévias; a cesárea foi prevalente em 54,6% da amostra. RESULTADOS: O peso médio do útero foi de 278,9g. O tempo cirúrgico médio foi de 93 minutos, e o tempo de internação foi de 24 horas pós-operatórias em 65% dos casos. Não houve nenhum caso de lesão visceral. A complicação pós-operatória mais frequente foi celulite de cúpula, que ocorreu em 11 casos (5%), sendo tratadas com antibioticoterapia. A perda sanguínea foi, em média, de 1,4g/dL de hemoglobina. Foi possível a realização da histerectomia pela via vaginal em 96,8% das pacientes da amostra estudada e em 3,2% foi necessária a conversão para via abdominal. CONCLUSÃO: A histerectomia vaginal é uma cirurgia por orifício natural, minimamente invasiva, com baixas frequência de complicações e morbidade, sendo factível e segura para o tratamento de afecções uterinas benignas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the applicability of the technique of vaginal hysterectomy in non-prolapsed uterus. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with 220 patients submitted to vaginal hysterectomy from January 2004 to July 2010 by the Vaginal Surgery and Pelvic Floor Team. Patients mean age was 44.4 years and they had on average three births (0-10 deliveries). The surgery was performed even in cases of previous abdominal surgery, and cesarean section was prevalent in 54.6% of patients. RESULTS: The mean uterus weight was 278.9g. The mean operative time was 93 minutes, and length of hospital stay was 24 hours after surgery in 65% of cases. There were no cases of visceral injury. The mean postoperative complication was cellulitis of the vaginal vault that occurred in 11 cases (5%) that received antibiotics. Mean blood loss corresponded to 1.4g/dL hemoglobin. From the analyzed sample, vaginal hysterectomy by vaginal route was feasible in 96.8% of patients, and abdominal conversion was necessary in 3.2%. CONCLUSION: Vaginal hysterectomy is a minimally invasive surgery, with fewer complications, and low morbidity. We believe that this procedure should be indicated to treat gynecological benign diseases.

In this work, the synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) was studied using different preparation routes to decrease the crystal size and to study the temperature effect on the HAP nano-sized hydroxyapatite crystallization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that all samples were composed by crystalline and amorphous phases . The sample with greater quantity of amorphous phase (40% of total mass) was studied. The nano-sized hydroxyapatite powder was heated and studied at 300, 500, 700, 900 and 1150 °C. All samples were characterized by XRD and their XRD patterns refined using the Rietveld method. The crystallites presented an anisotropic form, being larger in the [001] direction. It was observed that the crystallite size increased continuously with the heating temperature and the eccentricity of the ellipsoidal shape changed from 2.75 at 300 °C to 1.94, 1.43, 1.04 and 1.00 respectively at 500, 700, 900 and 1150 °C. In order to better characterize the morphology of the HAP the samples were also examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectrometry (IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Os ecossistemas florestais do Brasil abrigam um dos mais altos níveis de diversidade de mamíferos da Terra, e boa parte dessa diversidade se encontra nas áreas legalmente protegidas em áreas de domínio privado. As reservas legais (RLs) e áreas de proteção permanente (APPs) representam estratégias importantes para a proteção e manutenção dessa diversidade. Mudanças propostas no Código Florestal certamente trarão efeitos irreversíveis para a diversidade de mamíferos no Brasil. Os mamíferos apresentam papéis-chave nos ecossistemas, atuando como polinizadores e dispersores de sementes. A extinção local de algumas espécies pode reduzir os serviços ecológicos nas RLs e APPs. Outra consequência grave da redução de áreas de vegetação nativa caso a mudança no Código Florestal seja aprovada será o aumento no risco de transmição de doenças, trazendo sério problemas a saúde pública no Brasil.

Forest ecosystems within Brazil host one of the highest levels of mammalian diversity on Earth, much of which within legally required forest set-asides in private landholdings. The Legal Reserves (RLs) and Permanent Protected Areas (APPs) of the Brazilian Forest Code provide an important strategy to maintain this diversity. Yet a proposed amendment to Brazil's 1965 forestry code would reduce protection of Brazil's forests, including the Amazon and the Atlantic forest, and bring irreversible detrimental effects to mammal diversity. Mammals are key components of forest ecosystem, providing important environmental services as pollinators, seed dispersers and ecosystem engineers. The local extinction of some species will negatively affect forest ecosystem service provisioning throughout the country. Another important effect of forest conversion within private properties, should the proposed changes happen, will be the emergence of new diseases, bringing serious public health problems in Brazil.

RESUMO Apresentamos, neste artigo, o conceito das cirurgias por orifícios naturais e das cirurgias “sem cicatriz,” as suas vias de acesso, seu caráter multidisciplinar e os desafios de seu desenvolvimento. Apontamos as vantagens intra e pós-operatórias. Enfocamos a via vaginal e a colpotomia posterior na aplicação das cirurgias por orifícios naturais em histerectomias vaginais e acessos cirúrgicos aos anexos nos quais se inclui a laqueadura tubárea. Reforçamos a necessidade de nos inteirarmos destas modalidades de cirurgia que poderão trazer grandes vantagens para as pacientes no Brasil.

ABSTRACT We present the concept of natural orifice surgery and of scarless operations, with their access routes, their multidisciplinary character, and challenges to their development. We point out the intra- and postoperative advantages. We emphasize the use of the vaginal route and posterior colpotomy in the application of natural orifice surgery in vaginal hysterectomies and surgical access to adnexa, which includes tubal ligation. We highlight the need for mastering these surgical modalities, which can bring great advantages to patients in Brazil.

OBJETIVO: avaliar o efeito da hiperprolactinemia induzida pela metoclopramida sobre o endométrio e miométrio de camundongos fêmeas na fase de proestro. MÉTODOS: 24 camundongos fêmeas foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: GCtr/controle e GExp/tratadas com metoclopramida (6,7 µg/g por dia). Após 50 dias, os animais foram sacrificados na fase de proestro, e o sangue foi coletado para determinação dos níveis de estradiol, progesterona e prolactina. Os cornos uterinos foram removidos e fixados em formol a 10%; foram, então, processados para inclusão em parafina. Cortes de 4 µm foram corados pela hematoxilina-eosina (H/E). Na análise morfológica, foi utilizado microscópio de luz, da marca Carl Zeiss, com objetivas variando de 4 a 400 X, para caracterização de cada corte histológico. Na análise morfométrica, foi avaliada a espessura do epitélio superficial, da lâmina própria e do miométrio, com auxílio de um analisador de imagem (AxionVision, Carl Zeiss) acoplado ao microscópio de luz (Carl Zeiss). A análise estatística foi realizada pela ANOVA seguida pelo teste Wilcoxon. O valor de p foi considerado significante quando < 0,05. RESULTADOS: os achados mostraram aumento dos níveis séricos de prolactina (295,6±38,0 ng/mL) e redução significante dos de progesterona (11,3±0,9 ng/mL) no GExp em comparação ao GCtr (45,5±5,2 ng/mL e 18,2±1,6 ng/mL, respectivamente) (p<0,001). Com relação aos níveis séricos de estradiol, não foram obtidas diferenças significantes entre os grupos (GExp=119,1±12,3 pg/mL e o GCtr=122,7±8,4 pg/mL, p=0,418). O estudo morfológico mostrou que o útero do GExp apresentou endométrio com epitélio superficial e lâmina própria mais desenvolvida quando comparado ao GCtr, o mesmo ocorrendo no miométrio. Os valores morfométricos das espessuras do epitélio luminal (8,0±1,1 µm) e do endométrio (116,2±21,1x10² µm) do GCtr foram inferiores ao GExp (10,2±0,8 µm e 163,2±23,3x10² µm com p<0,05) respectivamente. Já os dados obtidos no miométrio não mostraram diferenças significantes entre si (GCtr=152,2±25,2x10² µm e GExp=140,8±18,0x10² µm). CONCLUSÕES: os dados mostraram que a hiperprolactinemia induzida pela metoclopramida determina proliferação endometrial e interfere na função ovariana, principalmente na produção de progesterona.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the effect of hyperprolactinemia induced by metoclopramide on the endometrium and myometrium of female mice in the proestrus phase. METHODS: 24 female mice were randomly divided in two groups: CtrG/control and ExpG/treated with metoclopramide (6.7 mg/g daily). After 50 days, the animals were sacrificed in the proestrus phase, and the blood was collected to determine the levels of estradiol, progesterone and prolactin. The uterine horns were removed, fixed in 10% formaldehyde and processed before being included in paraffin. Slices of 4 µm were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H/E). In the morphological analysis, a Carl Zeiss light microscope, with objectives varying from 4 to 400 X was used for each histological slice characterization. In the morphometrical analysis, the superficial epithelium, the lamina propria and the myometrium thickness were evaluated, with the help of an image analyzer (AxionVision - Carl Zeiss) attached to the light microscope (Carl Zeiss). The statistical analysis was done by ANOVA, followed by the Wilcoxon test. P-value was considered as significant, when <0.05. RESULTS: our findings have shown an increase in the seric levels of prolactin (295.6±38.0 ng/mL) and significant decrease in the progesterone levels (11.3±0.9 ng/mL) in the ExpG, as compared to the CtrG (45.5±5.2 ng/mL and 18.2±1.6 ng/mL, respectively; p<0.001). Concerning the seric level of estradiol, significant differences between the groups were not obtained (ExpG=119.1±12.3 pg/mL and CtrG=122.7±8.4 pg/mL; p=0.418). The morphological study has shown that the uterus from the ExpG presented the endometrium with more developed superficial epithelium and lamina propria, as compared to the CtrG, the same happening with the myometrium. The thickness morphometrical values of the luminal epithelium (8.0±1.1 µm) and endometrium (116.2±21.1x10² µm) from the CtrG were lower than the ones from the ExpG (10.2±0.8 µm and 163.2±23.3x10² µm, respectively) with p<0.05. Nevertheless, data obtained in the myometrium have not shown significant differences between the groups (CtrG=152.2±25.2x10² µm and ExpG=140.8±18.0x10² µm). CONCLUSIONS: data have shown that hyperprolactinemia induced by metoclopramide determines endometrial proliferation and interferes with the ovarian function, mainly in the progesterone production.

OBJETIVO: Os xenoenxertos são uma alternativa aos enxertos autogênicos e devem ser osteocondutores e biocompatíveis. Um estudo recente demonstrou que as características físicas e químicas das hidroxiapatitas encontradas no comércio não são condizentes com as descrições dos fabricantes. Este estudo avalia a biocompatibilidade e a osteocondução de um xenoenxerto derivado de osso medular bovino. MÉTODOS: Quinze coelhos adultos, pesando entre 2.500g e 3.000g cada um, foram anestesiados e submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos para criar três perfurações na tíbia, com 2 mm de diâmetro. Esses orifícios foram preenchidos com coágulo sanguineo, Osseus® e Bio-Oss®. Os animais foram sacrificados depois de 7, 14 e 28 dias. RESULTADOS: A análise histopatológica da interface de osso e biomaterial mostrou ligeira resposta inflamatória depois de 7 dias, que esteve ausente nos períodos subsequentes. Ambos os materiais foram parcialmente substituídos por tecido ósseo diretamente em contato com a superfície dos materiais, sem ocorrência de fibrose. CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que ambos os materiais são biocompatíveis e absorvíveis, o que permite progressiva aposição óssea na superfície durante todo o período de avaliação.

OBJECTIVE: Xenografts are an alternative to autogenous grafts and must be osteoconductive and biocompatible. A recent study has demonstrated that the physical and chemical characteristics of commercially available hydroxyapatites do not fit the manufacturers' descriptions. This study evaluates the biocompatibility and osteoconduction of a xenograft derived from bovine medullary bone. METHODS: Fifteen adult rabbits weighing between 2,500 g and 3,000 g each were anesthetized and subjected to surgical procedures to create three perforations in the tibia, with a diameter of 2 mm. These were filled with blood clot, Osseus® and Bio-Oss®. The animals were euthanized after 7, 14 and 28 days. RESULTS: Histopathological analysis of the interface between the bone and the biomaterial showed a slight inflammatory response after 7 days, which was absent in the subsequent periods. Both materials were partially replaced by bone tissue directly in contact with the surface of the materials, without the occurrence of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: We concluded that both materials are biocompatible and absorbable, allowing for progressive bone apposition on the surface throughout the evaluation period.

Phosphates have been used for lead immobilization in soils but the influence of soil type is not fully understood. In this work, lead chemical behaviour in two Brazilian latosoils (LA and LV) was studied via treatment with phosphates. The Pb concentration in Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) solutions was decreased in all treatments. After treatment with H3PO4 the Pb concentration in the LA remained within the regulatory limit established by EPA. The ecotoxicological results with Daphnia pulex showed that this treatment reduced the lead bioavailability. Sequential extraction analyses showed that the lead was transferred from the most available to the residual fraction. Relevant decrease of soluble lead was observed in all phosphate treatments.

Synthetic porous ceramics can be used as three-dimensional scaffolds for bone repair. The aim of this work is to correlate process parameters with scaffolds structural characteristics. The factorial 2 level experimental design was chosen to study the effect of the Ca/P ratio (1.58 or 1.67), calcination temperature (1000 or 1150 °C) and porogen content (20 or 40%) on the calcium phosphate samples characteristics. The influence of such parameters was determined by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and image analysis. It was observed that phase composition was basically a function of the Ca/P ratio of the raw material. The use of the porogen did not alter the hydroxyapatite (HA)/tricalcium phosphate (TCP) content, but induced changes in the relative content of TCP phase (alpha or beta). It is possible to design a porous sample with defined characteristics, and the model herein used can be considered as having a good predictive power.

Neste trabalho, rochas fosfatadas brasileiras (PRs) foram usadas na imobilização de Pb2+, Cu2+ e Cd2+ de soluções aquosas. Concluímos que estes metais são principalmente imobilizados por fluorapatita, mas outros minerais tais com carbonatos de cálcio contribuem para esta imobilização. No caso do chumbo, dois mecanismos são propostos: a dissolução da Ca10(PO4)6F2 seguida pela precipitação de (Ca,Pb)10(PO4,CO3) 6(OH,F,Cl)2.56.1.5H2O e a dissolução de CaCO3 com formação de PbCO3. Este segundo mecanismo aumenta a eficiência do processo de remoção, mas contribui para tornar o chumbo mais biodisponível porque o carbonato de chumbo é mais solúvel que a fluorpiromorfita. Este fato pode limitar a utilização das rochas fosfatadas na regeneração de solos contaminados. A imobilização de Cu2+ e do Cd2+ pelas PRs é controlada por mecanismos de adsorção mas mecanismos de dissolução/precipitação também contribuem. No caso do Cu2+ a dissolução da fluorapatita é seguida pela precipitação da libetenita, Cu2(PO4)(OH).

In this work Brazilian phosphate rocks, PRs, were used to reduce Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ concentrations from aqueous solutions. We concluded that these metals were mainly immobilized by fluorapatite but other minerals such as calcium carbonate also contribute to their immobilization. In the case of lead two mechanisms are proposed: the Ca10(PO4)6F2 dissolution followed by the precipitation of (Ca,Pb)10(PO4,CO3) 6(OH,F,Cl)2.56.1.5H2O and CaCO3 dissolution with the formation of a PbCO3. The occurrence of this second mechanism improves the uptake efficiency but contribute to the increases of lead bioavailability because lead carbonate is more soluble than fluorpyromorphite. This fact could limit the use of PRs for remediation of contaminated soils and wastes. The Cu2+ and Cd2+ removal by PRs is controlled by adsorption mechanisms but dissolution /precipitation mechanisms also occur. In the case of Cu2+, fluorapatite dissolution followed by Cu2(PO4)(OH) precipitation.