The CTZ and calcium hydroxide pastes demonstrated biocompatibility with subcutaneous tissue in this experimental model.

A ema (Rhea americana) é uma ave sul-americana do grupo das ratitas, da ordem Rheiforme, freqüentemente explorada com fins econômicos, como pecuária alternativa em países europeus e sul-americanos. No Brasil, destaca-se o Rio Grande do Sul e, em fase inicial, o Nordeste. O presente estudo objetivou descrever a morfologia das células sangüíneas em ema. Neste trabalho foram utilizados dez exemplares, desconsiderando-se idade e sexo. Foram colhidos 3mL de sangue periférico por punção da veia braquial, com seringa descartável. As amostras foram utilizadas, em parte, na confecção de extensões coradas com Leishman. Feita a análise morfológica ao Microscópio de Luz, foram observados sete tipos celulares nucleados. O eritrócito mostrou-se elíptico, com núcleo geralmente condensado, de forma elíptica; citoplasma acidófilo. O trombócito apresentou-se elíptico, com núcleo localizado em um dos pólos; citoplasma pálido. Quanto aos leucócitos, de forma arredondada, entre os granulócitos os heterófilos apresentaram-se com núcleo excêntrico, condensado, lobulado; citoplasma rico em grânulos fusiformes de coloração salmão. Os eosinófilos distinguem-se dos heterófilos pelos grânulos arredondados eosinofílicos. Os basófilos destacam-se dos outros granulócitos pelo núcleo grande e central, com grânulos citoplasmáticos específicos arredondados e fortemente basofílicos. Entre os agranulócitos, os monócitos mostraram núcleo rineforme, freqüentemente central, de cromatina frouxa, com pequenas áreas de condensação; citoplasma levemente basofílico e com vacúolos. Os linfócitos apresentaram-se variados em forma e tamanho; núcleo grande com cromatina frouxa, com alguns nucléolos; citoplasma escasso e basofílico. As células do sangue periférico de Rhea americana apresentam ao Microscópio de Luz morfologia semelhante às demais aves já estudadas.

We investigated the hypocholesterolemic and liver-protective effects of cooked and germinated whole mung beans. Hamsters were fed for 28 days on diets rich in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, differing only in protein source (20%): casein, cooked whole mung bean, and germinated mung bean. After 28 days, we found reduced plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, increased faecal cholesterol excretion, and reduced levels of asparagine aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes in the liver. Reduction in hepatic lipid deposition was observed between each of the mung bean groups relative to the casein group. In addition, the animals of the geminated mung bean group showed a lack of inflammatory infiltrate and better vascularisation of the hepatic tissue. Results from this study show significant hypocholesterolemic and liver-protective properties of the mung bean, which are further enhanced after germination.

Armadillos, Xenarthras representatives, known for adaptability to different ecosystems, own specific morphophysiological characteristics that are not known and deserve to be studied. The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of cartilage of the larynx of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Five dead armadillos were donated by the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity (ICMBio-PI) to the Federal University of Piauí. The animals were fixed and dissected for removal of the larynx. The cartilages were identified and described, photodocumented, and schematized. Fragments with about 0.5 cm of each cartilage were collected and submitted to classical histology for Hematoxylin-Eosin coloring. The slides were assembled in enterlan and analyzed under a light microscope. The larynx of the armadillo (D. novemcinctus) is located in the mentonian region, ventral to the esophagus, and due to the total positioning of the tongue in the oral cavity, there is also a cranial cervical position in this species. The larynx has five cartilages, they are: a cricoid, a thyroid, an epiglottis, and two arytenoids. The corniculate process is present; however, the cuneiform process is absent. The epiglottis has a discrete bifurcation at its apex. In all cartilages epithelial variations are observed. The tissues are varied from squamoso stratified to cylindrical pseudostratified, with propria lamina rich in mucoserosas glands. With the exception of epiglottic cartilage, predominantly elastic, the rest are hyaline. The larynx of D. novemcinctus, although the same number of cartilages, differs morphologically and microscopically from the larynx of other species.