Morphologic and functional changes in the spleen of BALB/cByJ mice in the course of Plasmodium chabaudi adami malaria were assessed by light and electron microscopy, augmented by probes of polystyrene spheres and autoradiography of injected 3H-uridine-labeled T lymphocytes. The initial phase of the disease (precrisis) was characterized by increasing parasitemia accompanied by a marked increase in spleen size and by anemia. Erythropoiesis predominated, but there was also plasmacytopoiesis and monocyte-macrophage differentiation. The white pulp increased due to enlargement of lymphatic nodules, and in the periarterial lymphatic sheath, plasma cells invade the area around the central artery. A decrease in splenic uptake was demonstrated by light microscopic analysis of concentration and distribution of intravenously injected, spleen-cleared polystyrene spheres. Stromal cells showing signs of intense protein secretion and increased branching were present. Branches of these cells, barrier cells, appeared to seal off from the blood the locules of filtration beds, protecting splenic erythropoiesis from parasitization. Barrier cells are recently recognized fibroblastic contractile stromal cells that fuse to form complex branched variform barriers used for such diverse functions as controlling blood flow and blood cell delivery into the circulation, sealing off the hematopoietic/immunologic colonies and regulating their proliferation and differentration through paracrine secretion. Normally present in marrow and spleen in limited numbers, barrier cells are quickly mobilized in hematopoietic/ immunologic stess. They may well be part of a larger system that includes the myofibroblasts of wound healing and myoepithelial cells. The following phase, crisis, was characterized by a sharp decrease in parasitemia, increased splenic uptake, and amelioration of the anemia. Again, the filtration beds were opened to the blood. In the succeeding phase of postcrisis, the structure of the spleen approached normalcy. Analysis of autoradiographs showed T cells from normal or immunized mice distributing equally to red pulp and white pulp at 1 hr after injection of isolated radioactively labeled T cells, but they increased in white pulp over time. A higher percentage of immune cells was found in the white pulp of mice on day 16 of infection, suggesting a role for these cells in the development of crisis. Interleukin-I-treated mice developed higher levels of parasitemia and lower levels of splenic uptake.

Biphasic bioceramics have been widely indicated for bone reconstruction; however, the real gain in bone mass due to the presence of such biomaterials has not been established yet nor the advantages of its association with platelet concentrate. This study aims at quantifying the volume of bone matrix, osteoblasts, osteocytes, blood vessels and adipose tissue after the application of a biphasic bioceramics composed of 65% hydroxyapatite and 35% beta-tricalcium phosphate. Critical-size bone defects were produced in rabbit femora and reconstructed with bioceramics only, with bioceramics combined with platelet concentrate, with platelet concentrate alone, and with no treatment (blood clot). The quantitative evaluation was performed on histological sections using histomorphometry. Our data provide original evidence that consolidates the indication of bioceramics for clinical bone loss reconstruction. The application of biphasic bioceramics alone led to major bone mass gain and was followed by its association with platelet concentrate. On the other hand, platelet concentrate can contribute to the augmentation and maintenance of the adipose tissue, representing a new field for future applications in plastic surgery.

Teleconsultations need to be incorporated in the daily routine of PCUs by both managers and health professionals to assure its usage and improve the quality of care.

Telehealth resources can help to improve the provision of primary healthcare, reducing the number of physically referred patients. The number of teleconsultations is still small, and there is a need to encourage physicians to use the system.

The dissection of nerves and ganglia anatomically related to the pelvic organs revealed one inferior mesenteric ganglion, two testicular ganglia, two hypogastric nerves, two pelvic ganglia and two pelvic nerves.The histochemical demonstration of catecholamines by a glyoxylic acid fluorescence method revealed a rich sympathetic innervation in the ductus deferens, in the three segments of the prostate and in the convoluted ductuli efferentes. The testis, epididymis and all three pairs of bulbourethral glands presented fluorescent nerve fibers only around blood vessels. Removal of the inferior mesenteric and testicular ganglia, and hypogastric neurectomy with our without ligature and sectioning of testicular arteries, had no effect on the density of the nonvascular fluorescent fibers. Removal of the periprostatic tissue caused complete denervation of the prostate and marked denervation of the ductuli efferentes and ductus deferens. Small ganglia containing fluorescent nerve cell bodies were found close to the capsule of the prostate. The results indicate that short adrenergic neurons are responsible for the sympathetic innervation of the reproductive organs of the male opossum.