Fibroblastos gengivais desempenham um importante papel na regeneração de tecidos moles de proteção do periodonto. Alloderm® (MDA) é um substituto alógeno muito utilizado e estudado em periodontia. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar, in vitro, se a MDA é uma matriz tridimensional adequada, através de sua resposta à cultura de fibroblastos gengivais e células neoplásicas; e, ainda, se os subprodutos da MDA influenciam o comportamento celular. Material e Métodos: Fibroblastos gengivais de cão (FGC) e fibroblastos gengivais humanos (FGH) foram obtidos pela técnica do explante a partir de tecido conjuntivo gengival de, respectivamente, três indivíduos e três cães saudáveis. As células FGC, FGH e B16F10 de melanoma murino foram cultivadas sobre a MDA por até 14 dias. Os seguintes parâmetros foram avaliados: presença, morfologia e distribuição de FGC, FGH e B16F10 por fluorescência direta; viabilidade de FGC e FGH por MTT; e o efeito do meio de cultura condicionado (MC) em MDA por 24 h na viabilidade celular de FGC por MTT. Os dados quantitativos foram submetidos aos testes estatísticos Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, seguido pelo método de Dunn para comparações múltiplas (nível de significância: 5%). Resultados: A epifluorescência revelou que, em 12 h, FGH e FGC estavam aderidos à superfície da MDA em baixa densidade celular, exibindo morfologia poligonal com núcleos esféricos, enquanto que, aos 7 e 14 dias, essas células apresentavam com formato alongado, núcleos ovalados e citoesqueleto de actina com fibras de estresse. Aos 7 e 14 dias, FGC apresentavam-se distribuídos de forma desigual sobre a MDA, formando uma camada celular descontínua, sem aumento no número de células entre os períodos; FGH formaram uma monocamada celular na superfície da MDA, estando presentes em maior número após 14 dias de cultivo (p<0,05); e B16F10 exibiram um aumento no número de células de 12 h para 7 dias (p<0,05), apresentando-se dispostas em aglomerados celulares, principalmente na superfície da MDA, com a formação de camada contínua aos 14 dias. Notou-se maior número de células nas amostras cultivadas com B16F10, seguido por FGH e FGC aos 7 dias (p<0,05). Aos 14 dias, FGH e B16F10 estavam presentes em maior número, com diferença estatística significante em relação aos FGC (p<0,05). Foi observada maior porcentagem de células na superfície (p<0,05) do que no interior da MDA e essa proporção manteve-se estável durante os períodos avaliados para todos os tipos celulares. O ensaio de MTT indicou maior viabilidade celular nas amostras cultivadas com FGH comparado a FGC (p=0,024), aos 7 e 14 dias. Notou-se um decréscimo na viabilidade celular em culturas cultivadas em MC, com diferença estatística entre os grupos em 48 e 72 horas (p<0,05). Conclusão: Podemos concluir que fibroblastos gengivais e mesmo células altamente proliferativas, como B16F10, povoam apenas superficialmente a MDA e que FGC são afetados negativamente pelos subprodutos da MDA, reduzindo sua viabilidade. / Gingival fibroblasts play a central role in oral soft tissue regeneration. Alloderm® (Alloderm® - ADM) is the most used and studied allogeneic substitute. The aim of this investigation was to verify if ADM is a suitable threedimensional matrix, through its in vitro response to gingival fibroblasts and cancerous cells lineage and, also, if ADM end products affect cellular behavior. Methods: Canine gingival fibroblasts (CGF) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) cultures were established by the explant technique of gingival connective tissues of three dogs and three healthy patients, respectively. CGF, HGF and B16F10 cells of murine melanoma were seeded on ADM and grown for up to 14 days. The following parameters were assessed: presence, morphology and distribution of CGF, HGF e B16F10 by direct fluorescence; CGF and HGF viability by MTT; and the effect of culture medium conditioned (CM) in the MDA for 24 h on CGF viability by MTT. Quantitative data were submitted to Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, followed by Dunn\'s method. Results: Epifluorescence revealed that CGF and HGF were adherent and exhibited a polygonal morphology at 12 h while at 7 and 14 days they were spread, exhibiting an elongated shape and the actin cytoskeleton assembled into stress fibers. CGF were unevenly distributed on ADM surface, showing no increase in cell number over the experimental periods; HGF formed a monolayer on the ADM surface, in a higher number at 14 days (p<0,05); B16F10 exhibited na increase in cell number in 7 days (p<0,05), and were mainly arranged in cell aggregates on the ADM, forming a continuous layer at 14 days. A higher percentage of cells on the ADM surface (p <0.05) compared to inside the matrix was observed for all cell types in all periods. MTT values indicated higher cell viability in samples cultured with HGF compared to CGF (p=0.024). A significantly lower cell viability for CGF grown in CM compared to cells grown in non conditioned medium at 48 and 72 h (p <0.05) was noticed. Conclusion: Gingival fibroblasts and even highly proliferative cells as B16F10 can be only superficially located on ADM and CGF are negatively affected by ADM end products, reducing its viability.

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Every year in the United States, more than 800,000 people are diagnosed with heart failure and more than 375,000 people die from heart disease. Current therapies such as heart transplants and bioartificial hearts are helpful, but not optimal. Decellularization of porcine whole hearts followed by recellularization with patient-specific human cells may provide the ultimate solution for patients with heart failure. Great progress has been made in the development of efficient processes for decellularization, and the design of automated bioreactors. In this study, the decellularization of porcine hearts was accomplished in 24 h with only 6 h of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) exposure and 98% DNA removal. Automatically controlling the pressure during decellularization reduced the detergent exposure time while still completely removing immunogenic cell debris. Stimulation of macrophages was greatly reduced when comparing native tissue samples to the processed ECM. Complete cell removal was confirmed by analysis of DNA content. General collagen and elastin preservation was demonstrated by SEM and histology. The compression elastic modulus of the ECM after decellularization was lower than native at low strains but there was no significant difference at high strains. Polyurethane casts of the vasculature of native and decellularized hearts demonstrated that the microvasculature network was preserved after decellularization. A static blood thrombosis assay using bovine blood was also developed. A perfusion bioreactor was designed and right ventricle of the decellularized hearts were recellularized with human endothelial cells and cardiac fibroblasts. An effective, reliable, and relatively inexpensive assay based on human blood hemolysis was developed for determining the remaining cytotoxicity of the cECM and the results were consistent with a standard live/dead assay using MS1 endothelial cells incubated with the cECM. Samples from the left ventricle of the hearts were prepared with 300 µm thickness, mounted on 10 mm round glass coverslips. Human induced pluripotent stem cells were differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs) and 4 days after differentiation, cardiac progenitors were seeded onto the decellularized cardiac slices. After 10 days, the tissues started to beat spontaneously. Immunofluorescence images showed confluent coverage of CMs on the decellularized slices and the effect of the scaffold was evident in the arrangement of the CMs in the direction of fibers. This study demonstrated the biocompatibility of decellularized porcine hearts with human CMs and the potential of these scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering. Further studies can be directed toward 3D perfusion recellularization of the hearts and improving repopulation of the scaffolds with various cell types as well as adding mechanical and electrical stimulations to obtain more mature CMs.

Objectives: Tooth replacement therapy using endosseous implants has become an essential component of contemporary dental practice. While a plethora of factors determine clinical success, the bucco-lingual and apico-coronal dimensions of the peri-implant mucosa play an important role in both esthetics and the maintenance of peri-implant health. Studies, most of which treat mucogingival defects in the natural dentition, comparing acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and autologous subepithelial connective tissue grafts (sCTG) have shown similar clinical outcomes. The purpose of this non-inferiority trial is to determine the clinical efficacy of ADM in the augmentation of peri-implant mucosa thickness (PMT) as compared to an autologous sCTG in human adults. Methods: Twenty healthy adults treatment planned for a single tooth implant restoration in need of simultaneous peri-implant mucosa augmentation at the time of implant placement were recruited on the basis of an eligibility criteria. Patients were randomly assigned to the control group (autologous sCTG), or the experimental group (ADM allograft). Clinical measurements of mucosal thickness at the site were made with a periodontal probe and an endodontic spreader at baseline and 16 weeks post-op. These measurements were made by a masked, calibrated examiner. Gingival health, oral hygiene, wound healing and patient reported outcomes were also obtained. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the mean mucosal thickness changes between the groups. Results: The mean gain in PMT was approximately 1.5mm in the control group and 0.8mm in the experimental group. When measured at 1, 3 and 5mm apical from the CEJ, only the 3mm site exhibited a difference between the groups that approached statistical significance (control: 2.08 ± 0.80mm, test: 0.83 ± 1.37mm, Mann Whitney U = 10.00, p=0.05). Changes in keratinized mucosa width, healing index and patient reported outcomes were generally similar between the two groups. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, both autologous sCTG and ADM appear to be adequate materials to augment PMT without sacrificing other relevant clinical parameters and/or patient related outcomes.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease caused by the strict human pathogen Bordetella pertussis, a gram-negative coccobacillus. The worldwide mass-vaccination was started in 1940s and to date, a number of whole-cell (Pw) and acellular pertussis vaccine (Pa) formulations were developed. Yet the current vaccines are incapable of providing sustained, lifelong immunity and eliminating subclinical infections, which pose a threat especially for unimmunized infants as well as adolescents and adults. Thus, finding new protein candidates with high immune protective capacities is necessary to enhance the clinical efficacy of current acellular pertussis (Pa) vaccines. In this study, iron-superoxide dismutase (FeSOD) protein was investigated for its capacity of conferring protectivity as well as stimulating humoral and cellular responses against B. pertussis infection in a mouse model. For this purpose, sodB gene, which encodes iron-superoxide dismutase FeSOD protein, was amplified from the genomic DNA of the universal B. pertussis strain &lsquo / Tohama I&rsquo / and sequentially cloned to pGEM&reg / -T subcloning and pET-28a(+) expression vectors. Afterwards sodb/pET28a(+) construct was introduced to E. coli BL21(DE3) cells and the gene was overexpressed therein via IPTG induction. The expressed FeSOD protein was then purified by affinity chromatography and its previously reported immunogenicity was confirmed by Western blot. After filter-sterilization, the protein was adsorbed to alum [Al(OH)3] adjuvant and introduced to BALB/c twice at three weeks intervals intraperitoneally at a concentration of 20 &mu / g purified FeSOD protein/mouse. Another group of mice were immunized in tandem with heat-inactivated whole-cell suspension of B. pertussis. Ten days after the second immunization, mice were intranasally challenged with the local &lsquo / Saadet&rsquo / strain of B. pertussis. Next the lungs of groups of mice were excised, homogenized and plated as serial dilutions on days 5, 8 and 14 post-challenge, and viable lung CFU counts were carried out. Whole cell immunization conferred complete bacterial clearance following B. pertussis intranasal infection while FeSOD immunization failed to attain such protection. In addition to the protectivity assay, ELISA was performed to assess the humoral (i.e. IgG) immune response triggered upon FeSOD- and whole-cell immunizations and a statistically significant increase in anti-FeSOD IgG production was observed in FeSOD-immunized group. Finally, cellular immune response was tested via cytokine (IFN-&gamma / ) assay, in which spleens of mice were excised, splenocytes were cultured and the level of IFN-&gamma / production upon FeSOD addition to the cultures was measured via ELISA. This test showed that whole-cell immunization triggered IFN-&gamma / production at significant levels while FeSOD-immunization did not / indicating the failure of alum-adsorbed FeSOD immunization in inducing cell-mediated immune response.

L’estimation de l’âge au décès d’individus découverts en contexte médico-légal ou ar-chéologique est un sujet fondamental. La cémentochronologie fondée sur le dépôt annuel de cément acellulaire est une technique parmi les plus performantes dont l’exactitude est appréciée dans de nombreuses publications. Cependant, le manque de standardisation ralentit l’adoption de cette méthode et freine l’étude de la précision qui demeure méconnue tout comme l’impact des conditions taphonomiques sur sa fiabilité. Le premier objectif de ce travail est de mesurer la concordance des estimations effectuées, donc la précision, puis d’évaluer l’exactitude, donc la qualité de l’accord entre l’âge estimé et l’âge chronologique, en appliquant un protocole standardisé et certifié ISO-9001 pour s’affranchir des biais inhérents à la préparation. Le second objectif est d’apprécier l’impact des affections taphonomiques trop souvent négligées. La collecte des données à partir de préparations histologiques dentaires représente une opération coûteuse en temps et constitue un obstacle majeur pour conduire des études cémentochronologiques. Nous nous fixons comme autre objectif d’expérimenter un logiciel de comptage semi-automatique, fruit d’une collaboration entre anthropologues (UTML) et développeurs (FEI Visualization Sciences Group). Pour atteindre ces buts, l’étude porte sur 2000 lames histologiques réalisées à partir de 400 canines. 200 canines sont issues de collections de référence dont l’âge, le sexe, l’intervalle postmortem et la durée d’inhumation des sujets sont connus. Afin d’apprécier l’influence de la taphonomie sur la lisibilité et la précision et d’étudier l’applicabilité de la méthode à du matériel ancien, 200 canines extraites de sujets archéologiques datés entre le XIIe et le XVIIIe siècle sont intégrées à l’étude. Précision et exactitude sont approchées pour chaque classe d’âge et en tenant compte des intervalles post-mortem et des affections taphonomiques, mettant ainsi en évidence une fiabilité qui est fonction de l’âge du sujet, mais aussi de l’état de conservation des tissus. Ce travail vise, sur un échantillon standardisé conséquent, à amener une discussion sur les performances de la cémentochronologie à l’échelle individuelle et populationnelle, à apporter des recommandations et proposer un modèle de prédiction pour minimiser les différences entre âge estimé et âge chronologique. / Age at death estimation is a fundamental component of creating a biological profile in forensic and bioarchaeological contexts. Cementochronology based on annual deposition of acellular cementum is one of the most effective ageing techniques, and its accuracy, i.e. the agreement between estimated age and chronological age, is acknowledged in many publications. However, the lack of standardization slows down the adoption of this method and hinders the evaluation of its precision that remains unknown as well as the impact of taphonomical processes. The first objective of this thesis is to measure the agreement between cementum estimates, i.e. the precision, and then to assess the accuracy through the evaluation of the quality of the accordance between chronological age and estimates based on a standardized and ISO-9001 certified protocol to overcome bias due to sample preparation. The second objective is to gauge the impact of taphonomical effects too often neglected. Counting cementum increments on histological preparations is time-consuming and represents a major difficulty to perform cementochronological studies. Another goal is to experiment a semi-automatic program resulting from a col-laboration between anthropologists (UTML) and software developers (FEI Visualization Sciences Group). To achieve these goals, our study is based on 2000 histological sections from 400 canines. 200 canines are derived from reference collections with documented age, sex, postmortem interval and burial duration. In order to grasp the influence of taphonomy on slices readability and on precision and to investigate the applicability of this method on ancient material, 200 canines extracted from archaeological assemblages dated between the XIIth century and XVIIIth century are included in the study. Accuracy and precision are assessed for each age group in considering post-mortem intervals and taphonomical conditions and show a reliability influenced by age but also by tissue preservation. This work aims, on a large standardized sample, to discuss cementochronology’s performance for individual and population approaches, to provide recommen-dations and to propose a prediction model to reduce differences between estimated age and chronological age.

Im Mittelpunkt dieser kumulativ angefertigten Arbeit stehen fünf verschiedenartige biomechanische Untersuchungen faseriger Bindegewebe, welche in einer Gesamtschau zusammengeführt werden. Die einzelnen Beiträge setzen sich zusammen aus Untersuchungen zum Einfluss zellulärer Bestandteile auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften faseriger Bindegewebe und die Beeinflussung dieser Ergebnisse durch Messfehler, speziell am Beispiel des Materialschlupfs. Über diese beiden Beiträge wird eine Verbindung hergestellt zur rechnergestützten Simulation der Wirkung eines Beckenkompressionsgurts auf die Bänder des Beckenrings und dem Transmissionsverhalten faseriger Bindegewebe bei Zugbelastung. Im fünften Beitrag wird am Beispiel des Zusammenwirkens von Achillessehne, Fersenfettpolster und Plantarfaszie in vitro die Komplexität der Betrachtung faseriger Bindegewebe aufgezeigt. Die Zusammenführung der einzelnen Untersuchungen wird begleitet von der Frage, ob die bestehenden biomechanischen Untersuchungsansätze ausreichend sind, um ein umfassendes Verständnis zur funktionellen Bedeutung faseriger Bindegewebe aufbauen zu können.

O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar duas técnicas cirúrgicas para recobrimento radicular e avaliar qual delas ofereceu o melhor resultado estético e menor morbidade. Foram selecionados 20 participantes adultos, não fumantes, que apresentaram retrações gengivais múltiplas bilaterais, classe I ou II de Miller, localizadas em caninos, primeiros e segundos pré-molares. As duas técnicas utilizaram a MDA como enxerto. Porém, em um quadrante foi realizado um retalho parcial com incisões relaxantes unidas através de uma incisão intrasucular, a MDA foi posicionada a 1 mm apical a junção amelocementária (JAC) e o retalho posicionado a 1 mm coronal a JAC. No quadrante oposto foi realizada uma técnica minimamente invasiva de envelope supra periosteal que não utiliza incisões relaxantes, preserva as papilas, além de evitar eventuais cicatrizes. Os parâmetros clínicos (profundidade clínica de sondagem, nível clínico de inserção, índice de sangramento a sondagem, altura e largura da retração gengival e altura e espessura de gengiva queratinizada) foram avaliados 2 semanas após a terapia periodontal básica e após 6 meses aos procedimentos cirúrgicos. No exame inicial todos os parâmetros foram similares, tanto para grupo teste como para grupo controle. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante favorecendo nenhuma das técnicas, porém o grupo controle teve números sutilmente melhores do que o grupo teste. Apesar de ambos procedimentos cirúrgicos terem proporcionado melhora significativa em todos os parâmetros analisados, com exceção da PCS, a técnica controle obteve melhores resultados, porém sem diferenças estatisticamente significantes. / Aim: The aim of this study is to compare two surgical techniques using acelular dermal matrix (ADM)for the treatment of gingival recessions. Material and Methods: Twenty patients with bilteral class I and II multiple gingival recession were selected for a Split mouth study design. At one side a modified extended coronally advanced flap (MECAF) was used. At the contralateral a supra periosteal flap (TUN) was performed. Both sides were associated with ADM, so that the technique was the only variable. The clinical parameter evaluated were: probing pocket depth (PD), relative clinical attachment level (RCAL), gingival index (GI), gingival recession height (GR), width of keratinized tissue (KT), keratinized tissu thickness (TKT), and gingival recession area (GRA). Post-operative pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS) weekly on the first month post operative. Clinical examination was performed at baseline and 6 months post operative. Results: At baseline, no differences at any of the parameters examined could be detected between groups. Both groups were effective to reduce GR, but no difference was detected between them (&Delta;GR: MECAF= 2.28 &plusmn 1.01; TUN= 1.93 &plusmn 1.36mm). The % of root coverage was numerically superior favoring (MECAF = 61.24 &plusmn 23.42%; TUN= 56.07 &plusmn 22.02%), without significant differences between groups. PD Did not changed significantly after treatment and a clincial attachment gain associated with reduction of gingival recession was noted. Post operative pain was more frequent on MECAF, but no significant difference between groups could be noticed. Conclusions: Both treatments were effective on reducing gingival recession and might be valuable for the treatment of multiple gingival recessions. No significant differences could be shown despite a numerical advantage favored MECAF.

O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar duas técnicas cirúrgicas para recobrimento radicular e avaliar qual delas ofereceu o melhor resultado estético e menor morbidade. Foram selecionados 20 participantes adultos, não fumantes, que apresentaram retrações gengivais múltiplas bilaterais, classe I ou II de Miller, localizadas em caninos, primeiros e segundos pré-molares. As duas técnicas utilizaram a MDA como enxerto. Porém, em um quadrante foi realizado um retalho parcial com incisões relaxantes unidas através de uma incisão intrasucular, a MDA foi posicionada a 1 mm apical a junção amelocementária (JAC) e o retalho posicionado a 1 mm coronal a JAC. No quadrante oposto foi realizada uma técnica minimamente invasiva de envelope supra periosteal que não utiliza incisões relaxantes, preserva as papilas, além de evitar eventuais cicatrizes. Os parâmetros clínicos (profundidade clínica de sondagem, nível clínico de inserção, índice de sangramento a sondagem, altura e largura da retração gengival e altura e espessura de gengiva queratinizada) foram avaliados 2 semanas após a terapia periodontal básica e após 6 meses aos procedimentos cirúrgicos. No exame inicial todos os parâmetros foram similares, tanto para grupo teste como para grupo controle. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante favorecendo nenhuma das técnicas, porém o grupo controle teve números sutilmente melhores do que o grupo teste. Apesar de ambos procedimentos cirúrgicos terem proporcionado melhora significativa em todos os parâmetros analisados, com exceção da PCS, a técnica controle obteve melhores resultados, porém sem diferenças estatisticamente significantes. / Aim: The aim of this study is to compare two surgical techniques using acelular dermal matrix (ADM)for the treatment of gingival recessions. Material and Methods: Twenty patients with bilteral class I and II multiple gingival recession were selected for a Split mouth study design. At one side a modified extended coronally advanced flap (MECAF) was used. At the contralateral a supra periosteal flap (TUN) was performed. Both sides were associated with ADM, so that the technique was the only variable. The clinical parameter evaluated were: probing pocket depth (PD), relative clinical attachment level (RCAL), gingival index (GI), gingival recession height (GR), width of keratinized tissue (KT), keratinized tissu thickness (TKT), and gingival recession area (GRA). Post-operative pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS) weekly on the first month post operative. Clinical examination was performed at baseline and 6 months post operative. Results: At baseline, no differences at any of the parameters examined could be detected between groups. Both groups were effective to reduce GR, but no difference was detected between them (&Delta;GR: MECAF= 2.28 &plusmn 1.01; TUN= 1.93 &plusmn 1.36mm). The % of root coverage was numerically superior favoring (MECAF = 61.24 &plusmn 23.42%; TUN= 56.07 &plusmn 22.02%), without significant differences between groups. PD Did not changed significantly after treatment and a clincial attachment gain associated with reduction of gingival recession was noted. Post operative pain was more frequent on MECAF, but no significant difference between groups could be noticed. Conclusions: Both treatments were effective on reducing gingival recession and might be valuable for the treatment of multiple gingival recessions. No significant differences could be shown despite a numerical advantage favored MECAF.

Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos do emprego de dois materiais consideravelmente diferentes quanto à origem e custo na correção intra-uterina da meningomielocele criada experimentalmente em feto de ovino. Métodos: Em 36 fetos de ovinos foi criado um defeito aberto de tubo neural, com 75 de dias de gestação. Os casos foram divididos em três grupos: o controle onde o defeito não foi corrigido, grupo corrigido A onde o material utilizado para cobrir a medula exposta foi a matriz dérmica humana acelular (MDHA) e o grupo corrigido B onde o material foi a celulose biossintética (CB). Após a correção realizada com 100 dias, os fetos eram mantidos intra-útero até o termo da gestação. Os sacrifícios foram realizados com 140 dias e a coluna fetal era submetida à análise macro e microscópica onde foi observada a aderência dos materiais à pele, medula ou tecido nervoso remanescente. Resultados: Na fase inicial (piloto), 11 fetos foram operados e 4 sobreviveram (37%). Na segunda fase (estudo) 25 fetos foram operados e 17 sobreviveram (68%). No grupo de estudo, 6 fetos não foram submetidos à correção (grupo controle), 11 casos foram corrigidos e ocorreu 1 perda fetal. Do total de 10 casos, 4 constituíram o grupo A e 6, o grupo B. À macroscopia observou-se deslizamento da pele e tecidos subjacentes sobre a CB em todos os casos onde ela foi empregada e isto não ocorreu em nenhum dos casos onde a MDHA foi utilizada. Para comparar a aderência, foram considerados 4 casos do grupo A e 4 do grupo B. A aderência, caracterizada pela migração de células do hospedeiro e proliferação de vasos para dentro da MDHA, foi observada em 100% dos casos do grupo A e em nenhum caso no grupo B (p < 0,05). No grupo B observou-se formação de uma camada de fibroblastos ao redor do material, protegendo a medula, caracterizando a formação de uma \"neoduramater\". Conclusão: A utilização da película de celulose biossintética parece ser mais adequada como substituto de dura-máter para cobertura e proteção do tecido nervoso que a matriz dérmica humana acelular. Ela parece promissora na correção intra-uterina da meningomielocele, evitando a aderência do tecido nervoso aos planos superficiais (\"medula presa\") minimizando os efeitos deletérios do ambiente intra-uterino sobre a medula espinhal. / Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two dura-mater substitutes, namely human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) and biosynthetic cellulose (BC), in repairing, in utero, surgically-induced meningomyelocele (MMC) in fetal sheep. Methods: A neural tube defect was created at 74-77 days gestation in 36 fetal sheep. They were divided into 3 groups, the control group that did not receive pre-natal corrective surgery, and the other two groups that received corrective surgery using HADM (Group A) or BC (Group B). Both materials were used as a dura-mater substitutes between the neural tissue and the sutured skin. Correction was performed at gestation day 100 and the fetuses were maintained in utero until term. Sheep were sacrificed on gestation day 140. The fetal spine was submitted to macro and microscopic analysis. At microscopy, adherence of the material to the skin and neural tissue was analyzed. Results: In the initial phase (pilot), experimentally-induced MMC was performed on 11 fetuses and 4 survived (37%). In the second phase (study), 25 fetuses received surgery and 17 survived (68%). In the study group, 6 fetuses did not undergo repair (control group), 11 cases were submitted to corrective surgery (experimental group) and one fetal loss occurred. Of the surviving cases in the experimental group, 4 constituted Group A and 6 in Group B. Macroscopically, skin and underlying tissues where easily displaced from the BC in all cases it was used; in contrast, HADM adhered to these tissues. To compare the adherence, 4 cases from Group A and 4 in Group B were studied. We observed adherence, host cell migration and vessel proliferation into the HADM all sections from Group A and this aspect was not present in any cases in Group B (p < 0.05). In Group B, we also observed that a new fibroblast layer formed around the BC thus protecting the medulla and constituting a \"neoduramater\". Conclusion: The use of BC seems to be more adequate as a dura-mater substitute to cover the damaged neural tissue than HADM. It seems promising for use in the in utero correction of MMC because to does not adhere to neural tissue of superficial and deep layers (\"tethered spinal cord\"). Thus, BC minimizes the mechanical and chemical intrauterine damage to the spinal medulla.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo clínico, controlado, randomizado, foi comparar duas técnicas cirúrgicas para recobrimento radicular com enxerto de matriz dérmica acelular (EMDA) para avaliar qual procedimento proporcionaria maior recobrimento radicular e quantidade de tecido queratinizado. Materiais e Métodos: Foram selecionados 15 pacientes com retrações gengivais bilaterais Classe I ou II de Miller. Os 15 pares de retrações foram designados e tratados aleatoriamente no grupo teste, e as retrações contralaterais no grupo controle. O EMDA foi utilizado em ambos os grupos. No grupo controle o enxerto e o retalho foram posicionados no nível da junção amelocementária (JAC), e no grupo teste o enxerto foi estabilizado 1 mm apical a JAC e o retalho 1 mm coronal a JAC. Os parâmetros clínicos avaliados foram profundidade de sondagem (PS), nível clínico de inserção relativo (NCIR), altura da retração gengival (RG), e a altura (GQ) e espessura da gengiva queratinizada (EGQ). A área da retração gengival (ARG), um novo parâmetro, foi medida em fotografias padronizadas através da utilização de um aparelho apropriado e um programa de computador. As medidas foram tomadas antes das cirurgias e após 6 meses das mesmas. Resultados: No exame inicial todos os parâmetros foram similares para ambos grupos. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante favorecendo a técnica proposta para todos os parâmetros com exceção da quantidade de tecido queratinizado após 6 meses. Conclusão: A técnica teste proposta se mostrou mais adequada para procedimentos de recobrimento radicular com EMDA, e o novo parâmetro avaliado parece ser apropriado para análises de recobrimento radicular. (Protocolo de registro Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01175720) / Aim: The aim of this randomized, controlled, clinical study was to compare two surgical techniques for root coverage with the acellular dermal matrix graft (ADMG) to evaluate which procedure could provide better root coverage and greater amounts of keratinized tissue. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with bilateral Miller Class I or II gingival recessions were selected. Fifteen pairs of recessions were treated and assigned randomly to the test group, and the contralateral recessions were assigned to the control group. The ADMG was used in both groups. In the control group the graft and flap were positioned at the level of the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), and in the test group the graft was positioned 1mm apical to the CEJ and the flap 1mm coronal to the CEJ. The clinical parameters evaluated were probing depth (PD), relative clinical attachment level (RCAL), gingival recession height (GR) and the width (KT) and thickness of keratinized tissue (TKT).The gingival recession area (GRA), a new parameter, was measured in standardized photographs through a special device and software. The measurements were taken before the surgeries and after 6 months. Results: At baseline, all parameters were similar for both groups. There were statistically significant differences favouring the proposed technique for all parameters except for the amount of keratinized tissue at 6 months. Conclusions: The proposed test technique is more suitable for root coverage procedures with ADMG, and the new parameter evaluated appears valuable for root coverage analysis.(Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01175720).