The papers in this thesis represent a series of attempts — empirical and theoretical — to integrate developmental biology with population level studies of variation; to initiate a "developmental population biology" which would complement the well established fields of population ecology and population genetics. The introductory chapter traces the development of the conceptual ideas from the context of the maturation of a single research group. There follow three empirical chapters based on population studies of yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis). The first of these chapters examines the interdependency of progeny growth variation on parentage and stand structure and argues that parentage, developmental history and environmental contingencies can interact in complex ways to structure the variation observed in natural stands. The second chapter examines time related changes in patterns of variation for mainstem growth and needle initiation data of seedlings, and finds that the majority of the increase in variation with time results from differentiation among individual seedlings. The third chapter examines the nature of intra-individual variation in needle (from seedlings) and scale (from mature trees) data from the perspective of the concept of morphological integration, the amount and structure of covariation within an individual. The results of this chapter demonstrate that the nature of morphological integration changes during the course of development, and that variation in morphological integration — that is the pattern of variable relationships or covariance structure — distinguishes individuals. The final chapter is more theoretically oriented, and demonstrates how the patterns of increasing variation with time, and changing covariation with development (Chapters 2, 3) may be unified and explained in the context of developmental trajectories, where such trajectories represent the development of the form of individual organs through time in terms of point trajectories through a multivariate space. The nature of such developmental trajectories is ultimately a manifestation of cell division and elongation in various planes, resulting in the external form of the organs. Three increasingly complex graphical models of developmental trajectories are presented and it is argued that when developmental trajectories diverge from each other in a nonlinear manner, changes can occur in both correlation and covariance structures, coincident with changes in size. The relation between developmental trajectories and the production of variation within populations is further elaborated from the context of dynamical systems theory. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate

The ovarian surface epithelium, a very small portion of the total mass of the ovary, is generally thought to be the site of origin of over 85% of ovarian cancers. Such cancers are classified with the "Common Epithelial Tumours" of the ovary. In most industrialized countries, malignancies of the ovary rank fourth in cancer deaths in women; over 70% of these neoplasms have spread beyond the ovary when first diagnosed. Experimental approaches to the study of carcinogenesis in this tissue have been limited by the lack of pure populations of ovarian surface epithelial cells. Studies done on rodents in vivo suggest that both chemicals and C-type RNA viruses can induce ovarian cancers similar to those which are said to arise from the surface epithelium. However, the cell of origin cannot be proven in such studies. The purpose of this project was to develop a model for ovarian cancers of surface epithelial origin based on-carcinogenesis in vitro. To this end a method was devised to culture the rat ovarian surface epithelium in pure form. These cultured cells, whose identity has been confirmed by morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural means, are polygonal with clear cytoplasm, have well-defined borders, and grow in confluent monolayers. Their morphology is quite distinct from those of other ovarian cells in vitro. Cultured rat ovarian surface epithelial cells are histochemically positive for 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and negative for Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the same as in frozen sections of whole rat ovary. Ultrastructurally, cultured surface epithelial cells have basal laminae, microvilli, apical intercellular junctions, large nuclei, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, perinuclear bundles of microfilaments, and numerous vesicles. Although the ovarian suface epithelium is suspected of being an estrogen target tissue, there is no previous report of estrogen receptors in these cells. In this study cultured rat ovarian surface epithelial cells have been shown by autoradiographic means to exhibit estrogen receptor-like activity. Translocation of tritiated estradiol from cytoplasm to nucleus, and estrogen-specific binding have been demonstrated. Estradiol was shown to be mitogenic for cultured ovarian surface epithelial cells. From these results, the surface epithelial .cells of the ovary should be considered an estrogen target tissue. Kirsten murine sarcoma virus was used to produce three transformed cell lines from pure, first passage cultures of these cells. These three lines retained 170-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and showed slight Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Tumours resulting when these cells were injected into immunosuppressed female rats were highly malignant and resembled histologically human endometrioid stromal sarcomas of the ovary. This neoplasm is classed with the "Common Epithelial Tumours" of the ovary, but is generally not considered a derivative of the surface epithelium. In light of this study, perhaps this tumour should: be considered, to be of surface epithelial origin. A continuous cell line arising from pure cultures of rat ovarian surface epithelial cells produced structures in vitro resembling those found in ovarian serous papillary cystadenomas of borderline malignancy. This tumour is classed as a common epithelial ovarian tumour. Hence, in this study the rat ovarian surface epithelium has been cultured in pure form, has been characterized for a number of properties by several investigative techniques, and has been shown to be susceptible to transformation by an oncogenic virus; This work supports the theory that the "Common Epithelial Tumours" of the ovary are, in fact, derived from the surface epithelium. The availability of cultured ovarian surface epithelial cells should allow investigation into factors which make this tissue so susceptible to malignant transformation. From such cultures could come markers suitable for use in tests to detect ovarian cancers at an early stage. The culture of pure rat ovarian surface epithelium, as described herein, could readily be used to study chemical, physical and viral carcinogenesis in this tissue to produce experimental models of cancers arising in the ovarian surface epithelium. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Recent advances in the methods of skeletal age estimation have rekindled interest in their applicability to paleodemography. The current study contributes to the discussion by applying several long established as well as recently developed or refined aging methods to a subsample of 121 adult skeletons from the early medieval cemetery of Lauchheim. The skeletal remains were analyzed by 13 independent observers using a variety of aging techniques (complex method and other multimethod approaches, Transition Analysis, cranial suture closure, auricular surface method, osteon density method, tooth root translucency measurement, and tooth cementum annulation counting). The age ranges and mean age estimations were compared and results indicate that all methods showed smaller age ranges for the younger individuals, but broader age ranges for the older age groups.

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos experimentais e clínicos, realizados por diversos autores, demonstraram a susceptibilidade à compressão nervosa periférica na vigência da diabetes mellitus e modificações na evolução natural da doença após descompressões nervosas cirúrgicas dos sítios propícios a constrição neural. Em membros inferiores, a síndrome do túnel do tarso sobreposta às neuropatias vigentes ainda gera conflitos na literatura. A anatomia do nervo tibial e seus ramos ao nível do terço distal da perna e túnel do tarso apresentam variações importantes que não são contempladas nos livros texto e atlas de anatomia. OBJETIVO: Determinar, através de dissecção em cadáveres frescos, a anatomia topográfica do nervo tibial e seus ramos ao nível do tornozelo, em relação ao túnel do tarso. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado através da dissecção anatômica bilateral de 26 cadáveres frescos. Foi fixada, entre o cento do maléolo medial e o centro do calcâneo, uma linha de referência (eixo maleolar-calcaneal). Com base nesse eixo as localizações da bifurcação do nervo tibial e dos ramos calcâneos mediais e inferiores foram aferidas em milímetros. Para as bifurcações foi estabelecida uma classificação por tipos de I a V, baseada no posicionamento em relação ao túnel do tarso (definido como dois centímetros proximais e distais ao eixo). Para os ramos calcâneos, a quantidade e seus respectivos nervos de origens também foram analisados. Os resultados foram transformados em taxas (porcentagem) e comparados aos achados de outros estudos. RESULTADOS: Vinte e seis cadáveres (50 pernas) foram pesquisados. A bifurcação do nervo tibial ocorreu sob o túnel em 88% dos casos e proximalmente em 12%. Tivemos o tipo I em 52%, tipo II em 14%, tipo III em 22%, tipo IV em 12% e o tipo V não foi visualizado. Quanto ao ramo calcâneo medial encontramos: um (58%), dois (34%) e três (8%), com a origem mais comum ocorrendo do nervo tibial (90%). De um total de 75 ramos calcâneos mediais dissecados, 40 tiveram sua origem fora do túnel proximalmente (53,3%) e os demais dentro. Com referência ao ramo calcâneo inferior, constatou-se a presença de um único ramo por perna, com 92% emergindo sob o retináculo flexor, 4% proximalmente e 4% distalmente a ele. A origem mais comum foi do nervo plantar lateral (70%), seguida do nervo tibial (18%). CONCLUSÕES: 1- A bifurcação do nervo tibial nos ramos plantares medial e lateral ocorreu sob o retináculo flexor em 88% das pernas, localizando-se, em 70% das vezes, em uma área compreendida entre 10 mm proximais e distais ao EMC. 2- O ramo calcâneo medial apresentou grande variação tanto na sua origem e número de ramos quanto na sua localização em relação ao túnel do tarso. A apresentação de um ramo com origem do nervo tibial, no túnel ou proximalmente a ele, foi a mais observada (58%). 3- O ramo calcâneo inferior esteve sempre presente e com certo grau de variação quanto a sua origem. A apresentação de ramo único oriundo do nervo plantar lateral foi a mais constante (70%) / INTRODUCTION: Experimental and clinical studies developed by several authors displayed the susceptibility to peripheral nerve compression in the presence of diabetes mellitus and changes in the natural evolution of the disease after surgical nerve decompressions of the propitious sites of neural constriction. In lower members, the tarsal tunnel syndrome overlapped on neuropathies still generates conflicts in the available literature. The tibial nerve and its branches anatomy at the distal leg level present significant variations that are not contemplated in textbooks and anatomy atlas. OBJECTIVE: Determine through dissection in fresh cadavers, the topographic anatomy of the tibial nerve and its branches at the ankle, in relation to the tarsal tunnel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was accomplished through bilateral anatomical dissection of 26 fresh cadavers. A reference line was fixed between the center of medial malleolus and the center of calcaneus (malleolarcalcaneal axis - MCA). Based on this axis, the locations of the tibial nerve bifurcation and its medial and lower calcaneal branches were measured in millimeters. For the bifurcations, it was established a classification by types I to V, based in positioning related to the tarsal tunnel (defined as two centimeters proximal and distal to the axis). For the calcaneal branches, the amount and their respective nerves of origin were also analyzed. The results were transformed in rates (percentages) and compared with findings of other studies. RESULTS: Twenty six cadavers (50 legs) were investigated. The tibial nerve bifurcation occurred under the tunnel in 88% of the cases and proximally in 12%. The study had the type I in 52%, type II in 14%, type III in 22%, type IV in 12% and type V was not visualized. As for the medial calcaneal branch it was found: one (58%), two (34%) and three (8%), with the most common source occurring in the tibial nerve (90%). A total of 75 medial calcaneal branches dissected, 40 had their origin outside the tunnel proximally (53.3%) and others had within. With reference to the lower calcaneal branch, it was detected the presence of a single branch per leg, with 92% emerging under the flexor retinaculum, 4% proximally and 4% distally to it. The most common origin was the plantar lateral nerve (70%) followed by the tibial nerve (18%). CONCLUSIONS: 1- The bifurcation of the tibial nerve in the medial and lateral plantar branches occurred under the flexor retinaculum in 88% of the legs, locating, 70% of the time, in an area between 10 mm proximal and distal to the MCA. 2- The medial calcaneal branch presented wide variation as much in its origin as in its location in relation to the tarsal tunnel. The presentation of one branch originating from the tibial nerve in the tunnel or proximally to it was the most observed (58%). 3- The lower calcaneal branch was always present and with a certain degree of variation related to its origin. The presentation of a single branch from the lateral plantar nerve was the most constant (70%)

Para analisar o número e tamanho dos linfonodos mediastinais, cinqüenta cadáveres de brasileiros adultos foram dissecados de acordo com o mapa de Naruke/ATS-LCSG (1997). Foram retirados 1742 linfonodos, com 2,58±1,89 linfonodos por região, e realizadas suas medidas por processo digital. O tamanho médio da área, eixo maior e menor foi maior na cadeia 7 (195mm2, 18,75mm e 10,92mm) e 4R (115mm2, 13,72mm e 8,30mm), apresentando média de 49,41mm2, 9,40mm e 5,76mm para as demais regiões, respectivamente. A distribuição, número e tamanho dos linfonodos não mudou de acordo com a idade, sexo, raça, peso ou altura, contudo o tamanho aumentou em função da coalescência por processos granulomatosos prévios, com diminuição do número total de linfonodos / To analyze the number and sizes of the lymph nodes in the mediastinum, fifth human adult cadavers were dissected according to the Naruke/ATS-LCSG map (1997). It were removed 1742 lymph nodes, with 2,58±1,89 nodes for each region, and measured by a digital process. The mean area, long and minor axis were larger in regions 7 (195mm2, 18,75mm and 10,92mm) and 4R (115mm2, 13,72mm and 8,30mm), with a mean of 49,41mm2, 9,40mm and 5,76mm in the other regions, respectively. The distribution, number and size of the lymph nodes did not showed changes according age, sex, race, weight or high, however the size increases as function of coalescence by previous granulomatous processes, with decrease of the total number of lymph nodes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o padrão de degeneração histológica do ligamento cruzado posterior (LCP) em pacientes com artrose submetidos à artroplastia total de joelho com prótese com substituição do ligamento cruzado posterior (LCP). A degeneração histológica foi classificada em leve, moderada e grave. Os achados histológicos foram correlacionados com dados clínicos, radiográficos e do transoperatório (presença ou ausência do ligamento cruzado anterior) com a finalidade de aferir se estes parâmetros seriam capazes de predizer o grau de degeneração histológica do LCP em pacientes com gonartrose. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados 89 ligamentos cruzados posterior de 85 pacientes com idade média de 69,79 anos, sendo 69 do sexo feminino, 16 do masculino. O LCP foi corado em hematoxilina-eosina e Tricrômio de Gomori e classificado quanto ao comprometimento histológico em leve, moderado e grave. A degeneração histológica foi correlacionada aos parâmetros idade, artrose radiográfica classificada por Ahlbäck (grau I ao V), eixo radiográfico tíbio-femoral (varo, neutro e valgo), e estado do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA), presença ou ausência.Os achados histológicos de hipercelularidade, infiltração linfocitária crônica, proliferação vascular; presença de cistos; clones de condrócitos; degenerações colágena, fibrinóide, cartilaginosa ,gordurosa e mucoide foram correlacionados com o grau de degeneração do LCP e ao estado de conservação do LCA. RESULTADO: Não foram identificadas relações entre o grau de degeneração histológica do LCP e faixa etária (abaixo ou acima de 70 anos), sexo, classificação radiográfica de Ahlbäck e presença ou ausência do LCA. Os achados histológicos de degeneração fibrinóide, proliferação vascular e presença de cistos estiveram estatisticamente relacionados à degeneração histológica grave do LCP. CONCLUSÃO: Os parâmetros clínicos e radiográficos não foram capazes de predizer o grau de degeneração histológica do LCP .Os achados histológicos de degeneração fibrinóide, proliferação vascular e presença de cistos caracterizaram a degeneração histológica grave do LCP / OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the histologic degeneration pattern of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in osteoarthrosis patients submitted to total knee replacement with a cruciate substituting prosthesis. The histologic degeneration was classified in mild, moderate and severe. The histologic pattern was related to clinical, per-operatory (presence or absence of anterior cruciate ligament) and radiographic parameters with the aim to settle if these parameters would be reliable to predict the PCL degeneration grade. METHODS: 89 PCLs from 85 patients, 16 men, 69 women, mean age 69, 79 years old. PCL was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and trichromium of Gomori. The PCL histologic degeneration was graded from normal-minimum to severe. The histologic PCL degeneration pattern was related to age, radiographic arthrosis classification (Ahlbäck - grades I to V), knee radiographic axis (varus, neutral, valgus) and to the ACL status (presence or absence).The histologic findings of hipercellularity, chronic lymphocit infiltration, neoangiogenesis, cysts, collagen degeneration (deg), fibrinoid deg, mucoid deg., cartilaginous, deg., fat deg. and condrocyte clones were related to the grade of PCL degeneration and to ACL status. RESULTS: There was no correlation of histologic degeneration to sex or age (above or below 70 years), arthrosis radiographic classification (Ahlbäck) and presence or absence of ACL. The histological findings of fibrinoid degeneration, vascular proliferation and cysts were statistically related to severe histologic LCP degeneration. CONCLUSION: The parameters studied were not capable of predicting the grade of LCP degeneration. The histological findings of fibrinoid degeneration, vascular proliferation and cysts were characteristic of severe PCL histologic degeneration

Desde a primeira descrição do retalho perfurante de artéria toracodorsal (TAP), sua indicação tem sido questionada por se tratar de um retalho de características semelhantes aos retalhos fasciocutâneos escapulares baseados na artéria circunflexa escapular, que são bem conhecidos e reprodutíveis. Este estudo visa comparar características anatômicas destes dois retalhos, distinguindo-os para uma melhor indicação. Adicionalmente o estudo visa estudar o posicionamento do pedículo perfurante do retalho TAP. Vinte e um pares de retalhos (TAP e escapular) foram dissecados simultaneamente em cadáveres frescos. Os músculos latíssimo do dorso e redondo maior foram seccionados e os dois retalhos foram retirados em peça única. O comprimento do pedículo, diâmetro externo da artéria e da veia, espessura da derme e espessura do tecido celular subcutâneo de ambos os retalhos foram avaliados e comparados de forma pareada. A localização dos pedículos dos retalhos foi avaliada em ambos os retalhos. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente através do teste t de Student. O retalho TAP apresentou um pedículo com média de 16,95 cm de comprimento, sendo 50% maior que o do retalho escapular (p<0,05). A espessura média da derme foi 2,12 mm, sendo 42% mais fina do que a do retalho escapular; e a do tecido subcutâneo foi 1,37 cm, sendo 28% mais fina do que a do retalho escapular (p<0,05). O pedículo do retalho TAP apresentou artéria com diâmetro médio de 3,14 mm e veia com diâmetro médio de 3,03 mm, enquanto o pedículo do retalho escapular apresentou artéria com diâmetro médio de 3,33 mm e veia com diâmetro médio de 2,95mm, ambos sem diferenças estatísticas. Nas dissecções estudadas, todos os pedículos dos retalhos escapulares se localizavam no “espaço triangular". Já a localização dos pedículos perfurantes do retalho TAP não apresentou nenhum parâmetro constante. O estudo demonstrou que, apesar de se localizarem em sítios anatômicos adjacentes, o retalho TAP possui um pedículo mais longo e sua pele é mais fina do que o retalho escapular. Por outro lado, o posicionamento do pedículo do retalho escapular é constante, enquanto o pedículo perfurante do retalho TAP possui localização variável. / Indication of the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) flap has been questioned because its characteristics are similar to those of scapular flaps based on the scapular circumflex artery. The scope of this study is to compare the anatomic features of these two flaps, differentiating them for a better indication. Twenty-one pairs of flaps (TAP and scapular) were dissected simultaneously in fresh cadavers. The length of the pedicles, thickness of the arteries and veins of the pedicles, and the thickness of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue of the flaps were assessed and compared. The position of the pedicles of both flaps was evaluated. The average length of the TAP flap pedicle was 16.95 cm, and it was 50% longer than the scapular flap (p<0.05). The mean thickness of the dermis was 2.12 mm and of the subcutaneous tissue 1.37 cm, respectively 42% and 28% thinner than the scapular flaps (p<0.05). No significant difference was evident between the thicknesses of the pedicles. The TAP arterial pedicle was 3.14 mm and the venous one 3.03 mm. The scapular flap demonstrated a 3.33 mm arterial pedicle and 2.95 mm for the venous one. The evaluation of the position of the pedicle of the scapular flap was constant; on the other hand, the perforator pedicle of the TAP flap did not show any constant anatomical parameter. The study revealed that although the TAP flap and the scapular flap lie in adjacent anatomical areas, the TAP flap has a longer pedicle and a thinner skin; their vascular pedicles have similar thickness; though the position of the thoracodorsal perforator pedicle is variable, when compared with the scapular flap.

Os mecanismos envolvidos na associação entre poluição do ar e aumento da mortalidade cardiovascular não estão ao todo esclarecidos. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar os efeitos agudos do PM2.5 da cidade de São Paulo sobre a freqüência cardíaca (FC), variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC), inflamação sistêmica e vasoconstrição de arteríolas de ratos Wistar saudáveis. O PM2.5 foi coletado em filtros de fibra de vidro utilizando um amostrador de grandes volumes. Para o ECG foram utilizados 47 ratos que foram submetidos a instilação traqueal de: salina, filtro branco, 50 ?g e 100 ?g de PM2.5. A freqüência cardíaca (FC) e o desvio-padrão dos intervalos NN (SDNN) foram avaliados na fase pré, 30 e 60 minutos após a instilação. Outro grupo de 38 ratos foram submetidos a instilação traqueal de: filtro branco, 100 ?g e 500 ?g de PM2.5 para análises hematológicas e histopatológicas. Estes animais foram sacrificados 24 horas após a instilação traqueal para a coleta de sangue e amostras de pulmão e coração para a morfometria e análise da razão peso seco/úmido. A FC diminuiu significativamente (p<0.001) com o tempo, mas não houve efeito de tratamento ou interação entre tempo e tratamento. O SDNN diminuiu 60 minutos após a instilação nos grupos de 50 ?g e 100 ?g de PM2.5 (p=0.025). O número de reticulócitos aumentou significativamente em ambas as doses de PM2.5 (p<0.05), enquanto que o hematócrito aumentou somente no grupo de 500 ?g (p<0.05). Segmentados, neutrófilos e fibrinogênio diminuíram significativamente, enquanto que os linfócitos aumentaram com 100 ?g de PM2.5 (p<0.05). Houve uma diminuição dose-dependente da razão luz/parede (L/P) das arteríolas pulmonares intra-acinares em ambos grupos de PM (p<0.001). A razão L/P das arteríolas peri-bronquiolares diminuiu no grupo que recebeu 500 ?g de PM2.5 (p<0.001). Houve um aumento significativo da razão peso seco/úmido no coração para o grupo que recebeu 500 ?g (p<0.001). Concluindo, as partículas finas da cidade de São Paulo induzem a uma redução do SDNN e promovem alterações histológicas pulmonares e cardíacas, resultando em significante vasoconstrição. A medula óssea também participou na resposta aguda promovida pelas partículas que alcançam os pulmões / The mechanisms involved in the association between air pollution and increased cardiovascular mortality are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to test the acute effects of Sao Paulo PM2.5 on heart rate, heart rate variability, systemic inflammation and vasoconstriction of arterioles of healthy Wistar rats. PM2.5 was collected in glass fiber filters using a high volume sampler. Forty-seven rats were submitted to tracheal instillation with: saline, blank filter, 50 ?g and 100 ?g of PM2.5 to ECG analysis. Heart rate (HR) and standard deviation of the intervals between normal beats (SDNN) were assessed immediately before, 30 and 60 minutes after instillation. Another thirty-eight rats were submitted to tracheal instillation with: blank filter, 100 ?g and 500 ?g of PM2.5 to hematological and histopathological analysis. These animals were sacrificed 24 hours after instillation when blood, heart and lung samples were collected for morphological and wet-to-dry weight ratio analysis. HR decreased significantly (p< 0.001) with time, but no significant effect of treatment or interaction between time and treatment was observed. SDNN decreased 60 minutes after instillation in groups PM2.5 50 ?g and 100 ?g (p=0.025). Reticulocytes significantly increased at both PM2.5 doses (p<0.05) while hematocrit levels increased in the 500 ?g group (p<0.05). Segmented, neutrophils and fibrinogen levels significantly decreased, while lymphocytes increaseded with 100 ?g of PM2.5 (p<0.05). A significant dose-dependent decrease of intra-acinar pulmonary arterioles Lumen/Wall ratio (L/W) was observed in PM groups (p<0.001). Peribronchiolar arterioles L/W showed a significant decrease in the 500?g group (p<0.001). A significant increase in heart wet-to-dry weight ratio was observed in the 500 ?g group (p<0.001). In conclusion, fine particles in the city of Sao Paulo induces a reduction of SDNN and promote pulmonary and cardiac histological alterations, resulting in significant vasoconstriction. In addition, we observed that the bone marrow also participated in the acute response to particles reaching the lungs

Os mecanismos envolvidos na associação entre poluição do ar e aumento da mortalidade cardiovascular não estão ao todo esclarecidos. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar os efeitos agudos do PM2.5 da cidade de São Paulo sobre a freqüência cardíaca (FC), variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC), inflamação sistêmica e vasoconstrição de arteríolas de ratos Wistar saudáveis. O PM2.5 foi coletado em filtros de fibra de vidro utilizando um amostrador de grandes volumes. Para o ECG foram utilizados 47 ratos que foram submetidos a instilação traqueal de: salina, filtro branco, 50 ?g e 100 ?g de PM2.5. A freqüência cardíaca (FC) e o desvio-padrão dos intervalos NN (SDNN) foram avaliados na fase pré, 30 e 60 minutos após a instilação. Outro grupo de 38 ratos foram submetidos a instilação traqueal de: filtro branco, 100 ?g e 500 ?g de PM2.5 para análises hematológicas e histopatológicas. Estes animais foram sacrificados 24 horas após a instilação traqueal para a coleta de sangue e amostras de pulmão e coração para a morfometria e análise da razão peso seco/úmido. A FC diminuiu significativamente (p<0.001) com o tempo, mas não houve efeito de tratamento ou interação entre tempo e tratamento. O SDNN diminuiu 60 minutos após a instilação nos grupos de 50 ?g e 100 ?g de PM2.5 (p=0.025). O número de reticulócitos aumentou significativamente em ambas as doses de PM2.5 (p<0.05), enquanto que o hematócrito aumentou somente no grupo de 500 ?g (p<0.05). Segmentados, neutrófilos e fibrinogênio diminuíram significativamente, enquanto que os linfócitos aumentaram com 100 ?g de PM2.5 (p<0.05). Houve uma diminuição dose-dependente da razão luz/parede (L/P) das arteríolas pulmonares intra-acinares em ambos grupos de PM (p<0.001). A razão L/P das arteríolas peri-bronquiolares diminuiu no grupo que recebeu 500 ?g de PM2.5 (p<0.001). Houve um aumento significativo da razão peso seco/úmido no coração para o grupo que recebeu 500 ?g (p<0.001). Concluindo, as partículas finas da cidade de São Paulo induzem a uma redução do SDNN e promovem alterações histológicas pulmonares e cardíacas, resultando em significante vasoconstrição. A medula óssea também participou na resposta aguda promovida pelas partículas que alcançam os pulmões / The mechanisms involved in the association between air pollution and increased cardiovascular mortality are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to test the acute effects of Sao Paulo PM2.5 on heart rate, heart rate variability, systemic inflammation and vasoconstriction of arterioles of healthy Wistar rats. PM2.5 was collected in glass fiber filters using a high volume sampler. Forty-seven rats were submitted to tracheal instillation with: saline, blank filter, 50 ?g and 100 ?g of PM2.5 to ECG analysis. Heart rate (HR) and standard deviation of the intervals between normal beats (SDNN) were assessed immediately before, 30 and 60 minutes after instillation. Another thirty-eight rats were submitted to tracheal instillation with: blank filter, 100 ?g and 500 ?g of PM2.5 to hematological and histopathological analysis. These animals were sacrificed 24 hours after instillation when blood, heart and lung samples were collected for morphological and wet-to-dry weight ratio analysis. HR decreased significantly (p< 0.001) with time, but no significant effect of treatment or interaction between time and treatment was observed. SDNN decreased 60 minutes after instillation in groups PM2.5 50 ?g and 100 ?g (p=0.025). Reticulocytes significantly increased at both PM2.5 doses (p<0.05) while hematocrit levels increased in the 500 ?g group (p<0.05). Segmented, neutrophils and fibrinogen levels significantly decreased, while lymphocytes increaseded with 100 ?g of PM2.5 (p<0.05). A significant dose-dependent decrease of intra-acinar pulmonary arterioles Lumen/Wall ratio (L/W) was observed in PM groups (p<0.001). Peribronchiolar arterioles L/W showed a significant decrease in the 500?g group (p<0.001). A significant increase in heart wet-to-dry weight ratio was observed in the 500 ?g group (p<0.001). In conclusion, fine particles in the city of Sao Paulo induces a reduction of SDNN and promote pulmonary and cardiac histological alterations, resulting in significant vasoconstriction. In addition, we observed that the bone marrow also participated in the acute response to particles reaching the lungs

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o padrão de degeneração histológica do ligamento cruzado posterior (LCP) em pacientes com artrose submetidos à artroplastia total de joelho com prótese com substituição do ligamento cruzado posterior (LCP). A degeneração histológica foi classificada em leve, moderada e grave. Os achados histológicos foram correlacionados com dados clínicos, radiográficos e do transoperatório (presença ou ausência do ligamento cruzado anterior) com a finalidade de aferir se estes parâmetros seriam capazes de predizer o grau de degeneração histológica do LCP em pacientes com gonartrose. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados 89 ligamentos cruzados posterior de 85 pacientes com idade média de 69,79 anos, sendo 69 do sexo feminino, 16 do masculino. O LCP foi corado em hematoxilina-eosina e Tricrômio de Gomori e classificado quanto ao comprometimento histológico em leve, moderado e grave. A degeneração histológica foi correlacionada aos parâmetros idade, artrose radiográfica classificada por Ahlbäck (grau I ao V), eixo radiográfico tíbio-femoral (varo, neutro e valgo), e estado do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA), presença ou ausência.Os achados histológicos de hipercelularidade, infiltração linfocitária crônica, proliferação vascular; presença de cistos; clones de condrócitos; degenerações colágena, fibrinóide, cartilaginosa ,gordurosa e mucoide foram correlacionados com o grau de degeneração do LCP e ao estado de conservação do LCA. RESULTADO: Não foram identificadas relações entre o grau de degeneração histológica do LCP e faixa etária (abaixo ou acima de 70 anos), sexo, classificação radiográfica de Ahlbäck e presença ou ausência do LCA. Os achados histológicos de degeneração fibrinóide, proliferação vascular e presença de cistos estiveram estatisticamente relacionados à degeneração histológica grave do LCP. CONCLUSÃO: Os parâmetros clínicos e radiográficos não foram capazes de predizer o grau de degeneração histológica do LCP .Os achados histológicos de degeneração fibrinóide, proliferação vascular e presença de cistos caracterizaram a degeneração histológica grave do LCP / OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the histologic degeneration pattern of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in osteoarthrosis patients submitted to total knee replacement with a cruciate substituting prosthesis. The histologic degeneration was classified in mild, moderate and severe. The histologic pattern was related to clinical, per-operatory (presence or absence of anterior cruciate ligament) and radiographic parameters with the aim to settle if these parameters would be reliable to predict the PCL degeneration grade. METHODS: 89 PCLs from 85 patients, 16 men, 69 women, mean age 69, 79 years old. PCL was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and trichromium of Gomori. The PCL histologic degeneration was graded from normal-minimum to severe. The histologic PCL degeneration pattern was related to age, radiographic arthrosis classification (Ahlbäck - grades I to V), knee radiographic axis (varus, neutral, valgus) and to the ACL status (presence or absence).The histologic findings of hipercellularity, chronic lymphocit infiltration, neoangiogenesis, cysts, collagen degeneration (deg), fibrinoid deg, mucoid deg., cartilaginous, deg., fat deg. and condrocyte clones were related to the grade of PCL degeneration and to ACL status. RESULTS: There was no correlation of histologic degeneration to sex or age (above or below 70 years), arthrosis radiographic classification (Ahlbäck) and presence or absence of ACL. The histological findings of fibrinoid degeneration, vascular proliferation and cysts were statistically related to severe histologic LCP degeneration. CONCLUSION: The parameters studied were not capable of predicting the grade of LCP degeneration. The histological findings of fibrinoid degeneration, vascular proliferation and cysts were characteristic of severe PCL histologic degeneration