Stellar Populations in Barred Galaxies

We developed an iterative technique to better characterize stellar populations and the central activity of barred galaxies using evolutionary synthesis codes and OASIS data. The case of NGC5430 is presented here. Our results are reinforcing the role played by the bar and nuclear structures for the evolution of galaxies.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure, to be published in the proceedings of IAU Symp. 262 "Stellar Populations - Planing for the Next Decate" (Aug. 2009

Laboratory studies on a spherically curved Bragg spectrometer for cosmic X-ray spectroscopy

A spherical array of twenty LiF 200 crystals was built to test the performances of a freestanding, self-focussing spherical crystal cosmic X-ray spectrometer. Measurements presently available show that the size of the image for a point source at infinite distance would be 3 mm (FWHM) along the focalisation axis and 2.1 mm (FWHM) along the dispersion axis. The mosaic spread on individual crystals is less than 0.1 degree. A slightly systematic deviation from the ideal bending (0.1 degree) is observed at the edges of most crystals and this appears to be the major limitation to spectrometer performance

Different behaviour of the N-terminal and C-terminal fragment of proatrial natriuretic factor in plasma of healthy subjects as well as of patients with cirrhosis

N-terminal (atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) 1-98) and C-terminal (ANF 99-126) fragments of proatrial natriuretic factor (NTA and CTA, respectively) were determined in plasma of healthy subjects adopting different postures and in patients with cirrhosis. Seven healthy subjects were investigated while seated and 30 min after assuming a horizontal position. NTA plasma concentrations increased in subjects in the horizontal position (from 734±250 (SE) fmol/ml to 9021227 fmol/ml; p<0.05). In contrast, CTA plasma concentrations remained unchanged (9.2+1.3 fmol/ml vs 8.9±1.6 fmol/ml). In 10 patients with cirrhosis of the liver, NTA concentrations were markedly (p<0.001) elevated compared to 11 healthy subjects (2334±291 fmol/ml vs 743±155 fmol/ml). However, there was no difference of CTA plasma levels between cirrhotic patients and healthy subjects (8.7±1.3 fmol/ml vs 8.2±0.9 fmol/ml). These data demonstrate changes of the plasma concentration of the N-terminal fragment of proatrial natriuretic factor by posture and in liver disease, in contrast to unchanged levels of the C-terminal fragment

Nanopartículas Poliméricas en Dermocosmética

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.Recent advances in the fields of biomaterials and nanotechnology have allowed the development of advanced nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Despite a vast number of nanostructures such as liposomes, solid­lipid nanocapsules, polymeric and hybrid lipid­polymer nanoparticles have been studied as carriers for drug delivery for different pathologies with remarkable promising results; the use of polymeric nanoparticles in dermocosmetic still has not been widely explored. The evolution of cosmetic into the care skin and dermatology represents novel technological challenges. Also, the increasing knowledge about normal skin physiology and advances in nanotechnology provide an attractive environment for the creation of innovative dermocosmetic formulations. In this work, we discuss the state of the art of polymeric nanoparticles formulated for dermocosmetics, its mechanisms of action, and diffusion into the skin.Los recientes avances en el campo de los biomateriales y la nanotecnología han permitido el desarrollo de nanopartículas avanzadas para aplicaciones biomédicas. A pesar de que un gran número de nanoestructuras tales como liposomas, nanocápsulas lípido-sólidas, nanopartículas poliméricas y lípido-polímero híbridas han sido estudiadas como vehículos para la administración de fármacos en diferentes patologías con notables resultados prometedores, el uso de nanopartículas poliméricas en dermocosmética todavía no ha sido ampliamente explorado. La evolución de la cosmética en el cuidado de la piel y la dermatología nos enfrentan a nuevos retos tecnológicos. Además, el aumento de los conocimientos sobre la fisiología de la piel normal y los avances en la nanotecnología proporcionan un entorno atractivo para la creación de formulaciones dermocosméticas innovadoras. En este trabajo se discute el estado del arte de las nanopartículas poliméricas desarrolladas para dermocosmética, sus mecanismos de acción y la difusión en la piel.http://ref.scielo.org/b68hz

Labio leporino en la terminología biomédica

Cantin, M (reprint author), Univ Talca, Dept Ciencias Basicas & Biomed, Talca, Chile

Sex Determination by Observation of Barr Body in Teeth Subjected to High Temperatures

Galdames, IS (reprint author), Univ Talca, Ave Lircay S-N Oficina 104, Valparaiso, Chile.Sex determination is one of the keys in the identification process. A useful histological method for sex determination is the observation of Barr chromatin or Barr body. This study determines the effect of high temperatures on the diagnostic performance of the Barr chromatin observation on teeth. Were used 50 healthy teeth from 25 male and 25 female individuals aged between 14 and 44 years. The teeth were divided into 5 groups (each group with 5 female and 5 male teeth) and were exposed to controlled temperatures of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 degrees C for 5 minutes. The coronal pulp was obtained and the tissue was processed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Four histological slides of male and 4 of female individuals were randomly selected, for each temperature level, which were observed by conventional microscopy at 100X magnification, each showing 50 cells per plate. The presence of 1 cell with visible sex chromatin was considered positive for females. It was only possible to evaluate the samples from groups subjected to 200 and 400 degrees C. In the groups analyzed, the test showed 100% accuracy. The average number of cells found to be positive Barr chromatin was 15 (SD 3.9) at 200 degrees C and 11 (SD 2.8) at 400 degrees C. Hence, it was possible to detect the sex at these temperatures by observing chromatin of the Barr body in dental pulp

Bases Morfológicas, Implicancias Clínicas y Reporte de Caso

Roa, I (reprint author), Univ Talca, Unidad Anat Normal, Oficina 104, Fac Ciencias Salud, Ave Lircay S-N, Talca, Chile.Roa, I (Roa, Ignacio); Moraga, JI (Ignacio Moraga, Jose); Cantin, M (Cantin, Mario)During fetal life and infancy, flat bones of the cranial vault are separated by dense connective tissue membranes, fibrous joints called sutures, which are aimed early on in life to promote brain development. Eventually these sutures close over the years to form a synostosis between the bones of the skull. One of these is the frontal suture, which joins the two frontal bones in the embryonic period and the newborn. This suture may persist over time, generating the condition known as metopism. Alteration showing different presentations and incidents depending on the ethnic group studied. The purpose of this paper is to show the features found in this condition, frequency, description, varieties, etc. This analysis was performed on different databases and the description of a case. It raises the importance that clinicians approaching the area at the time of surgery consider possible confusion at the radiographic level which can lead to subsequent complications. Therefore, real knowledge of the morphological bases of this condition is important for correct diagnosis and surgical procedure if warranted

Evaluation of Facial Asymmetry Using Soft-Tissue Thickness for Forensic Purposes

Munoz, SRT (reprint author), Univ Talca, Dept Ciencias Basicas Biomed, Ave Lircay S-N, Talca, Chile. Munoz, SRT (Torres Munoz, Sebastian Rene); Galdames, IS (Suazo Galdames, Ivan)Facial reconstruction for forensic sculpture aims to reproduce the face of an individual for identification. This technique is based on the knowledge of the facial soft-tissue thickness, which differs in terms of sexual dimorphism. However, in terms of asymmetry, the real significance of the soft-tissue thickness on both sides of the face is not considered to make an approximation of the morphofacial characteristics of an individual. This study analyzed the facial tissue thickness of 32 adult Spanish corpses of both sexes in six bilateral cephalometric landmarks through the needle puncture technique, comparing the measurements of right and left sides. No significant differences were found when comparing the soft-tissue thickness on the right and left sides in the total sample (p <0.05), or when comparing the values in men and women (p<0.05). The facial morphology is created by internal and external forces exerted on the soft tissue and influenced by their evolutionary development in vivo, where asymmetry parameters have a genetic and muscular determination, which in normal individuals do not represent a significant difference in the process of reconstruction of forensic sculpture, and can reliably standardize the entire information of facial thickness to the right or left side of the face

Percentage of Lateral Pterygoid Muscle Inserted in the Disc of Human Temporomandibular Joint

Galdames, IS (reprint author), Univ Talca, Ave Lircay S-N Oficina 104, Talca, Chile. Contreras, JT (Tapia Contreras, Jorge); Cantin, M (Cantin, Mario); Zavando, D (Zavando, Daniela); Galdames, IS (Suazu Galdames, Ivan)Insertion of the upper head of the lateral pterygoid (UHLP) in the temporomandibular joint disc (TMJ) has been linked to anterior displacement of the disc and temporomandibular disfunction. The aim of this study was to determine in human adults, the percentage of muscle fiber in the upper head of the lateral pterygoid muscle inserted in the articular disc. A systematic review of the literature was designed beginning with articles published in Medline, Lilacs and Scielo data bases between the years 1990 and 2010. Key words "Lateral Pterygoid Muscle" and Pterygoid Lateral Muscle" were used, and the term MeSH "Pterygoid Muscle" with Boolean OR "Lateral Ptrerygoid Muscle" AND "Insertion" and the free terms "Pterygoid Lateral Muscle Disc Articular" and "Pterygoid lateral Muscle Meniscus". Of the 156 articles obtained and analyzed, 18 articles meeting eligibility criteria were selected. Based on those articles the percentage of insertion of the CSPL in the TMJ disc was evaluated, each one was subsequently assigned a level of evidence according to OCEBM Oxford Centre Evidence Based Medicine. Only four articles answered the research inquiry, three studies were histological and one used imaging techniques with cross section slices with an adequate evidence level (1B). However, results differed with insertion percentages from 2% to 69.8% being reported in the superior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle in the articular disc

Perfil Inmunohistoquímico de los Tipos de Fibras en el Músculo Vocal Humano

Galdames, IS (reprint author), Univ Talca, Escuela Fonoaudiol, Ave Lircay S-N,Oficina 104, Talca, Chile.he vocal muscle is a striated muscle with important functions in the emission of laryngeal sound and physiology of the voice. Therefore the knowledge of its constitution is the basis for the prevention and management of voice disorders. We used 10 samples from the middle third of vocal muscles obtained from autopsies of 6 male and 4 female subjects aged between 36 and 71 years. The samples were analyzed with BA-F8 monoclonal antibody to slow type I fibers, and antimyosin HC monoclonal antibody and antimyosin fast clone MY-32 antibody for types IIA, IIB, IIX, and neonatal fibers. We determined the distribution of the muscle fiber types and morphometric characteristics, evaluating the differences by sex and age group. The human vocal muscle presented a heterogeneous formation with a predominance of type II fibers at 51.99%, while type I fibers reached 48.01%; this difference was significant (p0.05). In conclusion, the human vocal muscle the fibers were predominantly type II fast