Hydroxyapatite and a New Fibrin Sealant Derived from Snake Venom as Scaffold to Treatment of Cranial Defects in Rats

Biomaterials are used as a promising alternative to bone grafts, including bioceramics whose composition resembles that of bone and fibrin sealants due to their hemostatic properties. The objective was to evaluate the repair of cranial defects in 40 rats, grafted with hydroxyapatite and a new fibrin sealant derived from snake venom. The animals were divided into four groups: C (control, no graft); Ha (hydroxyapatite); FS (fibrin sealant), and HaFS (hydroxyapatite and fibrin sealant). The animals were euthanized 2 and 6 weeks after surgery and wound area were submitted to analysis. After 2 weeks, immature bone was formed from the borders of the defect and in groups Ha and HaFS, few hydroxyapatite particles were surrounded by new bone. After 6 weeks, the new bone was mature and surrounded several hydroxyapatite particles, without connective tissue interposition and the volume of new bone was higher in HaFS group. The hydroxyapatite in combination with the new fibrin sealant accelerates bone repair.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Ctr Univ Padre Anchieta UniAnchieta, Lab Anat, BR-13207270 Jundiai, SP, BrazilFac Med Jundiai FMJ, Dept Morfol &Patol Basica, BR-13202550 Jundiai, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquista Filho U, CEVAP, BR-18610307 Botucatu, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquista Filho, Departamento de Doenças Tropicais e Diagnóstico Por Imagem, Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos (CEVAP), BR-18610307 Botucatu, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2012/02689-3FAPESP: 2009/53846-9FAPESP: 2009/06280-0FAPESP: 2012/08101-8CNPq: 563582/2010-3CAPES: 1219/2011CAPES: 23038.000823/2011-2

Characterization of the complete mitogenome of Anopheles aquasalis, and phylogenetic divergences among Anopheles from diverse geographic zones.

Whole mitogenome sequences (mtDNA) have been exploited for insect ecology studies, using them as molecular markers to reconstruct phylogenies, or to infer phylogeographic relationships and gene flow. Recent Anopheles phylogenomic studies have provided information regarding the time of deep lineage divergences within the genus. Here we report the complete 15,393 bp mtDNA sequences of Anopheles aquasalis, a Neotropical human malaria vector. When comparing its structure and base composition with other relevant and available anopheline mitogenomes, high similarity and conserved genomic features were observed. Furthermore, 22 mtDNA sequences comprising anopheline and Dipteran sibling species were analyzed to reconstruct phylogenies and estimate dates of divergence between taxa. Phylogenetic analysis using complete mtDNA sequences suggests that A. aquasalis diverged from the Anopheles albitarsis complex ~28 million years ago (MYA), and ~38 MYA from Anopheles darlingi. Bayesian analysis suggests that the most recent ancestor of Nyssorhynchus and Anopheles + Cellia was extant ~83 MYA, corroborating current estimates of ~79-100 MYA. Additional sampling and publication of African, Asian, and North American anopheline mitogenomes would improve the resolution of the Anopheles phylogeny and clarify early continental dispersal routes

Use of a New Fibrin Sealant and Laser Irradiation in the Repair of Skull Defects in Rats

This study evaluated the osteogenic capacity of a new fibrin sealant (FS) combined with bone graft and laser irradiation in the bone repair. Defects were created in the skull of 30 rats and filled with autogenous graft and FS derived from snake venom. Immediately after implantation, low-power laser was applied on the surgical site. The animals were divided in: control group with autogenous graft (G1), autogenous graft and laser 5 J/cm2 (G2), autogenous graft and laser 7 J/cm2 (G3), autogenous graft and FS (G4), autogenous graft, FS and laser 5 J/cm2 (G5), autogenous graft, FS and laser 7 J/cm2 (G6). The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after implant. Results showed absence of inflammatory infiltrate in the bone defect. New bone formation occurred in all groups, but it was most intense in G6. Thus, the FS and laser 7 J/cm2 showed osteoconductive capacity and can be an interesting resource to be applied in surgery of bone reconstruction.Este estudo avaliou a capacidade osteogênica de um novo selante de fibrina (FS) associado com enxerto ósseo e irradiação laser no reparo ósseo. Defeitos foram criados no crânio de 30 ratos e preenchidos com enxerto autógeno e FS derivado do veneno de cobra. Imediatamente após implantação, foi aplicado laser de baixa potência na área cirúrgica. Os animais foram divididos em grupo controle com autógeno (G1), autógeno e laser 5 J/cm2 (G2), autógeno e laser 7J/cm2 (G3), autógeno e FS (G4), autógeno, FS e laser 5J/cm2 (G5), autógeno, FS e laser 7J/cm2 (G6). Os animais foram sacrificados 6 semanas após implante. Resultados mostraram ausência de infiltrado inflamatório no defeito ósseo. Neoformação óssea ocorreu em todos os grupos, entretanto, foi mais intenso em G6. Desta maneira, o FS e laser 7J/cm2 mostraram capacidade osteocondutiva e podem ser um interessante recurso a ser aplicado nas cirurgias de reconstrução óssea.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí (FMJ), Jundiaí, SP, BrasilCentro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos (CEVAP), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, BrasilCentro Internacional de Pesquisa (CIPE), A. C. Camargo Hospital, São Paulo, SP, BrasilUniversidade Estadual Paulista, Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos de BotucatuFAPESP: 2009/53846-9FAPESP: 2009/06280-0FAPESP: 2010/05769-