Stereochemistry of cyclopentane derivatives from (2,3)J(CH) dependence on dihedral angle (theta H-C-C-X)

The (2,3)J(CH) dependence on dihedral angle (theta H-C-C-X) for cyclopentane derivatives was investigated. We observed that the combined use of experimentally obtained (2,3)J(CH) values and the theoretically determined dihedral angles between the corresponding nuclei can be used to infer the relative stereochemistry of the ring substituents in cyclopentane derivatives. There is a good correlation between the magnitude of (3)J(CH) and the dihedral angle between the hydrogen and the coupled carbon (R-2 = 0.88). Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Skull Base Cephalometric Changes in Cranial Expansion by Springs

Background: The use of springs in cranial expansion has demonstrated to be effective for craniosynostosis treatment. The spring-exerted expansile action has been observed when springs are placed both in the sagittal and parasagittal regions, mainly in scaphocephaly. In this study, a variation in cephalometric measurements under expansible spring action on the skull base was analyzed. Methods: Thirteen 4-week-old New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 4 groups: group 1, in which only amalgam markers were used (control); group 2, in which amalgam markers were used, and a sagittal suturectomy was performed; group 3, in which amalgam markers were used, and a sagittal suturectomy was performed with placement of expansible springs in the interparietal region; and group 4, in which markers were used, and a linear parasagittal craniectomy was performed with spring placement. All animals were killed at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Radiologic control with cephalometric study was performed. Results: Distraction of amalgam markers in the groups with springs was greater than in those without springs. A proportional change in the angles measured through craniometry was observed in these groups. Conclusions: The experimental rabbit model was shown to be adequate to the analysis proposed by the study. Under the action of springs, the groups with sagittal and parasagittal osteotomy were found to present a similar distraction of amalgam markers. A concomitant change in cephalometric measurements occurred, suggesting a change in the skull base mediated by expansible springs placed both in the sutural and nonsutural sites.

Effectiveness of medial-wedge insole treatment for valgus knee osteoarthritis

Objective. To assess the efficacy of medial-wedge insoles in valgus knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. Thirty consecutive women with valgus-deformity knee OA a:8 degrees were randomized into 2 groups: medial insole (insoles with B-mm medial elevation at the rearfoot [n = 161) and neutral insole (similar insole without elevation [n = 14]). Both groups also wore ankle supports. A blinded examiner assessed pain on movement, at rest, and at night with a visual analog scale (VAS), the Lequesne index., and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index. Femorotibial, talocalcaneal, and talar tilt angles were evaluated at baseline and after 8 weeks of insole use. Results. Significant reductions in the medial insole group were observed for pain on movement (mean +/- SD VAS pre- and postintervention 8.1 +/- 1.5 versus 1 4.2 +/- 2.4; P = 0.001), at rest (5.1 +/- 2.3 versus 2.7 +/- 2.4; P = 0.002), and at night (6.1 +/- 2.7 versus 3.1 +/- 2.1; P = 0.001). In addition, a decrease in Lequesne (14.7 +/- 3.4 versus 9.6 +/- 3.8; P = 0.001) and WOMAC scores (74.1 +/- 14.2 versus 56.1 +/- 14.9; P = 0.001) was observed for the medial insole group. In the neutral insole group, a significant reduction was observed only for night pain (mean SD VAS pre- and postintervention 5.8 +/- 2.4 versus 4.6 +/- 2.4; P = 0.019). An increase in femorotibial angle (169.0 +/- 3.4 versus 170.8 +/- 2.4; P = 0.019). An increase in femorotibial angle (169.0 +/- 3.4 versus 170.8 +/- 3.7; P = 0.001) occurred only in the medial 3.7; P = 0.001) occurred only in the medial insole group. Moreover, the difference in measured fernorotibial angles pre- and postintervention was 1.84 +/- 1.42 versus -0.18 +/- 0.67 (P < 0.001) for the medial and neutral insole groups. Conclusion. The use of medial-wedge insoles was highly effective in reducing pain at rest and on movement and promoted a functional improvement of valgus knee OA.

Craniofacial morphology and otitis media with effusion in children

Otitis media with effusion (OME) affects 28-38% of pre-school children, and it occurs due to the dysfunction of the auditory tube. Anatomical development of the auditory tube depends on the craniofacial growth and development. Deviations of normal. craniofacial. morphology and growth using cephatometric studies, may predict the evolution of otitis. Our goal in this paper is to determine if there are differences in craniofacial morphology between children with adenoid enlargement, with and without otitis media with effusion. This is a prospective study in which the sample consisted of 67 children (mate and female) from 5 to 10 years old. All patients presented chronic upper airway obstruction due to tonsil. and adenoid enlargement (>80% degree of obstruction). Thirty-three patients presented otitis media with effusion, for more than 3 months and 34 did not. The tatter composed the control group. Standardized lateral head radiographs were obtained for all. subjects. Radiographs were taken with patient positioned by a cephalostat and stayed with mandibles in centric occlusion and Lips at rest. Radiographs were digitalized and specific Landmarks were identified using a computer program Radiocef 2003, 5th edition. Measurements, angles and tines were taken of the basicranium, maxilla and mandible according to the modified Ricketts analysis. In addition, facial height and facial axis were determined. Children with otitis media with effusion present differences in the morphology of the face, regarding these measures: N-S (anterior cranial base length), N-ANS (upper facial height), ANS-PNS (size of the hard palate), Po-Or.N-Pog (facial depth), Ba-N.Ptm-Gn (facial axis), Go-Me (mandibular Length) and Vaia--Vaip (inferior pharyngeal airway). (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Femoral Head-neck Junction Deformity is Related to Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Primary or idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip has increasingly been attributed to the presence of presumably minor femoral or acetabular deformities that are not routinely identified. The alpha angle reflects one such deformity of the femoral neck and reflects a risk for femoroacetabular impingement, which in turn reportedly is associated with OA. If impingement is in fact associated with OA, then one might expect the mean alpha angle to be greater in patients with presumed idiopathic hip OA. We therefore compared the alpha angle among a group of elderly patients with idiopathic OA with that in a control group of elderly individuals without OA. We measured the alpha angles in 50 individuals (72 hips) with a mean age of 70 years (range, 60-84 years) with apparently idiopathic OA and compared their angles with those from a control group of 56 individuals without OA. The alpha angle was measured by means of radiographs of their hips using the Dunn view at 45A degrees flexion. The patients with OA had a greater percentage with abnormal alpha angles than did the normal subjects: 82% versus 30%, respectively. The mean alpha angle in the group with OA was larger than in the control subjects: 66.4A(0) (range, 28A degrees-108A degrees) versus 48.1A(0) (range, 34A degrees-68A degrees). Hips with presumably idiopathic OA had more abnormalities at the femoral head-neck junction than did the control hips without OA and may relate to the risk of OA developing. Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Static Knee Alignment Measurements among Caucasians and African Americans: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project

Objective. To determine if knee alignment measures differ between African Americans and Caucasians without radiographic knee osteoarthritis (rOA). Methods. A single knee was randomly selected from 175 participants in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project without rOA in either knee. Anatomic axis, condylar, tibia] plateau, and condylar plateau angles were measured by I radiologist; means were compared and adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI). Results. There were no significant differences in knee alignment measurements between Caucasians and African Americans among men or women. Conclusion. Observed differences in knee rOA occurrence between African Americans and Caucasians are not explained by differences in static knee alignment. (First Release July 15 2009; J Rheumatol 2009;36:1987-90; doi: 10.3899/jrheum.081294)

RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE PHOTOGRAMMETRY FOR SCOLIOSIS EVALUATION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of photogrammetry in measuring the lateral spinal inclination angles. Methods: Forty subjects (32 female and 8 males) with a mean age of 23.4 +/- 11.2 years had their scoliosis evaluated by radiographs of their trunk, determined by the Cobb angle method, and by photogrammetry. The statistical methods used included Cronbach alpha, Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients, and regression analyses. Results: The Cronbach a values showed that the photogrammetric measures showed high internal consistency, which indicated that the sample was bias free. The radiograph method showed to be more precise with intrarater reliabilities of 0.936, 0.975, and 0.945 for the thoracic, lumbar, and thoracolumbar curves, respectively, and interrater reliabilities of 0.942 and 0.879 for the angular measures of the thoracic and thoracolumbar segments, respectively. The regression analyses revealed a high determination coefficient although limited to the adjusted linear model between the radiographic and photographic measures. It was found that with more severe scoliosis, the lateral curve measures obtained with the photogrammetry were for the thoracic and lumbar regions (R = 0.619 and 0.551). Conclusions: The photogrammetric measures were found to be reproducible in this study and could be used as Supplementary information to decrease the number of radiographs necessary for the monitoring of scoliosis. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009;32:423-430)

Infection control practices among a cohort of Brazilian dentists

Objective: To evaluate infection control practices among dentists in private and public practice. Design: Survey and cross-sectional analysis. Setting: Sertaozinho city, Brazil. Participants: All dentists who were currently working at the study city, and agreed to participate, resulting in a study population of 135 dentists. Methods: Participants were personally interviewed and variables were submitted to X(2) or Fisher`s exact test. Results: Hand washing before and after each patient was reported by 86.7% of dentists, but private practitioners used liquid soap and paper towels more often than their public colleagues (p<0.001). Most of the study population (97.8%) used gloves routinely during clinical sessions, but 8.2% reused them. Dry-heat was the main method employed for sterilisation of heat-stable devices by 80.0% of dentists, but adequate temperature and time of exposure was accomplished by only 32.1% of public and 70.0% of private professionals (p<0.001). Heat-sensitive devices were disinfected with an adequate substance by 60.0% of both affiliation dentists (p=0.908). Conclusions: There is a large gap between infection control recommendations and practices observed among the study population, and the situation is worse in public services. To reverse that situation, infection control issues must be openly debated by professional associations, dental schools and health authorities.

Analysis of body posture in children with mild to moderate asthma

The mechanical alterations related to the excessive use of accessory respiratory muscles and the mouth breathing observed in children with asthma may lead to the development of alterations in head posture, shoulders, thoracic region and, consequently, in alterations of body posture. The purpose of this study was to assess body posture changes of children with asthma compared to a non-asthmatic control group matched for gender, age, weight, and height. Thirty children with asthma and 30 non-asthmatic children aged 7 to 12 years were enrolled in this study. Digital photographic records were obtained for analysis of the body posture of the children by computed photogrammetry. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Student`s t test (p < 0.05) were used for statistical analysis. There were no significant differences between groups for the angles analyzed, except for the knee flexor angle. These results demonstrate that children with asthma did not present postural alterations compared to non-asthmatic controls since the only angle for which there was a significant difference between groups showed weak reproducibility. The findings of this study do not support the notion that children with asthma present alterations in body posture.

Evaluation of anterior open-bite treatment with occlusal adjustment

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cephalometric and occlusal changes, the functional occlusion, and the dentinal sensitivity of anterior open-bite treatment with occlusal adjustment. Methods: The sample comprised 20 patients who experienced relapse of the anterior open bite (mean, -1.06 mm). Occlusal adjustment was performed until a positive overbite was established. Cephalometric changes were evaluated on lateral cephalograms taken before and after the occlusal adjustment. The functional occlusion analysis consisted of evaluating immediate anterior and canine guidance and the number of teeth in contact before and after the procedure. Dentinal sensitivity was evaluated before, shortly after, and 4.61 months after the occlusal adjustment. Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric changes and the number of teeth in contact were compared with dependent t tests. Percentages of anterior and canine guidance before and after the adjustment procedure were compared with the McNemar test. To compare dentinal sensitivity at several stages, the nonparametric Friedman test was used, followed by the Wilcoxon test. Results: Significant increases in overbite and mandibular protrusion were seen, as were significant decreases in apical base discrepancy, facial convexity, and growth pattern angles. The percentages of immediate anterior and canine guidance increased significantly, as did the number of teeth with occlusal contacts. Dentinal sensitivity increased immediately after the adjustment but decreased to normal levels after 4.61 months. Conclusions: Occlusal adjustment is a viable treatment alternative for some open-bite patients; it establishes positive vertical overbite and improves the functional occlusion with only transient dentinal sensitivity.

Response of human alveolar bone-derived cells to a novel poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate membrane

This study investigated the response of human alveolar bone-derived cells to a novel poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (P(VDF-TrFE)/BT) membrane. Osteoblastic cells were cultured in osteogenic conditions either on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for up to 14 days. At 7 and 14 days, the mRNA expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), Type I collagen (COL I), Osteopontin (OPN), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Bone sialoprotein (BSP), and Osteocalcin (OC), key markers of the osteoblastic phenotype, and of Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Survivin (SUR), associated with the control of the apoptotic cell death, was assayed by real-time PCR. In situ ALP activity was qualitatively evaluated by means of Fast red staining. Surface characterization was also qualitatively and quantitatively assayed in terms of topography, roughness, and wettability. Cells grown on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT exhibited a significantly higher mRNA expression for all markers compared to the ones on PTFE, except for Bcl-2, which was not detected for both groups. Additionally, Fast red staining was noticeably stronger in cultures on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT at 7 and 14 days. At micron-and submicron scale, SEM images and roughness analysis revealed that PTFE and P(VDF-TrFE)/BT exhibited a smooth topography and a similar roughness, respectively. PTFE membrane displayed higher contact angles compared with P(VDF-TrFE)/BT, as indicated by wettability assay. The novel P(VDF-TrFE)/BT membrane supports the acquisition of the osteoblastic phenotype in vitro, while up-regulating the expression of apoptotic markers. Further in vivo experiments should be carried out to confirm the capacity of P(VDF-TrFE)/BT membrane in promoting bone formation in guided bone regeneration.

Craniocervical posture and hyoid bone position in children with mild and moderate asthma and mouth breathing

Introduction The objective of the present study was to assess the craniocervical posture and the positioning of the hyoid bone in children with asthma who are mouth breathers compared to non-asthma controls. Methods The study was conducted on 56 children, 28 of them with mild (n = 15) and moderate (n = 13) asthma (14 girls aged 10 79 +/- 1 31 years and 14 boys aged 9 79 +/- 1.12 years), matched for sex, height, weight and age with 28 non-asthma children who are not mouth breathers The sample size was calculated considering a confidence interval of 95% and a prevalence of 4% of asthma in Latin America. Eighteen variables were analyzed in two radiographs (latero-lateral teleradiography and lateral cervical spine radiography), both obtained with the head in a natural position The independent t-test was used to compare means values and the chi-square test to compare percentage values (p < 0 05) Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify reliability. Results. The Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) was found to be significantly smaller in asthma than in control children (106.38 +/- 766 vs. 111 21 +/- 7.40. p = 0 02) and the frequency of asthma children with an absent or inverted hyoid triangle was found to be significantly higher compared to non-asthma children (36% vs 7%, p = 0.0001). The values of the inclination angles of the superior cervical spine in relation to the horizontal plane were significantly higher in moderate than in mild asthma children (CVT/Hor 85 10 +/- 725 vs. 90 92 +/- 6.69, p = 0 04 and C1/Hor. 80 93 +/- 5.56 vs 85 00 +/- 4 20, p = 0 04) Conclusions These findings revealed that asthma children presented higher head extension and a higher frequency of changes in hyoid bone position compared to non-asthma children and that greater the asthma severity greater the extension of the upper cervical spine. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

COMPARISONS OF THE INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELD DIRECTIONS OBTAINED FROM THE IBEX RIBBON AND INTERSTELLAR POLARIZATIONS

Variations in the spatial configuration of the interstellar magnetic field (ISMF) near the Sun can be constrained by comparing the ISMF direction at the heliosphere found from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft observations of a ""Ribbon"" of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs), with the ISMF direction derived from optical polarization data for stars within similar to 40 pc. Using interstellar polarization observations toward similar to 30 nearby stars within similar to 90 degrees of the heliosphere nose, we find that the best fits to the polarization position angles are obtained for a magnetic pole directed toward ecliptic coordinates of lambda, beta similar to 263 degrees, 37 degrees (or galactic coordinates of l, b similar to 38 degrees, 23 degrees), with uncertainties of +/- 35 degrees based on the broad minimum of the best fits and the range of data quality. This magnetic pole is 33 degrees from the magnetic pole that is defined by the center of the arc of the ENA Ribbon. The IBEX ENA ribbon is seen in sight lines that are perpendicular to the ISMF as it drapes over the heliosphere. The similarity of the polarization and Ribbon directions for the local ISMF suggests that the local field is coherent over scale sizes of tens of parsecs. The ISMF vector direction is nearly perpendicular to the flow of local interstellar material (ISM) through the local standard of rest, supporting a possible local ISM origin related to an evolved expanding magnetized shell. The local ISMF direction is found to have a curious geometry with respect to the cosmic microwave background dipole moment.

SIMULATIONS OF WINDS OF WEAK-LINED T TAURI STARS. II. THE EFFECTS OF A TILTED MAGNETOSPHERE AND PLANETARY INTERACTIONS

Based on our previous work, we investigate here the effects on the wind and magnetospheric structures of weak-lined T Tauri stars due to a misalignment between the axis of rotation of the star and its magnetic dipole moment vector. In such a configuration, the system loses the axisymmetry presented in the aligned case, requiring a fully three-dimensional (3D) approach. We perform 3D numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulations of stellar winds and study the effects caused by different model parameters, namely the misalignment angle theta(t), the stellar period of rotation, the plasma-beta, and the heating index.. Our simulations take into account the interplay between the wind and the stellar magnetic field during the time evolution. The system reaches a periodic behavior with the same rotational period of the star. We show that the magnetic field lines present an oscillatory pattern. Furthermore, we obtain that by increasing theta(t), the wind velocity increases, especially in the case of strong magnetic field and relatively rapid stellar rotation. Our 3D, time-dependent wind models allow us to study the interaction of a magnetized wind with a magnetized extrasolar planet. Such interaction gives rise to reconnection, generating electrons that propagate along the planet`s magnetic field lines and produce electron cyclotron radiation at radio wavelengths. The power released in the interaction depends on the planet`s magnetic field intensity, its orbital radius, and on the stellar wind local characteristics. We find that a close-in Jupiter-like planet orbiting at 0.05 AU presents a radio power that is similar to 5 orders of magnitude larger than the one observed in Jupiter, which suggests that the stellar wind from a young star has the potential to generate strong planetary radio emission that could be detected in the near future with LOFAR. This radio power varies according to the phase of rotation of the star. For three selected simulations, we find a variation of the radio power of a factor 1.3-3.7, depending on theta(t). Moreover, we extend the investigation done in Vidotto et al. and analyze whether winds from misaligned stellar magnetospheres could cause a significant effect on planetary migration. Compared to the aligned case, we show that the timescale tau(w) for an appreciable radial motion of the planet is shorter for larger misalignment angles. While for the aligned case tau(w) similar or equal to 100 Myr, for a stellar magnetosphere tilted by theta(t) = 30 degrees, tau(w) ranges from similar to 40 to 70 Myr for a planet located at a radius of 0.05 AU. Further reduction on tau(w) might occur for even larger misalignment angles and/or different wind parameters.

Dynamics of two planets in co-orbital motion

We study the stability regions and families of periodic orbits of two planets locked in a co-orbital configuration. We consider different ratios of planetary masses and orbital eccentricities; we also assume that both planets share the same orbital plane. Initially, we perform numerical simulations over a grid of osculating initial conditions to map the regions of stable/chaotic motion and identify equilibrium solutions. These results are later analysed in more detail using a semi-analytical model. Apart from the well-known quasi-satellite orbits and the classical equilibrium Lagrangian points L(4) and L(5), we also find a new regime of asymmetric periodic solutions. For low eccentricities these are located at (delta lambda, delta pi) = (+/- 60 degrees, -/+ 120 degrees), where delta lambda is the difference in mean longitudes and delta pi is the difference in longitudes of pericentre. The position of these anti-Lagrangian solutions changes with the mass ratio and the orbital eccentricities and are found for eccentricities as high as similar to 0.7. Finally, we also applied a slow mass variation to one of the planets and analysed its effect on an initially asymmetric periodic orbit. We found that the resonant solution is preserved as long as the mass variation is adiabatic, with practically no change in the equilibrium values of the angles.