Alterações dimensionais do côndilo mandibular em indivíduos de 3 a 20 anos de idade usando tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico: um estudo preliminar

INTRODUÇÃO: o exame de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) oferece excelente representação dos tecidos duros da articulação temporomandibular (ATM). OBJETIVO: investigar as alterações morfológicas do côndilo mandibular, da infância à idade adulta, utilizando a TCFC. MÉTODOS: um estudo transversal foi conduzido envolvendo 36 côndilos de 18 indivíduos com idades variando entre 3 e 20 anos. As imagens dos côndilos foram obtidas por meio do sistema i-CAT e medidas com uma ferramenta do programa específica para ATM, que permite cortes perpendiculares à cabeça do côndilo, com correção individual em função das diferenças angulares de cada um. As maiores distâncias nas vistas lateral e frontal foram consideradas tanto para os côndilos do lado direto como para os do lado esquerdo. RESULTADOS: a dimensão lateral do côndilo mandibular parece ser estabelecida de maneira precoce, sofrendo poucas alterações com o passar dos anos, enquanto a dimensão frontal tende a aumentar. Assimetrias entre o côndilo esquerdo e o direito foram comumente observadas; no entanto, tais diferenças não apresentaram significância estatística para as vistas lateral (P=0,815) e frontal (P=0,374). CONCLUSÕES: os côndilos apresentaram simetria com relação ao tamanho, sendo observado crescimento apenas na dimensão frontal Os resultados sugerem que a TCFC constitui-se numa ferramenta útil na mensuração e avaliação das dimensões condilares.

Medidas lineares dos estágios de desenvolvimento da dentição permanente humana usando Tomografia Computadorizada de Feixe Cônico: um estudo preliminar

OBJETIVO: determinar as medidas lineares dos estágios de desenvolvimento da dentição permanente humana, usando tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC). MÉTODOS: este estudo foi desenvolvido a partir de bancos de dados de clínicas radiológicas privadas, envolvendo 18 pacientes (13 do sexo masculino, 5 do sexo feminino, com idades variando entre 3 e 20 anos). As imagens das TCFC foram obtidas por meio do sistema i-CAT e medidas com uma função específica do programa desse mesmo sistema. Duzentos e trinta e oito dentes foram analisados, em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento, nos planos coronal e sagital. O método foi baseado na delimitação e mensuração das distâncias entre pontos anatômicos correspondentes ao desenvolvimento das coroas e raízes dentárias. A partir dos valores obtidos, pôde-se desenvolver um modelo quantitativo para se avaliar os estágios inicial e final de desenvolvimento para todos os grupos dentários. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: as medidas obtidas dos diferentes grupos dentários estão de acordo com as estimativas das investigações publicadas previamente. As imagens por TCFC dos diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento podem contribuir no diagnóstico, planejamento e resultado dos tratamentos em diversas especialidades odontológicas. As dimensões das coroas e das raízes dentárias podem ter importantes aplicações clínicas e em pesquisas, constituindo uma técnica não invasiva que contribui com estudos in vivo. Entretanto, mais estudos são recomendados a fim de minimizar possíveis variáveis metodológicas.

Influence of intracanal post on apical periodontitis identified by cone-beam computed tomography

The determination of the success of endodontic treatment has been often discussed based on outcome obtained by periapical radiography. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of intracanal post on apical periodontitis detected by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A consecutive sample of 1020 images (periapical radiographs and CBCT scans) taken from 619 patients (245 men; mean age, 50.1 years) between February 2008 and September 2009 were used in this study. Presence and intracanal post length (short, medium and long) were associated with apical periodontitis (AP). Chi-square test was used for statistical analyses. Significance level was set at p<0.01. The kappa value was used to assess examiner variability. From a total of 591 intracanal posts, AP was observed in 15.06%, 18.78% and 7.95% using periapical radiographs, into the different lengths, short, medium and long, respectively (p=0.466). Considering the same posts length it was verified AP in 24.20%, 26.40% and 11.84% observed by CBCT scans, respectively (p=0.154). From a total of 1,020 teeth used in this study, AP was detected in 397 (38.92%) by periapical radiography and in 614 (60.19%) by CBCT scans (p<0.001). The distribution of intracanal posts in different dental groups showed higher prevalence in maxillary anterior teeth (54.79%). Intracanal posts lengths did not influenced AP. AP was detected more frequently when CBCT method was used.

Method for determination of root curvature radius using cone-beam computed tomography images

This article describes and discusses a method to determine root curvature radius by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The severity of root canal curvature is essential to select instrument and instrumentation technique. The diagnosis and planning of root canal treatment have traditionally been made based on periapical radiography. However, the higher accuracy of CBCT images to identify anatomic and pathologic alterations compared to panoramic and periapical radiographs has been shown to reduce the incidence of false-negative results. In high-resolution images, the measurement of root curvature radius can be obtained by circumcenter. Based on 3 mathematical points determined with the working tools of Planimp® software, it is possible to calculate root curvature radius in both apical and coronal directions. The CBCT-aided method for determination of root curvature radius presented in this article is easy to perform, reproducible and allows a more reliable and predictable endodontic planning, which reflects directly on a more efficacious preparation of curved root canals.

Eutaleola, a replacement name for the homonym Euteleia (Bryozoa: Pasytheidae)

Eutaleola nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for Euteleia Marcus, 1938 (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata), a secondary homonym of Euteleia Raffray, 1904 (Arthropoda: Coleoptera). Eutaleola is a monospecific genus of Pasytheida e, found in warm shallow waters on both sides of the Atlantic and in deeper waters of the eastern Pacific. Brazilian material of Eutaleola evelinae (Marcus, 1938) comb. nov. is described and illustrated.

Migração lateral da desembocadura do Rio Itapocú, SC, Brasil: evolução morfológica e condicionantes físicas

Desembocaduras são ambientes bastante dinâmicos e sujeitos à complexa interação entre fatores estabilizadores e desestabilizadores. Dependendo dessa interação, desembocaduras podem apresentar a tendência de migração ao longo de barreiras arenosas. Um dos mecanismos mais eficientes de transporte de sedimento paralelo à costa, e consequentemente migração de canais, são as correntes longitudinais geradas pelas ondas se aproximando obliquamente à costa. A motivação do presente trabalho é entender o comportamento morfodinâmico do sistema de desembocadura do rio Itapocú, localizado no centro-norte de Santa Catarina (SC), frente aos processos forçantes que atuam na sua migração ao longo da linha de costa. A morfologia dos pontais arenosos foi obtida a partir de levantamentos morfológicos com o uso de DGPS. Para analisar a refração de ondas foi utilizado o modelo numérico MIKE 21 SW, sendo considerados como condições de contorno os dados de ondas referentes ao ano de 2002 e os dados de ondas previstos referentes ao período de coleta. Os dados de saída do modelo foram utilizados para estimar a deriva litorânea potencial na região. Os resultados morfológicos obtidos demonstraram uma migração da desembocadura para o norte durante o período analisado, sendo mais intenso durante o inverno e o verão. Ondas incidentes do quadrante sul sofreram mais o fenômeno da refração e as ondas de leste apresentaram menor variação angular ao se aproximarem à costa. A deriva litorânea potencial anual para os dados de ondas de 2002 apresentou sentido norte-sul, com inversão de sentido durante o outono. Utilizando os dados de ondas previstas para o período dos levantamentos, a deriva litorânea potencial estimada apresentou sentido sul-norte, concordando com a migração observada. Na região próxima a desembocadura, nos pontais arenosos, a deriva potencial apresentou direção para o norte durante todas as estações. Os dados de descarga fluvial não apresentaram influência na migração do canal, porém apresentaram uma relação com a largura do mesmo sazonalmente.Os dados de morfologia juntamente com os dados de deriva litorânea referentes às ondas de 2004/2005 mostraram claramente a migração do canal para o norte sendo a deriva a principal contribuinte para a migração da desembocadura.

A FIRST CONSTRAINT ON THE THICK DISK SCALE LENGTH: DIFFERENTIAL RADIAL ABUNDANCES IN K GIANTS AT GALACTOCENTRIC RADII 4, 8, AND 12 kpc

Based on high-resolution spectra obtained with the MIKE spectrograph on the Magellan telescopes, we present detailed elemental abundances for 20 red giant stars in the outer Galactic disk, located at Galactocentric distances between 9 and 13 kpc. The outer disk sample is complemented with samples of red giants from the inner Galactic disk and the solar neighborhood, analyzed using identical methods. For Galactocentric distances beyond 10 kpc, we only find chemical patterns associated with the local thin disk, even for stars far above the Galactic plane. Our results show that the relative densities of the thick and thin disks are dramatically different from the solar neighborhood, and we therefore suggest that the radial scale length of the thick disk is much shorter than that of the thin disk. We make a first estimate of the thick disk scale length of L(thick) = 2.0 kpc, assuming L(thin) = 3.8 kpc for the thin disk. We suggest that radial migration may explain the lack of radial age, metallicity, and abundance gradients in the thick disk, possibly also explaining the link between the thick disk and the metal-poor bulge.

Luminescent Mycena: new and noteworthy species

Seven species or Mycena are reported as luminescent, representing specimens collected in Belize, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, japan (Bonin Islands), Malaysia (Borneo) and Puerto Rico. Four of them represent new species (Mycena luxaeterna, M. luxarboricola, M. luxperpetua, M. silvaelucens) and three represent new reports of luminescence in previously described species (M. aff. abieticola, M. aspratilis, M. margarita). Mycena subepipterygia is synonymized with M. margarita, and M. chlorinosma is proposed as a possible synonym. Comprehensive descriptions, illustrations, photographs and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided. A redescription of M. chlorophos, based on analyses of type specimens and recently collected topotypical material, is provided. The addition of these seven new or new, reported luminescent species of Mycena brings the total to 71 known bioluminescent species of fungi.

Exercise training and caloric restriction prevent reduction in cardiac Ca(2+)-handling protein profile in obese rats

Previous studies show that exercise training and caloric restriction improve cardiac function in obesity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect on cardiac function remain unknown. Thus, we studied the effect of exercise training and/or caloric restriction on cardiac function and Ca(2+) handling protein expression in obese rats. To accomplish this goal, male rats fed with a high-fat and sucrose diet for 25 weeks were randomly assigned into 4 groups: high-fat and sucrose diet, high-fat and sucrose diet and exercise training, caloric restriction, and exercise training and caloric restriction. An additional lean group was studied. The study was conducted for 10 weeks. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and Ca(2+) handling protein expression by Western blotting. Our results showed that visceral fat mass, circulating leptin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels were higher in rats on the high-fat and sucrose diet compared with the lean rats. Cardiac nitrate levels, reduced/oxidized glutathione, left ventricular fractional shortening, and protein expression of phosphorylated Ser(2808)-ryanodine receptor and Thr(17-)phospholamban were lower in rats on the high-fat and sucrose diet compared with lean rats. Exercise training and/or caloric restriction prevented increases in visceral fat mass, circulating leptin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels and prevented reduction in cardiac nitrate levels and reduced: oxidized glutathione ratio. Exercise training and/or caloric restriction prevented reduction in left ventricular fractional shortening and in phosphorylation of the Ser(2808)-ryanodine receptor and Thr(17)-phospholamban. These findings show that exercise training and/or caloric restriction prevent cardiac dysfunction in high-fat and sucrose diet rats, which seems to be attributed to decreased circulating neurohormone levels. In addition, this nonpharmacological paradigm prevents a reduction in the Ser(2808)-ryanodine receptor and Thr(17-)phospholamban phosphorylation and redox status. (Hypertension. 2010;56:629-635.)

The influence of peripheral afferent signals on the rating of perceived exertion and time to exhaustion during exercise at different intensities

This study determined which peripheral variables would better predict the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and time to exhaustion (TE) during exercise at different intensities. Ten men performed exercises at first lactate threshold (LT1), second lactate threshold (LT2), 50% of the distance from LT1 to LT2 (TT(50%)), and 25% of the distance from LT2 to maximal power output (TW(25%)). Lactate, catecholamines, potassium, pH, glucose, (V) over dotO(2), VE, HR, respiratory rate (RR) and RPE were measured and plotted against the exercise duration for the slope calculation. Glucose, dopamine, and noradrenaline predicted RPE in TT(50%) (88%), LT2 (64%), and TW(25%) (77%), but no variable predicted RPE in LT1. RPE (55%), RPE+HR (86%), and RPE+RR (92% and 55%) predicted TE in LT1, TT(50%), LT2, and TW(25%), respectively. At intensities from TT(50%) to TW(25%), variables associated with brain activity seem to explain most of the RPE slope, and RPE (+HR and+RR) seems to predict the TE.

Developing and implementing an open and non-proprietary device description for FOUNDATION fieldbus based on software standards

Support for interoperability and interchangeability of software components which are part of a fieldbus automation system relies on the definition of open architectures, most of them involving proprietary technologies. Concurrently, standard, open and non-proprietary technologies, such as XML, SOAP, Web Services and the like, have greatly evolved and been diffused in the computing area. This article presents a FOUNDATION fieldbus (TM) device description technology named Open-EDD, based on XML and other related technologies (XLST, DOM using Xerces implementation, OO, XMIL Schema), proposing an open and nonproprietary alternative to the EDD (Electronic Device Description). This initial proposal includes defining Open-EDDML as the programming language of the technology in the FOUNDATION fieldbus (TM) protocol, implementing a compiler and a parser, and finally, integrating and testing the new technology using field devices and a commercial fieldbus configurator. This study attests that this new technology is feasible and can be applied to other configurators or HMI applications used in fieldbus automation systems. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A fieldbus simulator for training purposes

This article presents a fieldbus simulation platform and its remote access interface that enables a wide range of experiments, where users can configure operation sequences and procedures typical of Foundation Fieldbus systems. The simulation system was developed using LabVIEW, with requisites of deterministic execution, and a course management work frame web server called Moodle. The results were obtained through three different evaluations: schedule table execution, simulator functionality and finally, simulator productivity and achievement. The evaluation attests that this new tool is feasible, and can be applied for fieldbus automation systems training purposes, considering the robustness and stability in tests and the positive feedback from users. (C) 2008 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In-Line Monitoring of Particle Size during Emulsion Polymerization under Different Operational Conditions using NIR Spectroscopy

In the present work, the sensitivity of NIR spectroscopy toward the evolution of particle size was studied during emulsion homopolymerization of styrene (Sty) and emulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate-butyl acrylate conducted in a semibatch stirred tank and a tubular pulsed sieve plate reactor, respectively. All NIR spectra were collected online with a transflectance probe immersed into the reaction medium. The spectral range used for the NIR monitoring was from 9 500 to 13 000 cm(-1), where the absorbance of the chemical components present is minimal and the changes in the NIR spectrum can be ascribed to the effects of light scattering by the polymer particles. Off-line measurements of the average diameter of the polymer particles by DLS were used as reference values for the development of the multi-variate NIR calibration models based on partial least squares. Results indicated that, in the spectral range studied, it is possible to monitor the evolution of the average size of the polymer particles during emulsion polymerization reactions. The inclusion of an additional spectral range, from 5 701 to 6 447 cm(-1), containing information on absorbances (""chemical information"") in the calibration models was also evaluated.

Development of a Continuous Emulsion Copolymerization Process in a Tubular Reactor

This contribution describes the development of a continuous emulsion copolymerization processs for vinyl acetate and n-butyl acrylate in a tubular reactor. Special features of this reactor include the use of oscillatory (pulsed) flow and internals (sieve plates) to prevent polymer fouling and promote good radial mixing, along with a controlled amount of axial mixing. The copolymer system studied (vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate) is strongly prone to composition drift due to very different reactivity ratios. An axially dispersed plug flow model, based on classical free radical copolymerization kinetics, was developed for this process and used successfully to optimize the lateral feeding profile to reduce compositional drift. An energy balance was included in the model equations to predict the effect of temperature variations on the process. The model predictions were validated with experimental data for monomer conversion, copolymer composition, average particle size, and temperature measured along the reactor length.

A Survey for Diclofop-Methyl Resistance in Italian Ryegrass from Tennessee and How To Manage Resistance in Wheat

Italian ryegrass resistance to diclofop has been documented in several countries, including the United States. The purpose of this research was to screen selected putative resistant populations of Italian ryegrass for resistance to the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides diclofop and pinoxaden and the acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides imazamox, pyroxsulam, and mesosulfuron in the greenhouse and to use field experiments to develop herbicide programs for Italian ryegrass control. Resistance to diclofop was confirmed in eight populations from Tennessee. These eight populations did not show cross-resistance to pinoxaden. One additional population (R1) from Union County, North Carolina, was found to be resistant to both diclofop and pinoxaden. The level of resistance to pinoxaden of the R1 population was 15 times that of the susceptible population. No resistance was confirmed to any of the ALS-inhibiting herbicides examined in this research. Field experiments demonstrated PRE Italian ryegrass control with chlorsulfuron (71 to 94%) and flufenacet + metribuzin (84 to 96%). Italian ryegrass control with pendimethalin applied PRE or delayed preemergence (DPRE) was variable (0 to 85%). POST control of Italian ryegrass was acceptable with pinoxaden, mesosulfuron, flufenacet + metribuzin, and chlorsulfuron + flucarbazone (> 80%). Application timing and herbicide treatment had no effect on wheat yield, except for diclofop and pendimethalin treatments, in which uncontrolled Italian ryegrass reduced wheat yield.