Pixel intensity and fractal analyses: detecting osteoporosis in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women by using digital panoramic images

Objective. Pixel intensity values (PI) and fractal dimensions (FD) were compared in selected mandibular regions on digital panoramic images of normal, osteopenic, and osteoporotic perimenopausal and postmenopausal women to evaluate their relative efficacies in detecting osteoporotic-associated bone density changes.Study design. Standardized mandibular angle, body, and canine/premolar (C/PM) regions on 54 charge-coupied device (CCD) digital panoramic images of normal and potentially osteoporotic postmenopausal women were analyzed for PI and FD. Lumbar spine and femoral neck dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry QXA) on each patient served as the reference standard examination. Pearson correlation coefficients and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed.Results. There was significant correlation among PI measurements (P < 0.01), and no significant correlation between FD. C/PM had significantly lower PI than control C/PM (P = 0.049).Conclusions. Osteoporotic changes in mandibular C/PM cancellous bone were detected in our study population on CCD digital panoramic images by using a robust image analysis paradigm. Future automated application of such image analysis could enable widespread, cost effective screening for osteoporosis in dental settings.

Detection of the Vandibular Canal and the Mental Foramen in Panoramic Radiographs: Intraexaminer Agreement

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraexaminer agreement in the detection of the mandibular canal roof (MCR) and mental foramen (MF) in panoramic radiographs. Forty panoramic radiographs of edentulous patients were used. Two calibrated examiners (A and B) read the images 2 times, for both sides independently, under blind conditions. The interval between the readings was 10 days. The intraexaminer agreement in the interpretation of MCR and MF was performed by kappa statistics with linear weighting (x). The intraexaminer agreement for the detection of MCR, in the left side, was good for both examiners (A: kappa = 0.67; B: kappa = 0.71). Related to the right side, it was found to be kappa = 0.47 and kappa = 0.62, respectively to A and B. The intraexaminer agreement for the detection of MF was good for both examiners interpreting the left side (A: kappa = 0.61; B: kappa = 0.63), and in relation to the right side, it was moderate (A: kappa = 0.51) and fair (B: kappa = 0.38). The intraexaminer agreement in the detection of MCR was good and from good to fair in the detection of MF.

Recursive hierarchic segmentation analysis of bone mineral density changes on digital panoramic images

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A morpho-histological and ultrastructural study of the mandibular glands of Atta sexdens worker ants (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

We describe here the morphology, histology and ultrastructure of the mandibular glands of Atta sexdens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) worker ants. The mandibular glands consist of a reservoir with an excretory duct and a secretory portion linked to the reservoir trough canaliculi. These glands have the same morphology in the three castes studied, differing only in size, with smaller glands observed in minima workers and larger glands in soldiers.

Treatment of snoring and sleep apnea syndrome with a removable mandibular advancement device in patients without TMD

INTRODUCTION: Among the sleep disorders reported by the American Academy of Sleep, the most common is obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), which is caused by difficulties in air passage and complete interruption of air flow in the airway. This syndrome is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in apneic individuals. OBJECTIVE: It was the objective of this paper to evaluate a removable mandibular advancement device as it provides a noninvasive, straightforward treatment readily accepted by patients. METHODS: In this study, 15 patients without temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and with excessive daytime sleepiness or snoring were evaluated. Data were collected by means of: Polysomnography before and after placement of an intraoral appliance, analysis of TMD signs and symptoms using a patient history questionnaire, muscle and TMJ palpation. RESULTS: After treatment, the statistical analysis (t-test, and the before and after test) showed a mean reduction of 77.6% (p=0.001) in the apnea-hypopnea index, an increase in lowest oxyhemoglobin saturation (p=0.05), decrease in desaturation (p=0.05), decrease in micro-awakenings or EEG arousals (p=0.05) and highly significant improvement in daytime sleepiness (p=0.005), measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. No TMD appeared during the monitoring period. CONCLUSION: The oral device developed in this study was considered effective for mild to moderate OSAHS.

Validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A new species of Constrictotermes from central Brazil with notes on the mandibular glands of workers (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)

Constrictotermes rupestris, new species, is described from central Brazil, with illustrations of the imago, soldier, worker head, worker mandibles, worker mandibular gland, and nest. The new species lives in a dry forest, on rocky terrain, building its nest always on rocks. In the colonies examined, all castes showed a striking reddish coloration due to something accumulated in the fat tissues. Inquilinitermes microcerus was present in most examined nests. The worker of C. rupestris has an enlarged mandibular gland. Workers also show an aggressive behavior, which suggests that the mandibular glands may produce defensive secretions.

Histological and morphometric comparisons of worker and queen mandibular glands of Melipona bicolor bicolor (Hymenoptera, Meliponini)

In the present investigation we analyzed both histology and area of secretory cells from workers, virgin and physogastric queen mandibular glands of Melipona bicolor bicolor Lepeletier. The histological differences observed include the number of vacuoles present in the cell cytoplasm and the quantity and distribution of the secretion. The morphometry results demonstrated the occurrence of significative differences in the cell area values that were related to the secretory cell activity level, which is higher in the physogastric queens. Worker and queen glands have histological patterns quite similar, but the morphometric data indicated cast-specific differences, as well as differences between the queens, which were related to the posture activity.

The mandibular lingula's position in children as a reference to inferior alveolar nerve block

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the position of the mandibular lingula (ML) to provide data for inferior alveolar nerve block techniques in children. Methods: One hundred fifty-four panoramic radiographs of 7- to 10-year-old boys and girls were analyzed. Measurements were taken from the ML to the occlusal plane, and the percentile distances of the ML to ramal borders were determined. Results: The distance between the ML and the occlusal plane showed a gradual increase, but only in the male group was it statistically significant. MLs ratio position on the ramus remained constant in all analyzed groups. In the 7-year-old group, the ML was observed above the occlusal plane in 70% of girls and 55% of boys. That percentage reached 85% of all children by age 10. Conclusions: The mandibular lingula's ratio position remained constant. Inferior alveolar anesthesia should be administered at least 6 mm above the occlusal plane in 7- to 8-year-old children, while 10 mm could be indicated for 9- to 10-year-old children. The mandibular lingula should be considered a reliable reference for further studies of inferior alveolar nerve block techniques.

Panoramic view of the occurrence of Yersinia species other than Y. pestis in Brazil

Data on the occurrence of Yersinia species, other than Y. pestis in Brazil are presented. Over the past 40 years, 767 Yersinia strains have been identified and typed by the National Reference Center on Yersinia spp. other than Y. pestis, using the classical biochemical tests for species characterization. The strains were further classified into biotypes, serotypes and phagetypes when pertinent. These tests led to the identification of Yersinia cultures belonging to the species Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. intermedia, Y. frederiksenii and Y. kristensenii. Six isolates could not be classified in any of the known Yersinia species and for this reason were defined as Non-typable (NT). The bio-sero-phagetypes of these strains were diverse. The following species of Yersinia were not identified among the Brazilian strains by the classical phenotypic or biochemical tests: Y. aldovae, Y. rhodei, Y. mollaretti, Y. bercovieri and Y. ruckeri. The Yersinia strains were isolated from clinical material taken from sick and/or healthy humans and animals, from various types of food and from the environment, by investigators of various Institutions localized in different cities and regions of Brazil.

Marginal resection for treatment of mandibular osteomyelitis associated with osteopetrosis: Case report

Osteopetrosis (OP) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by a dysfunction of the osteoclasts that impairs bone resorption, which together with the normal osteoblastic activity forms intense bone sclerosis with reduction of marrow. A common complication that arises, most frequently, as a result of tooth extraction is mandibular osteomyelitis. There is no consensus on the literature about the treatment of this infection in an osteopetrotic patient, therefore, the purpose of this paper is to report a case of marginal resection for treatment of mandibular osteomyelitis in an osteopetrotic patient and discuss relevant features of this procedure. © 2010 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

Osteossarcoma mandibular em gato: Relato de Caso

The primary malignant bone tumors are uncommon in cats. Osteosarcoma is the most frequently observed in old animals. This tumors affects the appendicular skeleton, however the axial skeleton is also affected, but the bones of the head and pelvis frequent sites of injury. This paper reports a case of a cat with a history of progressive swelling in the left mandible, with follow-up period of four months. The presumptive diagnosis of osteopathy, signed by clinical and radiographic observations were confirmed by histopathology and there it is moderately productive osteoblastic osteosarcoma.

Características morfológicas dentoesqueléticas das más oclusões de classe I, classe II e classe II subdivisão

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da densidade óssea mandibular por meio de tomografias computadorizadas: Multislice e de feixe cônico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Data collection on bone density of mandibular alveolar bone on a Hounsfield scale of the dental apex of the cranial root of the first inferior molar in dogs using computed tomography at FMVZ-UNESP

The head is the most important and specialized region in the body because it contains a range of specialized organs and, because it has interconnections between specialized organs, there is a great overlap of images. Thus, computed tomography (CT) helps in diagnosing diseases in this region, such as oral conditions, as they provide millimetric slices or cuts and demonstrate the relationship between the various anatomical structures involved, in volume and depth. Within dentistry, CT helps in the identification of pathological processes such as infection, tumors, visualization of embedded teeth and bone bed. This study aimed to assess the density of the mandibular alveolar bone at a determined point to later predict how periodontal disease is involved in bone resorption. For this, we performed a blind retrospective study (n = 124) of the CT scan files of dog skulls at FMVZ-UNESP in order to determine the density of the jaw bone using a Hounsfield scale, in the region of the dental apex of the cranial root of the first molar tooth in dogs. The results obtained were evaluated using mean and standard deviation (27.28 +/- 9.53 HU) in order to predict the normal density of the mandibular alveolar bone in the studied region. Thus, this data analysis allows a more concise evaluation of bone resorption of mandibular alveolar bone and, therefore, provides an adequate surgical planning in cases of osteosynthesis given mainly by the presence of installed periodontal disease.