Photoelastic analysis of forces generated by T-loop springs made with stainless steel or titanium-molybdenum alloy

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to use photoelastic analysis to compare the system of forces generated by retraction T-loop springs made with stainless steel and titanium-molybdenum alloy (TMA) (Ormco, Glendora, Calif) with photoelastic analysis. Methods: Three photoelastic models were used to evaluate retraction T-loop springs with the same preactivations in 2 groups. In group 1, the loop was constructed with a stainless steel wire, and 2 helicoids were incorporated on top of the T-loop; in group 2, it was made with TMA and no helicoids. Results: Upon using the qualitative analysis of the fringe order in the photoelastic model, it was observed that the magnitude of force generated by the springs in group 1 was significantly higher than that in group 2. However, both had symmetry for the active and reactive units related to the system of force. Conclusions: Both springs had the same mechanical characteristics. TMA springs showed lower force levels. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;140:e123-e128)

Pediatric Chronic Sclerosing Sialadenitis: Kuttner Tumor

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis is an uncommon cause of salivary gland enlargement mainly occurring in the fifth and seventh decade of life. In the Western population, chronic sclerosing sialadenitis has been characterized as an IgG4-related disease. Although rare, this lesion occurs in children. To increase awareness about this entity in the pediatric age group, we report the case of an 11-year-old boy with a hard, 4.0-cm circumscribed mass in the right submandibular gland. Histologically there was marked distortion of the gland architecture by a dense lymphocytic infiltrate and extensive fibrosis with septa that crossed and distorted the gland, leaving atrophic acini and dilated, irregular ducts. The lymphoid infiltrate formed multiple follicles with active germinal centers, numerous plasma cells, and areas with diffuse arrangement. Immunophenotyping showed abundant CD20- and CD3-positive lymphocytes; cytokeratin AE1/AE3 highlighted the distorted architectural pattern; IgG staining showed large numbers of positive cells infiltrating the interstitium and surrounding the atrophic acini and ducts. IgG4 staining revealed a large proportion of positive infiltrating elements. Kuttner tumor belongs to the group of IgG4-related sclerosing diseases. The differential diagnosis includes pleomorphic adenoma and other salivary gland neoplasms. Its recognition in children is important clinically because this entity is amenable to steroid treatment, and additional work up and follow up is warranted to stave off other IgG4-related diseases/complications.

Experimental surgery of the facial nerve. Assessment of the intraperitoneal use of exogenous gangliosides

Compression and section of the facial nerve were performed in 48 rats in order to study the anatomopathological alterations occurring after daily intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg of exogenous gangliosides (Sinaxial®) for 45, 90, 180 days. In groups submitted to nerve compression, the histopathological changes were discrete and in the 180-day subgroups the nerve was practically normal. In animals submitted to section and neurorrhaphy there was formation of an amputation neuroma, a granuloma around the suture, axonal unstructuration and inter and perineural fibrosis. No significant differences were observed between the groups submitted or not to injection of exogenous gangliosides, indicating that the major factors involved in the quality of nerve regeneration were the technique and the formation of fibrosis and of an amputation neuroma.

Toxic mechanism of nickel exposure on cardiac tissue

The incidence of cardiovascular disease has increased in the general population, and cardiac damage is indicated as one important cause of mortality. In addition, pollution and metal exposure have increased in recent years. For this reason, toxic effects of metals, such as nickel, and their relation to cardiac damage should be urgently established. Although free radical-mediated cellular damage and reactive oxygen species have been theorized as contributing to the nickel mechanism of toxicity, recent investigations have established that free radicals may be important contributors to cardiac dysfunction. However, there is little information on the effect of nickel exposure on markers of oxidative stress in cardiac tissue. Nickel exposure (Ni2+ 100 mg L-1 from NiSO4) significantly increased lipoperoxide and total lipid concentrations in cardiac tissue. We also observed increased serum levels of cholesterol (59%), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-64%), and alanine transaminase (ALT-30%) in study animals. The biochemical parameters recovered to the control values with tocopherol intake (0.2 mg 200 g-1). Vitamin E alone significantly decreased the lipoperoxide concentration and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the heart. Since no alterations were observed in catalase and GSH-Px activities by nickel exposure while SOD activities were decreased, we conclude that superoxide radical (O2 -) generated by nickel exposure is of primary importance in the pathogenesis of cardiac damage. Tocopherol, by its antioxidant activity, decreased the toxic effects of nickel exposure on heart of rats.

Toxic mechanism of cadmium exposure on cardiac tissue

The presence of toxic substances in the workplace environment requires systematic evaluation of exposure and health status in exposed subjects. Cadmium is a highly toxic element found in water. Although free mediated cellular damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS), had been theorized as contributing to the cadmium mechanism of toxicity, and recent investigations have established that free radicals may be important contributors to cardiac dysfunction, there is little information on the effect of cadmium exposure on markers of oxidative stress in cardiac tissue. Cadmium exposure (Cd2+ - 100 mg/1-from CdCl2) in drinking water, during 15 days, significantly increased lipoperoxide and decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. No alterations were observed in catalase activity in heart of rats with cadmium exposure. We also observed decreased glycogen and glucose concentration and increased total lipid content in cardiac tissue of rats with cadmium exposure. The decreased activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase reflected decreased metabolic protein degradation, and increased lactate dehydrogenase activity was related with increases in capacity of glycolysis. Since the metabolic pathways were altered by cadmium exposure, we can conclude that Cd2+ exposure induced ROS and initiate some series of events that occur in the heart and resulted in metabolic pathways alterations.

Evaluation of a protein deficient diet in rats through blood oxidative stress biomarkers

Protein malnutrition leads to functional impairment in several organs, which is not fully restored with nutritional recovery. Little is known about the role of oxidative stress in the genesis of these alterations. This study was designed to assess the sensitivity of blood oxidative stress biomarkers to a dietary protein restriction. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, according to the diet fed from weaning (21 days) to 60 day old: normal protein (17% protein) and low protein (6% protein). Serum protein, albumin, free fatty acid and liver glycogen and lipids were evaluated to assess the nutritional status. Blood glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) activities, plasma total sulfhydryl groups concentration (TSG) as well as plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) and reactive carbonyl derivatives (RCD) were measured as biomarkers of the antioxidant system and oxidative damage, respectively. The glucose metabolism in soleus muscle was also evaluated as an index of stress severity imposed to muscular mass by protein malnutrition. No difference was observed in muscle glucose metabolism or plasma RCD concentration between both groups. However, our results showed that the low protein group had higher plasma TBARs (62%) concentration and lower TSG (44%) concentration than control group, indicating increased reactive oxygen species production in low protein group. The enhancement of erythrocyte GR (29%) and CAT (28%) activities in this group also suggest an adaptation to the stress generated by the protein deficiency. Taken together, the results presented here show that the biomarkers used were able to reflect the oxidative stress level induced by this specific protein deficient diet.

Sensitivity analysis for overload-relief in transmission lines using an implicitly coupled method (CRIC)

The restructuring of energy markets to provide free access to the networks and the consequent increase of the number of power transactions has been causing congestions in transmission systems. As consequence, the networks suffer overloads in a more frequent way. One parameter that has strong influence on transfer capability is the reactive power flow. A sensitivity analysis can be used to find the best solution to minimize the reactive power flows and relief, the overload in one transmission line. The proposed methodology consists on the computation of two sensitivities based on the use of the Lc matrix from CRIC (Constant Reactive Implicitly Coupled) power flow method, that provide a set of actions to reduce the reactive power flow and alleviate overloads in the lines: (a) sensitivity between reactive power flow in lines and reactive power injections in the buses, (b) sensitivity between reactive power flow in lines and transformer's taps. © 2006 IEEE.

A specialized genetic algorithm to solve the short term transmission network expansion planning

In this paper, the short term transmission network expansion planning (STTNEP) is solved through a specialized genetic algorithm (SGA). A complete AC model of the transmission network is used, which permits the formulation of an integrated power system transmission network expansion planning problem (real and reactive power planning). The characteristics of the proposed SGA to solve the STTNEP problem are detailed and an interior point method is employed to solve nonlinear programming problems during the solution steps of the SGA. Results of tests carried out with two electrical energy systems show the capabilities of the SGA and also the viability of using the AC model to solve the STTNEP problem. © 2009 IEEE.

Multiarea optimal power flow using multiobjective evolutionary algorithm

In this work the multiarea optimal power flow (OPF) problem is decoupled into areas creating a set of regional OPF subproblems. The objective is to solve the optimal dispatch of active and reactive power for a determined area, without interfering in the neighboring areas. The regional OPF subproblems are modeled as a large-scale nonlinear constrained optimization problem, with both continuous and discrete variables. Constraints violated are handled as objective functions of the problem. In this way the original problem is converted to a multiobjective optimization problem, and a specifically-designed multiobjective evolutionary algorithm is proposed for solving the regional OPF subproblems. The proposed approach has been examined and tested on the RTS-96 and IEEE 354-bus test systems. Good quality suboptimal solutions were obtained, proving the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach. ©2009 IEEE.

Continuous torque system with control of the reaction unit

This article describes an orthodontic system used to obtain active continuous torque with movement control of both active and reactive units; the system relies on principles of the segmented technique. A cantilever system with .017 x .025-in beta-titanium alloy wire was designed to provide the desirable moment on the active unit. A transpalatal bar or a lingual arch increases the anchorage and neutralizes the side effects on the reactive unit. This technique is an efficient approach for major corrections of buccolingual inclinations of certain teeth. © 2010 American Association of Orthodontists.

Análise das prevalências de doenças detectadas pelo programa nacional de triagem neonatal no município de Araraquara no ano de 2009

The National Neonatal Screening Program (NNSP) set up in all Brazil, aims, through planned phases of local implementation, to detect diseases such as phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, hemoglobinopathies and cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assess, through a cross-sectional observational study, the prevalence of the diseases detected by the NNSP in the city of Araraquara, in records issued by the São Paulo APAE laboratory in the period between April and December 2009.The results show that Araraquara had a prevalence of phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism 0.06% above the national averages of 0.01% and 0.03% respectively. With respect to hemoglobinopathies, the prevalence of sickle cell trait was 2.15% below the national average of 2.6%. The prevalence of Hb C in the city was 0.57%, similar to national values reported in the literature. Confirmed Hb Bart's had a prevalence of 0.13% in Araraquara, below the average of 0.38% for the surrounding region. The neonatal screening by heel-prick test and counseling for caregivers are important factors in reducing morbidity related to the evolution of these diseases.

Short-term planning of electric power distribution networks using multiobjective genetic algorithim

The high active and reactive power level demanded by the distribution systems, the growth of consuming centers, and the long lines of the distribution systems result in voltage variations in the busses compromising the quality of energy supplied. To ensure the energy quality supplied in the distribution system short-term planning, some devices and actions are used to implement an effective control of voltage, reactive power, and power factor of the network. Among these devices and actions are the voltage regulators (VRs) and capacitor banks (CBs), as well as exchanging the conductors sizes of distribution lines. This paper presents a methodology based on the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) for optimized allocation of VRs, CBs, and exchange of conductors in radial distribution systems. The Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm (MGA) is aided by an inference process developed using fuzzy logic, which applies specialized knowledge to achieve the reduction of the search space for the allocation of CBs and VRs.

Fluxo de potência trifásico probabilístico para redes de distribuição usando o método de estimação por pontos

In this paper the point estimation method is applied to solve the probabilistic power flow problem for unbalanced three-phase distribution systems. Through the implementation of this method the probability distribution functions of voltages (magnitude and angle) as well as the active and reactive power flows in the branches of the distribution system are determined. Two different approaches of the point estimation method are presented (2m and 2m+1 point schemes). In order to test the proposed methodology, the IEEE 34 and 123 bus test systems are used. The results obtained with both schemes are compared with the ones obtained by a Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS).

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ROSEMARY EXTRACT IN SOYBEAN OIL UNDER THERMOXIDATION

This study examined the antioxidant activity of lyophilized rosemary extract added to soybean oil, subjected to thermoxidation conditions and also its synergistic effect with the synthetic antioxidant tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). Soybean oil samples with no antioxidant added (SO), 3,000mg/kg rosemary extract (RE), 50mg/kg TBHQ (TBHQ), and a mixture of those two antioxidants (RE+TBHQ) were heated to 180C for 20h. After 0, 10 and 20h, the oxidative stability, total polar compounds, tocopherol content and fatty acid profile were determined. The addition of rosemary extract increased oxidative stability and resulted in a lower formation of total polar compounds and a higher retention of tocopherols. The RE treatment showed the highest amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids after 20h. There was not any synergy between TBHQ and rosemary extract in preventing oxidation of soybean oil. Rosemary extract showed a higher antioxidant potential when compared with TBHQ. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Antioxidants are important ingredients in food processing because they have the capacity to protect foods, containing oils and fats, from damage caused by free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Synthetic antioxidants are widely used in the food industry; however, their utilization has been questioned because of toxicity. Therefore, there is a growing interest in the use of natural antioxidants to reduce or replace the synthetic antioxidants. Several species are used in cooking, medicine and by the pharmaceutical industry, standing out the rosemary. Being rich in compounds with high antioxidant activity, the rosemary extract can be used to replace synthetic antioxidants used in vegetable oils. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Doxorubicin induced dilated cardiomyopathy in a rabbit model: An update

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by chamber dilation and cardiac dysfunction. Because of the poor prognosis, models are needed for the investigation of and development of new therapeutic approaches, as well as stem cell therapy. Doxorubicin (DOX), used as chemotherapeutic agent, is reported to be cumulative cardiotoxic causing DCM. The aim of the study was to investigate the onset of systolic dysfunction using echocardiography in rabbits receiving two different doses of DOX (1. mg/kg twice a week and 2. mg/kg once a week). Twenty rabbits were treated with doxorubicin in two different doses for 6. weeks and compared with a control group treated with NaCl 0.9%. The effect of doxorubicin on the myocardium was investigated with histological analysis and scanning electron microscopy of left ventricle (LV), as well as in the interventricular septum (IVS) and right ventricle (RV). The results showed a high mortality rate for rabbits receiving 2. mg/kg once a week. A significant reduction in systolic function was present in animals treated with DOX after 6. weeks, with decreased ejection fraction and shortening fraction. Histology and electron microscopy revealed vacuolization, intracytoplasmic granulation, necrosis and interstitial fibrosis in LV, as well as in the IVS and RV. Doxorubicin induced changes are present in the LV, RV and IVS, and the administration at the dose of 1. mg/kg twice a week for only 6. weeks is safe and sufficient to induce DCM in rabbits. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.