Clinical and nutritional profile of individuals with Chagas disease

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanossoma cruzi, affects approximately 18 million individuals in the Americas, 5 million of which five in Brazil. Most chronic sufferers have either the indeterminate form of the disease, without organic compromise, or the cardiac or digestive forms. Despite the importance of this disease, there is no information on the effect of nutrition on CD evolution. We evaluated the clinical-nutritional profile of individuals with CD treated at the Tropical Diseases Nutrition Out-Patient Clinic of the Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP.A retrospective cohort study was performed between 2002 and 2006, on 66 patients with serum and parasitological diagnosis of CD. Epidemiological, clinical, nutritional, and biochemical data were collected, including gender, age, skin color, smoking, alcoholism, physical activity, weight, stature, body mass index, abdominal circumference, glycemia, and lipid profile. Fifty-three percent were mate and 47% female; 96% were white skinned. Mean age was 49.6±6.36 years. The predominant form was indeterminate in 71 %; smoking and drinking were recorded in 23% and 17%, respectively. Sedentariness predominated in 83%, and 55% presented increased abdominal circumference. Most, 94%, were overweight or obese. The biochemical exam revealed hyperglycemia in 12% and dyslipidemia in 74%. These findings suggest that the Chagas population presents co-morbidities and risk factors for developing chronic non-transmissible diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, making CD evolution even worse. © 2007 by The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Contexto Publishing. All rights reserved.

Background interference on the color of dental composite materials with different thickness by digital contrast

In this work the color dependence of resin composites with the background color was evaluated. The objective was to measure since what thickness the color of the sample stops being influenced by the color of the background over which the resin is placed and the methodology used in experiment was based in analyzing the contrast of digital images of the sample over a black background. The results shown that since 0.8 mm the images contrast becomes almost constant; it prove that since this thickness the color of resin composite depends on the optical resin properties only. The experiment was repeated under three conditions of luminosity to evaluate the influence of it on the image contrast and the results obtained were identical.

Microhardness assessment of different commercial brands of resin composites with different degrees of translucence

Owing to improvements in its mechanical properties and to the availability of shade and translucence resources, resin composite has become one of the most widely used restorative materials in present day Dentistry. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between the surface hardness of seven different commercial brands of resin composites (Charisma, Fill Magic, Master Fill, Natural Look, Opallis, Tetric Ceram, and Z250) and the different degrees of translucence (translucid, enamel and dentin). Vickers microhardness testing revealed significant differences among the groups. Z250 was the commercial brand that showed the best performance in the hardness test. When comparing the three groups assessed within the same brand, only Master Fill and Fill Magic presented statistically significant differences among all of the different translucencies. Natural Look was the only one that showed no significant difference among any of the three groups. Charisma, Opallis, Tetric Ceram and Z250 showed significant differences among some of the tested groups. Based on the results found in this study, it was not possible to establish a relation between translucence and the microhardness of the resin composites assessed. Depending on the material assessed, however, translucence variation did affect the microhardness values of the resin composites.

Visual evaluation of color stability after accelerated aging of pigmented and nonpigmented silicones to be used in facial prostheses

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate by a visual method of comparison the color stability of nonpigmented and pigmented facial silicones after accelerated aging. Materials and Methods: Two kinds of silicones were used in this study; one specifically formulated for facial prostheses and the other an acetic silicone for industrial use. Twenty-four trial bodies were made for each silicone. These were divided into colorless and intrinsically pigmented groups: ceramic, make-up, and iron oxide. The groups were submitted to accelerated aging for nonmetallic materials. An initial reading and subsequent readings were made at 163, 351, 692, and 1000 hours using a visual method of comparison. The values were annotated in a spreadsheet by two observers, according to scores elaborated for this study. Results: All groups presented color stability in the visual method. According to the results obtained and analyzed in this study, we can conclude that both silicones, Silastic 732 RTV and Silastic MDX 4-4210, behaved similarly, they can therefore be indicated for use in maxillofacial prosthesis. The time factor of aging influenced negatively, independently of the pigmentation, or lack of it, and of silicones and no group had visually noticeable alterations in any of the accelerated aging time, independently of the addition or not of pigments.

Direct measurement of the mass difference between top and antitop quarks

We present a measurement of the mass difference between t and t̄ quarks in lepton+jets final states of tt̄ events in 1fb-1 of data collected with the D0 detector from Fermilab Tevatron Collider pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV. The measured mass difference of 3.8±3.7GeV is consistent with the equality of t and t̄ masses. This is the first direct measurement of a mass difference between a quark and its antiquark partner. © 2009 The American Physical Society.

Evaluation of hardness and color stability in the soft lining materials after thermocycling and chemical polishing.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Shore A hardness and color stability of two soft lining materials after thermocycling and when chemical polishing was used or omitted. Two acrylic-based soft lining materials were tested: Coe-Soft and Soft Confort, 14 specimens were made for each material. They were distributed in four groups according to the treatment performed. The specimens were thermocycled (1000 cycles) and half of the group submitted to chemical polishing (methyl methacrylate). Shore A hardness was determined and color stability was calculated by means of Commission International de l'Eclairage Lab uniform color scale using a spectrophotometer, the measurements were made immediately after deflasked, chemical polishing and thermocycling. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's tests were performed at p < 0.01. Color changes (deltaE) were observed after thermocycling in both soft lining materials: Soft Confort (10.60) showed significantly higher values than Coe-Soft (4.57). Coe-Soft (26.42) showed higher Shore A hardness values than Soft Confort (19.42). Chemical polishing did not influence in the color stability of both materials; however, influenced in the hardness values of Coe-Soft.

Color alteration of the paint used for iris painting in ocular prostheses

The purpose of this study was to assess color alteration of the paints used for iris painting in artificial eyes. Five disks of heat cured acrylic resin were confectioned by microwave energy for each paint analyzed, in a total of 40 specimens. Each specimen consisted of a colorless acrylic resin disk and another of equal size, of scleral white colored acrylic resin, with the painting interposed between the two disks. The specimens were submitted to an accelerated aging process in a chamber under ultraviolet radiation for 1,008 hours. To assess color variation, a reflective spectrophotometer was used. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and the Tukey test (p < 0.05). All the paints underwent chromatic alteration. The oil paint presented the highest resistance to accelerated aging.

Color stability after accelerated aging of two silicones, pigmented or not, for use in facial prostheses

One of the greatest challenges faced by buccomaxillofacial prosthetists is to reproduce the patient's exact skin color and provide adequate esthetics. To reach this objective, professionals must use materials with easy characterization and that maintain color over long periods of time. The objective of this study was, thus, to evaluate the color stability of two types of silicones, Silastic 732 and Silastic MDX4-4210. Twenty-four test specimens were made from each type of silicone and were divided into a colorless group and groups intrinsically pigmented with ceramics, cosmetics or iron oxide. The specimens were submitted to an accelerated system of aging for non-metallic materials. Readings were carried out initially and after periods corresponding to 163, 351, 692 and 1,000 hours of aging, using a reflection spectrophotometer analysis, and color alterations were calculated by the CIE L*a*b* system. The data were submitted to variance analysis and Tukey's test at a 5% level of probability. The results demonstrated that, irrespective of the period of time analyzed, all the materials underwent some type of chromatic alteration (ΔE > 0). The test specimens made with Silastic 732 and MDX4-4210, without pigmentation, presented the lowest color alteration values after 1,000 hours of aging. Of the pigments, ceramic presented the lowest color alteration values and cosmetic powder presented the highest values. Thus, it may be concluded that the materials without the incorporation of pigments presented similar color alteration values, and did not differ statistically. The cosmetic powder used in this study was the pigment that most altered the color of the test specimens. © 2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica.

Assessment of color fidelity of several composite resins compared to their Vita Classical shade registration

This study compared the color fidelity of different composite resins with their registration in the Vita Classical Shade Guide. Using a prefabricated Teflon mold, 120 specimens were divided into four groups fn - 30), according to the resin tested. Three subgroups (a = 10) were prepared for each resin group; these subgroups tested enamel shade, dentin shade, and enamel and dentin shade. Three measurements were performed to verily whether the tooth shade matched that of the Vita Classical Shade Guide. The color was evaluated and the shade variations were calculated. The data were submitted to a three-way AN OVA test (time, color match, and composite type), followed by Tukey's test. It was concluded that all composite resins showed color differences in relation to the Vita Classical Shade Guide.

Effect of photochemical activation of hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel with and without TiO2 and different wavelengths

Aim: To evaluate the effect of photochemical activation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching gel with different wavelengths. Methods: In the study, 80 bovine incisors were used, which were stained in 25% soluble coffee and divided in 4 groups. The initial color was measured with the Easy Shade spectrophotometer by CIE Lab. An experimental 35% H2O2 bleaching gel was used, either with or without the presence of titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment, associated with two light sources: G1 - Transparent Gel (TG) and no activation; G2 - Gel with TiO2 and activation with blue LED (l=470nm)\laser (Easy Bleach) appliance; G3 - Gel with TiO2 and activation with ultraviolet (l=345nm - UV); G4 - TG and activation with UV. Three applications of the gels were made for 10 min, and in each, 3 activations of 3 min, with interval of 30 s between them. The coloration was evaluated again and the variation in color perception (DE) was calculated. The data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test at 5% significance level. Results: There were significant differences between G1 and G4. The greatest E value was observed in G4 (13.37). There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the groups 2, 3 and 4. Conclusions: The presence of TiO2 particules in the bleaching gel did not interfere at the bleaching results.

pH-changes during intracoronal bleaching: An in vivo study

Objectives: This study aimed to measure pH changes during 14 days intracoronal bleaching with hydrogen peroxide/sodium perborate and carbamide peroxide/sodium perborate. Materials and methods: Twenty patients presenting endodontically treated central maxillary incisors with color alterations were divided in two groups (n = 10): Group CP + SP: 37% carbamide peroxide + sodium perborate paste; Group HP + SP: 30% hydrogen peroxide + sodium perborate paste. The pH values were measured using a digital microprocessor at different times: Baseline, 2, 7 and 14 days. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Results: ANOVA showed p < 0.00 which indicated significant difference between the groups. The mean values (± sd) and the results of the Tukey's test were: HP + SP/14 days-7.98 (±0.58)a; HP + SP/7 days-8.59 (±0.18)b; HP + SP/2 days-8.83 (±0.32)bc; HP + SP/Baseline-8.83 (±0.01)bc; CP + SP/Baseline-8.89 (±0.01)bc; CP + SP/14 days-9.11 (±0.58)cd; CP + SP/7 days-9.54 (±0.16)de; CP + SP/2 days-9.66 (±0.08) de. The group HP + SP resulted in significantly lower pH values compared with group CP + SP. Conclusion: It can be concluded that both associations showed alkaline pH values; however, there was significant reduction in the pH values of the 30% hydrogen peroxide associated with sodium perborate after 14 days. Clinical Significance: The association of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide with sodium perborate paste presented alkaline characteristics during the 14-day evaluated period. Thus, regarding pH changes, both associations can be considered safe as intracoronal bleaching agents.

Measuring and analyzing color and texture information in anatomical leaf cross sections: An approach using computer vision to aid plant species identification

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

Color stability of resins and nylon as denture base material in beverages

Purpose: Staining of prosthodontic materials may result in patient dissatisfaction and additional expense for replacement. This study aimed to determine the color stability of two heat-cured denture base acrylic (Lucitone 550, Vipi Cril) and one nylon denture base resin (Transflex) after immersion in beverages. Materials and Methods: Forty disks of each resin (20.0-mm diameter, 3.0-mm thick) were prepared and stored in distilled water for 24 hours at 37°C. During that time (T 0), the color of all specimens was spectrophotometrically measured. Each specimen was immersed in coffee, cola, red wine, and distilled water as a means of control. After 15-day (T 1) and 30-day (T 2) periods of immersion, the color of the specimens was measured again. The CIE (Commission Internationale de L' Eclairage) L*a*b* system was used to determine mean ΔE (color changes) values for each material and compared statistically with two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni intervals at 0.95. Results: In ΔET 0T 1 and ΔET 0T 2 the most severe staining was apparent with red wine (p < 0.001), followed by coffee (p < 0.01), when compared to the specimens stored in distilled water. Transflex also showed significant color change after immersion in cola (p < 0.01). In ΔET 1T 2 only red wine promoted significant staining of all resins (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Chromatic changes were exhibited by specimens immersed in red wine, followed by coffee. For Transflex, cola also promoted color changes. The values of color changes converted to National Bureau of Standard units showed them to be perceivable to the human eye. © 2011 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Color stability of composites: effect of immersion media.

Coloring in drinks decreases the color stability of composite restorations, reducing their longevity. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of immersion media on color stability of seven different composite resins (Solidex - Shofu, Resilab-Wilcos, Signum - Heraeus, Epricord - Tokuyama, Adoro - Ivoclar Vivadent, Admira - Voco and Sinfony - 3MESPE). Seven resin-based composite specimens were prepared using a cylindrical teflon mold 2 mm thick and 10 mm in diameter Fifteen specimens of each resin were light-cured according to manufacturers' instructions and randomized into 3 groups (n= 5) according to immersion media: coffee, cola beverage and water A digital spectrophotometer Easy Shade (VITA) was used to evaluate the color changes at baseline and 7 days after immersion in each solution. Specimens were stored in the different staining media for 24 h/day during one week. The color differences were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey 's test (p< 0.05). Color change was observed after one week of immersion and there were statistical differences in staining, composite and interaction factors. The least staining was observed in Admira (deltaE= 3.934+/-0.814) and Resilab (deltaE= 3.993+/-0.735), followed by Adoro (deltaE= 4.044+/-1.001), Epri-cord (deltaE= 4.049+/-1.234), Signum (deltaE= 4.260+/-1.785), Solidex (deltaE=5,122+/-0.534) and Sinfony (deltaE=5.126+/-0.838). All of the composites tested except Adoro were susceptible to staining by substances present in coffee and cola, when stored in beverage for seven days. The lowest deltaE means were obtained with Admira.