An Embedded-Sensor Approach for Concrete Resistivity Measurement in On-Site Corrosion Monitoring: Cell Constants Determination.

The concrete electrical resistivity is a prominent parameter in structural health monitoring, since, along with corrosion potential, it provides relevant qualitative diagnosis of the reinforcement corrosion. This study proposes a simple expression to reliable determine resistivity from the concrete electrical resistance (RE) provided by the corrosion sensor of the Integrated Network of Sensors for Smart Corrosion Monitoring (INESSCOM) we have developed. The novelty here is that distinct from common resistivity sensors, the cell constants obtained by the proposed expression are intended to be valid for any sensor implementation scenario. This was ensured by studying most significant geometrical features of the sensor in a wide set of calibration solutions. This embedded-sensor approach is intended to be applicable for RE measurements obtained both using potential step voltammetry (PSV, used in the INESSCOM sensor for corrosion rate measurement) and alternating current methods. In this regard, we present a simple protocol to reliably determine RE, and therefore resistivity, from PSV measurements. It consists in adding a very short potentiostatic pulse to the original technique. In this way, we are able to easy monitor resistivity along with corrosion rate through a single sensor, an advantage which is not usual in structural health monitoring.

The impact of 48 h high carbohydrate diets with high and low FODMAP content on gastrointestinal status and symptoms in response to endurance exercise, and subsequent endurance performance.

This study investigated the effects of a high carbohydrate diet, with varied fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharide and polyol (FODMAP) content, before endurance exercise on gastrointestinal integrity, motility, and symptoms; and subsequent exercise performance. Twelve endurance athletes were provided with a 48 h high carbohydrate (mean ± SD: 12.1 ± 1.8 g kg day-1) diet on two separate occasions, composed of high (54.8 ± 10.5 g day-1) and low FODMAP (3.0 ± 0.2 g day-1) content. Thereafter, participants completed a 2 h steady-state running exercise at 60% of V ˙ O 2 max (22.9 ± 1.2 °C, 46.4 ± 7.9% RH), followed by a 1 h distance performance test. Pre-exercise and every 20 min during steady-state exercise, 100 mL maltodextrin (10% w/v) solution was consumed. A 150 mL lactulose (20 g) solution was consumed 30 min into the distance performance test to determine orocecal transit time (OCTT) during exercise. Blood was collected pre- and post exercise to determine gastrointestinal integrity biomarkers (i.e., I-FABP, sCD14, and CRP). Breath hydrogen (H2) and gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) were determined pre-exercise, every 15 min, during and throughout recovery. No differences in gastrointestinal integrity biomarkers, OCTT, or distance completed were observed between trials. Pre-exercise total-GIS (1.3 ± 2.9 vs. 4.3 ± 4.4), gut discomfort (9.9 ± 8.1 vs. 15.8 ± 9.0), and upper-GIS (2.8 ± 2.6 vs. 5.7 ± 4.8) during exercise were less severe on high carbohydrate low FODMAP (HC-LFOD) versus high carbohydrate high FODMAP (HC-HFOD) (p < 0.05). Gut discomfort (3.4 ± 4.4 vs. 0.2 ± 0.6) and total-GIS (4.9 ± 6.8 vs. 0.2 ± 0.6) were higher during recovery on HC-LFOD versus HC-HFOD (p < 0.05). The FODMAP content of a 48 h high carbohydrate diet does not impact gastrointestinal integrity or motility in response to endurance exercise. However, a high FODMAP content exacerbates GIS before and during exercise, but this does not impact performance outcomes.

Patient-Reported Outcomes in Adolescent and Young Adult Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Treated with Radiotherapy.

Purpose: There are few studies of adolescent and young adult (AYA) head and neck (H&N) cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy. A recall of AYA H&N survivors was performed and this article evaluates their cross-sectional patient-reported outcomes. Methods: AYA H&N cancer survivors who had received radiotherapy in British Columbia between 1970 and 2010 participated in this study. Participants completed the Psychosocial Screen for Cancer-Revised (PSSCAN-R), Research and Development (RAND)-36 health-related quality of life, and the Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey, version 2.0 (VHNSS 2.0), to evaluate late effects from treatment. Results: There were 36 participants in the study. Severe symptoms (greater than or equal to 4/10) were reported on the VHNSS 2.0 by 51% of participants for xerostomia, 35% for dysphagia, and 37% for dental/mucosal sensitivity. On the PSSCAN-R, 35% had moderate/high anxiety scores and 48% had moderate/high depression scores. The mean RAND-36 participant scores were as follows: physical functioning, 86.1; physical role functioning, 71.4; emotional role functioning, 75.1; energy/fatigue, 56.6; emotional well-being, 74.6; social functioning, 76.3; bodily pain, 71.7; and general health, 65.6. Conclusions: AYA survivors in our study reported significant late effects from H&N radiotherapy and high depression and anxiety scores, but generally high health-related quality of life. Prospective evaluation of psychosocial needs and H&N-related complications is warranted in this subgroup at high risk of late effects from treatment.

A cross-sectional assessment of long-term effects in adolescent and young adult head and neck cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) head and neck (H&N) cancer survivors are at risk of long-term complications. A cross-sectional study of survivors recalled for clinical evaluation was performed to evaluate late effects in this population. METHODS: Surviving patients who had been diagnosed with H&N cancer between the ages of 15 and 39 years and treated with radiation therapy (RT) in British Columbia between 1970 and 2010 were invited to participate in this study. Survivors were assessed in consultation by a radiation oncologist for a complete history and physical exam. Comprehensive data collection of subjective and objective late effects of RT and screening investigations were completed. RESULTS: Of 36 AYA H&N participants, the majority were female (61%), and the most common tumour sites were thyroid (28%), oropharynx (17%), salivary gland (14%) and larynx (14%). Dental extractions post treatment was performed for 33% and dental implants for 17%. The majority (72%) reported xerostomia, 50% had dysphagia to solids and 25% hearing loss. Of the non-thyroid cancer patients who underwent RT to their neck, 45% developed hypothyroidism. There were 28% of participants with asymptomatic carotid stenosis and 27% with thyroid nodules; all were diagnosed after recall screening. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of AYA H&N cancer treated with RT reported numerous long-term complications. Comprehensive follow-up and screening guidelines should be established for this at-risk population. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: AYA H&N cancer survivors and their primary care practitioners should be educated on screening recommendations and the risk of late effects.

Development of a new tool for predicting the behavior of individuals with intellectual disability in the dental office: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The dental treatment of individuals with intellectual disability can represent a considerable professional challenge. OBJECTIVE: To develop a model for predicting the behavior of patients with intellectual disability in the dental office. METHODS: The study group comprised 250 patients with Down syndrome (DS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy (CP), idiopathic cognitive impairment or rare disorders. We collected their demographic, medical, social and behavioral information and identified potential predictors (chi-squared test). We developed stratified models (Akaike information criterion) to anticipate the patients'behavior during intraoral examinations and to discern whether the dental treatment should be performed under general anesthesia. These models were validated in a new study group consisting of 80 patients. Goodness of fit was quantified with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We developed a mathematical algorithm for executing the models and developed software for its practical implementation (PREdictors of BEhavior in Dentistry, "PREBED"). RESULTS: For patients with DS, ASD and CP, the model predicting the need for physical restraint during examination achieved a PPV of 0.90, 0.85 and 1.00, respectively, and an NPV of 0.66, 0.76 and 1.00, respectively. The model predicting the need for performing treatment under general anesthesia achieved a PPV of 0.63, 1.00 and 1.00, respectively, and an NPV of 1.00, 1.00 and 0.73, respectively. However, when validating the stratified models, the percentage of poorly classified individuals (false negatives + false positives) ranged from 24% to 46.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the PREBED tool open the door to establishing new models implementing other potentially predictive variables.

Clinical study of hemodynamic changes during extraction in controlled hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the vasoconstrictor used in local anesthesia during dental extraction in controlled hypertensive patients. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study was carried out in hypertensive patients (n=97) with a mean age of 60.45±9.60 years. The following parameters were monitored at three different timepoints (before the procedure, 3 minutes after local anesthesia infiltration, and 3 minutes after the operation): blood pressure (diastolic and systolic), heart rate, and oxygen saturation. Anesthesia (1-3 carpules) was provided in the form of articaine with 4% epinephrine as vasoconstrictor in one group, while another group received 3% mepivacaine without vasoconstrictor. RESULTS: All patients presented primary hypertension (n=97)(grade I in 57.7% of the cases and grade II in 42.3%). The most widely used antihypertensive drugs were angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA II). The only significant differences observed corresponded to systolic blood pressure measured before and after dental extraction in the group of hypertensive patients anesthetized with vasoconstrictor. CONCLUSIONS: In procedures such as dental extraction, no significant hemodynamic changes in well controlled hypertensive patients are seen attributable to anesthetic use with a vasoconstrictor, when fewer than three local anesthetic carpules are administered.

[Hypereosinophilic syndrome as paraneoplastic presentation in an adolescent]. / Síndrome hipereosinofílico como presentación paraneoplásica en una adolescente.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by peripheral eosinophilia over 1,500 cell/mm3 and/or tissue eosinophilia, with dysfunction or damage to organ, once other causes were ruled out. This paper presents a case of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HS) which presented as lymphoblastic leukemia in a teenager. This is a 13 year old female, with B cell lymphoblastic leukemia at 9 years old, who received chemotherapy for 2 years achieving remission. One year after remission she presented malar rash, hair loss, arthralgias, conjuntival redness, dyspnea and thoracic oppression. The initial blood count only showed hypereosinophilia, and a bone marrow biopsy did not show blasts and had a negative immunophenotyping. Autoantibodies were negative, except for ANA (1:1,280 in one determination after one negative), complement was normal, lupic band in skin was negative for complement and immunoglobulins; serum IgG 2,195 mg/dL, IgA 231, IgM 327, IgE 109 U/mL; skin testing for aeroallergens and food allergens were negative. Prednisone was started at 1 mg/kg. Abdominal ultrasound only reported biliary sludge flow and hepatosplenomegaly; chest tomography showed centrolobullar interstitial pattern, suggesting eosinophilic pneumonitis. The patient started with a generalized dermatosis, and a biopsy reported leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Six months after the onset of symptomatology there were generalized malaise, uncontrolled fever, gingival haemorrhage, asthenia and adynamia; a blood cell count reported blasts, and bone marrow smear confirmed the diagnosis of cell B lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient deteriorated rapidly showing signs of respiratory difficulty and acute pulmonary edema, therefore chemotherapy was started without response, and finally the patient died. There are several causes of HS, yet one of the least frequent presentations in childhood is the association with neoplasms.

El síndrome hipereosinofílico se distingue por eosinofilia periférica mayor de 1,500 cel/mm3 o eosinofilia tisular (o ambas), con disfunción o daño a órgano atribuible, una vez que se han descartado otras causas. Se comunica un caso de síndrome hipereosinofílico como forma de presentación de leucemia linfoblástica en una adolescente. Se trata de una paciente de 13 años de edad, con leucemia linfoblástica de células B a los nueve años, tratada con quimioterapia durante dos años, con logro de la remisión. Un año posterior a ésta comenzó con eritema malar, caída de pelo, artralgias en las manos, los codos, las rodillas y los hombros, dolores musculares (predominantemente en los muslos), disnea, opresión torácica e inyección conjuntival. La biometría hemática sólo reportó eosinofilia, el aspirado de médula ósea sin blastos, inmunofenotipo negativo; autoanticuerpos negativos, sólo ANA 1:1,280 (patrón nuclear en una determinación, las posteriores resultaron negativas) complemento normal, banda lúpica en piel negativa, IgG 2,195, IgA 231, IgM 327, IgE 109, pruebas cutáneas a aeroalergenos y alimentos negativos. Se trató con prednisona a dosis de 1 mg/kg. El ultrasonido abdominal reportó lodo hepático y hepatoesplenomegalia, la tomografía de alta resolución de tórax mostró afección intersticial centroloblillar, a considerar neumonitis eosinofílica. Posteriormente tuvo una dermatosis generalizada con pápulas no pruriginosas, de 1 x 1 cm, confluentes; la biopsia de piel reportó vasculitis leucocitoclástica. Seis meses después del inicio de los síntomas tuvo ataque al estado general, fiebre no controlable, hemorragia gingival, astenia y adinamia; la biometría hemática reportó blastos, y el aspirado de médula ósea confirmó el diagnóstico de leucemia linfoblástica de células B. La paciente experimentó deterioro acelerado, datos de dificultad respiratoria y edema agudo pulmonar. Se le inició quimioterapia, sin lograr respuesta, hasta que sobrevino la muerte. Existen varias causas del síndrome hipereosinofílico y una de las presentaciones menos frecuentes en niños es la asociación con procesos neoplásicos.

Physical properties, mechanical behavior, and electron microscopy study of a new α-TCP block graft with silicon in an animal model.

This study reports the characterization process and in vivo application of a new block bone graft of α-TCP with silicate in three different percentages in the aim of determining the influence of the silicate. Three groups of cylindrical implants (6 ± 0.01 mm diameter, 8 ± 0.01 mm length) with varying Si composition were studied: A: 3 wt % C(2) S; B: 1.5 wt % C(2) S; C: 100 wt % TCP-0 wt % C(2) S. These were implanted randomly in critical size defects in New Zealand rabbits. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to determine the crystalline phases of the different compositions. Histomorphometric analysis produced one measurement of bone-to-implant contact. Comparing the α-TCPss ceramics, the trial found improved mechanical properties due to the silicon content in solid solution as well as densification. Previous studies have shown that the mechanical strengths of sintered ceramics correlate to densification as well as grain size and mechanical properties. Because of its mechanical and biological behavior, the study has shown α-TCP with C(2) S to be an alternative to other bone graft substitutes for use in bone reconstructive surgery in the fields of veterinary, medicine, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Proposta de uma nova técnica de detecçäo de entamoeba gingivalis e Trichomonas tenax / A new technique proposal for Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax detection

No presente trabalho, determinou-se a prevalência dos protozoários em 50 pacientes da clínica de periodontia da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara-UNESP, e 35 estudantes de odontologia da mesma Faculdade, substituindo a técnica do swab pelo bochecho com 3 ml de soluçäo salina e posterior concentraçäo do material por centrifugaçäo. Encontrou-se 70 por cento de indivíduos parasitados pelo protozoário Entamoeba gingivalis no grupo de pacientes da clínica de periodontia e 100 por cento de prevalência de Entamoeba gingivalis entre os estudantes. A maior eficiência demonstrada pelo uso desta metodologia aliada a facilidade do seu emprego faz que seja indicada como método de escolha para obtençäo de material bucal para a pesquisa dos protozoários.

Verificación del sexo en restos óseos humanos adultos según las características dentales y maxilares / Sex determination through dental and maxillary characteristics in human bony remains

El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar si las características morfológicas maxilares y dentales ayudan a diferenciar el sexo en los restos óseos de individuos adultos. Metodológicamente se clasificó como un estudio descriptivo exploratorio de diseño no experimental.El universo sobre el cual se llevó a cabo la investigación fueron restos óseos humanos de colombianos entre los 18 y 25 años de edad, disponibles en el Instituto de Medicina Legal de Bogotá. La muestra fue de 80 maxilares completamente dentados: 40 maxilares superiores y 40 mandíbulas. El muestreo fue de carácter intencional.