Investigation of Rhodnius prolixus head anatomy using microtomography.

In the last years, microtomography has proved to be a powerful technique on insects' studies, allowing a detailed view of the structures' internal with a high resolution. One of the most important advantages about the use of microtomography in these studies is the fact that the dissection is not necessary, which decreases considerably the number of samples used on the insects' research. Some insects are used constantly in studies about morphology, metamorphosis, and reproduction, because they work as a model for others, and Rhodnius prolixus is one of the most studied in this group. This insect is also one of the main insect vectors of Chagas disease that kills around 12,000 people every year in Latin America. Some studies using laboratory microtomography conventional scanners combining with the correct staining methods have proved that it could be a powerful tool in biological research, allowing the visualisation of low-density tissues. The main goal of the present work was to use staining protocols to study Rhodnius prolixus with laboratory microtomography conventional scanners. The experiments were carried out at the imaging lab in the Theoretical Biology Department, University of Vienna, using an Xradia MicroXCT and at the University of Oslo, using a Skyscan 2211.

Morphological and Chemical Investigation of Ovarian Structures in a Bovine Model by Contrast-Enhanced X-ray Imaging and Microscopy.

An improved understanding of an ovary's structures is highly desirable to support advances in folliculogenesis knowledge and reproductive medicine, with particular attention to fertility preservation options for prepubertal girls with malignant tumors. Although currently the golden standard for structural analysis is provided by combining histological sections, staining, and visible 2D microscopic inspection, synchrotron radiation phase-contrast microtomography is becoming a new challenge for three-dimensional studies at micrometric resolution. To this aim, the proper use of contrast agents can improve the visualization of internal structures in ovary tissues, which normally present a low radiopacity. In this study, we report a comparison of four staining protocols, based on iodine or tungsten containing agents, applied to bovine ovarian tissues fixed in Bouin's solution. The microtomography (microCT) analyses at two synchrotron facilities under different set-ups were performed at different energies in order to maximize the image contrast. While tungsten-based agents allow large structures to be well identified, Iodine ones better highlight smaller features, especially when acquired above the K-edge energy of the specific metal. Further scans performed at lower energy where the setup was optimized for overall quality and sensitivity from phase-contrast still provided highly resolved visualization of follicular and intrafollicular structures at different maturation stages, independent of the staining protocol. The analyses were complemented by X-ray Fluorescence mapping on 2D sections, showing that the tungsten-based agent has a higher penetration in this type of tissues.

pH influences the volumetric change of calcium silicate- and epoxy resin-based root canal sealers: An ex vivo micro-CT study.

This study assessed the influence of pH variation on the volumetric change of EndoSequence BC Sealer compared to AH Plus Jet. Eighteen single-rooted teeth were uniformly prepared and filled with one of the sealers. After 24-h storing, samples were scanned in a micro-CT device. Then, roots were immersed in 20 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with pH of 5, 7 or 12 at 37°C for 7 and 30 days and rescanned. Statistical analysis was performed using Shapiro-Wilk's test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's or Student's t-tests (p < 0.05). Differences between sealers were observed only at neutral pH and after 30 days of acidic pH exposure, with a higher loss of EndoSequence (p < 0.05). After 7 days, alkaline pH reduced and increased the volumetric loss of EndoSequence and AH Plus, respectively, compared to neutral pH (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that the pH directly influenced the volumetric change of both tested root canal sealers in different ways.

Synchrotron X-ray biosample imaging: opportunities and challenges.

Synchrotron radiation phase-contrast microtomography is sensitive to low attenuating tissues, giving an alternative visualisation of the sample and being useful for investigating microstructure inside biological specimens without staining them with a contrast medium. The phase-contrast technique has been widely used in the scientific community, as it is a technique associated with radiography and microscopy and able to enhance contrast in soft tissues, specifically at the edges, showing details that could not be seen by the absorption technique. This work aims to show the ability of synchrotron-based phase-contrast microtomography for the visualisation of soft tissues and hard internal structures of millimetre-sized biological organisms. Case studies of the anatomy of Rhodnius prolixus head and Thoropa miliaris tadpole are presented to illustrate the imaging technique.

Performance evaluation of segmentation methods for assessing the lens of the frog Thoropa miliaris from synchrotron-based phase-contrast micro-CT images.

PURPOSE: In the context of synchrotron microtomography using propagation-based phase-contrast imaging (XSPCT), we evaluated the performance of semiautomatic and automatic image segmentation of soft biological structures by means of Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and volume quantification. METHODS: We took advantage of the phase-contrast effects of XSPCT to provide enhanced object boundaries and improved visualization of the lenses of the frog Thoropa miliaris. Then, we applied semiautomatic segmentation methods 1 and 2 (Interpolation and Watershed, respectively) and method 3, an automatic segmentation algorithm using the U-Net architecture, to the reconstructed images. DSC and volume quantification of the lenses were used to quantify the performance of image segmentation methods. RESULTS: Comparing the lenses segmented by the three methods, the most pronounced difference in volume quantification was between methods 1 and 3: a reduction of 4.24%. Method 1, 2 and 3 obtained the global average DSC of 97.02%, 95.41% and 89.29%, respectively. Although it obtained the lowest DSC, method 3 performed the segmentation in a matter of seconds, while the semiautomatic methods had the average time to segment the lenses around 1 h and 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the performance of U-Net was impaired due to the irregularities of the ROI edges mainly in its lower and upper regions, but it still showed high accuracy (DSC = 89.29%) with significantly reduced segmentation time compared to the semiautomatic methods. Besides, with the present work we have established a baseline for future assessments of Deep Neural Networks applied to XSPCT volumes.

Preliminary pre-clinical studies on the side effects of breast cancer treatment.

Purpose: Technological advancement in the treatment of cancer together with early detection and diagnosis have considerably improved the survival of breast cancer patients. On the other hand, the potential of patients developing side effects from cancer treatment are not negligible. Despite the progress that has been made in terms of early diagnosis, therapy, and survival, including improvements in the chemotherapeutic agents, radiation and molecular targeted therapies, cardiotoxicity of cancer therapy is still cause for concern. Radiation therapy for breast cancer is associated with increased risk of heart disease and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the association of radiation therapy to chemotherapy is an important aspect to be considered in the development of cardiac disease, as this could play an additional role as a risk factor. Besides the heart effect, other side effects can be observed in the bone, ovary, uteri, and other organs. This paper aims to review the recent literature to present the current understanding of side effects associated with breast cancer treatment. The focus is on recent preclinical studies that have assessed potential changes in different organs that may be injured after breast cancer treatment, both due to both radiation and chemotherapy agents.Conclusion: Radiation-induced heart disease is one important side effect that must be considered during the treatment planning and patient follow-up. The cardiac damage can be potentialized when chemotherapy is associated to radiotherapy, and the literature findings indicate that heart fibrosis plays an important role at the radio-chemotherapy induced cardiac damage. Literature findings also showed important side effects at the bone, that can lead to ospeoporosis, due to the decrease of calcium, after radio or chemotherapy treatments. This decrease could be explained by the ovarian failure observed at rats after chemotherapy treatment. It is of great importance to acknowledge the complications originating from the treatment, so that new strategies can be developed. In this way, it will be possible to minimize side effects and improve the patients' quality of life.

Percepção sobre o mercado de trabalho odontológico dos estudantes do curso de odontologia da Universidade Federal do Pará / Perception of the undergraduate students in dentistry at the Federal University of Pará of the job market for dentists

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil do estudante do Curso de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Pará e sua percepção quanto à formação e mercado de trabalho. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 100 estudantes com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos, que estavam cursando o 2º, 4º, 6º, 8º e 10º períodos do curso. O instrumento de pesquisa foi um questionário com 18 questões de múltipla escolha e 1 discursiva, elaboradas por dois estudantes do 10º período e um docente. Os estudantes foram divididos em 2 grupos: grupo 1 correspondente ao período pré-clínico e grupo 2 ao clínico. Para análise de dados foi realizada estatística descritiva e Teste G com nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: A maioria dos estudantes era do sexo feminino (67%), com renda familiar de até 06 salários mínimos (70%), que escolheram a odontologia por vocação (37%) e primeira opção de curso (55%). A maioria relatou que o curso tem condições adequadas para formação, apesar das dificuldades existentes (53%). O mercado de trabalho foi percebido como bom por 56%. O interesse em aprimorar os estudos antes da inserção no mercado foi predominante (83%), com pretensão salarial de 04 a 06 salários mínimos (31%). Não houve associação estatística entre as variáveis e semestres do curso (p > 0,05). Conclusão: O perfil dos estudantes foi de jovens, predominando o sexo feminino e renda salarial de até 06 salários mínimos, ingressantes pelos sistemas de ampla concorrência e cotas. O curso de Odontologia foi considerado adequado, apesar das dificuldades apresentadas. O mercado de trabalho foi percebido como bom pela maioria dos entrevistados.

Aim:To evaluate the profile of undergraduate students in Dentistry at the Federal University of Pará and their perception of education and the job market. Methods:A hundred students participated in the study, 18 years of age or over, who were in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th periods of the course. The research instrument was a questionnaire with 18 multiple choice questions and one discursive question, which was prepared by two students from the 10th period and one teacher. The students were divided into 2 groups: group 1 corresponding to the preclinical and group 2 to the clinician period. Descriptive statistics and G test were used in the data analysis with a 0.05 significance level. Results: Most students were female (67%), with a family income of up to 06 minimum wages (70%), who chose dentistry by vocation (37%) and as their first course option (55%). Most reported that the course has suitable conditions for training, despite the existing difficulties (53%). The job market was perceived as good by 56%. They showed interest in improving studies before entering the market (83%), with a wage expectation of 04 to 06 minimum wages (31%). There was no statistical association between the variables and periods of the course (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The profile of the students was of young individuals (23.4 years old), with predominance of females and salary income of up to 06 minimum wages, who entered the university through the systems of wide competition (49%) and quotas (43%). The undergraduate dentistry course was considered suitable, despite the adversities. The job market was perceived as good by the majority of respondents.

As diversidades socioeconômico-culturais e a saúde bucal: representações do processo saúde-doença de usuários das clínicas da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Pará / Socioeconomic-cultural diversities and oral health: health-disease process representations among users at the school of dentistry of the Federal University of Pará

Objetivo: Identificar o perfil socioeconômico-cultural, as representações do processo saúde-doença e as expectativas e satisfação dos usuários das clínicas da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Pará (FO-UFPA) quanto ao atendimento ofertado. Métodos:Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com 170 usuários que procuravam/aguardavam atendimento na FO-UFPA nos meses de abril e maio de 2019. Foi utilizado um questionário semiestruturado contendo perguntas abertas e fechadas, aplicados por uma única pesquisadora. Os dados coletados foram analisados de forma qualitativa e quantitativa. As respostas às questões abertas foram transformadas em categorias para serem analisadas de forma descritiva e por meio da associação de variáveis utilizando o teste de Contigência C, no programa BioEstat 5.5 com nível de significância α = 0,05. Resultados: Quanto ao perfil dos usuários constatou-se que a maioria é do sexo feminino (70,6%), de 36 a 59 anos (55,9%), heterossexual (96,5%), pardo (70,6%), evangélico (47,0%), com renda de até 2 salários mínimos (48,8%) e com ensino médio completo (40,6%). Constatou-se que a escolaridade tem associação com as representações do processo saúde-doença, assim como, a faixa etária está associada às percepções e satisfação com relação ao serviço ofertado nas clínicas de ensino da FO-UFPA. Quanto à satisfação ao atendimento recebido nas clínicas, 48,2% dos entrevistados se declarou satisfeito ou muito satisfeito (45,3%). Conclusão:As clínicas da FO-UFPA são procuradas por diferentes grupos socioeconômico-culturais, com representações e definições limitadas do processo saúde-doença. Há expectativas positivas e satisfação com o atendimento recebido.

Aim: This study sought to identify the socioeconomic-cultural profile, the representations of the health-disease process, and the expectations and satisfaction of the users of the dental clinics at the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Pará (FO-UFPA) regarding the dental services rendered. Methods:This cross-sectional study was carried out with 170 users who sought/awaited service at the FO-UFPA School of Dentistry in April and May 2019. A semi-structured questionnaire, containing open and closed questions, was used, applied by a single calibrated researcher. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The answers to the open questions were transformed into categories to be analyzed both in a descriptive manner and through the association of variables using the Contingency C test in the BioEstat 5.5 program, considering a significance level of α = 0.05. Results: As for the profile of the users, the majority were female (70.6%), 36 to 59 years of age (55.9%), heterosexual (96.5%), light-skinned black (70.6%), evangelical (47.0%), with incomes of up to two minimum wages (48.8%) and complete secondary education (40.6%). It was found that schooling is associated with representations of the health-disease process, and the age group is associated with perceptions of and satisfaction with the dental services rendered at the FO-UFPA School of Dentistry's clinics. Regarding satisfaction with the services received at the clinics, the majority of respondents stated that they were satisfied (48.2%) or very satisfied (45.3%). Conclusion: The FO-UFPA School of Dentistry's clinics are sought out by different socioeconomic-cultural groups, with limited representations and definitions of the health-disease process, positive expectations, and satisfaction regarding the dental services rendered.

Análise das ações e serviços voltados à saúde indígena nos planos regionais de redes de atenção à saúde do Pará / Analysis of actions and services aimed at indigenous health in regional plans of care networks health of Pará: crosscuEng or equity?

Objetivou-se analisar a inserção das ações e serviços voltados para atenção à saúde indígena nos planos das Redes de Atenção à Saúde, que abrangem os municípios que compõem o Distrito Especial de Saúde Indígena Guamá-Tocantins, no Pará. Pesquisa ecológica com análise documental dos planos regionais das redes de atenção à saúde, quanto à presença ou ausência de ações ou serviços voltados aos indígenas do distrito Guamá­-Tocantins. Foi possível constatar que existem ações pontuais em alguns planos regionais voltados para saúde indígena, porém com ausência de olhar equânime. Apesar da caracterização da saúde indígena em alguns planos, não há a inserção de ações e/ou serviços sob um olhar antropológico voltados para as diversidades das suas necessidades e problemas de saúde, representando, dessa forma, uma significava ausência da equidade para esses povos.

The aim of this study is to analyze the inclusion of focused programs and services for indigenous health care plans of the Health Care Networks covering the municipalities that make up the Special District Indigenous Health Guamá­Tocantins, in Pará. Documentary analysis will be performed the eight regional plans of health care networks (stork network, emergency care, psychosocial and person with disabilities) for the presence or absence of actions or services for the indigenous of Guamá­ Tocantins. It was found that there are specific actions in some regional plans focused on indigenous health, butwithoutlook equal. These actions could be cross because the Indians need to be addressed in all policies, as they are distributed in all age groups and groups. However, there is only characterization of indigenous health in most plans and not the inclusion of actions for your requirements / specifications.

Hard and soft X-ray imaging to resolve human ovarian cortical structures.

Laboratory and synchrotron X-ray tomography are powerful tools for non-invasive studies of biological samples at micrometric resolution. In particular, the development of phase contrast imaging is enabling the visualization of sample details with a small range of attenuation coefficients, thus allowing in-depth analyses of anatomical and histological structures. Reproductive medicine is starting to profit from these techniques, mainly applied to animal models. This study reports the first imaging of human ovarian tissue where the samples consisted of surgically obtained millimetre fragments, properly fixed, stained with osmium tetroxide and included in epoxydic resin. Samples were imaged by the use of propagation phase contrast synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (microCT), obtained at the SYRMEP beamline of Elettra light source (Trieste, Italy), and X-ray absorption microCT at the Theoretical Biology MicroCT Imaging Laboratory in Vienna, Austria. The reconstructed microCT images were compared with the soft X-ray absorption and phase contrast images acquired at the TwinMic beamline of Elettra in order to help with the identification of structures. The resulting images allow the regions of the cortex and medulla of the ovary to be distinguished, identifying early-stage follicles and visualizing the distribution of blood vessels. The study opens to further application of micro-resolved 3D imaging to improve the understanding of human ovary's structure and support diagnostics as well as advances in reproductive technologies.

Mercado de trabalho para o cirurgião-dentista no Pará: panorama atual e perspectivas / Labor market for the dentist in the state of Pará: current overview and perspectives

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a distribuição de cirurgiões-dentistas (CD) no estado do Pará, visando melhorar a compreensão dos rumos da profissão no estado para direcionar a atuação dos futuros profissionais. Para isso, utilizou-se de um estudo documental analítico, com base nos dados do Conselho Federal de Odontologia, Conselho Regional de Odontologia do Pará e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, para avaliar a relação habitante/CD por município, e essa razão à renda per capita, ao índice de desenvolvimento humano municipal (IDH-M) e às especialidades odontológicas. Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva tomando-se como parâmetro, a proporção habitante por CD. Os resultados mostraram que o Pará apresentou uma proporção de 1.687 habitantes por CD. Em apenas 13,2% dos municípios do estado havia baixa proporção de habitantes por CD, de acordo com recomendação estabelecida pelo Conselho Federal de Odontologia. Já 23,6% dos municípios não apresentavam CD. A tendência dos profissionais é de se fixarem nos municípios de maior renda e de maior IDH-M. No campo das especialidades observou-se que 72% dos profissionais especialistas se concentravam na capital e municípios próximos à capital do estado, sendo Ortodontia e Endodontia as especialidades mais prevalentes. Assim, constatou-se que existe má distribuição dos profissionais no estado, sendo necessário promover uma política de interiorização dos CD, o que irá favorecer maior cobertura e melhor prestação de serviços de saúde bucal à população (AU).

The objective of this research was to analyze the distribution of dentists (CD) in the State of Pará, aiming to improve the understanding of the future of the profession in the State to direct the performance of future professionals. To this end, an analytical documentary study was performed based on data from the Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO), the Regional Council of Dentistry of Pará (CRO-PA) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). To evaluate the inhabitant/CD ratio per municipality, and this ratio to per capita income, to the municipal human development index (IDH-M) and dental specialties. Data were analyzed descriptively taking as a parameter the proportion inhabitant/CD. The results showed that Pará has a proportion of 1,687 inhabitants per CD. In only 13.2% municipalities there was a low proportion of inhabitants per CD, according to a recommendation established by the Federal Council of Dentistry. In turn, 23.6% municipalities had no CD. The tendency of the professionals was to settle down in the municipalities with the highest income and the highest IDH-M. As for specialties, it was observed that 72% specialists are concentrated in the capital and municipalities near the capital of the state, where Orthodontics and Endodontics are the most prevalent specialties. Thus, there is a poor distribution of professionals in the State, and it is necessary to promote a policy of internalization of dental surgeons, which will promote greater coverage and better delivery of oral health services to the population of the State (AU).

Design, Synthesis, Experimental and Theoretical Characterization of a New Multitarget 2-Thienyl-N-Acylhydrazone Derivative.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic cardiovascular disease that displays inflammatory components, which contributes to the difficulty of adequate treatment with the available therapeutic arsenal. In this context, the N-acylhydrazone derivative LASSBio-1359 was previously described as a multitarget drug candidate able to revert the events associated with the progression of PAH in animal models. However, in spite of having a dual profile as PDE4 inhibitor and adenosine A2A receptor agonist, LASSBio-1359 does not present balanced potencies in the modulation of these two targets, which difficult its therapeutic use. In this paper, we describe the design concept of LASSBio-1835, a novel structural analogue of LASSBio-1359, planned by exploiting ring bioisosterism. Using X-ray powder diffraction, calorimetric techniques, and molecular modeling, we clearly indicate the presence of a preferred synperiplanar conformation at the amide function, which is fixed by an intramolecular 1,5-N∙∙∙S σ-hole intramolecular interaction. Moreover, the evaluation of LASSBio-1835 (4) as a PDE4 inhibitor and as an A2A agonist confirms it presents a more balanced dual profile, being considered a promising prototype for the treatment of PAH.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel isoquinoline N-sulphonylhydrazones designed as ROCK inhibitors.

In this study, we synthesized a new congener series of N-sulphonylhydrazones designed as candidate ROCK inhibitors using the molecular hybridization of the clinically approved drug fasudil (1) and the IKK-ß inhibitor LASSBio-1524 (2). Among the synthesized compounds, the N-methylated derivative 11 (LASSBio-2065) showed the best inhibitory profile for both ROCK isoforms, with IC50 values of 3.1 and 3.8 µM for ROCK1 and ROCK2, respectively. Moreover, these compounds were also active in the scratch assay performed in human breast cancer MDA-MB 231 cells and did not display toxicity in MTT and LDH assays. Molecular modelling studies provided insights into the possible binding modes of these N-sulphonylhydrazones, which present a new molecular architecture capable of being optimized and developed as therapeutically useful ROCK inhibitors.

Effects of soft X-ray radiation damage on paraffin-embedded rat tissues supported on ultralene: a chemical perspective.

Radiation damage is an important aspect to be considered when analysing biological samples with X-ray techniques as it can induce chemical and structural changes in the specimens. This work aims to provide new insights into the soft X-ray induced radiation damage of the complete sample, including not only the biological tissue itself but also the substrate and embedding medium, and the tissue fixation procedure. Sample preparation and handling involves an unavoidable interaction with the sample matrix and could play an important role in the radiation-damage mechanism. To understand the influence of sample preparation and handling on radiation damage, the effects of soft X-ray exposure at different doses on ultralene, paraffin and on paraffin-embedded rat tissues were studied using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy and X-ray microscopy. Tissues were preserved with three different commonly used fixatives: formalin, glutaraldehyde and Karnovsky. FTIR results showed that ultralene and paraffin undergo a dose-dependent degradation of their vibrational profiles, consistent with radiation-induced oxidative damage. In addition, formalin fixative has been shown to improve the preservation of the secondary structure of proteins in tissues compared with both glutaraldehyde and Karnovsky fixation. However, conclusive considerations cannot be drawn on the optimal fixation protocol because of the interference introduced by both substrate and embedding medium in the spectral regions specific to tissue lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates. Notably, despite the detected alterations affecting the chemical architecture of the sample as a whole, composed of tissue, substrate and embedding medium, the structural morphology of the tissues at the micrometre scale is essentially preserved even at the highest exposure dose.

Experiência do ensino integrado ao serviço para formação em Saúde: percepção de alunos e egressos de Odontologia / Integrated teaching to service experience in Health professional education: perception of dentistry students and graduates / Experiencia de la enseñanza integrada al servicio para formación en Salud: percepción de alumnos y egresados de Odontología

Esta pesquisa objetiva avaliar a importância do estágio extramuros na formação profissional em Odontologia, por meio da percepção de alunos e egressos que atuam no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Foram selecionados 36 portfólios, construídos pelos alunos em suas experiências extramurais, entre 2009 a 2014. Além da análise dos portfólios foram entrevistados cinco egressos que atuam no SUS, para responderem questionamentos relacionados à contribuição do estágio para atuação no SUS. Para análise dos discursos, utilizou-se abordagem qualitativa, com análise de conteúdo temático. Observou-se que as práticas de vivência nos serviços de saúde foram valorizadas por permitirem, sobretudo, reconhecer a realidade social e os serviços, com suas deficiências e dificuldades. Conclui-se que as experiências extramurais motivam a formação de profissionais mais humanos, éticos e reflexivos, tornando-os conhecedores e potenciais modificadores da realidade da saúde que não condiz aos princípios do SUS.(AU)

This research aims to evaluate the importance of out-of-class experience in dentistry professional education through the perception of dentistry students and graduates who work in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). Thirty-six portfolios constructed by students from 2009 to 2014 were selected to be analyzed in this study. Additionally, five graduates who work in the SUS were interviewed regarding the contribution of this experience for their performance in the SUS. Speech analysis of the interviews was carried out using a qualitative approach with thematic content analysis. The practices in health services were valued mainly for allowing the professionals to recognize the social reality and services with their shortcomings and difficulties. In conclusion, these experiences stimulate the education of more human, ethical and reflective professionals, that are aware and potentially modifiers of the health reality whenever it diverges from SUS principles.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la importancia de la pasantía extramuros en la formación profesional de Odontología, por medio de la percepción de alumnos y egresados que actúan en el Sistema Brasileño de Salud (SUS). Se seleccionaron 36 portfolios, elaborados por los alumnos en sus experiencias extramurales, en el período de 2009 a 2014. Además del análisis de las carteras fueron entrevistados cinco egresados que actúan en el SUS, para que respondieran a cuestionamientos relacionados a la contribución de la pasantía para la actuación en el SUS. Para análisis de los discursos, se utilizó un abordaje cualitativo con análisis de contenido temático. Se observó que se valorizaron las prácticas de vivencia en los servicios de salud por permitir, principalmente, el reconocimiento de la realidad social y de los servicios con sus deficiencias y dificultades. Se concluye que las experiencias extramurales motivan la formación de profesionales más humanos, éticos y reflexivos, haciéndolos conocedores y potenciales modificadores de la realidad de la salud que no está en acuerdo con los principios del SUS.(AU)

Graph cuts and neural networks for segmentation and porosity quantification in Synchrotron Radiation X-ray µCT of an igneous rock sample.

X-ray Synchrotron Radiation Micro-Computed Tomography (SR-µCT) allows a better visualization in three dimensions with a higher spatial resolution, contributing for the discovery of aspects that could not be observable through conventional radiography. The automatic segmentation of SR-µCT scans is highly valuable due to its innumerous applications in geological sciences, especially for morphology, typology, and characterization of rocks. For a great number of µCT scan slices, a manual process of segmentation would be impractical, either for the time expended and for the accuracy of results. Aiming the automatic segmentation of SR-µCT geological sample images, we applied and compared Energy Minimization via Graph Cuts (GC) algorithms and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), as well as the well-known K-means and Fuzzy C-Means algorithms. The Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), Sensitivity and Precision were the metrics used for comparison. Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests were applied and the best methods were the GC algorithms and ANNs (with Levenberg-Marquardt and Bayesian Regularization). For those algorithms, an approximate Dice Similarity Coefficient of 95% was achieved. Our results confirm the possibility of usage of those algorithms for segmentation and posterior quantification of porosity of an igneous rock sample SR-µCT scan.

Effect of ancestry on interleukin-10 haplotypes in chronic periodontitis.

Chronic periodontitis is caused by an inflammatory reaction of the periodontal tissues and alveolar bone. This inflammation is caused by periodontopathic bacteria located in the subgingival biofilm, resulting in inflammatory reactions that may lead to loss of attachment. This tissue destruction is a consequence of host immune and inflammatory responses to specific periodontal pathogens and their metabolic products. Cytokines modulate the immune response, altering its efficiency in the competition against pathogens and increasing periodontal susceptibility. This study investigated genetic polymorphisms in Interleukin 10 (A-1082G, C-819T and C-592A) in 205 individuals from an admixed Brazilian population. A significantly increased risk of developing chronic periodontitis was observed in individuals with low IL-10 production and Amerindian ancestry. These results suggest that the polymorphisms A-1082G, C-819T, and C-592A, which are associated with ancestry, are involved in the susceptibility to the development of chronic periodontitis in an admixed northern Brazilian population.

Synchrotron microtomography to evaluate effects of different polychemotherapy drugs on cortical bone structure.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of different polychemotherapy drugs on cortical bone structure, the femur diaphysis of rats were treated with two different chemotherapy drugs, AC (doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide) and TC (docetaxel + cyclophosphamide), and evaluated by 3D morphological analysis using synchrotron radiation microtomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were classified into three groups. One group received doses of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (G1) - TC regimen; a second group received doses of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (G2) - AC regimen; while a control group (G0) received no further treatment. 3D tomographic images of the rats' femurs were obtained at the SYRMEP (Synchrotron Radiation for Medical Physics) beamline at the ELETTRA Synchrotron Laboratory in Trieste, Italy, using monochromatic X-rays with resolution of 9 µm. RESULTS: It could be shown that the treatment caused significant differences in morphological parameters measured from the 3D images of femur diaphysis of rats, among the studied groups, complementing a previous study using stereological methods, biochemistry and electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the same process of osteoporosis caused by advancing age might occur in young women treated with docetaxel + cyclophosphamide (TC) and doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide (AC). 3D microtomography was shown to be an outstanding technique for bone analysis.

Influence of the socioeconomic status on the prevalence of malocclusion in the primary dentition.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of socioeconomic background on malocclusion prevalence in primary dentition in a population from the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 652 children (males and females) aged between 3 to 6 years old. Subjects were enrolled in private preschools (higher socioeconomic status - HSS, n = 312) or public preschools (lower socioeconomic status - LSS, n = 340) in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Chi-square and binomial statistics were used to assess differences between both socioeconomic groups, with significance level set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A high prevalence of malocclusion (81.44%) was found in the sample. LSS females exhibited significantly lower prevalence (72.1%) in comparison to HSS females (84.7%), particularly with regard to Class II (P < 0.0001), posterior crossbite (P = 0.006), increased overbite (P = 0.005) and overjet (P < 0.0001). Overall, malocclusion prevalence was similar between HSS and LSS male children (P = 0.36). Early loss of primary teeth was significantly more prevalent in the LSS group (20.9%) in comparison to children in the HSS group (0.9%), for both males and females (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic background influences the occurrence of malocclusion in the primary dentition. In the largest metropolitan area of the Amazon, one in every five LSS children has lost at least one primary tooth before the age of seven.

Novel orally active analgesic and anti-inflammatory cyclohexyl-N-acylhydrazone derivatives.

The N-acylhydrazone (NAH) moiety is considered a privileged structure, being present in many compounds with diverse pharmacological activities. Among the activities attributed to NAH derivatives anti-inflammatory and analgesic ones are recurrent. As part of a research program aiming at the design of new analgesic and anti-inflammatory lead-candidates, a series of cyclohexyl-N-acylhydrazones 10-26 were structurally designed from molecular modification on the prototype LASSBio-294, representing a new class of cycloalkyl analogues. Compounds 10-26 and their conformationally restricted analogue 9 were synthetized and evaluated as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents in classical pharmacologic protocols. The cyclohexyl-N-acylhydrazones 10-26 and the cyclohexenyl analogue 9 showed great anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic activities, but compound 13 stood out as a new prototype to treat acute and chronic painful states due to its important analgesic activity in a neuropathic pain model.