Hypertensive emergency secondary to atropine / Emergencia hipertensiva secundaria a atropina

Atropine, a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine muscarinic receptors, is commonly used to treat severe bradycardia by blocking parasympathetic activity. We present a rare case of hypertensive emergency following atropine administration, with only one previous report in the literature. A 78-year-old woman with essential hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit for non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. During coronary angiography, an occlusion of the right coronary artery was identified. While removing the diagnostic catheter through the right radial artery, the patient experienced intense pain and discomfort, accompanied by a vasovagal reflex characterized by bradycardia and hypotension. Intravenous atropine (0.5mg) was administered, leading to a rapid rise in heart rate with frequent ventricular ectopy. Subsequently, a progressive and exaggerated elevation in arterial blood pressure occurred, peaking at 294/121mmHg approximately 10min after atropine administration. The patient developed hypertensive acute pulmonary edema, successfully treated with intravenous nitroglycerine (10mg) and furosemide (60mg). Blood pressure normalized after approximately 14min. The exact mechanism of atropine-induced hypertensive emergency remains unknown. While hypertensive emergencies with atropine are exceedingly rare, healthcare professionals should be aware of this potential effect and be prepared for prompt intervention.(AU)

La atropina, un antagonista competitivo de los receptores muscarínicos de acetilcolina, se utiliza comúnmente para tratar la bradicardia severa al bloquear la actividad parasimpática. Presentamos un caso raro de emergencia hipertensiva después de la administración de atropina, con solo un informe previo en la literatura. Una mujer de 78 años con hipertensión esencial e hipercolesterolemia fue ingresada en la unidad de cuidados intensivos cardíacos por infarto agudo de miocardio sin elevación del segmento ST. Durante la angiografía coronaria, se identificó una oclusión de la arteria coronaria derecha. Mientras se retiraba el catéter diagnóstico a través de la arteria radial derecha, la paciente experimentó un intenso dolor y malestar, acompañado de un reflejo vasovagal caracterizado por bradicardia e hipotensión. Se administró atropina intravenosa (0,5 mg), lo que provocó un rápido aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca con frecuente ectopia ventricular. Posteriormente, ocurrió una elevación progresiva y exagerada de la presión arterial, alcanzando un máximo de 294/121 mmHg aproximadamente 10 minutos después de la administración de atropina. La paciente desarrolló edema pulmonar agudo hipertensivo, tratado con éxito con nitroglicerina intravenosa (10 mg) y furosemida (60 mg). La presión arterial se normalizó después de aproximadamente 14 minutos. El mecanismo exacto de la emergencia hipertensiva inducida por atropina sigue siendo desconocido. Aunque las emergencias hipertensivas con atropina son excepcionalmente raras, los profesionales de la salud deben estar al tanto de este efecto potencial y estar preparados para intervenir rápidamente.(AU)

Hypertensive emergency secondary to atropine.

Atropine, a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine muscarinic receptors, is commonly used to treat severe bradycardia by blocking parasympathetic activity. We present a rare case of hypertensive emergency following atropine administration, with only one previous report in the literature. A 78-year-old woman with essential hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit for non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. During coronary angiography, an occlusion of the right coronary artery was identified. While removing the diagnostic catheter through the right radial artery, the patient experienced intense pain and discomfort, accompanied by a vasovagal reflex characterized by bradycardia and hypotension. Intravenous atropine (0.5mg) was administered, leading to a rapid rise in heart rate with frequent ventricular ectopy. Subsequently, a progressive and exaggerated elevation in arterial blood pressure occurred, peaking at 294/121mmHg approximately 10min after atropine administration. The patient developed hypertensive acute pulmonary edema, successfully treated with intravenous nitroglycerine (10mg) and furosemide (60mg). Blood pressure normalized after approximately 14min. The exact mechanism of atropine-induced hypertensive emergency remains unknown. While hypertensive emergencies with atropine are exceedingly rare, healthcare professionals should be aware of this potential effect and be prepared for prompt intervention.

Color Match of a Universal-shade Composite Resin for Restoration of Non-carious Cervical Lesions: An Equivalence Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The objective of this double-blind, split-mouth, randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the color match of a single-shade composite resin Admira Fusion X-tra in comparison with a multi-shade composite resin Admira Fusion in non-carious cervical lesion restorations (NCCLs). METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred and twenty restorations were performed on NCCLs with two restorative materials (n=60). After prophylaxis, the teeth were isolated with a rubber dam, and one universal adhesive was applied in the selective enamel etching strategy. For both groups, the restorations were inserted incrementally and light-cured. The values of the coordinates L*, a*, and b* in the cervical third before vs after the restorations and cervical vs middle third after the restorations were evaluated using a digital spectrophotometer after the coordinate values were used to calculate the CIEDE (ΔE00). The restorations were evaluated at baseline and after 7 days of clinical performance according to the FDI criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test for all parameters. Color change was analyzed by Student t-test for paired samples (α=0.05). RESULTS: All restorations were evaluated after 7 days. Regarding the color measurement, no significant difference was observed when Admira Fusion was compared to Admira Fusion X-tra for any of the comparisons performed (p>0.05). However, the values of ΔE00 in the cervical third before vs after the restorations were higher when compared with ΔE00 observed when the cervical vs middle third after restorations were compared. All restorations received the score "clinically very good" after 7 days for all outcomes, including the subjective color match, when evaluated for FDI criterion. CONCLUSIONS: The single-shade composite resin used achieves the same color match when compared to a multi-shade composite resin after 7 days in NCCLs.

Clinical study on the association between keratinized mucosa and peri-implant health when external hexagon implants are installed in the posterior region of the maxilla and mandible: a cohort study.

This study evaluated the association between keratinized mucosa (KM) and peri-implant health of external hexagon implants in the posterior region in 84 patients with 242 implants. Modified plaque index (MPI), modified sulcular bleeding index (MSBI), probing depth (PD), keratinized mucosa (KM) width, and peri-implant bone loss were evaluated. The implants were divided according to the KM: (1) absence of KM, (2) KM width >0 and <2 mm, and (3) KM width ≥2 mm. Of the 242 implants evaluated, 63 (26.0%) had no KM band, 56 (23.1%) had KM width <2 mm, and 123 (50.8%) had KM width ≥2 mm. One hundred and sixty-seven (69.0%) were used in multiple unit restorations and 75 (31.0%) in single tooth restorations; 66.9% were placed in the mandible and 33.1% in the maxilla. For single tooth and multiple unit implant restorations, MPI (P=0.069 and P=0.387, respectively), MSBI (P=0.695 and P=0.947, respectively), PD (P=0.270 and P=0.258, respectively), and mesial bone loss (P=0.121 and P=0.239, respectively) were not affected by the KM width. On the distal surface, bone loss was influenced by the absence of KM when single tooth implant restorations were used (P=0.032). No association was found between KM width and the peri-implant tissue health.

Role of the EEG Theta Network During Software Production: A Connectivity Study.

Software programming is an acquired evolutionary skill originating from consolidated cognitive functions (i.e., attentive, logical, coordination, mathematic calculation, and language comprehension), but the underlying neurophysiological processes are still not completely known. In the present study, we investigated and compared the brain activities supporting realistic programming, text and code reading tasks, analyzing Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals acquired from 11 experienced programmers. Multichannel spectral analysis and a phase-based effective connectivity study were carried out. Our results highlighted that both realistic programming and reading tasks are supported by modulations of the Theta fronto-parietal network, in which parietal areas behave as sources of information, while frontal areas behave as receivers. Nevertheless, during realistic programming, both an increase in Theta power and changes in network topology emerged, suggesting a task-related adaptation of the supporting network system. This reorganization mainly regarded the parietal area, which assumes a prominent role, increasing its hub functioning and its connectivity in the network in terms of centrality and degree.

Effect of growth rates on hormonal and pubertal status in Nellore heifers early weaned.

This study aimed to determine the effect of growth rates on the hormonal status and puberty onset. Forty-eight Nellore heifers were weaned at 3.0 ± 0.1 (means ± standard error of the mean) months old were blocked according to body weight at weaning (84 ± 2 kg) and randomly assigned to treatments. The treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 factorial according to the feeding program. The first program was high (H; 0.79 kg/day) or control (C; 0.45 kg/day) average daily gain (ADG) from 3rd to 7th month of age (growing phase I). The second program was also high (H; 0.70 kg/day) or control (C; 0.50 kg/day) ADG from the 7th month until puberty (growing phase II), resulting in four treatments: HH (n = 13), HC (n = 10), CH (n = 13), and CC (n = 12). To achieve desired gains, heifers in high ADG program were fed ad libitum dry matter intake (DMI), and the control group was offered around 50% of ad libitum DMI of high group. All heifers received a diet with similar composition. Puberty was assessed weekly by ultrasound examination, and the largest follicle diameter was evaluated every month. Blood samples were collected to quantify leptin, insulin growth factor-1 (IGF1) and luteinizing hormone (LH). At 7 months of age, heifers in high ADG were 35 kg heavier than the control. Heifers in the HH had greater DMI compared with CH in phase II. The puberty rate at 19 months old was greater in the HH treatment (84%) than in the CC (23%), but there was no difference between HC (60%) and CH (50%) treatments. Heifers from HH treatment had greater serum leptin concentration than others at 13 months old, and serum leptin was greater in HH compared with CH and CC at 18 months old. High heifers in phase I had greater serum IGF1 concentration than the control. In addition, HH heifers had a greater diameter of the largest follicle than CC. There was no interaction between phases and age in any variable relative to the LH profile. However, the heifers' age was the main factor that increased the frequency of LH pulse. In conclusion, increasing ADG was associated with greater ADG, serum leptin and IGF-1 concentration, and puberty onset; however, LH concentration was affected mainly by age of the animal. The increasing growth rate at younger age made heifers more efficient.

Long-term functional outcomes of children after critical illnesses: A cohort study / Resultados funcionales a largo plazo de los niños después de enfermedades críticas: un estudio de cohorte

Objective To assess children's functional outcomes one year after critical illness and identify which factors influenced these functional outcomes. Design Ambispective cohort study. Setting Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a tertiary academic center. Participants Children (1 month–17-year-old) and their caregivers. Interventions None. Main variables of interest Demographic, clinical, and functional status. Results Of 242 patients screened, 128 completed the year follow-up. These children had significant changes in functional status over time (p<0.001). The functional decline occurred in 62% of children at discharge and, after one year, was persistent in 33%. Age>12 months was a protective factor against poor functional outcomes in two regression models (p<0.05). A moderately abnormal functional status and a severely/very severely abnormal functional status at discharge increased the risks of poor functional outcomes by 4.14 (95% CI 1.02–16.72; p=0.04), and 4.76 (CI 95% 1.19–19.0; p=0.02). A functional decline at discharge increased by 6.86 (95%CI: 2.16-21.79; p=0.001) the risks of children's long-term poor functional outcomes, regardless of the FSS scores. Conclusion This is the first study evaluating long-term functional outcomes after pediatric critical illnesses in Latin America. Our findings show baseline data and raise relevant questions for future multicentre studies in this field in Latin America, contributing to a better understanding of the effects of critical illnesses on long-term functional outcomes in children (AU)

Objetivo Evaluar los resultados funcionales de los niños un año después de la enfermedad crítica e identificar qué factores influyeron en estos resultados funcionales. Diseño Estudio de cohorte ambispectivo. Entorno Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP) de un centro académico terciario. Participantes Niños (1 mes-17 años) y sus cuidadores. Intervenciones Ninguna. Principales variables de interés Estado demográfico, clínico y funcional. Resultados De 242 niños examinados, 128 completaron el seguimiento. Estos niños y adolescentes cambiaron su estado funcional significativamente con el tiempo (p<0,001). El deterioro funcional ocurrió en el 62% de los niños al momento del alta y, después de un año, fue persistente en el 33%. La edad >12 meses fue un factor protector contra malos resultados funcionales en dos modelos de regresión (p<0,05). Un estado funcional moderadamente anormal y severamente/muy severamente anormal al alta aumentó el riesgo de resultados funcionales deficientes en 4,14 (IC95% 1,02-16,72; p=0,04) y 4,76 (IC95% 1,19-19,0; p=0,02). Una disminución funcional en el momento del alta aumentó los riesgos de resultados funcionales deficientes a largo plazo en 6,86 (IC95% 2,16-21,79; p=0,001), independientemente de las puntuaciones de FSS. Conclusión Este es el primer estudio que evalúa los resultados funcionales a largo plazo después de enfermedades críticas pediátricas en América Latina. Nuestros datos son básicos y plantean preguntas relevantes para futuros estudios multicéntricos en América Latina y pueden contribuir a una mejor comprensión de los efectos de enfermedades críticas en los resultados funcionales a largo plazo en niños (AU)

Wearable pulmonary monitoring system with integrated functional lung imaging and chest sound recording: a clinical investigation in healthy subjects.

Objective.Current wearable respiratory monitoring devices provide a basic assessment of the breathing pattern of the examined subjects. More complex monitoring is needed for healthcare applications in patients with lung diseases. A multi-sensor vest allowing continuous lung imaging by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and auscultation at six chest locations was developed for such advanced application. The aims of our study were to determine the vest's capacity to record the intended bio-signals, its safety and the comfort of wearing in a first clinical investigation in healthy adult subjects.Approach.Twenty subjects (age range: 23-65 years) were studied while wearing the vests during a 14-step study protocol comprising phases of quiet and deep breathing, slow and forced full expiration manoeuvres, coughing, breath-holding in seated and three horizontal postures. EIT, chest sound and accelerometer signals were streamed to a tablet using a dedicated application and uploaded to a back-end server. The subjects filled in a questionnaire on the vest properties using a Likert scale.Main results.All subjects completed the full protocol. Good to excellent EIT waveforms and functional EIT images were obtained in 89% of the subjects. Breathing pattern and posture dependent changes in ventilation distribution were properly detected by EIT. Chest sounds were recorded in all subjects. Detection of audible heart sounds was feasible in 44%-67% of the subjects, depending on the sensor location. Accelerometry correctly identified the posture in all subjects. The vests were safe and their properties positively rated, thermal and tactile properties achieved the highest scores.Significance.The functionality and safety of the studied wearable multi-sensor vest and the high level of its acceptance by the study participants were confirmed. Availability of personalized vests might further advance its performance by improving the sensor-skin contact.

Long-term functional outcomes of children after critical illnesses: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess children's functional outcomes one year after critical illness and identify which factors influenced these functional outcomes. DESIGN: Ambispective cohort study. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a tertiary academic center. PARTICIPANTS: Children (1 month-17-year-old) and their caregivers. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Demographic, clinical, and functional status. RESULTS: Of 242 patients screened, 128 completed the year follow-up. These children had significant changes in functional status over time (p<0.001). The functional decline occurred in 62% of children at discharge and, after one year, was persistent in 33%. Age>12 months was a protective factor against poor functional outcomes in two regression models (p<0.05). A moderately abnormal functional status and a severely/very severely abnormal functional status at discharge increased the risks of poor functional outcomes by 4.14 (95% CI 1.02-16.72; p=0.04), and 4.76 (CI 95% 1.19-19.0; p=0.02). A functional decline at discharge increased by 6.86 (95%CI: 2.16-21.79; p=0.001) the risks of children's long-term poor functional outcomes, regardless of the FSS scores. CONCLUSION: This is the first study evaluating long-term functional outcomes after pediatric critical illnesses in Latin America. Our findings show baseline data and raise relevant questions for future multicentre studies in this field in Latin America, contributing to a better understanding of the effects of critical illnesses on long-term functional outcomes in children.

Renewable adsorbents from the solid residue of sewage sludge hydrothermal liquefaction for wastewater treatment.

Solid residue from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of nutrient rich feedstock presents a promising source to recover valuable nutrients, such as phosphorus, in the solid form. The present work shows for the first time the potential of utilizing the waste residue remaining after nutrients extraction from HTL of sewage sludge, as renewable adsorbents. A parametric study was undertaken to investigate the influence of chemical activation conditions (temperature, residence time, activation agent loading, washing after activation) on raw and partially demineralized HTL solids. Kinetic and equilibrium adsorption investigation was undertaken for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. For comparison purposes, a commercial activated charcoal (AC) was used. Demineralization was found to have a significant influence in the adsorption capacity of the resultant adsorbents. Three adsorbents were found to follow the Langmuir adsorption model, while the acid washed demineralized adsorbent had higher adsorption capacity than AC and was found to follow the Freundlich adsorption model. The superior performance of the acid washed demineralized adsorbent was verified from the kinetic study where all adsorbents were found to best fit the pseudo-second order model. Adsorption capacities for MB at equilibrium were 367.1, 332.3, 297.4 and 87.6 mg/g, for acid washed demineralized adsorbent, AC, demineralized adsorbent, and raw adsorbent, respectively. Finally, the most promising adsorbents were assessed for their adsorption capacity to remove pharmaceuticals present in a real wastewater treatment effluent. Results indicated ultimate concentration for all targeted compounds below the detection limits for acid washed demineralized adsorbent, AC and demineralized adsorbent. Future implementation of HTL technology in wastewater treatment facilities, will not only provide an efficient way to valorize sewage sludge into bio-crude and nutrients, but can also enhance technology integration by providing the precursors for renewable adsorbents needed in tertiary treatment of wastewater.

Genetic and morphological identification of filarial worm from Iberian hare in Portugal.

The Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula and the only hare species found in Portugal, although also being present in some areas of Spain. The reduction of wild hare populations due to several ecological and sanitary factors, has been raising growing concerns in the recent years. Despite different helminth species were already described in Iberian hares in Portugal, to this date, no filarial worms have been identified in this species. Furthermore, only a few studies on lagomorphs' onchocercid worms are available, referring to other hosts species of hares and/or rabbits. In this study, we describe the presence of filarial worms in the blood vessels of two adult Iberian hares collected in 2019 in continental Portugal. Morphology and sequencing data from the 12S rRNA, coxI, 18S rRNA, myoHC, hsp70 and rbp1 genes, showed that the filaroid species were genetically related with Micipsella numidica. However, the extension of the genetic differences found with M. numidica suggests that the filaroids specimens under study belong to a new species, that we provisionally named Micipsella iberica n. sp.. The body location of this putative new parasite species and its physiological implications indicate that it may constitute a potential menace to the already fragile Iberian hare justifying, therefore, further investigation regarding the morphological characterization, prevalence and real clinical impact of this new parasite in hares.

Lactational performance of dairy cows in response to supplementing N-acetyl-l-methionine as source of rumen-protected methionine.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of supplementing a rumen-protected source of Met, N-acetyl-l-methionine (NALM), on lactational performance and nitrogen metabolism in early- to mid-lactation dairy cows. Sixty multiparous Holstein dairy cows in early lactation (27 ± 4.3 d in milk, SD) were assigned to 4 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Cows were blocked by actual milk yield. Treatments were as follows: (1) no NALM (control); (2) 15 g/d of NALM (NALM15); (3) 30 g/d of NALM (NALM30); and (4) 45 g/d of NALM (NALM45). Diets were formulated using a Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) v.6.5 model software to meet or exceed nutritional requirements of lactating dairy cows producing 42 kg/d of milk and to undersupply metabolizable Met (control) or supply incremental amounts of NALM. The digestible Met (dMet) supply for control, NALM15, NALM30, and NALM45 were 54.7, 59.8, 64.7, and 72.2 g/d, respectively. The supply of dMet was 88, 94, 104, and 115% of dMet requirement for control, NALM15, NALM30, and NALM45, respectively. Milk yield data were collected, dry matter intake (DMI) was measured daily, and milk samples were collected twice per week for 22 wk. Blood, ruminal fluid, urine, and fecal samples were collected during the covariate period and during wk 4, 8, and 16. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute) using covariates in the model for all variables except body weight. Linear, quadratic, and cubic contrasts were also tested. Treatments did not affect DMI, milk yield, and milk component concentration and yield; however, feed efficiency expressed as milk yield per DMI and 3.5% fat-corrected milk per DMI were quadratically affected, with greater response observed for NALM15 and NALM30 compared with control. Acetate proportion linearly increased, whereas propionate proportion linearly decreased with NALM supplementation. Blood urea nitrogen linearly decreased with NALM supplementation. Total plasma essential AA concentrations were quadratically affected, as greater values were observed for control and NALM45 than other treatments. Plasma Met concentration was quadratically affected as lower levels were observed with NALM15, whereas Met concentrations increased with NALM45 compared with control. Nitrogen utilization efficiency and apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility were not affected by treatment. Supplementation of NALM at 15 or 30 g/head per day resulted in the greatest improvements in feed efficiency without affecting N metabolism of early- to mid-lactation dairy cows.

Comparison of reproductive management programs for submission of Holstein heifers for first insemination with conventional or sexed semen based on expression of estrus, pregnancy outcomes, and cost per pregnancy.

Our objective was to evaluate reproductive management programs for submission of Holstein heifers for first insemination with conventional or sexed semen. In experiment 1, nulliparous Holstein heifers (n = 462) were submitted to a 5-d progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID)-Synch protocol [d 0, GnRH + PRID; d 5, PGF2α - PRID; d 6, PGF2α; d 8, GnRH + TAI] and were randomly assigned for PRID removal on d 5 or 6 of the protocol followed by timed artificial insemination (TAI) with conventional semen. Delaying PRID removal decreased early expression of estrus before scheduled TAI (0.9 vs. 12.2%), and pregnancies per AI (P/AI) did not differ between treatments. In experiment 2, nulliparous Holstein heifers (n = 736) from 3 commercial farms were randomized within farm to 1 of 3 treatments for first AI with sexed semen: (1) CIDR5 [d -6, GnRH + controlled internal drug release (CIDR); d -1, PGF2α - CIDR; d 0, PGF2α; d 2, GnRH + TAI]; (2) CIDR6 (d -6, GnRH + CIDR; d -1, PGF2α; d 0, PGF2α - CIDR; d 2, GnRH + TAI); and (3) EDAI (PGF2α on d 0 followed by once-daily estrous detection and AI). Delaying CIDR removal decreased early expression of estrus before scheduled TAI (0.004 vs. 27.8%); however, CIDR5 heifers tended to have more P/AI at 35 (53 vs. 45 vs. 46%) and 64 (52 vs. 45 vs. 45%) days after AI than CIDR6 and EDAI heifers, respectively. Overall, CIDR5 and CIDR6 heifers had fewer days to first AI and pregnancy than EDAI heifers which resulted in less feed costs than EDAI heifers due to fewer days on feed until pregnancy. Despite greater hormonal treatment costs for CIDR5 heifers, costs per pregnancy were $16.66 less for CIDR5 than for EDAI heifers. In conclusion, delaying PRID removal by 24 h within a 5-d PRID-Synch protocol in experiment 1 suppressed early expression of estrus before TAI, and P/AI for heifers inseminated with conventional semen did not differ between treatments. By contrast, although delaying CIDR removal by 24 h within a 5-CIDR-Synch protocol in experiment 2 suppressed early expression of estrus before TAI, delaying CIDR removal by 24 h tended to decrease P/AI for heifers inseminated with sexed semen. Further, submission of heifers to a 5-d CIDR-Synch protocol for first AI tended to increase P/AI and decrease the cost per pregnancy compared with EDAI heifers.

Anatomical description of the skulls of peccaries (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus 1758) by computed tomography / [Descrição anatômica de crânio de catetos (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus, 1758) por tomografia computadorizada]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical structures of the skulls of peccaries to establish the basis for their clinical study and future preclinical research. Ten skulls of adult peccaries were subjected to tomographic examination. The data obtained were processed via three-dimensional image reconstruction software (3D images). The reconstructions obtained from the neurocranium of the studied specimens allowed the identification and description of the following structures: nasal bone, frontal bone, parietal bones, incisor bone, maxillary bone, zygomatic bone, temporal bone, palatal bone, occipital bone, vomer bone, pterygoid bone, sphenoid bone, paranasal sinuses and orbit. Computed tomography proved to be an important diagnostic tool in the investigation of the skull of this species, allowing the acquisition of anatomical values not yet documented for the species in the literature.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as estruturas anatômicas dos crânios de catetos, a fim de se estabelecerem as bases para seu estudo clínico e futuras pesquisas pré-clínicas. Dez crânios de catetos adultos foram submetidos a exame tomográfico. Os dados obtidos foram introduzidos em um software de reconstrução de imagens tridimensionais (imagens em 3D). As reconstruções obtidas do neurocrânio dos espécimes estudados permitiram a identificação e a descrição das seguintes estruturas: osso nasal, osso frontal, ossos parietais, osso incisivo, osso maxilar, osso zigomático, osso temporal, osso palatino, osso occipital, osso vômer, osso pterigoide, osso esfenoide, seios paranasais e órbita. A tomografia computadorizada mostrou-se como uma ferramenta diagnóstica importante na investigação do crânio dessa espécie, permitindo a aquisição de valores anatômicos ainda não documentados para a espécie na literatura.(AU)

Identification and analysis of stable breathing periods in electrical impedance tomography recordings.

Objective. In this paper, an automated stable tidal breathing period (STBP) identification method based on processing electrical impedance tomography (EIT) waveforms is proposed and the possibility of detecting and identifying such periods using EIT waveforms is analyzed. In wearable chest EIT, patients breathe spontaneously, and therefore, their breathing pattern might not be stable. Since most of the EIT feature extraction methods are applied to STBPs, this renders their automatic identification of central importance.Approach. The EIT frame sequence is reconstructed from the raw EIT recordings and the raw global impedance waveform (GIW) is computed. Next, the respiratory component of the raw GIW is extracted and processed for the automatic respiratory cycle (breath) extraction and their subsequent grouping into STBPs.Main results. We suggest three criteria for the identification of STBPs, namely, the coefficient of variation of (i) breath tidal volume, (ii) breath duration and (iii) end-expiratory impedance. The total number of true STBPs identified by the proposed method was 294 out of 318 identified by the expert corresponding to accuracy over 90%. Specific activities such as speaking, eating and arm elevation are identified as sources of false positives and their discrimination is discussed.Significance. Simple and computationally efficient STBP detection and identification is a highly desirable component in the EIT processing pipeline. Our study implies that it is feasible, however, the determination of its limits is necessary in order to consider the implementation of more advanced and computationally demanding approaches such as deep learning and fusion with data from other wearable sensors such as accelerometers and microphones.

Methods to determine the radiated power in SPI-mitigated disruptions in JET.

This paper presents techniques for evaluating the radiated power in JET disruptions. Disrupting plasmas are shown to have non-axisymmetric radiation profiles, motivating the re-evaluation of the standard techniques for calculating the total radiated power at JET using bolometry. Four single-channel bolometers at different toroidal locations are exploited to quantify the radiation asymmetry. Toroidal radiation peaking factors integrated over the entire disruption of up to 1.5 have been observed when varying the quantity of neon in pellets used in disruptions mitigated by shattered pellet injection. Using synthetic bolometer diagnostics developed with the Cherab spectroscopy modeling framework, we can estimate the systematic error on total power calculations for relevant radiation profiles and improve estimates of the total radiated power. We show that the component of the systematic error on the total power due to the poloidal radiation profile can be reduced from 70% to 10% with suitable assumptions about the structure of the poloidal profile.

Short-term use of an exposed polypropylene barrier in the preservation of alveolar bone after extraction: randomized clinical trial.

This study was performed to evaluate the short-term preservation of alveolar bone volume with or without a polypropylene barrier and exposure of the area after extractions. Thirty posterior tooth extraction sockets were distributed randomly to a control group (n=15; extraction and suture) and a barrier group (n=15; extraction, barrier, and suture). All sutures and barriers were removed 10 days postoperatively. Cone beam computed tomography scans taken with the aid of a tomographic guide were obtained preoperatively, immediately postoperative, and at 120 days postoperative. A visual analysis of the coronal sections of the alveolus was performed, and vertical loss in the mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual bone ridges and horizontal thickness were evaluated. The mean vertical loss after extraction did not differ significantly between the control and barrier groups (Student t-test: mesial P= 0.989, buccal P= 0.997, lingual/palatal P= 0.070, distal P= 0.107). The mean vertical loss at 120 days postoperative did not differ significantly between the control (0.65 mm) and barrier (0.52 mm) groups (P> 0.05), with an effect size of 0.13 mm. At 120 days, the barrier group presented a mean resorption in thickness (0.45 mm) that was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.76 mm) (P= 0.021), with an effect size of 0.31 mm. The polypropylene barrier reduced the horizontal resorption in sockets of posterior teeth after extraction.