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1.
Eur Arch Paediatr Dent ; 25(5): 715-720, 2024 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39266902

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the association between presence of caries in anterior teeth and bullying victimization in schoolchildren. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Brazil with a sample of 387 schoolchildren aged 6 to 10 years. The presence of moderate/extensive dental caries was assessed using the International System for the Evaluation and Detection of Dental Caries (ICDAS-II). The children answered the "Olweus Bullying" (QBO). Descriptive analyses were performed, and the associations between bullying victimization and independent variables collected were determined by univariate and multivariate Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of bullying victimization was 66.4%. Bullying victimization was higher among children who had moderate/extensive caries in some anterior teeth (p = 0.010). 8-year-old (p = 0.048), 9-year-old (p = 0.001), and 10-year-old (p = 0.002) children reported greater bullying victimization when compared to 6-year-olds. CONCLUSION: The presence of moderate/extensive dental caries in anterior teeth is associated with bullying victimization in schoolchildren.


Subject(s)
Bullying , Dental Caries , Humans , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Brazil/epidemiology , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Male , Female , Bullying/statistics & numerical data , Crime Victims/statistics & numerical data , Prevalence
2.
J Radiol Prot ; 43(3)2023 09 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37714146

ABSTRACT

Interventional radiology brings extensive benefits to patients. Nevertheless, certain procedures may result in high doses of radiation, leading to health risks to occupationally exposed individuals (OEIs). Therefore, a more comprehensive risk analysis is essential to ensuring safety and minimising radiation exposures for all OEIs. The Toolkit for Safety Assessment (TOKSA) tool performs risk assessments based on the concepts described in 'General Safety Requirements' Part 3 (Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards) and Part 4 (Safety Assessment for Facilities and Activities). This tool was developed based on the 'Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies' risk models and can promote the use of the risk assessment processes by OEIs. The aim of this study was to experimentally analyse the applicability of the TOKSA tool in interventional radiology with the use/support of probabilistic risk assessment techniques. The results were used to reduce the risks associated with a hemodynamics room in a hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.


Subject(s)
Radiation Protection , Radiology, Interventional , Humans , Brazil , Hospitals , Risk Assessment
3.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int ; 27(17): 21013-21020, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32266618

ABSTRACT

Faster spread of epidemics has turned local concerns into global crises; antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is being considered a major threat to public health in the twenty-first century. Antibiotic misuse plays a great role in accelerated AMR; thus, understanding and discussing consumption patterns has been a trend topic over the past years. Developing countries, such as Brazil, have high growth rates in antibiotic consumption, potentially impacting global environmental safety. This study presents the compiled information from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) on antibiotic dispensation across the country and maps the consumption trends between the years of 2013 and 2016. The most consumed substances were beta-lactams (amoxicillin and cephalexin) and macrolides (azithromycin). National relative growth consumption in the mentioned period was 18%. At the local level, growth of consumption ranged from 4 to 85%, with rampage growth concentrated in the North and Northeast regions. Brazilian laws, such as restriction of over-the-counter sales and mandatory report on dispensation, seem to have little effect on the national antibiotic consumption growth. This phenomenon growth is still elevated if compared with developed countries, demonstrating the need for further surveillance as well as coordinated efforts aiming at antibiotic use and AMR prevention.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Developing Countries , Amoxicillin , Brazil , Macrolides
4.
Eur Arch Paediatr Dent ; 21(1): 95-101, 2020 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31144285

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate factors associated with difficulty eating and speaking due to oral problems according to the reports of children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 769 5-year-old children at preschools in a city in northeast Brazil. Parents/caretakers answered a questionnaire addressing socio-demographic data and a history of dental pain. The children answered the scale of oral health outcomes for 5-year-old children, which was used to evaluate the dependent variables. Clinical examinations of the children were performed by examiners who had undergone calibration exercises. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Poisson regression analysis (α = 5%). RESULTS: The prevalence of the perception of functional limitations on the part of the children was 35.5% for difficulty eating and 22.9% for difficulty speaking. Difficulty eating was associated with a history of dental pain (PR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.27-2.22) and the occurrence of traumatic dental injury (TDI) (PR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.01-1.52). Difficulty speaking due to oral problems was associated with studying at a public preschool (PR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.19-2.46), a history of dental pain (PR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.07-2.20), and the occurrence of TDI (PR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.12-2.06). CONCLUSIONS: Pain symptoms and the occurrence of TDI can exert an influence on the development of functional limitations. With regard to socioeconomic factors, studying at a public preschool can influence difficulty speaking in children.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Tooth Injuries , Brazil , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Oral Health , Prevalence , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires
5.
JDR Clin Trans Res ; 5(4): 342-348, 2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31847730

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Investigating preschool children's social behaviors and the association with oral health variables helps to understand child development. Besides that, different perceptions need to be explored regarding the impact of oral problems on the social behavior between the child's self-report and parent's/caregiver's proxy report. OBJECTIVE: To determine which socioeconomic and oral factors are associated with difficulty sleeping and playing and the avoidance of smiling in preschoolers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative random sample of 769 pairs of parents/caregivers and 5-y-old preschoolers. The preschoolers answered a questionnaire on difficulty sleeping, difficulty playing, and the avoidance of smiling for reasons related to oral problems. The parents/caregivers answered a questionnaire addressing socioeconomic characteristics as well as the use of dental services. Two calibrated dentists examined the children for the determination of dental caries, traumatic dental injury (TDI), malocclusion, and bruxism. Descriptive and Poisson regression analysis for complex samples with robust variance was used to test the associations (α = 5%). RESULTS: The variables associated with difficulty sleeping were low household income (confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-3.01), number of untreated dental caries (CI, 1.02-1.04), dental pain (CI, 1.76-3.59), TDI (CI, 1.08-2.11), and anterior open bite (CI, 1.11-2.20). Difficulty playing also was associated with the low household income (CI, 1.34-3.15), number of untreated dental caries (CI, 1.01-1.04), dental pain (CI,1.42-3.61), and TDI (CI, 1.13-2.33). The number of untreated dental caries (CI, 1.02-1.05), dental pain (CI, 1.03-2.88), anterior open bite (CI, 1.30-3.26), and not using dental services (CI, 1.13-2.73) were determinant factors for the avoidance of smiling. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic, symptomatic, and/or oral esthetic problems exerted an impact on the social behavior of the preschoolers analyzed, such as playing, sleeping, and smiling. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: The results of the present study may help parents and clinicians to understand better the association of oral problems with the social behavior of preschool children. Moreover, this study shows the importance of listening to children in clinical decisions. These results also can help in the elaboration of oral health policies.


Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Tooth Injuries , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Humans , Quality of Life , Self Concept , Social Behavior
6.
Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo) ; 54(1): 20-25, 2019 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31363238

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: High cervical spine fixation represents a challenge for spine surgeons due to the complex anatomy and the risks of vascular and medullar injury. The recent advances in 3-D printing have unfolded a whole new range of options for these surgeons. METHODS: In the present study, a guide for the placement of the lateral mass screw in the C1 vertebra was developed using 3-D printing. Eight real-size models of the high cervical spine and their respective screw guides were built using computed tomography (CT) scan images. The guidewires were inserted with the help of the printed guides and then the models were analyzed with the help of CT scan images. RESULTS: All of the guidewires in the present study obtained a safe placement in the models, avoiding the superior and inferior articular surfaces, the vertebral foramen, and the vertebral artery. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the efficiency of the guide, a reliable tool for aiding the insertion of guidewires for screws in lateral masses of the C1.

7.
Neotrop Entomol ; 48(6): 1030-1038, 2019 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31456168

ABSTRACT

Chemical compounds present on the cuticle of social insects are important in communication, as they are used in recognition of nestmates and sexual partners as well as in caste distinction, varying according to several factors, such as genetic and environmental. In this context, some studies have explored the cuticular chemical profile as a tool for assessing intra- and interspecific differences in social insects, although few studies have investigated this in social wasps. This study aimed to assess the differences in cuticular chemical profiles among different geographic samples of the wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis Zikán. Our hypothesis was that environmental factors are decisive to compose the cuticular chemical profiles of colonies of these social wasps and that there are differences regarding the geographic distribution among colonies. We used Fourier Transform Infrared-Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) to assess the chemical profiles of samples. Our results show that despite there are differences between the cuticular chemical composition of the wasps' samples from different populations, there is no significant correlation compared to the spatial distribution of the colonies nor with the environment. Thus, our hypothesis was refuted, and we can infer that in this species neither exogenous nor genetic factors stand out to differentiate the chemical signature of their colonies, but a combination of both.


Subject(s)
Animal Structures/chemistry , Biological Variation, Population , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Wasps/chemistry , Animals , Brazil , Geography
8.
Rev. Bras. Ortop. (Online) ; 54(1): 20-25, Jan.-Feb. 2019. tab, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-1003598

ABSTRACT

Abstract Objective High cervical spine fixation represents a challenge for spine surgeons due to the complex anatomy and the risks of vascular and medullar injury. The recent advances in 3-D printing have unfolded a whole new range of options for these surgeons. Methods In the present study, a guide for the placement of the lateral mass screw in the C1 vertebra was developed using 3-D printing. Eight real-size models of the high cervical spine and their respective screw guides were built using computed tomography (CT) scan images. The guidewires were inserted with the help of the printed guides and then the models were analyzed with the help of CT scan images. Results All of the guidewires in the present study obtained a safe placement in the models, avoiding the superior and inferior articular surfaces, the vertebral foramen, and the vertebral artery. Conclusion The present study demonstrated the efficiency of the guide, a reliable tool for aiding the insertion of guidewires for screws in lateral masses of the C1.


Resumo Objetivos A fixação de coluna cervical alta pode representar um desafio para os cirurgiões de coluna devido à anatomia complexa e aos riscos de lesão vascular e medular. Os recentes avanços com a tecnologia de impressão 3 D abriram um novo leque de opções para os cirurgiões. Métodos Desenvolveu-se umguia para a adaptação de parafusos demassa lateral em C1 comauxílio de impressão 3 D. Foram confeccionados oitomodelos em tamanho real de coluna cervical alta e seus respectivos guias com base em tomografias computadorizadas. Os fios-guia foram introduzidos com o auxílio dos guias; os modelos foram analisados com auxílio de tomografia computadorizada. Resultados Todos os fios-guia avaliados no estudo apresentaram um trajeto seguro nos modelos, respeitaram as superfícies articulares superiores e inferiores, o canal vertebral e a artéria vertebral. Conclusão O estudo demonstrou que o guia tem boa eficácia, é uma ferramenta confiável para auxiliar a adaptação de fios-guia para parafusos em massas laterais de C1.


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Spinal Fusion , Cervical Vertebrae/surgery , Cervical Vertebrae/pathology , Spinal Fractures , Printing, Three-Dimensional
9.
Science ; 355(6328): 925-931, 2017 03 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28254935

ABSTRACT

The extent to which pre-Columbian societies altered Amazonian landscapes is hotly debated. We performed a basin-wide analysis of pre-Columbian impacts on Amazonian forests by overlaying known archaeological sites in Amazonia with the distributions and abundances of 85 woody species domesticated by pre-Columbian peoples. Domesticated species are five times more likely than nondomesticated species to be hyperdominant. Across the basin, the relative abundance and richness of domesticated species increase in forests on and around archaeological sites. In southwestern and eastern Amazonia, distance to archaeological sites strongly influences the relative abundance and richness of domesticated species. Our analyses indicate that modern tree communities in Amazonia are structured to an important extent by a long history of plant domestication by Amazonian peoples.


Subject(s)
Domestication , Forests , Trees , Brazil , History, Ancient , Humans
10.
Anim. Reprod. ; 11(4): 517-525, Oct.-Dec.2014. ilus, tab, graf
Article in English | VETINDEX | ID: vti-27419

ABSTRACT

The donkey (Equus asinus) is a domesticated species from the Equidae family that is economically important and very well adapted to the arid regions of South America, Africa and Asia. However, except for a few studies in the literature related to testis structure and function in donkeys, to our knowledge there is no report regarding spermatogenic and Sertoli cell efficiencies in this equid species. Therefore, in the present study our main aims were to study these important parameters in Pêga donkeys. For this purpose, five sexually mature donkeys that had their testis perfused-fixed with buffered glutaraldehyde and routinely prepared for histological and stereological evaluationswere investigated during the equine breeding period, which is from September to February in the South Hemisphere. The results found showed that, similar to most mammalian species already investigated, from the theoretical expected number, expressive germ cell loss occurred during the spermatogonial (~75%) and meiotic (~25%) phases of spermatogenesis, in such a way that, from each 10 spermatozoa expected to be formed from initial type A differentiated spermatogonia, only around 2 would be formed. However, mainly due to the higher Sertoli cell efficiency found for Pêga donkeys (~15 spermatids per Sertoli cell), spermatogenic efficiency (daily sperm production per testis gram) observed for this species (~42 million) is the highest observed for the domestic mammals already investigated, being ~110% higher than the value described in the literature forstallions.(AU)


Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Equidae , Sertoli Cells , Spermatogenesis , Testis/anatomy & histology , Sperm Count/veterinary
11.
Anim. Reprod. (Online) ; 11(4): 517-525, Oct.-Dec.2014. ilus, tab, graf
Article in English | VETINDEX | ID: biblio-1461131

ABSTRACT

The donkey (Equus asinus) is a domesticated species from the Equidae family that is economically important and very well adapted to the arid regions of South America, Africa and Asia. However, except for a few studies in the literature related to testis structure and function in donkeys, to our knowledge there is no report regarding spermatogenic and Sertoli cell efficiencies in this equid species. Therefore, in the present study our main aims were to study these important parameters in Pêga donkeys. For this purpose, five sexually mature donkeys that had their testis perfused-fixed with buffered glutaraldehyde and routinely prepared for histological and stereological evaluationswere investigated during the equine breeding period, which is from September to February in the South Hemisphere. The results found showed that, similar to most mammalian species already investigated, from the theoretical expected number, expressive germ cell loss occurred during the spermatogonial (~75%) and meiotic (~25%) phases of spermatogenesis, in such a way that, from each 10 spermatozoa expected to be formed from initial type A differentiated spermatogonia, only around 2 would be formed. However, mainly due to the higher Sertoli cell efficiency found for Pêga donkeys (~15 spermatids per Sertoli cell), spermatogenic efficiency (daily sperm production per testis gram) observed for this species (~42 million) is the highest observed for the domestic mammals already investigated, being ~110% higher than the value described in the literature forstallions.


Subject(s)
Male , Animals , Sperm Count/veterinary , Sertoli Cells , Equidae , Spermatogenesis , Testis/anatomy & histology
12.
Clin Exp Rheumatol ; 32(6 Suppl 86): S-225-7, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25068521

ABSTRACT

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are widely used in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) due to the chronic gastroesophageal reflux. The authors report a female patient with a 9-year history of SSc and long-term use of omeprazole, who complained of paresthesia and asthenia for 12 months. Physical examination revealed clinical signs of hypocalcaemia confirmed by laboratory tests that also showed hypomagnesaemia. After exclusion of possible causes, hypomagnesaemia secondary to PPI was diagnosed and omeprazole was replaced by a histamine H2-receptor antagonist: ranitidine. Despite continuous magnesium supplementation, the reintroduction of PPI at a lower dose due to worsening of dyspeptic symptoms led to recurrence of hypomagnesaemia. After definitive suspension of PPI, reintroduction of ranitidine and optimisation of anti-reflux environmental measures, the patient stabilised. In conclusion, SSc patients using PPIs should have their magnesium and calcium serum levels measured periodically, and non-specific symptoms such as asthenia, generalised paresthesia or life-threatening manifestations (seizures, arrhythmias) should not be neglected.


Subject(s)
Gastroesophageal Reflux/drug therapy , Hypocalcemia/chemically induced , Magnesium/blood , Omeprazole/adverse effects , Proton Pump Inhibitors/adverse effects , Scleroderma, Systemic/complications , Aged , Female , Gastroesophageal Reflux/etiology , Humans
13.
Proc Biol Sci ; 281(1777): 20132475, 2014 Feb 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24403329

ABSTRACT

The extent and intensity of pre-Columbian impacts on lowland Amazonia have remained uncertain and controversial. Various indicators can be used to gauge the impact of pre-Columbian societies, but the formation of nutrient-enriched terra preta soils has been widely accepted as an indication of long-term settlement and site fidelity. Using known and newly discovered terra preta sites and maximum entropy algorithms (Maxent), we determined the influence of regional environmental conditions on the likelihood that terra pretas would have been formed at any given location in lowland Amazonia. Terra pretas were most frequently found in central and eastern Amazonia along the lower courses of the major Amazonian rivers. Terrain, hydrologic and soil characteristics were more important predictors of terra preta distributions than climatic conditions. Our modelling efforts indicated that terra pretas are likely to be found throughout ca 154 063 km(2) or 3.2% of the forest. We also predict that terra preta formation was limited in most of western Amazonia. Model results suggested that the distribution of terra preta was highly predictable based on environmental parameters. We provided targets for future archaeological surveys under the vast forest canopy and also highlighted how few of the long-term forest inventory sites in Amazonia are able to capture the effects of historical disturbance.


Subject(s)
Environment , Soil/chemistry , Algorithms , Archaeology , South America
14.
Rev. bras. ter. comport. cogn ; 15(3): 37-56, dez. 2013. tab
Article in Portuguese | Index Psychology - journals | ID: psi-61332

ABSTRACT

O Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo (TOC) é um quadro caracterizado por obsessões e compulsões, provocando prejuízos em contextos sociais, familiares e de trabalho. O presente estudo teve como objetivo demonstrar a relevância de análises funcionais molares associadas ao instrumental da ACT, ilustrando com um caso clínico de TOC. Ao longo de 68 sessões, foi possível identificar padrões comportamentais amplos de comunicação agressiva, busca de controle e habilidade de argumentação verbal, funcionalmente relacionados ao TOC, bem como ampla sensibilidade a contextos sócio-verbais de literalidade e de dar razões, relacionados a forte padrão de esquiva experiencial. A compreensão das contingências atuais e históricas propiciaram a aceitação dos estados privados aversivos e o comprometimento com a exposição a contextos terapêuticos, no sentido de enfraquecer comportamentos funcionalmente semelhantes aos obsessivo-compulsivos, porém com menor relevância emocional, o que levou ao enfraquecimento dos sintomas de TOC e a melhorias nas relações com familiares e colegas de trabalho.(AU)


Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions, with losses in social, family and labor contexts. This study aimed to show the relevance of molar functional analyses associated to ACT interventions, illustrating it with a case of OCD. Along 68 sessions, it has been possible to identify ample behavior patterns of aggressive communication, search for control and verbal argumentation skills, functionally related to OCD symptoms, as well as ample sensitivity to social/verbal contexts of literality and reason giving, leading to a strong pattern of experiential avoidance. Understanding of current and historical contingencies led to the acceptance of aversive private states and commitment to the exposure to therapeutic contexts, in order to weaken behaviors that were functionally related to the obsessive-compulsive ones, but less emotionally relevant, which led to weakening of OCD symptoms and improvements in relationships with relatives and coworkers.(AU)


Subject(s)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/therapy , Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
15.
Rev. bras. ter. comport. cogn ; 15(3): 37-56, dez. 2013. tab
Article in Portuguese | LILACS | ID: lil-717696

ABSTRACT

O Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo (TOC) é um quadro caracterizado por obsessões e compulsões, provocando prejuízos em contextos sociais, familiares e de trabalho. O presente estudo teve como objetivo demonstrar a relevância de análises funcionais molares associadas ao instrumental da ACT, ilustrando com um caso clínico de TOC. Ao longo de 68 sessões, foi possível identificar padrões comportamentais amplos de comunicação agressiva, busca de controle e habilidade de argumentação verbal, funcionalmente relacionados ao TOC, bem como ampla sensibilidade a contextos sócio-verbais de literalidade e de dar razões, relacionados a forte padrão de esquiva experiencial. A compreensão das contingências atuais e históricas propiciaram a aceitação dos estados privados aversivos e o comprometimento com a exposição a contextos terapêuticos, no sentido de enfraquecer comportamentos funcionalmente semelhantes aos obsessivo-compulsivos, porém com menor relevância emocional, o que levou ao enfraquecimento dos sintomas de TOC e a melhorias nas relações com familiares e colegas de trabalho...


Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions, with losses in social, family and labor contexts. This study aimed to show the relevance of molar functional analyses associated to ACT interventions, illustrating it with a case of OCD. Along 68 sessions, it has been possible to identify ample behavior patterns of aggressive communication, search for control and verbal argumentation skills, functionally related to OCD symptoms, as well as ample sensitivity to social/verbal contexts of literality and reason giving, leading to a strong pattern of experiential avoidance. Understanding of current and historical contingencies led to the acceptance of aversive private states and commitment to the exposure to therapeutic contexts, in order to weaken behaviors that were functionally related to the obsessive-compulsive ones, but less emotionally relevant, which led to weakening of OCD symptoms and improvements in relationships with relatives and coworkers...


Subject(s)
Humans , Acceptance and Commitment Therapy , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/therapy
16.
Phys Med Biol ; 58(18): 6565-83, 2013 Sep 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24002695

ABSTRACT

In many countries, computed radiography (CR) systems represent the majority of equipment used in digital mammography. This study presents a method for optimizing image quality and dose in CR mammography of patients with breast thicknesses between 45 and 75 mm. Initially, clinical images of 67 patients (group 1) were analyzed by three experienced radiologists, reporting about anatomical structures, noise and contrast in low and high pixel value areas, and image sharpness and contrast. Exposure parameters (kV, mAs and target/filter combination) used in the examinations of these patients were reproduced to determine the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and mean glandular dose (MGD). The parameters were also used to radiograph a CDMAM (version 3.4) phantom (Artinis Medical Systems, The Netherlands) for image threshold contrast evaluation. After that, different breast thicknesses were simulated with polymethylmethacrylate layers and various sets of exposure parameters were used in order to determine optimal radiographic parameters. For each simulated breast thickness, optimal beam quality was defined as giving a target CNR to reach the threshold contrast of CDMAM images for acceptable MGD. These results were used for adjustments in the automatic exposure control (AEC) by the maintenance team. Using optimized exposure parameters, clinical images of 63 patients (group 2) were evaluated as described above. Threshold contrast, CNR and MGD for such exposure parameters were also determined. Results showed that the proposed optimization method was effective for all breast thicknesses studied in phantoms. The best result was found for breasts of 75 mm. While in group 1 there was no detection of the 0.1 mm critical diameter detail with threshold contrast below 23%, after the optimization, detection occurred in 47.6% of the images. There was also an average MGD reduction of 7.5%. The clinical image quality criteria were attended in 91.7% for all breast thicknesses evaluated in both patient groups. Finally, this study also concluded that the use of the AEC of the x-ray unit based on the constant dose to the detector may bring some difficulties to CR systems to operate under optimal conditions. More studies must be performed, so that the compatibility between systems and optimization methodologies can be evaluated, as well as this optimization method. Most methods are developed for phantoms, so comparative studies including clinical images must be developed.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Contrast Media/chemistry , Mammography/methods , Radiation Dosage , Breast/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Computer Simulation , Female , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Phantoms, Imaging , Radiographic Image Enhancement/instrumentation , Radiographic Image Enhancement/methods , Radiometry/methods , Reproducibility of Results
17.
Genet Mol Res ; 11(4): 4351-9, 2012 Dec 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23079989

ABSTRACT

Insects use pheromones as a means of chemical communication. Pheromones act on individual receptors and produce specific behavioral or physiological responses that are fundamental to intra- and interspecific recognition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interspecific differences among the linear hydrocarbon profiles of the cuticles of 3 wasp species of the genus Mischocyttarus. The chemical strategy that permits an interaction among 2 of these species was also examined about their hydrocarbon profiles. The cuticular hydrocarbons present on the abdomen of each individual were extracted with hexane in an ultrasonic bath and analyzed using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The results suggested that the wasp species have distinct chemical signatures as the linear hydrocarbons of their cuticles. However, these signatures are more alike in those with similar morphological and behavioral aspects. These similarities facilitate an interaction of facultative parasitism observed among these species, in which the invaders acquire parts of the chemical signature of the host colony, possibly as a chemical strategy to increase the likelihood that an invader will be accepted by the females of a host colony. Both invader and host have their own chemical signature changed by the first contact between the species.


Subject(s)
Alkanes/metabolism , Pheromones/metabolism , Wasps/metabolism , Alkanes/isolation & purification , Animals , Hydrocarbons/isolation & purification , Hydrocarbons/metabolism , Pheromones/isolation & purification , Scent Glands/metabolism , Species Specificity
18.
Genet Mol Res ; 11(3): 1891-8, 2012 Jul 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22869544

ABSTRACT

One of the most important attributes that allowed the evolution and maintenance of sociality in insects is their ability to distinguish members of their own colonies. The capacity for individual recognition in social insects is mediated by chemical signals that are acquired soon after the adult emerges, and vary according to the tasks performed by individuals in their colonies. We determined the time when adults of the wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis acquire the chemical signature of their colonies, as well as the variation in the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of the exoskeleton of individuals, according to their functions in the colony. The method used was Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy directly on the gaster of each individual. Young wasps take three to four days to acquire the colony's chemical signature, with a small change on the fifth day, when the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of the workers is more similar to that of the queens than that of the males, probably because they are of the same sex, but primarily because of the similarity of tasks executed by these two groups of females in the colonies.


Subject(s)
Aging/metabolism , Pheromones/metabolism , Wasps/growth & development , Wasps/metabolism , Animals , Discriminant Analysis , Female , Hierarchy, Social , Male , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Vibration
19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23366297

ABSTRACT

This work proposes to detect possible affections or abnormalities in pelvic belt region in a group of rhythmic gymnastics due to the need for studies in the field of biomechanics and structural evaluation of human being. The methodology for this study used a tool called Biophotogrammetry. This technique has analyzed, through scanned images, the structural pelvic girdle bone profile of 64 practitioners of rhythmic gymnastics. The results of this study have presented weighted averages of 45.07±9.78° between the right pelvic slope (RPS) and left pelvic slope (LPS) and 91.74±2.50° for flattening of the pelvis (FP). Therefore, it is concluded that the Biophotogrammetry technique provides data related to the gold standard radiography test, used as reference for the pelvic girdle measurements.


Subject(s)
Gymnastics/physiology , Pelvic Bones/anatomy & histology , Pelvic Bones/physiology , Photogrammetry/methods , Biomechanical Phenomena , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans
20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23366298

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to compare and correlate the Portable Ultra Sound (US) measuring technique to the skinfold measuring technique (SF) to estimate body fat percentage (%F) in young adults. Sixty military were evaluated, all males, divided in two groups: Group 1 (normal) composed by 30 military with Body Mass Index (BMI) until 24.99 kg/m(2) and Group 2 (overweight) composed by 30 military with BMI > 25 kg/m(2). Weight, height, skinfolds and ultrasound were measured in 9 points (triceps, subscapular, biceps, chest, medium axillary, abdominal, suprailiac, thigh and calf). Body fat average values obtained by skinfold thickness and ultrasound measurements were 13.25 ± 6.32 % and 12.73 ± 5.95 % respectively. Despite significant differences in measurements of each anatomical site, it was possible to verify that the total final body fat percentage calculated by both techniques did not present significant differences and that overweight group presented greater similarity between the values obtained using caliper and ultrasound equipment.


Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue/physiology , Skinfold Thickness , Ultrasonics/instrumentation , Ultrasonics/methods , Anthropometry , Body Mass Index , Humans , Male , Reference Standards , Young Adult
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