Evaluation of micronuclei, cytomorphometric and cytologic changes of the oral mucosa in hookah and cigarette smokers.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of hookah and cigarettes on the oral mucosa of smokers through the use of exfoliative cytology. STUDY DESIGN: Smear samples were collected by exfoliative cytology from the tongue of 33 hookah smokers, 22 cigarette smokers, and 30 non-smokers. The selected analyses include micronuclei (MN), metanuclear anomalies, epithelial maturation, and cytomorphology (nuclear area [NA], cytoplasmic area [CA], and NA/CA ratio). RESULTS: The largest differences observed for MN and metanuclear anomalies were between cigarette smokers and the control group (notably 1 MN P = .04; total cells with MN P = .039; total MN P = .042; karyorrhexis and binucleation, P = .0001). The hookah group, compared with the control group, showed the greatest differences for karyolysis (P = .0023), binucleation (P = .0003), and broken egg (P = .008). Significant differences were found between the smokers and the control groups regarding changes in the superficial cell without nucleus, perinuclear halo, vacuolization, color change, mucus, and keratohyalin granules. There was a significant increase in the NA and NA/CA ratio in the smoker groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a combined analysis of exfoliative cytology associated with other diagnostic methods is a useful tool for studying oral carcinogenesis. Hookah and cigarettes showed similar effects in terms of displaying substantial cytogenetic and cytotoxic damage.

Efectos de un curso universitario de extensión sobre habilidades sociales de adolescentes / Efeitos de um curso universitário de extensão sobre habilidades sociais de adolescentes / Effects of a university extension course on adolescent's social skills

As habilidades sociais têm importante papel na vida escolar e profissional. Este estudo, de natureza descritiva e correlacional, analisa os efeitos de um Curso de extensão intitulado "Imersão na Universidade: você protagonista do seu futuro", sobre as habilidades sociais de estudantes do Ensino Médio da rede pública. Para tanto, aplicou-se o Inventário de Habilidades Sociais em Adolescentes (IHSA-DelPrette) no momento inicial e três meses após o término do curso, considerando dois indicadores: (1) frequência e (2) dificuldade com que reagiam às diferentes demandas de interação social. Verificou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre os escores pré e pós intervenção (p = 0,014), evidenciando aumento da frequência das habilidades. Para a dificuldade não foi observada diferença significante, embora tenha ocorrido uma diminuição de 13,45%. A universidade pode ser um espaço não apenas para capacitação analítica e instrumental, mas para o desenvolvimento interpessoal tanto da comunidade interna quanto externa.

Las habilidades sociales poseen importante papel en la vida escolar y profesional. En este estudio, de naturaleza descriptiva y correlacional, se analiza los efectos de un Curso de extensión intitulado "Inmersión en la Universidad: usted es protagonista de su futuro", sobre las habilidades sociales de estudiantes de la enseñanza secundaria de la red pública. Para tanto, se aplicó el Inventario de Habilidades Sociales en Adolescentes (IHSA-DelPrette) en el momento inicial y tres meses tras el término del curso, considerando dos indicadores: (1) frecuencia y (2) dificultad con que reaccionaran a las diferentes demandas de interacción social. Se verificó diferencia estadísticamente significante entre los escores pre y tras intervención (p = 0,014), evidenciando aumento de la frecuencia de las habilidades. Para la dificultad no se observó diferencia significante, aunque haya sucedido una disminución del 13,45%. La universidad puede ser un espacio no solo para capacitación analítica e instrumental, pero también para el desarrollo interpersonal de la comunidad interna y externa.

Social skills play an important role in school and professional life. This descriptive and correlational study analyzes the effects of an extension course entitled "Immersion in the University: you are the protagonist of your future", about the social skills of High School students in public schools. To this end, the Inventory of Social Skills in Adolescents (IHSA-DelPrette) was applied at the beginning and three months after the end of the course, considering two indicators: (1) assiduity and (2) difficulties they had when handling the different demands of social interaction. There was a statistically significant difference between the pre and post intervention scores (p = 0.014), showing an increase in the frequency of skills. For difficulty, no significant difference was observed, although there was a decrease of 13.45%. The university can be a space not only for analytical and instrumental training, but for the interpersonal development of both the internal and external community.

Microbiological evaluation in invisible aligner chemical cleaning methods against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of chemical agents in removing Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans biofilm from invisible aligners. METHODS: The samples were made of EX30 Invisalign trays, biofilm was cultured by standardized suspensions of C. albicans ATCC strain and S. mutans clinical strain on the sample. The treatments used were 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) (20 minutes), 1% NaClO (10 minutes), chlorhexidine (5 minutes), peroxide (15 minutes), and orthophosphoric acid (15 seconds). The control group received phosphate-buffered saline for 10 minutes. The colony-forming units per milliliter of each microorganism were determined by serial dilutions seeded in plates with selective culture mediums for each one. Data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Conover-Iman tests at an α of 0.05. RESULTS: For the C. albicans biofilm group, the control group had 9.7 Log10 of microorganism growth, and all treatment groups had statistically significant biofilm reduction, in which chlorhexidine presented the highest inhibition of 3 Log10, followed by alkaline peroxide and orthophosphoric acid both with 2.6 Log10, 1% NaClO (2.5 Log10), and 0.5% NaClO (2 Log10). As for S. mutans, the control group had 8.9 Log10 of growth, and a total microorganism inhibition was reached by chlorhexidine, 1% NaClO, and orthophosphoric acid, whereas alkaline peroxide inhibited growth to 7.9 Log10 and 0.5% NaClO 5.1 Log10. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations, chlorhexidine and orthophosphoric acid had greater efficacy in both biofilms. In addition, 1% NaClO and alkaline peroxide also had significant effects; therefore, their incorporation aligners disinfection protocols are valid.

A fuzzy-based methodological proposal for analysing green areas in urban neighborhoods.

The reduction of the green areas due to the growth of the built-up areas has affected the environmental quality in cities. Nevertheless, some uncertainties remain about the adequate amount of such areas in the urban landscape. This study aims at introducing a methodology to support analysis of green areas in urban neighborhoods. The methodological proposal was based on a fuzzy expert system (FES), a soft computing approach capable of dealing with uncertainties in complex multiple-criteria decision-making. As empirical research, some case studies to introduce and validate the proposed methodology were performed. An agglomerative hierarchical clustering, followed by a Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple pairwise comparisons using the Conover-Iman procedure (significance 0.05), demonstrated that the FES was able to provide outcomes consistent with hypothetical situations, simulated as ideal and critical conditions of green areas. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the methodological proposal based on FES is a promising tool for complex case-by-case analysis in urban neighborhoods.

Computer-aided classification of successional stage in subtropical Atlantic Forest: a proposal based on fuzzy artificial intelligence.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Due to the continuous variability of the forest regeneration process, patterns of indicator variables with membership in more than one successional stage may occur, making the classification of such stages a challenging and complex task. PURPOSE: This study aims at presenting a comparative analysis of artificial intelligence methods as an alternative for computer-aided classification of successional stages in subtropical Atlantic Forest. As a research hypothesis, the authors consider that a fuzzy inference system should provide the best performance due to its ability to deal with uncertainties inherent to complex processes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analyses were carried out using a database of the forest inventory of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. The data are composed of 177 sampling units of subtropical Atlantic Forest (mixed ombrophilous forest), characterized according to eighth indicator variables verified from the field by experts. This database was employed to train several machine learning methods under a tenfold cross-validation process. The overall accuracy (θ) and kappa coefficient were used to compare the performance between FIS and neural networks, classifier committees and support vector machine. Then, to verify if the classification by the FIS differed from the one performed by experts, the Kappa index and a statistical significance analysis by Pearson's [Formula: see text] test were determined. The hypotheses were verified with two-way tests at a significance level (α) 0.05, for a test power (1-ß) 0.8 and minimum expected effect size between medium (ρ = 0.3). RESULTS: Statistical significance tests confirmed the hypothesis that FIS achieved the highest performance, with θ = 98.3% and a kappa value equal to 0.93 (almost perfect agreement) and showed no significant difference ([Formula: see text] = 0.047, p = 0.976) in comparison with the classification by experts. CONCLUSIONS: The use of FIS represents a promising alternative as a tool applicable for computer-aided classification of successional stages in subtropical Atlantic Forest. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results and conclusions should substantially impact the guidelines and decision-making process for deforestation authorizations and applicable compensation measures, which are based on the forest succession stage.

Effect of combining Zingiber officinale and Juglans regia extracts on Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis: antibiofilm action and low toxicity.

Objective was evaluated the therapeutic effect of Juglans regia (J) and Zingiber officinale (Z) extracts, alone or associated (Z75% + J25%, Z50% + J50% and Z25% + J75%) applied on planktonic cultures and biofilms of Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as analyzing the cytotoxic effects of plant extracts on mouse macrophages (Raw 264-7). Broth microdilution assay was performed (M7-A6 - CLSI). Anti-biofilm activities and cytotoxicity on Raw 264-7 were studied using MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy. ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD applied for parametric data and Kruskal-Wallis with Conover-Iman test, for non-parametric (p<0.05). On P. acnes biofilm, Z50% + J50% reduced 46.9% in 5 min and Z25% + J75% reduced 74.1% in 24hs. On S. aureus, Z75% + J25% reduced 23.1% in 5 min Z25% +J75% reduced 79.4% in 24hs. On S. epidermidis, Z75% + J25% reduced 74.6% in 5 min and 82.05% in 24 h. The treatments on macrophages for 24 h promoted a maximum reduction by 14,5% for groups of extracts associations. On multispecies biofilm, Z75%+J25% reduced 84.3% in 24 h. In conclusion association of glycolic extracts provided therapeutic effect, demonstrated antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity.

Down syndrome: orofacial pain, masticatory muscle hypotonia, and sleep disorders.

The aim of the present study was to investigate orofacial pain in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and determine possible associations with masticatory muscle hypotonia (MMH), maximum mouth opening (MMO), and sleep disorders. Twenty-three individuals with DS underwent a standardized clinical examination using Axis I of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, for the diagnosis of pain in the masseter and temporal muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). MMH was investigated using electromyography of the temporal and masseter muscles and the measurement of maximum bite force (MBF). MMO was measured using an analog caliper. Sleep disorders (obstructive sleep apnea [OSA], snoring index [SI], and sleep bruxism index [SBI]) were investigated using type II polysomnography. Statistical analysis was performed. Nonsignificant differences were found in muscle and TMJ pain between the sexes. However, myalgia and referred myofascial pain in the left masseter muscle were more frequent in males (69%) than females (40%). Electrical activity of the temporal (left: p = .002; right: p = .004) and masseter (left: p = .008) muscles was significantly lower in males than in females. MBF range was lower in males than females, indicating the highest MMH among males. OSA, SI, and SBI were identified in both sexes, but with no statistically significant differences. We concluded that myalgia and referred myofascial pain were found in some individuals with DS, especially in males. Arthralgia was found mainly in females. Temporal and masseter myalgia may have exerted an influence on the severity of MMH in males, particularly on the left side.

Impact of different complete coverage onlay preparation designs and the intraoral scanner on the accuracy of digital scans.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The trueness and precision of intraoral scanners (IOSs) and the effect of intracoronal restorations have been reported. However, studies addressing the accuracy of IOSs in reproducing different complete coverage onlay preparation designs are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of complete coverage onlay preparation design and intraoral scanning devices on the accuracy of digital scans in terms of trueness and precision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three preparation designs on the mandibular first molar were considered: a traditional preparation design with isthmus reduction (IST), a traditional preparation design without isthmus reduction (wIST), and simplified nonretentive preparation (nRET). Digital scans of epoxy resin mandibular arch reference models of the preparations (containing second premolar, first molar, and second molar) were obtained by using 3 IOSs (iTero Element 2 [ELE], Trios 3 [TRI], and Primescan [PRI]) (n=10). Trueness (µm) and precision (µm) were analyzed by superimposing the digital scan on the digital reference models obtained with a high-accuracy industrial scanner (ATOS Core 80) in a tridimensional metrology software program. Accuracy was quantified by the absolute deviation (µm). Local and overall mean positive and negative deviations for trueness were also obtained. Data were analyzed by using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests with a statistical software program (α=.05). RESULTS: The nonretentive preparation groups obtained higher trueness (3.8 µm) and precision (2.7 µm) than the IST and wIST groups (trueness=7.5 to 6.3 µm, precision=5.5 to 4.6 µm). Trueness values were lower with ELE×IST (16 µm), followed by ELE×wIST (13 µm), and PRI×IST (7.8 µm). In general, no difference was found between PRI and TRI scanners (6.3 to 5.9 µm), with lower performance for ELE (13 µm). Positive deviations were higher on the proximal box of the IST and wIST preparation and on the occlusal box of the IST group. Negative deviation was higher on the ELE×IST occlusal box. CONCLUSIONS: Different intraoral scanners and preparation designs influenced the accuracy of digital scans. A more complex preparation such as IST and wIST showed higher deviation. The iTero Element 2 scanner exhibited higher deviation for both trueness and precision.

Mechanical Behavior of Different Restorative Materials and Onlay Preparation Designs in Endodontically Treated Molars.

This study evaluated the effect of the combination of three different onlay preparation designs and two restorative materials on the stress distribution, using 3D-finite element analysis. Six models of first lower molars were created according to three preparation designs: non-retentive (nRET), traditional with occlusal isthmus reduction (IST), and traditional without occlusal isthmus reduction (wIST); and according to two restorative materials: lithium-disilicate (LD) and nanoceramic resin (NR). A 600 N axial load was applied at the central fossa. All solids were considered isotropic, homogeneous, and linearly elastic. A static linear analysis was performed, and the Maximum Principal Stress (MPS) criteria were used to evaluate the results and compare the stress in MPa on the restoration, cement layer, and tooth structure (enamel and dentin). A novel statistical approach was used for quantitative analysis of the finite element analysis results. On restoration and cement layer, nRET showed a more homogeneous stress distribution, while the highest stress peaks were calculated for LD onlays (restoration: 69-110; cement layer: 10.2-13.3). On the tooth structure, the material had more influence, with better results for LD (27-38). It can be concluded that nRET design showed the best mechanical behavior compared to IST and wIST, with LD being more advantageous for tooth structure and NR for the restoration and cement layer.

Geo-environmental zoning using physiographic compartmentalization: a proposal for supporting sustainable decision-making

ABSTRACT The geo-environmental zoning represents an important strategy in the territorial management. However, it requires a logical and structured procedure. Therefore, an approach using physiographic compartmentalization is proposed and applied as case study in a region covered by the topographic maps of São José dos Campos and Jacareí, Brazil. This region has great geological and geomorphological peculiarities, beyond being a place with large human interventions because of its quickly economic growth. The methodology is based on photointerpretation techniques and remote sensing in GIS environment. As a result, seven geo-environmental zones were obtained from a weighted integration by multicriteria analysis of physiographic units with land-use classes. In conclusion, taking into account potentialities and limitations, the proposed approach can be considered able to support sustainable decision-making, being applicable in other regions.

Geo-environmental zoning using physiographic compartmentalization: a proposal for supporting sustainable decision-making.

The geo-environmental zoning represents an important strategy in the territorial management. However, it requires a logical and structured procedure. Therefore, an approach using physiographic compartmentalization is proposed and applied as case study in a region covered by the topographic maps of São José dos Campos and Jacareí, Brazil. This region has great geological and geomorphological peculiarities, beyond being a place with large human interventions because of its quickly economic growth. The methodology is based on photointerpretation techniques and remote sensing in GIS environment. As a result, seven geo-environmental zones were obtained from a weighted integration by multicriteria analysis of physiographic units with land-use classes. In conclusion, taking into account potentialities and limitations, the proposed approach can be considered able to support sustainable decision-making, being applicable in other regions.

Construção de um índice global de impacto para análise ambiental comparativa aplicada à adequação de empreendimentos irregulares / Construction of an impact global index for comparative environmental analysis applied to the settlement of irregular activities

RESUMO Por muito tempo o exercício de atividades econômicas ocorreu na ausência de normas reguladoras. Com a normatização, muitos empreendimentos enquadraram-se em situação de irregularidade, sobretudo por ocuparem obras situadas em áreas especialmente protegidas. Nessa condição, a manutenção ou o desfazimento dessas obras deve se basear em uma análise comparativa dos impactos decorrentes de ambas as alternativas, entretanto a falta de critérios e de padronização nos procedimentos tem prejudicado o adequado tratamento e respectiva tomada de decisões. Assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo apresentar uma proposta metodológica para análise ambiental comparativa aplicada à adequação de empreendimentos irregulares. Para tanto, foi construído um índice global de impacto, mediante revisão bibliográfica, que possibilitou identificar os parâmetros envolvidos e o seu equacionamento com o uso de matrizes de interação. O método foi aplicado em um empreendimento que realizou intervenção em uma Área de Preservação Permanente, no limite urbano consolidado sem prévia autorização do órgão licenciador. Como resultado, alcançou-se um índice capaz de subsidiar tomadas de decisão quanto à manutenção ou ao desfazimento de empreendimentos irregulares, levando em consideração atributos como duração, extensão e intensidade no equacionamento da magnitude do impacto, bem como os parâmetros de acumulação, reversibilidade e sensibilidade para avaliar sua importância. Embora o método proposto não elimine a subjetividade da avaliação ambiental, contribui para sua padronização por meio de um procedimento lógico e organizado que propicia comparação fundamentada em parâmetros quantitativos, de maneira especial para empreendimentos de menor porte, em geral avaliados de acordo com atributos unicamente qualitativos.

ABSTRACT For a long time, economic activities occurred in the lack of legal rules. Due to advancement of legislation, many activities became in situation of irregularity, mainly by occupying buildings in protected areas. In this condition, the maintenance or destruction of these buildings should be based on an impact comparative analysis of both alternatives. However, a lack of criteria and standardization of procedures has undermined the proper treatment and decision making. Thus, the purpose of this paper was to introduce a methodological proposal for comparative environmental analysis applied to the settlement of irregular activities. For that, an impact global index was constructed, by means of literature review to identify the parameters involved, as well as to its formulation with use of interaction matrices. The method was applied for assessing an activity that made intervention in permanent preservation area, within consolidated urban area without authorization of competent agency. As a result, an index able to support making-decision about maintenance or destruction of irregular buildings was obtained, considering attributes as duration, extension and intensity in the formulation of magnitude of the impact, as well as the parameters of accumulation, reversibility and sensibility to evaluate its importance. Although the proposed method does not eliminate the subjectivity of the environmental assessment, it contributes to standardization through a logical and organized procedure that allows a comparison based on quantitative parameters, especially for smaller projects, usually assessed only according to qualitative attributes.

A system for evaluating the impact of noise pollution on the population's health. / Sistema de apoio à avaliação de impactos da poluição sonora sobre a saúde pública.

The aim of this study was to develop a support system for the evaluation of noise pollution, applied to the central urban area of Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data were obtained from noise measurements and interviews with the population, generating the following indicators: equivalent sound level (Leq ), traffic noise index (LTNI ), and a participatory diagnosis (Dp ), integrated through a fuzzy inference system (FIS). The proposed system allowed classifying the measurement points according to the degree of impact of noise pollution on the population's health (IPS ) in the study area. Impact was considered significant in 31.4% of the measurement points and very significant in 62.9%. The FIS can be adjusted to local conditions, allowing generalization and thus also supporting noise pollution evaluation and respective environmental noise management in other geographic areas.

Sistema de apoio à avaliação de impactos da poluição sonora sobre a saúde pública / Sistema de apoyo a la evaluación del impacto del ruido sobre la salud pública / A system for evaluating the impact of noise pollution on the population's health

Resumo: O objetivo do trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema de apoio à avaliação da poluição sonora, aplicado na zona central de Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil. Para isso, dados foram obtidos por meio de medições sonoras e entrevistas com a população, gerando como indicadores o nível sonoro equivalente (Leq ), o índice de ruído de tráfego (LTNI ) e um diagnóstico participativo (Dp ), integrados por intermédio de um sistema de inferência fuzzy (SIF). Como resultado, o sistema proposto permitiu classificar os pontos avaliados quanto ao grau de impacto da poluição sonora sobre a saúde da população (IPS ) na área de estudo, que pode ser considerado significativo em 31,4% dos pontos e muito significativo em 62,9%. A possibilidade de adequar o SIF de acordo com as condições de estudo viabiliza a sua generalização e, desta forma, apoia a avaliação e respectiva gestão do ruído ambiental em outras regiões.

Resumen: El objetivo del trabajo fue desarrollar un sistema de apoyo a la evaluación de la contaminación acústica, aplicado en la zona central de Río Claro, São Paulo, Brasil. Con este fin, se obtuvieron datos mediante mediciones sonoras y entrevistas a la población, generando como indicadores el nivel sonoro equivalente (Leq ), el índice de ruido de tráfico (LTNI ) y un diagnóstico participativo (Dp ), integrados a través de un sistema de inferencia fuzzy (SIF). Como resultado, el sistema propuesto permitió clasificar los puntos evaluados, en cuanto al grado de impacto de la contaminación sonora sobre la salud de la población (IPS ) en el área de estudio, que puede ser considerado significativo en un 31,4% de los puntos y muy significativo en un 62,9%. La posibilidad de adecuar el SIF, de acuerdo a las condiciones de estudio, viabiliza su generalización y, de esta forma, puede apoyar la evaluación y consiguiente gestión del ruido ambiental en otras regiones.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a support system for the evaluation of noise pollution, applied to the central urban area of Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data were obtained from noise measurements and interviews with the population, generating the following indicators: equivalent sound level (Leq ), traffic noise index (LTNI ), and a participatory diagnosis (Dp ), integrated through a fuzzy inference system (FIS). The proposed system allowed classifying the measurement points according to the degree of impact of noise pollution on the population's health (IPS ) in the study area. Impact was considered significant in 31.4% of the measurement points and very significant in 62.9%. The FIS can be adjusted to local conditions, allowing generalization and thus also supporting noise pollution evaluation and respective environmental noise management in other geographic areas.

Statistical analysis of texture in trunk images for biometric identification of tree species.

The identification of tree species is a key step for sustainable management plans of forest resources, as well as for several other applications that are based on such surveys. However, the present available techniques are dependent on the presence of tree structures, such as flowers, fruits, and leaves, limiting the identification process to certain periods of the year. Therefore, this article introduces a study on the application of statistical parameters for texture classification of tree trunk images. For that, 540 samples from five Brazilian native deciduous species were acquired and measures of entropy, uniformity, smoothness, asymmetry (third moment), mean, and standard deviation were obtained from the presented textures. Using a decision tree, a biometric species identification system was constructed and resulted to a 0.84 average precision rate for species classification with 0.83accuracy and 0.79 agreement. Thus, it can be considered that the use of texture presented in trunk images can represent an important advance in tree identification, since the limitations of the current techniques can be overcome.