UAV Visual and Thermographic Power Line Detection Using Deep Learning.

Inspecting and maintaining power lines is essential for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of electrical infrastructure. This process involves regular assessment to identify hazards such as damaged wires, corrosion, or vegetation encroachment, followed by timely maintenance to prevent accidents and power outages. By conducting routine inspections and maintenance, utilities can comply with regulations, enhance operational efficiency, and extend the lifespan of power lines and equipment. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can play a relevant role in this process by increasing efficiency through rapid coverage of large areas and access to difficult-to-reach locations, enhanced safety by minimizing risks to personnel in hazardous environments, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional methods. UAVs equipped with sensors such as visual and thermographic cameras enable the accurate collection of high-resolution data, facilitating early detection of defects and other potential issues. To ensure the safety of the autonomous inspection process, UAVs must be capable of performing onboard processing, particularly for detection of power lines and obstacles. In this paper, we address the development of a deep learning approach with YOLOv8 for power line detection based on visual and thermographic images. The developed solution was validated with a UAV during a power line inspection mission, obtaining mAP@0.5 results of over 90.5% on visible images and over 96.9% on thermographic images.

Effects of yeast and exogenous fibrolytic enzyme additives on lamb performance and feed efficiency.

Yeast and fibrolytic enzymes serve as additives incorporated into the nutrition of ruminants to regulate rumen fermentation and increase the digestibility of fiber, thereby enhancing the efficiency of rumen fermentation. Two experiments were conducted to assess the impact of five diets: a control diet without additives, diets with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE), and diets with a blend of 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE or 0.7EFE + 0.3Yeast (based on recommended levels in g/kg of total DM). In the first experiment, 40 five-month-old Santa Ines lambs (mean weight 25.0 ± 1.3 kg) were distributed in a completely randomized design (5 treatments and 8 lambs) for 81 days to evaluate performance, ingestive behaviour, and serum metabolites. In the second experiment, 25 Santa Ines male lambs weighing 25.7 ± 4.1 kg were housed in metabolic cages, in a randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 lambs, evaluating digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen pH. EFE supplementation increased intakes of dry matter (DM), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and apNDF (mean of 38.1, 5.26, and 27%, respectively) compared to yeast or the 0.7yeast-0.3EFE blend. Feed conversion was most efficient (mean of 27.1%) in lambs fed Yeast, 0.7EFE + 0.3yeast, and the control diet. Lambs fed 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE spent less time eating (mean of 16.5%) and more time idling (mean of 10.75%), whereas EFE-fed lambs spent more time eating (mean of 19.73%), and 0.7EFE + 0.3yeast-fed lambs spent more time ruminating (mean of 20.14%). Control group lambs chewed and ruminated less (means of 24.64 and 17.21%, respectively) compared to other treatments. Lambs on the 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE blend had higher eating and rumination efficiency rates for DM and apNDF (mean of 19.11 and 17.95%, respectively) compared to other additive treatments or individual additives. They also exhibited lower (means 7.59 g/d) urinary N excretion, with improved N retention (mean 3185 g/d) compared to the control group. There were significant effects on serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations, with the 0.7yeast + 0.3EFE blend showing higher albumin (mean 4.08 g/dL) levels, while diets without additives and yeast-EFE blends had higher cholesterol (mean of 62.51 g/dL) concentrations. Including Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast along with 0.7 yeast + 0.3 EFE blend is recommended when feeding similar lamb diets to those used herein because it improves the efficiency of intake, rumination of DM and NDF, and nitrogen utilization without affecting the lamb performance.

Distribution of Dalbulus maidis (DeLong) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and incidence of maize rayado fino virus and Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris in corn succession planting systems.

BACKGROUND: Corn is one of the main crops grown globally to produce food for human consumption and animal feed, including raw materials for bioenergy. Effective pest management is critical for the economic viability of corn production. The leafhopper Dalbulus maidis and the diseases transmitted by it have become relevant to corn production. Our study aimed to determine environmental parameters that affect D. maidis populations and the impacts of pathogen dispersion on corn productivity under different rotation systems and sowing seasons. RESULTS: The population density of leafhoppers found in the studied crops was low but capable of establishing the diseases and spreading them widely in the crops. The leafhopper's highest occurrence was in the corn vegetative development stage, and its population peaks were earlier in the corn off-season. The incidence of maize rayado fino virus and maize bushy stunt phytoplasma were higher in corn off-season than in the growing season. The incidence of diseases was higher in the final stages of the cultivation cycle. Yield losses were significantly higher for maize bushy stunt phytoplasma and not significant for maize rayado fino virus. CONCLUSION: Our study observed that corn's physiological stage was the main factor influencing D. maidis dynamics. The occurrence of D. maidis at low densities was sufficient to ensure the efficient transmission and dissemination of maize rayado fino virus and maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, which had a higher incidence in the reproductive stage and the corn sowed off-season. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Knowing the Enemy Is Halfway towards Victory: A Scoping Review on Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia.

Opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) is a paradoxical effect of opioids that is not consensually recognized in clinical settings. We conducted a revision of clinical and preclinical studies and discuss them side by side to provide an updated and renewed view on OIH. We critically analyze data on the human manifestations of OIH in the context of chronic and post-operative pain. We also discuss how, in the context of cancer pain, though there are no direct evidence of OIH, several inherent conditions to the tumor and chemotherapy provide a substrate for the development of OIH. The review of the clinical data, namely in what concerns the strategies to counter OIH, emphasizes how much OIH rely mechanistically on the existence of µ-opioid receptor (MOR) signaling through opposite, inhibitory/antinociceptive and excitatory/pronociceptive, pathways. The rationale for the maladaptive excitatory signaling of opioids is provided by the emerging growing information on the functional role of alternative splicing and heteromerization of MOR. The crossroads between opioids and neuroinflammation also play a major role in OIH. The latest pre-clinical data in this field brings new insights to new and promising therapeutic targets to address OIH. In conclusion, although OIH remains insufficiently recognized in clinical practice, the appropriate diagnosis can turn it into a treatable pain disorder. Therefore, in times of scarce alternatives to opioids to treat pain, mainly unmanageable chronic pain, increased knowledge and recognition of OIH, likely represent the first steps towards safer and efficient use of opioids as analgesics.

Electron-Transfer-Induced Side-Chain Cleavage in Tryptophan Facilitated through Potassium-Induced Transition-State Stabilization in the Gas Phase.

Fragmentation of transient negative ions of tryptophan molecules formed through electron transfer in collisions with potassium atoms is presented for the first time in the laboratory collision energy range of 20 up to 100 eV. In the unimolecular decomposition process, the dominating side-chain fragmentation channel is assigned to the dehydrogenated indoline anion, in contrast to dissociative electron attachment of free low-energy electrons to tryptophan. The role of the collision complex formed by the potassium cation and tryptophan negative ion in the electron transfer process is significant for the mechanisms that operate at lower collision energies. At those collision times, on the order of a few tens of fs, the collision complex may not only influence the lifetime of the anion but also stabilize specific transition states and thus alter the fragmentation patterns considerably. DFT calculations, at the BHandHLYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd) level of theory, are used to explore potential reaction pathways and the evolvement of the charge distribution along those.

Distribution of Meloidogyne species in carrot in Brazil / Distribuição de espécies de Meloidogyne em cenoura no Brasil

ABSTRACT: Root-knot nematodes (RKN - Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most serious threats to carrot production worldwide. In Brazil, carrots are grown throughout the year, and economic losses due to RKN are reported. Since little is known on the distribution of RKN species in carrot fields in Brazil, we collected plant and soil samples from 35 fields across six states. Based on the morphology of perineal patterns, esterase phenotypes and species-specific PCR, three Meloidogyne species were identified: 60% of the fields were infested with Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica was reported in 42.9% of the areas, whereas M. hapla was detected in 17.1% of carrot fields. Mixed populations were reported in 20% of the areas with a predominance of M. incognita + M. javanica. The combination of morphological, biochemical, and molecular techniques is a useful approach to identify RKN species.

RESUMO: Os nematoides-das-galhas (RKN - Meloidogyne spp.) são uma das mais sérias ameaças à produção de cenoura no mundo. No Brasil, as cenouras são cultivadas ao longo do ano, e as perdas econômicas devido à RKN são frequentemente relatadas. Como pouco se sabe sobre a distribuição de espécies RKN em campos de cenoura no Brasil, coletamos amostras de plantas e solo de 35 campos em seis estados. Baseado na morfologia do padrão perineal, fenótipos de esterase e/ou PCR espécie-específica, três espécies de Meloidogyne foram identificadas: 60% dos campos estavam infestados por Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica foi encontrada em 42,9% das áreas, enquanto M. hapla foi detectada em 17,1% dos campos de cenoura. Populações mistas foram encontradas em 20% das áreas, com predominância de M. incognita + M. javanica. A combinação de técnicas morfológicas, bioquímicas e moleculares é uma abordagem útil para identificar espécies de RKN.

Pioneering Study on Rhopalurus crassicauda Scorpion Venom: Isolation and Characterization of the Major Toxin and Hyaluronidase.

Scorpionism is responsible for most accidents involving venomous animals in Brazil, which leads to severe symptoms that can evolve to death. Scorpion venoms consist of complexes cocktails, including peptides, proteins, and non-protein compounds, making separation and purification procedures extremely difficult and time-consuming. Scorpion toxins target different biological systems and can be used in basic science, for clinical, and biotechnological applications. This study is the first to explore the venom content of the unexplored scorpion species Rhopalurus crassicauda, which inhabits exclusively the northernmost state of Brazil, named Roraima, and southern region of Guyana. Here, we pioneer the fractionation of the R. crassicauda venom and isolated and characterized a novel scorpion beta-neurotoxin, designated Rc1, and a monomeric hyaluronidase. R. crassicauda venom and Rc1 (6,882 Da) demonstrated pro-inflammatory activities in vitro and a nociceptive response in vivo. Moreover, Rc1 toxin showed specificity for activating Nav1.4, Nav1.6, and BgNav1 voltage-gated ion channels. This study also represents a new perspective for the treatment of envenomings in Roraima, since the Brazilian scorpion and arachnid antivenoms were not able to recognize R. crassicauda venom and its fractions (with exception of hyaluronidase). Our work provides useful insights for the first understanding of the painful sting and pro-inflammatory effects associated with R. crassicauda envenomings.

Diagnostic methods for identification of root-knot nematodes species from Brazil / Métodos diagnósticos usados na identificação de espécies do nematoide das galhas do Brasil

ABSTRACT: The accurate identification of root-knot nematode (RKN) species (Meloidogyne spp.) is essential for implementing management strategies. Methods based on the morphology of adults, isozymes phenotypes and DNA analysis can be used for the diagnosis of RKN. Traditionally, RKN species are identified by the analysis of the perineal patterns and esterase phenotypes. For both procedures, mature females are required. Over the last few decades, accurate and rapid molecular techniques have been validated for RKN diagnosis, including eggs, juveniles and adults as DNA sources. Here, we emphasized the methods used for diagnosis of RKN, including emerging molecular techniques, focusing on the major species reported in Brazil.

RESUMO: A identificação acurada de espécies do nematoide das galhas (NG) (Meloidogyne spp.) é essencial para a implementação de estratégias de manejo. Métodos baseados na morfologia de adultos, fenótipos de isoenzimas e análise de DNA podem ser usados para a diagnose do NG. Tradicionalmente, as espécies de NG são identificadas pela análise do padrão perineal e fenótipos de esterase. Em ambos os procedimentos, fêmeas maduras são necessárias. Nas últimas décadas, técnicas moleculares acuradas e rápidas têm sido validadas para a diagnose de NG, incluindo ovos, juvenis e adultos como fontes de DNA. Aqui, nós destacamos os métodos usados para a diagnose de NG, incluindo técnicas moleculares emergentes, focando nas principais espécies encontradas no Brasil.

Factors Associated With Weight Change in Online Weight Management Communities: A Case Study in the LoseIt Reddit Community.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has shown that of the 72% of American Internet users who have looked for health information online, 22% have searched for help to lose or control weight. This demand for information has given rise to many online weight management communities, where users support one another throughout their weight loss process. Whether and how user engagement in online communities relates to weight change is not totally understood. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the activity behavior and analyze the semantic content of the messages of active users in LoseIt (r/loseit), a weight management community of the online social network Reddit. We then explored whether these features are associated with weight loss in this online social network. METHODS: A data collection tool was used to collect English posts, comments, and other public metadata of active users (ie, users with at least one post or comment) on LoseIt from August 2010 to November 2014. Analyses of frequency and intensity of user interaction in the community were performed together with a semantic analysis of the messages, done by a latent Dirichlet allocation method. The association between weight loss and online user activity patterns, the semantics of the messages, and real-world variables was found by a linear regression model using 30-day weight change as the dependent variable. RESULTS: We collected posts and comments of 107,886 unique users. Among these, 101,003 (93.62%) wrote at least one comment and 38,981 (36.13%) wrote at least one post. Median percentage of days online was 3.81 (IQR 9.51). The 10 most-discussed semantic topics on posts were related to healthy food, clothing, calorie counting, workouts, looks, habits, support, and unhealthy food. In the subset of 754 users who had gender, age, and 30-day weight change data available, women were predominant and 92.9% (701/754) lost weight. Female gender, body mass index (BMI) at baseline, high levels of online activity, the number of upvotes received per post, and topics discussed within the community were independently associated with weight change. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that among active users of a weight management community, self-declaration of higher BMI levels (which may represent greater dissatisfaction with excess weight), high online activity, and engagement in discussions that might provide social support are associated with greater weight loss. These findings have the potential to aid health professionals to assist patients in online interventions by focusing efforts on increasing engagement and/or starting discussions on topics of higher impact on weight change.

Apresentação aguda da doença de Mondor em pós-operatório de mamoplastia de aumento com implantes de silicone / Acute presentation of Mondor's disease after breast augmentation with silicone implants

Há 50 anos, no Jefferson Davis Hospital, em Houston (EUA), realizou-se a primeira cirurgia de mamoplastia de aumento com implantes de silicone. Atualmente, o avanço da tecnologia médica disponibilizou no mercado implantes de diversas formas e texturas, assim como permitiu o desenvolvimento de inúmeras técnicas para a realização desta cirurgia. Este procedimento cirúrgico pode apresentar algumas complicações locais imediatas e tardias no pós-operatório. Por se tratar de um implante constituído de material biocompatível ao organismo, mesmo com 50 anos de evolução, deve-se sempre estudar e, se possível, relatar as possíveis complicações que possam ocorrer. O objetivo deste artigo é revisar as complicações mais frequentes que ocorrem no pós-operatório das mamoplastias de aumento com implante de silicone, bem como relatar o caso de uma complicação atípica, doença de Mondor, no pós-operatório desta cirurgia.

The first breast augmentation surgery with silicone implants was performed at the Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston (USA) about 50 years ago. Recent advances in medical technology have made implants of various shapes and textures commercially available and led to the development of numerous techniques for performing this surgery. However, this surgical procedure may have some immediate and long-term local complications . Since the implant is made of biocompatible material , it is important to investigate and report complications that occur despite the 50 years of research. The purpose of this study was to review the most frequent complications occurring after breast augmentation surgery with silicone implants and to report a case of an unusual complication, Mondor's disease.

Ultrasound in arc welding: a review.

During the last decade, the introduction of ultrasound techniques in arc welding with the intention of improving the operational performance and technical characteristics of the welding processes have been studied intensively. In this work is presented a broad review of the literature surrounding the utilization of this technique. Firstly, we discuss the use of traditional mechanical transducers to generate ultrasound in arc welding. Furthermore, we describe the various methods and their application in arc-welding processes. After, is presented a recent method of introducing ultrasonic energy in arc welding, which forms a potential alternative to the use of traditional mechanical type transducers. This method was originally developed in the late 1990s and is called arc with ultrasonic excitation of current. Here, the arc acts not only as a thermal source but also as an emission mechanism for ultrasound, acting directly on the weld pool. We presented and discussed various innovative concepts based on this method, which allows the introduction of ultrasonic energy in the arc welding without the need of any auxiliary device of welding. In addition, we also presented the variations of this method reported in the literature. Finally, we have described the respective effects attributed to the use of this method in the welding of different materials using various welding processes.

Dinâmica intraurbana e redes sociais na Baixada Santista / Intra-urban dynamics and social networks in the Baixada Santista / /Dinámica intraurbana y redes sociales en la Baixada Santista

Não é de hoje que diversos estudos atribuem grande importância à redistribuição espacial da população provocada a partir de movimentos migratórios nos processos de expansão urbana. Assim, o objetivo principal deste trabalho é destacar e delimitar ainda mais o estudo desses fluxos e movimentos, a partir da noção de redes sociais. Noção já largamente utilizada desde o final da década de 1970 em estudos sobre migração internacional, mas ainda pouco apropriada nos trabalhos sobre movimentos migratórios internos, principalmente os de curta distância, tais como os intrametropolitanos. Para tanto, são utilizados os dados de uma pesquisa domiciliar, realizada em 2007, a fim de levantar e analisar informações mais específicas sobre tais redes, uma vez que estas inexistem nas usuais fontes secundárias de dados. Dessa forma, a Região Metropolitana da Baixada Santista, além de ser encarada como recorte espacial, é também tomada como objeto de estudo do projeto temático "Vulnerabilidade das Metrópoles Paulistas". A pesquisa domiciliar realizada permite, ainda, análises intramunicipais e intraurbanas a partir das chamadas zonas de vulnerabilidade.

For quite some time now studies have recognized the importance of processes of spatial redistribution of the population caused by migration flows, and the consequences of migration on urban expansion. The major concern in this paper is to highlight and further circumscribe the scope of studies on flows and movements based on the notion of social networks. This notion has been used since the late 1970s, especially in studies on international migration, but it is still rarely applied to internal migration studies, especially short distance migrations such as intra-metropolitan flows. For this purpose we conducted a study on the Baixada Santista Metropolitan Area (the urban area around the Atlantic Port of Santos, Brazil), based on data from a survey conducted in 2007. This data base gives us details on population mobility in the region and provides interesting information for analyzing factors related to the impact of social networks on migration processes. The survey enabled us to analyze the dynamics of intra-urban and intra-metropolitan mobility based on the concept of vulnerability zones.

Hace ya bastante tiempo que diversos estudios atribuyen una gran importancia a la redistribución espacial de la población provocada por movimientos migratorios en los procesos de expansión urbana. De este modo, el objetivo principal de este trabajo es destacar y delimitar todavía más el estudio de tales flujos y movimientos, a partir de la noción de redes sociales. Noción ya ampliamente utilizada desde fines de la década de 1970 en estudios sobre la migración internacional, pero aún poco apropiada en los trabajos sobre movimientos migratorios internos, principalmente los de corta distancia, tales como los intrametropolitanos. Para ello se utilizan los datos de una encuesta de hogares realizada en 2007, con el propósito de levantar y analizar información más específica sobre tales redes, una vez que ella no existe en las usuales fuentes secundarias de datos. De esta forma, la Región Metropolitana de la Baixada Santista, además de considerarse como un recorte espacial, también es tomada como objeto de estudio del proyecto temático "Vulnerabilidad de las Metrópolis Paulistas". La encuesta de hogares realizada permite asimismo realizar análisis intramunicipales e intraurbanos a partir de las llamadas zonas de vulnerabilidad.

Influence of screw access on the retention of cement-retained implant prostheses.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Many studies have compared cement-retained and screw-retained implant prostheses. One disadvantage of cement-retained crowns is the lack of predictable retrievability, which can be overcome by creating a screw access channel on the occlusal surface. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a screw access channel on the retention of cement-retained implant prostheses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen cast metal crowns were fabricated and divided into 2 groups of 8 specimens each: a control group (CG) comprising 8 cement-retained prostheses and an experimental group (EG) comprising 8 cement-retained prostheses with a screw access channel. Castings were cemented to abutments with RelyX U100, and the opening screw access channels of EG were filled with photopolymerized composite resin (Filtek Supreme XT). The tensile force required to separate the cemented castings from the abutments was measured after 24 hours of cementation with a universal load-testing machine (EMIC DL 2000). A significance level of 5% (α=.05) was considered statistically significant (Statistical analysis was performed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov non-parametric test and the Student t test). RESULTS: The mean force required to achieve the separation was 191 N for the control group (CG) and 161 N for the experimental group (EG). As shown by the nonparametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the dependent variable followed a normal distribution (P=.923). The Student t test found no statistically significant difference (P=.353) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fabricating cement-retained implant prostheses with screw access does not compromise or reduce the retention of the crowns.

Comparison of fit accuracy between Procera® custom abutments and three implant systems.

BACKGROUND: Although increase of misfit has been reported when associating implant and abutment from different manufacturers, Procera custom abutment has been universally used in clinical practice. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the vertical gap of zirconia Procera® abutment associated with implants from the same manufacturer (Procera manufacturer) and two other implant systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four zirconia Procera abutments were produced using computer-assisted design and manufacture and paired with (a) eight MK III, RP 4.1 × 10 mm implants (Nobel Biocare™, Göteborg, Sweden) - GNB group (Nobel Biocare group); (b) eight Try on, 4.1 × 10 mm implants (Sistema de Implantes, São Paulo, Brazil) - ES group (SIN experimental group) ; and (c) eight Master screw, 4.1 × 10 mm implants (Conexão® Sistema de Prótese, São Paulo, Brazil) - EC group (Conexão experimental group). A comparison of the vertical misfit at the implant-abutment interface was taken at six measuring sites on each sample using scanning electron microscopy with a magnification of 408×. One-way analysis of variance was used to test for differences, and Tukey's test was used for pair-wise comparison of groups (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences relative to average misfit were found when Procera abutments were associated with other implant manufacturers. The ES group and EC group did not differ significantly, but both demonstrated significantly larger average misfit than the GNB group (p = .001). The average misfit was 5.7 µm ± 0.39, 9.53 µm ± 0.52, and 10.62 µm ± 2.16, respectively, for groups GNB, ES, and EC. CONCLUSION: The association of Procera zirconia abutment with other implant systems different from its manufacturer demonstrated significant alteration of vertical misfit at implant-abutment interface.

Comparison of fit accuracy between Procera custom abutments and three implant systems.

BACKGROUND: Although increase of misfit has been reported when associating implant and abutment from different manufacturers, Procera® (Nobel Biocare™, Göteborg, Sweden) custom abutment has been universally used in clinical practice. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the vertical gap of zirconia Procera abutment associated with implants from the same manufacturer (Nobel Biocare) and two other implant systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four zirconia Procera abutments were produced using computer-assisted design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) and paired with (1) eight MK Iii RP 4.1 × 10 mm implants (Nobel Biocare) - GNB group; (2) eight Try on, 4.1 × 10 mm implants (Sistema de Implantes, São Paulo, Brazil) - ES group; and (3) eight Master screw, 4.1 × 10 mm implants (Conexão Sistema de Prótese, São Paulo, Brazil) - EC group. A comparison of the vertical misfit at the implant-abutment interface was taken at six measuring sites on each sample using scanning electron microscopy with a magnification of 408×. One-way analysis of variance was used to test for differences, and Tukey's test was used for pairwise comparison of groups (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences relative to average misfit were found when Procera abutments were associated with other implant manufacturers. The ES group and EC group did not differ significantly, but both demonstrated significantly larger average misfit than the GNB group (p = .001). The average misfit was 5.7 µm ± 0.39, 9.53 µm ± 0.52 and 10.62 µm ± 2.16, respectively, for groups GNB, ES, and EC. CONCLUSION: The association of Procera zirconia abutment with other implant systems different from its manufacturer demonstrated significant alteration of vertical misfit at implant-abutment interface.

Risk factors for surgical site infection in cervico-facial oncological surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Infection after head and neck oncological surgery is relatively frequent, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. AIM: The primary objective of this prospective study was to determine risk factors for Surgical Site Infection (SSI) in major head and neck cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A population of 137 head and neck cancer patients, of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology Francisco Gentil (Lisbon, Portugal), was prospectively studied in order to ascertain the correlation between 31 known risk factors and the presence of SSI. RESULTS: The rate of SSI was 10.9%, with all of the infections being of the deep incisional type. A discriminant analysis and multiple logistic regression methods identified pre-surgical tracheostomy (p < 0.001), previous surgery (p = 0.001) and length of pre-operative hospital stay (p < 0.001) as the most significant risk factors for surgical site infections. CONCLUSION: In order to minimize the risk of post-operative SSI in the context of head and neck cancer patients, particular attention should be paid to patients submitted to tracheostomy before surgery, to those submitted to previous oncological surgery, and to patients who are forced to remain in the hospital for prolonged periods of time before surgery.

Avaliação da satisfação a longo prazo dos pacientes submetidos a rinoplastia no Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre / Assessment of long-term patient satisfaction after rhinoplasty performed at the Plastic Surgery Department of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre

INTRODUÇÃO:A rinoplastia, assim como diversos procedimentos estéticos, apresenta parcos estudos objetivos quanto à satisfação dos pacientes. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar o grau de satisfação a longo prazo dos pacientes submetidos a rinoplastia na Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, em um estudo retrospectivo, utilizando questionário validado. MÉTODO: Foram selecionados todos (n = 119) os pacientes submetidos a rinoplastia no Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, nos anos de 2007, 2008 e 2009, para aplicação de um questionário validado, com o objetivo de avaliar o grau de satisfação pós-operatória. RESULTADOS: Foram contatados 60 (50,42 por cento) pacientes no estudo. Quanto à satisfação global com o resultado estético-funcional da rinoplastia, 85,48 por cento dos pacientes afirmaram estar satisfeitos. Estratificando esse valor, foi observado que 88,3 por cento dos pacientes estavam muito ou completamente satisfeitos com o aspecto estético pós-operatório do nariz; quanto à função nasal pós-operatória, 83,3 por cento reportaram estar muito ou completamente aptos a respirar pelo nariz; quanto à impressão de amigos e familiares sobre o aspecto final do nariz, 93,3 por cento afirmaram estar muito ou completamente satisfeitos com o resultado; 93,3 por cento afirmaram que raramente ou nunca tiveram limitação das atividades sociais ou profissionais em decorrência do aspecto nasal pós-operatório; 75 por cento afirmaram estar muito ou completamente confiantes de que a aparência de seu nariz era a melhor possível de ser obtida; 76,7 por cento afirmaram que definitivamente não gostariam de alterar a aparência do nariz com outra cirurgia; e 83,4 por cento afirmaram que definitivamente não gostariam de alterar a função nasal com outra cirurgia. CONCLUSÕES: Constatou-se que a rinoplastia realizada no Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre apresentou alto índice de satisfação dos pacientes.

BACKGROUND: There are currently few studies assessing patient satisfaction after rhinoplasty or other aesthetic procedures. This is a retrospective study of patient satisfaction after rhinoplasty performed at the Plastic Surgery Department of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. METHODS: All (n = 119) patients who underwent rhinoplasty at the Plastic Surgery Department of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre between 2007 and 2009 were requested to fill out a validated questionnaire to assess the degree of postoperative satisfaction. RESULTS: Sixty (50.42 percent) patients were included in the study. The global satisfaction index with respect to the aesthetic and functional results showed that 85.48 percent of the patients were satisfied; 88.3 percent of patients were pleased with the aesthetic results, and 83.3 percent reported satisfactory functional results and could breathe easily. Regarding the impression of the patients' family and friends, 93.3 percent reported that they were completely pleased; 93.3 percent reported that the postoperative nasal form rarely or never limited social or professional activities; 75 percent of the patients were completely confident that nasal appearance was the best possible, while 76.7 percent reported that their nasal appearance could not be changed by another surgery and 83.4 percent did not believe that nasal function could be changed with another surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinoplasty performed at the Plastic Surgery Department of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre resulted in a high level of patient satisfaction.

Implicações da mamoplastia de aumento via transaxilar na pesquisa de linfonodo sentinela: revisão da literatura / Implications of transaxillary breast augmentation in the sentinel lymph node detection: literature review

A pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela é o tratamento padrão para o estadiamento da axila em pacientes com câncer de mama precoce, e sua identificação pode evitar um esvaziamento axilar desnecessário. A incidência de câncer de mama vem aumentando a cada ano, concomitantemente, a mamoplastia de aumento transaxilar vem ganhando cada vez mais adeptos. Objetivo: Revisão bibliográfica com vistas a avaliar se a mamoplastia de aumento transaxilar poderia modificar a drenagem linfática e prejudicar a identificaçãodo linfonodo sentinela. Método: Revisão da literatura. Conclusão: A maioria dos estudos tende a excluir a hipótese de que a mamoplastia de aumento transaxilar possa afetar a identificação do linfonodo sentinela no futuro.

The sentinel lymph node biopsy is the gold-standard technique for axillary staging in patients with early breast cancer, and its identification can avoid an unnecessary axillary lymph node dissection. The incidence of breast cancer is increasing each year; concomitantly, cosmetic transaxillary breast augmentation is gaining much more followers. Objective: We conducted a literature review in order to evaluate if transaxillary breast augmentation can modify the lymphatic drainage and impair the identification of sentinel lymph node. Methods: Review of the literature. Conclusion: The majority of the studies tend to exclude the hypothesis that the transaxillary breast augmentation could affect the identification of sentinel lymph node in the future.

Retalho de Rieger: resultados estéticos e satisfação dos pacientes / Rieger’s flap: aesthetic results and patient satisfaction

O retalho de Rieger foi descrito por seu epônimo, em 1967, como sendo uma boa opção para cobertura de defeitos de partes moles em dorso nasal. Objetivo: Avaliar resultado estético e grau de satisfação dos pacientes após reconstrução nasal usando retalho de Rieger. Método: Análise retrospectiva de 10 casos operados em 2009. Foram avaliados resultado estético por meio de fotografia de 6 meses de pós-operatório e grau de satisfação dos pacientes que receberam o retalho de Rieger. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 67 anos. Um total de 7 homens e 3 mulheres foram operados em 2009. O escore geral do resultado estético avaliado por fotografia foi de 8,9; o grau de satisfação dos pacientes foi de 9,0. Conclusão: O retalho de Rieger é uma boa opção para tratamento de defeitos em terço médio/inferior do dorso nasal de até 2,0 cm. de diâmetro. Quando realizado em pacientes selecionados, o retalho de Rieger é um procedimento previsível e de apenas um estágio cirúrgico.

The Rieger’s flap was first described by its eponym, in 1967, as a good option for coverage of dorsal nasal soft-tissue defects. Objectives: To evaluate aesthetic results and patient satisfaction after nasal reconstruction with Rieger’s flap. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 10 patients who underwent the procedure in 2009. We evaluated the aesthetic results using photographic analysis and satisfaction score according to the patients’ complaints. Results: The mean age was 67 years old. A total of 7 men and 3 women underwent the procedure in 2009. The overall photographic aesthetic result score was 8.9; the overall satisfaction score was 9.0. Conclusion: The Rieger’s flap is a good option for cover age of defects of the medium/distal nasal dorsum that are less than 2.0 cm. in diameter. When performed on selected patients, the Rieger’s flap is an aesthetically predictable one-stage procedure.