Variation in mandible shape and size due to osteoporosis: Geometric morphometrics study

Objective: Assessing whether it is possible screening women with osteoporosis through geometric morphometrics based on panoramic x-ray. Materials and Methods: Leukoderma women, after menopause, 40 years old (or older), with confirmed medical diagnosis of presence, or absence, of osteoporosis through bone densitometry examination. (N = 62). Measurements taken through panoramic X-ray based on geometric morphometrics. All x-rays were taken twice by the same researcher. Procrustes superimposition was assessed through Cartesian coordinates generated from anatomic landmark and semilandmarks. Regression Analysis, Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), discriminant function and cross validation analysis, and Thin plate spliness in MorphoJ software were carried out. Subsequently, Fluctuating Asymmetry Analysis (FA) was conducted and ANOVA was performed to assess differences in centroid size. Results: Significant values were recorded for mandible shape (p<0.01) through MANOVA. Significant values (P<0.01) were also found through discriminant function analysis between groups of women with, and without, osteoporosis. Fluctuating asymmetry analysis showed significant differences in mandible shape and size between sides (p<0.01). Conclusions: Geometric morphometrics proved to be effective in screening and identifying elderly leukoderma women with, or without, osteoporosis based on panoramic x-rays. This is a promising technique to diagnose or identify patients with some health condition.

Evaluation of dentistry students' knowledge on hematologic disorders / Avaliação do conhecimento de estudantes de Odontologia acerca dos distúrbios hematológicos

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the knowledge level of undergraduate dentistry students of UESB on hematological disorders and their implications in the treatment of the patient. Methods: This is a descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study in which a questionnaire with 16 questions was used as a data collection instrument. The study subjects were 192 students enrolled at UESB Dentistry Course. For data analysis, SPSS statistical software (version 16.0) was used. Results: The response rate was 87.5%. Only 54.2% of respondents reported having information about blood disorders and 78% considered themselves not enough informed, fact observed through the low percentage of right answers in a knowledge test. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of UESB Dentistry academics on hematological disorders is insufficient and there isn't a gradual increment of this knowledge throughout the semesters, polarized mainly in the 6th and 10th semester.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar o nível de conhecimento de graduandos do curso de Odontologia da UESB sobre os distúrbios hematológicos e suas implicações para o tratamento do paciente em âmbito odontológico. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, quantitativo e de corte transversal, onde adotou-se como instrumento de coleta de dados um questionário, composto por 16 perguntas. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram os 192 estudantes regularmente matriculados no curso de Odontologia da UESB. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o software estatístico SPSS (versão 16.0). Resultados: A taxa de resposta foi de 87,5%. Apenas 54,2% dos entrevistados relataram ter informações acerca dos distúrbios hematológicos e 78% consideraram-se insuficientemente informados, fato corroborado pelas baixas porcentagens de acertos nos testes de conhecimento. Conclusão: O nível de conhecimento dos acadêmicos de Odontologia da UESB sobre os distúrbios hematológicos mostrou-se insuficiente e não houve um crescimento gradual deste conhecimento ao longo dos semestres, estando o mesmo polarizado principalmente nos 6º e 10º semestres.

Structure and floristic composition of three secondary forest patches in the city of Rio de Janeiro - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v26i4.1525 / Estrutura horizontal e composição florística de três fragmentos secundários na cidade do Rio de Janeiro - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v26i4.1525

Urban forests offer important environmental services for surrounding and respective population. This paper aims at characterizing three forest patches in the city of Rio de Janeiro. To accomplish the task, a phytosociologic survey was carried out using sampling method and units of 10 x 10 meters, where all the individuals with CBH (circumference breast height) equal or larger than 15 centimeters and the same or superior to three meters high were identified and measured. Results have shown significant differences in floristic composition and structure where the families Leguminosae and Moraceae were predominant in the two fragments of larger diversity and Compositae at the one with smaller diversity. Most of the species belong to pioneer succeeding groups, and zoocory was the most important seed-dispersal strategy

As florestas situadas em áreas urbanas são de reconhecida importância no oferecimento de serviços ambientais à população de seu entorno. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização de três fragmentos florestais localizados na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Para a realização do estudo, foi conduzido um levantamento fitossociológico utilizando o método de parcelas, com unidades de 10 x 10 metros, nas quais foram identificados e medidos todos os indivíduos com PAP (perímetro à altura do peito) igual ou maior que 15 centímetros e altura igual ou superior a três metros. Os resultados encontrados mostraram significativas diferenças de composição florística e estrutura dos fragmentos encontrados, com predomínio das famílias Leguminosae e Moraceae nos dois remanescentes de maior diversidade e de Compositae no de menor diversidade. A maior parte das espécies encontradas pertence a grupos iniciais de sucessão, e a zoocoria foi a principal estratégia de dispersão de sementes encontrada