Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis using OMERACT and EuroTMjoint classifications.

This retrospective case-control study compared inflammatory and structural damage in the temporomandibular joint of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its subtypes and healthy patients using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) and EuroTMjoint classifications. Correlations between the scores of the two classifications and time of diagnosis were evaluated. Twenty-nine JIA patients and 48 age-matched healthy participants were examined. TMJ images on each side were considered individually. Oligoarticular and polyarticular subtypes were present in 44.8% and 55.2% of patients, respectively. The JIA group presented a higher frequency and more severe signs of inflammatory and structural changes (P < 0.05), except for effusion (P = 0.83). The polyarticular subtype showed a higher change intensity. The time of JIA diagnosis was not correlated with inflammatory and structural changes. Positive correlations between inflammation and bone deformity scores were observed for the EuroTMjoint classification (r = 0.462, P < 0.001; low correlation) and OMERACT classification (r = 0.737, P < 0.001; high correlation). Positive correlations between the OMERACT and EuroTMjoint classifications were found for inflammation score (r = 0.907, P < 0.001; very high correlation) and bone deformity score (r = 0.854, P < 0.001; high correlation). Both classifications showed a higher frequency and intensity of inflammation and bone deformity in JIA patients. The results of this study suggest that the appropriate management of inflammation may reduce the potential for structural damage to the TMJ.

Biocide effect against SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE pathogens of a noncytotoxic silver-copper nanofilm.

Nanometric materials with biocidal properties effective against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and pathogenic bacteria could be used to modify surfaces, reducing the risk of touching transmission. In this work, we showed that a nanometric layer of bimetallic AgCu can be effectively deposited on polypropylene (PP) fibers. The virucidal properties of the AgCu nanofilm were evaluated by comparing the viral loads remaining on uncoated and coated PP after contact times between 2 and 24 h. Quantification of virion numbers for different initial concentrations indicated a reduction of more than 95% after 2 h of contact. The bactericidal action of the AgCu nanofilm was also confirmed by inoculating uncoated and coated PP with a pool of pathogenic bacteria associated with pneumonia (ESKAPE). Meanwhile, no cytotoxicity was observed for human fibroblasts and keratinocyte cells, indicating that the nanofilm could be in contact with human skin without threat. The deposition of the AgCu nanofilm on the nonwoven component of reusable cloth masks might help to prevent virus and bacterial infection while reducing the pollution burden related to the disposable masks. The possible mechanism of biocide contact action was studied by quantum chemistry calculations that show that the addition of Ag and/or Cu makes the polymeric fiber a better electron acceptor. This can promote the oxidation of the phospholipids present at both the virus and bacterial membranes. The rupture at the membrane exposes and damages the genetic material of the virus. More studies are needed to determine the mechanism of action, but the results reported here indicate that Cu and Ag ions are good allies, which can help protect us from the virus that has caused this disturbing pandemic.

Bases para um programa de controle da artrite encefalite caprina em rebanho leiteiro / [Bases for a program of control of caprine arthritis encephalite in dairy flock]

Objetivou-se avaliar um programa de controle da artrite encefalite caprina (AEC), por meio de testes diagnósticos sensíveis, separação de mãe e cria após o parto e medidas de manejo, com o intuito de formar rebanho livre do vírus. Utilizou-se um total de 47 cabritos da raça Saanen, mantidos isoladamente até o resultado dos primeiros testes de reação em cadeia de polimerase nested (PCR nested) e Western Blotting (WB), com base na coleta de sangue no momento do nascimento (M0). No PCR nested, quatro animais foram positivos, no M0, e foram eutanasiados. Posteriormente, os demais 43 cabritos foram submetidos à coleta de sangue aos 60 (M60) e 270 (M270) dias de vida para realização de novos testes de WB e PCR nested, que não detectaram animais positivos. Pode-se afirmar que a metodologia adotada neste estudo foi efetiva no controle da doença, nas fases de aleitamento e pós-aleitamento, e que a combinação do sistema de manejo, a fim de propiciar diminuição de risco de transmissão horizontal, com técnicas de diagnóstico mais apuradas, como o WB e a PCR nested, é relevante para elaboração de plano estratégico de controle da enfermidade.(AU)

We aimed to evaluate a program to control Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), using diagnostic tests, separation of the mother and postpartum and other management measures, in order to form a free flock of the virus. We used a total of 47 Saanengoats in isolation until the results of the first nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR) and Western Blotting (WB) tests, based on blood collection at the time of birth (M0). In the nested PCR, 4 animals were positive, at M0, and were eliminated. Later, the other 43goats were submitted to blood collection at 60 (M60) and 270 (M270) days of life to perform new tests of WB and nested PCR, which did not detect positive animals. We can affirm that the methodology adopted in this study was effective in the control of the disease, in the phase of breastfeeding and post-breastfeeding, and that the combination of the management system, which allows a reduction of risk of horizontal transmission, with more accurate diagnostic techniques, such as WB and nested PCR, is relevant for the elaboration of a strategic plan for the disease control.(AU)

Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 ameliorate the experimental amoebic colitis by increasing the expression of MUC-2 and the intestinal epithelial regeneration.

AIMS: This study evaluates the action of Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 on amoebic colitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 was administered in Entamoeba dispar infected and noninfected mice and clinical parameters were evaluated. Following 7 days, the caeca were collected for histopathology, morphometry and immunohistochemical staining of MUC-2, CDC-47 and IgA. The treatment reduced diarrhoea and the presence of blood in the faeces and diminished the area of necrosis, also causing weight gain. Also, the addition of this bacterium enhanced the expression of the mucin (MUC-2). The reduction in necrosis and increased CDC-47 expression indicates significant epithelial regeneration. The negative correlation between CDC-47 and the necrosis area reveals that the bacterium favoured the recovery of the necrotic regions and the positive correlation found between the expression of MUC-2 and CDC-47 indicates that the epithelial regeneration also supports the synthesis of MUC-2. CONCLUSIONS: Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 was able to increase the protection of the intestinal mucosa against experimental amoebic colitis through the increase of MUC-2 and epithelial regeneration. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Weissella paramesenteroides WpK4 presents the potential to become a complementary tool in the treatment of amoebic colitis.

A rare cause of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: case report of native aortic valve thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: One to 13% of all patients with the clinical diagnosis of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) show no evidence of significant obstructive coronary artery disease on angiography. Less common causes should be considered in those situations. A very rare cause of ACS is native aortic valve thrombosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 69-year-old previously healthy woman presented with acute chest pain. The electrocardiogram showed an anterolateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). She was immediately transferred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Shortly after arriving in hospital her condition deteriorated, with development of cardiogenic shock necessitating cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A coronary angiogram was performed during resuscitation that did not reveal any obstructive coronary artery disease. Echocardiography showed no pericardial effusion, no significant left-sided valve pathology, no signs of an aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism. She died of cardiogenic shock of unknown cause. Permission for autopsy was obtained. Pathologic examination revealed a large anterolateral myocardial infarction caused by a mass attached to the bottom of the left coronary cusp of the native aortic valve, which was large enough to occlude the ostium of the left main coronary artery. Microscopic analysis showed a thrombus of unknown origin. The aortic valve itself showed no signs of pathology. DISCUSSION: An ST-elevation myocardial infarction due to native aortic valve thrombosis is a rare condition, especially when there are no significant valvular abnormalities. This case demonstrates that thrombosis can develop in an apparently healthy middle-aged woman without any history of thrombotic disease.

Nutritional and non-nutritional agents that stimulate white adipose tissue browning.

Obesity is a public health problem present in both developed and developing countries. The white adipose tissue (WAT) is the main deposit of lipids when there is an excess of energy. Its pathological growth is directly linked to the development of obesity and to a wide number of comorbidities, such as insulin-resistance, cardiovascular disease, among others. In this scenario, it becomes imperative to develop new approaches to the treatment and prevention of obesity and its comorbidities. It has been documented that the browning of WAT could be a suitable strategy to tackle the obesity epidemic that is developing worldwide. Currently there is an intense search for bioactive compounds with anti-obesity properties, which present the particular ability to generate thermogenesis in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) or beige. The present study provide recent information of the bioactive nutritional compounds capable of inducing thermogenesis and therefore capable of generate positive effects on health.

Influence of shading and pedestrian traffic on the preference of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) for oviposition microenvironments.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are highly adaptable to abiotic stimuli. To evaluate the influence of shading and pedestrian traffic on the preference of Ae. aegypti for oviposition microenvironments, 20 sites were sampled weekly using ovitraps within the perimeter of Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, located in São Mateus, Espírito Santo, Brazil. A spatial and statistical analysis was performed in order to assess the relationship between shading time, pedestrian traffic, and the presence of biological forms of Ae. aegypti. A temporal analysis of temperature and precipitation influence on oviposition was also made. Between June, 2013 and June, 2014, 7,362 Ae. aegypti eggs were collected. Over a 12-month period, we made weekly collections of Ae. aegypti eggs from ovitraps. Pedestrian traffic and shading time influenced the number of positive ovitraps; precipitation and temperature were correlated with the number of positive ovitraps (p <0.05). We conclude that the influence of temperature and precipitation was not significant for the oviposition index, and the frequency of oviposition was directly proportional to the number of individuals moving close to the traps during periods of greater shading.

Melasma and Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Management Update and Expert Opinion.

Dyschromia is a leading cause for cosmetic consultation, especially in those with diverse skin types (mixture of ethnicities) and with the rise of non-core and untrained physicians performing cosmetic procedures. Melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) account for the majority of cases and are characterized by pigmented macules and patches distributed symmetrically in sun-exposed areas of the forehead, cheeks, and chin in melasma, and irregularly in areas of inflammation or an inciting traumatic event with PIH. Treatment is challenging and focused on a variety of mechanisms to stop, hinder, and/or prevent steps in the pigment production (melanocytic hyperactivity) process, breaking down deposited pigment for internal removal or external release, exfoliating cells to enhance turnover, and decreasing inflammation. Topical lightening therapy in combination with sun protection is essential for potential improvement. The most commonly prescribed and researched topical lightening agents are hydroquinone (HQ), azelaic acid (AzA), and retinoids - although only HQ and a triple combination cream (Tri-Luma®; fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, HQ 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) are US FDA-approved for "bleaching of hyperpigmented skin" (HQ) and "melasma" (Tri-Luma®). Numerous non-HQ brightening/lightening agents, including antioxidant and botanical cosmeceuticals, have recently flooded the market with improvements that claim less irritant potential, as well as avoiding the stigmata associated with HQ agents such as carcinogenesis and cutaneous ochronosis. Combining topical therapy with procedures such as chemical peels, intense pulsed light (IPL), fractional non-ablative lasers or radiofrequency, pigment lasers (microsecond, picosecond, Q-switched), and microneedling, enhances results. With proper treatment, melasma can be controlled, improved, and maintained; alternatively, PIH can be cured in most cases. Herein, we review treatments for both conditions and provide an opinion on proper management for enhanced results.

Willis-Ekbom Disease or Restless Legs Syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Willis-Ekbom Disease (WED) is highly prevalent, but patients and healthcare providers alike know little about it. Furthermore, controversy persists as to the best way of diagnosing this nosological entity. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether the term used to refer to this disease entity (Restless Legs Syndrome or Willis-Ekbom Disease) affects the prevalence of self-diagnosed RLS/WED in a sample of newly graduated physicians. METHODS: Newly graduated physicians were asked to self-evaluate for the presence of RLS/WED. Briefly, participants were allocated randomly across two groups. One was asked to self-assess for RLS, while the other was asked to self-assess for WED. The evaluation form given to one group asked 'Do you have Restless Legs Syndrome?' whereas the form given to participants in the other group asked 'Do you have Willis-Ekbom Disease?'. Both forms also contained the four criteria for diagnosing RLS proposed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) and instructions for self-diagnosis according to these criteria. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 1413 newly graduated physicians. Of the 708 participants who were given the form that used the term RLS, 87 (12.28%) diagnosed themselves with the condition. Conversely, of 705 physicians given the form with the term WED, 13 (1.84%) diagnosed themselves with the condition (p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: A greater proportion of newly graduated physicians diagnosed themselves with RLS/WED when presented with the term Restless Legs Syndrome than when presented with the term Willis-Ekbom Disease. This suggests that the term Restless Legs Syndrome may not be the most appropriate term to denote this nosological entity.

Utilização de um filme de glicerol para o controle da produção de aflatoxina por Aspergillus parasiticus em amendoim / Use of glycerol coating to control aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus in peanut grains

Peanut grains are very susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. nomius and A. parasiticus. The aflatoxin B1 is most frequently found in peanuts, posing a high toxicological risk due to its carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic properties. Alternative methods to fungicides can be used to protect grains. GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) substances can be an interesting option to avoid contamination, specially glycerol. In the present work, the ability of glycerol films to prevent aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus in peanuts was evaluated. Glycerol was established in two different ways: by immersion and aspersion. Aspersion was more efficient in reducing aflatoxin production (86.3%) than was the immersion process (66.9%) (P < 0.05). At the same time, a progressive reduction in A. parasiticus colony diameters was observed (from 38.6 ± 0.9 to 34.4 ± 1.7 mm) when the fungus was grown on GYEP medium supplemented with glycerol (0 to 5%). However, varying concentrations did not influence the production of spores, colonies, conidiophores or spore condition. Peanuts coated with 5% glycerol (by immersion or aspersion) had improved characteristics, with a cleaner and more shiny appearance, which can make the resulting product more acceptable to the population. In conclusion, the reduction of aflatoxin production in peanut grains with glycerol, particularly by aspersion, was satisfactory, and this GRAS substance shows promising potential to be used to prevent mycotoxin contamination in grains.(AU)

O amendoim é muito suscetível à contaminação por aflatoxinas, que são metabólitos tóxicos produzidos por Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus e A. nomius. A aflatoxina B1 é a mais frequentemente encontrada nos amendoins e apresenta risco toxicológico devido às suas propriedades carcinogênicas, teratogênicas e mutagênicas. Entre os métodos de prevenção da contaminação, o uso de substâncias GRAS (substâncias geralmente consideradas seguras) pode apresentar grande potencial de exploração, especialmente o glicerol. No presente trabalho, foi avaliada a capacidade de filmes de glicerol para o controle da produção de aflatoxinas em amendoins. O glicerol foi inoculado por imersão ou aspersão, sendo a aspersão mais eficiente na redução da produção de aflatoxina (86,3%) que a imersão (66,9%) (P < 0,05). Ao mesmo tempo, foi observada uma redução nos diâmetros das colônias de A. parasiticus (38,6 ± 0,9 para 34,4 ± 1,7 mm) quando cultivado em meio GYEP suplementado com glicerol (0 a 5%). Apesar disto, diferentes concentrações não influenciaram a produção ou morfologia dos esporos e conidióforos. Amendoins revestidos com 5% de glicerol apresentaram características interessantes, tais com: maior brilho e coloração mais intensa, o que pode tornar o produto mais atraente para o consumidor. Em conclusão, a redução da produção de aflatoxinas em amendoim pelo glicerol, principalmente por aspersão foi satisfatória. Sendo assim, esta substância apresenta um potencial promissor para utilização para a prevenção da contaminação do amendoim por aflatoxinas.(AU)

Treatment of KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae: suboptimal efficacy of polymyxins.

Treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae infections (KPC-EI) remains a challenge. Combined therapy has been proposed as the best choice, but there are no clear data showing which combination therapy is superior. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial regimens for treating KPC-EI. This was a retrospective cohort study of KPC-EI nosocomial infections (based on CDC criteria) between October 2009 and June 2013 at three tertiary Brazilian hospitals. The primary outcomes were the 30-day mortality for all infections and the 30-day mortality for patients with bacteraemia. Risk factors for mortality were evaluated by comparing clinical variables of survivors and nonsurvivors. In this study, 118 patients were included, of whom 78 had bacteraemia. Catheter-related bloodstream infections were the most frequent (43%), followed by urinary tract infections (n = 27, 23%). Monotherapy was used in 57 patients and combined treatment in 61 patients. The most common therapeutic combination was polymyxin plus carbapenem 20 (33%). Multivariate analysis for all infections (n = 118) and for bacteremic infections (n = 78) revealed that renal failure at the end of treatment, use of polymyxin and older age were prognostic factors for mortality. In conclusion, polymyxins showed suboptimal efficacy and combination therapy was not superior to monotherapy.

Prevalencia de patología cardíaca en la enfermedad de Chagas: años 2004-2012. Programa y Red de Chagas de CABA / Prevalence of cardiac pathology in Chagas disease: 2004 -2012. Program and Chagas CABA network

El Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de las Salud ha mostrado un particular compromiso con la formación de sus estudiantes en la estrategia de Atención Primaria de la Salud, con las prácticas asistenciales dedicadas al 1er nivel de atención ambulatoria y a las patologías prevalentes en ese ámbito. Del mismo modo se han desenvuelto las actividades de formación en investigación. Como exponente de esa orientación, la revista Ciencias de la Salud publicó en el Vol. 2, N°1, 2011:4-9, el artículo “Prevalencia de la Enfermedad de Chagas” de Érica G. Morais, que había obtenido el premio “Futuros Líderes”, otorgado por el Curso Anual Internacional de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUCS-AMA, Prof. Carlos Álvarez Bermúdez). Aquella investigación formaba parte de un proyecto más amplio realizado en el Hospital Teodoro Álvarez entre 2004 y 2012, en el que participaron un conjunto de investigadores, que compartieron la autoría de la actual publicación. El Dr. Jorge Mitelman, Prosecretario de Ciencia y Técnica del IUCS e integrante de ese equipo, preparó además una reseña sobre la jornada del INCOSUR, realizada en abril del presente año, describiendo asimismo el proceso de desarrollo de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, como área no endémica, para encarar las consecuencias de la enfermedad de Chagas

Polymyxin use as a risk factor for colonization or infection with polymyxin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii after liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Acinetobacter baumannii is a leading agent of healthcare-associated infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate cases of colonization or infection with polymyxin-resistant A. baumannii (PRAB) in liver transplant recipients and to identify the risk factors for the acquisition of PRAB. METHODS: We evaluated all patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) between January and November of 2011. The exclusion criterion was death within the first 72 h after transplant. Patients were screened for PRAB through weekly rectal and inguinal swabs during their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and at ICU discharge. Patients who came from other hospitals or had been treated in the emergency room for >72 h were screened at ICU admission. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for polymyxins were determined by broth microdilution, and clonality was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The stepwise logistic regression was used to identify risk factors related to acquisition of PRAB, and Cox forward regression used to identify risk factors for 60-day mortality. RESULTS: We evaluated 65 patients submitted to LT, among whom PRAB was isolated in 7, 4 of whom developed infection. The MICs for polymyxin E ranged from 16 to 128 mg/mL. All patients with PRAB required dialysis. The median time of polymyxin use before PRAB isolation was 21 days. These 4 included 1 case of primary bloodstream infection (BSI), which was treated with the carbapenem-polymyxin combination; 1 case of surgical site infection, which was treated with gentamicin, polymyxin, ampicillin-sulbactam, and tigecycline; and 2 cases of pneumonia, treated with the combination of carbapenem-polymyxin. In the case of BSI and in 1 of the cases of pneumonia, the treatment was considered successful. Mortality was 71% among the cases, compared with 33% among the non-cases. CONCLUSION: In the final model of the survival analysis, PRAB colonization or infection after LT was independently associated with mortality. One predominant clone was identified. The only risk factor identified in the multivariate analysis was polymyxin use. PRAB was an agent with high mortality, and the most important risk factor associated with colonization or infection for such bacterium was polymyxin use.

Comparative analysis of two emerging rice seed bacterial pathogens.

Seed sterility and grain discoloration limit rice production in Colombia and several Central American countries. In samples of discolored rice seed grown in Colombian fields, the species Burkholderia glumae and B. gladioli were isolated, and field isolates were compared phenotypically. An artificial inoculation assay was used to determine that, although both bacterial species cause symptoms on rice grains, B. glumae is a more aggressive pathogen, causing yield reduction and higher levels of grain sterility. To identify putative virulence genes differing between B. glumae and B. gladioli, four previously sequenced genomes of Asian and U.S. strains of the two pathogens were compared with each other and with two draft genomes of Colombian B. glumae and B. gladioli isolates generated for this study. Whereas previously characterized Burkholderia virulence factors are highly conserved between the two species, B. glumae and B. gladioli strains are predicted to encode distinct groups of genes encoding type VI secretion systems, transcriptional regulators, and membrane-sensing proteins. This study shows that both B. glumae and B. gladioli can threaten grain quality, although only one species affects yield. Furthermore, genotypic differences between the two strains are identified that could contribute to disease phenotypic differences.

Illicit drug use and cardiometabolic disease risk: an analysis of 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

PURPOSE: To explore the association between illicit drug use (IDU) and cardiometabolic disease risk factors (CDRF) in a nationally representative sample of adults. METHODS: The 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data from 20- to 45-year-old adults (n = 8738) were utilised to analyze the relationship between IDU (ever used, repeated use and current use) and CDRF (hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, elevated C-reactive protein, body mass index, waist circumference and cigarette use) via chi square and logistic regression analyses. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, poverty to income ratio (PIR), and alcohol use were included as confounders in the models. RESULTS: Individuals who reported drug use (DU) at least once in lifetime were more likely to have CDRF than non-DU (NDU) (OR = 1.3, p = 0.004). Females with DU, IDU at least once in lifetime, and with repeated IDU were about 1.5 times more likely than their NDU counterparts to have CDRF (p < 0.0001, p = 0.02, p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Results from this study suggest that healthcare professionals should be aware that patients with a history of DU may be at heightened risk for cardiometabolic disease. Females in particular have a heightened cluster of CDRF across drug-use categories.

Stability of surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: a randomized trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the orthodontic retention of maxillary skeletal stability after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE). Ninety digitized plaster casts from 30 adult patients who underwent SARPE were assessed. Thirty patients were divided equally into two groups: the No Retention Group (n = 15) and the Retention Group (n = 15) with a Transpalatal Arch [TPA]). After the end of expansion, the expander appliance was stabilized and remained in place for 4 months. The additional retention period began in the Retention Group as soon as the expander was removed and replaced by a TPA. During the same period, the No Retention Group remained without retention. The casts were created pre-operatively, at 4 months and 10 months post-expansion. The models were digitized by means of a 3D Vivid 9i laser scanner. The palatal area and volume were assessed. Both variables increased after 4 months compared with pre-operative values (p < .05). At 10 months, patients' palatal areas and volumes were stable in both groups (p > .05). In conclusion, no retention other than the expander appliance is needed after SARPE.

Hurricane track forecast cones from fluctuations.

Trajectories of tropical cyclones may show large deviations from predicted tracks leading to uncertainty as to their landfall location for example. Prediction schemes usually render this uncertainty by showing track forecast cones representing the most probable region for the location of a cyclone during a period of time. By using the statistical properties of these deviations, we propose a simple method to predict possible corridors for the future trajectory of a cyclone. Examples of this scheme are implemented for hurricane Ike and hurricane Jimena. The corridors include the future trajectory up to at least 50 h before landfall. The cones proposed here shed new light on known track forecast cones as they link them directly to the statistics of these deviations.

Strategies for surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion according to the region of transverse maxillary deficiency.

This study evaluated different techniques for surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) according to the type of transverse maxillary deficiency using computed tomography (CT). Six adult patients with bilateral transverse maxillary deficiencies underwent SARME. The patients were equally divided into three groups: Group I, maxillary atresia in both the anterior and posterior regions; Group II, greater maxillary atresia in the anterior region; and Group III, increased maxillary atresia in the posterior region. In Group I, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used. In Group II, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used without pterygomaxillary suture disjunction. In Group III, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used with pterygomaxillary suture disjunction and fixation of the anterior nasal spine with steel wire. The midpalatal suture opening was evaluated preoperatively and immediately after the activation period using CT. For Group I, the opening occurred parallel to midpalatal suture; for Group II, the opening comprised a V-shape with a vertex on the posterior nasal spine; and for Group III, the opening comprised a V-shape with a vertex at the anterior nasal spine. The conclusion was that the SARME technique should be individualized according to the type of transverse maxillary deficiency.

DLC coatings for UHMWPE: relationship between bacterial adherence and surface properties.

Development of intrinsically antibacterial surfaces is of key importance in the context of prostheses used in orthopedic surgery. This work presents a thorough study of several plasma-based coatings that may be used with this functionality: diamond-like carbon (DLC), fluorine-doped DLC (F-DLC), and a high-fluorine-content-carbon-fluor polymer (CF(X)). The coatings were obtained by a radio-frequency plasma-assisted deposition on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) samples and physicochemical properties of the coated surfaces were correlated with their antibacterial performance against collection and clinical Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains. The fluorine content and the relative amount of C-C and C-F bonds were controlled by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and hydrophobicity and surface tension by contact angle measurements. Surface roughness was studied by Atomic Force Microscopy. Additional nanoidentation studies were performed for DLC and F-DLC coatings. Unpaired t test and regression linear models evaluated the adherence of S. aureus and S. epidermidis on raw and coated UHMWPE samples. Comparing with UHMWPE, DLC/UHMWPE was the least adherent surface with independence of the bacterial species, finding significant reductions (p ≤ 0.001) for nine staphylococci strains. Bacterial adherence was also significantly reduced in F-DLC/ UHMWPE and CFx/UHMWPE for six strains.

Experimental evidence of a Rayleigh-plateau instability in free falling granular jets.

A granular jet falling out of a funnel shaped container, subjected to small vertical vibrations, develops an instability farther downstream as may happen for ordinary liquid jets. Our results show that this instability is reminiscent of the Rayleigh-Plateau capillary instability leading to breakup of the jet at large scales. The first stages of this instability are captured in detail allowing a determination of the dispersion relation. Surface tensions measured in this unstable regime (of the order of mN/m) are in agreement with previously reported measurements carried out at much smaller scales. This instability and the breakup of the jet can be inhibited when the effect of the surrounding medium (air) is reduced by enclosing the jet in an evacuated chamber, showing that the effective surface tension measured is the result of a strong interaction with the surrounding air.