Ratio between 3D glenohumeral and scapulothoracic motions in individuals without shoulder pain.

This study determined the ratio between glenohumeral and three-dimensional scapular motion during arm elevation and lowering in 91 individuals without shoulder pain. Scapular kinematics were assessed using an electromagnetic tracking device. Individuals performed 3 repetitions of elevation and lowering of the arm in the sagittal plane. Two-way ANOVAs (interval: 30-60°, 60-90°, 90-120° x phase: elevation and lowering) and paired t-tests were used for data analysis. For scapular internal/external rotation, lesser scapular internal rotation contribution was found during the 60-90° interval as compared to the 90-60° interval. Lesser scapular external rotation was identified in the 60-30° interval of arm lowering. The ratio was greater during arm elevation (1.89) compared to lowering (1.74) across the entire motion arc. For scapular upward rotation, greater upward rotation contribution was observed during arm elevation at the 30-60° interval, and less scapular downward rotation contribution in the final range of arm lowering. For scapular tilt, lesser scapular posterior tilt contribution during arm elevation was observed compared to arm lowering. The ratios between glenohumeral elevation/lowering and each individual scapulothoracic motion showed either differences between intervals and/or between elevation and lowering during specific intervals in healthy individuals.

X-ray Microtomography to Quantify Morphological Sandstones Properties

Abstract The sandstones of the Furnas Formation in the State of Paraná, south of Brazil, are located in regions with great importance due to the natural heritage found in the rocky forms and associated flora and fauna. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the internal structure of diverse sandstones of the Furnas Formation. X-ray microtomography allowed 3D characterization of the number, pore size and shape distributions of the sandstones. Images with voxel size of 603 µm3 were utilized to evaluate the sandstone's macroporosity. The main results obtained indicate that higher macroporosities were observed in coarser and some types of silicified sandstones. In general, fine sandstones were characterized by the largest number of pores. As a general conclusion the size and shape distribution of pores seem to have a variable relation with genetic factors as grain size and cement (siliceous and/or ferruginous).

Three-dimensional analysis of nasolabial soft tissues while smiling using stereophotogrammetry (3dMDTM) / Análisis tridimensional de los tejidos blandos nasolabiales en sonrisa utilizando estereofotogrametría (3dMDTM)

SUMMARY: The nasolabial region is the central esthetic unit of the face and is considered one of the most important determinants of the facial esthetic. The facial morphometry of soft tissues is a very important tool in facial surgery. Advances have been made recently in the capture and analysis of 3D images, which offer great development potential in the diagnosis and treatment of facial deformities. The aim of this study was to characterize the nasolabial region of patient candidates for orthognathic surgery using 3D facial captures. A study was conducted to characterize the width of the nasal base and the nasolabial angle in adult patients through 3D photographs. 30 subjects were included, taking two 3D photos each, one in a resting position and the other smiling. The three-dimensional capture was done with the 3dMDface System. The measurements were taken with the 3dMD Vultus software. The length of the alar base was an average of 34.3 ± 2.6 mm at rest, and 39.1 ± 2.9 mm smiling. The mean of the nasolabial angle was 104.6 ± 9.6° at rest and 105.4 ± 14.3º smiling. Additionally, the distance of the alar base smiling compared to its distance at rest increased an average of 4.83 mm, whereas the nasolabial angle smiling increased an average of 0.8º compared to at rest. In this study, the nasolabial angle did not present any significant changes so that its assessments in the case of facial modifications can be standard; the width of the nasal base is significantly modified with the smile and thus a more intense study of any type of modification in this area is required.

RESUMEN: La región nasolabial es la unidad estética central de la cara y se considera uno de los determinantes más importantes de la estética facial. La morfometría facial en tejidos bandos, es una herramienta de gran importancia en Cirugía Facial. En el último tiempo, se han realizado avances en captura y análisis de imágenes 3D, las cuales ofrecen un gran potencial de desarrollo en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las deformidades faciales. El objetivo de éste trabajo fue caracterizar mediante capturas faciales 3D la región nasolabial de pacientes candidatos a cirugía ortognática. Se realizó un estudio para caracterizar a través de fotografías tridimensionales de pacientes adultos el ancho de la base nasal y el ángulo nasolabial. Se incluyeron 30 sujetos, tomando 2 fotografías 3D a cada uno, una en posición de reposo y otra en sonrisa. Se realizó la captura tridimensional con la camara facial 3dMDface System. Las mediciones fueron realizadas con el software 3dMD Vultus. La longitud de base alar en reposo, fue en promedio de 34,3 ± 2,6 mm, y de 39,1 ± 2,9 mm, en sonrisa. Por otra parte, la media del ángulo nasolabial en reposo fue de 104,6 ± 9,6° y en sonrisa, de 105,4 ± 14,3º. Por otro lado, la distancia de la base alar en sonrisa respecto a su distancia en reposo, aumentó un promedio de 4,83 mm, mientras que el ángulo nasolabial en sonrisa, aumentó en promedio 0,8º respecto a la posición de reposo. En esta investigación, el ángulo nasolabial no presentó cambios significativos de forma que su valoración frente a modificaciones faciales puede ser estándar; el ancho de base nasal se modifica significativamente con la sonrisa de forma que su estudio debe ser más agudo frente a cualquier tipo de modificación en esta zona.

Anatomically Based Analysis of Radioaerosol Distribution in Pulmonary Scintigraphy: A Feasibility Study in Asthmatics.

INTRODUCTION: Manual analysis of two-dimensional (2D) scintigraphy to evaluate aerosol deposition is usually subjective and has reduced sensitivity to quantify regional differences between central and distal airways. AIMS: (1) To present a method to analyze 2D scans based on three-dimensional (3D)-linked anatomically consistent regions of interest (ROIs); (2) to evaluate peripheral-to-central counts ratio (P/C2D) and penetration indices (PIs) for a set of 16 subjects with moderate-to-severe asthma; and (3) to compare the reproducibility of this method against one with manually traced ROIs. METHODS: Two-dimensional scans were analyzed using custom software that scaled onto 2D-projections' 3D anatomical features, obtained from population-averaged computed tomography (CT) chest scans. ROIs for a rectangular box (bROI) and an anatomically shaped ROI (aROI) were defined by computer and by manually tracing the standard rectangular box (manual ROI [mROI]). These ROIs were defined five nonconsecutive times for each scan and average value and variability of the P/C2D were estimated. Based on CT estimates of lung and airways, volumes lying under the bROI and aROI, a 2D penetration index (PI2D) and a 3D penetration index (PI3D), were defined as volume-normalized ratios of aerosol deposition in central and peripheral ROIs and in central and distal airways, respectively. RESULTS: P/C2D values and their variability, were influenced by the shape and method to define the ROIs: The P/C2D was systematically greater and more variable for mROI versus bROI (p < 0.005). The P/C2D for aROI was higher and its variability lower than those for the bROI (p < 0.001). The PI2D was in average the same for aROI and bROI, and is substantially (∼30 × ) greater than PI3D (p < 0.001). Both PI2D and PI3D, obtained with our analysis, compared well with literature values obtained with two scans (deposition and volume). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that 2D scintigraphy can be analyzed using anatomically based ROIs from 3D CT data, allowing objective and enhanced reproducibility values describing the distribution pattern of radioaerosol deposition in the tracheobronchial tree.

MicroCT assessment of bone microarchitecture in implant sites reconstructed with autogenous and xenogenous grafts: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To assess bone microarchitecture in maxillary sites grafted with autogenous or xenogenous grafts as well as to demonstrate the usefulness of microCT in dental implant research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples (n = 12) consisting of titanium fixation screws covered by at least 0.5-1 mm of human bone were obtained from 17 sites grafted with autogenous or xenogenous materials and prepared for microCT scanning and conventional histology. Bone histomorphometric parameters were evaluated in three distinct regions (graft region, transitional region, and native bone region). Three-dimensional (3D) bone-to-implant contact (BIC) calculation was performed using microCT data. Histological sections were used to calculate two-dimensional (2D) BIC percentages, which were compared with values obtained from 2D microCT images. RESULTS: Histomorphometric parameters varied according to the type of graft used, but sites reconstructed with autogenous bone showed higher mean values in general. In autograft samples, indices for parameters such as Tb.Th and Tb.Sp were significantly different when the native bone region was compared to the graft region. While a higher mean 3D BIC was found in the native bone region for both graft materials, significant BIC differences were absent when graft types were compared. The 2D BIC percentages obtained from histological and microCT images were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Autografts outperformed the xenogenous material used in this study concerning the histomorphometric parameters assessed. While graft type did not seem to influence 3D BIC, the native bone region showed the highest BIC percentages when compared to the other regions in both graft groups. In addition, 2D BIC ratios were similar regardless of graft material or image source (histological sections x microCT slices). Taken together, our findings suggest that microCT is an effective tool for 2D and 3D histomorphometric and BIC assessments in dental implant research.

Three-dimensional kinematics of competitive and recreational cyclists across different workloads during cycling.

Although the link between sagittal plane motion and exercise intensity has been highlighted, no study assessed if different workloads lead to changes in three-dimensional cycling kinematics. This study compared three-dimensional joint and segment kinematics between competitive and recreational road cyclists across different workloads. Twenty-four road male cyclists (12 competitive and 12 recreational) underwent an incremental workload test to determine aerobic peak power output. In a following session, cyclists performed four trials at sub-maximal workloads (65, 75, 85 and 95% of their aerobic peak power output) at 90 rpm of pedalling cadence. Mean hip adduction, thigh rotation, shank rotation, pelvis inclination (latero-lateral and anterior-posterior), spine inclination and rotation were computed at the power section of the crank cycle (12 o'clock to 6 o'clock crank positions) using three-dimensional kinematics. Greater lateral spine inclination (p < .01, 5-16%, effect sizes = 0.09-0.25) and larger spine rotation (p < .01, 16-29%, effect sizes = 0.31-0.70) were observed for recreational cyclists than competitive cyclists across workload trials. No differences in segment and joint angles were observed from changes in workload with significant individual effects on spine inclination (p < .01). No workload effects were found in segment angles but differences, although small, existed when comparing competitive road to recreational cyclists. When conducting assessment of joint and segment motions, workload between 65 and 95% of individual cyclists' peak power output could be used.