Effects of minimally invasive surgical and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MISMARPE) on the nasal cavity and upper airway: a comparative cohort study.

This study was performed to evaluate the impact on the upper airway and nasal cavity of a new minimally invasive surgical and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MISMARPE) technique for the treatment of adult patients with transverse maxillary deficiency, in comparison to surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE). Computed tomography scans of 21 MISMARPE and 16 SARPE patients were obtained preoperatively (T0) and at the end of the activation period (T1) and analysed. Linear and volumetric measurements were performed in the dental, alveolar, nasal cavity, and oropharynx regions. Generalised estimating equations were used to consider the intervention time and surgery type, and their interaction. In both groups, measurements were increased at T1 (P < 0.001), except for oropharynx volume (P > 0.05). A greater expansion in nasal cavity floor and median palatal suture was shown for MISMARPE when compared to SARPE (P < 0.001), with the same degree of expander activation (P = 0.094). A trapezoidal (coronal plane) and 'V' shape (axial plane) expansion pattern, was observed after MISMARPE. Both surgical techniques were effective for maxillary expansion in adults. However, MISMARPE was performed without osteotomy of the pterygomaxillary suture, in an outpatient setting and with local anaesthesia.

Fast three-dimensional superimposition of cone beam computed tomography for orthopaedics and orthognathic surgery evaluation.

The aim of this study was to validate a method for fast three-dimensional (3D) superimposition of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in growing patients and adults (surgical cases). The sample consisted of CBCT scans of 18 patients. For 10 patients, as the gold standard, the spatial position of the pretreatment CBCT was reoriented, saved as a reoriented volume, and then superimposed on the original image. For eight patients, four non-growing and four growing, the pre- and post-treatment scans were superimposed. Fast voxel-based superimposition was performed, with registration at the anterior cranial base. This superimposition process took 10-15s. The fit of the cranial base superimposition was verified by qualitative visualization of the semi-transparent axial, sagittal, and coronal cross-sectional slices of all corresponding anatomical structures. Virtual 3D surface models of the skull were generated via threshold segmentation, and superimposition errors in the reoriented models and the results of treatment for the treated cases were evaluated by 3D surface distances on colour-coded maps. The superimposition error of the spatial reorientation and for growing and non-growing patients was <0.5mm, which is acceptable and clinically insignificant. The voxel-based superimposition method evaluated was reproducible in different clinical conditions, rapid, and applicable for research and clinical practice.

Genetic associations between temperament and performance traits in Nellore beef cattle.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic associations between temperament and performance traits. Temperament was evaluated in yearling male and female Nellore cattle, using four traits: temperament score (TS), for assessing animals' reactions in a corral pen (n = 25,691); movement score (MOV), for animals' movements recorded inside the crush; crush score (CS), for animal's general reactivity inside the crush; and flight speed (FS), for the speed (in m/s) at which the animals exited the crush (n = 11,697, for the last three methods); for all the temperament traits, lower scores indicate animals with calmer temperament. Performance traits were visual scores for conformation (C), finishing precocity (P) and muscling (M) evaluated at yearlings, and average daily gain (ADG) was estimated from weaning to yearling. Bayesian inference using Gibbs sampling was applied to estimate (co)variance components and genetic and phenotypic parameters. Heritability estimates for the temperament traits ranged from 0.07 (CS) to 0.28 (FS). Genetic correlations of the temperament traits with ADG and C, P and M were negative and ranged from -0.02 to -0.31. Phenotypic correlations were negative and consistently lower than the genetic, ranging from -0.08 to -0.02. It was concluded that the temperament traits assessed had favourable genetic correlation estimates with the performance traits studied. However, indirect responses in temperament when selecting for higher ADG and visual scoring system of C, P and M, will be low.

Milk yield and composition from Angus and Angus-cross beef cows raised in southern Brazil.

This study assessed milk yield and composition of Angus and Angus-cross beef cows raised in southern Brazil. A total of 128 records were collected in 2 consecutive calving seasons from cows between 3 and 5 yr of age of 4 breed compositions: Angus (ANAN), Caracu × Angus (CRAN), Hereford × Angus (HHAN), and Nelore × Angus (NEAN). These cows were mated to Brangus (BN) or Braford (BO) bulls and managed under extensive grazing conditions in southern Brazil. Milk production of these cows was assessed by 2 procedures: indirectly by the calf weigh-suckle-weigh procedure (WD) and directly by machine milking (MM). Lactation curves were estimated using nonlinear regression and the following related traits were derived: peak yield (PY), peak week (PW), total yield at 210 d (TY210), and lactation persistence (PERS). Milk composition and calf weaning weight adjusted to 210 d (WW210) were also determined. The MM technique was considered more accurate because of lower standard errors of estimated means, greater statistical power, and greater correlation between TY210 and WW210 (0.50) compared to WD (0.36). Considering the more precise evaluation by MM, the CRAN and NEAN cows had greater TY210 (1070 and 1116 kg, respectively) and PY (8.1 and 7.8 kg, respectively) compared to ANAN and HHAN cows, which had 858 and 842 kg for TY210 and 6.6 and 6.3 kg for PY, respectively. The NEAN cows had the latest PW at 10.8 wk. Late-calving cows had 21% lower TY210 compared to cows that calved earlier. Milk composition was influenced by cow genotype, with CRAN and NEAN cows producing milk with greater fat (3.8 and 3.9%, respectively) and protein (3.2 and 3.1%, respectively) content compared to ANAN and HHAN cows. Regardless of the genotype, fat, protein, and total solids increased in concentration from beginning to end of lactation, while lactose content decreased. Crossbreeding of Angus with adapted breeds of taurine or indicine origin can be effective in increasing milk yield and nutrient content and, consequently, producing heavier calves at weaning under extensive grazing in southern Brazil and other similar subtropical climate regions.

In vivo determination of genotoxicity induced by metals from orthodontic appliances using micronucleus and comet assays.

Orthodontic appliances are usually made of stainless steel, which contains metals such as nickel, chromium and iron that have been associated with DNA damage. The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic toxicity associated with orthodontic fixed appliances in twenty healthy patients (16 +/- 2.5 years) undergoing orthodontic treatment (fixed appliances - basic composition: stainless steel alloy), using the micronucleus (MN) and comet (CA) assays in buccal cells. Primary DNA damage level, as assessed by the CA, was low either before the beginning (1.5 +/- 1.05 damage index - DI) or 10 days after the placement of the orthodontic appliance (2.5 +/- 3.08 DI) and did not change significantly between these time points (p= 0.0913). Conversely, there was a significant increase in MN frequency 30 days after the beginning of the treatment (p= 0.0236). In this study, the MN assay was shown to be more sensitive than the CA. Other investigations are necessary in order to assess the genotoxic potential of orthodontic fixed appliances associated with long-term studies concerning these effects in orthodontic patients.

Anestesia epidural com lidocaína isolada e associada ao fentanil para realização de ováriossalpingo-histerectomia em cadelas / Epidural anesthesia with lidocaine and its combination with fentanyl for ovaryhysterectomy in dogs

Investigou-se o efeito da lidocaína isolada ou associada ao fentanil na anestesia epidural, para realização de ováriossalpingo-histerectomia. Dezoito cadelas foram tranqüilizadas com acepromazina, seguindo-se indução anestésica com propofol, para a realização da punção lombossacra. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos: o grupo GL recebeu lidocaína (8,5mg/kg) e o GLF fentanil (5µg/kg) associado à lidocaína (6,5mg/kg). Mensuraram-se as freqüências cardíaca (FC) e respiratória (FR), pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), variáveis hemogasométricas, concentração sérica de cortisol, necessidade de complementação anestésica com propofol durante a cirurgia, temperatura retal (T), período de latência e duração do bloqueio anestésico. Foi observada redução na FC, FR e PAS no GL e GLF, porém esses parâmetros mantiveram-se dentro dos limites fisiológicos. Para ambos os grupos, a concentração sérica de cortisol manteve-se estável após a cirurgia. Complementação anestésica foi necessária em 40 por cento e 75 por cento dos animais do GLF e GL, respectivamente. Conclui-se que ambos os protocolos foram suficientes para inibir a elevação sérica do cortisol, e resultaram em alterações mínimas cardiorrespiratórias, e que a complementação anestésica foi necessária.

The effects of lidocaine or lidocaine associated with fentanyl for epidural anesthesia in dogs were studied. Eighteen adult healthy bitches were sedated with acepromazine, with subsequent propofol anesthetic induction for the accomplishment of lumbosacral puncture. The animals were alloted in two groups and received: 8.5mg/kg lidocaine (GL group) or 5µg/kg fentanyl associated with 6.5mg/kg (GLF group). Heart and respiratory rates, systolic arterial blood pressure, blood gas variables, plasmatic concentration of cortisol, need of complementary doses of propofol for surgery, rectal temperature, and onset and duration of anesthesic block were measured. Mild alterations in the cardiorespiratory, blood gas variables and plasmatic concentration of cortisol were observed after the epidural anesthesia in both groups. There was no statistical significance in the onset and duration of anesthesic block. Complementary doses of propofol were necessary in 40 percent and 75 percent of the dogs in GLF and GL, respectively. The anesthesic protocols inhibited the elevation of the plasmatic concentration of cortisol, causing minimal cardiopulmonary alterations in the animals. Besides, the addition of fentanyl showed best results compared to the local anesthesic isolatedly.

[Intra-operative identification of the ostium of Wirsung's pancreatic duct after papillosphincterotomy]. / Identificação trans-operatória do óstio do Wirsung após a papilo-esfincterotomia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to suggest a feasible method to find the ostium of the Wirsung's duct during sphincteroplasty of the Vater's papilla, in order to avoid post-operative complications such as acute pancreatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 27 patients were submitted to sphincteroplasty for choledocolithiasis with or without Odditis. After therapeutic papillotomy and sphincterotomy through the duodenun, the location of the ostium of the Wirsung's duct was determined and studied. After papillotomy, the Vater's papilla becomes an isosceles triangle and its measurements were made with a compass. Thereby the ostium of Wirsung's duct was easily detected and a catheter was inserted before the suture of the mucosa of the papilla. RESULTS: The ostium was generally found medially, on the left side of the triangle, 0.19 cm to 0.25 cm on average above its base whether there was inflammation or not, respectively. CONCLUSION: The transoperative determination of the dimensions as proposed in this study, allows a safety detection and cannulation of the Wirsung's duct with or without inflammation of the Oddi's sphincter.

Identificaçäo trans-operatória do óstio do Wirsung após a papilo-esfincteretomia / Intra-operative identification of the ostium of Wirsung's pancreatic duct after papilla-sphincterotomy

Objetivo. Contribuir para o achado do óstio de Wirsung durante a técnica da papiloesfincteroplastia, prevenindo a pancreatite aguda pós-operatória. Casuística e Método. Foram estudados 27 pacientes submetidos a papilo-esfincteroplastia por coledocolitíase com ou sem odite. Após a papiloesfincterotomia (PET) terapêutica, por via duodenal, realizou-se estudo da localizaçao do óstio do ducto de Wirsung. A PET transforma a ampola de Vater em um triângulo isósceles, cujas medidas foram obtidas através de compasso. Utilizando-as, o óstio do Wirsung poderá ser facilmente identificado e caracterizado no trans-operatório, antes de se fazer a sutura muco-mucosa da papila seccionada. Resultados. O óstio geralmente é encontrado medialmente na metade esquerda do triângulo e a uma distância média de 0,19cm a 0,25cm acima da base do triângulo, considerando-se a ausência ou presença de inflamaçao, respectivamente. Conclusao. A determinaçao transoperatória das distâncias padronizadas neste estudo, permite a detecçao e cateterizaçao segura do óstio do Wirsung na presença ou nao de odite.