Comparative cephalometric study of the airways between different ethnic groups with normal occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the nasopharynx and oropharynx airway dimensions of Caucasians, Blacks, Japanese, Japanese Brazilians, and Black Caucasians. METHODS: A sample of 216 lateral radiographs of untreated young Brazilian subjects (mean age of 12.94 years; SD 0.88) were divided into five groups: Black Caucasian, Black, Caucasian, Japanese, and Japanese Brazilian. Lateral radiographs were used to measure the oropharynx (from the midpoint on the soft palate to the closest point on the anterior pharyngeal wall) and the nasopharynx (from the intersection of the posterior border of the tongue and the inferior border of the mandible to the closest point on the posterior pharyngeal wall). Analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test were performed (p< 0.05). RESULTS: The linear dimension of the oropharynx was similar among the different ethnic groups. Caucasian individuals presented a significantly greater linear dimension of the nasopharynx than Black Caucasian and Black individuals. CONCLUSIONS: All the groups had similar buccopharyngeal values. However, Caucasian individuals had significantly higher values when compared to Black Caucasians and Black individuals.

Comparative cephalometric study of the airways between different ethnic groups with normal occlusion

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to compare the nasopharynx and oropharynx airway dimensions of Caucasians, Blacks, Japanese, Japanese Brazilians, and Black Caucasians. Methods: A sample of 216 lateral radiographs of untreated young Brazilian subjects (mean age of 12.94 years; SD 0.88) were divided into five groups: Black Caucasian, Black, Caucasian, Japanese, and Japanese Brazilian. Lateral radiographs were used to measure the oropharynx (from the midpoint on the soft palate to the closest point on the anterior pharyngeal wall) and the nasopharynx (from the intersection of the posterior border of the tongue and the inferior border of the mandible to the closest point on the posterior pharyngeal wall). Analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test were performed (p< 0.05). Results: The linear dimension of the oropharynx was similar among the different ethnic groups. Caucasian individuals presented a significantly greater linear dimension of the nasopharynx than Black Caucasian and Black individuals. Conclusions: All the groups had similar buccopharyngeal values. However, Caucasian individuals had significantly higher values when compared to Black Caucasians and Black individuals.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar as dimensões das vias aéreas da nasofaringe e da bucofaringe de leucodermas, melanodermas, xantodermas, feodermas e nipo-brasileiros. Material e métodos: Uma amostra de 216 telerradiografias laterais de jovens brasileiros não tratados (idade média de 12,94 anos; DP 0,88) foi dividida em cinco grupos: melanodermas, leucodermas, xantodermas, feodermas e nipo-brasileiros. As telerradiografias foram utilizadas para medir a bucofaringe (do ponto médio do palato mole até o ponto mais próximo da parede anterior da faringe) e a nasofaringe (da intersecção da borda posterior da língua e da borda inferior da mandíbula até o ponto mais próximo). Foram realizadas análises de variância (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). Resultados: A dimensão linear da bucofaringe foi semelhante entre os diferentes grupos étnicos. Indivíduos leucodermas apresentaram dimensão linear da nasofaringe significativamente maior do que indivíduos feodermas e melanodermas. Conclusões: Todos os grupos apresentaram valores da bucofaringe semelhantes. No entanto, os indivíduos leucodermas apresentaram valores significantemente maiores, quando comparados aos feodermas e melanodermas.

The impact of a story on learning ketone body metabolism.

Biochemistry is a core subject in the cross-disciplinary training on Biotechnology engineering courses. Metabolic pathways teaching has traditionally integrated hands-on laboratory experiences and traditional lectures, which detail a large number of reactions at a molecular level, their enzymes and regulation. The current scenario of Covid-19 outbreak have motivated the development of complementary tools that expand the horizon of metabolism teaching. In this study, we employed a story-based methodology to strengthen the metabolic pathways learning and to measure students' perception. Specifically, a peer-reviewed tale describing the ketone body metabolism was used during five semesters as a didactic strategy to teach this biochemical process. A questionnaire assessed the students' understanding and acceptance of the methodology (n = 83). Our findings showed that a high proportion of students (83.13%) were able to relate the story to the topics studied in the classroom (ketogenesis and ketolysis). On the other hand, they were satisfied and suggested that such methodology is effective and fun. In summary, most of the survey responses related to acceptance of story-based strategy ranged from 72% to 97%. Collectively, these results indicated that the story is appropriate to decomplex pathways, becoming a simple tool for driving motivation, learning and engagement of students. The narrative represents a bridge to connect the intriguing series of chemical reactions involved in the anabolism and degradation of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB), acetoacetate, and acetone with previously learned knowledge, emotions, and key concepts. In conclusion, the tale was useful to decode ketone body-related pathways and making metabolism learning more interesting and easier.