Occupational group, educational level, marital status and deleterious habits among individuals with maxillofacial fractures: retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the occupational profile, educational level, marital status and deleterious habits to the health of patients with maxillofacial fractures of a population of northeastern Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients records admitted to the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Walter Cantidio University Hospital (Fortaleza, Brazil) who sustained maxillofacial fractures was conducted in the period between 2006 and 2015. RESULTS: A total of 338 patients rendered 355 fractures. Males were the most affected (p <0.001), with prevalence in the third decade of life (p <0.001). There was a predominance of motorcycle accidents (p <0.001), home workers (p <0.001), low educational status (p = 0.032), and no cigarette use (p <0.001) or alcohol (p = 0.023). Fractures of the zygomatic-orbital complex were the most prevalent in the sample (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: The sociodemographic profile exerted a significant influence on the epidemiological profile of maxillofacial fractures in a Brazilian population during the study period.

Does pterygomaxillary disjunction in surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion influence upper airway volume? A prospective study using Dolphin Imaging 3D.

Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion has been used for the treatment of transverse maxillary deficiency. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of this surgery (with or without pterygomaxillary disjunction) on the upper airway volume. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: without pterygomaxillary disjunction (-PD) and with pterygomaxillary disjunction (+PD). Eleven patients per group were estimated to obtain a representative sample (90% of power and 95% of confidence level). Volumetric images of cone beam computed tomography scans were obtained preoperatively, immediately after Hyrax screw stabilization and 6 months after Hyrax screw stabilization. Volumetric measurements of the nasal cavity, maxillary sinuses, nasopharynx, and oropharynx, and of the minimum oropharynx cross-sectional area were obtained using Dolphin 3D Imaging Software. The final sample consisted of 25 adult individuals (+PD group, n=12; -PD group, n=13). In the +PD group, we observed a statistically significant increase immediately after Hyrax screw stabilization for the nasopharynx volume (P=0.003), oropharynx volume (P=0.007) and oropharynx cross-sectional area (P=0.001). Pterygomaxillary disjunction resulted in a significant (P <0.05) increase in volumetric measurements of the nasopharynx and minimum oropharynx cross-sectional area 6 months after the expander device stabilization.

The Anti-Inflammatory Role of Minocycline in Alzheimer´s Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder where the main risk factor is age, since its incidence increases dramatically after the age of 60. It is the most common form of dementia, and is accompanied by memory loss and cognitive impairment. Although AD was discovered over a century ago, the only drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in its treatment are four cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. However, these drugs are not fully effective in the treatment of AD. Therefore, the incessant search for new methods of treating AD continues, with the hope of improving both the effectiveness of therapies and the quality of life for patients suffering with AD. Current evidence suggests that the antibiotic minocycline could be a potential therapeutic drug for use in the treatment of AD due to its anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Minocycline is a tetracycline derivative that combines an anti-inflammatory property that is capable of crossing the blood brain barrier with neuroprotective properties that work by limiting inflammation and oxidative stress. Several studies have established the presence of inflammatory markers in the brains of patients suffering with AD, including elevated levels of cytokines/chemokines and microgliosis in damaged regions. Cytokines have been associated with increased tau phosphorylation and decreased levels of synaptophysin, establishing their roles in the cytoskeletal and synaptic alterations that take place in AD. Therefore, pharmacological approaches that allow for the discovery and development of new anti-inflammatory agents such as minocycline will be welcomed in the continuing struggle against AD. Considering these facts, this review will discuss the anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of minocycline as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of AD.

Auxiliary device for calibration of roller pumps: development and experimental results.

INTRODUCTION: Roller pumps are commonly used in surgeries involving extracorporeal circulation and its regulation may influence the hemolysis rate. OBJECTIVE: To describe an auxiliary device for adjusting roller pumps using the dynamic calibration method and show preliminary results of its application in surgical procedures. METHOD: The device was tested in the laboratory environment with three disposable pressure transducers normally used in surgeries. In the operation room, tests were carried out with two groups of patients. Free hemoglobin plasma rates were measured, 5 minutes after perfusion started and immediately before the passage of the residual volume of the pump. For Group 1 (n = 22), occlusion measurements were carried out using the drop rate method and for Group 2 (n = 18), measurements were carried out using the auxiliary device and 300 mmHg calibration (mean pressure for the dynamic calibration method). RESULTS: The auxiliary calibration device has shown calibration results statistically equal to those obtained with a reference device in the laboratory environment. We have found less variability of hemolysis rates in the operating room, using the auxiliary device and we did not observe any influence of unbalanced rollers in the hemolysis rates.

Excited levels in 149Pm from the decay of 149Nd.

The level structure of 149Pm has been investigated by studying the gamma rays emitted following the beta(-) decay of 149Nd (T(1/2)=1.7h). The singles and the gammagamma coincidence spectra were taken using HPGe detectors with high energy resolution. The energy and relative intensities of 198 gamma rays have been determined, 45 for the first time and several multiplets were resolved using bidimensional data analysis. A decay scheme with 51 levels has been proposed. This includes 6 new levels, at 1407, 1368, 1364, 1329, 1293 and 1181keV. The present results permitted assignments of spin and parity for a number of these levels.

Antithrombin activity of medicinal plants of the Azores.

A chromogenic bioassay was utilized to determine the antithrombin activity of methylene chloride and methanol extracts prepared from 50 plants of Azores. Extracts of the six plants Hedychium gardneranum, Tropaeolum majus, Gunnera tinctoria, Hedera helix, Festuca jubata and Laurus azorica demonstrated activity of 78% or higher in this bioassay system.

Facial nerve electroneurography. Variability in normal subjects.

Twenty normal individuals were submitted to facial nerve electroneurography using different techniques in order to determine the most accurate to obtain the latencies and amplitudes of the compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) of the facial muscles. First of all it was determined in which muscle or muscle group highest amplitude CMAP could be recorded with the lowest variability between sides and in test-retest. Different techniques were studied in order to determine which could give the best results. This was shown to be an arrangement of bipolar surface electrodes fixed to a plastic bar. The records with higher amplitude where obtained from the nasolabial fold muscles. Therefore 65 normal volunteers were examined using this technique and recording the potentials obtained over the nasolabial fold muscles. Normal values were determined (latency lower than 4.5 ms and amplitude larger than 2 mV--95% confidence limits).

Facial electroneurography in Bell's palsy. Variability in the early stage and comparison between interpretation methods.

To determine the variability of the abnormalities found in the electroneurography (ENG) of the facial nerve in cases of Bell's palsy during the initial two week period was one of the objectives of the authors. A second one was to investigate the value of ENG as a tool to determine an early prognosis of recovery utilizing two different methods. In the first one the amplitude of the compound muscular action potential (CMAP) obtained on the paralyzed side was compared to this potential on the opposite (normal) side. The second method compared the CMAP on the paralyzed side to normal standardized data from normal individuals. A group of 33 patients with Bell's palsy was followed until total recovery of for at least 4 months, if the recovery was not achieved earlier. It was observed that amplitude of the CMAP become stable towards the sixth day of palsy and this is a good time to establish the prognosis. Another conclusion is that both methods were equivalent to determine the prognosis in Bell's palsy.

Isolated and painless infraspinatus atrophy in top-level volleyball players. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Isolated and painless infraspinatus atrophy and weakness are described in two top-level volleyball players. EMG revealed isolated denervation of the infraspinatus muscle. One athlete continued playing and his clinical features have not changed. The other recovered her muscle bulk and strength after stopping playing. These findings were attributed to intense activity of the shoulder joint, without any direct trauma. On clinical grounds, we did not consider these cases as true examples of entrapment neuropathy. Pathogenesis was related to traction of the distal branch of the suprascapular nerve during the act of reception of the ball ("Manchete").

[Electroneurography of the facial nerve: methods of stimulation and records]. / Eletroneurografia do nervo facial. Métodos de estimulação e registro.

In this study it is, intended to establish the more appropriate points to register the compound action potential from m. frontalis m. orbicularis oculi and nasolabial fold muscles. The optimum site for stimulating electrodes and differences between the first and the last compound action potentials after 20 consecutive stimuli delivered at 1 Hz were analysed.

Stereophotogrammetric evaluation of the dental interproximal contacting area with amalgam restorations. Use of matrices and matrix holders. Part II. Mandibular first molar.

The authors, as a sequence of a previous research, dealt with a morphological study, by means of level curves, of the lower first molar (mesial surface). This study based on dental amalgam reconstructions used two different types of interproximal cavity preparations; one type was related to the modern or conservative preparation and the other was related to the conventional cavity preparation. Two types of matrix holders were utilized as well as copper rings. In this project the contacting interproximal areas and adjacent structures were observed stereophotogrammetrically. As in the previous study, the models used were obtained from patients with good occlusal anatomical functional conditions and mounted in a semiadjustable articulator. The procedures for restorations followed the prescribed technique for these cases as far as the selection of the material, placement of the matrices, condensation pressure, etc, were concerned. The reconstruction of the serial slices, through level curves, were able to show the location of the contacting area for each matrix used, although it is necessary to stress that the original tooth contour has never been restored.

A new methodology in abdominal aesthetic surgery.

This article presents a personal methodology for the surgical planning of abdominoplasties with the goal of obtaining the best aesthetic result with the minimum of scars. With a thorough physical examination, the abdomens are classified into different groups and surgery is planned accordingly. The authors use liposuction in association with dermolipectomy and introduce a new approach to treating supraumbilical muscle diastases. The results obtained have been good, with a smooth recovery and better scars.