Search

Competing Interests: Conflict of interest We have no conflicts of interest.

Shear-wave elastography (SWE) permits local estimation of tissue elasticity, an important imaging marker in biomedicine. This recently developed, advanced technique assesses the speed of a laterally traveling shear wave after an acoustic radiation force "push" to estimate local Young's moduli in an operator-independent fashion. In this work, we show how synthetic SWE (sSWE) images can be generated based on conventional B-mode imaging through deep learning. Using side-by-side-view B-mode/SWE images collected in 50 patients with prostate cancer, we show that sSWE images with a pixel-wise mean absolute error of 4.5 ± 0.96 kPa with regard to the original SWE can be generated. Visualization of high-level feature levels through t -distributed stochastic neighbor embedding reveals substantial overlap between data from two different scanners. Qualitatively, we examined the use of the sSWE methodology for B-mode images obtained with a scanner without SWE functionality. We also examined the use of this type of network in elasticity imaging in the thyroid. Limitations of the technique reside in the fact that networks have to be retrained for different organs, and that the method requires standardization of the imaging settings and procedure. Future research will be aimed at the development of sSWE as an elasticity-related tissue typing strategy that is solely based on B-mode ultrasound acquisition, and the examination of its clinical utility.

We prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for differentiation of benign versus malignant portal vein thrombosis (PVT). We studied a total of 43 patients with chronic liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma-suggestive nodules and confirmed PVT, in whom the nature of the PVT was confirmed by follow-up imaging (US, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging) performed up to 6 mo after CEUS. PVT was assessed by US, Doppler US and CEUS with respect to vessel wall disruption and/or invasion, color Doppler vascularization, pulsed Doppler vascularization pattern and CEUS enhancement and vascularization pattern, and thrombi were classified as benign or malignant based on these findings. Follow-up studies revealed malignant PVT in 22 of the 43 patients (51%) and benign PVT in 21 patients (49%). CEUS findings were consistent with follow-up studies in 41 of the 43 patients (95%), with κ = 0.903 (p < 0.0001), sensitivity = 91% and specificity = 100%, indicating that CEUS can be confidently used to differentiate benign from malignant portal vein thrombosis in the setting of chronic liver disease., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Patients with considerable maxillomandibular anteroposterior discrepancies and maxillary hypoplasia require corrective treatment through orthognathic surgery. However, in the treatment of severe maxillary retrognathism, it is necessary to reconstruct areas of bone deficiency through grafting techniques in addition to maxillary advancement using only the Le Fort I osteotomy. Treatment in these patients is more challenging and requires high surgical predictability. Alloplastic materials often have been used for the reconstruction of poor bone contours. Ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is currently an excellent filler material for poor bone regions and is a good substitute for autografts and other alloplastic materials for its unique properties, including high biocompatibility. Insertion of this material in the fixation system customized for virtually planned orthognathic surgeries is an innovative technique. This report describes the insertion of UHMWPE into custom-made titanium miniplates manufactured by computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology for orthognathic surgery consisting of maxillary advancement and mandibular retrusion to treat a patient with Crouzon syndrome, Class III malocclusion, and severe maxillary retrognathism., (Copyright © 2018 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Given its toxigenic potential, Microcystis aeruginosa is an important bloom-forming cyanobacterium. Here, we present a draft genome and annotation of the strain CACIAM 03, which was isolated from an Amazonian freshwater environment., (Copyright © 2016 Castro et al.)

This study aimed to optimize molecular methods for detecting DNA of Hepatozoon spp. as well as identify the phylogenetic relationships of Hepatozoon strains naturally infecting domestic dogs in Belém, Pará, northern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 138 dogs, and screened for Hepatozoon spp. using a new nested PCR assay. Positive samples were subjected to genetic characterization based on amplification and sequencing of approximately 670bp of the Hepatozoon spp. 18S rRNA. Of the positive dogs, four shared the haplotype Belém 01, one dog presented the haplotype Belém 02 and two dogs shared the haplotype Belém 03. A Bayesian inference indicates that haplotypes Belém 01 and Belém 02 are phylogenetically related to H. canis, while Belém 03 is related to H. americanum. Overall, based on the first molecular evidence of H. americanum in Brazilian domestic dogs, the proposed protocol may improve the epidemiological investigation of canine hepatozoonosis., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Ecological interactions between cyanobacteria and heterotrophic prokaryotes are poorly known. To improve the genomic studies of heterotrophic bacterium-cyanobacterium associations, the draft genome sequence (3.2 Mbp) of Limnobacter sp. strain CACIAM 66H1, found in a nonaxenic culture of Synechococcus sp. (cyanobacteria), is presented here., (Copyright © 2016 da Silva et al.)

Here, we present a draft genome and annotation of Flavihumibacter sp. CACIAM 22H1, isolated from Bolonha Lake, Brazil, which will provide further insight into the production of substances of biotechnological interest., (Copyright © 2016 Moraes et al.)

Objective: Zygomatic implants may be used for dental rehabilitation in atrophic maxillae. The aim of this study was to establish experimentally the areas of stress distribution using 2 kinds of "All-On-Four" maxillary procedures., Study Design: The best position to insert the implants was selected using polyurethane craniomaxillary models and surgical guides were made. Group 1 was designed with two posterior zygomatic implants and two conventional anterior implants, and group 2 with two posterior zygomatic implants and two anterior zygomatic implants. A titanium bar was built to link the 4 implants in both groups. Photoelastic replicas of these models were made and the implants were inserted using the surgical guides. An Instrom 4411 testing machine was used to perform a unilateral compressive loading at the level of the right first molar until 2mm of displacement was obtained., Results: Group 1 showed a high strain concentration in the right lateral orbital region at the level of the apex of the zygomatic implant. Less strain was noticed at the apical levels of the conventional implants in the anterior sector and of the contralateral zygomatic implant. Group 2 showed high strains in the lateral inferior orbital area. The load was low in the alveolar bone sector., Discussion: Zygomatic bone and paranasal structures are loaded at high levels when zygomatic implants are used to stabilize a full maxillary prosthodontic rehabilitation on 4 implants. The use of 4 zygomatic implants loads the alveolar bone to a lower extent and seems better suited from a mechanical point of view than the use of 2 zygomatic implants., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Babesiosis is an infectious hemolytic disease that occurs worldwide, and is caused by a protozoan of the Babesia genus (Apicomplexa). Little is known about this genus; therefore, this study conducted a molecular characterization of Babesia spp in naturally infected dogs in northern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 172 dogs from metropolitan Belém, and screened for Babesia spp using semi-nested polymerase chain reactions. Subsequently, 18S rDNA gene fragments were amplified and sequenced. Alignments of the 27 nucleotide sequences returned fragments measuring 1023 bp in size, which did not include any polymorphic sites (100% identity). This genotype was very similar to the 18S rDNA gene in B. vogeli. This study provides an important molecular characterization of the parasite responsible for canine babesiosis in naturally infected dogs in metropolitan Belém. In addition, the 18S rDNA gene in B. vogeli may represent the most common genotype occurring in South America.

The aim of this research was to ascertain the survival of implants installed in the atrophic maxillae of patients treated with or without autogenous bone graft at 8 to 10 years of follow-up. A retrospective study was conducted using clinical and imaging analysis. 42 adult patients were selected, treated with osseointegrated implants in a fixed maxillary prosthesis model with suprastructure using 6 to 8 implants; of these, 22 underwent reconstruction with a bone graft taken from the anterior iliac crest and 20 were treated without any type of bone graft. The sequence of removal, installation and management of the grafts followed routine patterns, and the implant installation and prosthesis preparation also followed parameters established in previous publications. Variables of implant survival, stage of loss and bone stability of the implants were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, considering a value of P<0.05 to obtain statistical significance. After 8 to 10 years of follow-up the 306 implants installed in the 42 patients were evaluated. 162 implants were in the bone graft group, where 8.0% of implants were lost in the pre-loading stage, 3.7% in the post-loading stage and 88.7% had complete survival. In the group without bone graft, 6.17% were lost in the pre-loading stage, 1.85% in the post-loading stage and 90.97% had complete survival. There was no significant difference in the survival of the implants between the two groups (P=0.082). Cervical bone loss between the groups showed no significant differences either (P=0.241). The implants in grafted maxillae with cases of severe maxillary atrophy are just as efficient as implants installed in maxillae without bone graft.

Dental implant and chin osteotomy are executed on the mandible body and the mental nerve is an important anatomical limit. The aim of this research was to know the position of the mental nerve loop comparing result in panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography. We analyzed 94 hemimandibles and the patient sample comprised female and male subjects of ages ranging from 18 to 52 years (mean age, 35 years) selected randomly from the database of patients at the Division of Oral Radiology at Piracicaba Dental School State University of Campinas; the anterior loop (AL) of the mental nerve was evaluated regarding the presence or absence, which was classified as rectilinear or curvilinear and measurement of its length was obtained. The observations were made in the digital panoramic radiography (PR) and the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) according to a routine technique. The frequencies of the AL identified through PR and CBCT were different: in PR the loop was identified in 42.6% of cases, and only 12.8% were bilateral. In contrast, the AL was detected in 29.8% of the samples using CBCT, with 6.4% being bilateral; Statistical comparison between PR and CBCT showed that the PR led to false-positive diagnosis of the AL in this sample. According to the results of this study, the frequency of AL is low. Thus, it can be assumed that it is not a common condition in this population.

This study constituted a comparative assessment of the mechanical resistance of square and rectangular 2.0-mm system three-dimensional miniplates as compared to the standard configuration using two straight miniplates. 90 polyurethane replica mandibles were used for the mechanical trials. Groups 1, 2, and 3 simulated complete symphyseal fractures characterized by linear separation of the central incisors; groups 4, 5, and 6 simulated parasymphyseal fractures with an oblique configuration. Groups 1 and 4 represented the standard method with two straight miniplates set parallel to one another. Square miniplates were used in groups 2 and 5, and rectangular miniplates in groups 3 and 6. A universal testing machine set to a velocity of 10mm/min and delivering a vertical linear load to the first left molar was used to test each group. Maximum load values and load values with pre-established dislocation of 5mm were obtained and submitted to statistical analysis using a calculated reliability interval of 95%. The mechanical performances of the devices were similar, except in the case of rectangular plates used in the parasymphyseal fractures. The innovative fixation methods used showed significantly better results in the case of symphyseal fractures., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Babesiosis is a hemolytic disease caused by protozoans of the genus Babesia (Apicomplexa). This disease occurs worldwide and is transmitted by ticks to a variety of mammals, including humans. The objective of the present study was to optimize a molecular approach for the detection of a fragment of 18S rDNA of Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli, Babesia rossi or Babesia gibsoni based on a single semi-nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and compare the efficiency of this approach with that of a simple PCR protocol. To this end, 100 blood samples collected from dogs with suspected hemoparasite infections were analyzed. A comparison of the results of simple PCR and semi-nested PCR indicated a highly significant difference (p value = 0.0000). While only five (5%) of the samples tested positive using the simple protocol, 22 (22%) were positive using the snPCR technique. The results of this study reinforce the findings of previous studies, which have demonstrated the greater sensitivity of tests based on nested or semi-nested PCR. Therefore, to avoid false-negative results due to low levels of parasitemia, we suggest the preferential use of this protocol in epidemiological studies of canine babesiosis, particularly those that require reliable estimates of the prevalence of infection.

We hereby propose a novel sensitive, specific, and cost-efficient method to detect Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys DNA from canine whole blood samples by multiplex PCR. Blood samples from hemoparasited dogs attending the Veterinary Hospital at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia-UFRA, Belém, Brazil, were collected in tubes containing EDTA. Amplification of E. canis and A. platys 16S rDNA by nested (n) PCR was successfully achieved by using primers specific to the Anaplasmataceae in the first round of PCR, followed by a second round of PCR using E. canis-specific primers in conjunction with A. platys-specific primers. The amplicons obtained were cloned and sequenced, yielding sequences of 478 and 473 bp (including primers) pertaining to regions of the 16S rDNA of E. canis and A. platys, respectively. The protocol we here propose may help to measure the prevalence of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) and canine cyclic thrompocytopenia, not only in northern Brazil, where there is no data available, but also elsewhere.

Purpose: Several parameters have been described for determining the success or failure of dental implants. The surface properties of transgingival implant components have had a great impact on the long-term success of dental implants. The purpose of this study was to compare the tendency of two periodontal pathogens to adhere to and colonize zirconia abutments and titanium alloys both in hard surfaces and soft tissues., Methods: Twelve patients participated in this study. Three months after implant placement, the abutments were connected. Five weeks following the abutment connections, the abutments were removed, probing depth measurements were recorded, and gingival biopsies were performed. The abutments and gingival biopsies taken from the buccal gingiva were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction to compare the DNA copy numbers of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and total bacteria. The surface free energy of the abutments was calculated using the sessile water drop method before replacement. Data analyses used the Mann Whitney U-test, and P-values below 0.05 find statistical significance., Results: The present study showed no statistically significant differences between the DNA copy numbers of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and total bacteria for both the titanium and zirconia abutments and the biopsies taken from their buccal gingiva. The differences between the free surface energy of the abutments had no influence on the microbiological findings., Conclusions: Zirconia surfaces have comparable properties to titanium alloy surfaces and may be suitable and safe materials for the long-term success of dental implants.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the risk factors related to condylar resorption (CR) after orthognathic surgery. Was realized a systematic review with a search of the literature performed in the electronic databases PubMed, MedLine, Ovid, Cochrane Library for current evidence in the world literature as conducted, and relevant articles were selected in according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and the findings were compared. Eight papers, (follow-up 12 months to 69 months) were including. A sample of 2567 patient with mandible or bi maxillary surgery with an age range from 14 to 46 year old was observed. In 137 patients (5.3%) CR was observed, with a 97.6% (122) female. CR was related to 118 cases with mandibular deficiencies with high mandibular plane (advancement surgery). CR were present principally in bi maxillary surgery with a 103 cases (75.2%) and only two papers show any analysis to the relation with TMJ dysfunction. Current evidence in CR is poor but supports those female patients with mandibular deficiency and high mandibular plane angle submitted to bi maxillary surgery with change in occlusal plane (counterclockwise) are associated with condylar resorption after orthognathic surgery.

The objective of this study was to quantify the cortical bone thickness of the mandibular ramus to determine conditions related to sagittal split ramus osteotomy and placement of screws. The patient sample comprised 44 subjects of ages ranging from 46 to 52 years (mean age, 49 years). The cone-beam computed tomography was performed and realized 3 cuts in the third molar area (section A), 5 mm posterior (section B), and 5 mm posterior to the latter (section C). Measurement in the cortical areas of the superior and inferior levels related to mandibular canal and measurement related to the total width of the mandible was executed. Intraclass correlation coefficient with P < 0.05 was used. The result showed that the buccal and lingual cortical zone did not present statistical differences, and the minor value was 1.5 mm for each one. There were no differences in the superior and inferior cortical bone, and the total width of the mandible was between 15.9 and 8.5 mm in the anterior area, between 17.4 and 12.8 mm in the middle area, and between 18 and 8.8 mm in the posterior area. The distance superiorly to the mandibular canal presented a minimal SD with a mean of 8.5 mm in the anterior region, 10.6 mm for the middle region, and 12.5 mm in the posterior region. In conclusion, the cortical thickness of the mandibular ramus in the adult population is particularly strong and offers a good anchorage for screw insertion in sagittal split ramus osteotomy.

Two characteristics usually found in impulsive behavior are deficits in response inhibition and the inability to delay gratification. The former behavior is called motor impulsivity, and the second is called cognitive impulsivity. This study investigates the association of motor and cognitive impulsivity with manual aiming control. We administered two neuropsychological tests to 81 healthy participants to measure their levels of motor and cognitive impulsivity. A manual aiming motor task was also applied. Subsequently, from the initial group of 81 participants, two subgroups of 27 individuals were selected by their scores on (1) motor impulsivity and (2) cognitive impulsivity, and their motor performances were compared. While a group was comprised by the top 33.3% high-impulsive participants, the other was comprised by the bottom 33.3% low-impulsives participants. The results indicate that motor impulsivity is more related to motor control than cognitive impulsivity. Differences between motor impulsivity groups were found in the duration of the primary submovement, peak velocity, score of response inhibition errors and incorrect hits score. It was found that in situations in which the temporal and spatial demands to the motor system were high, the impulsivity had a functional, adaptive effect on motor control., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Suicide behavior is very frequent in Bipolar Disorder (BD) and they are both closely associated with impulsivity. Furthermore they are, impulsivity, BD and suicide behavior, associated with serotonergic function, at least partially, under genetic determinism and somewhat associated with the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism, the 5-HTTLPR. We aimed to assess different impulsivity components in BD sub-grouped by suicidal attempt and healthy controls. We hypothesized that the non-planning/cognitive impulsivity, could be more closely associated with suicidal behavior. We further associated 5-HTTLPR genotypes with neuropsychological results to test the hypothesis that this polymorphism is associated with cognitive impulsivity., Method: We assessed 95 euthymic bipolar patients sub-grouped by suicidal attempt history in comparison with 94 healthy controls. All subjects underwent a laboratory assessment of impulsivity (Continuous Performance Test and Iowa Gambling Test). Furthermore the genotyping of 5-HTTLPR was performed in all subjects., Results: We found that bipolar patients are more impulsive than healthy controls in all impulsivity dimensions we studied. Furthermore bipolar patients with a suicide attempt history have a greater cognitive impulsivity when compared to both bipolar patients without such a history as well when compared to healthy controls. No association was found between 5-HTTLPR genotypes and neuropsychological measures of impulsive behavior., Limitations: The sample studied can be considered small and a potentially confounding variable - medication status - was not controlled., Conclusion: A lifetime suicide attempt seems associated with cognitive impulsivity independently of the socio-demographic and clinical variables studied as well with 5-HTTLPR genotype. Further studies in larger samples are necessary., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The Iowa Gambling Task is a neuropsychological task developed in English, most widely used to assess decision-making. The aim of this work was to adapt the Iowa Gambling Task to Brazilian Portuguese, compare it with the original version and assess its validity., Method: We assessed 75 Brazilian adults divided into three groups: 1) 25 healthy volunteers holding the Proficiency Certificate in English tested using the English version of the Iowa Gambling Task; 2) 25 healthy volunteers who did not speak or read English tested using the Iowa Gambling Task-Portuguese; 3) 25 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder subjects tested with the Iowa Gambling Task-Portuguese., Results: No difference between groups 1 and 2 was observed. Nonetheless, we found significant differences between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder subjects and the other 2 groups on blocks 3, 4, 5, and on net score., Conclusion: Our results are similar to those previously described in the literature concerning adults without neuropsychiatric diseases. Since those two versions were equivalent and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder subjects performed significantly worse than healthy volunteers we can conclude that the adaptation of the Iowa Gambling Task to Brazilian Portuguese is valid and can be used for research purposes in the Brazilian context.