Cephalometric evaluation of the airway space and hyoid bone in children with normal and atypical deglutition: correlation study

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Although there is a close relationship between swallowing and breathing, there are no studies evaluating the radiographic anatomy of the airway and its possible correlation with the radiographic position of the hyoid bone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation of the radiographic position of the hyoid bone and airway space (PAS) in lateral radiographs on children with atypical deglutition, in comparison with those with normal swallowing. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study with control group in a public university. METHODS: Using cephalometric analysis on lateral teleradiographs, the distance from the hyoid bone to the mandibular plane (MP-H) and the distance from the hyoid bone to the tuber (T-H) were correlated with the PAS measurement (airway) in two groups: 55 teleradiographs in the experimental group (with atypical deglutition) and 55 teleradiographs in the control group (normal deglutition). Both groups included subjects at the mixed dentition stage. RESULTS: The variable T-H presented a statistically significant correlation with PAS (0.0286) and the variable MP-H had a significant correlation with the variable PAS (0.0053). This positive correlation was significant only in the control group and not in the group with atypical swallowing. CONCLUSIONS: There was a positive correlation between the MP-H and PAS measurements and between the T-H and PAS measurements only in the group with normal swallowing. These correlations were not observed in the group with atypical swallowing.1304236241Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)CAPES [2008/995978

Levels II and III neck dissection for larynx cancer with N0 neck

The removal of level II, III, and IV metastases has gained importance in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the neck and larynx. This study assessed the possibility of removing level II and level III metastases only, given the low likelihood of occurrence of metastatic lymph nodes on level IV in SCCs of the larynx. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence rates of metastatic lymph nodes on level IV in laryngeal SCC patients. Methods: This prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with laryngeal SCC submitted to neck lymph node dissection. Neck levels were identified and marked for future histopathology testing. Results: Six percent (3/54) of the necks had level IV metastatic lymph nodes. All cN0 necks (42) were free from level IV metastasis. Histopathology testing done in the cN (+) necks (12) revealed that 25% of the level IV specimens were positive for SCC. The difference between cN0 and cN (+) necks was statistically significant (p = 0.009). Level IV metastases never occurred in isolation, and were always associated with level II or level III involvement (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The prevalence rate for lymph node metastasis in cN0 necks was 0%. Level IV metastatic lymph nodes were correlated to cN (+) necks. Level IV metastasis was associated with the presence of metastatic lymph nodes in levels II or III.785596

La endoscopía y el diagnóstico de los trastornos de la deglución en gatos. Estudio retrospectivo

We present a retrospective study of endoscopies performed in cats with swallowing disorders and a review of the subject. Materials and Methods. All cats referred to the Department of Endoscopy for swallowing disorders between 2006 and 2010, were identified. The following data were analyzed: age, sex, race, associated clinical signs, course and endoscopic findings. Results. Out of 78 endoscopies performed in cats, we analyzed those in which dysphagia / regurgitation was the reason for referral. 45% of them (35/78) were upper gastrointestinal endoscopies and swallowing disorders was observed in 34% of them (12/35). Endoscopic findings were: stomatitis 8%, mass in oropharynx 17%, foreign bodies 17%, tonsillitis 8%, esophageal stricture 17%, esophagitis 17%, unremarkable 17%. In 34% of the cases, the endoscopy was diagnostic and therapeutic. Discussion and conclusions. In 75% of the cases, changes were found. This would indicate that the endoscopy is essential for the recognition of lesions in patients presenting these signs. Moreover, in 34% of the cases, endoscopy had a diagnostic function as well as a therapeutic one, thus preventing the patient from suffering and undergoing long-term treatments.Se presenta un informe retrospectivo sobre estudios endoscópicos realizados en gatos con trastornos de la deglución (disfagia y/o regurgitación) y una revisión sobre el tema. Materiales y Métodos. Se identificaron todos los felinos derivados al Servicio de Endoscopia por presentar trastornos de la deglución entre los años 2006 y 2010. Se analizaron los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, raza, signos clínicos asociados, evolución y hallazgos endoscópicos. Resultados. Sobre 78 endoscopias realizadas en felinos, se analizaron aquellas cuyo signo motivo de la derivación era disfagia y/o regurgitación. El 45 % (35/78) fueron digestivas altas y los problemas en la deglución se presentaban en el 34% (12/35). Los hallazgos endoscópicos fueron: estomatitis 8%, masa en orofaringe 17%, cuerpos extraños 17%, tonsilitis 8%, estenosis esofágica 17%, esofagitis 17 %, sin particularidades 17%. En el 34 % de los casos la endoscopia fue diagnóstica y terapéutica. Discusión y conclusiones. En 75% de los casos se encontraron alteraciones, lo que indicaría que el estudio endoscópico resulta indispensable para el reconocimiento de lesiones en pacientes con esos signos. Por otro lado, en 34% de los casos la endoscopía tuvo una función diagnóstica y al mismo tiempo terapéutica evitando al paciente sufrimientos y tratamientos prolongados

Gas confinement in compartmentalized coordination polymers for highly selective sorption

Discrimination between different gases is an essential aspect for industrial and environmental applications involving sensing and separation. Several classes of porous materials have been used in this context, including zeolites and more recently MOFs. However, to reach high selectivities for the separation of gas mixtures is a challenging task that often requires the understanding of the specific interactions established between the porous framework and the gases. Here we propose an approach to obtain an enhanced selectivity based on the use of compartmentalized coordination polymers, named CCP-1 and CCP-2, which are crystalline materials comprising isolated discrete cavities. These compartmentalized materials are excellent candidates for the selective separation of CO2 from methane and nitrogen. A complete understanding of the sorption process is accomplished with the use of complementary experimental techniques including X-ray diffraction, adsorption studies, inelastic- and quasi-elastic neutron scattering, magnetic measurements and molecular dynamics calculations

Calibration of the charge and energy loss per unit length of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber using muons and protons

We describe a method used to calibrate the position- and time-dependent response of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber anode wires to ionization particle energy loss. The method makes use of crossing cosmic-ray muons to partially correct anode wire signals for multiple effects as a function of time and position, including cross-connected TPC wires, space charge effects, electron attachment to impurities, diffusion, and recombination. The overall energy scale is then determined using fully-contained beam-induced muons originating and stopping in the active region of the detector. Using this method, we obtain an absolute energy scale uncertainty of 2% in data. We use stopping protons to further refine the relation between the measured charge and the energy loss for highly-ionizing particles. This data-driven detector calibration improves both the measurement of total deposited energy and particle identification based on energy loss per unit length as a function of residual range. As an example, the proton selection efficiency is increased by 2% after detector calibration

Reconstruction and measurement of (100) MeV energy electromagnetic activity from π0 arrow γγ decays in the MicroBooNE LArTPC

We present results on the reconstruction of electromagnetic (EM) activity from photons produced in charged current νμ interactions with final state π0s. We employ a fully-automated reconstruction chain capable of identifying EM showers of (100) MeV energy, relying on a combination of traditional reconstruction techniques together with novel machine-learning approaches. These studies demonstrate good energy resolution, and good agreement between data and simulation, relying on the reconstructed invariant π0 mass and other photon distributions for validation. The reconstruction techniques developed are applied to a selection of νμ + Ar → μ + π0 + X candidate events to demonstrate the potential for calorimetric separation of photons from electrons and reconstruction of π0 kinematics

Finding needles in haystacks: linking scientific names, reference specimens and molecular data for Fungi

DNA phylogenetic comparisons have shown that morphology-based species recognition often underestimates fungal diversity. Therefore, the need for accurate DNA sequence data, tied to both correct taxonomic names and clearly annotated specimen data, has never been greater. Furthermore, the growing number of molecular ecology and microbiome projects using high-throughput sequencing require fast and effective methods for en masse species assignments. In this article, we focus on selecting and re-annotating a set of marker reference sequences that represent each currently accepted order of Fungi. The particular focus is on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region in the nuclear ribosomal cistron, derived from type specimens and/or ex-type cultures. Re-annotated and verified sequences were deposited in a curated public database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), namely the RefSeq Targeted Loci (RTL) database, and will be visible during routine sequence similarity searches with NR_prefixed accession numbers. A set of standards and protocols is proposed to improve the data quality of new sequences, and we suggest how type and other reference sequences can be used to improve identification of Fungi

The Pandora multi-algorithm approach to automated pattern recognition of cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector.

The development and operation of liquid-argon time-projection chambers for neutrino physics has created a need for new approaches to pattern recognition in order to fully exploit the imaging capabilities offered by this technology. Whereas the human brain can excel at identifying features in the recorded events, it is a significant challenge to develop an automated, algorithmic solution. The Pandora Software Development Kit provides functionality to aid the design and implementation of pattern-recognition algorithms. It promotes the use of a multi-algorithm approach to pattern recognition, in which individual algorithms each address a specific task in a particular topology. Many tens of algorithms then carefully build up a picture of the event and, together, provide a robust automated pattern-recognition solution. This paper describes details of the chain of over one hundred Pandora algorithms and tools used to reconstruct cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector. Metrics that assess the current pattern-recognition performance are presented for simulated MicroBooNE events, using a selection of final-state event topologies

Hepatic Nrf2 expression is altered by quercetin supplementation in X-irradiated rats

P. 539-546Whole‑body irradiation has been associated with liver function alterations. Ionizing radiation exposure increases oxidative stress and antioxidants can activate transcription of antioxidant target genes. In the present study, modifications of the liver antioxidant system were evaluated at 7 and 30 days following sub‑lethal whole‑body X‑irradiation in male Wistar rats, which were intragastrically supplemented with quercetin or control solvent for 4 days prior to and 6 days following irradiation. Animal groups were as follows: CS, control, solvent‑supplemented; CQ, control, quercetin‑supplemented; RS, irradiated, solvent‑supplemented; and RQ, irradiated, quercetin‑supplemented. After 7 days, liver tissue from RS animals demonstrated marked hydropic panlobular degeneration with Mallory bodies in ballooning hepatocytes. These changes were mostly reversed in RQ rats. Lipid peroxidation in addition to copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn‑SOD), nuclear factor (erythroid‑derived 2)‑like 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch‑like ECH‑associated protein 1 (Keap1) protein expression levels were all increased by X‑irradiation, but significantly decreased by quercetin supplementation. Catalase (CAT) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) expression levels remained high in irradiated rats regardless of quercetin supplementation. After 30 days, the liver from RS animals had small portal infiltrates and diffuse cytoplasmic vacuolization, with reduced lipid peroxidation and reduced expression levels of CAT, NQO1, Nrf2 and Keap1, but consistently elevated Cu/Zn‑SOD expression. RQ animals indicated reduced expression levels of Nrf2 and Keap1 30 days after irradiation. The present study demonstrated a quercetin‑induced reduction of the oxidative stress‑associated increase in Nrf2 expression that may be useful for preventing cancer cell survival in response to ionizing radiation exposure.S

Observation of a J^PC = 1-+ exotic resonance in diffractive dissociation of 190 GeV/c pi- into pi- pi- pi+

The COMPASS experiment at the CERN SPS has studied the diffractive dissociation of negative pions into the pi- pi- pi+ final state using a 190 GeV/c pion beam hitting a lead target. A partial wave analysis has been performed on a sample of 420000 events taken at values of the squared 4-momentum transfer t' between 0.1 and 1 GeV^2/c^2. The well-known resonances a1(1260), a2(1320), and pi2(1670) are clearly observed. In addition, the data show a significant natural parity exchange production of a resonance with spin-exotic quantum numbers J^PC = 1-+ at 1.66 GeV/c^2 decaying to rho pi. The resonant nature of this wave is evident from the mass-dependent phase differences to the J^PC = 2-+ and 1++ waves. From a mass-dependent fit a resonance mass of 1660 +- 10+0-64 MeV/c^2 and a width of 269+-21+42-64 MeV/c^2 is deduced.Comment: 7 page, 3 figures; version 2 gives some more details, data unchanged; version 3 updated authors, text shortened, data unchange