Influence of the therapeutic ultrasound on the rabbits's bone growth plate

The application of therapeutic ultrasound on children's growth plate still generates doubt in relation to its injurious effects. Then, a lot of children are not treat with this resource when they present some illness on these areas. These doubts are not just limited to the use of the ultrasound, but also to the intensity to be used without provoking any damage. Based on these doubts, it was purpose of this study to evaluate the influence of the application of ultrasonic energy used in therapeutic doses in its continuous and pulsed forms on the growth plate of proximal part of the rabbits' tibias in growth and to identify the doses that eventually could have macroscopic and microscopic alterations harming the normal bony growth. 32 white new Zealand rabbits 08 weeks years old were used in the beginning of the experiment. They were divided in three groups. In the first group of 10 rabbits ultrasound was applied with frequency of I mhz effective radiation area (era) of 3 cm2 ± 10% pulsed output in 100 hz ± 10% with pulse length of 2,0 ms and intensity of 2 w/cm2 (is. a.t.p.) in the medial face of the right tibia in its superior extremity for 5 minutes. In the second group of 11 rabbits continuous ultrasound was applied with the same technique and in the same area with effective radiation area (era) of 3 cm2 ± 10% and intensity of 1 w/cm2 (is.a.t.a.), also for 5 minutes and in the third group, also with II rabbits, continuous ultrasound was applied with the same technique and in the same area with effective radiation area(era) of 5 cm2 ± 10% and intensity of 2 w/cm2 (i.s.a.t.a.) for 3 minutes. The left tibias were kept as control. All the animals were treated in the same hour for ten serial days. X-rays of the right and left tibias and femurs (lateral view and anteroposterior) was previously made two days before the ultrasound application and also after they were killed, at the age of 16 weeks for a qualitative evaluation. The lenght and width of the plateau in its front plan of the tibias were measured with a vernier caliper. The histomorphometric analysis of the growth plate was made by amplifying of 2,5x with the aid of a digital system of analysis, using the ks 300 kontros eletronics software where was appraised serial microscopic fields in the lateral and medial areas of the growth plate completing a total of four measures, two for each area, always beginning in the ends on the lateral and medial side. It was measured the maximum and minimum length, area and perimeter expresses in micrometers. There were no statistically significant difference among values obtained through histomorphometric analysis, with vernier caliper or x-rays alterations in the first group. This did not happen with the second and third groups, in which the measures histomorphometric and obtained with vernier caliper were shown altered on the right side in relation to the left and x-rays alterations was also observed. The histologics statistically significant difference for the group II happened in the sum average of the lateral maximum length. In the measures with vernier caliper showed statistically significant difference in the width and bordering significancy in the length. In the group HI the histologics differences showed bordering significancy in the sum average of the minimum length on the side medial, in the sum average of the area on the lateral side and in the minimum length of the sum average of the four measures. In the measures with vernier caliper showed statistically significant difference in the width and bordering significância in the length. It was concluded that the rabbit group that received pulsedultrasound with 2 w/cm2 (is.a.t.p.) did not show alterations but these happened with the second and third groups that received continuous ultrasound with lw/cm2 and 2w/cm2 (is.a.t.a.), being dependent on theintensity used, that is, as larger the used intensity, larger the injurious effects.A aplicação de ultra-som terapêutico na área da cartilagem de crescimento epifisário de crianças em crescimento, ainda gera dúvidas em relação aos seus efeitos lesivos. Muitas crianças, então, deixam de ser tratadas por este recurso quando apresentam qualquer doença sobre estas regiões. Essas dúvidas não ficam limitadas apenas à utilização do ultra-som, mas também à intensidade a ser utilizada sem que ocorram tais lesões. Baseado nestas dúvidas, foi objetivo deste trabalho avaliar a influência da aplicação de energia ultra-sonora, utilizada em doses terapêuticas nas suas formas contínua e pulsada sobre as epífises proximais de tíbias de coelhos em crescimento e identificar as doses, a partir das quais, eventualmente poderiam haver alterações macroscópicas e microscópicas, prejudicando assim o crescimento ósseo normal. Foram utilizados 32 coelhos albinos da raça nova zelândia, com idade de 8 semanas no iníciodo experimento, divididos em três grupos. No primeiro grupo constituído de 10 coelhos, foi aplicado ultra-som com freqüência de 1 mhz, área de radiação efetiva de 3 cm2 ± 10%, pulsado (freqüência de modulação de lOOhz ± 10%, comprimento do pulso de 2,0 ms) e intensidade de 2 w/cm2 (is.a.tp.) na face mediai da extremidade superior da tíbia direita por 5 minutos. No segundo grupo constituído de 11 coelhos, foi aplicadoultra-som contínuo com a mesma técnica e na mesma região, com área de radiação efetiva de 3 cm2 ± 10% e intensidade de lw/cm2 (is.a.t.a.) por 5 minutos; e no terceiro grupo constituído também de 11 coelhos, foi aplicado ultra-som contínuo, com a mesma técnica e na mesma região,com área de radiação efetiva de 5 cm2 ± 10% e intensidade de 2 w/cm2 (is.a.t.a.) por 3 minutos. As tíbias contra-laterais nos três grupos de estudo foram utilizadas como controle. Todos os animais foram tratadosno mesmo horário durante dez dias consecutivos. Os fêmures e as tíbias de todos os animais foram radiografados nas incidências ântero-posterior e perfil dois dias anteriormente à aplicação de ultra-som e posteriormente ao serem sacrificados ao completarem 16 semanas de vida para avaliação qualitativa. O comprimento da tíbia (entre o ponto mais alto do platô tibial medial e o maléolo medial) e a largura do platô tibial no seu plano frontal foram mensurados através de paquímetro. A análise histomorfométrica da placa de crescimento epifisário foi realizada no aumento de 2,5x com o auxílio de um sistema digital de análise, utilizando do software ks 300 kontron elektronik, onde foram avaliados campos microscópicos consecutivos nas regiões lateral e medial da placa de crescimento epifisário, perfazendo um total de quatro medidas, duas para cada região, iniciando-se sempre nos extremos do lado lateral e medial. Foram mensurados o comprimento máximo, mínimo, área e perímetro expressos em micrômetros. Não houve diferença, estatisticamente significante entre valores obtidos através de análisehistomorfométrica, por paquímetro ou alterações radiológicas no grupol, não ocorrendo o mesmo com os grupos II e III onde as mesmas mostraram-se alteradas no lado direito em relação ao esquerdo, sendoobservado também alterações radiológicas. As diferenças histológicas estatisticamente significantes para o grupo II ocorreu na média da soma do comprimento máximo lateral. Nas medidas por paquímetro mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante na largura e significância limítrofe no comprimento. No grupo iii as diferenças histológicas mostraram significância limítrofe na média da soma do comprimento mínimo do lado medial, na média da soma da área do lado lateral e no comprimento mínimo da média da soma das quatro medidas. Nas medidas por paquímetro mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante na largura esignificância limítrofe no comprimento. Como resultado final não foram observadas alterações no grupo de coelhos que recebeu ultra-som pulsado a 2 w/cm2 (is.a.t.p.), mas estas ocorreram no grupo II e III quereceberam ultra-som contínuo de 1 e 2 w/cm2 (is.a.t.a.) no lado irradiado em relação ao controle, estas sendo dependente da intensidade utilizada, ou seja, quanto maior a intensidade utilizada, maiores foram os efeitos lesivos

Photometric type Ia supernova surveys in narrow band filters

We study the characteristics of a narrow band type Ia supernova survey through simulations based on the upcoming Javalambre Physics of the accelerating universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS). This unique survey has the capabilities of obtaining distances, redshifts, and the SN type from a single experiment thereby circumventing the challenges faced by the resource-intensive spectroscopic follow-up observations. We analyse the flux measurements signal-to-noise ratio and bias, the supernova typing performance, the ability to recover light curve parameters given by the SALT2 model, the photometric redshift precision from type Ia supernova light curves and the effects of systematic errors on the data. We show that such a survey is not only feasible but may yield large type Ia supernova samples (up to 250 supernovae at $z<0.5$ per month of search) with low core collapse contamination ($\sim 1.5$ per cent), good precision on the SALT2 parameters (average $\sigma_{m_B}=0.063$, $\sigma_{x_1}=0.47$ and $\sigma_c=0.040$) and on the distance modulus (average $\sigma_{\mu}=0.16$, assuming an intrinsic scatter $\sigma_{\mathrm{int}}=0.14$), with identified systematic uncertainties $\sigma_{\mathrm{sys}}\lesssim 0.10 \sigma_{\mathrm{stat}}$. Moreover, the filters are narrow enough to detect most spectral features and obtain excellent photometric redshift precision of $\sigma_z=0.005$, apart from $\sim$ 2 per cent of outliers. We also present a few strategies for optimising the survey's outcome. Together with the detailed host galaxy information, narrow band surveys can be very valuable for the study of supernova rates, spectral feature relations, intrinsic colour variations and correlations between supernova and host galaxy properties, all of which are important information for supernova cosmological applications.Comment: 20 pages, 12 tables and 26 figures. Version accepted by MNRAS, with results slightly different from previous on

Influência do ultra-som terapêutico na epífise de crescimento ósseo de coelhos

A aplicação de ultra-som terapêutico na área da cartilagem de crescimento epifisário de crianças ainda gera dúvidas quanto a seus efeitos lesivos, o que faz com que muitas crianças deixem de ser tratadas por esse recurso. Este estudo avaliou a influência da aplicação de ultrasom, em suas formas contínua e pulsada, sobre as epífises de tíbias de coelhos em crescimento, visando identificar doses que provocassem alterações macro e/ou microscópicas, prejudicando o crescimento ósseo normal. Foram utilizados 32 coelhos com oito semanas de idade, divididos em três grupos, nos quais se aplicou, na face mediai da extremidade superior da tíbia direita, ultra-som pulsado e contínuo em diferentes áreas e intensidades de radiação; as tíbias esquerdas nos três grupos foram utilizadas como controle. Fêmures e tíbias de todos os animais foram radiografados dois dias antes da primeira aplicação e ao completarem 16 semanas, realizando-se análise histomorfométrica da placa de crescimento epifisário para avaliação dos campos microscópicos consecutivos nas regiões lateral e medial. No grupo I, que recebeu ultrasom pulsado, não houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes no lado direito em relação ao esquerdo, em todas as análises feitas. O mesmo não ocorreu com os grupos II e III (tratados com ultra-som contínuo), onde houve alterações, inclusive radiográficas. Conclui-se que, em coelhos, o tratamento no modo pulsado em 20% a 2w/cm2 (ISATP) não tem efeito lesivo na epífise de crescimento ósseo.Therapeutic use of ultrasound on children's bones growth plates is still little studied as to its harmful effects, hence many children fail to be treated with it. This study evaluated the influence of applying ultrasonic energy, in its continuous and pulsed forms, onto the growth plate of growing rabbits' tibias, to identify doses that might produce macro and/or microscopic changes, thus harming the normal bone growth. Thirty-two 8-week old rabbits were used, divided into three groups, which received each different radiation areas and intensities of continuous and pulsed ultrasound on the medial face of the right tibia upper end. The three groups' left tibias were used as control. X-rays of right and left tibias and femurs of all animals were taken two days previous to the first ultrasound application and at the age of 16 weeks; growth plates histomorphometric analysis was made in order to assess lateral and medial areas microscopic fields. In the first group, which received pulsed ultrasound, no statistically significant differences were found between values obtained from the right and left sides, in all analyses made. The same did not happen to the other groups (treated with continuous ultrasound), in which changes were found, including X-ray alterations. In rabbits, thus, treatment with pulsed ultrasound in 20% with 2w/cm2 (ISATP) does not have harmful effects onto bones growth plate

FRD characterization in large-scale for FOCCoS of Prime Focus Spectrograph for Subaru telescope

The focal ratio degradation effects on optical fibers, technically referred to as FRD, has been the subject of intense studies since the beginning of the use of optical fibers in the construction of instruments applied in astronomy. A number of studies attempt to relate FRD to light loss in the optical system and other studies attempt to qualify and quantify FRD as a function of the stress induced during assembly of the structures supporting the ends of the optical fibers. In this work, we present a large-scale study to characterize FRD in all the fibers that make up the cables of the FOCCoS, Fiber Optical Cable and Connectors System project. FOCCoS, has the main function of capturing the direct light from the focal plane of Subaru Telescope using 2400 optical fibers, each one with a microlens in its tip, and conducting this light through a route containing connectors to a set of four spectrographs. The optical fiber cable is divided in 3 different segments called Cable A, Cable B and Cable C. Multi-fibers connectors assure precise connection among all optical fibers of the segments, providing flexibility for instrument changes. Our study provides procedures and methods to analyze the effects of FRD on all cable segments for each type of termination involved. Special attention is devoted to the understanding of how angular deviations between the input surface of the fiber and the test beam can significantly influence the calculation of FRD in optical fibers

Multi-fibers connectors systems for FOCCoS-PFS-Subaru

The Fiber Optical Cable and Connector System (FOCCoS), provides optical connection between 2400 positioners and a set of spectrographs through optical fibers cables as part of PFS instrument for Subaru telescope. The optical fiber cable will be segmented in 3 parts along the route, cable A, cable B and cable C, connected by a set of multi-fiber connectors. The company USCONEC produces the multi-fiber connector under study. The USCONEC 32F model can connect 32 optical fibers in a 4 x 8 matrix arrangement. The ferrules are made of a durable composite, Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) based thermoplastic. The connections are held in place by a push-on/pull-off latch, and the connector can also be distinguished by a pair of metal guide pins that protrude from the front of the connector. Two fibers per connector will be used for monitoring the connection procedure. It was found to be easy to polish and it is small enough to be mounted in groups. Highly multiplexed instruments like PFS require a fiber connector system that can deliver excellent optical performance and reliability. PFS requires two different types of structures to organize the connectors. The Tower Connector system, with 80 multi-fiber connectors, will be a group of connectors for connecting cable B (Telescope Structure) with cable C (Positioners Plate). The Gang Connector system is a group of 8 gang connectors, each one with 12 multi-fibers connectors, for connecting cable B (Telescope Structure) with cable A (Spectrograph). The bench tests with these connector systems and the chosen fibers should measure the throughput of light and the stability after many connections and disconnections. In this paper we describe tests and procedures to evaluate the throughput and FRD increment. The lifetime of the ferrules is also in evaluation

Slit device for FOCCoS, PFS, Subaru

The Fiber Optical Cable and Connector System, FOCCoS, subsystem of the Prime Focus Spectrograph, PFS, for Subaru telescope, is responsible to feed four spectrographs with a set of optical fibers cables. The light injection for each spectrograph is assured by a convex curved slit with a linear array of 616 optical fibers. In this paper we present a design of a slit that ensures the right direction of the fibers by using masks of micro holes. This kind of mask is made by a technique called electroforming, which is able to produce a nickel plate with holes in a linear sequence. The precision error is around 1micron in the diameter and 1 micron in the positions of the holes. This nickel plate may be produced with a thickness between 50 and 200 microns, so it may be very flexible. This flexibility allows the mask to be bent into the shape necessary for a curved slit. The concept requires two masks, which we call Front Mask, and Rear Mask, separated by a gap that defines the thickness of the slit. The pitch and the diameter of the holes define the linear geometry of the slit; the curvature of each mask defines the angular geometry of the slit. Obviously, this assembly must be mounted inside a structure rigid and strong enough to be supported inside the spectrograph. This structure must have a CTE optimized to avoid displacement of the fibers or increased FRD of the fibers when the device is submitted to temperatures around 3 degrees Celsius, the temperature of operation of the spectrograph. We have produced two models. Both are mounted inside a very compact Invar case, and both have their front surfaces covered by a dark composite, to reduce stray light. Furthermore, we have conducted experiments with two different internal structures to minimize effects caused by temperature gradients

Evaluation of arterial anatomy in congenital clubfoot with color doppler ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: This investigation intended to evaluate anterior and posterior tibial arteries at the ankle joint level in congenital clubfoot, by using color Doppler ultrasound (CDU). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty patients with idiopathic clubfoot were selected, from which 18 had unilateral involvement and two had bilateral involvement. Of the 18 patients with unilateral clubfoot, 16 went through surgical treatment and the other two were submitted to conservative treatment with serial casting. Of the bilateral cases, one patient was treated surgically and the other was treated with serial casting. All patients were clinically and radiographically assessed. We used the functional rating as described by Lehman. Then, CDU was applied bilaterally at the ankle joint level, trying to identify both posterior and anterior tibial arteries. RESULTS: In our present series of 20 cases with idiopathic clubfoot, in just one patient we could not identify the anterior tibial artery at the ankle joint level. In 12 patients who have had their arterial flow speeds and diameters measured by UDC, a positive correlation was found between functional level and anterior tibial artery diameter. No statistically significant differences were found between both flow speed and diameter of anterior tibial artery of the normal side, when compared to the affected side (in patients with unilateral disease). CONCLUSION: In our sample, we could not find any significant differences in arterial morphology and flow speed between the normal and the affected side. Furthermore, we noticed that the better the clinical result of clubfoot correction, the larger the diameter of anterior tibial artery in affected feet.OBJETIVO: Avaliação ultrassonográfica das artérias tibial anterior e posterior no pé torto congênito (PTC). MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram incluídos 20 pacientes portadores de PTC idiopático compreendendo 18 casos unilaterais e dois bilaterais, sendo que 17 pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico e três a tratamento conservador. Todos os pacientes apresentavam pés plantígrados e foram submetidos à avaliação clínica e radiográfica, seguido pelo exame de ultrassom Doppler colorido (UDC), visando a identificação das artérias tibiais anterior e posterior na altura do tornozelo. O nível funcional foi classificado pelos critérios de Lehman. RESULTADOS: Nesta série de 20 pacientes, somente em um não foi identificada a artéria tibial anterior. Nos 12 pacientes submetidos à mensuração de fluxo e calibre pelo UDC, foi encontrada uma correlação positiva entre o grau funcional do PTC e o calibre da artéria tibial anterior. Não houve redução estatisticamente significante entre o fluxo e calibre da artéria tibial anterior do lado normal em comparação com o lado alterado (nos casos de doença unilateral). CONCLUSÕES: Não houve alteração significativa da morfologia e fluxo arterial quando comparamos os lados afetado e normal. Além disso, quanto melhor o resultado clínico da correção do PTC, maior foi o calibre da artéria tibial anterior.UNIFESP Departamento de Ortopedia e TraumatologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Ortopedia e TraumatologiaSciEL

FRD characterization in large-scale for FOCCoS of Prime Focus Spectrograph for Subaru telescope

The focal ratio degradation effects on optical fibers, technically referred to as FRD, has been the subject of intense studies since the beginning of the use of optical fibers in the construction of instruments applied in astronomy. A number of studies attempt to relate FRD to light loss in the optical system and other studies attempt to qualify and quantify FRD as a function of the stress induced during assembly of the structures supporting the ends of the optical fibers. In this work, we present a large-scale study to characterize FRD in all the fibers that make up the cables of the FOCCoS, Fiber Optical Cable and Connectors System project. FOCCoS, has the main function of capturing the direct light from the focal plane of Subaru Telescope using 2400 optical fibers, each one with a microlens in its tip, and conducting this light through a route containing connectors to a set of four spectrographs. The optical fiber cable is divided in 3 different segments called Cable A, Cable B and Cable C. Multi-fibers connectors assure precise connection among all optical fibers of the segments, providing flexibility for instrument changes. Our study provides procedures and methods to analyze the effects of FRD on all cable segments for each type of termination involved. Special attention is devoted to the understanding of how angular deviations between the input surface of the fiber and the test beam can significantly influence the calculation of FRD in optical fibers

AUTOMEDICAÇÃO EM CRIANÇAS MENORES DE CINCO ANOS NO NORDESTE BRASILEIRO: ESTUDO DE BASE POPULACIONAL

Introdução: Automedicação em crianças é uma prática pouco conhecida no Nordeste do Brasil. Objetivo: Estimar a prevalênciae fatores associados à automedicação em menores de cinco anos. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de base populacional, comamostragem probabilística mínima de 960 crianças, no Maranhão. Foram entrevistadas 1.214 mães em domicílio e a automedicaçãoe as classes de medicamentos foram associadas as variáveis independentes, distribuídas em cinco níveis hierárquicos.Resultados: A automedicação ocorreu em 34,7% das crianças, sendo 10% com antibiótico/psicotrópico. Tiveram maior chancede automedicação filhos de beneficiários (OR= 1,56; IC95%=1,13-2,15), de mães que realizaram menos de cinco consultas prénataisno Sistema Único de Saúde (OR= 1,58; IC95%=1,17-2,14), sem adoecimento três meses antes à pesquisa (OR= 2,05;IC95%=1,45-2,89) e sem plano de saúde (OR= 1,25; IC95%=1,13-2,15). O uso de antibiótico/psicotrópico foi mais frequente emcrianças cujas mães realizaram consultas pré-natais no Sistema Único de Saúde (OR= 0,69; IC95%=0,50-0,95), sem histórico deconsulta médica atual (OR= 0,16; IC95%=0,08-0,33) e sem plano de saúde (OR= 3,78; IC95%=1,45-9,81). Conclusões: A prevalênciade automedicação e o uso de antibióticos e/ou psicotrópicos foi elevada. Tiveram maior chances de automedicação filhosde famílias de menor renda, que receberam benefício social, residentes em área urbana, sem plano de saúde e cujas mães fizeramcinco ou menos consultas pré-natais.Palavras-chave: Automedicação. Antibacterianos. Psicotrópicos. Criança. Sistemas de Saúde