Lateral Interbody Fusion for Treatment of Discogenic Low Back Pain: Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques

Low back pain is one of the most common ailments in the general population, which tends to increase in severity along with aging. While few patients have severe enough symptoms or underlying pathology to warrant surgical intervention, in those select cases treatment choices remain controversial and reimbursement is a substancial barrier to surgery. The object of this study was to examine outcomes of discogenic back pain without radiculopathy following minimally-invasive lateral interbody fusion. Twenty-two patients were treated at either one or two levels (28 total) between L2 and 5. Discectomy and interbody fusion were performed using a minimallyinvasive retroperitoneal lateral transpsoas approach. Clinical and radiographic parameters were analyzed at standard pre- and postoperative intervals up to 24 months. Mean surgical duration was 72.1 minutes. Three patients underwent supplemental percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation. Four (14.3%) stand-alone levels experienced cage subsidence. Pain (VAS) and disability (ODI) improved markedly postoperatively and were maintained through 24 months. Segmental lordosis increased significantly and fusion was achieved in 93% of levels. In this series, isolated axial low back pain arising from degenerative disc disease was treated with minimally-invasive lateral interbody fusion in significant radiographic and clinical improvements, which were maintained through 24 months

Sandy sediment budget of the midcoast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Calculation of the coastal sediment budget involves estimation of the timing and intensity of processes of erosion, transport, and deposition, as well as an understanding of local and regional sediment dynamics. The modern sedimentary deposits present in the coastal zone constitute the physical basis of coastal ecosystems. Knowledge of the dynamics of these sediments from the source to sink area, through regional sediment management, is critical to understanding the long-term stability of the coastal zone and the fate of these important natural resources. In this article, the littoral cell concept has been applied to the midcoast of Rio Grande do Sul, a wave-dominated and dissipative-intermediate sandy coast in southern Brazil. To analyze littoral drift variations along the 275 km long study area, the shoreline was divided into 12 cells. Littoral drift rates were estimated and compared using the energy flux method. Wave parameters were obtained from WAVEWATCH III. The sand volume of the coastal dune field (4.20 billion m3) was quantified using satellite imagery and the aeolian transport rates estimated utilizing the sediment budget residual. The net annual longshore transport rates obtained with the Coastal Engineering Research Center equation range from 0.60 to 2.63 million m3 per year. The littoral drift rates obtained with the Van Rijn (2001) and Kamphuis (1991) equations range between 0.15 and 1.00 million m3 per year. Based on the sediment budget and dune field age, the CERC formula seems more appropriate to estimate longshore transport

Eficiência agronômica da adubação potássica na alface adubada com fontes alternativas de nutrientes

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de fontes alternativas de nutrientes na nutrição, produção e eficiência da adubação potássica na alface. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em vasos com 3,7 kg preenchidos com um Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo distrófico de textura média. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado e os tratamentos foram distribuídos em arranjo fatorial 4 x 6, sendo quatro doses de potássio (0; 200; 400; 600 kg ha-1 de K2O) e seis fontes alternativas de nutrientes (brecha, ultramáfica, biotita xisto, flogopitito, subproduto de mineração e subproduto de chapada), com quatro repetições. Foram determinados o teor e o acúmulo de potássio (K), cobre (Cu), zinco (Zn) e níquel (Ni) na parte aérea da alface e com esses dados foram calculados dois índices de eficiência da adubação potássica. As aplicações de doses crescentes das fontes alternativas de nutrientes promoveram melhorias na nutrição e aumentos na produção da alface. A eficiência da adubação potássica diminuiu com o aumento nas doses de potássio aplicadas pelas fontes alternativas de nutrientes, sendo que o subproduto de mineração e a ultramáfica foram superiores às demais fontes. Diante disso, pode-se afirmar que as rochas silicáticas moídas e os subprodutos de mineração constituem uma opção para adubação em sistemas de produção orgânica e convencional.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alternative sources of nutrients on the nutrition, yield and efficiency of potassium fertilization in lettuce. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using 3.7 kg pots filled with a dystrophic red-yellow Latosol of medium texture. The experimental design was randomized, with treatments divided into a 4 x 6 factorial: four doses of potassium (0; 200; 400; 600 kg ha-1 K2O) and six alternative sources of nutrients (breccia, ultramafic, biotite schist, phlogopite, and mining and Chapada by-products), with four replications. Content and accumulation were determined for potassium (K), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) in the lettuce shoots, and from these data two indices were calculated for the efficiency of potassium as a fertilizer. The application of increasing values of alternative sources of nutrients promoted improvements in nutrition and increases in lettuce yield. The efficiency of potassium fertilization decreased with the increase in values of potassium taken from alternative nutrient sources, with the mining by-products and the ultramafic being superior to the other sources. Crushed silicate rocks and mining by-products can therefore both be used as fertilizer in organic and conventional production systems

IMPACTO DE VARIÁVEIS CONGNITIVAS E CONTEXTUAIS SOBRE O SUCESSO ACADÊMICO E O BEM ESTAR NA UNIVERSIDADE – QUE FAZER? QUE DEIXAR DE FAZER?

Este estudo parte de uma investigação longitudinal (2019-2022) mais ampla, vinculada ao Grupo Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa em Educação, Psicopedagogia e Psicologia Escolar, UFAM/CNPq, PROCAD/AMAZÔNIA-PPGEUFAM/UFPA/UFMT, Processo CAPES 8881.314288/2019-0, articula-se metodológica e teoricamente com interfaces entre a psicologia escolar, psicologia educacional, pedagogia do ensino superior e educação escolar. Atua no sentido de entender os efeitos de variáveis cognitivas e contextuais sobre o sucesso acadêmico e o bem estar na universidade. A metodologia para coleta de dados é a aplicação de caderno de instrumentos próprios com apoio do Googleodocs, a amostra atual é de n=1112 estudantes de diferentes países (Brasil, México, República Dominicana, Bolívia, Moçambique, Angola, Venezuela, Colômbia, Espanha e Portugal), do sexo masculino e feminino, idade entre 18 e 54 anos e de 51 universidades públicas e privadas que colaboram com a iniciativa. Os dados são analisados com auxílio do Excel e SPSS, de acordo com os interesses dos pesquisadores e objetivos da investigação. Os resultados atuais demonstram a importância da pesquisa sobre os temas abordados pela iniciativa considerando o impacto das variáveis estudadas sobre o rendimento acadêmico e bom estar tanto de estudantes como de docentes e técnicos no ensino superior. Foram identificadas diferenças de países, renda, etnia, gênero e renda. No caso dos docentes e técnicos verificamos evidências da exaustão feminina. Os resultados podem apoiar a administração geral e coordenação educativa e psicopedagógica universitária em sentido amplo, visando a melhoria dos indicadores de sucesso acadêmico e bem estar, por meio da proposição de novas políticas e gestão da educação superior. Palavras-chave: Pesquisa em educação, Ensino superior, Rendimento acadêmico, Bem estar. Políticas de gestão da educação superior. Educação comparada.   IMPACT OF COGNITIVE AND CONTEXTUAL VARIABLES ABOUT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND  WELLBEING IN THE UNIVERSITY. Whato to do? Qhato not to do?   Abstract: This study, part of a further longitudinal investigation (2019-2022), attached to a multidisciplinary group of Educational Research  Scholar Psychotherapy and Psychology, UFAM/CNPq, PROCAD/AMAZONIA-PPGEUFAM/UFPA/UFMT, CAPES process 8881.314288/2019-0, it is articulated methodological and theoretically with interfaces between the scholar and educational psychology, upper and scholar education pedagogy. It acts in the direction of understanding 5he effects og cognitive and contextual variables about the academic achievement and wellness in the university. The methodology to data collection is the application of own instrument cards with the support of Googledocs, the actual sample is quantity of n=1112 students from 51 private and public universities of different countries (Brazil, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Mozambique, Angola, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain and Portugal), from both male and female genders, aging between 18 and 54 years-old. The data were analyzed with the support of software Excel and SPSS, according to the interests of researchers and investigation focus. The actual results show the importance of the research about the themes cited in the initiative considering the impacts of the studied variables over the academic performance and wellness of the students as the teachers and technicians from upper education. There were found differences between countries, income, ethnic and gender. In the cases of the teachers and technicians it was found evidences of female exhaustion. The results could support the general administration, educative and psychopedagogy coordination and in a wide range, looking forward the better successful academic indicators and wellness, through the proposition of new policies and management of upper education. Keywords: Educational Reserch, upper educatión, academic performance, wellness, upper educaciton mangement policies, compared education. &nbsp

Comparative evaluation of cephalometric dentoskeletal effects resulting from treatment with two types of Herbst appliances and a control group, in adolescents with mandibular retrognathism

Neste estudo retrospectivo, controlado, de 94 adolescentes consecutivos com maloclusão de Classe II, divisão 1ª de Angle e retrognatismo mandibular, no surto de crescimento puberal, foram avaliadas as mudanças dentoesqueléticas decorrentes do tratamento com aparelho de Herbst (Grupo A coroas de aço e B splints acrílicos) e de acompanhamento (Grupo C - controle), em um período de 12 meses. As telerradiografias laterais foram obtidas em T1 (inicial) e T2 (no final do período de observação). As variáveis cefalométricas foram analisadas com testes paramétricos. Os resultados mostraram que os dois grupos tratados caracterizaram-se diferencialmente do grupo controle, com restrição do crescimento maxilar e maior crescimento mandibular, o que permitiu melhorar a relação sagital. Da mesma forma, no aspecto dentoalveolar houve melhora da sobressaliência pela retroinclinação dos incisivos superiores e vestibularização dos incisivos inferiores, distalização com controle vertical dos molares superiores e mesialização dos molares inferiores. Os três grupos mostraram semelhança na extrusão dos molares inferiores, na preservação da morfologia mandibular e do padrão facial. O plano oclusal rotacionou no sentido horário nos grupos tratados e anti-horário no grupo controle. Pode-se concluir que no tratamento com dois tipos de aparelho de Herbst da maloclusão de classe II, em adolescentes no pico máximo de crescimento, observaram-se um conjunto de mudanças que melhoraram as relações dentoesqueléticas sagitais, independentemente do crescimento. No aspecto vertical, apesar das pequenas mudanças observadas houve preservação do padrão facial assim como no grupo controle.This retrospective controlled study enrolled 94 consecutive adolescents during growth spurt with Angle class II division 1 malocclusion and mandibular retrognathism and evaluated skeletal and dental changes resulting from treatment with a Herbst appliance (Group A: steel crowns; Group B: acrylic splints) and compared them with results of a follow-up group (Group C: control) for 12 months. Lateral radiographs were obtained in the beginning of the treatment (T1) and at the end of the observation period (T2). Cephalometric variables were analyzed using parametric tests. The results of the two treatment groups were different from those found for the control group. Maxillary growth was restricted, whereas mandibular growth was greater, which resulted in a better sagittal relation. At the same time, the analysis of dentoalveolar aspects revealed that overjet was reduced due to distal tipping of maxillary incisors and buccal inclination of mandibular incisors, vertical control of maxillary molars and mesial movement of mandibular molars. The three groups had similar extrusion of mandibular molars, preservation of mandibular morphology and facial pattern. The occlusal plane rotated clockwise in the treated groups and counterclockwise in the control group. It can be concluded that the treatment of class II malocclusion in adolescents during growth spurt with two types of Herbst appliance resulted in a set of changes that improved sagittal skeletal and dental relations, regardless of growth. Vertically, facial pattern was preserved in treatment and control groups, despite some small differences

Solubilidade e disponibilidade de micronutrientes extraídos de agrominerais silicáticos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the solubility of the micronutrients copper, nickel, and zinc, chemically extracted from silicate agrominerals, as alternative sources of potassium for lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and rice (Oryza sativa) cultures, as well as their availability to the plants. The micronutrient contents of five agrominerals (alkaline ultramafic, biotite schist, volcanic breccia, phlogopite schist, and mining by-product from Chapada) were evaluated, after being extracted by the citric acid, hydrochloric acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 3051A, neutral ammonium citrate, and Mehlich-3 methods. The agrominerals, at the doses of 0 (control), 200, 400, and 600 kg ha-1 K, were mixed to soil where lettuce and rice were cultivated. The agrominerals presented a low solubility of Ni, Cu, and Zn, with lower contents in lettuce shoots and rice grains than the corresponding soluble standards in sulfate form. The availability of micronutrients to the plants increased with the use of agrominerals, in comparison with the control. Similarities were observed in micronutrient solubility and availability between the different groups of agrominerals. The solubility and availability of Cu, Ni, and Zn depend on the solubility of the minerals that compose the agrominerals.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a solubilidade dos micronutrientes cobre, níquel e zinco, extraídos quimicamente de agrominerais silicáticos, como fonte alternativa de potássio para as culturas de alface (Lactuca sativa) e arroz (Oryza sativa), bem como sua disponibilidade para as plantas. Avaliaram-se os teores de micronutrientes de cinco agrominerais (ultramáfica alcalina, biotita xisto, brecha vulcânica, flogopita xisto e subproduto de mineração de Chapada), após extração pelos métodos ácido cítrico, ácido clorídrico, ácido dietilenotriamino penta-acético, 3051A, citrato neutro de amônio e Mehlich 3. Os agrominerais, nas doses de 0 (controle), 200, 400 e 600 kg ha-1 de K, foram misturados em solo com cultivo de alface e arroz. Os agrominerais apresentaram baixa solubilidade de Ni, Cu e Zn, com menores teores em folhas de alface e grãos de arroz que o padrão solúvel correspondente na forma de sulfato. A disponibilidade de micronutrientes para as plantas aumentou com uso dos agrominerais, em comparação ao controle. Foram observadas similaridades na solubilidade e na disponibilidade de micronutrientes entre os diferentes grupos de agrominerais. A solubilidade e a disponibilidade de Cu, Ni e Zn dependem da solubilidade dos minerais que compõem os agrominerais

Peri-implant evaluation of osseointegrated implants subjected to orthodontic forces: results after three years of functional loading

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to clinically and radiographically assess the peri-implant conditions of implants used as orthodontic anchorage. Methods: Two groups were studied: 1) a test group in which osseointegrated implants were used as orthodontic anchorage, with the application of 200-cN force; and 2) a control group in which implants were not subjected to orthodontic force, but supported a screw-retained prosthesis. Clinical evaluations were performed three, six and nine months after prosthesis installation and 1- and 3-year follow-up examinations. Intraoral periapical radiographs were obtained 30 days after surgical implant placement, at the time of prosthesis installation, and one, two and three years thereafter. The results were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in clinical probing depth (p = 0.1078) or mesial and distal crestal bone resorption (p = 0.1832) during the study period. After three years of follow-up, the mean probing depth was 2.21 mm for the control group and 2.39 mm for the test group. The implants of the control group showed a mean distance between the bone crest and implant shoulder of 2.39 mm, whereas the implants used as orthodontic anchorage showed a mean distance of 2.58 mm at the distal site. Conclusion: Results suggest that the use of stable intraoral orthodontic anchorage did not compromise the health of peri-implant tissues or the longevity of the implant