Artifacts in brain magnetic resonance imaging due to metallic dental objects

Objective: Artifacts caused by metallic objects, such as dental crowns, dental implants and metallic orthodontic appliances, are a common problem in head and neck MRI. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the main metal dental objects that produce artifacts on brain MRIs.Study design: Imaged metallic artifacts and their sources were identifi ed. Artifact image plane was rated on a score of 0 or 1 (0 - distinguishable for diagnosis and 1 - not distinguishable for diagnosis).Results: Seventy-eight percent of the artifacts appearing in images were caused by orthodontic appliances, followed by dental titanium implants (18%) and metallic crowns (4%). Orthodontic appliances obtained the highest scores in all planes.Conclusions: We concluded that is diffi cult to avoid the effect of metallic artifacts in the maxillofacial regions on brain scan. Removing metallic parts of the orthodontic appliance should ensure diagnostically useful quality scans

Accidental falls in the elderly and their relation with functional capacity

AIM: This study aimed to determinate the prevalence of falls in the elderly and its relationship with the functional capacity. METHOD: This is an epidemiological and cross-sectional study; a two-stage cluster sample of 240 male and female subjects aged over 60 years was used. Data were collected from November 2010 to February 2011. The following questionnaires were used: socio-demographic profile, assessment of falls, Functional Independence Measure, Lawton and Brody Scale. Significance was set at 0.05. To identify the occurrence of falls and their relation with functional capacity, the prevalence ratio and prevalence odds ratios were used, as well as multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Average age was 73.5 years (±8.4); 25% 80 years or more, with preponderance of female gender; 48.8% attended school between 1-4 years. The average was 1.33 falls (±0.472), with prevalence in women and elderly between 60 and 79 years old; the most frequently sites were the backyard and bathroom. Strong correlation between the level of functional independence and instrumental activities and age was found, but no relation between elderly victims of falls and the gender and age variables. CONCLUSION: Women who suffered falls related to functional independence were predominant, which can be prevented through elderly health promotion strategies, a policy that serves to offer living conditions to people in the aging process.OBJETIVO: Determinar la superioridad de caídas en los mayores y su relación con la capacidad funcional. MÉTODO: Estudio epidemiológico transversal de base de la población, con una muestra por conglomerado de doble cursillo de 240 sujetos, con edad arriba de 60 años, de ambos los sexos, residentes en Ribeirão Preto. Los datos fueron colectados entre noviembre de 2010 y febrero de 2011 y se utilizaron los cuestionarios: perfil social, evaluación de caídas; Medida de Independencia Funcional y Escala de Lawton y Brody. Fue adoptado el nivel de significancia de 0,05. Para la identificación de la ocurrencia de las caídas y su relación con la capacidad funcional fueron utilizadas razón de superioridad y de chances de superioridad y regresión logística múltiple. RESULTADOS: La media mayores fue de 73,5 años (±8,4), 25% con 80 años o más, predominio del sexo femenino; 48,8% estudiaron durante 1 a 4 años. Media 1,33 caídas (±0,472); con mayor superioridad en mujeres y mayores más jóvenes; el local más frecuente fue el patio y el baño. Hubo fuerte correlación entre nivel de independencia funcional y las actividades instrumentales con la edad y no hubo relación entre los mayores que sufrieron caída y las variables sexo y edad. CONCLUSIÓN: Hubo predominio de mujeres que sufrieron caídas relacionados a la independencia funcional, lo que puede ser prevenido con estrategias de promoción a la salud al mayores, política ésta para ofrecer condición de vida a la persona en el proceso de envejecer.OBJETIVO: determinar a prevalência de quedas em idosos e sua relação com a capacidade funcional. MÉTODO: trata-se de estudo epidemiológico transversal de base populacional, com uma amostra por conglomerado de duplo estágio de 240 sujeitos, com idade acima de 60 anos, de ambos os sexos, residentes em Ribeirão Preto, SP. Os dados foram coletados entre novembro de 2010 e fevereiro de 2011 e utilizaram-se os questionários: perfil social, avaliação de quedas, Medida de Independência Funcional e Escala de Lawton e Brody. Foi adotado o nível de significância de 0,05. Para a identificação da ocorrência das quedas e sua relação com a capacidade funcional, foram utilizadas razão de prevalência e de chances de prevalência e regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: a média de idade foi de 73,5 anos (±8,4), 25% com 80 anos ou mais, predomínio do sexo feminino; 48,8% estudaram de 1 a 4 anos. Média de 1,33 quedas (±0,472); com maior prevalência em mulheres e idosos mais jovens; o local mais frequente foi o quintal e o banheiro. Houve forte correlação entre o nível de independência funcional e as atividades instrumentais com a idade, e não houve relação entre os idosos que sofreram queda e as variáveis sexo e idade. CONCLUSÃO: houve predomínio de mulheres que sofreram quedas relacionadas à independência funcional, podendo-se prevenir com estratégias de promoção à saúde ao idoso, política essa para oferecer condição de vida à pessoa no processo de envelhecer

Potential mammalian species for investigating the past connections between Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest

Much evidence suggests that Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest were connected through at least three dispersion routes in the past: the Eastern route, the central route, and the Western route. However, few studies have assessed the use of these routes based on multiple species. Here we present a compilation of mammal species that potentially have dispersed between the two forest regions and which may serve to investigate these connections. We evaluate the present-day geographic distributions of mammals occurring in both Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest and the likely connective routes between these forests. We classified the species per habitat occupancy (strict forest specialists, species that prefer forest habitat, or generalists) and compiled the genetic data available for each species. We found 127 mammalian species presently occurring in both Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest for which, substantial genetic data was available. Hence, highlighting their potential for phylogeographic studies investigating the past connections between the two forests. Differently from what was previously proposed, the present-day geographic distribution of mammal species found in both Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest points to more species in the eastern portion of the dry diagonal (and adjoining forested habitats). The Central route was associated with the second most species. Although it remains to be seen how this present-day geography reflects the paleo dispersal routes, our results show the potential of using mammal species to investigate and bring new insights about the past connections between Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest

Arranjo domiciliar dos idosos mais velhos

The aging context of the elder elderly needs to be taken into account, due to the redefinition of family as a social institution. This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional study that characterized the household arrangements of 147 elder elderly living in Ribeirão Preto, SP, through home interviews. The age range between 80 and 84 years predominated. The majority receives a retirement benefit ranging from one to three minimum wages, and owns their house. On the average, they have 4.08 children and live with 2.8 people. Most men live with their partners, while women live by themselves. The elderly head a large part of households. The most frequent arrangements are families with two and three generations. Regarding the household arrangement, there was equivalence in the results between the ones that moved into the house of the elderly and cases when the elderly moved into the familys house, reinforcing the family as a protector and caregiver of the elderly.El contexto del envejecimiento de ancianos con edad avanzada necesita ser considerado como una consecuencia de la redefinición de la familia como institución social. Este es un estudio epidemiológico, transversal, que caracterizó el arreglo domiciliar de 147 ancianos con edad avanzada residentes en la comunidad de Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brasil, a través de entrevistas domiciliares. Predominó el intervalo de edad de 80 a 84 años. La mayoría era jubilado, recibía de un a tres salarios mínimos y habitaba en casa propia. Tenían 4,08 hijos y vivían con 2,8 personas, en promedio. Los hombres vivían, en su mayoría, con el conyugue, en cuanto las mujeres, lo hacían solas, y los domicilios eran dirigidos por el anciano. Los arreglos más convenientes fueron los realizados con la segunda y tercera generaciones. En cuanto a la formación del arreglo domiciliar, hubo equivalencia en los resultados, entre aquellos que afirmaron haber ido a vivir con el anciano y aquellos en que el anciano fue a vivir en el domicilio de la familia, lo que refuerza la familia como protectora y cuidadora de los ancianos.O contexto do envelhecimento dos idosos mais velhos necessita ser considerado em decorrência da redefinição da família como instituição social. Este é estudo epidemiológico, transversal, que caracterizou o arranjo domiciliar de 147 idosos mais velhos residentes na comunidade de Ribeirão Preto, SP, através de entrevistas domiciliares. Predominou a faixa etária de 80 a 84 anos. A maioria recebe aposentadoria, possui de um a três salários mínimos, mora em casa própria. Possui 4,08 filhos e reside com 2,8 pessoas, em média. Os homens vivem, na maioria, com o cônjuge, enquanto as mulheres, sozinhas, e os domicílios são chefiados pelo idoso. Os arranjos mais continentes foram os bi e trigeracionais. Quanto à formação do arranjo domiciliar, houve equivalência nos resultados entre aqueles que afirmaram ter ido morar com o idoso e aqueles em que o idoso foi morar no domicílio da família, o que reforça a família como protetora e cuidadora dos idosos

Adaptação cultural e validade da Edmonton Frail Scale - EFS em uma amostra de idosos brasileiros

This study aimed to assess the cross-cultural adaptation of the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and its validity in a Brazilian elderly sample. Translation and back-translation were performed, as well as discussion with professionals and elderly for conceptual equivalence, semantic validation and pre-test of the scale. The scale was applied to 137 elderly aged 65 years or older who lived in the community. In the know-groups validation of the frailty diagnosis between gender, age and cognitive deficit, elder elderly, female and with a cognitive deficit scored higher on the frailty diagnosis. A negative convergent correlation was found between the EFS and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) (-0.53, p< 0.01) and the total score of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (-0.60, p< 0.01). The watch test presented high sensitivity and low specificity levels. The Portuguese version of the EFS was considered valid in the study sample.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la adaptación cultural de la Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) y su validez en una muestra de ancianos brasileños. Fueron realizadas las etapas de traducción y retrotraducción, discusión con profesionales y ancianos para equivalencia conceptual, validación semántica y prueba piloto de la escala. El instrumento fue aplicado en 137 ancianos, con 65 años o más de edad, que vivían en la comunidad. En la validación de grupos conocidos, del diagnóstico de fragilidad entre sexo, edad y déficit cognitivo, los ancianos con edad más avanzada, sexo femenino y con déficit cognitivo tuvieron mayor puntuación en el diagnóstico de fragilidad. Hubo una correlación convergente negativa de la EFS con la Medida de Independencia Funcional (MIF) (-0,53, pO objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a adaptação cultural da Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) e sua validade em uma amostra de idosos brasileiros. Foram realizadas as etapas de tradução e retrotradução, discussão com profissionais e idosos para equivalência conceitual, validação semântica e pré-teste da escala. O instrumento foi aplicado em 137 idosos, com 65 anos ou mais de idade, que viviam na comunidade. Na validação de grupos conhecidos, do diagnóstico de fragilidade entre sexo, idade e déficit cognitivo, idosos com idade mais avançada, sexo feminino e com déficit cognitivo tiveram maior pontuação no diagnóstico de fragilidade. Houve correlação convergente negativa da EFS com a Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF) (-0,53,

Certificação ISO 14000: análise do sistema de gestão ambiental da Ford Motor Company

The aim of this work is to describe the implementation process of Environment System Management,according to the demand of ISO 14001 rules, identify the results and changes occurred after the implementation program and point out the relevant aspects about the preservation of the environment issue;to develop this research,we asked the adopted system by Ford Motor Company,located in Sao Bernardo do Campo.Ford is an American Motor Company and was one of the first to obtain ISO certification.The theoric basis are founded in the ISO 14001structure,as well as in the approaching of Environment System Management.The case study presents the description,the data and the analysis of the System in Sao Bernardo do Campo. The results directs to an improvement of the environment development after the System implementation program.O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever o processo de implantação do Sistema de Gestão Ambiental – SGA de acordo com as exigências da norma ISO 14001, identificar os resultados e as mudanças ocorridas após a implantação e apontar os aspectos relevantes sobre a questão da preservação do meio ambiente; para desenvolver esta pesquisa, recorremos ao Sistema de Gestão Ambiental adotado pela Ford Motor Company, na planta de São Bernardo do Campo. A Ford é uma empresa americana do ramo automobilístico e foi uma das primeiras empresas do setor a obter o certificado ISO 14001. A fundamentação teórica está baseada na estrutura da ISO 14001 e na abordagem do Sistema de Gestão Ambiental – SGA. O Estudo de Caso apresenta a descrição, os dados e a análise do SGA da Ford em São Bernardo do Campo. Os resultados apontam para a melhoria do desempenho ambiental após a implantação de um SGA

Recovery of white matter atrophy after epilepsy surgery: structural evidences through voxel-based morphometry

OBJECTIVES: To study pre and postoperative WMA in MTLE patients. METHODS: We performed Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) with volume of interest (VOI) in 69 controls (mean age, 34.3±11.1 years) and 67 operated patients (mean age, 34.1±10.4 years) with unilateral MTLE. 34 became seizure-free (SzFree-Group), 23 improved (Engel IB-IIA [Partial recovery-group]) and 10 did not improve (Engel III-IV [Failure-Group]). All had pre and postoperative MRIs (one year minimum). We flipped MRIs of right MTLE patients in order to avoid right-to-left analysis cancelation. VBM was performed on SPM2/MATLAB7.0 with individual masks for surgical lacunae and 1% false-discovery-rate to control for multiple comparisons. We used MARSbar routine to select ROIs and t-test for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Mean postoperative follow-up was 60.2 (±SD 30.7) months. On baseline MRI, SzFree-Group showed White Matter Atrophy (WMA) involving temporal lobes [TL], ipsilateral occipital, parietal and frontal regions, with areas of significant recovery of WMA on postoperative MRI. Partial recovery-Group presented a more restricted pattern of WMA, involving ipsilateral temporal lobe, contralateral superior temporal gyrus and few areas in bilateral cingulated and orbitofrontal areas. In this group we also identified areas with relative increase of WM after surgery. By contrast, Failure-Group showed more widespread bi-hemispheric areas of WMA on baseline MRI without postoperative improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Although we have identified some differences in baseline WMA, we were unable to correlate a more widespread pattern with a worse prognosis, as SzFree-Group, also presented a bilateral distribution of WMA. The recovery of WMA in SzFree-Group and Partial recovery-group is in agreement with previous MRS and PET studies and suggests that a network of neuronal dysfunction in MTLE can be, at least in part, reversible after successful postoperative seizure control.071

Micropolíticas: devir, cooperação dissonante e experiência pura

This article traces the definition of the concept of micropolitics in a singular perspective of Critical Semiotics. It seeks supplements in the theories of Deleuze and Guattari to think of it as an underlying force to alliances that produce zones of becoming. Regarding the propositions of Rolnik and Guattari, it proposes the understanding of micropolitics as a process of dissonant cooperation among subjects positioned in distinct subjectivities, a process that makes these existential models deterritorialize themselves. Concerning the phenomenal characteristics of this process, it uses the thought of James and Lapoujade to understand that micropolitics is produced and intensified based on what these thinkers called pure experience.O artigo traça um percurso de definição do conceito de micropolítica em uma visada singular da Semiótica Crítica. Busca suplementos nas teorizações de Deleuze e Guattari para pensá-la enquanto força subjacente a alianças que produzem zonas de devir. Em relação às proposições de Rolnik e Guattari, projeta a compreensão da micropolítica enquanto processo de cooperação dissonante entre sujeitos posicionados em subjetividades distintas, processo que faz esses modelos existenciais desterritorializarem-se. Já considerando as características fenomênicas desse processo, recorre ao pensamento de James e de Lapoujade para compreender que a micropolítica é produzida e intensificada a partir do que esses filósofos chamaram de experiência pura