Evaluation of this temporomandibular joint space when using different occlusal splints by cone beam computerized tomography : a case report

Introduction: An occlusal splint is a removable, reversible, non-invasive device made of acrylic, used to promote a harmonious occlusal contact. It is part of an arsenal of therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders. However, its mechanisms of action remain controversial. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain its efficiency, such as: repositioning of the condyle or disk; reduction of the masticatory electromyographic activity; change of harmful oral habits; increase of the intra-articular space reducing the overload on the TMJ. Case presentation: This case report aims to demonstrate the changes in TMJ spaces, assessed by Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBTC) scans, in a patient with indication to use occlusal splints. She was submitted to occlusal splints of 1 and 3 mm which were used during CBTC acquisition. The measures of the joint spaces with and without splints were compared by image software that shows an alteration of the upper, anterior, posterior, medial and lateral joint spaces. The 3 mm plate promoted an initial translation of condyle. Conclusion: The thicknesses of 3 and 1 mm promoted different joint space variations. The use of different thicknesses enables the individualization of the treatment for different pathologies affecting the TMJ.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sistema Nacional de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação

Esta publicação apresenta os resultados da pesquisa exploratória O Novo Sistema Nacional de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação: estratégias interdisciplinares para sua implantação e regulamentação. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no âmbito do Programa Cátedras Brasil Inovação, referente ao edital no no 39/2018, organizado pelo Laboratório de Inovação em Governo - GNova da Escola Nacional de Administração Pública - Enap.Caderno Enap, 7451 páginasGoverno e Transformação DigitalInovaçãoISSN: 0104-707

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications