Photographic assessment of nasal morphology following rapid maxillary expansion in children

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to use facial analysis to determine the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nasal morphology in children in the stages of primary and mixed dentition, with posterior cross-bite. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Facial photographs (front view and profile) of 60 patients in the pre-expansion period, immediate post-expansion period and one year following rapid maxillary expansion with a Haas appliance were evaluated on 2 occasions by 3 experienced orthodontists independently, with a 2-week interval between evaluations. The examiners were instructed to assess nasal morphology and had no knowledge regarding the content of the study. Intraexaminer and interexaminer agreement (assessed using the Kappa statistic) was acceptable. RESULTS: From the analysis of the mode of the examiners' findings, no alterations in nasal morphology occurred regarding the following aspects: dorsum of nose, alar base, nasal width of middle third and nasal base. Alterations were only detected in the nasolabial angle in 1.64% of the patients between the pre-expansion and immediate post-expansion photographs. In 4.92% of the patients between the immediate post-expansion period and 1 year following expansion; and in 6.56% of the patients between the pre-expansion period and one year following expansion. CONCLUSIONS: RME performed on children in stages of primary and mixed dentition did not have any impact on nasal morphology, as assessed using facial analysis

Photographic assessment of nasal morphology following rapid maxillary expansion in children

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to use facial analysis to determine the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nasal morphology in children in the stages of primary and mixed dentition, with posterior cross-bite. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Facial photographs (front view and profile) of 60 patients in the pre-expansion period, immediate post-expansion period and one year following rapid maxillary expansion with a Haas appliance were evaluated on 2 occasions by 3 experienced orthodontists independently, with a 2-week interval between evaluations. The examiners were instructed to assess nasal morphology and had no knowledge regarding the content of the study. Intraexaminer and interexaminer agreement (assessed using the Kappa statistic) was acceptable. RESULTS: From the analysis of the mode of the examiners' findings, no alterations in nasal morphology occurred regarding the following aspects: dorsum of nose, alar base, nasal width of middle third and nasal base. Alterations were only detected in the nasolabial angle in 1.64% of the patients between the pre-expansion and immediate post-expansion photographs. In 4.92% of the patients between the immediate post-expansion period and 1 year following expansion; and in 6.56% of the patients between the pre-expansion period and one year following expansion. CONCLUSIONS: RME performed on children in stages of primary and mixed dentition did not have any impact on nasal morphology, as assessed using facial analysis

Dental age as indicator of adolescence

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the relationship between root formation of the first premolars and skeletal maturation stages identified in hand-wrist radiographs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving the panoramic and hand-wrist radiographs obtained on the same date of 232 patients, 123 boys and 109 girls aged 4 years and 5 months to 17 years and 12 months. Root formation stages of the first premolars were related to the ossification stages of the sesamoid bone, epiphyseal stages of the phalanx of the thumb and epiphyseal stages of the radius. RESULTS: The studied variables demonstrated statistically significant correlations. CONCLUSION: Roots of the lower first premolars do not reach 2/3 of their complete length before adolescence

AVALIAÇÃO DA MULTIPLICAÇÃO DOS ESPOROS DE FUNGOS MICORRÍZICOS ARBUSCULARES NA SAVANA DE ALTER DO CHÃO, PARÁ

The savannah biome has edaphoclimatic conditions conducive to the occurrence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), which associated with plants, become biotechnological tools of underestimated potential. One of the reasons is the difficulty in producing and spreading infectious propagules in a significant amount to develop studies under controlled conditions. The objective of this work was to analyze the multiplication of spores from the AMF from the Savannah of Alter do Chão, Western Pará, and the aspects of symbiosis in Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. as a hostess. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions at the Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Plant Growth at the Federal University of Western Pará from February to October 2019. Two types of soils (commercial substrate and dystrophic yellow latosol) were tested at different time periods (20, 36, 65 and 129 days). For this, composite samples containing spores of native AMF were collected in the study area, of which 100 g were homogenized to 850 g of the tested soils, separately, in 1 kg pots. The experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions and the design was completely randomized, in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme (multiplication time × soil types) with four replications. The result of the spore density of the native FMA and the percentage of infection were submitted to Analysis of Variance and the means were compared by the Scott Knott test with p <0,05 of significance. The commercial substrate provided the best results in spore production and percentage of infection in roots of B. decumbens at 20 days of inoculation. For the multiplication and production of infectious propagules of the AMF of the Savannah of Alter do Chão, the use of the commercial substrate cultivated for a period of 20 days is indicated.El bioma de sabana tiene condiciones edafoclimático que conducen a aparición de Hongos Micorrízicos Arbusculares (HMA), que asociados con plantas, se convierten en herramientas biotecnológicas de potencial subestimado. Una razón es la dificultad de producir y difundir propágulos infecciosos en una cantidad significativa para desarrollar estudios en condiciones controladas. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la multiplicación de esporas de los HMA de la sabana de Alter do Chão, región occidental del Estado de Pará, y los aspectos de la simbiosis en Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. como hospedera. El experimento se llevó a cabo en condiciones controladas en el Laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal y Crecimiento Vegetal de la Universidad Federal del Oeste de Pará de febrero a octubre de 2019. Se probaron dos tipos de suelos (sustrato comercial y latosol amarillo distrófico) en diferentes períodos de tiempo (20, 36, 65 y 129 días). Para esto, se recolectaron muestras compuestas que contenían esporas de HMA nativa en el área de estudio, de las cuales 100 g se homogeneizaron a 850 g de los suelos analizados, por separado, en florero de planta de 1 kg. El experimento se realizó en condiciones de laboratorio y el diseño fue completamente al azar, en un esquema factorial 2 × 4 (tiempo de multiplicación × tipos de suelo) con cuatro repeticiones. El resultado de la densidad de esporas de las FMA nativas y el porcentaje de infección se sometieron a Análisis de Varianza y las medias se compararon mediante la prueba de Scott Knott con p <0,05 de significancia. El sustrato comercial proporcionó los mejores resultados en la producción de esporas y el porcentaje de infección en las raíces de B. decumbens a los 20 días de la inoculación. Para la multiplicación y producción de propágulos infecciosos de los HMA de la sabana de Alter do Chão, se indica el uso del sustrato comercial cultivado durante un período de 20 días.O bioma de savana possui condições edafoclimáticas propícias a ocorrência dos Fungos Micorrízicos Arbusculares (FMA), que associados às plantas, tornam-se ferramentas biotecnológicas de potencial subestimado. Objetivou-se com este estudo analisar a multiplicação dos esporos dos FMA oriundos da Savana de Alter do Chão, Oeste do Pará, e a simbiose em Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. como hospedeira. O experimento foi conduzido em condições controladas no Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal e Crescimento de Plantas da Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, campus Santarém, no período de fevereiro a outubro de 2019. Foram testados dois tipos de solos (substrato comercial e latossolo amarelo distrófico) em diferentes períodos de tempos (20, 36, 65 e 129 dias). Para isso, amostras compostas contendo esporos dos FMA nativos foram coletadas na área de estudo, das quais 100 g foram homogeneizados a 850 g dos solos testados, separadamente, em vasos de 1 kg de capacidade. O experimento foi realizado em condições de laboratório e o delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2×4 (tempo de multiplicação × tipos de solo) com quatro repetições. O resultado da densidade de esporos dos FMA nativos e o percentual de infecção foram submetidos à Análise de Variância e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste Scott Knott com p<0,05 de significância. O substrato comercial proporcionou os melhores resultados na produção de esporos e porcentagem de infecção em raízes de B. decumbens aos 20 dias da inoculação. Para multiplicação e produção de propágulos infectivos dos FMA da Savana de Alter do Chão, indica-se o uso do substrato comercial cultivado por um período de 20 dias

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension

Two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination induce robust immune responses to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

The extent to which immune responses to natural infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and immunization with vaccines protect against variants of concern (VOC) is of increasing importance. Accordingly, here we analyse antibodies and T cells of a recently vaccinated, UK cohort, alongside those recovering from natural infection in early 2020. We show that neutralization of the VOC compared to a reference isolate of the original circulating lineage, B, is reduced: more profoundly against B.1.351 than for B.1.1.7, and in responses to infection or a single dose of vaccine than to a second dose of vaccine. Importantly, high magnitude T cell responses are generated after two vaccine doses, with the majority of the T cell response directed against epitopes that are conserved between the prototype isolate B and the VOC. Vaccination is required to generate high potency immune responses to protect against these and other emergent variants

Morfologia das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais representativa do surto de crescimento da adolescência

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a morfologia das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais representativa dos estágios correspondentes ao pré-pico, pico e pós-pico de velocidade de crescimento estatural, definidos previamente pelos centros de ossificação do primeiro dedo em radiografias carpais ou do dedo polegar. Foram utilizadas 120 telerradiografias em norma lateral de 106 pacientes selecionados da clínica de ortodontia da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-UNESP e Profis/HRAC-USP que apresentavam radiografias carpais ou do dedo polegar correspondentes. As telerradiografias foram divididas em três grupos de 40 radiografias de acordo com os estágios maturacionais pré-pico, pico e pós-pico definidos pela imagem do primeiro dedo. A morfologia dos corpos das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais foi determinada por dois examinadores devidamente calibrados em dois tempos diferentes. Concluiu-se que o formato retangular horizontal com borda inferior reta foi representativo do estágio correspondente ao pré-pico, independentemente da vértebra analisada. Já o formato retangular horizontal com borda inferior curva, especialmente se encontrado em C4, ou o formato quadrado com borda inferior reta caracterizou o pico de velocidade de crescimento. O formato quadrado ou, principalmente, o retangular vertical com borda inferior curva determinou o estágio pós-pico de velocidade de crescimento da adolescência.The purpose of this study was to determine the morphology of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae which represent the prepeak, peak and postpeak stages of statural growth, previously defined by ossification centers of the thumb in hand-wrist or thumb periapical radiographs. The sample was comprised of 120 lateral cephalometric radiographs of 106 patients from the Orthodontics Clinic of the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba - UNESP and from PROFIS /Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies-USP. All patients had hand-wrist or corresponding thumb periapical radiographs available. The lateral radiographs were divided into three groups of 40 radiographs according to the prepeak, peak and postpeak maturational stages, defined by the radiographic image of the thumb. The morphology of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae was determined by two calibrated examiners in two different times. The findings show that the horizontal, rectangular-shaped vertebra with straight lower border represented the prepeak stage, regardless of the analyzed vertebra. The horizontal, rectangular-shaped vertebra with curved lower border, mainly if found in C4, or the square-shaped vertebra with straight lower border was typical of the growth peak. The square-shaped or, mainly, the rectangular-shaped vertebra with curved lower border determined the postpeak stage of adolescent growth spurt