Functional and radiographic comparison of anterior and posterior instrumentation for the correction of adolescent thoracic idiopathic scoliosis

OBJETIVO: Estudo retrospectivo comparando resultados da IA e da IP em pacientes operados com o diagnóstico de EIA (tipo 1 de Lenke). MÉTODOS: Os resultados de 24 pacientes com idade de 11 a 18 anos com EIA tipo Lenke I e submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico por meio da abordagem anterior (12 pacientes) ou posterior (12 pacientes) foram comparados. Todos os pacientes foram operados pelo mesmo cirurgião e seguidos por um período mínimo de cinco anos. As variáveis de comparação incluíram: correção sagital e coronal, distância da vértebra apical a linha média, rotação da vértebra apical, número de vértebras instrumentadas e variáveis funcionais por meio do questionário SRS-22. Os dados obtidos foram analisados com a versão 9 do programa SAS. Os dois grupos foram comparados com o teste t de Student com um nível de significância de 5% (0,05). RESULTADOS: A correção da curva no plano frontal no pós-operatório imediato (p = 0,031), tardio (p = 0,043) e também a rotação da vértebra apical no pós-operatório imediato (p = 0,002) e tardio (p = 0,021) no grupo de pacientes submetidos à correção por meio da abordagem anterior. O número de vértebras instrumentadas foi 7,69 ± 1,38 no grupo de pacientes submetidos a IA e 11,38 ± 2,92 na IP (p = 0,021). A avaliação funcional (SRS-22) não demonstrou diferença significativa (p > 0,05) entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O grupo de pacientes submetidos à correção da escoliose por instrumentação anterior apresentou maior correção no plano frontal, maior derrotação da vértebra apical e menor número de vértebras artrodesadas.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the results of AI and PI in patients diagnosed with Lenke type I curves who were treated surgically. METHODS: The results of 24 patients aged 11 to 18 years with Lenke type I idiopathic scoliosis who underwent surgery with anterior (12 patients) or posterior (12 patients) instrumentation were compared. All patients were operated by the same surgeon and were followed up for a minimum period of five years. Variables for comparison include: coronal and sagittal correction, distance from apical vertebra to midline, apical vertebral rotation, number of instrumented vertebrae and functional variables by means of the SRS-22 questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed with the SAS program, version 9. The two groups were compared with a 2-tailed Student's t-test with a level of significance set at 5% (0.05). RESULTS: The correction of the curve on the frontal plane was higher at immediate (p=0.031) and late postoperative (p=0.043) as well the apical vertebral rotation during immediate (p=0.002) and late (p=0.019) evaluation in the anterior spinal fusion group. The number of instrumented vertebrae was 7.69±1.38 in the anterior spinal fusion patients and 11.38±2.92 in the posterior spine fusion patients (p=0.021). Functional assessment (SRS-22) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Anterior spine fusion patients presented greater scoliosis correction on frontal plane, greater derotation of apical vertebrae and smaller number of fused vertebrae

Evaluation of terminal vertebral plate on cervical spine at different age groups and its correlation with intervertebral disc thickness

OBJETIVO: Avaliar por meio de histomorfometria, a espessura da placa vertebral terminal, a espessura do disco intervertebral e a sua correlação nas diferentes faixas etárias, tentando identificar a sua correlação. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados os segmentos cervicais C4-C5 e C5-C6 de 50 cadáveres humanos , de ambos os sexos, divididos em 5 grupos com intervalo de faixa etária de 10 anos, a partir dos 21 anos de idade. A avaliação da espessura da PVT e do disco intervertebral foi realizada por meio de avaliação histomorfométrica dos cortes histológicos corados pela hematoxilina e eosina. A espessura da PVT inferior de C4, PVT superior de C5, PVT inferior de C5 e PVT superior de C6 foram comparadas entre si e também com a espessura do disco intervertebral interposto entre as respectivas PVT. RESULTADOS: A espessura das placas vertebrais terminais adjacentes ao mesmo DI não apresentou diferença estatística. No entanto, a comparação da espessura das placas vertebrais superior e inferior da mesma vértebra cervical (C5), apresentou diferença estatística em todas as faixas etárias avaliadas. Foi observado coeficiente de correlação estatística, maior que 80%, entre a espessura daplaca vertebral terminal e o disco intervertebral adjacente, com proporcional redução de espessura de ambas estruturas, nos diferentes níveis cervicais avaliados, e também nas diferentes faixas etárias avaliadas. CONCLUSÃO: A placa vertebral terminal apresenta correlação morfológica com o disco intervertebral ao qual entra em contato, e não apresenta correlação com a placa vertebral terminal da mesma vértebra.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, by means of histomorphometry, terminal vertebral plate thickness, intervertebral disc thickness and its correlation on different age groups, seeking to identify its correlation. METHODS: C4-C5 and C5-C6 cervical segments removed from human cadavers of both genders were assessed and divided into five groups of 10-year age intervals, from 21 years old. TVP and intervertebral disc thickness evaluation was made by means of histomorphometry of histological slides stained with hematoxylin and eosyn. Lower C4 TVP, upper C5 TVP, and upper C6 TVP de were compared between each other and to the interposed intervertebral disc thickness between relevant TVP. RESULTS: The thickness of terminal vertebral plates adjacent to the same ID did not show statistic differences. However, the comparison of upper and lower vertebral plates thickness on the same cervical vertebra (C5), showed statistical difference on all age groups studied. We found a statistical correlation coefficient above 80% between terminal vertebral plate and adjacent intervertebral disc, witha proportional thickness reduction of both structures on the different cervical levels studied, and also on the different age groups assessed. CONCLUSION: Terminal vertebral plate shows a morphologic correlation with the intervertebral disc next to it, and does not show correlation with the terminal vertebral plate on the same vertebra

Cellulolytic and proteolytic ability of bacteria isolated from gastrointestinal tract and composting of a hippopotamus

The bioprospection for cellulase and protease producers is a promise strategy for the discovery of potential biocatalysts for use in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials as well as proteic residues. These enzymes can increment and turn viable the production of second generation ethanol from different and alternative sources. In this context, the goal of this study was the investigation of cellulolytic and proteolytic abilities of bacteria isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a hippopotamus as well as from its composting process. It is important to highlight that hippopotamus gastrointestinal samples were a non-typical sources of efficient hydrolytic bacteria with potential for application in biotechnological industries, like biofuel production. Looking for this, a total of 159 bacteria were isolated, which were submitted to qualitative and quantitative enzymatic assays. Proteolytic analyzes were conducted through the evaluation of fluorescent probes. Qualitative assays for cellulolytic abilities revealed 70 positive hits. After quantitative analyzes, 44 % of these positive hits were selected, but five (5) strains showed cellulolytic activity up to 11,8 FPU/mL. Regarding to proteolytic activities, six (6) strains showed activity above 10 %, which overpassed results described in the literature. Molecular analyzes based on the identification of 16S rDNA, revealed that all the selected bacterial isolates were affiliated to Bacillus genus. In summary, these results strongly indicate that the isolated bacteria from a hippopotamus can be a potential source of interesting biocatalysts with cellulolytic and proteolytic activities, with relevance for industrial applications.Brazilian research agency (FAPESP)Brazilian research agency (CAPES)Brazilian research agency (CNPq)Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Sao Paulo, BrazilSao Paulo Zoo Pk Fdn, Av Miguel Estefano 4241, BR-04301905 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Rua 3 Maio,100, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFed Univ Latin Amer Integrat, Latin Amer Inst Life Sci & Nat, Av Tarquinio Joslin Santos 1000, BR-85870901 Foz Do Iguacu, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Rua 3 Maio,100, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2010/51992-5CNPq: 475166/2013-2Web of Scienc

Fratura tipo explosão da coluna torácica e lombar: correlação entre o segmento biomecânico sagital acometido e as alterações estruturais da vértebra fraturada

OBJETIVO: Analisar as fraturas tipo explosão da coluna torácica e lombar e fazer a correlação entre o segmento biomecânico sagital acometido e as alterações estruturais da vértebra fraturada. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de 72 pacientes com fraturas tipo explosão da coluna torácica e lombar. O estreitamento do canal vertebral, o colapso vertebral e a cifose local foram avaliados em três segmentos distintos: torácico, transição toracolombar e lombar. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatística significativa (p < 0,05) dos valores do estreitamento do canal vertebral e cifose local nos diferentes segmentos da coluna vertebral avaliados. CONCLUSÃO: As fraturas tipo explosão da coluna torácica e lombar, embora apresentem características semelhantes, independentemente do local de ocorrência, sofrem influência direta do segmento biomecânico sagital no que diz respeito às alterações estruturais que ocorrem na vértebra fraturada

Mechanistic insights and steric interpretations through statistical physics modelling and density functional theory calculations for the adsorption of the pesticides atrazine and diuron by Hovenia dulcis biochar

International audienceAtrazine and diuron are two pesticide compounds with very low surface interaction capacity, whose adsorption efficiency remains a challenge in environmental remediation applications. In this work, statistical physics (sta-phy) modelling and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have explored several still unveiled mechanisms involved. A model activated carbon (AC) sample was produced with Hovenia dulcis fruit residues, a local invasive tree species. The adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, and the adsorption capacities () increased as the temperature increased. The number of adsorbate molecules per site (n) decreased as the density of the receptor site (Nm) increased, revealing that the temperature influences the geometry of the molecules during the surface interaction. According to the electrostatic mapping provided by the DFT calculations, it was possible to infer that the obtained Qm values for atrazine, between 42.54 and 73.20 mg g−1, can be a response caused by its own self-repulsion. For diuron, due to its increased neutrality, the potential balance of the electrostatic charges between adsorbate-adsorbent tends to be more effective, resulting in higher Qm values, ranging from 97.91 to 119.7 mg g−1. Therefore, the combination of sta-phy modelling with quantum mechanics calculations is a powerful tool for mechanism interpretation, capable of providing complementary insights into the adsorption process from both adsorbent and adsorbate perspectives

3-D Reconstruction of Rock Samples via Structure-From-Motion for Virtual Reality Applications: A Methodological Proposal

This article presents a methodological proposal for the three-dimensional reconstruction of rock samples via structure-from-motion. The presented methodological steps aimed to provide a reproducible workflow to create virtual rock samples to be applied in virtual applications. The proposed methodology works as a how-to guide as well as a preemptive troubleshooting guide for the complete process. Four geologists with different scholar levels volunteered to test this methodological proposal, applying it to three rock samples as the methodology steps were provided in an inverse-proportional manner to the graduate level. When analyzing the results of the performed reconstructions, all analyzed elements presented a proportional reduction due to the lack of information provided. An initial questionnaire was applied to verify the difficulties encountered, and subsequently, all volunteers received the complete methodology. In the second reconstruction, the results were equivalent to those obtained initially with the complete methodology. A technology acceptance model questionnaire was applied to determine the perception of utility and ease of use of the presented methodology. In both cases the results presented themselves in a positive way, indicating that the methodology was able to solve the problems found simply and objectively through a repeatable workflow

THORACOLUMBAR BURST FRACTURE: STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND CLINICAL OUTCOME OF TREATMENT

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the correlation between structural changes in burst fractures of thoracic and lumbar spine with clinical outcome of the treatment. Methods: A retrospective study in 25 patients with fractures of thoracic and lumbar spine burst fractures without neurological deficit. Eleven patients underwent conservative treatment and for the remaining the treatment was surgical. All patients were followed up for at least 24 months. The cases were evaluated by a protocol that included: posttraumatic measurement of kyphosis, vertebral body collapse and narrowing of the spinal canal, the visual analog scale of pain, and the quality of life questionnaire SF-36 at the follow-up. For statistical analysis, the significance level was 5% and the software SPSS 18.0 was used. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed when comparing the clinical outcomes of one treatment over another. Similarly, there was no statistically significant correlation between kyphosis and post-traumatic narrowing of the spinal canal with clinical worsening in the follow-up, regardless of the treatment used. We found a positive correlation (p<0.05) between initial collapse and SF-36 domains in both groups (operated and non-operated). Conclusion: There was no significant superiority of one treatment over the other, and no correlation was found between kyphosis and spinal canal narrowing in burst fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine without neurological deficit. However, there was correlation between initial collapse and clinical outcome in some domains of the SF-36 questionnaire

Indirect effects of habitat loss via habitat fragmentation: A cross-taxa analysis of forest-dependent species

Recent studies suggest that habitat amount is the main determinant of species richness, whereas habitat fragmentation has weak and mostly positive effects. Here, we challenge these ideas using a multi-taxa database including 2230 estimates of forest-dependent species richness from 1097 sampling sites across the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We used a structural equation modeling approach, accounting not only for direct effects of habitat loss, but also for its indirect effects (via habitat fragmentation), on the richness of forest-dependent species. We reveal that in addition to the effects of habitat loss, habitat fragmentation has negative impacts on animal species richness at intermediate (30–60%) levels of habitat amount, and on richness of plants at high (>60%) levels of habitat amount, both of which are mediated by edge effects. Based on these results, we argue that dismissing habitat fragmentation as a powerful force driving species extinction in tropical forest landscapes is premature and unsafe

Neotropical freshwater fisheries : A dataset of occurrence and abundance of freshwater fishes in the Neotropics

The Neotropical region hosts 4225 freshwater fish species, ranking first among the world's most diverse regions for freshwater fishes. Our NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set is the first to produce a large-scale Neotropical freshwater fish inventory, covering the entire Neotropical region from Mexico and the Caribbean in the north to the southern limits in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. We compiled 185,787 distribution records, with unique georeferenced coordinates, for the 4225 species, represented by occurrence and abundance data. The number of species for the most numerous orders are as follows: Characiformes (1289), Siluriformes (1384), Cichliformes (354), Cyprinodontiformes (245), and Gymnotiformes (135). The most recorded species was the characid Astyanax fasciatus (4696 records). We registered 116,802 distribution records for native species, compared to 1802 distribution records for nonnative species. The main aim of the NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set was to make these occurrence and abundance data accessible for international researchers to develop ecological and macroecological studies, from local to regional scales, with focal fish species, families, or orders. We anticipate that the NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set will be valuable for studies on a wide range of ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, fishery pressure, the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation, and the impacts of species invasion and climate change. There are no copyright restrictions on the data, and please cite this data paper when using the data in publications