Analysis of pancreas histological images for glucose intolerance identificationusing ImageJ-preliminary results

The observation in microscopy of histological sections allows us to evaluate structural differences, in pancreatic cells, between rats with normal glucose tolerance and with glucose intolerance (pre-diabetic) situation. Nevertheless, this pre-diabetic condition implies subtle changes in islets of Langerhans structure. This and the normal variability among sampled cells makes difficult the task of identifying glucose intolerance (pre-diabetic situation) with a low level of error. This paper presents preliminary results in the processing of histological pancreas images with the goal of identifying pre-diabetic situation in Wistar rats. The immediate goal of this work is to evaluate the performance of a classifier based in a morphometric measurement of the histological images and to assess the potential for image based automatic processing and classification. A set of 90 images, were used (58 from rats with normal glucose tolerance, and 32 from pre-diabetic ones). These images were segmented manually using ImageJ. This segmentation and area measurements have been speedup by the application of ImageJ macros which were defined for this purpose. The ratio, between the area of -cells and the islets of Langerhans , was used has the indicator of the prediabetic situation. Considering this feature, a receiver operating characteristic analysis has been performed. True positive rate, vs. false positive rate shows the predicted performance of a binary classifier as its discrimination threshold is varied

INUNDAÇÕES URBANAS: ESTUDO DE CASO DO ALTO CURSO DA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO PACIÊNCIA – ILHA DO MARANHÃO

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a ocorrência de inundações no alto curso do rio Paciência. Para isto adotou-se os procedimentos da pesquisa quantitativa, levantamento bibliográfico e cartográfico, realização de trabalhos de campo, aplicação de questionários e elaboração de mapas, considerando os diferentes tipos de intervenções antrópicas nos corpos hídricos e suas respostas na paisagem em virtude da ocupação indevida das planícies de inundação e elevado grau de urbanização

Influence of Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) on the survival and the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the insulin-like growth factor -I (IGF-I) on survival, activation (transition from primordial to primary follicles) and growth of caprine preantral follicles cultured in vitro. Fragments of ovarian cortex were cultured for one and seven days in the absence or presence of IGF-I (0, 50 and 100ng/ml). The non-cultured and cultured tissues were processed and analyzed by histology and transmission electron microscopy. The culture for one day in a medium with 100ng/ml of IGF-I showed 86.7% of morphologically normal follicles. These results were similar (P>0.05) to the percentage of normal follicles found in the control (96.7%). It was also found that this medium increased the percentage of follicular activation (developing follicles) with one day of culture. The oocyte and follicular diameters remained similar to the control by culturing for one day in a medium containing 100ng/ml of IGF-I. The ultrastructural analysis did not confirm the integrity of the follicular fragments in a medium containing IGF-I (100ng/ml) after one and seven days of culture. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the addition of 100 ng/ml of IGF-I in the culture medium enables the development of preantral follicles of goats with one day of culture. However, it is not sufficient to maintain the follicular integrity and the follicular survival rate after seven days of culture.O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar os efeitos do fator de crescimento semelhante a insulina-I (IGF-I) na sobrevivência, ativação (transição de folículos primordiais para primários) e crescimento de folículos pré-antrais caprinos cultivados in vitro. Fragmentos de córtex ovariano foram cultivados por um e sete dias na ausência ou presença de IGF-I (0, 50 e 100ng/mL). Os tecidos não cultivados e cultivados foram processados e analisados por histologia e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. O cultivo por um dia em meio com 100ng/mL de IGF-I apresentou 86,7% de folículos morfologicamente normais. Estes resultados foram semelhantes (P>0,05) ao percentual de folículos normais encontrados no controle (96,7%). Verificou-se ainda que este meio aumentou o percentual de ativação folicular (folículos em desenvolvimento) com um dia de cultivo. Os diâmetros ovocitário e folicular mantiveram-se semelhantes ao controle ao cultivar por um dia em meio contendo 100ng/mL de IGF-I. As análises ultraestruturais não confirmaram a integridade folicular dos fragmentos em meio contendo IGF-I (100 ng/mL) após um e sete dias de cultivo. Em conclusão, esse estudo demonstrou que a adição de 100 ng/mL de IGF-I no meio de cultivo ativa o desenvolvimento de folículos pré-antrais de caprinos com um dia de cultivo. Entretanto, não é suficiente para manter a integridade folicular e a taxa de sobrevivência folicular após sete dias de cultivo

Influence Of Deciduous Molar Hypomineralization On The Development Of Molar-incisor Hypomineralizarion

Defects similar to Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) in second primary molars can be found in the literature, being recently named Deciduous Molar Hypomineralization (DMH). Researchers have stated that the presence of DMH in primary dentition represents a risk for MIH in permanent teeth. The explanation for this association is probably related to the etiological factors. Aim: To investigate prospectively the association between DMH and MIH and the etiologic factors involved in both defects. Methods: One hundred and thirty four children aged 4 to 6 years from Botelhos, MG, Brazil, were evaluated six-monthly until they completed the eruption of the first permanent molars. A structured questionnaire was developed with questions about the child's health up to the first year of life and the mother's health during pregnancy. Results: It could be noted that, although most children with DMH in the primary dentition had higher incidence of MIH in permanent dentition, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: None of the possible etiologic factors had associations with the studied enamel defects, even among children who presented two types of enamel defects in the mixed dentition. However, further studies with larger samples should be conducted in order to confirm or refute the findings of the present study.124335338Weerheijm, K.L., Jälevik, B., Alaluusua, S., Molar incisor hypomineralization (2001) Caries Res., 35, pp. 390-391Alaluusua, S., Aetiology of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization: A systematic review (2010) Eur J Paediatr Dent., 11, pp. 53-58Beentjes, V.E.V.M., Weerheijm, K.L., Groen, H.J., Factors involved in the aetiology of molar-incisor hypomineralization (2002) Eur J Paediatr Dent., 1, pp. 9-13Combrie, F., Manton, D., Kilpatrick, N., Aetiology of molar-incisor hypomineralization: a critical review (2009) Int J Paediatr Dent., 19, pp. 73-83Jälevik, B., Norén, J.G., Klingberg, G., Barregard, L., Etiologic factors influencing the prevalence of demarcated opacities in permanent first molars in a group of Swedish children (2001) Eur J Sci., 109, pp. 230-234Preusser, S.E., Ferring, V., Wleklinski, C., Wetzel, W.E., Prevalence and severity of molar incisor hypomineralization in a region of Germany - a brief communication (2007) J Public Health Dent., 67, pp. 148-150Kuscu, O.O., Caglar, E., Sandalli, N., The prevalence and etiology of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization in a group of children in Istanbul (2008) Eur J Paediatr Dent., 9, pp. 139-144Whatling, R., Fearne, J.M., Molar incisor hypomineralization: a study of etiological factors in a group of UK children (2008) Int J Paediatr Dent., 18, pp. 155-162Laisi, S., Ess, A., Sahlberg, C., Arvio, P., Lukinma, P.L., Alaluusua, S., Amoxicillin may cause Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (2009) J Dent Res., 88, pp. 132-136Weerheijm, K.L., Duggal, M., Mejàre, I., Papagiannoulis, L., Koch, G., Martens, L.C., Judgement criteria for molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in epidemiologic studies: a summary of the European meeting on MIH held in Athens, 2003 (2003) Eur J Paediatr Dent., 4, pp. 110-113Elfrink, M.E.C., Schuller, A.A., Weerheijm, K.L., Veerkamp, J.S.J., Hypomineralised second primary molars: prevalence data in dutch 5-year-olds (2008) Caries Res., 42, pp. 282-285Elfrink, M.E.C., ten Cate, J.M., Jaddoe, V.W.V., Hofman, A., Moll, H.A., Veerkamp, J.S.J., Deciduous Molar Hypomineralization and Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (2012) J Dent Res., 91, pp. 551-555Combrie, F., Manton, D., Kilpatrick, N., Aetiology of molar incisor hypomineralization: a critical review (2009) Int J Paediatr Dent., 19, pp. 73-83Li, Y., Navia, J.M., Bian, J.Y., Prevalence and distribution of developmental enamel defects in primary dentition of Chinese children 3-5 years old (1995) Community Dent Oral Epidemiol., 23, pp. 72-79Seow, W.K., Clinical diagnosis of enamel defects: pitfalls and practical guidelines (1997) Int Dent J., 47, pp. 173-182Staylon, R.L., Warren, J.J., Kanellis, M.J., Levy, S.M., Islam, M., Prevalence of enamel hypoplasia and isolated opacities in primary dentition (2001) Pediatr Dent, 23, pp. 32-36Van Amerongen, W.E., Kreulen, C.M., Cheese molars: a pilot study of the etiology of hypocalcifications in first permanent molars (1995) ASDC J Dent Child., 62, pp. 266-269Ghanim, A., Manton, D., Mariño, R., Morgan, M., Bailey, D., Prevalence of demarcated hypomineralisation defects in second primary molars in Iraqi children (2012) Int J Paediatr Dent., 25, pp. 1-8Moorres, C.F.A., Gron, A.M., Lebert, L.M., Yen, P.K., Frolich, F.J., Growth studies of the dentition - a review (1969) Am J Orthod., 55, pp. 600-616Costa-Silva, C.M., Ambrosano, G.M.B., Jeremias, F., Souza, J.F., Mialhe, F.L., Increase in severity of molar-incisor hypomineralization and its relationship with the colour of enamel opacity: a prospective cohort study (2011) Int J Paediatr Dent., 21, pp. 333-341Souza, J.F., Costa-Silva, C.M., Jeremias, F., Santos-Pinto, L., Zuanon, A.C., Cordeiro, R.C., Molar incisor hypomineralisation: possible aetiological factors in children from urban and rural areas (2012) Eur Arch Paediatr Dent., 13, pp. 164-170Alaluusua, S., Kukinmaa, P.L., Vartiainen, T., Partanen, M., Torppa, J., Tuomisto, J., Polydibenzofurans via mother's milk may cause developmental defects in the child's teeth (1996) Environ Toxicol Pharmacol., 1, pp. 193-197Jälevik, B., Norén, J.G., Enamel hypomineralization of permanent first molars: a morphological study and survey of possible aetiological factors (2000) Int J Paediatr Dent., 10, pp. 278-289Fonseca, R.B., Correr Sobrinho, L., Fernandes Neto, A.J., Mota, A.S., Soares, C.J., Enamel hypoplasia or amelogenesis imperfecta: a restorative approach (2006) Braz J Oral Sci., 5, pp. 941-943Xavier, A., Carvalho, F.S., Bastos, R.S.B., Caldana, M.L., Bastos, J.R.M., Dental caries-related quality of life and socioeconomic status of preschool children, Bauru, SP (2012) Braz J Oral Sci., 11, pp. 463-468Costa-Silva, C.M., Mialhe, F.L., Considerations for clinical management of molar-incisor hypomineralization: A literature review (2012) Rev Odonto Cienc., 27, pp. 333-33

Bibliometric analysis on the use of natural fibers in construction materials

Received: February 2nd, 2021 ; Accepted: August 3rd, 2021 ; Published: August 30th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] to the increasing interest of the population in the sustainability theme, there was a consequent growth in publications related to the theme in the area of civil construction. Agroindustrial waste has become an environmental problem, and with that natural fibers have found space in the reuse of waste due to its characteristics and possibilities of improving the mechanical properties of its products. In order to achieve sustainable construction demand, along with the need to reuse waste, studies have begun to analyze the application of natural fibers in construction materials. The documents provided by the Web of Science (WOS) database through research carried out with the search for the terms ‘Natural Fibers’ and ‘Building materials’ restricted to the period 2010–2020 in the main WOS collection. The institutions involved with the publications, the countries of origin of the documents, the year of publication, the keywords used by the authors and the number of citations for each document were analyzed using bibliometrics in the VOSVIEWER (VOS) software. The result of the analysis shows an increase in documents related to the theme over the years, and that the countries with the most studies in the area are China (16), USA (14) and Brazil (11), respectively. The results presented after analysis of the keywords show that natural fiber (61 occurrences), mechanical properties (44 occurrences) and composites (31 occurrences) are the words with the highest occurrence among the analyzed documents. The present study shows the growth of research related to the theme, in addition to discriminating countries, institutions and authors, which allows monitoring the scientific expansion of the theme and guiding future studies

Social and economic value of Portuguese community pharmacies in health care

Background: Community pharmacies are major contributors to health care systems across the world. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate community pharmacies services in health care. The purpose of this study was to estimate the social and economic benefits of current and potential future community pharmacies services provided by pharmacists in health care in Portugal. Methods: The social and economic value of community pharmacies services was estimated through a decision-model. Model inputs included effectiveness data, quality of life (QoL) and health resource consumption, obtained though literature review and adapted to Portuguese reality by an expert panel. The estimated economic value was the result of non-remunerated pharmaceutical services plus health resource consumption potentially avoided. Social and economic value of community pharmacies services derives from the comparison of two scenarios: "with service" versus "without service". Results: It is estimated that current community pharmacies services in Portugal provide a gain in QoL of 8.3% and an economic value of 879.6 million euros (Msic), including 342.1 Msic in non-remunerated pharmaceutical services and 448. 1 Msic in avoided expense with health resource consumption. Potential future community pharmacies services may provide an additional increase of 6.9% in QoL and be associated with an economic value of 144.8 Msic: 120.3 Msic in non-remunerated services and 24.5 Msic in potential savings with health resource consumption. Conclusions: Community pharmacies services provide considerable benefit in QoL and economic value. An increase range of services including a greater integration in primary and secondary care, among other transversal services, may add further social and economic value to the society

Effect of anion type in the performance of ionic liquid/poly(vinylidene fluoride) electromechanical actuators

Low voltage actuators based on poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF)with 10, 25 and 40 % 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C6mim][Cl])and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C6mim][NTf2]) are prepared by solvent casting in order to evaluate the effect of anion size in the bending properties. Independently of the ionic liquid type and content, its presence leads to the crystallization of PVDF in the -phase. The addition of ionic liquid into the polymer matrix decreases significantly its degree of crystallinity and the elastic modulus. It is also confirmed the good miscibility between PVDF and IL,determinedby the interaction of the CF2groups from the PVDF chains with the imidazolium ring in the ionic liquid (IL). The AC conductivity of the composites depends both on the amount of ionic liquid content and anion size. The bending movement of the IL/PVDF composites is correlated to theirdegree of crystallinity, mechanical properties and ionic conductivity value and the best value of bending response (0.53 %) being found for IL/PVDF composite with40 wt% of [C6mim][Cl] at an applied voltage of 10 volts square signal.The authors thank the FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia-for financial support in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013, projects PTDC/EEI-SII/5582/2014 and PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014,and grants SFRH/BD/90215/2012 (J.C.D.), SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.). The authors thank Solvay for kindly supplying the high quality materials. Financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK Program is also acknowledged.The authorsexpress their gratitude to the Ministry of the Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisiafor a research fellowship