Application of a newly developed software program for image quality assessment in conebeam computed tomography

Marcus Vinicius Linhares de Oliveira,António Carvalho Santos,Graciano Paulo,Paulo Sergio Flores Campos,Joana Santos 대한영상치의학회 2017 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.47 No.2

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to apply a newly developed free software program, at low cost and with minimal time, to evaluate the quality of dental and maxillofacial cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: A polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom, CQP-IFBA, was scanned in 3 CBCT units with 7 protocols. A macro program was developed, using the free software ImageJ, to automatically evaluate the image quality parameters. The image quality evaluation was based on 8 parameters: uniformity, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), noise, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), spatial resolution, the artifact index, geometric accuracy, and low-contrast resolution. Results: The image uniformity and noise depended on the protocol that was applied. Regarding the CNR, highdensity structures were more sensitive to the effect of scanning parameters. There were no significant differences between SNR and CNR in centered and peripheral objects. The geometric accuracy assessment showed that all the distance measurements were lower than the real values. Low-contrast resolution was influenced by the scanning parameters, and the 1-mm rod present in the phantom was not depicted in any of the 3 CBCT units. Smaller voxel sizes presented higher spatial resolution. There were no significant differences among the protocols regarding artifact presence. Conclusion: This software package provided a fast, low-cost, and feasible method for the evaluation of image quality parameters in CBCT.

Application of a newly developed software program for image quality assessment in cone-beam computed tomography

de Oliveira, Marcus Vinicius Linhares,Santos, Antonio Carvalho,Paulo, Graciano,Campos, Paulo Sergio Flores,Santos, Joana Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 2017 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.47 No.2

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to apply a newly developed free software program, at low cost and with minimal time, to evaluate the quality of dental and maxillofacial cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: A polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom, CQP-IFBA, was scanned in 3 CBCT units with 7 protocols. A macro program was developed, using the free software ImageJ, to automatically evaluate the image quality parameters. The image quality evaluation was based on 8 parameters: uniformity, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), noise, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), spatial resolution, the artifact index, geometric accuracy, and low-contrast resolution. Results: The image uniformity and noise depended on the protocol that was applied. Regarding the CNR, high-density structures were more sensitive to the effect of scanning parameters. There were no significant differences between SNR and CNR in centered and peripheral objects. The geometric accuracy assessment showed that all the distance measurements were lower than the real values. Low-contrast resolution was influenced by the scanning parameters, and the 1-mm rod present in the phantom was not depicted in any of the 3 CBCT units. Smaller voxel sizes presented higher spatial resolution. There were no significant differences among the protocols regarding artifact presence. Conclusion: This software package provided a fast, low-cost, and feasible method for the evaluation of image quality parameters in CBCT.

Breeding and biology of Hypsipyla grandella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) fed with mahogany seeds (Swietenia macrophylla King)

Marcelo Tavares de Castro,Sandro Coelho Linhares Montalvão,Rose Gomes Monnerat 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.1

The shoot borer, Hypsipyla grandella Zeller, is a Lepidopteran that practically covers the entire Brazilian territory. Its damage to mahogany is so intense that it can prevent establishment of commercial plantations of the species. Studies of its control are critical for mahogany planting in different regions to be feasible and sustainable. To conduct bioassays and studies of this insect's biology, mass rearing is necessary. This study aimed to develop a method of mass rearing based on a diet of mahogany seeds. Caterpillars arising from mahogany populations located in Brasilia, Brasil were placed in plastic containers containing mahogany seeds. Morphological and morphometric aspects were evaluated through eight successive generations. The mahogany seeds produced a good supply of quality insects for performance of bioassays, with uniform sizes and weights for each instar and a low adult deformation rate.

90-Day Oral Toxicity Assessment of Tropaeolum majus L. in Rodents and Lagomorphs

Valdinei de Oliveira Araujo,Carlos Eduardo Linhares Andreotti,Michelle de Paula Reis,Daniely Alves de Lima,Karoline Bach Pauli,Bruna Caroline Nunes,Caroline Gomes,Ricardo de Melo Germano,Euclides Lara 한국식품영양과학회 2018 Journal of medicinal food Vol.21 No.8

Tropaeolum majus L., popularly known as nasturtium, is a species widely used in the form of infusions and salads. In the last years, the antihypertensive, diuretic, and calcium and potassium sparing activities of T. majus preparations were shown. Moreover, no preclinical 90-day oral toxicity studies were conducted. Thus, this study evaluated the toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract obtained from T. majus (HETM) leaves in female and male mice, rats, and rabbits. Swiss mice and Wistar rats were treated with HETM (75, 375, and 750 mg/kg). The doses of rabbits (30, 150, and 300 mg/kg) were calculated by allometric extrapolation. The control groups received vehicle. The animals were orally treated, daily, for 90 days. At the end, the animals were anesthetized, and body weight gain, relative weight of liver, kidney, and spleen, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Serum hematological and biochemical parameters were also analyzed. No alterations were found in body and organ weights or in histopathological and biochemical evaluation. Hematological analyses revealed small changes in lymphocytes and neutrophil counts in rats after administration of 750 mg/kg of HETM. These results showed that 90-day use of T. majus is safe in rodents and lagomorphs.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Ameliorated Metabolic and Inflammatory Dysfunction Induced by High-Refined Carbohydrate-Containing Diet in Mice

Cintia Tarabal Oliveira,Debora Romualdo Lacerda,Marina Campos Zicker,Lais Bhering Martins,Mauro Martins Teixeira,Raquel Linhares Bello de Araujo,Adaliene Versiani Matos Ferreira 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.1

This study aimed to evaluate the effects and the mechanisms of ginger extract intake in the adiposity gain, metabolic and inflammatory disturbances induced by a high-refined carbohydrate (HC) diet in mice. Ginger extract at doses of 200, 600, and 1800 mg/kg was supplemented in the daily food of obese Balb/c mice during an 8-week experiment. Our findings indicate that consumption of high doses of ginger extracts prevents the increase of adiposity induced by HC diet, improves lipid profile, and promotes decrease of inflammatory markers in mice. We showed that ginger addition to HC diet leads to decrease in the recruitment of cells visualized in vivo in the microvasculature of adipose tissue, decrease of inflammatory cytokines, and increase of adiponectin serum levels. These results indicate that the consumption of ginger decreases the negative metabolic consequences induced by HC diet.

Evaluation of the Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables by Phenylketonurics in the Metabolic Control of Phenylalanine: An Integrative Review

Elaine Carvalho Minighin,Roberto Ce´sar Santos de Sousa,Ana Luiza Coeli Cruz Ramos,Lorena Thais Souza Dias,Ana Luiza Coeli Cruz Ramos,Lorena Thais Souza Dias,Renata Adriana Labanca,Raquel Linhares Bel 한국식품영양과학회 2022 Journal of medicinal food Vol.25 No.5

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by variants in the gene that encodes phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), limiting the metabolism of phenylalanine (Phe). When PAH activity is absent or hindered, Phe is not converted to tyrosine, leading to an accumulation of Phe in the blood, which can cause serious neurological complications. Once PKU is diagnosed, treatment should be started immediately, and the basis for this is dietary restriction of foods with high levels of Phe, associated with the use of protein substitutes and intake of foods with low protein content. This restriction accompanies patients throughout their lives, making their diets unpalatable and monotonous, which represents a major challenge for health professionals and patients, considering that these factors favor food transgression. In this context, the objective of this work was to carry out an integrative review based on evidence regarding the intake of fruits and vegetables, by phenylketonurics, taking into account the greater or lesser tolerance to Phe. Since, some researchers have dedicated themselves to evaluating the biochemical effect of unrestricted consumption of fruits and vegetables at PKU, unifying the information in this regard. It was observed that the intake of vegetable protein by patients with PKU has shown to be promising since the studies indicate that the intake of these proteins does not present adverse effects to the metabolic control of the Phe.

Intraoperative fluid therapy for video-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs

Marília Teresa de Oliveira,João Pedro Scussel Feranti,Gabriela Pesamosca Coradini,Rafael Oliveira Chaves,Luis Felipe Dutra Corrêa,Marcella Teixeira Linhares,Roberto Thiesen,Marco Augusto Machado Silva 대한수의학회 2021 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.22 No.3

Background: Intraoperative fluids are still poorly studied in veterinary medicine. In humans the dosage is associated with significant differences in postoperative outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this study is to verify the influence of three different fluid therapy rates in dogs undergoing video-assisted ovariohysterectomy. Methods: Twenty-four female dogs were distributed into three groups: G5, G10, and G20. Each group was given 5, 10, and 20 mL·kg−1·h−1 of Lactate Ringer, respectively. This study evaluated the following parameters: central venous pressure, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, acid-base balance, and serum lactate levels. Additionally, this study evaluated the following urinary variables: urea, creatinine, protein to creatinine ratio, urine output, and urine specific gravity. The dogs were evaluated up to 26 h after the procedure. Results: All animals presented respiratory acidosis during the intraoperative period. The G5 group evidenced intraoperative oliguria (0.80 ± 0.38 mL·kg−1·h−1), differing from the G20 group (2.17 ± 0.52 mL·kg−1·h−1) (p = 0.001). Serum lactate was different between groups during extubation (p = 0.036), with higher values being recorded in the G5 group (2.19 ± 1.65 mmol/L). Animals from the G20 group presented more severe hypothermia at the end of the procedure (35.93 ± 0.61°C) (p = 0.032). Only the members of the G20 group presented mean potassium values below the reference for the species. Anion gap values were lower in the G20 group when compared to the G5 and G10 groups (p = 0.017). Conclusions: The use of lactated Ringer's solution at the rate of 10 mL·kg−1·h−1 seems to be beneficial in the elective laparoscopic procedures over the 5 or 20 mL·kg−1·h−1 rates of infusion.