As alterações volumétricas da cavidade oral, nasal e espaço faríngeo após a cirurgia ortognática, têm sido objetivo de muitos estudos, uma vez que, essas alterações dependem da direção e magnitude da movimentação dos segmentos ósseos, porém, poucos são os trabalhos que combinam os diferentes métodos para a avaliação da nasofaringe. O objetivo deste estudo foi correlacionar o espaço aéreo faríngeo em pacientes com fissura labiopalatina, submetidos à cirurgia ortognática com avanço de maxila e/ou recuo de mandíbula, por meio da análise do volume e área seccional mínima utilizando imagens de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico e pela rinomanometria anterior modificada (técnica fluxo-pressão) no pré e pós-operatório de um ano da cirurgia ortognática. Desse modo, a amostra foi composta por 41 indivíduos, que foram avaliados no pré-operatório e no pós-operatório, na qual, avaliou-se a área seccional mínima pela rinomanometria anterior modificada expressos em mm2 e pelas imagens de tomografia de feixe cônico, que foram importadas em DICOM e avaliadas pelo software Dolphin Imaging 11.0, obtendo os valores numéricos de volume (V), expressos em cm3, bem como a área seccional mínima, expressa em mm2. Notou-se que, em todas as variáveis, houve aumento médio dos valores no pós-operatório em relação ao pré-operatório. Além disso, notouse uma diferença estatisticamente significante ao comparar os resultados dos volumes e da área seccional mínima da área nasofaríngea no pré e pós-operatório pelo software Dolphin Imaging 11.0 ao aplicar o Teste de Wilcoxon. Observou-se também, o aumento discreto da área nasofaríngea avaliada pela rinomanometria, no préoperatório de 105,9 mm2 para 107,1 mm2 no pós-operatório, mas sem diferença estatisticamente significante com p=0,493 pelo Teste de Wilcoxon. E ao comparar a ASM pela TCFC (ASMD) e pela rinomanometria (notou-se diferença estatística (p= 0,033) pelo Teste de Wilcoxon. Por conseguinte, concluiu-se que, existe diferença estatisticamente significante entre a área seccional mínima obtida da TCFC com a rinomanometria pela técnica de fluxo-pressão. / The volumetric changes of the oral cavity, nasal cavity and pharyngeal space after orthognathic surgery have been the objective of many studies, since these alterations depend on the direction and magnitude of the movement of the bone segments, however, there are few studies that combine the different methods for evaluating the nasopharynx. The objective of this study was to correlate the pharyngeal air space in patients with cleft lip and palate submitted to orthognathic surgery with maxillary advancement and / or mandible retreatment, by means of volume analysis and minimum sectional area using conical beam computed tomography by modified anterior rhinomanometry (flow-pressure technique) in the pre- and postoperative year of orthognathic surgery. Thus, the sample consisted in 41 individuals, which were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively, in which the minimum sectional area was determined by modified anterior rhinomanometry expressed in mm2 and by conical beam tomography images, which were imported into DICOM and evaluated by Dolphin Imaging 11.0 software, obtaining the numerical values of volume (V), expressed in cm3, as well as the minimum sectional area, expressed in mm2. It was observed that, in all variables, there was an average increase in postoperative values in relation to the preoperative period. In addition, a statistically significant difference was observed when comparing the results of the volumes and the minimum sectional area of the nasopharyngeal area in the pre and postoperative period by the Dolphin Imaging 11.0 software when applying the Wilcoxon Test. It was also observed a discrete increase in the nasopharyngeal area evaluated by rhinomanometry, in the preoperative period from 105.9 mm2 to 107.1 mm2 postoperatively, but without a statistically significant difference with p = 0.493 by the Wilcoxon test. When comparing ASM by CBCT (ASMD) and rhinomanometry (a statistical difference (p = 0.033) was noted by the Wilcoxon test. Therefore, it was concluded that there is a statistically significant difference between the minimum sectional area obtained from the CBCT with rhinomanometry.

Introduction: Aseptic loosening is the most common indication for revision surgery of hipimplants. However, sometimes diagnosis from planar radiography is uncertain, makingdecision regarding revision surgery problematic. Implant Movement Analysis (IMA) is anewly introduced method of analysing uncertain aseptic loosening of hip prostheses. It usescomputer tomography with rotational provocation to expose movement of the implantrelatively to the surrounding bone. Aim: To evaluate the role of IMA as a complementary method to planar radiography indiagnosing aseptic loosening of total hip artroplasty (THA) at Lindesberg Hospital. 1) HasIMA improved diagnosing of uncertain cases of aseptic loosening? 2) Has IMA reduced thenumber of unnecessary THA revision surgeries? Methods: Retrospective cohort study analysing 43 cases of uncertain aseptic looseningexamined with IMA at Lindesberg Hospital. Paired results from planar radiography and IMAwere statistically compared with McNemar’s test, IMA held as the reference. Additional datawas also collected (i.e. age and symptoms). Results: Planar radiography had 70 % sensitivity and 65 % specificity compared to certainresults from IMA. IMA provided diagnoses in 84 % of the cases and changed the diagnosisfor 33 % compared to planar radiography. Eight cases got their diagnosis changed from looseto not loose. Conclusions: IMA has improved diagnosing cases of uncertain aseptic loosening and cantherefore be seen as a good complementary method to planar radiography in these cases.However, as it is a new method further evaluation is needed.

<p>The present work expose a technique of estimation of optimal direction for placing dental implant. A volumetric computed tomography (CT) scan is used as a help of the following searches. The work offers criteria of the optimal implant placement direction and methods of evaluation on direction’s significance. The technique utilizes structure tensor to find a normal to the jawbone surface. Direction of that normal is then used as initial direction for search of optimal direction.</p><p>The technique described in the present work aimed to support doctor’s decisions during dental implantation treatment.</p>

Previous studies have shown growth hormone and therapeutic low intensity pulsed ultrasound can enhance mandibular growth separately. The aim of this study is to evaluate the concomitant effect of both of these applications on mandibular growth in rat. Methods: 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups, 6 in each. Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were designated as untreated control, recombinant rat growth hormone, Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound, and combination of both groups respectively. After 21 days of daily treatment on mandibular condylar, mandibles from euthanized rats are dissected, and scanned by MicroComputed Tomography to measure the mandibular bone volume, bone surface area, and condylar bone mineral density. Also Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction was performed on the extracted livers’ C-fos, C-jun, and IGF-1 genes expressions. Results: Groups 2, 3 and 4 showed significant (p<0.05) growth stimulation when compared to the untreated control group. However, there was no statistical significant difference between groups 2, 3 and 4 with regard to bone volume or surface area. Conversely, condylar bone mineral density for group 4 was significantly reduced than groups 1, 2, and 3. Rats’ weights were not significantly different among the treatment groups after the treatment was performed. Additionally, gene expression study showed that the expression of C-jun, in harvested livers for Group 4 was less than that of Group 2 showing fewer side effects. Conclusion: When growth hormone was applied to rats’ mandible together with therapeutic ultrasound, preferential increase in bone volume, and surface area occurred with the expense of condylar bone mineral density and with less potential side effects. / Pharmaceutical Science

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-150).

Today, invasive coronary angiography is still the gold standard to perform the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. But it is an invasive procedure that carries non negligible morbidity (1.5%) and mortality (0.15%), and results in high costs. Less invasive and more cost-effective techniques are highly desirable. Over the past 15 years, substantial advances have been made in non-invasive cardiac imaging. In the first part of this work, we prospectively evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of 40-slice multidetector CT (MDCT) to detect coronary artery disease prior to cardiac valve surgery in 82 patients. On a per-patient basis, MDCT correctly identified 14/15 patients with (sensitivity 93%) and 60/67 patients without coronary disease (specificity 90%). Performing invasive angiography only in case of abnormal CT might have avoided invasive angiography in 60/82 (73%) patients without coronary disease. Thus, MDCT could be potentially useful in the preoperative evaluation of such patients, allowing to avoid systematic cardiac catheterization in a large number of patients. Magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) has also emerged as a promising alternative due to the lack of ionizing radiation and absence of iodinated contrast injection. Therefore, we compared diagnostic accuracy of whole-heart MRCA and MDCT, against QCA, to identify >50% stenosis basis in 77 patients. WH-MRCA acquisition failed in a high number of patients. This was caused by an unstable breathing pattern or drift of the diaphragm position. Because of higher success rate, MDCT had higher diagnostic accuracy than WH-MRCA to detect coronary stenosis. Thus MDCT is superior to WH-MRCA, however WH-MRCA can perform as well as CT in interpretable segments with adequate image quality. In the second part of this work, to evaluate whether MDCT and cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR) might allow simultaneous assessment of aortic valve area (AVA), we compared measurements of AVA by MDCT to cMR, transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography. AVA by MDCT and cMR correlated highly with AVA by other techniques. In our study, we compared 3 planimetric approaches to AVA calculated by the continuity equation using TTE. We did observe excellent correlations between planimetric and continuity equation-derived AVA, but all 3 planimetric measures were found to overestimate continuity equation AVA. A potential explanation for this observation could be that we measure different aortic valve orifices. Indeed planimetric techniques measure the true dimensions of the anatomical orifice, whereas the continuity equation measures the "effective" orifice area. The ability of MDCT and cMR to accurately assess aortic valve area at the time of non-invasive coronary imaging, places these techniques in a strong position for the comprehensive assessment of such patients. However, despite these good results, it must nonetheless be emphasized that to be acceptable in daily clinical practice, a strategy in which invasive coronary angiography would not be performed systematically but rather selectively in only a subset of patients, requires a perfect sensitivity for disease detection in individual patients. Unfortunately, the present work shows that MDCT and WH-MRCA have not yet reached such a level of accuracy. Finally, these tests are not a substitute for other imaging techniques in all cardiovascular conditions. Unlike an echocardiogram machine, the MRI and MDCT scanners cannot be brought to the bedside of an acutely ill patient.

Tristichopterids (Sarcopterygii, Tetrapodomorpha) form a monophyletic group of exclusively Devonian fishes. This thesis consists of descriptions of new material of tristichopterids and closely related taxa, as well as new interpretations and descriptions of previously figured material. Redescribed specimens were originally figured as far back as 1861, and publications as old as this are almost always of limited use as anatomical and systematical references, in addition to being difficult to acquire. The possibility of using new techniques and new theoretical frameworks also provides good justification for taking a second look at such specimens. In the case of this thesis, this includes the use of computed tomography scanning methods, and the cladistic approach to describing the interrelationships of taxa. The thesis includes a complete taxonomy of valid tristichopterid taxa, in addition to two new phylogenetic analyses incorporating the taxa that were described or redescribed. One of the analyses deals with the interrelationships of taxa along the entire tetrapod stem, and establishes the monophyly of the Tristichopteridae. The other analysis focuses on tristichopterid interrelationships. An account is given of evolutionary trends within Tristichopteridae, and instances of parallel evolution between tristichopterids and other tetrapodomorph groups are discussed. The biogeographical implications of tristichopterid occurences world-wide seem to corroborate the picture provided by other vertebrate groups, and give further support to one of two main hypotheses concerning the relative positions of Gondwana and Laurussia, the two major palaeocontinents during the Late Devonian. The supported hypothesis proposes a close proximity between southern Laurussia and northwestern Gondwana, as evidenced by the wide dispersal of derived tristichopterids by the Late Devonian. A Laurussian origin of tristichopterids is proposed.

Applied cancer research is heavily focused on the development of diagnostic tools with high sensitivity and specificity that are able to accurately detect the presence and anatomical location of neoplastic cells, as well as therapeutic strategies that are effective at curing or controlling the disease while being minimally invasive and having negligible side effects. Recently, much effort has been placed on the development of nanoparticles as diagnostic imaging and therapeutic agents, and several of these nanoplatforms have been successfully adopted in both the research and clinical arenas. This thesis describes the development of a nanoparticulate liposome system for use in a number of applications including multimodality imaging with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR), longitudinal vascular imaging, image-based biodistribution assessment, and CT detection of neoplastic and inflammatory lesions. Extensive in vitro and in vivo characterization was performed to determine the physico-chemical properties of the liposome agent, including its size, morphology, stability and agent loading, as well as its pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, tumor targeting and imaging performance. Emphasis was placed on the in vivo CT-based quantification of liposome accumulation and clearance from healthy and tumor tissues in a VX2 carcinoma rabbit model, gaining insight not only on the spatial but also the temporal biodistribution of the agent. The thesis concludes with a report that describes the performance of liposomes and CT imaging to detect and localize tumor and inflammatory lesions as compared to that of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) – positron emission tomography (PET). The outcome of the study suggests that liposome-CT could be employed as a competitive method for whole body image-based disease detection and localization. Overall, this work demonstrated that this liposome agent along with quantitative imaging systems and analysis tools, has the potential to positively impact cancer treatment outcome through improved diagnosis and staging, as well as enable personalization of treatment delivery via target delineation. However, in order to prove clinical benefit, steps must be taken to advance this agent through the regulatory stages and obtain approval for its use in humans. Ultimately, the clinical adoption of this multifunctional agent may offer improvements for disease detection, spatial delineation and therapy guidance.

Applied cancer research is heavily focused on the development of diagnostic tools with high sensitivity and specificity that are able to accurately detect the presence and anatomical location of neoplastic cells, as well as therapeutic strategies that are effective at curing or controlling the disease while being minimally invasive and having negligible side effects. Recently, much effort has been placed on the development of nanoparticles as diagnostic imaging and therapeutic agents, and several of these nanoplatforms have been successfully adopted in both the research and clinical arenas. This thesis describes the development of a nanoparticulate liposome system for use in a number of applications including multimodality imaging with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR), longitudinal vascular imaging, image-based biodistribution assessment, and CT detection of neoplastic and inflammatory lesions. Extensive in vitro and in vivo characterization was performed to determine the physico-chemical properties of the liposome agent, including its size, morphology, stability and agent loading, as well as its pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, tumor targeting and imaging performance. Emphasis was placed on the in vivo CT-based quantification of liposome accumulation and clearance from healthy and tumor tissues in a VX2 carcinoma rabbit model, gaining insight not only on the spatial but also the temporal biodistribution of the agent. The thesis concludes with a report that describes the performance of liposomes and CT imaging to detect and localize tumor and inflammatory lesions as compared to that of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) – positron emission tomography (PET). The outcome of the study suggests that liposome-CT could be employed as a competitive method for whole body image-based disease detection and localization. Overall, this work demonstrated that this liposome agent along with quantitative imaging systems and analysis tools, has the potential to positively impact cancer treatment outcome through improved diagnosis and staging, as well as enable personalization of treatment delivery via target delineation. However, in order to prove clinical benefit, steps must be taken to advance this agent through the regulatory stages and obtain approval for its use in humans. Ultimately, the clinical adoption of this multifunctional agent may offer improvements for disease detection, spatial delineation and therapy guidance.

Intervertebral disc herniations have been indicated as a possible injury development pathway due to occupational vibration exposures in seated postures through epidemiological investigations. Little experimental evidence exists to corroborate the strong epidemiological link between intervertebral disc herniations and vibration exposures using basic scientific approaches. The purpose of the current investigation was to provide some basic experimental evidence of the epidemiological link between intervertebral herniation and exposure to vibration. Partial intervertebral disc herniations were created in in-vitro porcine functional spinal units using a herniation protocol of repetitive flexion/extension motions under modest compressive forces. After herniation initiation, functional spinal units were exposed to 8 different vibration and postural constraint loading protocols consisting of two postural conditions (full flexion and neutral) and 4 vibration loading conditions (whole-body vibration, shock loading, static compressive loads, and whole-body vibration in addition to shock loading) to assess the effects of vibration and posture on functional spinal unit damage progression. There were three main outcome variables used to quantify damage progression; average stiffness changes, herniation distance progression (distance of tracking changes), and specimen height changes, while cumulative loading factors were considered. Additionally the concordance between two types of contrast enhanced medical imaging (Computed Tomography and discograms) was qualified to a dissection ‘gold standard’, and an attempt was made to classify disc damage progression via three categorical variables. Concordance to a dissection ‘gold standard’ was higher for the Computed Tomography medical imaging type that for the Discograms. The categorical criteria used to qualify disc damage progression were insufficiently sensitive to detect damage progressions illustrated through dissection and medical imaging techniques. The partial herniation loading protocol was quantified to be more damaging overall to the functional spinal units compared to the vibration and postural constraint loading protocols. However, the vibration and postural constraint loading protocols provided sufficient mechanical insult to the functional spinal units to progress damage to the intervertebral discs. Vibration loading exposures were found to alter specimen height changes and distance of tracking changes, however posture had no significant effects on these variables. Neither posture nor vibration loading had any meaningful significant effects on average stiffness changes.