The IBB can be suggested as a valid clinical procedure since the clinical session was faster and the total time spent for laboratorial positioning of the brackets and clinical procedure was similar to that of DBB. In addition, both approaches resulted in similar frequency of loose brackets.

Objective: To investigate the effects of the standard (Class II) Balters bionator in growing patients with Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrusion by using morphometrics (thin-plate spline [TPS] analysis). Materials and Methods: Thirty-one Class II patients (17 male and 14 female) were treated with the Balters bionator (bionator group). Mean age at the start of treatment (T0) was 10.3 years, while it was 13 years at the end of treatment (T1). Mean treatment time was 2 years and 2 months. The control group consisted of 22 subjects (14 male and 8 female) with untreated Class II malocclusion. Mean age at T0 was 10.2 years, while it was 12.2 years at T1. The observation period lasted 2 years on average. TPS analysis evaluated statistical (permutation tests) differences in the craniofacial shape and size between the bionator and control groups. Results: Through TPS analysis (deformation grids) the bionator group showed significant shape changes in the mandible that could be described as a mandibular forward and downward displacement. The control group showed no statistically significant differences in the correction of Class II malocclusion. Conclusions: Bionator appliance is able to induce significant mandibular shape changes that lead to the correction of Class II dentoskeletal disharmony. (Angle Orthod. 2013;83:455-459.)

Objective: To critically examine the existing Brazilian and International scientific literature regarding the influence of short lingual frenulum over growth and development of the stomatognathic system, as well as how it impacts the achievement of the shape-function balance.Data sources: An electronic literature search was conducted in databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, LILACS, SciELO, and ScienceDirect, using the key words “lingual frenum” and “development”, as well as their equivalents in Brazilian Portuguese. The literature search yielded 51 papers published between January 1997 and the present date; 14 articles of clinical trials were selected for meeting the inclusion criteria and were read in full.Data synthesis: The integrated literature review supported the proposition that some malocclusions are closely related to the presence of ankyloglossia and, although very few clinical trials on this topic have been published so far, there is a consensus among authors concerning the negative effects of functional imbalances over the stomatognathic system’s proper growth and development. Half of the studies found state that surgical interventions for releasing the lingual frenum are both safe and effective, concerning improvement in breastfeeding scores. Moreover, 4 out of the 14 studies included in this integrated review, report a negative influence of ankyloglossia over the orofacial muscular system.Conclusions: There is a consensus among the authors concerning the negative effects of lingual frenulum’s anatomic and functional alterations over craniofacial growth and development. The opinion about the early surgical intervention, however, is not unanimous.

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Objective: To propose a semi-automated method for pattern classification to predict individuals' stage of growth based on morphologic characteristics that are described in the modified cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method of Baccetti et al. Materials and Methods: A total of 188 lateral cephalograms were collected, digitized, evaluated manually, and grouped into cervical stages by two expert examiners. Landmarks were located on each image and measured. Three pattern classifiers based on the Naïve Bayes algorithm were built and assessed using a software program. The classifier with the greatest accuracy according to the weighted kappa test was considered best. Results: The classifier showed a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.861 6 0.020. If an adjacent estimated pre-stage or poststage value was taken to be acceptable, the classifier would show a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.992 6 0.019. Conclusion: Results from this study show that the proposed semi-automated pattern classification method can help orthodontists identify the stage of CVM. However, additional studies are needed before this semi-automated classification method for CVM assessment can be implemented in clinical practice. (Angle Orthod. 2012;82:658-662.)

Future mobile communication systems will require new medium access control protocols to attain an efficient multiplexing of different traffic sources while guaranteeing their requirements on quality of service. This paper investigates the performance of a modified packet reservation multiple access (PRMA) protocol, called PRMA with hindering states (PRMA-HS), for supporting voice and data transmissions in mobile cellular systems with high propagation delays. A scenario based on low earth orbit mobile satellite systems (LEO-MSSs) has been considered, but the analytical approach is general. We have obtained that PRMA-HS achieves a high capacity of voice sources in LEO-MSSs also in the presence of data traffic. A performance analysis has been carried out showing good agreement with simulation results. Finally, the PRMA-HS performance has been evaluated in the presence of different data traffic sources

Obstructive hypertrophy of the tonsils and/or adenoids is associated with mouth breathing and can lead to facial imbalances. Adenotonsillectomy is not enough to treat the anatomic changes. Facial orthopedic techniques aid in morphological and functional recovery. This prospective longitudinal clinical study aimed to observe craniofacial changes after adenotonsillectomy and to verify the importance of linking rapid maxillary expansion to treatment. Method Fifty-three children of both genders, aged 6 to 12 years, were allocated to: Group 1, 20 children with nasal breathing; and group 2, 33 children with obstructive hypertrophy of pharyngeal and/or palate undergoing adenotonsillectomy. After surgery, this group was subdivided into Group 2A, 16 patients not treated with rapid maxillary expansion; and Group 2B, 17 patients treated with maxillary rapid expansion. Frontal and lateral cephalometric measurements were made prior to surgery and after 14 months. Statistical analysis used the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests – significance level of 5%. Results Adenotonsillectomy balanced transversal, sagittal and vertical growth in both groups, and was more effective in the group undergoing combined treatment. Conclusions Adenotonsillectomy improved the facial growth of children with obstructive hypertrophy, which was more evident when associated with rapid maxillary expansion.

Kidney transplantation is considered to be the best treatment for people with chronic kidney failure, because it improves the patients' quality of life and increases their length of survival compared with patients undergoing dialysis. The kidney transplantation process in Brazil is defined through laws, decrees, ordinances, and resolutions, but there is no visual representation of this process. The aim of this study was to analyze official documents to construct a representation of the kidney transplantation process in Brazil with the use of business process modeling notation (BPMN). The methodology for this study was based on an exploratory observational study, document analysis, and construction of process diagrams with the use of BPMN. Two rounds of validations by specialists were conducted. The result includes the kidney transplantation process in Brazil representation with the use of BPMN. We analyzed 2 digital documents that resulted in 2 processes with 45 total of activities and events, 6 organizations involved, and 6 different stages of the process. The constructed representation makes it easier to understand the rules for the business of kidney transplantation and can be used by the health care professionals involved in the various activities within this process. Construction of a representation with language appropriate for the Brazilian lay public is underway.