Universidade de Pernambuco

About: Universidade de Pernambuco is a education organization based out in Recife, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Artificial neural network. The organization has 6147 authors who have published 6948 publications receiving 73648 citations.

Impact of tooth loss on the quality of life.

Abstract: doi: 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2011.00535.x Impact of tooth loss on the quality of life of elderly people Introduction: There is scientific evidence that shows health contributes to the quality of life. These measurements have not been well guided towards the free response of oral health in people’s lives. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of tooth loss on the quality of life of elderly people. Material and methods: Qualitative investigation with descriptive features – which used a random sample out of the total edentulous elderly people, who lived in an institution in Fortaleza, Brazil – was carried out. From 250 residents screened, 72 completely edentulous elderly, with ages from 60 to 79 years were selected. A semi-structured questionnaire was used with closed and opened questions in which the last one was used for the free flow of the interviewee’s responses. The content was analysed and codified according to Bardin. Results: In total, 84.7% had attended the dentist to have exodontia. Of them, 81.9% reported difficulties after losing their teeth. Physical dimensions, characterised by the difficulties in eating and social dimensions, because of interference in communication with other people were obtained. Conclusion: Tooth loss causes disorder in the individual’s quality of life, mainly when it affects their well-being and appearance.

Coagulant and antibacterial activities of the water‐soluble seed lectin from Moringa oleifera

Abstract: Aims: The aim of this work was to analyse the coagulant and antibacterial activities of lectin isolated from Moringa oleifera seeds that are used for water treatment. Methods and Results: The water-soluble M. oleifera lectin (WSMoL) was separated from nonhemagglutinating components (NHC) by chitin chromatography. WSMoL fluorescence spectrum was not altered in the presence of ions that are often present in high concentrations in polluted waters. Seed extract, NHC and WSMoL showed coagulant activity on a turbid water model. Both NHC and WSMoL reduced the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, but only WSMoL caused a reduction in Escherichia coli. WSMoL was also more effective in reducing the growth of ambient lake water bacteria. Conclusions: Data obtained from this study indicate that WSMoL is a potential natural biocoagulant for water, reducing turbidity, suspended solids and bacteria. Significance and Impact of the Study: Moringa oleifera seeds are a material effective in the treatment of water.

The influence of cryotherapy on reduction of swelling, pain and trismus after third-molar extraction: A preliminary study

Abstract: Background Swelling, pain and trismus are undesirable consequences of impacted mandibular third molar extraction. The authors conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of cryotherapy, the therapeutic use of cold, in reducing undesirable consequences after surgery. Methods Fourteen patients aged 20 to 28 years comprised the sample. The authors extracted two impacted mandibular third molars at different times from each patient. Immediately after surgery, the patient underwent cryotherapy on one side for 30 minutes every one and one-half hours for 48 hours when he or she was awake. The patient did not receive cryotherapy on the other side. The authors performed clinical examinations to measure trismus and swelling before surgery, immediately after surgery and 24 and 48 hours after surgery. Results The authors compared both sides for differences in swelling, pain and trismus in each patient. The results showed significant statistical differences in two of the five points that were used to measure the swelling (Wilcoxon nonparametric signed rank test of linear distances between the angle of the mandible to the pogonion and to the tragus). They found statistical differences between the two sides in relation to the pain; however, they found no significant differences in relation to trismus. Conclusions Cryotherapy was effective in reducing swelling and pain in this sample. Despite playing no role in the reduction of trismus, cryotherapy was effective in reducing swelling and pain in this sample, and the authors still recommend it be used. Clinical Implications Cryotherapy is helpful after third-molar extraction. Further studies need to be conducted that use larger samples of patients and other types of therapy, such as low-level laser therapy.

Finite-state Markov modeling of correlated Rician-fading channels

Abstract: Stochastic properties of the binary channel that describe the successes and failures of the transmission of a modulated signal over a time-correlated flat-fading channel are considered for investigation. This analysis is employed to develop Kth-order Markov models for such a burst channel. The order of the Markov model that generates accurate analytical models is estimated for a broad range of fading environments. The parameterization and accuracy of an important class of hidden Markov models, known as the Gilbert-Elliott channel (GEC), are also investigated. Fading rates are identified in which the Kth-order Markov model and the GEC model approximate the fading channel with similar accuracy. The latter model is useful for approximating slowly fading processes, since it provides a more compact parameterization.