Due to the lack of valid and accessible tests to measure the body fat percentage (BF%) of adolescent taekwondo athletes (TKDA), this study aimed to analyze six anthropometric equations in the prediction of BF% with the Dual-Energy-x-Ray (DEXA) as referential method for five TKDA (12.23 years ± 1.60). The BF% estimated by the equations were compared with DEXA values using the t-student , linear regression and Bland & Altman (B&A) tests. Only the equation of Slaughter et al. (1988) was adequated by the sample size calculation, and although it subestimated the BF% (in 4.85% ± 0.98), it showed a high correlation (R = 0.935; R² = 0.874 EPE = 1.01) and low amplitude in the limits of agreement at 95% (3.84%) by B&A in comparison to DEXA. However, this equation is adequated to predict the BF% in TKDA, if it's corrected by the adjustement equation [%G (DEXA) = 1,64 + 1,24•%G (Eq 4)] generated by linear regression.

The objective of this study was to assess bone density measurements for analysis of repairing fractures in rats using direct digital radiography under Dexamethasone effects. Thirty (30) young adult male Wistar rats were used, with an average weight of 200g, which were submitted to general anesthetics by ethyl ether. One rib of each animal was fractured by surgical technique. The rats were divided into 2 groups, named Control group - intraperitoneal administration of saline solution 1 hour prior to operation, and Group 1: intraperitoneal administration of Dexamethasone 0.1mg/Kg of weight 1 hour prior to operation, and two postoperative doses every 12 hours. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14 days. The parts containing the hemi-thorax with the fractured rib were removed and submitted to direct digital radiography, where the linear density of the two extremities of the fracture were analyzed by the Digora System. The results showed that in the control group and in Group 1 there was a gradual and significant increase in linear density. The method used made it feasible to supply data that were statistically significant in assessing the gain in bone density during the period of time analyzed. In conclusion, direct digital radiograph is useful for bone density analysis for fracture repairing. The dose of Dexamethasone was not sufficient to alter the gain in bone density at the extremities of fracture.

The radiopacity of esthetic restorative materials has been established as an important requirement, improving the radiographic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of six restorative materials using a direct digital image system, comparing them to the dental tissues (enamel-dentin), expressed as equivalent thickness of aluminum (millimeters of aluminum). Five specimens of each material were made. Three 2-mm thick longitudinal sections were cut from an intact extracted permanent molar tooth (including enamel and dentin). An aluminum step wedge with 9 steps was used. The samples of different materials were placed on a phosphor plate together with a tooth section, aluminum step wedge and metal code letter, and were exposed using a dental x-ray unit. Five measurements of radiographic density were obtained from each image of each item assessed (restorative material, enamel, dentin, each step of the aluminum step wedge) and the mean of these values was calculated. Radiopacity values were subsequently calculated as equivalents of aluminum thickness. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant differences in radiopacity values among the materials (P

The prevalence andmorbidity associated with osteoporosis and fractures in patients with spina bifida (SB) highlight the importance of osteoporosis prevention and treatment in early childhood; however, the issue has received little attention. The method for the selection of appropriate patients for drug treatment has not been clarified. Objective: To review the literature concerning fracture risks and low bone density in paediatric patients with SB. We looked for studies describing state-of-the-art treatments and for prevention of secondary osteoporosis. Methods: Articles were identified through a search in the electronic database (PUBMED) supplemented with reviews of the reference lists of selected papers. The main outcome measures were incidence of fractures and risk factors for fracture, an association between bone mineral density (BMD) and occurrence of fracture, risk factors of low BMD, and effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments on BMD and on the incidence of fractures. We considered as a secondary outcome the occurrence of fractures in relation to the mechanism of injury. Results: Results indicated that patients with SB are at increased risk for fractures and low BMD. Risk factors that may predispose patients to fractures include higher levels of neurological involvement, non-ambulatory status, physical inactivity, hypercalciuria, higher body fat levels, contractures, and a previous spontaneous fracture. Limitations were observed in the number and quality of studies concerning osteoporosis prevention and treatment in paediatric patients with SB. The safety and efficiency of drugs to treat osteoporosis in adults have not been evaluated satisfactorily in children with SB.

Clinicians need tools to identify patients most likely to benefit from bone mineral density (BMD) testing, for which cost-effectiveness does not allow generalized screening. This study supports the utility of osteoporosis risk assessment tools in selecting men for BMD testing. Different cutoff values may be appropriate for different countries and/or ethnic origins. INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to evaluate the utility of three osteoporosis (OP) risk assessment tools in a large group of Portuguese men aged 50 or more and to determine the best cutoff value to be used for selecting men for bone densitometry. METHODS: We assessed the performance of three simple tools in 202 randomly selected men: body weight criterion (BWC), osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA), and a modified version of the OSTA equation (OST). Previously published cutoff values (validated in postmenopausal women) and three additional cutoff values were tested. Sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), predictive values, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve for correctly selecting men with OP (defined by BMD testing) were determined. RESULTS: Mean age of the cohort was 63.8 years. According to the World Health Organization diagnostic categories, 16.8% had osteoporosis. The best performing cutoffs for correctly selecting men with OP for BMD testing were OST < 3 (SE = 75.5%, SP = 50.0%, AUROC = 0.632), OSTA < 3 (SE = 73.5%, SP = 58.3%, AUROC = 0.659), and BWC < 75 kg (SE = 73.5%, SP = 61.3%, AUROC = 0.674). CONCLUSIONS: OP risk assessment tools seem to be useful in men aged 50 or more. Best cutoff values are different from those recommended for postmenopausal women. Different cutoff values may be appropriate for different countries and/or ethnic origins.

O objectivo deste trabalho é avaliar diferentes factores de risco associado ao risco de fracturas ósseas, num universo de 200 pacientes em pré ou pós-menopausa da zona Norte de Portugal. O risco de fractura, por fragilidade óssea, em diferentes pacientes com patologias, está associado ao grau de diminuição de massa óssea do indivíduo. Esse valor determina-se através da densidade mineral óssea (DMO). De entre as diversas técnicas disponíveis para a determinação da DMO, a Absorciometria de raios-X de dupla energia (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry - DEXA) é uma das mais frequentemente utilizadas. Determinadas patologias, nomeadamente a osteoporose e as fracturas associadas, são um grave problema de saúde pública. Pretende-se obter estimativas do risco, associado a fracturas ósseas em função de alguma patologia, que se possa generalizar ou não para qualquer paciente, com base em determinados factores (idade, género, estilo de vida, patologia associada, terapêutica ou não, etc…), em função de dados clínicos de 200 pacientes na zona Norte de Portugal, obtidos na clínica Dr. Krug de Noronha. Será efectuado um questionário estruturado, de natureza social, clínica, antropométrica e comportamental, simultaneamente com o exame DMO/DEXA. Com base nos dados obtidos e com o recurso a tomografias computorizadas, pretende-se avaliar o risco de fractura óssea nas pacientes em estudo. A prevalência global da osteoporose na população feminina é elevada. As mulheres pósmenopáusicas são as principais vítimas da osteoporose, uma doença silenciosa que enfraquece os ossos e aumenta o risco de fracturas. Incrementar a informação acerca desta patologia, através da obtenção e análise de novos dados, possibilitará a identificação de factores de risco e traduzir-se-á num benefício na saúde humana. The main objective of this work is to evaluate different risk factors associated with bone fracture in 200 pre and postmenopausal patients from the North of Portugal. The fracture risk, by bone fragility, in patients with different pathologies, is associated with the degree of bone mass decrease. This value is determined by bone mineral density (BMD). Among the available techniques for BMD determination, the Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry - DEXA is one of the most frequently used. Certain diseases, especially osteoporosis and associated fractures are a serious public health problem. The aim of this project is to obtain estimates of the risk associated with bone fractures, according some diseases, which can be generalized to any patient or not, based on certain factors (age, gender, lifestyle, associated pathology, therapy or not, etc. ...) function of clinical data from 200 patients in North of Portugal, obtain in the medical clinical Dr. Krug Noronha. A structured questionnaire, social, clinical, anthropometric and behavioural, simultaneously with the BMD/DEXA exam will be produced. Based on the data, and with the use of computed tomography it is intends to assess the bone fracture risk in patients of this study. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis in the female population is high. Postmenopausal women are the main victims of osteoporosis, a silent disease that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. Increase information about this disease, by finding and analysing new data will allow the identification of risk factors and will be a human health benefit.

Introduction: With the evolution of medical and dental specialties, such as maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics, there has been a growing need to study bone density, which assessment may condition and/or improve treatment plans and surgical techniques employed in particular pathologies. Bone mineral density (BMD) knowledge is very important in several areas of Dentistry. The state-of-the-art technique for measuring BMD, in vivo, is the DEXA technique, which combines two X-ray beams with distinct peak energy making possible to compute the mineral density of bone. DEXA has become widely disseminated, however, it is rarely used in Dentistry. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), on the other hand is vastly used as a diagnostic technique and it has the capacity estimate BMD. Nevertheless, CBCT images are not usually employed to assess BMD.Objectives: The aim of work is to explore the possibility of establishing a correlation between DEXA and CT through a systematic review with a meta-analysis.Materials and Methods: Firstly, a systematic literature search was conducted in the databases: Medline, Cochrane and LILACS. The following keywords: densitometry, absorptiometry, DEXA and computed tomography, combined with Boolean operators "AND" and “OR” were utilized accordingly to the inclusion and exclusion criteria that were defined along with the PICO question. Apart from this study, a phantom was constructed in order to obtain a calibration curve between density values and CT values.Results: The systematic review with meta-analysis showed a strong correlation between DEXA and CT values (mean coefficient of correlation is 0.77 CI95%[0.70; 0.84]).Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between DEXA and CT values, so that opportunist osteoporosis screening with a CT routine scan is an excellent opportunity to identify individuals with a high risk of fracture, reducing morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporosis.

Com este trabalho pretende-se obter estimativas do risco, associado a fracturas do tecido ósseo, função de alguma patologia, que se possa generalizar ou não para qualquer paciente, com base em determinados factores, nomeadamente, idade, estilo de vida, terapêutica associada, em função de dados clínicos obtidos em pacientes do género feminino na zona Litoral Norte de Portugal. No último triénio de 2010 foram avaliadas 125 pacientes na clínica Dr. Krug de Noronha, Radiologia/Imagem, com idades compreendidas entre os 30 e 85 anos para esse efeito. Foram obtidos e avaliados os exames densitométricos em relação à frequência de osteoporose ou osteopenia do colo do fémur e da coluna lombar destas pacientes. Simultaneamente foi elaborado um inquérito às pacientes com informações adicionais, dados pessoais, antropométricos, ginecológicos, considerando ainda a tipologia de factores de risco associados à osteoporose. Com base na amostra obtida serão apresentados diferentes gráficos por faixa etária para uma avaliação e discussão detalhada de cada factor de risco prevalente.