Publications by authors named "Rodrigo Amaral"

 To evaluate the correlation between a radiographic scale of lumbar degenerative disease and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).  A cross-sectional study in which the ODI quality of life questionnaire and the radiographic parameters for the classification of lumbar degenerative disease into different grades were compared to try to establish a relationship between them.  The relationship between the radiographic parameters and quality of life indicators does not behave homogeneously, considering the different grades of the lumbar grading scale.

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Daily, primates take a variety of decisions to establish why, when, and where to move. However, little is known about the factors influencing and shaping primate daily routes. We investigated the decision-making processes linked to route planning in four groups of black lion tamarins (BLT-Leontopithecus chrysopygus).

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Given the cryptic and elusive nature of prey consumption, quantifying its contribution to the diet of free-ranging primates using behavioral methods is challenging. In this context, the use of carbon and nitrogen-stable isotopes represents a promising alternative approach. Here, we used stable isotope analysis to estimate the proportion of arthropods and fruits in the diet of black lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysopygus), an endangered primate endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

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External cervical resorption is a condition that leads to the loss of hard dental tissues, including enamel, cementum, and dentin. Although it is an aggressive condition, its causes are not yet fully understood. The treatment of resorptions depends on their extent, location and the material used.

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Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), developed by Dr. Luiz Pimenta in 2006, allows access to the spinal column through the psoas major muscle. The technique has many advantages, such as reduced bone and muscular tissue damage, indirect decompression, larger implants, and lordosis correction capabilities.

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Scoliosis is the most prevalent type of spinal deformity, with a 2-3% prevalence in the general population. Moreover, surgery for scoliotic deformity may result in severe blood loss and, consequently, the need for blood transfusions, thereby increasing surgical morbidity and the rate of complications. Several antifibrinolytic drugs, such as tranexamic acid, have been regarded as safe and effective options for reducing blood loss.

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Introduction: The prone transpsoas technique (PTP) is a modification of the traditional lateral lumbar interbody fusion approach, which was first published in the literature in 2020. The technique provides several advantages, such as lordosis correction and redistribution, single-position surgery framework, and ease of performing posterior techniques when needed. However, the prone position also leads to the movement of some retroperitoneal, vascular, and neurological structures, which could impact the complication profile.

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Objectives: This prospective randomized multicenter clinical trial (PRMCT) investigated postoperative pain after single-visit root canal treatments in teeth affected by pulp necrosis (PN), and asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP) (with apical radiolucent areas) or normal periradicular tissues (without apical radiolucent areas) comparing different instruments' kinematics and apical instrumentation limits.

Methods: Before chemomechanical preparation, 240 patients/teeth were randomly distributed into four groups (n = 60) according to the instruments' kinematics (rotary or reciprocating) and apical instrumentation limits (with or without intentional foraminal enlargement [IFE]). After that, specimens were submitted to the same irrigation and obturation techniques, and the patients were referred to undergo the definitive restorations.

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Introduction: This ex vivo study evaluated the accuracy of the Electronic Apex Locator (EAL) and Automatic Apical Stop (AAS) functions of the E-Connect S+ and Morita Tri Auto ZX2+ cordless apex locators in determining patency length.

Methods: Sixty-four human teeth with a single root were randomly allocated into E-connect or Morita groups (n = 32). The canals were accessed and preflared, after which a size 15 K-file was inserted into the canal to the major foramen and recorded as the actual length (AL).

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Objectives: This study aimed to describe the effects of two single-file systems on the diversity of the endodontic microbiome of teeth with primary asymptomatic apical periodontitis.

Materials And Methods: The root canals from single-rooted teeth with apical periodontitis were prepared using either the Reciproc Blue (RB) or the XP-endo Shaper (XPS) instrument system. The latter was followed by a supplementary step with the XP-endo Finisher (XPF) instrument.

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Background And Objectives: The prone transpsoas (PTP) approach for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a novel technique for degenerative lumbar spine disease. However, there is a paucity of information in the literature on the complications of this procedure, with all published data consisting of small samples. We aimed to report the intraoperative and postoperative complications of PTP in the largest study to date.

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External cervical resorption (ECR) is a type of dental resorption that originates from the loss of the cementum's protective layer. The direct exposure of dentin to the periodontal ligament may lead to the invasion of clastic cells through an entry point on the external root surface into the dentinal tissue, causing resorption. Depending on the extension of ECR, different treatments are proposed.

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Pain generator-based lumbar spinal decompression surgery is the backbone of modern spine care. In contrast to traditional image-based medical necessity criteria for spinal surgery, assessing the severity of neural element encroachment, instability, and deformity, staged management of common painful degenerative lumbar spine conditions is likely to be more durable and cost-effective. Targeting validated pain generators can be accomplished with simplified decompression procedures associated with lower perioperative complications and long-term revision rates.

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Identifying the factors swaying physiological stress levels in wild animals can help depict how they cope with environmental and social stressors, shedding light on their feeding ecology, behavioral plasticity, and adaptability. Here, we used noninvasive methods to explore the link between glucocorticoid levels and behavior in an endangered neotropical primate facing habitat fragmentation pressure, the black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus). We investigated monthly and day-to-day glucocorticoid variations independently to attempt to disentangle the complex nature of the adrenocortical activity.

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Article Synopsis
  • Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is often used to treat degenerative spine conditions when non-surgical options fail, with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) offering benefits like less muscle damage and improved stability but facing some challenges.
  • A study comparing LLIF with a newer technique called prone transpsoas (PTP) involved 71 patients and looked at how each method affects segmental lordosis correction, with significant factors including the surgical technique and patient positioning before surgery.
  • Results indicated that the prone transpsoas technique has a notable advantage in correcting segmental lordosis compared to traditional LLIF, suggesting it may be a better option for patients.
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Introduction: The lateral lumbar interbody fusion arose as a revolutionary approach to treating several spinal pathologies because the techniques were able to promote indirect decompression and lordosis restoration through a minimally invasive approach allowing for reduced blood loss and early recovery for patients. However, it is still not clear how the technique compares to other established approaches for treating spinal degenerative diseases, such as TLIF, PLIF, and PLF.

Material And Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles published in the last 10 years comparing lateral approaches to posterior techniques.

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Objective: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the changes in radiographic spinopelvic parameters in a large cohort of patients undergoing the prone transpsoas approach to the lumbar spine.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was performed for all patients who underwent lateral lumber interbody fusion via the single-position prone transpsoas (PTP) approach. Spinopelvic parameters from preoperative and first upright postoperative radiographs were collected, including lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), and pelvic tilt (PT).

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 The present study aimed to assess whether preoperative spinopelvic parameters can influence the gain of segmental lordosis after one level of lateral lumbar interbody fusion.  The following radiological parameters were measured in the X-rays: pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, L4S1 lordosis, index level segmental lordosis, intraoperative index segmental lordosis, pelvic mismatch (IP-LL), distal lordosis proportion, delta segmental lordosis, Pelvic Titlt (PT) > 20, actual sacral slope, and ideal sacral slope, and the correlation of these variables with the gain of segmental lordosis was investigated. Afterwards, an exploratory cluster analysis was performed to identify common characteristics between patients and segmental lordosis gain.

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A 57-year-old man was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and Stanford type A aortic dissection that had spread to the common iliac arteries. He underwent a Bentall procedure for vascular repair. Immediately after surgery, he developed numbness and severe weakness in his left leg.

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Introduction: With the increase in life expectancy and consequent aging of the population, degenerative lumbar spine diseases tend to increase its number exponentially. Several treatment options are available to treat degenerative spinal diseases, such as laminectomies, posterior fusions, and interbody fusions, depending on their locations, correction necessities, and surgeon philosophy. With the advance in technology and surgical knowledge, minimally invasive techniques (MIS) arose as a solution to reduce surgical morbidity, while maintaining the same benefits as the traditionally/open surgeries.

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Background And Purpose: Anterior lumbar approaches are recommended for clinical conditions that require interbody stability, spinal deformity corrections or a large fusion area. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion in lateral decubitus position (LatALIF) has gained progressive interest in the last years. The study aims to describe the current habit, the perception of safety and the perceptions of need of vascular surgeons according to experienced spine surgeons by comparing LatALIF to the standard L5-S1 supine ALIF (SupALIF).

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Background: Mechanical heart valves (MHV) and its fluid dynamics inside a pulsatile pediatric ventricular assist device (PVAD) can be associated with blood degradation. In this article, flow structures are analyzed and compared by an experimental investigation on the effect of bileaflet MHV positioned at varying angles in the inlet port orifice of a PVAD.

Methods: Time-resolved particle image velocimetry was applied to characterize the internal flow of the device.

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Background: Lateral interbody fusion (LIF) is traditionally performed with the patient in lateral decubitus, requiring repositioning to prone for adjunctive posterior procedures, or modifying traditional posterior techniques to be done while positioned lateral. The benefits of lateral anterior column access may be achievable with the patient prone, allowing for concomitant posterior techniques in a more familiar single-position setting.

Methods: Prone transpsoas (PTP) access was outlined and vetted by a group of LIF-experienced spine surgeons.

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Introduction: Advanced DNA sequencing technology allows more detailed analysis and description of the endodontic microbiome. This study used the MiSeq high-throughput sequencing platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA) to describe the endodontic microbiome of teeth with primary asymptomatic apical periodontitis with no sinus tract.

Methods: Root canal samples from 25 patients were prepared for DNA sequencing analysis.

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