Comorbidities between temporomandibular disorders and somatization in young adults: exploring links with personality, emotional, and sleep disturbances.

OBJECTIVE: The comorbidities between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and somatization and their associations with personality traits, emotional disorders, and sleep disturbances were investigated. STUDY DESIGN: Adults aged 18 to 24 years completed an electronic survey encompassing TMD symptoms (5Ts), Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Big Five Personality Inventory-10, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were assessed using non-parametric tests/correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The sample comprised 365 participants, of whom 22.2% and 19.5% were 5Ts-negative without and with somatization, respectively, and 18.1% and 40.3% were 5Ts-positive without and with somatization, respectively. Significant differences in neuroticism, distress, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality were observed between 5Ts-negative participants with somatization and 5Ts-positive participants with somatization compared with 5Ts-negative participants without somatization and 5Ts-positive participants without somatization. Distress, anxiety, stress, and sleep were moderately correlated with somatic but not TMD symptoms (rs = 0.45-0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of whether they had TMDs, participants with somatization exhibited heightened levels of neuroticism and emotional and sleep disturbances.

Psychological characteristics of young adults with temporomandibular disorders, somatization and combined conditions: A multidimensional evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders and somatization have shown interrelation in many studies. The physical and psychological factors which contributed to the occurrence and relation of both conditions are yet to be determined. OBJECTIVES: The personality traits, coping styles and psychological distress of young adults with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and somatic symptoms were characterized together with the determination of psychological risk factors for TMDs, somatization and combined conditions. METHODS: Participants were recruited from university-attending young adults. TMD and somatic symptoms were appraised with the short-form Fonseca Anamnestic Index and Patient Health Questionnaire-15. Psychological variables were assessed with the Big Five Personality Inventory-10, Brief-COPE Inventory and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21. Data were evaluated using chi-squared/non-parametric tests and logistic regression analyses (α = .05). RESULTS: Among the 507 participants (mean age 22.2 ± 1.5 years), 46.4% reported no TMD/somatic symptoms (NS) while 7.5%, 34.5% and 11.6% had TMDs only (TS), somatization only (SS) and combined TMDs-somatization (CS), respectively. Significant differences in conscientiousness (NS > SS), agreeableness (NS, TS > CS; NS > SS), dysfunctional coping, general distress, depression, anxiety and stress (CS ≥ SS > NS) were discerned. Multivariate analyses indicated that the odds of TS were increased by anxiety (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.01-1.21), while the odds of SS/CS were affected by anxiety (OR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.06-1.25/OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 0.19-1.52) and problem-focused coping (OR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.56-0.89/OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.39-0.78). CONCLUSION: Though individuals with TMDs and somatization have dissimilar psychological profiles, anxiety constantly increased their likelihood. Problem-focused coping strategies may help alleviate psychosocial and physical stressors associated with TMDs and somatization.

Oral behaviors in young adults: a multidimensional evaluation of the influence of personality, coping, and distress.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the relationship of oral parafunction to the psychological variables of personality, coping, and distress. Correlates of sleeping/waking-state oral activities with the different psychological factors were also examined, along with psychological predictors for high parafunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Young adults from a large private university were enrolled. The frequency of oral behaviors was appraised with the oral behavior checklist (OBC), and participants were stratified into low and high parafunction (LP/HP) groups following the DC/TMD. Personality traits, coping styles, and psychological distress were assessed with the Big Five Personality Inventory-10 (BFI-10), brief-COPE Inventory (BCI), and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) correspondingly. Statistical evaluations were performed using the chi-square/Mann-Whitney U tests, Spearman's correlation, and logistic regression analyses (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Among the 507 participants (mean age 22.2 ± 1.5 years), 84.6% and 15.4% had low and high parafunction respectively. While personality profiles did not vary substantially, the HP group exhibited significantly greater emotion-focused/dysfunctional coping, general distress, depression, anxiety, and stress scores than the LP group. Associations between OBC and the various psychological variables were weak when significant or insignificant. Neuroticism and dysfunctional coping were moderately correlated to general distress, depression, anxiety, and stress (rs = 0.44-0.60/0.45-0.51). Multivariate analyses indicated that high parafunction was predicted by dysfunctional coping style (OR = 2.55) and anxiety (OR = 1.33). CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunctional coping was the main risk factor for high parafunction, increasing its odds by about 2.5 times. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral parafunction appears to be a dysfunctional coping response to psychological distress.

Piper betle (L): Recent Review of Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties, Safety Profiles, and Commercial Applications.

Piper betle (L) is a popular medicinal plant in Asia. Plant leaves have been used as a traditional medicine to treat various health conditions. It is highly abundant and inexpensive, therefore promoting further research and industrialization development, including in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Articles published from 2010 to 2020 were reviewed in detail to show recent updates on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of betel leaves. This current review showed that betel leaves extract, essential oil, preparations, and isolates could inhibit microbial growth and kill various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as fungal species, including those that are multidrug-resistant and cause serious infectious diseases. P. betle leaves displayed high efficiency on Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The ratio of MBC/MIC indicated bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects of P. betle leaves, while MFC/MIC values showed fungicidal and fungistatic effects. This review also provides a list of phytochemical compounds in betel leaves extracts and essential oils, safety profiles, and value-added products of betel leaves. Some studies also showed that the combination of betel leaves extract and essential oil with antibiotics (streptomycin, chloramphenicol and gentamicin) could provide potentiating antibacterial properties. Moreover, this review delivers a scientific resume for researchers in respected areas and manufacturers who want to develop betel leaves-based products.

The Influence of Gayatri Mantra and Emotional Freedom Technique on Quality of Life of Post-Stroke Patients.

PURPOSE: The quality of life in stroke patients is vital for survival. Nowadays, studies that show a decrease in quality of life in post-stroke patients are increasing. Various non-pharmacological modalities were explored in the past to improve rehabilitation. However, the study about the effects of religious mantra and its combination with the modern technique was lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the effects of Gayatri Mantra and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on quality of life (QOL) of post-stroke patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental with pretest and posttest with the control group design was conducted. Forty-six post-stroke subjects with reduced quality of life based on Stroke Specific Quality of Life were consecutively recruited and divided into controls and intervention groups. The intervention group received additional treatment with Gayatri Mantra and EFT. In contrast, the control group attends and adheres only to the standard hospital rehabilitation program. RESULTS: All indicators and the overall score of QOL in the intervention group showed significant improvement after treatment (p<0.05) compared with no improvement in the control group. Overall, a higher QOL score was observed in the intervention group at the end of the study. Mann-Whitney test shows significant differences between the final QOL score in intervention and control groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Gayatri Mantra and EFT are significantly increasing the quality of life of post-stroke patients.

Cerebellar Cryptococcal Abscess in HIV-Negative Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus is a common cause of opportunistic infection in HIV-positive patients. While the incidence of this disease has decreased in AIDS-associated cases, cryptococcal infection in immune-competent person has been increased. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of cryptococcosis and literature review of pathogenesis and clinical aspects of cryptococcal central nervous system infection. A 64-year-old man, from Flores, complaining of severe headache since a few days before admitted to hospital. Head MRI showed multiple hypointense lesions in the left cerebellar hemisphere, suspected abscess or metastatic process. HIV testing was non-reactive. Surgery was performed, and microscopic evaluation revealed multiple abscesses containing PAS-positive budding yeasts consistent with cryptococcal abscesses. CONCLUSION: Cryptococcosis rarely occur in immunocompetent patients. The clinical manifestation depends on pathogenic factors of pathogen and host factor. Treatment is with the administration of antifungal drugs, and the prognosis mostly depends on the underlying disease.

La acción docente en la protección sociocomunitaria de los juegos populares de Buleleng-Bali / Teacher beliefs in the diffusion of traditional Buleleng-Bali games / Crenças dos professores na difusão de jogos tradicionais de Buleleng-Bali

Resumen Este estudio analiza la percepción del profesorado para salvaguardar los juegos y deportes tradicionales en Bali. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo, a través de grupos de discusión y entrevistas, con la participación de treinta y dos docentes. Los resultados indican que el profesorado es el principal recolector y protector de los juegos. Los modifica y adapta funcional y estructuralmente, para que adquieran rango educativo y los considera como parte esencial de la identidad balinesa, por lo que considera que se debería de profundizar en la enseñanza de la lógica externa del juego. También se percibe la carencia de regulación de estos en el currículo oficial, la falta de promoción a nivel regional y nacional, así como la necesidad de incluirlos en los programas universitarios, documentarlos e inventariarlos.

Abstract This study analyzes teachers' perceptions to safeguard traditional games and sports in Bali. A qualitative study was carried out through discussion groups and interviews with the participation of thirty-two teachers. The results indicate that teachers are the main collector and protector of games. Teachers modify and adapt them functionally and structurally, so that they acquire educational rank and considers them as an essential part of the Balinese identity, reason why considers that one should deepen in the teaching of the external logic of the game. Also, it is perceived the lack of regulation of these in the official curriculum, the lack of promotion at regional and national level, as well as the need to include them in university programs, document and inventory them.

Resumo Este estudo analisa as perceções dos professores para salvaguardar os jogos e os desportos tradicionais em Bali. Foi feito um estudo qualitativo, por meio de grupos de discussão e entrevistas, com a participação de 32 professores. Os resultados indicam que os professores são o principal colecionador e protetor de jogos. Modificam e adaptam os jogos de forma funcional e estrutural, para que adquiram uma classificação educacional e os considerem uma parte essencial da identidade balinesa, por isso consideram que se deve aprofundar o ensino da lógica externa do jogo. Também se percebe a falta de regulação desses no currículo oficial, a falta de promoção em nível regional e nacional, bem como a necessidade de incluí-los em programas universitários, documentá-los e inventariá-los.