Cereal flours with Bacillus coagulans and beta-glucan: Technological properties and sensory acceptability.

This study aimed to develop three formulations of cereal flours: control cereal flour (CCF), probiotic cereal flour (PCF), and symbiotic cereal flour (SCF), and porridges from the flours were manufactured as a functional food. No significant differences were observed in the microbiological quality and the color of the flours for 150 days. The technological and functional potential of the flours were variously improved with the addition of Bacillus coagulans as a probiotic and beta-glucan as a prebiotic. The addition of beta-glucan fiber did not change the viability of the probiotic, which was higher than 7.45 log CFU/g for SCF and 7.13 log CFU/g for PCF until the end of the storage period. All porridge samples showed non-Newtonian fluid behavior with pseudoplastic characteristics; and the PCF and SCF porridges differed regarding the parameters of hardness (1.10 to 1.38 N), adhesiveness (5.88 to 8.86 mJ), cohesiveness (0.78 to 0.95) and gumminess (0.93 to 1.52 N) over time. The addition of the beta-glucan prebiotic interfered with these attributes due to its gelling capacity in the presence of water. The PCF obtained the best sensory acceptance scores when compared to the other formulations. The addition of Bacillus coagulans and beta-glucan did not interfere with thermographic behavior. The SCF differed in the observed crystallinity parameters from CCF and PCF, with the presence of larger solids and agglomerates.

Depressive symptoms and their severity in a sample with lymphedema: a case-control investigation.

Objectives: Depression is a condition that can be associated with other illnesses, especially chronic illnesses. Lower limb lymphedema is a chronic, disabling condition that can affect the quality of life and be related to psychological and psychosocial factors that interfere with people's lives. This study aims to characterize and analyze the depressive symptoms and their severity reported by people with lower limb lymphedema and compare them with a matched group without lymphedema. Methods: A case-control study was carried out (n = 80) with participants divided into a case group (40 people with lower limb lymphedema) and a control group (40 people without lower limb lymphedema). Both groups were anthropometrically, sociodemographically, and clinically characterized. In the case group, a characterization of lymphedema was performed. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Results: Individuals with lower limb lymphedema have higher BDI-II scores than the matched group without lymphedema. Somatic depressive symptoms were, in general, the most reported and the ones with the highest scores. The depressive symptoms most reported by the case group were tiredness or fatigue, loss of energy, and changes in sleeping. Tiredness or fatigue, loss of energy, and loss of interest in sex were the most severe depressive symptoms reported by individuals with lower limb lymphedema. Conclusion: Considering the apparent tendency to depression, greater attention should be given to the mental health of people with lower limb lymphedema.

Effect of the quality of orthodontic finishing on the stability of anterior tooth alignment.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the quality of orthodontic finishing influences long-term stability of anterior tooth alignment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 38 patients. Data were obtained at the beginning of treatment (T0), at the end (T1), and at least 5 years after T1 (T2). At this point, the individuals were no longer wearing retainers. Anterior tooth alignment was measured using Little's index (LI). Effect on alignment stability was tested with multiple linear regression using LI-T0, LI-T1, intercanine width difference T1-T0, overbite (T1), overjet (T1), age, gender, time without retention, and presence of third molars as predictor variables. Well-aligned (LI < 1.5 mm) and misaligned (LI > 1.5 mm) cases were compared at T2. RESULTS: At T2, the alignment stability in the upper arch was inversely associated with the alignment quality (R2 = 0.378, P < .001) and directly associated with overbite (R2 = 0.113, P = .008) at T1. Posttreatment changes caused cases finished with poor alignment to become similar to those finished with excellent alignment (P = .917). In the mandible, posttreatment changes were directly associated only with overjet (R2 = 0.152, P = .015) and well-finished cases displayed better alignment than poorly finished cases (P = .011). Other variables showed no significant association. CONCLUSIONS: In arches without retention, better quality of orthodontic finishing does not guarantee the stability of anterior alignment. In the maxilla, long-term changes were more significant the greater the overbite and the better the quality of alignment at end of treatment. In the mandible, changes were not dependent on the quality of finishing but were associated with greater overbite at T2.

The impact of the loss of first permanent molars on the duration of treatment in patients treated with orthodontic space closure and without skeletal anchorage.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the impact of the loss of permanent molars on the duration of orthodontic treatment for space closure and without skeletal anchorage. METHODS: Records at the beginning (T0) and the end (T1) of orthodontic treatment were selected retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: loss of molar (n = 19) and control, without loss (n = 24). The impact of loss on treatment time was assessed using multiple linear regression adjusted for the number of absences, bonding failures, age, sex, PAR index at T0 and T1 at p<0.05. Treatment time was also evaluated by the number of losses and which arches were involved (upper, lower). The systematic and random errors for the PAR index were verified using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Dahlberg formula, respectively. RESULTS: A small random error (1.51) and excellent replicability (ICC = 99.6) were observed. Overall average treatment time was 22.5 months (± 7.95) for the group without loss and 44.7 months (± 17.3) with a loss. Treatment time was longer in cases where there was a higher number of missing molars and when both arches were involved. In addition to the loss (ß = 4.25, p < 0.001), the number of missed appointments (ß = 2.88, p < 0.001) had a significant effect and increased treatment time. Bonding failures, gender, age, and PAR index at T0 and T1 were not significantly associated with treatment time in the multivariate model (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Loss of the first permanent molar has a negative impact on orthodontic treatment time in cases of space closure. The treatment time is longer when there are more tooth losses and arches involved. Treatment time also increases with greater numbers of missed clinical appointments.

Late discolouration of root-treated teeth and subsequent restorative retreatment: three case reports.

Root-filled teeth that receive ceramic veneers may experience subsequent coronal discolouration, which will likely negatively affect the quality of life of patients and their relationship with the clinician. This manuscript describes three cases of this undesirable aesthetic consequence in anterior teeth of young patients and the subsequent restorative reintervention, with satisfactory results. In all three reports, the root canal filling was performed using cements containing bismuth oxide that likely disassociated into reduced metallic crystals when in contact with LED light. The discolouration observed after veneer cementation was most likely caused by the accumulation of these bismuth metallic crystals. These cases highlight the importance of preventing this undesirable complication, which may also result in the potential subsequent further sacrifice of sound coronal dental structure, and the role of recall in aesthetically demanding clinical cases.

Poder, patriarcado e (r)existência: notas sobre uma experiência sensível e crítica entre mulheres na academia / Power, patriarchy and (r)existence: notes on a sensitive and critical experience among women in the academy / Poder, patriarcado y (r)existencia: notas sobre una experiencia sensible y crítica entre las mujeres en la academia

Neste artigo são apresentados processos, materialidades e reflexões que envolvem a criação de uma instalação artística, desenvolvida pelas autoras do trabalho provocadas pelos silenciamentos que marcam corpos plurais. As autoras foram mobilizadas pela intencionalidade do exercício de "colocar corpo" para a ação constante de des(colonizar)patriarcalizar a si mesmas e a vida, e pelo desejo de criar na conexão entre mulheres. A obra foi alicerçada com base em suas histórias e narrativas, por meio da materialidade expressa nos elementos visuais incorporados às peças da instalação, com o objetivo de questionar as violências visíveis e invisíveis advindas de processos hegemônicos de poder e de dominação do patriarcado, do colonialismo e do capitalismo neoliberal. O convite é para a experimentação e a fruição de alguns tensionamentos e expressões que refletem formas possíveis de (r)existência.(AU)

In this article, processes, materialities and reflections involving the creation of an artistic installation are presented, developed by the authors of the work caused by the silencing that mark plural bodies. The authors were mobilized by the intentionality to exercise "giving body" to the constant action of de(colonizing) patriarchalize themselves and life itself, and by the desire to create in the connection among women. The manuscript was based on its stories and narratives, through the materiality expressed in the visual elements incorporated into the installation's pieces, with the objective of questioning the visible and invisible violence arising from hegemonic processes of power and domination of patriarchy, colonialism and neoliberal capitalism. The invitation is to experiment and enjoy some tensions and expressions that reflect possible forms of (r)existence.(AU)

En este artículo son presentados procesos, materialidades y reflexiones que involucran la creación de una instalación artística, desarrollada por las autoras, provocadas por los silenciamientos que marcan cuerpos plurales. Las autoras se movilizaron con la intención del ejercicio de "poner cuerpo" para la acción constante de des(colonizar)patriarcalizar a sí mismos y a la vida, y con deseos de crear desde la conexión entre mujeres. La obra se basó en sus historias y narrativas, a través de la materialidad expresada en los elementos visuales incorporados en las piezas de la instalación, con en lo objetivo de cuestionar las violencias visibles e invisibles resultante de los procesos hegemónicos de poder y dominación del patriarcado, del colonialismo y del capitalismo neoliberal. La invitación es a experimentar y disfrutar de algunas tensiones y expresiones que reflejan posibles formas de (r)existencia.(AU)

Metabolic Evaluation in Patients With Hepatitis C Treated With Direct Antiviral Agents.

Epidemiological data clearly indicate a link between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and altered glucose homeostasis. Objective: To evaluate the response of treatment with direct antiviral agents (DAAs) on metabolic variables of patients with hepatitis C. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study in a sample of patients with hepatitis C starting therapy with DAAs followed on the hepatology division of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State. Data were collected in two stages: before the start of therapy and between 12 and 52 weeks after obtaining the sustained virological response. Results: In the baseline assessment of the 97 patients selected, 19.3% were obese, 38.6% were overweight, 50% were hypertensive, 43.8% were pre-diabetic, 12.5% were diabetic, 31.2% were dyslipidemic, and 21.8% had metabolic syndrome. There was an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels (p < 0.001), and a non-significant reduction in blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin, and HOMA-IR levels after treatment. In the post-treatment, there was a reduction in fibrosis (p = 0.016), with a reduction in the levels of GGT, AST, and ALT (all with p < 0.001), as well as in the FIB4 and APRI scores (both with p < 0.001) and in the degree of fibrosis evaluated by elastography represented in kPa (p = 0.006). The blood glucose level was higher in patients with steatosis (p = 0.039) after treatment. There was a positive pre-treatment correlation between the degree of fibrosis (kPa) and FIB4 (r = 0.319, p = 0.004), APRI (r = 0.287, p = 0.010), and the NAFLD score (r = 0.275, p = 0.016). Conclusion: Patients with hepatitis C had a high prevalence of metabolic disturbance in the pre-treatment phase, but the therapy did not show beneficial effects, especially on glucose metabolism.

Constelações afetivas: cotidiano, atividades humanas, relações sociais e Terapia Ocupacional entrelaçados à cosmovisão Krenak / Affective constellations: the everyday, human activities, social relations and occupational therapy interwoven with Krenak's cosmovision / Constelaciones afectivas: cotidiano, actividades humanas, relaciones sociales y terapia ocupacional entrelazados con la cosmovisión Krenak

Dado o contexto pandêmico, terapeutas ocupacionais refletem sobre atividades humanas, cotidianos e relações sociais em uma construção contra-hegemônica em diálogo com Ailton Krenak e sua cosmovisão. Problematizando perspectivas que dissociam seres/natureza/cultura/vida e não consideram os impactos dos modos de vida; inspiram-se nessa perspectiva para potencializar experiências e renovar o compromisso ético-político-cultural com a coletividade. Identificamos afinidades propositivas: pessoas-coletivas; a ressignificação da humanidade e da vida em sua interdependência em constelações de seres; o acolhimento dos encontros intensificando alianças afetivas; a presença na experiência pois o que existe é o agora; e o deslocamento urgente dos modos de vida modernos pela criatividade e poesia da resistência com reinvenção e criação de mundos possíveis mobilizados pelo cantar, dançar, suspender o céu e construir paraquedas coloridos. (AU)

In the context of a pandemic, occupational therapists reflect on human activities, the everyday, and social relations, in a contra>-hegemonic construction that intersects with Ailton Krenak's cosmovision. Problematizing perspectives that dissociate beings/nature/culture/life and disregard the impacts of modes of living, this study draws on this perspective to potentiate experiences and renew the ethical-political-cultural commitment to the collective. We identified propositive affinities: people-collectives; the resignification of humanity and life in its interdependence in constellations of beings; the receptiveness of encounters intensifying affective alliances; the presence in experience because all that exists is now; the urgent shift in modern modes of living and poetry of resistance, with the reinvention and creation of possible worlds mobilized by singing, dancing, suspending the sky, and building colorful parachutes. (AU)

Considerando el contexto pandémico, terapeutas ocupacionales reflexionan sobre actividades humanas, cotidianos y relaciones sociales en una construcción contra-hegemónica en diálogo con Ailton Krenak y su cosmovisión. Problematizando perspectivas que disocian seres/naturaleza/cultura/vida y no consideran los impactos de los modos de vida, se inspira en esa perspectiva para potencializar experiencias y renovar el compromiso ético- político-cultural con la colectividad. Identificamos afinidades propositivas: personas-colectivas; la resignificación de la humanidad y de la vida en su interdependencia en constelaciones de seres; la acogida de los encuentros intensificando alianzas afectivas; la presencia en la experiencia, puesto que lo que existe es el ahora; y el desplazamiento urgente de los modos de vida modernos por la creatividad y poesía de resistencia con reinvención y creación de mundos posibles movilizados por el cantar, bailar, suspender el cielo y construir paracaídas de colores. (AU)

"O capitão do mato não conta a história como ela foi" - reflexões sobre terapia ocupacional e cultura a partir da trajetória dos Ternos de Congada / "The capitão do mato does not tell the history how it was" - reflections about occupational therapy and culture from the trajectory of Ternos de Congada

Resumo Introdução A terapia ocupacional, sob uma perspectiva crítica decolonial, problematiza suas ações na articulação entre justiça social e direitos humanos visando à democratização do acesso à produção cultural e valorização dos saberes, conhecimentos e práticas de grupos sociais historicamente excluídos. Propôs-se acompanhar a congada, uma manifestação artístico-cultural afro-brasileira presente na região Sudeste. Objetivo Refletir sobre a atuação da terapia ocupacional no campo da cultura com base na descrição da trajetória e nas demandas políticas e sociais dos Ternos de Congada. Método Estudo de abordagem qualitativa, com a utilização do método de histórias de vida. A coleta de dados consistiu na realização de entrevistas individuais registradas em áudio e observação direta dos eventos comemorativos. Resultados: A análise de dados gerou duas categorias: 1- "Cotidiano dos Ternos de Congada ontem e hoje: memórias e trajetórias", que descreve o cotidiano e a trajetória dos Ternos de Congada, por meio das memórias afetivas dos participantes da pesquisa; e 2- "Institucionalidades e colonialidade na marginalização da cultura popular: conquistas e demandas dos grupos de congada", abrangendo as relações dos grupos de Terno de Congada com o poder público local. Conclusão O fazer ético-político da profissão, ao abarcar produções artístico-culturais forjadas no bojo do colonialismo, deve adotar uma nova postura epistêmica que ofereça centralidade às narrativas subalternas. Essa perspectiva abrange a compreensão de que a práxis cultural de grupos e comunidades tradicionais marginalizadas ganha contornos políticos e de identidade e memória histórica que devem ser contemplados na produção de conhecimentos e de práticas em terapia ocupacional.

Abstract Introduction Occupational Therapy discusses its actions through a critical decolonial perspective based on the grounds of social justice and human rights in order to promote access to cultural production thus valuing the knowledge and practices of historically social minorities. This study proposes a follow-up to Congada which is an Afro-Brazilian artistic-cultural community. Objective This study aims to understand the performance of Occupational Therapy in the culture field from the description of the trajectory of Congada as well as its political and social demands. Method A qualitative study in which personal experiences were collected. The research was developed taking into consideration the data collection and was subdivided into two sets which consisted of three individual interviews recorded in audio and also in the direct event observation of Ternos de congada. Results The data analysis process has generated two categories: "Ternos de Congada Daily Life, from the past to the present: Memories and its Trajectory" that describes Congada timeline through its participant's recollections; and "Institutionalities and coloniality in the marginalization of popular culture: achievements and demands of congada groups". Conclusion The ethical-political practice of the career, when embracing artistic and cultural productions that are forged amid colonialism, should adopt a new epistemic posture that places marginalized groups in the central narratives. This perspective encompasses the understanding that the cultural praxis of marginalized cultural groups and communities gains political and identity features and historical memory that should be contemplated in the production of knowledge and practices in Occupational Therapy.

Stainless steel or titanium mini-implants?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there was a difference in success rates when stainless steel (SS) was compared to titanium mini-implants (MIs) in orthodontic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, and OpenGray were searched without restrictions. A manual search was also performed in the references of the included articles. Studies comparing the success rate between SS and titanium MIs were included. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies-of Interventions) Tool or RoB 2.0 according to the study design. The level of evidence was assessed through GRADE (Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). RESULTS: Six studies met the eligibility criteria. One study was a randomized clinical trial that evaluated extraalveolar MIs, and nonrandomized trials examined interradicular MIs. The RCT presented a low RoB, two nonrandomized trials presented a moderate risk, and three presented a high risk. The quality of the evidence was high for the randomized clinical trial and moderate for the nonrandomized trials. Most studies found no difference between materials, with good success rates for both (SS, 74.6%-100%; titanium: 80.9%-100%) and only one study, with a high RoB, showed a higher success rate with titanium MIs (90%) when compared with SS (50%). A quantitative analysis was not because of the great heterogeneity among the studies. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited, the current evidence seems to show that the material used is not a major factor in the success rate of MIs. Because it has a lower cost than titanium and presents similar clinical efficiency, SS is a great material for orthodontic MIs.

Are cloth masks a substitute to medical masks in reducing transmission and contamination? A systematic review.

During the COVID-19 pandemic the use of cloth masks has increased dramatically due to the shortage of medical masks. However, the efficiency of this material is controversial. We aimed to investigate the efficiency of cloth masks in reducing transmission and contamination by droplets and aerosols for the general population and healthcare workers. Electronic databases were searched without year or language restrictions. Clinical and laboratorial studies were included. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using an adapted quality checklist for laboratory-based studies. ROBINS-I tool and Cochrane RoB 2.0 were used to evaluate non-randomized (n-RCT) and randomized clinical trials (RCT), respectively. The quality of the evidence was assessed through GRADE tool. From the eleven studies selected, eight were laboratory-based studies, one non-randomized and one RCT supported by laboratory data. Between the evaluated fabrics only three presented a filtration efficiency > 90%. Hybrid of cotton/chiffon (95%CI 95.2 to 98.8), hybrid of cotton/silk (95%CI 92.2 to 95.8) and cotton quilt (95%CI 94.2 to 97.8). However, cloth masks are not recommended for healthcare workers. A meta-analysis was not feasible due to a high methodological heterogeneity. The overall quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Despite the lower efficiency compared to medical masks, laboratorial results may underestimate the efficiency of cloth masks in real life. Cloth mask efficiency is higher when made of hybrid fabrics (cotton/chiffon, cotton/silk) and cotton quilt, mainly with multiple layers.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Pediatric Brain Cancers: Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential.

Brain cancers are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Biological changes in these tumors likely include epigenetic deregulation during embryonal development of the nervous system. Histone acetylation is one of the most widely investigated epigenetic processes, and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are increasingly important candidate treatments in many cancer types. Here, we review advances in our understanding of how HDACis display antitumor effects in experimental models of specific pediatric brain tumor types, i.e., medulloblastoma (MB), ependymoma (EPN), pediatric high-grade gliomas (HGGs), and rhabdoid and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs). We also discuss clinical perspectives for the use of HDACis in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors.

Ceramic veneers on teeth with non-carious cervical lesions: case report and finite element analysis / Facetas cerâmicas em dentes com lesões cervicais não cariosas: relato de caso e análise de elementos finitos

On ceramic veneers rehabilitation, teeth with non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs), especially premolars, are often involved. Preparation to remove deep NCCLs may lead to excessive wear and a less conservative approach, which goes against the current principles of minimal wear and maximum preservation. However, no evidence exists indicating which technique could avoid excessive wear during the dental preparation for veneers associated with NCCL. Thus, this study aimed to present an aesthetic treatment with ceramic veneers and follow-up of 24 months of a patient with various levels of NCCL severity; and to evaluate various wear protocols for dental veneers associated with NCCL via Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to guide and justify the clinical decision of the clinical case described. A 37-year-old male patient presented for treatment with wear on the anterior teeth and with NCCLs of various severity degrees on the posterior teeth. The treatment chosen was rehabilitation with ceramic veneers on teeth 15 to 25. The best restorative approach for the NCCL teeth was evaluated via an FEA, simulating various protocols and lesion depths while also calculating the percentage of tooth structure loss. Restoring the premolar's deeper NCCL with a composite resin core, before a ceramic veneer impression, presented better mechanical behavior in FEA and less tooth wear. For the 1.0 mm NCCL, beveling the lesion promoted good stress distribution, less invasive wear and an easier clinical procedure, as it did not involve a previous restorative procedure. It could be concluded that the restorative decision for premolars with NCCLs that will receive veneers should consider the set biomechanical behavior and especially the tooth structure wear necessary. For the case report presented, after two years of follow-up, no changes from the immediate result were observed, indicating that the cause of the lesions was eliminated, and that the treatment was effective, at least in the short-term. For FEA analysis, restoring the deeper NCCL prior to ceramic veneer impression, presented better mechanical behavior and less tooth wear. For the 1.0 mm NCCL, beveling the margin of the lesion generated the same good results

Na reabilitação com facetas cerâmicas, dentes com lesões cervicais não cariosas (LCNC), especialmente pré-molares, estão frequentemente envolvidos. O preparo para remover a LCNC pode levar a um desgaste excessivo e a uma abordagem menos conservadora, o que vai contra os princípios atuais de mínimo desgaste e máxima preservação. Entretanto, não existem evidências indicando qual técnica pode evitar o desgaste excessivo durante o preparo para facetas associado com LCNC. Portanto, esse artigo tem dois objetivos principais: 1) apresentar um tratamento estético com facetas cerâmicas e acompanhamento de 24 meses de um paciente com vários níveis de severidade de LCNC e 2) avaliar vários protocolos de preparo para facetas cerâmicas associadas com LCNC por meio do Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF) para guiar e justificar a decisão clínica do caso clínico descrito. Um paciente de 37 anos, gênero masculino, compareceu para tratamento com desgaste nos dentes anteriores e com LCNC com vários graus de severidade nos dentes posteriores. Optou-se pela reabilitação com facetas cerâmicas nos dentes 15 a 25. A melhor abordagem restauradora para os dentes com LCNC foi avaliada por MEF, simulando vários protocolos e profundidades de lesão, além disso foi calculada a porcentagem de estrutura dental perdida. Restaurar a LCNC profunda de um pré-molar com um núcleo de resina composta, antes da moldagem para faceta cerâmica, apresentou melhor comportamento mecânico em MEF e menos desgaste dental. Para a LCNC de 1 mm, biselar a lesão promoveu boa distribuição de tensões, um desgaste menos invasivo e um procedimento clínico mais fácil, já que não envolveu um procedimento restaurador prévio. Pode-se concluir que a decisão restauradora para pré-molares com LCNC que irão receber facetas deve considerar o comportamento biomecânico do conjunto e, principalmente, o desgaste de estrutura dental necessário. Para o caso apresentado, após 2 anos de acompanhamento, nenhuma mudança foi observada, indicando que a causa das lesões foi eliminada, e que o tratamento foi efetivo, ao menos no curto prazo. Para MEF, restaurar a LCNC antes da moldagem para facetas, apresentou melhor comportamento mecânico e menor desgaste dentário. Para a LCNC de 1,0 mm, fazer o bisel na margem da lesão levou aos mesmos bons resultados.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel chromanone and quinolinone analogues of uniflorol as anti-leishmanial agents.

Within this work, we describe the design and synthesis of a range of novel chromanones and quinolinones, based on natural products reported to possess anti-leishmanial action. The core heterocycles were obtained either via classical or ionic liquid mediated Kabbe condensation in the case of chromanones, or aqueous Sonogashira based alkynylation followed by acid-catalysed cyclisation in the case of quinolinones. Upon testing in promastigotes, axenic amastigotes and Leishmania-infected macrophages, compound 13c was identified as displaying interesting activity, inhibiting axenic amastigotes and intracellular amastigotes with IC50s of 25.3 and 24.6µM respectively.

HDAC and MAPK/ERK Inhibitors Cooperate To Reduce Viability and Stemness in Medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma (MB), which originates from embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) or neural precursors in the developing cerebellum, is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Recurrent and metastatic disease is the principal cause of death and may be related to resistance within cancer stem cells (CSCs). Chromatin state is involved in maintaining signaling pathways related to stemness, and inhibition of histone deacetylase enzymes (HDAC) has emerged as an experimental therapeutic strategy to target this cell population. Here, we observed antitumor actions and changes in stemness induced by HDAC inhibition in MB. Analyses of tumor samples from patients with MB showed that the stemness markers BMI1 and CD133 are expressed in all molecular subgroups of MB. The HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) NaB reduced cell viability and expression of BMI1 and CD133 and increased acetylation in human MB cells. Enrichment analysis of genes associated with CD133 or BMI1 expression showed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling as the most enriched processes in MB tumors. MAPK/ERK inhibition reduced expression of the stemness markers, hindered MB neurosphere formation, and its antiproliferative effect was enhanced by combination with NaB. These results suggest that combining HDAC and MAPK/ERK inhibitors may be a novel and more effective approach in reducing MB proliferation when compared to single-drug treatments, through modulation of the stemness phenotype of MB cells.

Pain level between clear aligners and fixed appliances: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To assess if there is any difference in pain levels between orthodontic treatment with clear aligners or fixed appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search was completed in PubMed, The Cochrane Database, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, and OpenGrey databases without any restrictions until February 2019. All comparative study types contrasting pain levels between clear aligners and fixed appliances were included. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, ROBINS-I-Tool, or ROB 2.0 according to the study design. The level of evidence was assessed through the GRADE tool. RESULTS: After removal of duplicates, exclusion by title and abstract, and reading the full text, only seven articles were included. Five were prospective non-randomized clinical trials (CCT), one was a cross-sectional study, and one was a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Two studies presented a high RoB, three a moderate RoB, and two a low RoB (including the RCT). A meta-analysis was not performed because of clinical, statistical, and methodological heterogeneity. Most of the studies found that pain levels in patients treated with Invisalign were lower than those treated with conventional fixed appliances during the first days of treatment. Differences disappeared thereafter. No evidence was identified for other brands of clear aligners. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a moderate level of certainty, orthodontic patients treated with Invisalign appear to feel lower levels of pain than those treated with fixed appliances during the first few days of treatment. Thereafter (up to 3 months), differences were not noted. Malocclusion complexity level among included studies was mild. Pain is one of many considerations and predictability and technical outcome are more important, mainly considering that the difference does not seem to occur after the first months of the orthodontic treatment.

Use of Buccal Fat Pad in the Treatment of Peri-Implant Mucosal Defect: A Case Report.

The present study describes a clinical case in which the buccal fat pad (BFP) was used to improve the contour of the peri-implant mucosa. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of such an application in the literature. A 58-year-old woman presented with teeth #2 and #3 missing and an indication for extraction of tooth #4. After clinical examination and CBCT analysis, immediate implants were placed in the region of the extracted tooth and that of tooth #2 for prosthetic rehabilitation using a three-unit fixed partial denture. There was an extensive mucosal defect in the region of tooth #3, with vertical and horizontal changes in the contour of the mucosa. As an alternative to the use of a subepithelial connective tissue graft, we opted for displacement of the BFP and its accommodation on the alveolar ridge of tooth #3 to improve the buccal tissue contour. After 5 years of follow-up, satisfactory gain and maintenance of mucosal volume were observed in the treated area, as well as improvement of buccal tissue contour. The use of BFP seems to be a feasible alternative for filling and treating peri-implant mucosal defects.

Saccharomyces boulardii reduces the mean intensity of infection in mice caused by the consumption of liver contaminated by Toxocara canis.

Probiotics have shown promising results as a potential method to control toxocariasis in mice inoculated with embryonated eggs of Toxocara canis. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in mice fed in natura chicken livers infected with T. canis. Twenty 15-day-old male Sussex chickens were inoculated with 300 T. canis embryonated eggs via intragastric catheter (GI). After 72 h of infection, each liver was collected and individually offered to a group of 20 mice. Mice that received supplemented ration with S. boulardii (1.107 colony forming units) and consumed in natura chicken liver showed reduction in infection intensity of 67.1%. This study demonstrated that administration of S. boulardii has potential as a probiotic to assist in controlling visceral toxocariasis caused by the consumption of viscera from paratenic hosts containing infective parasite larvae.

Fingolimod (FTY720) reduces viability and survival and increases histone H3 acetylation in medulloblastoma cells.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are epigenetic agents that display antitumor activities in experimental medulloblastoma (MB). Fingolimod (FTY720), an immunosuppressant agent currently used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, also has anticancer actions and can act as an HDACi. Here we examined whether fingolimod can inhibit human MB cell viability and survival, and if the effects are accompanied by increased histone acetylation. D283 and DAOY MB cells were treated with different doses of fingolimod. Cell viability was assessed by cell counting in a hemocytometer, and cell survival was analyzed with a colony formation assay. Histone H3 acetylation was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fingolimod at 7.5 or 10 µM, but not at 5 µM, induced a significant reduction in cell viability in D283 and DAOY cultures, and similar results were observed for inhibition of cell survival. In both cell lines, fingolimod also led to a significant increase in the levels of acetylated H3. These findings provide preliminary evidence indicating that fingolimod induces antitumor activities in MB, possibly through a mechanism which increases H3 histone acetylation.

Are cloth masks a substitute to medical masks in reducing transmission and contamination? A systematic review

Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic the use of cloth masks has increased dramatically due to the shortage of medical masks. However, the efficiency of this material is controversial. We aimed to investigate the efficiency of cloth masks in reducing transmission and contamination by droplets and aerosols for the general population and healthcare workers. Electronic databases were searched without year or language restrictions. Clinical and laboratorial studies were included. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using an adapted quality checklist for laboratory-based studies. ROBINS-I tool and Cochrane RoB 2.0 were used to evaluate non-randomized (n-RCT) and randomized clinical trials (RCT), respectively. The quality of the evidence was assessed through GRADE tool. From the eleven studies selected, eight were laboratory-based studies, one non-randomized and one RCT supported by laboratory data. Between the evaluated fabrics only three presented a filtration efficiency > 90%. Hybrid of cotton/chiffon (95%CI 95.2 to 98.8), hybrid of cotton/silk (95%CI 92.2 to 95.8) and cotton quilt (95%CI 94.2 to 97.8). However, cloth masks are not recommended for healthcare workers. A meta-analysis was not feasible due to a high methodological heterogeneity. The overall quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Despite the lower efficiency compared to medical masks, laboratorial results may underestimate the efficiency of cloth masks in real life. Cloth mask efficiency is higher when made of hybrid fabrics (cotton/chiffon, cotton/silk) and cotton quilt, mainly with multiple layers.