Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale: Psychometric Evaluation in Portuguese Preschoolers.

Objective: to contribute to the validation of the Early Childhood Oral Impact Scale (ECOHIS) by studying its psychometric properties when applied to a Portuguese preschool population. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with children aged between three and five-years-old. The non-probabilistic sample included two preschools in the municipality of Lisbon. Children who agreed to participate and whose guardians signed the informed consent were included. Data collection included a questionnaire, administered to the parents, and an intraoral examination of the children. The questionnaire included the Portuguese version of ECOHIS. The intraoral examination included the caries diagnosis according to the World Health Organization criteria. Discriminant validity compared the ECOHIS score between children with and without caries experience (Mann-Whitney U-test). Cohen's d was calculated to estimate the magnitude of the difference. Reliability analysis included Cronbach's α and test-retest. Construct validity was analyzed by the correlation between the ECOHIS score and dmft (Spearman's correlation). A significance level of 5% was used. Results: The sample included 104 children (mean age 4.1 years). ECOHIS values were significantly different between children with and without caries (p=0.004). The Cohen's d was 0.84. The Cronbach's was 0.78, with no significant increase in value when eliminating any of the items. The test-retest showed significant correlation (r=0.76; p=0.01). There was a significant correlation between the ECOHIS score and caries experience (r=0.28; p=0.004). Conclusion: The Portuguese version of the ECOHIS showed good psychometric properties, indicating that it is a reliable and valid tool to measure the impact of oral health in preschool children.

Biochemical, Biophysical, and Structural Analysis of an Unusual DyP from the Extremophile Deinococcus radiodurans.

Dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs) are heme proteins with distinct structural properties and substrate specificities compared to classical peroxidases. Here, we demonstrate that DyP from the extremely radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans is, like some other homologues, inactive at physiological pH. Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy confirms that the heme is in a six-coordinated-low-spin (6cLS) state at pH 7.5 and is thus unable to bind hydrogen peroxide. At pH 4.0, the RR spectra of the enzyme reveal the co-existence of high-spin and low-spin heme states, which corroborates catalytic activity towards H2O2 detected at lower pH. A sequence alignment with other DyPs reveals that DrDyP possesses a Methionine residue in position five in the highly conserved GXXDG motif. To analyze whether the presence of the Methionine is responsible for the lack of activity at high pH, this residue is substituted with a Glycine. UV-vis and RR spectroscopies reveal that the resulting DrDyPM190G is also in a 6cLS spin state at pH 7.5, and thus the Methionine does not affect the activity of the protein. The crystal structures of DrDyP and DrDyPM190G, determined to 2.20 and 1.53 Å resolution, respectively, nevertheless reveal interesting insights. The high-resolution structure of DrDyPM190G, obtained at pH 8.5, shows that one hydroxyl group and one water molecule are within hydrogen bonding distance to the heme and the catalytic Asparagine and Arginine. This strong ligand most likely prevents the binding of the H2O2 substrate, reinforcing questions about physiological substrates of this and other DyPs, and about the possible events that can trigger the removal of the hydroxyl group conferring catalytic activity to DrDyP.

O relaxamento como técnica de redução da ansiedade da pessoa com doença mental: revisão integrativa da literatura / Relaxation as a technique to reduce the anxiety of people with mental illness: an integrative literature review / La relajación como técnica para reducir la ansiedad de las personas con enfermedad mental: una revisión integrativa de la literatura

Resumo Contexto: As perturbações da ansiedade estão entre as perturbações mentais mais prevalentes, caracterizando-se por uma resposta exagerada e desadequada a um estímulo. A probabilidade do seu aparecimento na pessoa com doença mental aumenta consideravelmente, quando comparado com a população em geral. Torna-se perentório a implementação de intervenções de âmbito psicoterapêutico que incluem a técnica de relaxamento. Objetivo: Sistematizar a evidência científica sobre os resultados obtidos com a utilização da técnica de relaxamento, na redução da ansiedade na pessoa com doença mental. Métodos: Revisão integrativa da literatura, através da pesquisa nas bases de dados eletrónicas (CINAHL e MEDLINE) realizada em junho de 2022. Sendo aplicado um conjunto de descritores e critérios de inclusão e exclusão, obteve-se uma amostra final de 7 estudos, publicados entre 2012-2022. Resultados: A evidência científica analisada demonstra resultados benéficos na utilização da técnica de relaxamento na redução da ansiedade e sintomas psicóticos na pessoa com doença mental, devendo ser implementada como intervenção de âmbito psicoterapêutico. Os avanços tecnológicos (realidade virtual e programas online) são um grande aliado para potencializar os seus efeitos imediatos, produzindo efeitos positivos na audição, visão e sensoriais, melhorando consideravelmente a experiência do relaxamento. Conclusões: Os resultados obtidos revelam que a implementação de diversos métodos de técnica de relaxamento (muscular, respiração, imaginação guiada, yoga, biofeedback, bodywareness e meditação guiada) apresentam um potencial terapêutico benéfico na redução imediata dos sinais e sintomas de ansiedade, sendo potencializado através da exposição contínua à intervenção. Contudo, os seus efeitos a longo prazo devem ser alvo de mais estudo.

Abstract Context: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders, characterized by an exaggerated and inadequate response to a stimulus. The probability of its appearance in people with mental illness increases considerably when compared to the general population. It is imperative to implement psychotherapeutic interventions that include the relaxation technique. Objective: To systematize the scientific evidence on the results obtained with the use of the relaxation technique, in reducing anxiety in people with mental illness. Methods: Integrative literature review, through research in electronic databases (CINAHL and MEDLINE) carried out in June 2022. Applying a set of descriptors and inclusion and exclusion criteria, a final sample of 7 published studies was obtained between 2012-2022. Results: The analyzed scientific evidence demonstrates beneficial results in the use of the relaxation technique in reducing anxiety and psychotic symptoms in people with mental illness and should be implemented as a psychotherapeutic intervention. Technological advances (virtual reality and online programs) are a great ally to enhance their immediate effects, producing positive effects on hearing, vision and sensory, considerably improving the experience of relaxation. Conclusions: The results obtained reveal that the implementation of various methods of relaxation techniques (muscle, breathing, guided imagery, yoga, biofeedback, bodywareness and guided meditation) have a beneficial therapeutic potential in the immediate reduction of signs and symptoms of anxiety, being enhanced through continuous exposure to the intervention. However, its long-term effects need to be studied further.

Resumen Contexto: Los trastornos de ansiedad se encuentran entre los trastornos mentales más prevalentes, caracterizados por una respuesta exagerada e inadecuada a un estímulo. La probabilidad de su aparición en personas con enfermedad mental aumenta considerablemente en comparación con la población general. Es imperativo implementar intervenciones psicoterapéuticas que incluyan la técnica de relajación. Objetivo: Sistematizar la evidencia científica sobre los resultados obtenidos con el uso de la técnica de relajación, en la reducción de la ansiedad en personas con enfermedad mental. Métodos: Revisión integrativa de la literatura, mediante investigación en bases de datos electrónicas (CINAHL y MEDLINE) realizada en junio de 2022. Aplicando un conjunto de descriptores y criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se obtuvo una muestra final de 7 estudios publicados entre 2012-2022. Resultados: A evidencia científica analizada demuestra resultados beneficiosos en el uso de la técnica de relajación en la reducción de la ansiedad y los síntomas psicóticos en personas con enfermedad mental, y debería implementarse como una intervención psicoterapéutica. Los avances tecnológicos (realidad virtual y programas online) son un gran aliado para potenciar sus efectos inmediatos, produciendo efectos positivos en la audición, la visión y los sentidos, mejorando considerablemente la experiencia de relajación. Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran que la implementación de diversos métodos de técnicas de relajación (muscular, respiratoria, imaginería guiada, yoga, biofeedback, bodywareness y meditación guiada) tienen un potencial terapéutico beneficioso en la reducción inmediata de signos y síntomas de ansiedad, siendo potenciado a través de exposición continua a la intervención. Sin embargo, sus efectos a largo plazo deben estudiarse más a fondo.

Production of high-quality SARS-CoV-2 antigens: Impact of bioprocess and storage on glycosylation, biophysical attributes, and ELISA serologic tests performance.

Serological assays are valuable tools to study SARS-CoV-2 spread and, importantly, to identify individuals that were already infected and would be potentially immune to a virus reinfection. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and its receptor binding domain (RBD) are the antigens with higher potential to develop SARS-CoV-2 serological assays. Moreover, structural studies of these antigens are key to understand the molecular basis for Spike interaction with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor, hopefully enabling the development of COVID-19 therapeutics. Thus, it is urgent that significant amounts of this protein became available at the highest quality. In this study, we produced Spike and RBD in two human derived cell hosts: HEK293-E6 and Expi293F™. We evaluated the impact of different and scalable bioprocessing approaches on Spike and RBD production yields and, more importantly, on these antigens' quality attributes. Using negative and positive sera collected from human donors, we show an excellent performance of the produced antigens, assessed in serologic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests, as denoted by the high specificity and sensitivity of the test. We show robust Spike productions with final yields of approx. 2 mg/L of culture that were maintained independently of the production scale or cell culture strategy. To the best of our knowledge, the final yield of 90 mg/L of culture obtained for RBD production, was the highest reported to date. An in-depth characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and RBD proteins was performed, namely the antigen's oligomeric state, glycosylation profiles, and thermal stability during storage. The correlation of these quality attributes with ELISA performance show equivalent reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 positive serum, for all Spike and RBD produced, and for all storage conditions tested. Overall, we provide straightforward protocols to produce high-quality SARS-CoV-2 Spike and RBD antigens, that can be easily adapted to both academic and industrial settings; and integrate, for the first time, studies on the impact of bioprocess with an in-depth characterization of these proteins, correlating antigen's glycosylation and biophysical attributes to performance of COVID-19 serologic tests.

Oral Health-Related quality of life in Portuguese undergraduate students.

BACKGROUND: The Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is an essential part of health and wellbeing that aims to assess the impact of oral health on aspects of personal and social life. This investigation aimed to study the OHRQoL in undergraduate students and relate it to sociodemographic, academic behaviours, oral health behaviours, the presence of oral problems and self-perception of oral health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study target-population consisted of the undergraduate students attending the University of Lisbon (UL). Data collection was carried out through an online questionnaire which included self-reported sociodemographic and academic characteristics, behaviours and oral health status, and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Descriptive statistics were performed, and the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used (α=0.05). RESULTS: The sample included 933 students, aged between 18 and 48 years old (mean=21.22 / SD=3.11). The global mean value of OHIP-14 was 5.98 (SD=6.71) and 89.8% of the students presented OHIP-14 values between 0 and 14. Psychological discomfort and physical pain were the dimensions of OHIP-14 with the greatest impact on OHRQoL. Most of the students brushed their teeth twice a day (79.7%) with fluoridated toothpaste (90.8%) and perceived their oral health as "good" (56.3%). Several aspects were significantly related (p<0.05) to a worse OHRQoL, namely, being of African origin, courses not related to health, changes for worse in oral hygiene habits after entering university, higher consumption frequency of cariogenic foods or, going to oral health appointments in urgent situations, not having oral health appointments for economic reasons, history of oral health problems, self-reported oral problems and negative self-perception of oral health status. CONCLUSIONS: Most UL students had a good OHRQoL, adequate oral health behaviours and a good self-reported state of oral health. Key words:Oral health-related quality of life, OHIP-14, Oral health behaviours, Self-reported oral health, University students.

Impulsive noise pollution in the Northeast Atlantic: Reported activity during 2015-2017.

Underwater noise pollution from impulsive sources (e.g. explosions, seismic airguns, percussive pile driving) can affect marine fauna through mortality, physical injury, auditory damage, physiological stress, acoustic masking, and behavioural responses. Given the potential for large-scale impact on marine ecosystems, some countries are now monitoring impulsive noise activity, coordinated internationally through Regional Seas Conventions. Here, we assess impulsive noise activity in the Northeast Atlantic reported during 2015-2017 to the first international impulsive noise register (INR), established in 2016 under the OSPAR Convention. Seismic airgun surveys were the dominant noise source (67%-83% of annual activity) and declined by 38% during 2015-2017. Reported pile driving activity increased 46%. Explosions and sonar/acoustic deterrent devices both had overall increases in reported activity. Some increases were attributable to more comprehensive reporting in later years. We discuss utilising the INR for risk assessment, target setting, and forward planning, and the implementation of similar systems in other regions.

Access to original canal trajectory after deviation and perforation with guided endodontic assistance.

Procedural accidents are eventualities that may occur during endodontic treatment because of lack of attention to detail or even unforeseeable situations. Knowledge of the root canal anatomy and its variations is a prerequisite for successful endodontic treatment. This case report describes an endodontic treatment where there was an intercurrence, generating deviation and perforation, which was solved with the aid of guided endodontics. A 37 years old, ASA1, was referred to the clinic for localisation and treatment of a calcified canal of the second right upper premolar. The tomographic images revealed the presence of only one canal and deviation with apical perforation. With the help of CBCT and CAD/CAM, it was possible to perform the guided access technique even after deviation and root perforation. Once again, this technique proved to be safe and predictable, allowing for a favourable prognosis in the long term.

Decolorization and detoxification of textile dyes using a versatile Streptomyces laccase-natural mediator system.

Currently, there is increasing interest in assessing the potential of bacterial laccases for industrial and environmental applications especially in harsh conditions. The environmental impact of the textile industry requires novel and effective technologies to mitigate the presence of dyes in wastewaters before discharging into the environment. Dyes usually remain stable in the presence of a variety of chemicals, light and are recalcitrant to microbial degradation. Among available technologies the biological treatments offer environmentally friendly strategies for decolorizing and detoxifying these compounds. The recent discovery of versatile laccases in streptomycetes opens up new opportunities for their commercial application. The aim of this study is to assess the potential of a novel bacterial laccase SilA produced by Streptomyces ipomoeae CECT 3341 active over wide temperature and pH ranges for use as an eco-friendly, biological treatment for the degradation of textile dyes. Insights into the enhancement of the oxidative action of this enzyme through the use of natural redox mediators are presented together with an assessment of the potential toxicity of the degradation products. Our results confirm that the combination of the laccase and natural mediators such as acetosyringone and methyl syringate enhanced the decolorization and detoxification of a variety of textile dyes up to sixfold and 20-fold, respectively. Mediator concentration was found to have a significant effect (p < 0.05) on dye decolorization at 60 °C; thus, the decolorization of Acid Orange 63 increased from 6 to 70-fold when the mediator concentration was increased from 0.1 to 0.5 mM. Further, the toxicity of tartrazine decreased 36-fold when the SilA-MeS system was used to decolorize the dye. The thermal properties of the SilA coupled with the stability of SilA at high pH suggest a potential commercial application for use in the decolorization of textile wastewaters which generally are performed at high temperature (>55 °C) and salinity and neutral pH, conditions which are unfavourable for conventional fungal laccases.

Endodontia guiada como alternativa para o tratamento de canais severamente calcificados / Guided endodontics as an alternative for the treatment of severely calcified canals

ntrodução: a calcificação pulpar é um dos fatores que tornam o tratamento endodôntico desafiador e capaz de comprometer o acesso dos instrumentos e soluções irrigadoras por toda extensão do canal radicular, impossibilitando sua adequada desinfecção. A Endodontia Guiada traz mais previsibilidade e segurança ao tratamento endodôntico nessa situação complexa. Métodos: uma vez constatada calcificação severa com necessidade de intervenção endodôntica, o paciente é encaminhado ao centro radiológico para o planejamento da Endodontia Guiada. Um modelo 3D da arcada a ser tratada é obtido por meio de um scanner de bancada e, posteriormente, transferido para um software de planejamento virtual de implante. A TCFC é adicionada a esse software e ambas são sobrepostas, com base em estruturas visíveis radiograficamente. O software Simplant é programado para projetar uma broca física, utilizada para o acesso endodôntico guiado, sobreposta virtualmente à calcificação do canal radicular. De posse da guia impressa, essa é posicionada na arcada do paciente e o procedimento clínico, executado. Conclusão: a técnica de Endodontia Guiada é rápida, previsível e clinicamente viável. Além disso, pode ser executada por profissionais menos experientes, não necessitando da utilização de microscópio operatório (AU).

Introduction: Pulp calcification is one of the factors that make endodontic treatment challenging and capable of compromising access of instruments and irrigant solutions to the entire extension of the root canal, making it impossible to disinfect it adequately. Guided endodontics makes the endodontic treatment more predictable and safer in this complex situation. Materials and Methods: Once severe calcification requiring endodontic intervention has been found, the patient is referred to the radiology center for the planning of guided endodontics. A 3D model of the arch to be treated is obtained by means of a bench scanner, afterwards transferred to a virtual implant planning software program. The CBCT is added to this software and both are superimposed on the basis of radiographically visible structures. The Simplant software is programmed to project a physical bur used for guided endodontic access, virtually superimposed on the root canal calcification. Once the printed guide has been obtained, it is positioned in the patient's arch and the clinical procedure is performed. Conclusion: The guided endodontic technique is easy, predictable and clinically feasible to perform. Moreover, it may be performed by less experienced professionals, and does not require the use of an operating microscope (AU).

A New Approach for Minimally Invasive Access to Severely Calcified Anterior Teeth Using the Guided Endodontics Technique.

This article describes an endodontic treatment technique performed through a new minimally invasive approach that leads to no tooth damage at the incisal edge and uses cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging and 3-dimensional guides. A 26-year-old patient presented with pain in the anterior region of the maxilla and reported having suffered dental trauma 13 years prior. Radiographic examination exhibited no visible root canal on tooth # 9 with a slight thickening in the apical periodontal ligament space. Pulp sensitivity tests produced no response, whereas the percussion test responded positively. CBCT imaging revealed a visible canal space limited to the apical 2-mm section of the root. Guided endodontic access was planned after intraoral scanning of the tooth surface to be used with the CBCT scan. A virtual model was created with the aid of virtual implant software for the surgical access planning in such a way as not to damage the incisal edge of the tooth. The resulting guides were printed. With guides in position over the rubber dam, a mechanical-chemical preparation was performed in the root as soon as the canal was located. Intracanal medication was left for 14 days, after which the root canal was filled gutta-percha and the access cavity sealed. Follow-up was performed 1 year after completion of the treatment. The patient was asymptomatic with periapical tissue within normal limits. The guided endodontic therapy optimized the treatment, having provided a conservative access with no tooth damage at the incisal edge in a safe and predictable way despite the presence of a severely calcified root canal.

Guided Endodontic Access in Maxillary Molars Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography and Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacturing System: A Case Report.

The aim of this study was to describe a guided endodontic technique that facilitates access to root canals of molars presenting with pulp calcifications. A 61-year-old woman presented to our service with pain in the upper left molar region. The second and third left molars showed signs of apical periodontitis confirmed by the cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans brought to us by the patient at the initial appointment. Conventional endodontic treatment was discontinued given the difficulty in locating the root canals. Intraoral scanning and the CBCT scans were used to plan the access to the calcified canals by means of implant planning software. Guides were fabricated through rapid prototyping and allowed for the correct orientation of a cylindrical drill used to provide access through the calcifications. Second to that, the root canals were prepared with reciprocating endodontic instruments and rested for 2 weeks with intracanal medication. Subsequently, canals were packed with gutta-percha cones using the hydraulic compression technique. Permanent restorations of the access cavities were performed. By comparing the tomographic images, the authors observed a drastic reduction of the periapical lesions as well as the absence of pain symptoms after 3 months. This condition was maintained at the 1-year follow-up. The guided endodontic technique in maxillary molars was shown to be a fast, safe, and predictable therapy and can be regarded as an excellent option for the location of calcified root canals, avoiding failures in complex cases.

CotA laccase-ABTS/hydrogen peroxide system: An efficient approach to produce active and decolorized chitosan-genipin films.

Chitosan-genipin films present a bluish-green color due to the conjugated double bonds formed when monomeric or dimeric genipin residues bridge chitosan. This phenomenon limits their use when colorless materials are required. In this work, a two-step oxidation strategy was developed aiming to remove color from chitosan-genipin films while preserving their functional properties. A combined system using the recombinant CotA laccase from Bacillus subtilis mediated by 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) followed by a H2O2 oxidation step was settled. ABTS boosted the laccase performance resulting in light brown chitosan-genipin films that were further decolorized upon immersion in a 5% H2O2 solution at pH 11.0 and 40°C for 30min. The applied methodology leads to films that sustain both acidic stability and antioxidant capacity of the pristine films. Overall, the combined CotA laccase-ABTS/hydrogen peroxide developed methodology efficiently produce active and decolorized chitosan-genipin films with potential for application as eco-friendly transparent material which may have application as food packaging.