Sibling Relationship Dynamics in Families with a Child Diagnosed with a Chronic Mental Disorder versus a Somatic Condition.

BACKGROUND: Recent research still focuses on the psychological impact on siblings and the problematic relationships in families with children with chronic illnesses. Our study evaluates the dynamics in sibling relationships in families with a child diagnosed with a chronic disease. METHODS: We comparatively evaluated the degree of empathy, involvement, friendship, and rivalry in sibling relationships in two groups of families who have a child with a chronic pediatric disorder versus a chronic mental disorder. RESULTS: The levels of involvement/friendship, empathy/care/concern, and education/learning were significantly higher in the pediatric group. Where there were siblings under the age of 10, rivalry scores tended to be higher in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Coping strategies, emphatic interactions, and implications in common activities are difficult to identify in the relationship between siblings when one of them has a chronic mental disorder. All of these negative aspects entail poor quality sibling relationships and draw alarm signals regarding the need for monitoring and intervention familial programs.

The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has meant significant precautions and changes in delivering healthcare services. The aim of the study was to explore the lifestyle changes of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania, the changes in prenatal care and delivery during the pandemic and the psychological impact on women and to determine how healthcare providers can help them to overcome this period. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted anonymously and distributed among pregnancy-related groups from Romania, recruiting 559 study participants, between May and October 2020. A total of 559 pregnant women completed an online 26-item questionnaire but we only validated 557 responses for study. The survey included basic demographic questions, pregnancy-related questions, questions regarding the pregnant women's lifestyle changes during the pandemic and their perception of the COVID-19 pandemic and questions which evaluated the impact of the pandemic on prenatal care and delivery in Romania. RESULTS: The pandemic restrictions affected women's routine activities regarding professional, familial and social life. Therefore, for pregnant women who were emotionally vulnerable, these restrictions had a great impact on their mental health. The majority of the study participants (78.8%, N = 439) were emotionally affected by the pandemic. The fear related to the possibility of having their pregnancy affected by the virus was dominant in the group (45.8%). A high number of women (69.5%) felt safe when they accessed health services, but private hospitals were considered safer (53.1%) compared to public hospitals (14.4%). The majority of participants (53.7%) used to have prenatal care in a private healthcare system. During the pandemic, preventive measures were associated with low confidence in the healthcare system. Of the total group of participants, 123 women (22.1%) gave birth during the pandemic. Of these, a majority of the study participants considered that it was very difficult for them to cope without their partner during the hospitalization and labor period. CONCLUSIONS: The main anxiety of pregnant women were related to threats to their lives and their baby's health because of the uncertainty caused by pandemic. It is important to know that the restrictions and the changes in maternity care had a negative impact on them. This conclusion must be taken into account when preventive measures will be decided for helping them to get through such a period. Additionally, psychological support will be essential for improving the mental health of pregnant women and for preventing a negative outcome of the pregnancy. These feelings must be taken into account when preventive measures will be established during pandemic and a psychological support will be essential for improving their mental health for preventing negative outcome of pregnancy.

Bilaterality and symmetry of c-shaped mandibular second molars in a Mexican Maya and non-Maya population: a CBCT in vivo study / Bilateralidad y simetría de los segundos molares mandibulares en forma de c en una población mexicana Maya y no Maya: estudio in vivo mediante CBCT

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to evaluate the bilaterality and symmetry in C-shaped mandibular second molars in Mexican Maya and non-Maya populations using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Five-hundred-twenty-five CBCT scans of patients with left and right mandibular second molars were analyzed to determine the prevalence and bilaterality. The teeth were assessed for the presence of C-shaped root canals, according to Fan et al. (2004) criteria. The sample was subdivided by ethnicity, sex, unilateral/bilateral presence, side of the longitudinal groove, and the C-shaped root canal configuration and symmetry, at the cervical, middle, and apical cross- sections of the root. C-shaped mandibular second molars were present in 24.95% of the individuals. Most (60.30%) of those showing this trait had it bilaterally. When comparing by ethnicity, sex, and side, we detected no significant differences. The vast majority (97.33%) presented the groove along the lingual side. The C3 was the most prevalent configuration in the overall sample, while in the Maya group, the C1 was the most common configuration. When analyzed by sex and ethnic group, the non-Maya females tended to deviate from the other groups in terms of bilaterality. Overall, 55.70% of bilateral C-shaped mandibular second molars were also symmetric in the three radicular thirds. The prevalence of C-shaped mandibular second molars was similar to that reported for northernAsian populations, which is consistent with the evolutionary origins of Native American populations. Most of the sample showed bilaterality and half were symmetric. Clinicians must be aware of the ethnic background of their patients and consider the possible variations to do more predictable root canal treatments.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la bilateralidad y simetría de los segundos molares mandibulares en forma de C en una población Mexicana Maya y no-Maya mediante tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (CBCT). Material and Métodos: Se analizaron quinientos veinticinco tomografías de pacientes con segundos molares mandibularesderecho e izquierdo para determinar la prevalencia y bilateralidad. Los dientes fueron evaluados según la presencia de conductos en forma de C de acuerdo a los criterios de Fan et al. La muestra fue subdividida por etnicidad, sexo, presencia bilateral/unilateral, lado del surco y configuración y simetría de los conductos en los cortes transversales cervical, medio y apical. Los segundos molares mandibulares en forma de C estuvieron presentes en el 24.95 % de los individuos. La mayoría (60.30%) de los que mostraron este rasgo lo hicieron de forma bilateral. El comparar por etnicidad, sexo y lado, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. La gran mayoría (97.33%) presentó el surco por lingual. C3 fue la configuración más prevalente en la muestra general, mientras que en el grupo Maya el C1 fue la más común. El análisis por sexo y grupo étnico arrojó que las mujeres no Mayas tendieron a desviarse de los otros grupos en términos de bilateralidad. El 55.70% de los segundos molares mandibulares bilaterales fueron simétricos en sus tres tercios radiculares. La prevalencia de los segundos molars mandibulares en forma de C fue similar a la reportada para las poblaciones del norte de Asia, lo cual es consistente con los orígenes evolutivos de las poblaciones nativas americanas. La mayor parte de la muestra presentó el rasgo de forma bilateral y la mitad de éstos fueron simétricos. Los odontólogos deben tomar en cuenta el origen étnico de sus pacientes y considerar las posibles variaciones para realizar tratamientos endodónticos más predecibles.

Use of the Bio-Rad Geenius HIV-1/2 supplemental assay for the testing of oral fluids for the presence of HIV antibody.

There is currently an absence of products which are cleared by the FDA to provide supplemental testing for oral fluid for HIV antibody. We created a procedure for the use of the BioRad Geenius HIV-1/2 as a supplemental antibody test for oral fluid specimens. The modified procedure was evaluated for its ability to detect HIV-1 antibody in oral fluid in specimens that were found to be repeatedly reactive for HIV-1 antibody by way of the Avioq HIV-1 enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Evaluated were oral fluid specimens analyzed at a local public health laboratory which were stored frozen and oral fluid specimens collected prospectively. Prospectively collected specimens were from patients whose HIV status was subsequently assessed through blood-based testing. For retrospective specimens found repeatedly EIA reactive, and positive by Western blot, the modified Geenius was found positive in 37/38 instances (97.4 %). Those specimens with a mean EIA signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) greater than 3.00 were found to be positive by Geenius in 34/34 (100 %) of instances. For specimens found repeated reactive by EIA and positive by Western blot with mean S/CO less than or equal to 3.00, the Geenius was positive in 4/5 instances (80 %) of instances. For prospectively collected specimens, the Geenius accurately confirmed infection in 22/24 cases (92 %) while prospective specimens found repeatedly reactive by EIA without supplemental Geenius testing were confirmed positive in 29/37 instances (78 %). A modified usage of the Geenius HIV-1/2 Supplemental Assay antibody test may provide utility in the supplementation of testing of oral fluid for the presence of HIV-1 antibody.

Root canal morphology of the mandibular first premolars in a Yucatecan population using cone beam computed tomography: an in vitro study / Morfología del conducto radicular de primeros premolares mandibulares en una población yucateca usando tomografía computarizada: estudio in vitro

A successful endodontic treatment requires knowledge of the internal configuration of dental root canals. Most of the people who live in Yucatan are of Maya origin, characterized by a Mongoloid dental pattern. Because of their ethnicity, variations are expected. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the morphological characteristics and variability of this population. One hundred and five extracted first mandibular premolars of Mexican Maya population were analyzed; the sample was obtained from the Oral Surgery Clinic in the School of Dentistry at the Autonomous University of Yucatan with written informed consent. Analyses were performed by means of Cone Beam Computed Tomography. Vertucci´s Type I was the most prevalent configuration with 51.4 %, but 41 cases (39.1 %) presented a radicular groove and a C-shaped canal configuration. Overall, we documented 1, 2, 3, and 4 root canals. Mandibular first premolars are very variable in the Yucatecan population. The variability and frequency of C-shape is similar to mandibular second molars confirming the importance of the ethnic background for the endodontic treatments.

El éxito en el tratamiento endodóntico requiere el conocimiento profundo de la configuración interna del sistema de conductos radiculares. La mayoría de las personas que viven en Yucatán son de origen Maya y poseen el patron dental Mongoloide; por lo tanto, se esperan variaciones debido a su etnicidad. El propósito de esta investigación fue evaluar las características morfológicas y la variabilidad del conducto radicular en la población yucateca. Se analizaron ciento cinco primeros premolars mandibulares extraídos de pacientes provenientes de una muestra Maya mexicana; la muestra fue obtenida de la Clínica de Cirugía Oral de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Con consentimiendo informado escrito. Se utilizaron Tomografías Computarizadas para el análisis de la muestra. La configuración más prevalente fue la Tipo I de Vertucci con 51,4 %. Sin embargo, 41 de 105 casos (39,1 %) presentaron un surco radicular y la configuración en forma de "C". Se documentaron casos con 1, 2, 3 y 4 conductos radiculares. Los primeros premolares mandibulares de la población Yucateca son muy variables. La variabilidad y frecuencia de conductos en forma de "C" concuerda con estudios realizados en segundos molars mandibulares en esta zona confirmando la importancia del origen étnico de las poblaciones para los tratamientos endodónticos.

Morfología radicular y mediciones apicales en primeros molares en una población maya / Root morphology and apical measurements of first molars in a Mayan population

El conocimiento preciso de la morfología radicular dental son claves para el éxito en las terapias endodónticas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las distintas variaciones de la morfología radicular y apical en primeros molares superiores e inferiores de una población maya moderna. Se observaron microfotografías provenientes de 80 primeros molares superiores e inferiores, presentadas en cortes transversales a 1 y 2,5 mm del vértice apical, así como de las porciones 1/3, 1⁄2, 2/3 del largo radicular y en la unión amelocementaria. Se determinó el número de raíces, conductos y configuración de Vertucci, así como forma y medidas de diámetro mayor y menor a 1 mm del vértice apical. El 90 % de primeros molares superiores reportó la presencia de 3 raíces y el 10 % mostró 2. En tanto que el total de primeros molares inferiores (100 %) reportó 2 raíces. En general, en las raíces mesiales prevaleció el Tipo II de Vertucci mientras que en las distales y palatinas la Tipo I. En el corte a 1 mm del vértice apical la forma redonda fue la de mayor prevalencia en los conductos de primeros molares superiores (44,5 %), seguida de la irregular (34,1 %) y la oval (21,4 %); mientras que en los primeros molares inferiores la más prevalente fue la irregular (54, 5 %), seguida de la redonda (23,9 %) y oval (21,6 %). Los diámetros mayor y menor de los conductos mesiales a 1 mm apical midieron 0,46 y 0,23 mm y 0,64 y 0,25 mm en molares superiores e inferiores respectivamente. La frecuencia de MB2 en primeros molares superiores fue del 77,8 %. Los conductos con mayor variabilidad fueron los mesiales. Se observó baja frecuencia de conductos ovales. Los diámetros mayores de los conductos mesiales en general, fueron superiores a 0,45 mm.

Accurate knowledge of dental root morphology is a key to success in endodontic therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different variations of the root and apical morphology in upper and lower first molars of a modern Mayan population. Photomicrographs were taken from 80 upper and lower first molars, presented in cross sections at 1 and 2.5 mm from the apical vertex, as well as from the 1/3, 1⁄2, 2/3 portions of the root length and at the cementoenamel junction. The number of roots, canal and Vertucci`s configuration was determined, as well as the shape and measurements of the major and minor diameters at 1 mm from the apex. In this study 90 % of upper first molars reported the presence of 3 roots and 10 % showed 2, while the total lower first molars (100 %) reported 2 roots. In general, Vertucci`s Type II prevailed in the mesial roots while Type I was prevalent in the distal and palatal ones. In the 1 mm cut of the apical vertex, the round shape was the most prevalent in the canal of the first upper molars (44.5 %), followed by irregular (34.1 %) and oval (21.4 %); while in the first lower molars the most prevalent one was irregular (54.5 %), followed by round (23.9 %) and oval (21.6 %). The major and minor diameters of the mesial canals at 1 mm apical recorded 0.46 and 0.23 mm and 0.64 and 0.25 mm in upper and lower molars respectively. The frequency of MB2 in upper first molars was 77.8 %. The canals with greater variability were the mesial ones. Low frequency of oval canals was observed. The largest diameters of the mesial canal in general were greater than 0.45 mm.

Antibody detection by agglutination-PCR (ADAP) enables early diagnosis of HIV infection by oral fluid analysis.

Oral fluid (OF) is a highly effective substrate for population-based HIV screening efforts, as it is noninfectious and significantly easier to collect than blood. However, anti-HIV antibodies are found at far lower concentrations in OF compared with blood, leading to poor sensitivity and a longer period of time from infection to detection threshold. Thus, despite its inherent advantages in sample collection, OF is not widely used for population screening. Here we report the development of an HIV OF assay based on Antibody Detection by Agglutination-PCR (ADAP) technology. This assay is 1,000-10,000 times more analytically sensitive than clinical enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIAs), displaying both 100% clinical sensitivity and 100% specificity for detecting HIV antibodies within OF samples. We show that the enhanced analytical sensitivity enables this assay to correctly identify HIV-infected individuals otherwise missed by current OF assays. We envision that the attributes of this improved HIV OF assay can increase testing rates of at-risk individuals while enabling diagnosis and treatment at an earlier time point.

Maize dependence or market integration? Caries prevalence among indigenous Maya communities with maize-based versus globalized economies.

The relationship between diet and oral health is widely known, yet data on dental caries prevalence is lacking for many indigenous groups with traditional or rapidly modernizing diets. This research documents caries prevalence in two Maya communities from northern Yucatán (Mexico) with significantly different levels of market integration, subsistence, and diet: Yalsihón, with a traditional, maize-based subsistence economy, and Dzilam, with access to globalized food markets. Each sample was subdivided by sex into 15-19, 20-24, and 25-30 years-of-age classes. Caries prevalence was considered separately both when the lesion affected the enamel superficially (grade 1+) and when it reached the dentin (grade 2+). In both villages, females of all age classes manifest more caries than males. Results show higher prevalence of caries at Dzilam than at Yalsihón, except for grade 1+ caries among 15-19-year-old males and grade 2+ caries among 15-19-year-old females. Though differences are not significant, earlier pregnancies among 15-19-year-old females at Yalsihón could be a causative factor. A survey indicated a more balanced diet at Yalsihón despite a heavier intake of maize than at Dzilam. Striking differences were documented in the ingestion of soda and globalized foods; sodas were virtually absent at Yalsihón, while at Dzilam they were ingested daily in great quantities. The decline in oral health at Dzilam is inferred to result from consumption of industrially processed foods and drinks, while a traditional diet leads to less caries despite daily heavy consumption of maize, which must be considered when interpreting caries rates in archaeological samples.