Genital mycoplasma infection and spontaneous preterm birth outcome: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) associated with genital mycoplasma infection in asymptomatic women. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: Public and private health services in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. POPULATION: A cohort of 1349 asymptomatic women with a singleton pregnancy at 20-25 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Participants completed a sociodemographic and clinical history questionnaire during the prenatal visit and provided cervicovaginal samples for the evaluation of Mycoplasma hominis (Mh), Ureaplasma spp. and bacterial vaginosis (BV). For gestational outcome, information about the delivery was assessed and sPTB was defined as a birth that occurred before 37 weeks of gestation. The association between variables and the risk of sPTB was evaluated using logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds ratios (ORs). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Genital mycoplasma infection and prematurity. RESULTS: The prevalence of sPTB and genital mycoplasma was 6.8 and 18%, respectively. The infection was not a risk factor for sPTB (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.32-1.35), even when Mh and Ureaplasma spp. were found together (P = 0.83). Pregnant women with genital mycoplasma infections had greater BV (P < 0.0001), but this vaginal microbiota condition was not associated with sPTB (P = 0.35). Regarding the risk factors associated with sPTB, a previous history of sPTB (aOR 12.06, 95% CI 6.21-23.43) and a cervical length of ≤2.5 cm (aOR 3.97, 95% CI 1.67-9.47) were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Genital mycoplasma infection was not a risk factor for sPTB, even in the presence of other abnormal vaginal microbiota. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Genital mycoplasma infection was not a risk for sPTB, even when associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Role of plasma PlGF, PDGF-AA, ANG-1, ANG-2, and the ANG-1/ANG-2 ratio as predictors of preeclampsia in a cohort of pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia affects 3-5% of pregnancies worldwide and is the primary cause of maternal-fetal and neonatal mortality. Previous studies show that alterations in maternal concentrations of angiogenic factors, such as PlGF, PDGF AA, ANG-1, and ANG-2, may play fundamental roles in the pathophysiology of the disease. OBJECTIVE: Determine whether the PlGF, PDGF AA, ANG-1, and ANG-2 are predictors of preeclampsia occurrence in a prenatal cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a case-control study associated with a prospective cohort of pregnant women, with gestational ages between 20 and 25 weeks, composed of 30 pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE) and 90 healthy pregnant women (HP). The plasma concentrations of the markers were determined using the ELISA method. The comparison between the case and control groups was performed using the t test on the SAS® 9.4 software. Also, ROC curves were constructed to evaluate the predictive potential of the biomarkers. RESULTS: Differences in the concentrations of PlGF, PDGF AA, ANG-1 and ANG-2, and the ANG-1/ANG-2 ratio were not observed between the PE and the HP groups. The predictive capacity of the biomarkers was assessed using ROC curves, in which the area under the curve for PlGF AUC = 0.55; PDGF AA AUC = 0.55; ANG-1 AUC = 0.47; ANG-2 AUC = 0.51, and the ANG-1/ANG-2 ratio AUC = 0.57. CONCLUSION: In pregnant women, with gestational ages between 20 and 25 weeks significant differences in biomarker concentrations between groups PE and HP were not observed. The ROC curves showed that the biomarkers were ineffective as preeclampsia predictors in the analyzed cohort.

Prospective longitudinal comparison study of surgical therapies for peri-implantitis: 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare different surgical therapies to treat peri-implantitis. METHODS: Twenty-three patients presenting one implant affected by peri-implantitis were divided into three groups: (i) open flap debridement (OFD) and citric acid decontamination (CAD); (ii) OFD, CAD and subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG); (iii) OFD, CAD and implantoplasty. Modified plaque index (MPI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), keratinized mucosa (KM) width, probing depth (PD), bleeding or suppuration on probing (B/SOP), and radiographic crestal bone level were registered 1(T1), 2(T2) and 3(T3) years after treatment. RESULTS: In Group 1 there was a significant improvement in MPI from baseline to T1, and a significant reduction in PD over time. In Group 2, none of the assessed clinical parameters showed any statistically significant variation over time. In Group 3, there was a significant decrease in PD and B/SOP over time. When comparing the 3 Groups, KM was significanlty greater in Group 2 vs. Group 1 and Group 3 at T1 and T2, and in Group 2 vs. Group 3 at T3. CONCLUSION: All therapies were successful in the management of peri-implantitis; however, SCTG maintained the greatest KM width. Surgical therapies combined with mechanical and chemical decontamination contributed to peri-implant tissue health.

Efficacy of a single session protocol for endodontic treatment in primary teeth: in vivo study.

AIMS: To determine the efficacy of a single session protocol (SSP) in the reduction of septic content of primary teeth root canals and identify the persistence of bacterial species associated with unsuccessful treatment. METHODS: Primary teeth root canals (16) with pulp necrosis and peri-radicular lesions were treated. Samples were collected at baseline (T1), and after chemo-mechanical preparation, before filling (T2). Identification of the microorganisms was determined using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridisation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Wilcoxon test was applied for comparison of mean number of species, proportion and mean count of each species between the evaluation times. RESULTS: Significant reductions were found in the mean number of bacteria species between T1 and T2 (p < 0.05), but not for the reduction in proportion (p > 0.05). There was a reduction (6.0-4.6) of the mean number of species associated with failure, without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The SSP was capable of significantly reducing the septic content, even though, many of the bacteria associated with failure persisted at the time of root canal filling.

Identificação de loci microssatélites com potencial de amplificação na espécie de Peixe-Rei (Odontesthes humensis) / Identification of microsatellite loci with amplification potential in "pejerrey" (Odontesthes humensis)

In this work, 25,806 potentially amplifiable microsatellite loci (PAL) were identified in pejerrey, (Odontesthes humensis), with 21% of dinucleotide, 22% trinucleotide, 37% tetranucleotide, 13% pentanucleotide and 7% hexanucleotide. Of the total loci, 167 were classified as "Best PAL", more likely to be variables in populations. The results show that with a small coverage of the genome it was possible to identify a large number of microsatellite loci...

In vitro effects of propolis on Giardia duodenalis trophozoites.

In order to improve the current chemotherapy of Giardia infection, potential antigiardial agents have been screened, including natural products. Propolis, a resinous hive product collected by bees, has attracted attention as a useful and popular substance with several therapeutic activities. The present study was carried out aiming to evaluate the in vitro effects of an ethanolic extract of propolis on the growth and adherence of Giardia duodenalis trophozoites. Propolis inhibited the growth of trophozoites and the level of inhibition varied according to the extract concentration and incubation times. The highest reduction of parasite growth was observed in cultures exposed to 125, 250 and 500 microg/ml of propolis, in all incubation periods (24, 48, 72 and 96 h). Growth reduction by 50% was observed in 125 microg/ml propolis-treated cultures, while the concentrations of 250 and 500 microg/ml were able to inhibit growth by more than 60%. Propolis also inhibited parasite adherence and all assayed propolis concentrations promoted the detachment of trophozoites. Light microscope observations revealed changes of the pear-shaped aspect of the cell and reduction of flagellar beating frequency in the great part of the trophozoites. Our results hold the perspective for the utilization of propolis as an antigiardial agent.

Avaliação da interferência in vitro do extrato seco de berinjela (Solanum melongena L.) em testes laboratoriais / In vitro interference evaluation from dry eggplant extract (Solanum melongena L.) in laboratorial tests

Cápsulas com berinjela têm sido usadas para reduzir colesterol. Estudos em animais apontaram significativa redução do colesterol total ou do LDL-colesterol, contudo em humanos, os resultados não são conclusivos. Dada a presença na berinjela de antocianinas, de comprovada atividade antioxidante, seria possível estes interferirem em determinações laboratoriais. Avaliou-se a interferência in vitro nas determinações de glicose, colesterol, triglicerídeo e ácido úrico. Os testes foram realizados com extrato seco de berinjela comercial, adicionado a soro calibrador comercial em concentrações supraterapêuticas, e depois em concentrações terapêuticas para os analitos que apresentaram interferência significativa na concentração terapêutica. Como controle utilizou-se soro puro e adicionado de amido, quercetina ou solvente. No soro com extrato não tratado foram detectadas interferências significativas nas determinações de glicose, triglicerídeos e AST em concentrações supraterapêuticas e para glicose em concentrações terapêuticas. Noutra etapa, testes foram feitos com o conteúdo das cápsulas após simulação de digestaão gástrica, também nas duas concentrações. Na concentração supraterapêutica, detectou-se a interferência em todos os analitos e na terapêutica apenas para glicose. Alguns controles apresentaram interferências não esperadas. Os resultados sugerem um potencial de interferência analítica para o extrato comercial de berinjela, sendo necessários estudos adicionais com outras preparações para uma conclusão definitiva.

[Allocation of health care resources in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil: a contribution to a discussion on health financing]. / Distribuição de recursos de saúde no Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil: um subsídio para discussões sobre o financiamento em saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the health situation in municipalities in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 1996, and to investigate how that correlated with federal health spending in 1997. METHODS: Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the association between federal health care funding and proportional mortality, supply of health services (hospitals and outpatient clinics), and the municipality's population (number of inhabitants). Also investigated was the association between mortality from broad groups of causes and socioeconomic structure, supply of health services, and the municipality's population. RESULTS: The multiple regression analysis showed an association between proportional mortality due to: 1) infectious diseases and: infant mortality, number of non-doctor medical professionals per 10,000 inhabitants, and number of physicians per 10,000 inhabitants (negative association); 2) chronic degenerative diseases and: percentage of individuals 60 years and older, infant mortality (negative association), and number of non-doctor medical professionals per 10,000 inhabitants (negative association); and 3) external causes of death and: the municipality's population, number of hospitals per 10,000 inhabitants (negative association), and percentage of children younger than 1 year. Health spending per inhabitant in 1997 was mainly associated with the municipality's population, number of outpatient clinics per 10,000 inhabitants, Swaroop and Uemura mortality rate, and deaths due to chronic degenerative diseases in 1996. CONCLUSIONS: Municipalities with a better morbidity and mortality profile and a better health services structure received more federal health care resources. To improve this situation, special strategies should be considered in order to ensure additional resources for municipalities that have poorer health indicators.

Influence of finishing and polishing procedures on the decision to replace old amalgam restorations: an in vitro study.

The purpose of this study was to establish the influence that finishing and polishing of existing amalgam restorations might have on the decision to replace them. Forty extracted teeth, in which amalgam restorations had been placed in vivo, were individually examined by 60 practitioners and students prior to and following standard finishing and polishing procedures. Examiners, who had not been informed of the study's methodology or objective, opted either for maintaining or replacing the restoration in question. The main reasons for replacement were also registered. Finishing and polishing significantly reduced the number of decisions to replace restorations in all groups and for all practitioners. "Appearance" (anatomic shape) was the most frequently cited reason for replacing restorations before finishing and polishing, followed by marginal defects and secondary caries.

Glass ionomer cement surface protection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of various surface treatments for glass ionomer cement (GIC) by determining quantity of dye uptake spectrophotometrically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty specimens, 4.5 mm diameter and 2 mm thick, were made from Shofu GIC and divided into 10 groups. Positive control (A) and negative control (B) specimens were not protected while experimental specimens were protected with ARM chemically-cured bonding resin (C), Durafill Bond light-cured bonding resin (D), Bondlite light-cured bonding resin (E), Colorama nail varnish (F), Shofu varnish (G), Copalite varnish (H), Vaseline (I) or Vaseline followed by Copalite (J). The discs were immersed in 0.05% methylene blue solution 10 minutes after mixing except group B specimens which were immersed in deionized water. After 24 hours the discs were removed, washed, and individually placed in 1 ml 65% nitric acid for 36 hours. The solutions were filtered, centrifuged and the absorbance determined spectrophotometrically at 590 nm. Dye uptake was expressed in microgram dye/restoration and the data analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey Kramer test. RESULTS: The mean (SD) of dye uptake were: A:95.12 (11.28); B:0 (0); C:40.90 (5.06); D:33.89 (3.63); E:35.73 (3.36); F:3.29 (0.79); G:14.87 (2.86); H:21.99 (3.25); I:47.21 (7.06); J:29.74 (3.49). All the surface agents were effective in protecting setting restorative glass ionomer cement, but nail varnish provided the best results.

[Prevalence of normal occlusion and malocclusion in Bauru (Sao Paulo) students. 2. Influence of socioeconomic level]. / Prevalência de oclusão normal e má oclusão em escolares da cidade de Bauru (São Paulo). Parte II: Influência da estratificação sócio-econômica.

We have evaluated 2,416 children of both sexes from Bauru, with mixed dentition, at the age between 7 and 11 years, enrolled in 18 public and private schools. The data regarding their occlusal conditions were written down in index cards previously elaborated to make possible the percentual calculation and the illustrative graphics. In this article we propose to find out the percentage of normal occlusion and distribution of malocclusions, according to the anteroposterior relationship between the dental archs (following the ANGLE3 classification) and their social-economical status. The results show a low percentual of normal occlusion, in total of 11.47% from the studied population. Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent (55%), followed by class II (42%) and, finally, by class III (3%). The social-economical condition had an influence upon the percentual of normal occlusion and class I malocclusion. In a lower social-economical level there was an increase in the percentual of class I malocclusion to the detriment of the reduction of normal occlusion. Class II and III malocclusions were not influenced by the social-economical status.

[Prevalence of normal occlusion and malocclusion in Bauru (Sao Paulo) students. 1. Sagittal relation]. / Prevalência de oclusão normal e má oclusão em escolares da cidade de Bauru (São Paulo). Parte I: Relação sagital.

We have evaluated 2,416 children of both sexes from Bauru, with mixed dentition, at the age between 7 and 11 years, enrolled in 18 public and private schools. In this article we propose to find out the percentage of normal occlusion and the distribution of maloclusions, according to the anteroposterior relationship between the dental archs (following the ANGLE3 classification). The results show a low percentual of normal occlusion, in a total of 11.47% from the studied population. Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent (55%), followed by class II (42%) and, by class III (3%).